bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of molecular mass and surface treatment on adsorbed poly(methyl methacrylate) on silica
Authors: Kabomo Moses T. , Blum Frank D. , Kulkeratiyut Suntree , Kulkeratiyut Suriyaphongse , Krisanangkura Piyawan 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe behavior of relatively monodisperse adsorbed poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) samples, from 19 to 587 kDa on silica, was studied using modulated differential scanning calorimetry and FTIR. On untreated CabOSil silica, the glass transition temperatures (Tgs) were higher (by around 30 °C), and the transitions were significantly broader (by a factor of 5–6) than those for the corresponding bulk samples. While the Tgs for the bulk polymers showed the expected dependence on molecular mass, the polymers on untreated silica showed little dependence, i.e., at the same adsorbed amounts, the glass transitions were very similar. The FTIR spectra of the adsorbed PMMA (on untreated silica) showed the presence of at least two resonances, one for the bound (hydrogen bonded to surface silanols) and another for free carbonyls. Fitting of the spectra allowed the estimation of the bound fractions of carbonyls that were dependent on the adsorbed amount, but not molecular mass. On CabOSil treated with hexamethyldisilizane (HMDS), the adsorbed PMMA exhibited glass transition behavior with little molecular‐mass dependence; the Tgs for the different PMMA samples were very similar to those of the high‐molecular mass bulk polymer, but with additional broadening of about a factor of 2. FTIR spectra for the PMMA samples on the treated silica did not show significant amounts of any of the hydrogen‐bonded carbonyl groups. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 649–658, 2008
Dynamic Light Scattering for the Characterization of Polydisperse Fractal Systems: I. Simulation of the Diffusional Behavior
Authors: Kätzel Uwe , Bedrich Rainer , Stintz Michael , Ketzmerick Roland , Gottschalk‐Gaudig Torsten , Barthel Herbert 
Published: February 2008

AbstractDynamic light scattering (DLS) is a method used to size nanoscale and submicron particles by measuring their thermal motion (diffusion) in a liquid environment. The measured diffusion coefficients are related to the hydrodynamic particle size via the Stokes‐Einstein equation. This paper addresses the application of DLS for the characterization of diluted suspensions of pyrogenic silica, which consist of polydisperse fractal‐like aggregates composed of sintered spherical primary particles. Simulations are employed to establish a relationship between the structural properties of the aggregates and their diffusional behavior. Therefore, an algorithm is developed that enables the generation of aggregates with a tunable fractal dimension and an arbitrary number of primary particles. The results provide evidence that the hydrodynamic radii show a different scaling compared to the structural radius of gyration, which is of great relevance for the interpretation of DLS results. In addition, the influence of rotational diffusion has to be accounted for in the measurements.
Dynamic Light Scattering for the Characterization of Polydisperse Fractal Systems: II. Relation between Structure and DLS Results
Authors: Kätzel Uwe , Vorbau Manuel , Stintz Michael , Gottschalk‐Gaudig Torsten , Barthel Herbert 
Published: February 2008

AbstractDynamic light scattering (DLS) is frequently used to characterize suspensions of pyrogenic silica which consists of polydisperse fractal aggregates of sintered spherical primary particles. As the method primarily measures temporal fluctuations of scattered light caused by the translational and rotational diffusive motion of the aggregates it is an important prerequisite to identify those structural properties that are measurable with DLS and to quantify the method's sensitivity to changes in these properties. In a recent paper [1] we have investigated the structure‐hydrodynamics relationship via simulations. Here, the validation of the simulation results by experimental data is presented. Therefore, the structure of different pyrogenic silica grades has been characterized by static light and X‐ray scattering and the diffusional properties were obtained by multi‐angle DLS measurements. It is shown that the hydrodynamic radii determined with DLS scale well with the mean aggregate radius of gyration but that the influence of rotational diffusion has to be accounted for in the measurements.
Routine Quality Testing of Blood Platelet Transfusions with Dynamic Light Scattering
Authors: Maurer‐Spurej Elisabeth , Labrie Audrey , Brown Keddie 
Published: February 2008

