bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nucleation of Voids—The Impurity Effect
Authors: Chen I-W , Taiwo A 
Published: December 2008

Nucleation of voids under irradiation in multicomponent alloys remains an unsolved theoretical problem. Of particular interest are the effects of nonequilibrium solute segregation phenomena on the critical nucleus and the nucleation rate. The resolution of the multicomponent nucleation in a dissipative system also has broader implication to the field of irreversible thermodynamics. The present paper describes a recent study of solute segregation effects in void nucleation.
We begin with a thermodynamic model for a nonequilibrium void with interfacial segregation. The thermodynamic model is coupled with kinetic considerations of solute/solvent diffusion under a bias, which is itself related to segregation by the coating effect, to assess the stability of void embryos. To determine nucleation rate, we develop a novel technique by extending the most probable path method in statistical mechanics for nonequilibrium steady state to simulate large fluctuation with nonlinear dissipation. The path of nucleation is determined by solving an analogous problem on particle trajectory in classical dynamics.
The results of both the stability analysis and the fluctuation analysis establish the paramount significance of the impurity effect via the mechanism of nonequilibrium segregation. We conclude that over-segregation is probably the most general cause for the apparently low nucleation barriers that are responsible for nearly ubiquitous occurrence of void swelling in common metals.
Use of Infrared Radiation Thermometers for Temperature Control of Plastic and Paper Webs in Electric Infrared Ovens
Authors: Jacobson DM 
Published: December 2008

Using infrared radiation thermometers in conjunction with infrared heater systems requires special considerations to ensure that accuracy will be achieved. If the thermometer picks up infrared radiation from the heaters, faulty readings can occur. Two methods are generally employed to eliminate this interference.
Sight tubes are used to block stray infrared rays from entering the sensor lens, and a thermometer is chosen which responds to a different wavelength than that being emitted from the infrared heaters.
The main types of electric infrared heaters are: (a) screw-in bulbs (shortwave); (b) evacuated tungsten filament tubes (shortwave); (c) quartz tubes (medium wave); (d) quartz panel heaters (medium wave); (e) Ceramic heaters (medium-long wave); (f) metal sheath heaters (medium-long wave).
Positioning of a sensor on a production line is dictated by the product being processed and the desired use of the temperature information.
The most common location for a sensor is just after the infrared unit. The pyrometer information can be used for setting up the process, for quality control, for heater failure detection, and for control of the heaters.
For wide web application in which uniformity across the web is essential, traversing sensors can be used to scan the web to ensure a uniform heating of the product. This information then can be used to control infrared profiling zones which are positioned across the web.
In plastics applications, the thermometer most commonly is positioned also at the exit end of the infrared unit. Control functions are similar to those just listed. In some indexing machines, the plastic is sensed while still in the last index station, and the index can be initiated by the thermometer.
Fire Safety: Science and Engineering
Authors: Harmathy TZ 
Published: December 2008

Description
The techniques, models, and research results in STP 882 provide engineering approaches for predicting the course of fire, the response of fire safety features, and the impact on people and property. The result is a scientific foundation for designing fire safety measures. Specific subject include: fire risk, performance standards, fire modeling, fire safety of structures, flame spread, the smoke problem, sprinklering and human aspects of fires.
Systemic Inflammation Markers in Patients With Aggressive Periodontitis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Shi Dong , Meng HuanXin , Xu Li , Zhang Li , Chen ZhiBin , Feng XiangHui , Lu RuiFang , Sun XiaoJun , Ren XiuYun 
Published: December 2008

