bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Size‐Selective Encapsulation Property of Unimolecular Reverse Micelle Consisting of Hyperbranched D‐Glucan Core and L‐Leucine Ethyl Ether Shell
Authors: Satoh Toshifumi , Kitajyo Yoshikazu , Sakai Ryosuke , Narumi Atsushi , Takahashi Kenji , Kaga Harumi , Kaneko Noriaki , Kakuchi Toyoji 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe synthesis of a unimolecular reverse micelle (3) consisting of hyperbranched D‐glucan as the core and L‐leucine ethyl ester as the shell was accomplished through the carbamation reaction of the hyperbranched D‐glucan (1) with the N‐carbonyl L‐leucine ethyl ester (2) in pyridine at 100 °C. The polymer 3 was soluble in a large variety of organic solvents, such as methanol, acetone, chloroform, and ethyl acetate, and insoluble in water, which remarkably differed from the solubility of 1. The solubilities of 3 were also changed by the substitution degrees of the L‐leucine moiety. The encapsulation ability of 3 toward water‐soluble dyes has been investigated. These results indicated that 3 was a unimolecular reverse micelle with an encapsulation ability toward hydrophilic dye molecules. In addition, 3 showed an molecular size‐selective encapsulation ability.
Chitosan Cross‐Linked Films for Drug Delivery Application
Authors: Campos Maria G. N. , Satsangi Neera , Rawls Henry R. , Mei Lucia H. I. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThis work evaluated such a cross‐linked chitosan based controlled release device to be later used for sustained drug release. Cross linking was required to control chitosan swelling/deswelling rate. Hexamethylene 1,6‐Bis (aminocarboxysulfonate), a bisulfite blocked diisocyanate obtained by the reaction of 1,6 Hexamethylene Diisocyanate and Sodium bisulfite, was used as cross linking agent. Two films formulations were tested: 30 and 50% cross‐linked, and they were prepared by solvent evaporation technique. Chitosan cross‐linked films were characterized for cross linkage by FTIR, for hydrophilicity by Contact Angle and for swelling behavior by Gravimetric method. Cross linking reaction was confirmed by FTIR. Moreover, cross linking increased the hydrophilic character of cross‐linked films and suppressed swelling. However, 30% cross‐linked film swollen less than the 50% one, while 50% cross‐linked film swollen less than chitosan film itself. This behavior was attributed to the hydrophilic character of the cross linking agent and to the polymeric network formation by cross linking.
Fabrication of Ordered Arrays of Biodegradable Polymer Pincushions Using Self‐Organized Honeycomb‐Patterned Films
Authors: Tanaka Masaru , Takebayashi Masafumi , Shimomura Masatsugu 
Published: May 2009

AbstractNano‐ and micropatterned structures of tissue engineering scaffolds made of biodegradable and biocompatible polymers profoundly influence cell behavior. The present study describes a technically simple and inexpensive method to rapidly fabricate hexagonal arrays of biodegradable polymer pillars (pincushions). As precursors to these polymer pincushion arrays, highly regular porous biodegradable polymer films (self‐organized honeycomb‐patterned films, called honeycomb films) were prepared on a glass substrate using a simple casting technique. Scanning electron microscope observations revealed that the honeycomb film was composed of a top and bottom layer. This double‐layered structure is attributable to the self‐organization of hexagonally packed arrays of water droplets that form the template. When we peeled off the top layer of the honeycomb film under ambient conditions using adhesive tape, we obtained arrays of polymer pincushions on both side of the glass substrate and on the adhesive tape. Each air hole is surrounded by six pincushions, each with a diameter of 0.1‐1 µm. We also studied factors that determine the morphology of the pincushions, such as the thermal and mechanical properties of the polymers used. It was shown that the heights, widths, and distances of separation between the pincushions could be controlled by the choice of polymer and the pore structure of the original honeycomb film. Such well‐ordered, biologically inspired pincushion structures could find application in biomedical, photonic, and electronic materials.