AbstractExtension of the current 5‐day shelf life of platelet concentrates to increase the supply of this life saving blood product will require quality testing. However, no automated test exists to routinely measure the quality of platelet concentrates for transfusion. Platelet concentrates cannot be sampled and diluted. These practical limitations have prevented the routine use of optical methods for platelet quality testing. The Dynamic Light Scattering Platelet Monitor (DLS‐PM) addresses these limitations. The DLS‐PM is a portable instrument with a temperature‐controlled sample holder to accommodate a wide range of sample containers. The challenges of small sample size, short light path through the sample, and accurate temperature control have been solved. The DLS‐PM measures platelet size, number of platelet‐derived microparticles, and the response of platelets to temperature changes, which are combined to calculate a platelet quality score. In this paper we introduce the DLS‐PM and discuss the advantages and challenges for dynamic light scattering to become a clinically relevant, routinely used platelet test.
Nitrogen modified nanostructured titania: electronic, structural and visible‐light photocatalytic properties
Authors: Kontos A. I. , Kontos A. G. , Raptis Y. S. , Falaras P. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractNitrogen doped titanium dioxide (N‐TiO2) powders were synthesized as the hydrolysis condensation product of tetrabutyl titanate reaction with urea. Following adequate thermal treatment, nitrogen was introduced at interstitial lattice sites, mostly near the surface of the nanocrystals. These defects, detectable by Raman spectroscopy, induce a shift of the energy band gap to the visible range (at about 2.3 eV) that justifies significant visible light photocatalytic activity towards degradation of methyl orange (MO) pollutant.magnified imageUV–visible diffuse reflectance–transmittance spectra of nano‐ structured N‐TiO2, with sketch of its energy band gap.(© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electronic Effects in Manganite/Insulator Interfaces: Interfacial Enhancement of the Insulating Tunneling Barriers
Authors: Balcells Lluis , Abad Llibertat , Rojas Humberto , Perez del Pino Angel , Estrade Sonia , Arbiol Jordi , Peiro Francisca , Martínez Benjamin 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe transport properties across perovskite oxides heterointerfaces are analyzed. Epitaxial La2/3Ca1/3MnO3/SrTiO3 (LCMO/STO) heterostructures with different STO insulating‐barrier thicknesses are systematically investigated and their behavior compared with LCMO/metal junctions. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements in current‐sensing mode show typical features associated with tunneling conduction. Careful analysis of the I–V curves across LCMO/STO heterointerfaces, using the Simmons model in the intermediate voltage range, clearly shows the existence of an interface‐induced enhancement of the tunneling barrier of about 1.6 nm on the LCMO side. These results confirm recent theoretical studies predicting electronic phase segregation and the formation of an orbital‐ordered insulating phase at the manganite–insulator interface that is a result of the reduction in the number of charge carriers at the interface.
Working with mahouts to explore the diet of work elephants in Myanmar (Burma)
Authors: Campos‐Arceiz Ahimsa , Lin Thin Zar , Htun Wan , Takatsuki Seiki , Leimgruber Peter 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAt an elephant camp in central Myanmar (Burma), we interviewed mahouts and veterinarians to describe the diet of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in a mixed‐deciduous forest. Elephants showed a broad dietary breadth (103 plant species from 42 families); consumed mostly browse (94% of plant species); and were very selective about plant parts [e.g., many trees were eaten exclusively for their bark (22%) or fruits (14%)]. The fruits from 29 plant species were recorded to be eaten by elephants. Several of these were found as fruit remains, seeds, or seedlings in elephant dung, suggesting a role of Asian elephants in seed dispersal. Work elephants and their mahouts prove to be a rich source of information to understand wild elephant ecology.
Derivation of the distensibility coefficient using tissue Doppler as a marker of arterial function
Authors: Haluska Brian A. , Jeffriess Leanne , Brown Joseph , Downey Melodie , Carlier Stephane G. , Marwick Thomas H. 
Published: February 2008