Background: The association between periodontitis and systemic health is evident; however, until recently, there was a lack of scientific evidence to define the relationship between aggressive periodontitis (AgP) and systemic conditions. The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics of peripheral blood cellular and serum protein parameters in patients with AgP.Methods: Patients with AgP (n = 150) and healthy controls (n = 94) were recruited. Clinical parameters, including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and percentage of severe sites, were examined. Blood cell variables, including leukocyte, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts, as well as serum protein parameters, including total protein, albumin, globulin, and albumin/globulin ratio, were analyzed.Results: Elevated neutrophil numbers and serum globulin levels were observed in patients with AgP compared to controls (4.22 ± 1.81 × 109/l versus 3.20 ± 0.91 × 109/l and 29.20 ± 3.75 g/l versus 27.17 ± 3.32 g/l, respectively; P <0.01). Albumin level and albumin/globulin ratio were lower in the AgP group than in the control group (47.65 ± 2.45 g/l versus 48.88 ± 2.13g/l and 1.66 ± 0.24 versus 1.83 ± 0.24, respectively; P <0.01). In the AgP group, neutrophil counts and serum globulin levels were positively correlated with clinical parameters, including mean values for PD, CAL, and percentage of severe sites (P <0.05); the albumin level and albumin/globulin ratio were inversely correlated with the clinical parameters as described above (P <0.05).Conclusions: Patients with AgP may have elevated peripheral leukocyte numbers and serum globulin levels as well as decreased serum albumin levels and albumin/globulin ratios compared to controls. These changes might be associated with the severity of periodontal destruction.
Persistence of Extracrevicular Bacterial Reservoirs After Treatment of Aggressive Periodontitis
Authors: Johnson Jason D. , Chen Ruoqiong , Lenton Patricia A. , Zhang Guizhen , Hinrichs James E. , Rudney Joel D. 
Published: December 2008

Background: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that periodontal pathogens associated with aggressive periodontitis persist in extracrevicular locations following scaling and root planing, systemic antibiotics, and antimicrobial rinses.Methods: Eighteen patients with aggressive periodontitis received a clinical examination during which samples of subgingival plaque and buccal epithelial cells were obtained. Treatment consisted of full‐mouth root planing, systemic antibiotics, and chlorhexidine rinses. Clinical measurements and sampling were repeated at 3 and 6 months. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction determined the number of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (previously Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans), Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia (previously T. forsythensis), and Treponema denticola in the plaque. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and confocal microscopy determined the extent of intracellular invasion in epithelial cells.Results: Clinical measurements improved significantly following treatment. All bacterial species except P. gingivalis were significantly reduced in plaque between baseline and 3 months. However, all species showed a trend to repopulate between 3 and 6 months. This increase was statistically significant for log T. denticola counts. All species were detected intracellularly. The percentage of cells infected intracellularly was not affected by therapy.Conclusions: The 6‐month increasing trend in the levels of plaque bacteria suggests that subgingival recolonization was occurring. Because the presence of these species within epithelial cells was not altered after treatment, it is plausible that recolonization may occur from the oral mucosa. Systemic antibiotics and topical chlorhexidine did not reduce the percentage of invaded epithelial cells. These data support the hypothesis that extracrevicular reservoirs of bacteria exist, which might contribute to recurrent or refractory disease in some patients.
Microbiological Findings in Subjects With Asymptomatic Oral Lichen Planus: A Cross‐Sectional Comparative Study
Authors: Bornstein Michael M. , Hakimi Basir , Persson G. Rutger 
Published: December 2008