The Use of In‐line Quantitative Analysis to Follow Polymer Processing
Authors: Canevarolo Sebastião V. , Bertolino Marcelo K. , Pinheiro Luís A. , Palermo Vincenzo , Piccarolo Stefano 
Published: May 2009

AbstractIn this work it is presented three applications of real time analysis during extrusion process using an optical device developed by our research group, which applies the concepts of light extinction. Monitoring of polymer blends morphology takes place to infer data concerned to dispersed phase size and concentration. The detector also enables information about melting temperature of polymer during extrusion and the level of viscous heating, and the exfoliation step during processing of a polymer‐clay nanocomposite.
Passive and Active Mixing in Microfluidic Devices
Authors: Meijer Han E.H. , Singh Mrityunjay K. , Kang Tae Gong , den Toonder Jaap M.J. , Anderson Patrick D. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractIn microfluidics the Reynolds number is small, preventing turbulence as a tool for mixing, while diffusion is that slow that time does not yield an alternative. Mixing in microfluidics therefore must rely on chaotic advection, as well‐known from polymer technology practice where on macroscale the high viscosity makes the Reynolds numbers low and diffusion slow. The mapping method is used to analyze and optimize mixing also in microfluidic devices. We investigate passive mixers like the staggered herringbone micromixer (SHM), the barrier embedded micromixer (BEM) and a three‐dimensional serpentine channel (3D‐SC). Active mixing is obtained via incorporating particles that introduce a hyperbolic flow in e.g. two dimensional serpentine channels. Magnetic beads chains‐up in a flow after switching on a magnetic field. Rotating the field creates a physical rotor moving the flow field. The Mason number represents the ratio of viscous forces to the magnetic field strength and its value determines the fate of the rotor: a single, an alternating single and double, or a multiple part chain‐rotor results. The type of rotor determines the mixing quality with best results in the alternating case where crossing streamlines introduce chaotic advection. Finally, an active mixing device is proposed that mimics the cilia in nature. The transverse flow induced by their motion indeed enhances mixing at the microscale.
Water‐Soluble Polyacids with Capability to Remove Metal Ions in Homogenous Phase by Using the Liquid Phase Polymer‐Based Retention Technique
Authors: Rivas Bernabé L. , Maureira Antonio , Pereira Eduardo D. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractWater‐soluble polymers containing carboxylic acid and sulfonic acid groups were investigated as polychelatogens under different experimental conditions in view to study their metal ion binding properties, using the liquid‐phase polymer‐based retention technique. The divalent metal ions investigated were: Co2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Cd2+. When the pH increased above 3, and especially at pH 5, metal ion retention capability increased as the majority of the functional groups are carboxylate, which can form more stable complexes with the metal ions. The retention capability also depended on the structure of the polyacid and the filtration factor, Z.
