bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polymorphism in the protease‐activated receptor‐4 gene region associates with platelet activation and perioperative myocardial injury
Authors: Muehlschlegel Jochen D. , Perry Tjörvi E. , Liu Kuang‐Yu , Fox Amanda A. , Smith Shane A. , Lichtner Peter , Collard Charles D. , Shernan Stanton K. , Hartwig John H. , Body Simon C. , Hoffmeister Karin M. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractProtease‐activated receptors (PAR)‐1 and ‐4 are the principal receptors for thrombin‐mediated platelet activation. Functional genetic variation has been described in the human PAR1 gene, but not in the PAR4 gene (F2RL3). We sought to identify variants in and around F2RL3 and to determine their association with perioperative myocardial injury (PMI) after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. We further explored possible mechanisms for F2RL3 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associations with PMI including altered receptor expression and platelet activation. Twenty‐three SNPs in the F2RL3 gene region were genotyped in two phases in 934 Caucasian subjects. Platelets from 43 subjects (23 major allele, 20 risk allele) homozygous for rs773857 (SNP with the strongest association with PMI) underwent flow cytometry to assess PAR4 receptor number and response to activation by a specific PAR4 activating peptide (AYPGKF) measured by von Willebrand factor (vWf) binding and P‐selectin release and PAC‐1 binding. We identified a novel association of SNP rs773857 with PMI (OR = 2.4, P = 0.004). rs773857 risk allele homozygotes have significantly increased platelet counts and platelets showed a significant increase in P‐selectin release after activation (P = 0.004). We conclude that rs773857 risk allele homozygotes are associated with risk for increased platelet count and hyperactivity. Am. J. Hematol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ring‐opening polymerization of cyclohexene oxide by recyclable scandium triflate in room temperature ionic liquid
Authors: Ling Jun , You Lixin , Wang Yifei , Shen Zhiquan 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIn this article, we provide a concept of a two‐phase polymerization system consisting of immiscible monomer and room temperature ionic liquid (IL). The catalyst is immobilized in the IL phase where polymerization takes place. The produced polymer is extracted by the monomer, and the remaining IL phase is catalytically active for more polymerizations. Thus, common volatile organic solvents are no longer needed. Ring‐opening polymerization of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) in 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate IL ([bmim][BF4]) using scandium triflate [Sc(OTf)3] catalyst serves as a realistic example of such concept. The yield of polyCHO in [bmim][BF4] is higher than that in bulk. IL containing Sc(OTf)3 can be used for at least three times. A circulatory polymerization process is carried out with added catalyst to keep a relatively high yield in following circulation processes. The assignments of proton signals of polyCHO in 1H NMR are discussed in detail. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Improvement of the mechanical and thermal properties of silica‐filled polychloroprene vulcanizates prepared from latex system
Authors: Rattanasom Nittaya , Kueseng Pattana , Deeprasertkul Chudej 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIn this work, well‐dispersed silica suspension having excellent storage stability was prepared by using an ultrasonic probe. The obtained silica suspension and curatives were added into the polychloroprene (CR) latex for preparing silica‐filled CR latex compounds having various silica loadings. Then, the silica‐filled CR vulcanizates were prepared via a dipping process. The thermal and mechanical properties of the dipped CR vulcanizates containing silica dispersed by using an ultrasonic probe were compared with those of the dipped CR vulcanizates containing silica dispersed by using a mechanical stirrer. By using thermogravimetric analysis, it could be seen that thermal resistance of the dipped CR films having silica prepared by ultrasonic probe is greater than that prepared by using the mechanical stirrer. This result corresponds well with their tensile strength after aging in the hot‐air oven. In addition, modulus, tensile strength, and tear strength of the vulcanizates prepared from CR latex compounds containing silica prepared by using the ultrasonic probe are obviously greater than those prepared by using the mechanical stirrer, especially at high silica loading. This is because the silica prepared using the ultrasonic probe is uniformly distributed and dispersed throughout the CR matrix, as can be observed in the scanning electron microscope micrographs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Extruded/injection‐molded composites containing unripe plantain flour, ethylene–vinyl alcohol, and glycerol: Evaluation of mechanical property, storage conditions, biodegradability, and color
Authors: Vargas Apolonio , Berrios Jose De J. , Chiou Bor‐Sen , Wood Delilah , Bello Luis A. , Glenn Gregory M. , Imam Syed H. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractExtruded/injection‐molded composites of excellent mechanical property were produced from plantain flour (PF) blended with ethylene–vinyl alcohol (EVA) and glycerol. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that composites had a smooth surface, indicative of an excellent compatibility between PF, EVA, and glycerol. Generally, tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (%E), and the displacement (DM), all decreased with increased PF content in the composite accompanied by an increase in Young's modulus (M). The composites with higher PF contents (60% or higher) had more stable mechanical properties. Selected composites (60% PF content) stored at −20°C and 4°C for 40 h showed only minor changes in mechanical properties compared with controls (23°C). However, samples stored for a similar period at 80°C were drastically altered in their mechanical properties resulting in huge increases in TS and M and a 10‐fold decrease in the %E. Samples prestored at various relative humidities (RHs) for 40 h exhibited only slight decrease in TS and M and a concomitant increase in the %E with increased RH. Interestingly, sample prestored at both −20°C and 80°C exhibited significantly higher rates and extents of degradation. SEM analysis of samples left in compost for 8 weeks showed a rapid surface erosion and material deterioration with time. Evaluation of the color produced during heat processing of starch in PF as a result of Maillard reaction showed an increase in the values of luminosity (L*), chroma (C*), and hue angle (h*) with decreased PF content in the composite. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Recent regional surface solar radiation dimming and brightening patterns: inter‐hemispherical asymmetry and a dimming in the Southern Hemisphere