Background: The bacterial colonization of the oral mucosa was evaluated in patients with asymptomatic oral lichen planus (OLP) and compared to the microbiologic status in mucosally healthy subjects.Methods: Bacteria from patients with clinically and histopathologically diagnosed OLP from the Stomatology Service, Department of Oral Surgery and Stomatology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, were collected with a non‐invasive swab system. Samples were taken from OLP lesions on the gingiva and from non‐affected sites on the contralateral side of the mouth. The control population did not have OLP and was recruited from the student clinic. All samples were processed with the checkerboard DNA‐DNA hybridization method using well‐defined bacterial species for the analysis.Results: Significantly higher bacterial counts of Bacteroides ureolyticus (P = 0.001), Dialister species (sp.) (P = 0.006), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (P = 0.007), and Streptococcus agalactiae (P = 0.006) were found in samples taken from OLP lesions compared to sites with no clinical evidence of OLP. Significantly higher bacterial counts were found for Capnocytophaga sputigena, Eikenella corrodens, Lactobacillus crispatus, Mobiluncus curtisii, Neisseria mucosa, Prevotella bivia, Prevotella intermedia, and S. agalactiae at sites with lesions in subjects with OLP compared to sites in control subjects (P <0.001).Conclusions: Microbiologic differences were found between sites with OLP and sites in subjects without a diagnosis of OLP. Specifically, higher counts of staphylococci and S. agalactiae were found in OLP lesions.
Electrodeposition of Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Thin Films
Authors: Yoshida Tsukasa , Zhang Jingbo , Komatsu Daisuke , Sawatani Seiichi , Minoura Hideki , Pauporté Thierry , Lincot Daniel , Oekermann Torsten , Schlettwein Derck , Tada Hirokazu , Wöhrle Dieter , Funabiki Kazumasa , Matsui Masaki , Miura Hidetoshi , Yanagi Hisao 
Published: December 2008