Corporate borrowing and profitability in India
Authors: Majumdar Sumit , Sen Kunal 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThis paper examines effects of different types of corporate borrowing on firm profitability in India. We show that in contrast to the conventional thinking on the importance of monitored debt in determining firm performance, what matters more is arm's‐length lending in the form of fixed deposits in influencing firm profitability. We argue that the strategic implications of fixed deposits can be mainly attributed to the fact that they are both unsecured and privately held, which make the creditors associated with this type of debt the most likely to monitor firms' performance. The results suggest that debt structure matters, and it is important to take into account institutional differences and the heterogeneity of debt in the analysis of capital structure on firm performance. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantifying spatial heterogeneity in dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI parameter maps
Authors: Rose Chris J. , Mills Samantha J. , O'Connor James P. B. , Buonaccorsi Giovanni A. , Roberts Caleb , Watson Yvonne , Cheung Susan , Zhao Sha , Whitcher Brandon , Jackson Alan , Parker Geoffrey J. M. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractDynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI is becoming a standard tool for imaging‐based trials of anti‐vascular/angiogenic agents in cancer. So far, however, biomarkers derived from DCE‐MRI parameter maps have largely neglected the fact that the maps have spatial structure and instead focussed on distributional summary statistics. Such statistics—e.g., biomarkers based on median values—neglect the spatial arrangement of parameters, which may carry important diagnostic and prognostic information. This article describes two types of heterogeneity biomarker that are sensitive to both parameter values and their spatial arrangement. Methods based on Rényi fractal dimensions and geometrical properties are developed, both of which attempt to describe the complexity of DCE‐MRI parameter maps. Experiments using simulated data show that the proposed biomarkers are sensitive to changes that distribution‐based summary statistics cannot detect and demonstrate that heterogeneity biomarkers could be applied in the drug trial setting. An experiment using 23 DCE‐MRI parameter maps of gliomas—a class of tumour that is graded on the basis of heterogeneity—shows that the proposed heterogeneity biomarkers are able to differentiate between low‐ and high‐grade tumours. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Two formulations for dynamic response of a cylindrical cavity in cross‐anisotropic porous media
Authors: Eslami Hashem , Gatmiri Behrooz 
Published: May 2009

AbstractTwo formulations for calculating dynamic response of a cylindrical cavity in cross‐anisotropic porous media based on complex functions theory are presented. The basis of the method is the solution of Biot's consolidation equations in the complex plane. Employing two groups of potential functions for solid skeleton and pore fluid (each group includes three functions), the u–w formulation of Biot's equations are solved. Difference of these two solutions refers to use of two various potential functions. Equations for calculating stress, displacement and pore pressure fields of the medium are mentioned based on each two formulations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cribra orbitalia: a non‐human primate perspective
Authors: DeGusta D. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractCribra orbitalia, a porous lesion involving the orbital roofs, is one of the most‐studied skeletal pathologies in bioarchaeology, and yet uncertainty still exists regarding its aetiology and significance. In contrast to the hundreds of reports of cribra orbitalia in human skeletal remains, little is known of this condition in non‐human primates. Previously, cribra orbitalia has only been reported in catarrhines, with just two cases in cercopithecoids. To provide a broader, phylogenetic perspective on cribra orbitalia, a sample of primate skeletal material was examined to evaluate the occurrence of this condition. The taxonomically diverse sample consists of 380 non‐hominoid (non‐ape) modern primates from both wild and captive populations. Cribra orbitalia is present in 16 individuals, including cercopithecines, colobines, platyrrhines and a prosimian, substantially expanding the known taxonomic range of this condition. Modern primates—with their varied habitats, diets, levels of parasitism, etc.—provide a set of natural experiments regarding conditions and physiologies which may influence the aetiology and impact of cribra orbitalia. More generally, it is suggested here that studies of non‐human primate skeletal pathologies have the potential for providing significant insight on human paleopathologies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhanced number and activity of mitochondria in multiple sclerosis lesions
Authors: Witte Maarten E , Bø Lars , Rodenburg Richard J , Belien Jeroen A , Musters Rene , Hazes Thierry , Wintjes Liesbeth T , Smeitink Jan A , Geurts Jeroen JG , De Vries Helga E , van der Valk Paul , van Horssen Jack 
Published: May 2009

AbstractMitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in the development and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. Mitochondrial alterations might occur as a response to demyelination and inflammation, since demyelination leads to an increased energy demand in axons and could thereby affect the number, distribution and activity of mitochondria. We have studied the expression of mitochondrial proteins and mitochondrial enzyme activity in active demyelinating and chronic inactive MS lesions. Mitochondrial protein expression and enzyme activity in active and chronic inactive MS lesions was investigated using (immuno)histochemical and biochemical techniques. The number of mitochondria and their co‐localization with axons and astrocytes within MS lesions and adjacent normal‐appearing white matter (NAWM) was quantitatively assessed. In both active and inactive lesions we observed an increase in mitochondrial protein expression as well as a significant increase in the number of mitochondria. Mitochondrial density in axons and astrocytes was significantly enhanced in active lesions compared to adjacent NAWM, whereas a trend was observed in inactive lesions. Complex IV activity was strikingly up‐regulated in MS lesions compared to control white matter and, to a lesser extent, NAWM. Finally, we demonstrated increased immunoreactivity of the mitochondrial stress protein mtHSP70 in MS lesions, particularly in astrocytes and axons. Our data indicate the occurrence of severe mitochondrial alterations in MS lesions, which coincides with enhanced mitochondrial oxidative stress. Together, these findings support a mechanism whereby enhanced density of mitochondria in MS lesions might contribute to the formation of free radicals and subsequent tissue damage. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dominant negative factors in health and disease
Authors: Veitia Reiner A 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe idea of dominant mutations that interfere with the activity of a normal gene product has been known for more than 80 years—the famous Muller's antimorphs. However, only over half a century later, the mechanistic bases of dominant negative mutations (DNMs) were defined in a systematic way by Ira Herskowitz. Most analyses of DNMs consider only intralocus (interallelic) interactions. The typical textbook explanation invokes a defective subunit, which poisons a homo‐dimer or a homo‐oligomer. More complex cases exist and the quantitative dimension of this phenomenon will be explored here. The basic ideas underlying DN effects can be (and should be) extended to included epistatic (interloci) interactions. Indeed, poisoning heteromeric macromolecular complexes is per se a matter of ‘transdominant’ negative effects. In this context, non‐allelic non‐complementation is also considered. Given the importance of DNMs in human disease and in the study of gene function, understanding how they work is essential for understanding pathology and for the design of effective DN molecules that can also prove useful in therapeutics. Finally, the existence and potential relevance of an increasing number of physiological DN protein isoforms is briefly discussed. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neuropsychological functioning and quality of life during the first year after completing chemotherapy for breast cancer
Authors: Reid‐Arndt Stephanie A. , Hsieh Catherine , Perry Michael C. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractObjective: Research has documented modest cognitive difficulties among women treated for breast cancer. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of these subtle cognitive changes on quality of life after treatment.Methods: Data are presented from women breast cancer patients who completed neuropsychological tests and questionnaires regarding quality of life 6 and 12 months post‐chemotherapy (n's=39 and 33). Neuropsychological test scores were examined for evidence of cognitive difficulties at each time point; repeated measures ANOVAs were used to identify changes over time. Regression analyses assessed relationships of quality of life outcomes with cognitive functioning, social support seeking, and fatigue.Results: Small percentages of participants (<20% across tests) evidenced deficits in delayed memory, processing speed, response inhibition, and verbal fluency (VF) at each time point. Reliable change index analyses suggested statistically reliable improvements in each cognitive domain for a modest portion of participants. Regressions revealed hesitation to seek social support and fatigue as the most consistent predictors of quality of life at 6 and 12 months post‐chemotherapy. Cognitive complaints and VF difficulties were also significantly related to quality of life at 12 months.Conclusions: In addition to confirming the importance of fatigue and social support in quality of life, these data offer preliminary indications that weaker VF skills and self‐reported cognitive complaints may be associated with poorer functional outcomes among cancer survivors. Further research is needed to validate these potential relationships, which suggest that cognitive difficulties among cancer survivors may warrant monitoring and possible intervention. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychological adjustment among male partners in response to women's breast/ovarian cancer risk: a theoretical review of the literature
Authors: Sherman Kerry A. , Kasparian Nadine A. , Mireskandari Shab 
Published: May 2009