Authors: Hatzianastassiou N. , Papadimas C. D. , Matsoukas C. , Pavlakis K. , Fotiadi A. , Wild M. , Vardavas I. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractRecent variations in surface solar radiation (SSR) at the beginning of the 21st century (2000–2007) were determined at scales ranging from local/regional to hemispherical/global, on the basis of radiative transfer computations and information from satellites, reanalyses and surface measurements. Under all‐sky conditions, in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) there is no clear dimming/brightening signal after 2000, whereas in the SH there is a more clear dimming arising from both increasing clouds and aerosols. Dimming is observed over land and ocean in the Southern Hemisphere (SH), and over oceans in the NH, whereas a slight brightening occurred over NH land. However, opposite tendencies are found even within the same continent, indicating the need to assess SSR changes at regional/local scales apart from hemispherical/global ones. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
A safe authentication system for distance education
Authors: Farshchi Seyyed Mohammad Reza , Toosizadeh Saeed 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTThe importance of correctly identifying a student in a distance learning environment comes from the necessity to avoid fraud and the fact that the student plays the central role in this kind of learning process claims that the student should be correctly assessed, identified, and authenticated. The Learning Management Systems available nowadays provides only the user authentication engine based on username/password, which increases the susceptibility to fraud, when the authentication certainty level about the actual user, given for this mechanism, is practically void. In this article we proposed the safe and fast approach for authentication system for distance learning. The certification methods of face recognition were adopted in proposed system. The high recognition rate of the implemented system in four cities of Iran shows that the distance education systems are more secure and reliable than the traditional authentication system, and as a result, promote the development of distance education, in future.© 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 22:593–603, 2014; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.20583
Water‐Soluble Distyrylbenzenes: One Core with Two Sensory Responses—Turn‐On and Ratiometric
Authors: Tolosa Juan , Bryant Jonathan J. , Solntsev Kyril M. , Brödner Kerstin , Tolbert Laren M. , Bunz Uwe H. F. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe synthesis of four water‐soluble distyrylbenzenes (compounds 1–4) is reported. Their acidochromicity in aqueous media was investigated. Blue shifts and increases in the quantum yields were observed as a general response. The pH‐dependent photophysics of 1 b–3 b in water reveal unexpected protonation sequences upon titration: compound 1 b is green–yellow fluorescent at high pH (10) but becomes very weakly fluorescent between pH 5 and pH 3, whereas below pH 2 strong blue fluorescence is observed. This behavior can be explained in terms of the interplay in the protonation of aniline and of the carboxylate groups. In compound 4, a higher basicity of the amino group is observed and ratiometric fluorescence change takes place upon protonation or on reaction with zinc salts in water. Compound 4 can therefore act as a weak ratiometric zinc ligand in water, even though it has only a dimethylamino unit as a binding motif.
Investigating the Antecedents of Green Brand Equity: A Sustainable Development Perspective
Authors: Kang Seongho , Hur Won‐Moo 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTThis study proposed five novel constructs – green satisfaction, green affect, green trust, green brand loyalty, and green brand equity – and explored the positive relationships between these constructs. Electronics products in South Korea were the focus of this research. This empirical study was carried out by the one‐to‐one interview method using a structured questionnaire. The results showed that green brand satisfaction has a positive effect on green trust, affect, and loyalty. In addition, the results revealed that green brand, trust, and affect have a significantly positive influence on green brand loyalty. Furthermore, we found that green brand loyalty has a strongly positive influence on green brand equity. This study suggests that in addition to the perceived green trust arising from eco‐friendly attributes, green affect characterized by positive emotional consumption plays an important role in building green loyalty and green brand equity for sustainable development. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Reducing the Cost of Production of Bimetallic Aluminium Catalysts for the Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonates
Authors: North Michael , Young Carl 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBimetallic aluminium complexes of general formula [(salen)Al]2O or [(acen)Al]2O catalyse the formation of cyclic carbonates from carbon dioxide and terminal epoxides under exceptionally mild reaction conditions. To improve the potential for industrial scale application of these catalysts, the cost of their production has been evaluated and reduced significantly by optimization of the synthesis, including replacement of the most expensive chemicals by less expensive alternatives. The largest cost saving was associated with the formation of aluminium triethoxide in situ, which reduced the cost of the chemicals need for production of the catalysts by 49–87 %. Further savings were made by avoiding the use of tetrabutylammonium bromide and acetonitrile, resulting in overall cost savings of 68–93 %.