AbstractElectrodeposition of inorganic compound thin films in the presence of certain organic molecules results in self‐assembly of various hybrid thin films with new properties. Examples of new discoveries by the authors are reviewed, taking cathodic formation of a ZnO/dye hybrid as the leading example. Hybridization of eosinY leads to the formation of highly oriented porous crystalline ZnO as the consequence of dye loading. The hybrid formation is a highly complicated process involving complex chemistry of many molecular and ionic constituents. However, electrochemical analyses of the relevant phenomena indicate the possibility of reaching a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism, giving us the chance to further develop them into industrial technologies. The porous crystals are ideal for photoelectrodes in dye‐sensitized solar cells. As the process also permits the use of non‐heat‐resistant substrates, the technology can be applied for the development of colorful and light‐weight plastic solar cells.
Self‐Assembling Peptide as a Potential Carrier for Hydrophobic Anticancer Drug Ellipticine: Complexation, Release and In Vitro Delivery
Authors: Fung Shan Yu , Yang Hong , Bhola Priya T. , Sadatmousavi Parisa , Muzar Edward , Liu Mingyao , Chen P. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe self‐assembling peptide EAK16‐II is capable of stabilizing hydrophobic compounds to form microcrystal suspensions in aqueous solution. Here, the ability of this peptide to stabilize the hydrophobic anticancer agent ellipticine is investigated. The formation of peptide‐ellipticine suspensions is monitored with time until equilibrium is reached. The equilibration time is found to be dependent on the peptide concentration. When the peptide concentration is close to its critical aggregation concentration, the equilibration time is minimal at 5 h. With different combinations of EAK16‐II and ellipticine concentrations, two molecular states (protonated or cyrstalline) of ellipticine could be stabilized. These different states of ellipticine significantly affect the release kinetics of ellipticine from the peptide‐ellipticine complex into the egg phosphatidylcholine vesicles, which are used to mimic cell membranes. The transfer rate of protonated ellipticine from the complex to the vesicles is much faster than that of crystalline ellipticine. This observation may also be related to the size of the resulting complexes as revealed from the scanning electron micrographs. In addition, the complexes with protonated ellipticine are found to have a better anticancer activity against two cancer cell lines, A549 and MCF‐7. This work forms the basis for studies of the peptide‐ellipticine suspensions in vitro and in vivo leading to future development of self‐assembling peptide‐based delivery of hydrophobic anticancer drugs.
Polymeric Materials for Gene Delivery and DNA Vaccination
Authors: Nguyen David N. , Green Jordan J. , Chan Juliana M. , Langer Robert , Anderson Daniel G. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractGene delivery holds great potential for the treatment of many different diseases. Vaccination with DNA holds particular promise, and may provide a solution to many technical challenges that hinder traditional vaccine systems including rapid development and production and induction of robust cell‐mediated immune responses. However, few candidate DNA vaccines have progressed past preclinical development and none have been approved for human use. This Review focuses on the recent progress and challenges facing materials design for nonviral DNA vaccine drug delivery systems. In particular, we highlight work on new polymeric materials and their effects on protective immune activation, gene delivery, and current efforts to optimize polymeric delivery systems for DNA vaccination.
A new approach to batch process optimization using experimental design
Authors: Wissmann Paul J. , Grover Martha A. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractEmpirical and mechanistic experimental design methods are combined to construct partial models, which are, thus, used to design a process. The grid algorithm restricts the next experimental point to potential process optima, according to the confidence intervals around the optimal points, and works with any experimental design algorithm such as D‐optimal. Two case studies show the advantages of implementing the grid algorithm. On average the improvement due to the grid algorithm was 15–20% in the first case study. The second case study is based on thin film growth using four potential models, with the most probable model used for experimental design. The grid algorithm balances the trade‐off between two extremes: D‐optimal designs and sampling at the predicted optimal point. The methodology presented shows that the experimenter does not have to decide ahead of time on purely empirical or mechanistic experimental design methods, since both may be useful. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
Ionic‐complementary peptide‐modified highly ordered pyrolytic graphite electrode for biosensor application
Authors: Yang Hong , Fung Shan‐Yu , Sun Wei , Mikkelsen Susan , Pritzker Mark , Chen P. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIonic‐complementary peptides are promising new biomaterials with potential applications in bionanotechnology. In the present investigation, a typical ionic‐complementary peptide, EFK16‐II, was used to modify a highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) electrode. Upon modification, peptide nanofibers, parallel or oriented 60° or 120° to each other, were formed on the surface of HOPG electrode. Surface wettability of the electrode was improved as indicated by a significant decrease in the water contact angle. The electrochemical response of the EFK16‐II nanofiber‐modified HOPG electrode for the ferricyanide/ferrocyanide redox couple was characterized. Cyclic voltammograms indicated that the presence of peptide nanofibers on the HOPG electrode did not block electron transfer at slow scan rates (∼2 mV/s), but did so at high scan rates (∼ 100 mV/s). A model enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx) was covalently immobilized onto this nanofiber‐modified electrode, and its potential as an enzyme‐based biosensor for glucose was examined. At an applied potential of +0.45 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), the current increased linearly with glucose concentration up to 7.5 mM and a relative high sensitivity was obtained at 11.3 ± 1.0 nA/(mM mm2). The immobilized GOx showed high affinity for glucose, with a Michaelis–Menten constant Km of 6.8 ± 0.9 mM. It also exhibited relatively good storage and operational stabilities, and reflected in only a small decrease (13%) in the current response after 1 month storage and negligible changes upon 50 cyclic voltammetric scans. The results presented here demonstrate an excellent potential of the use of ionic‐complementary peptides to modify electrode surfaces for biomolecular sensing and diagnostics.
Biomaterials as vaccine adjuvants
Authors: Jones Kim S. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBiomaterials are promising candidate adjuvants to enhance vaccine efficacy. Through adjuvant design, we can broaden the use of vaccines to diseases such as AIDS, malaria, and cancer. This review addresses the fundamentals of vaccine and adjuvant function in order to determine guidelines for adjuvant design, including aspects of the vaccine such as disease target, antigen formulation, and delivery route. An ideal biomaterial adjuvant will perform three functions. (1) It will deliver the antigen selectively to dendritic cells. This has been accomplished through release of chemokines or cytokines, use of antidendritic cell antibodies, and even through particle size selection. (2) It will activate the dendritic cells, improving antigen presentation. Biomaterials themselves have been shown to activate innate immunity, but specific innate‐activating ligands have also been included in adjuvant formulations. Finally, (3) it will release the antigen appropriately into the dendritic cell. Tuning release to be pH sensitive and engineering endosomal release are strategies that have been used. There is a real opportunity to rationally design better biomaterial adjuvants that will significantly expand and improve vaccine function.
Polyethylenimine‐coated albumin nanoparticles for BMP‐2 delivery
Authors: Zhang Sufeng , Wang Guilin , Lin Xiaoyue , Chatzinikolaidou Maria , Jennissen Herbert P. , Laub Marcus , Uludağ Hasan 
Published: December 2008