AbstractObjective: For women at high risk of developing hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer the process of undergoing genetic testing is anxiety provoking and stressful, entailing difficult and complex decisions. Partners of high‐risk women are frequently perceived by the women as a source of support during this challenging time. Utilising Self Regulatory Theory, this paper provides a theoretically guided overview of existing data to delineate how partners respond emotionally and behaviourally to the woman's high‐risk status.Methods: An extensive literature search was undertaken. Online searches of MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsycINFO databases were conducted, reference lists of all publications identified were examined; and the databases were searched for authors identified in these publications.Results: The systematic search yielded 10 published studies on at‐risk women and their male partners; one study did not investigate male partner distress as an outcome variable. Heterogeneity of methodology in this literature precluded quantitative meta‐analyses of study outcomes. Review of the evidence suggests that the genetic testing process may be distressing for some partners, particularly for partners of women identified as mutation carriers. Associations were identified between partner distress and partner beliefs about the woman's perceived breast cancer risk; partner feelings of social separation and lack of couple communication; and partner perceptions of being alienated from the testing process. Lack of partner support was found to be associated with increased distress of the tested woman at the time of testing and following results disclosure. Data are lacking on the role of partner beliefs about breast cancer, partner perceived consequences of genetic testing, and personality factors such as information processing style, on partner distress.Conclusions: The high level of behavioural and psychological interdependence that exists between a tested woman and her partner means that future research seeking to understand the coping and adjustment processes of partners needs to adopt a dyadic, transactional approach that is grounded in psychological theory. Specific suggestions for future research in this context are delineated. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effect of Samples Geometry and Thermal Cycling Test Type on the Thermal Shock Behaviour of Plasma Sprayed TBCs
Authors: Altuncu Ekrem , Karaalİ Emin İrfan , Erdogan Garip , Ustel Fatih , Turk Ahmet 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are effective in protecting gas turbine blades by insulating them from hot gas passing through. In addition, they provide prevention of thermal shock, oxidation resistance and improved engine efficiency. A major life‐limiting weakness of TBCs is their susceptibility to get damaged by thermally‐induced stresses. The thermal shock behaviour of TBC systems subjected to thermal shock loading and the influence of the cracks on the coating durability was investigated experimentally. In this study, TBCs (NiCrAlY + YSZ), which have different sample geometry were subjected to both of gas burner and furnace thermal cycle tests. Sample geometry and cycle test type effect on the correlation of thermal shock behaviour of TBC coatings were characterized by macroscopic and microstructural investigations.
Effective knowledge‐based potentials
Authors: Ferrada Evandro , Melo Francisco 
Published: May 2009

AbstractEmpirical or knowledge‐based potentials have many applications in structural biology such as the prediction of protein structure, protein–protein, and protein–ligand interactions and in the evaluation of stability for mutant proteins, the assessment of errors in experimentally solved structures, and the design of new proteins. Here, we describe a simple procedure to derive and use pairwise distance‐dependent potentials that rely on the definition of effective atomic interactions, which attempt to capture interactions that are more likely to be physically relevant. Based on a difficult benchmark test composed of proteins with different secondary structure composition and representing many different folds, we show that the use of effective atomic interactions significantly improves the performance of potentials at discriminating between native and near‐native conformations. We also found that, in agreement with previous reports, the potentials derived from the observed effective atomic interactions in native protein structures contain a larger amount of mutual information. A detailed analysis of the effective energy functions shows that atom connectivity effects, which mostly arise when deriving the potential by the incorporation of those indirect atomic interactions occurring beyond the first atomic shell, are clearly filtered out. The shape of the energy functions for direct atomic interactions representing hydrogen bonding and disulfide and salt bridges formation is almost unaffected when effective interactions are taken into account. On the contrary, the shape of the energy functions for indirect atom interactions (i.e., those describing the interaction between two atoms bound to a direct interacting pair) is clearly different when effective interactions are considered. Effective energy functions for indirect interacting atom pairs are not influenced by the shape or the energy minimum observed for the corresponding direct interacting atom pair. Our results suggest that the dependency between the signals in different energy functions is a key aspect that need to be addressed when empirical energy functions are derived and used, and also highlight the importance of additivity assumptions in the use of potential energy functions.