Cloning and expression of a retinoic acid receptor β2 subtype from the adult newt: Evidence for an early role in tail and caudal spinal cord regeneration
Authors: Carter Christopher , Clark Alysen , Spencer Gaynor , Carlone Robert 
Published: November 2011

AbstractRetinoic acid receptor beta 2 (RARβ2) has been proposed as an important receptor mediating retinoid‐induced axonal growth and regeneration in developing mammalian spinal cord and brain. In urodele amphibians, organisms capable of extensive central nervous system (CNS) regeneration as adults, this receptor had not been isolated, nor had its function been characterized. We have cloned a full‐length RARβ2 cDNA from adult newt CNS. This receptor, NvRARβ2, is expressed in various adult organs capable of regeneration, including the spinal cord. Interestingly, both the NvRARβ2 mRNA and protein are up‐regulated during the first 2 weeks after amputation of the tail, primarily in the ependymoglial and meningeal tissues near the rostral cut surface of the cord. Treatment with LE135, a RARβ‐selective antagonist, caused a significant inhibition of ependymal outgrowth and a decrease in tail regenerate length. These data support an early role for this receptor in caudal spinal cord and tail regeneration in this amphibian. Developmental Dynamics 240:2613–2625, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Estimation of the complex‐valued mixing matrix by single‐source‐points detection with less sensors than sources
Authors: Li Hui , Shen Yue‐hong , Wang Jian‐gong , Ren Xi‐shun 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTThis paper essentially considers the direction‐of‐arrival (DOA) estimation of far‐field source signals in the underdetermined blind separation, where the mixing matrix is complex‐valued. By distinguishing single‐source‐points (SSPs) from multi‐source‐points in the time‐frequency domain, a novel estimation algorithm is proposed based on the detection of SSPs, where only single source contributes and samples all correspond to one of the mixing column vectors. To further enhance the estimation accuracy, a modified version of the proposed algorithm is also presented, which utilizes the probability density distribution of the already detected SSPs and reselects those reliable SSPs with most likely probabilities. Finally, the mixing matrix as well as the DOAs can be obtained by performing the K‐means clustering algorithm on samples at selected SSPs. The results of numerical simulations validate the efficiency of both the two estimation algorithms. One of the outstanding superiorities for the SSPs‐based idea is that it can distinguish multiple DOAs using only two sensors; the other is that it relaxes the signal sparsity requirement to allow SSPs to merely occur at a small number of time‐frequency locations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multimodality treatment for sinonasal neuroendocrine carcinoma
Authors: Mitchell Elisabeth H. , Diaz Alvaro , Yilmaz Turker , Roberts Dianna , Levine Nicholas , DeMonte Franco , Hanna Ehab Y. , Kupferman Michael E. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackgroundNeuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of the paranasal sinuses is rare, accounting for 5% of sinonasal malignancies. The purpose of this study was to assess prognostic factors and survival rates for sinonasal NEC.MethodsA retrospective review of patients with NEC treated from 1990 to 2004 was performed. Patient demographics, TNM classification, treatment modality, recurrences, and survival were evaluated.ResultsNEC was identified in 28 patients; the most common primary site was the ethmoid sinuses. Most patients presented with advanced tumors; few had regional or distant metastasis. Local recurrence rate was 21%. Five‐year overall survival (OS) and disease‐specific survival (DSS) rates were 65% and 78%, respectively. Response to chemotherapy predicted for improved survival, although no differences in outcomes were noted between definitive management strategies.ConclusionNEC of the paranasal sinuses is an exceedingly rare malignancy of the paranasal sinuses. Our data suggests definitive management with surgery or radiotherapy offers durable control. The response to chemotherapy may predict for overall outcomes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011
A spatially and temporally explicit model for determining the exposure of juvenile salmon to agricultural pesticides in freshwater
Authors: Teply Mark , Cramer Steven P , Poletika Nicholas N 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