AbstractNanoparticle (NP)‐based delivery has gained importance for improving the potency of therapeutic agents. The bovine serum albumin (BSA) NPs, obtained by a coacervation process, was modified by electrostatic adsorption of cationic polyethylenimine (PEI) to NP surfaces for delivery of bone‐inducing growth factor, bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2). Different concentrations of PEI were utilized for coating BSA NPs to stabilize the colloidal system and to control the release of BMP‐2. The NPs were characterized by size and zeta potential measurements, as well as by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy. The encapsulation efficiency was typically >90% in all NP preparations. In vitro release kinetics showed that the PEI concentration used for coating the NPs efficiently controlled the release of BMP‐2, demonstrating a gradual slowing, sustained release pattern during a 10‐day study period. The bioactivity of the encapsulated BMP‐2 and the toxicity of the NPs were examined by the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) induction assay and the MTT assay, respectively, using C2C12 cells. The results indicated that PEI was the primary determinant of NP toxicities, and BSA NPs coated with 0.1 mg/mL PEI demonstrated tolerable toxicity, retained the bioactivity of BMP‐2, and efficiently slowed the release rate of BMP‐2. We conclude that BMP‐2 encapsulated in BSA NPs might be an efficient way to deliver the protein for in vivo bone induction.
Investigation of a dual‐particle liquid–solid circulating fluidized bed bioreactor for extractive fermentation of lactic acid
Authors: Patel Manoj , Bassi Amarjeet S. , Zhu Jesse J.‐X. , Gomaa Hassan 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA dual‐particle liquid–solid circulating fluidized bed (DP‐LSCFB) bioreactor has been constructed and investigated for the simultaneous production and extraction of lactic acid using immobilized Lactobacillus bulgaricus and ion‐exchange resins. The apparatus consisted of a downer fluidized bed, 13 cm I.D. and 4.75 m tall, and a riser fluidized bed, 3.8 cm I.D. and 5.15 m in height. The lactic acid production and removal was carried out in the downer, while the riser was used for the recovery of lactic acid. A continuously recirculating bed of ion‐exchange resin was used for adsorption of the produced acid as well as for maintaining optimum pH for bioconversion, thus eliminating the need for costly and complex chemical control approach used in conventional techniques. Studies using lactic acid aqueous solution as feed and sodium hydroxide solution as regeneration stream showed 93% lactic acid removal from the downer and 46% recovery in the riser under the conditions investigated. Such results prove the functionality of using the newly developed bioreactor design for the continuous production and recovery of products of biotechnological significance.
CHO cells adapted to hypothermic growth produce high yields of recombinant β‐interferon
Authors: Sunley Kevin , Tharmalingam Tharmala , Butler Michael 
Published: December 2008

AbstractMild hypothermic conditions (30–33°C) have previously been shown to increase cell‐specific productivity (Qp) of recombinant proteins from mammalian cells. However, this is often associated with a lower growth rate which off‐sets any potential advantage of higher product titers. We report the isolation of a population of Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells that have been adapted to low‐temperature growth by continuous subculture at low temperature for up to 300 days. This adapted cell population achieved a growth rate twofold greater than nonadapted cells under low‐temperature conditions (32°C) while maintaining an elevated level of cell‐specific expression of recombinant β‐interferon. The volumetric titer of β‐interferon was enhanced by 70% in stationary cultures and by more than twofold by application of a temperature‐shift strategy involving a growth to production phase. However, the low‐temperature–adapted cells were fragile and demonstrated an increased sensitivity to hydrodynamic stress in agitated cultures. This problem was resolved by the use of macroporous microcarriers which protected the cells and allowed growth of high‐density cultures under hypothermic conditions. This eventually resulted in a threefold enhancement of volumetric titer of monomeric β‐interferon compared to the original control culture at 37°C.