In this paper, we present a novel approach for determining the probable co-occurrence of juvenile salmon or steelhead with agricultural pesticides and apply it to spring Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) salmon in the Willamette Basin, Oregon. We adapted a published exposure analysis framework by explicitly considering fish migration among habitat units and assuming that habitat use is proportional to habitat quality. Temporal variability in habitat use was accounted for via biweekly time steps over the entire period when a single brood was expected to spawn until the last juvenile migrated to sea. Spatial variability was accounted for at the watershed and reach scale. Exposure to 6 acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides at any life stage was expressed in terms of the future adults (adult-equivalents; AEQ). Several datasets were available to inform our framework with input values on extent of spring Chinook fish use, habitat quality preferred by juvenile spring Chinook, choice of juvenile life-history pathways, timing of emergence, and timing of migration either in-stream or to sea. We used insecticide concentration profiles constructed from available monitoring data to demonstrate the effect of accounting for variation in space and time on predicted exposure to chemical residues. In contrast to the assumption commonly used in screening-level risk assessments that the entire population in a watershed is exposed, available data applied to our model framework indicate that a small fraction of AEQ juveniles in the Willamette Basin would co-occur with detectable concentrations of the 6 insecticides. Overall, our results indicated that the use of a spatially and temporally explicit framework yields a better understanding of the proportion of organisms potentially impacted by agricultural pesticides. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2012; 8: 271–284. © 2011 SETAC
Active‐specific immunotherapy of human cancers with the heat shock protein Gp96—revisited
Authors: Randazzo Marco , Terness Peter , Opelz Gerhard , Kleist Christian 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe passive administration of specific antibodies that selectively target tumors is a well‐known strategy in cancer treatment. Active immunotherapy using peptide vaccines, in contrast, is expected to induce specific, cytolytic T cells in the patient, which react against tumor antigens and destroy malignant cells. Although several concepts exist, the identification and low immunogenicity of tumor‐specific peptides remain a serious problem. Heat shock proteins (HSPs), notably glycoprotein (Gp) 96, are of special interest, because they are able to take molecular peptide‐fingerprints of the protein array characteristic for a particular cell. Association of Gp96 with peptides has been shown to be essential for crosspresentation and activation of T cells. Consequently, Gp96–peptide complexes extracted from cancer cells harbor the tumor‐specific peptides and are immunogenic, thus offering a tool for active immunization against the tumor. Already, several immunotherapy studies of human cancers have been carried out, showing no severe adverse effects but unfortunately only limited improvement in the clinical outcome. Vitespen, a commercial HSP–peptide complex vaccine based on tumor‐derived Gp96, seems to induce an improved overall survival for subsets of early stage melanoma and kidney cancer patients. The limited access to vaccine material derived from the autologous tumor requires the development of alternative protocols. Moreover, counteracting immunosuppressive mechanisms induced by the malignancy might further improve the efficacy of vaccinations. This review critically analyzes the current state of clinical immunotherapy with Gp96, with special attention to Vitespen.
Visinin‐like protein‐1 overexpression is an indicator of lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Akagi Tomonori , Hijiya Naoki , Inomata Masafumi , Shiraishi Norio , Moriyama Masatsugu , Kitano Seigo 
Published: November 2011

AbstractLymph node metastasis is an important factor determining outcome from colorectal cancer (CRC). Identification of molecular markers useful to predict lymph node metastasis is urgently needed. Our objective was to identify genes useful for characterization and prediction of lymph node metastasis in CRC. Gene expression profiles of cancer were determined by human U133 Plus 2.0 GeneChip® in 24 CRC patients, and patients with and without lymph node metastasis were compared. We focused on the visinin‐like protein‐1 (VSNL‐1) gene and evaluated VSNL‐1 mRNA expression levels with reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical methods. Immunohistochemical evaluation of VSNL‐1 mRNA expression was also performed in 143 other CRC patients to determine clinicopathological significance of VSNL‐1. Twenty‐four novel discriminating genes showed expression significantly different between patients with and without lymph node metastasis. Mean level of VSNL‐1 mRNA expression in tumor tissue with lymph node metastasis was significantly higher than that in tissue without lymph node metastasis. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated immunoreactivity for VSNL‐1 in cytoplasm of the cancer cells with lymph node metastasis. High VSNL‐1 expression was significantly associated with lymphatic invasion in stage II disease (p = 0.0061) and number of lymph node metastases in stage III disease (p = 0.0461). Patients with high VSNL‐1 expression had significantly poorer prognosis than those with low expression in stage III disease (p = 0.045). This study is the first to demonstrate a prognostic role for VSNL‐1 at the mRNA level, suggesting the possible usefulness of VSNL‐1 as a predictor of lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis in CRC.