To date, the main cardiovascular application of TDI (tissue Doppler imaging) has been in myocardial evaluation. In the present study, we investigated the feasibility and reproducibility of assessing arterial elasticity using the DC (distensibility coefficient) measured by TDI, the correlation of this with the DC obtained by other methods and the DC in patients with various degrees of cardiovascular risk. We studied 450 subjects (256 men; age, 51±10 years) with and without risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Arterial displacement was measured from TDI, and B-mode and M-mode images of the common carotid artery in the longitudinal plane, and the DC with each method was compared. Linear regression showed a good correlation between all three methods. The results for TDI and B-mode were comparable [(21±10) compared with (21±10)×10−3/kPa respectively; P=not significant], but there were significant differences between TDI and M-mode [(21±10) compared with (31±13)×10−3/kPa respectively; P&lt;0.0001] and between B-mode and M-mode [(21±10) compared with (31±13)×10−3/kPa respectively; P&lt;0.0001]. Similarly, Bland–Altman analysis showed the least variability in the DC between TDI and B-mode, and there were no significant differences between the average measurements. The TDI DC also had the lowest paired difference for inter-observer variability [(−0.1±1.1)×10−3/kPa; P=not significant]. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that TDI of the carotid arteries is feasible, comparable with B-mode measurements, more robust than M-mode and less variable than the other methods.
Cardiac magnetic resonance findings predict increased resource utilization in elective coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Berry Colin , Zimmerli Lukas U. , Steedman Tracey , Foster John E. , Dargie Henry J. , Berg Geoffrey A. , Dominiczak Anna F. , Delles Christian 
Published: February 2008

Morbidity following CABG (coronary artery bypass grafting) is difficult to predict and leads to increased healthcare costs. We hypothesized that pre-operative CMR (cardiac magnetic resonance) findings would predict resource utilization in elective CABG. Over a 12-month period, patients requiring elective CABG were invited to undergo CMR 1 day prior to CABG. Gadolinium-enhanced CMR was performed using a trueFISP inversion recovery sequence on a 1.5 tesla scanner (Sonata; Siemens). Clinical data were collected prospectively. Admission costs were quantified based on standardized actual cost/day. Admission cost greater than the median was defined as ‘increased’. Of 458 elective CABG cases, 45 (10%) underwent pre-operative CMR. Pre-operative characteristics [mean (S.D.) age, 64 (9) years, mortality (1%) and median (interquartile range) admission duration, 7 (6–8) days] were similar in patients who did or did not undergo CMR. In the patients undergoing CMR, eight (18%) and 11 (24%) patients had reduced LV (left ventricular) systolic function by CMR [LVEF (LV ejection fraction) &lt;55%] and echocardiography respectively. LE (late enhancement) with gadolinium was detected in 17 (38%) patients. The average cost/day was $2723. The median (interquartile range) admission cost was $19059 ($10891–157917). CMR LVEF {OR (odds ratio), 0.93 [95% CI (confidence interval), 0.87–0.99]; P=0.03} and SV (stroke volume) index [OR 1.07 (95% CI, 1.00–1.14); P=0.02] predicted increased admission cost. CMR LVEF (P=0.08) and EuroScore tended to predict actual admission cost (P=0.09), but SV by CMR (P=0.16) and LV function by echocardiography (P=0.95) did not. In conclusion, in this exploratory investigation, pre-operative CMR findings predicted admission duration and increased admission cost in elective CABG surgery. The cost-effectiveness of CMR in risk stratification in elective CABG surgery merits prospective assessment.
The Japanese Innovation System: University–Industry Linkages, Small Firms and Regional Technology Clusters
1
Authors: Edgington David W. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
This essay introduces the articles in a special edition on advances made in the Japanese innovation system. It sets the papers against a broad overview of traditional Japanese approaches to innovation and recent calls for change. An analysis is made of the geography of high‐technology factories and recent job losses in the manufacturing sector. The new policies and their impact on Japan’s national and regional innovation systems are then outlined and a synopsis given of the other papers in this special edition. The essay makes a number of concluding remarks on the appropriateness of Japan following the US‐model of innovation.
Putting Innovation in Place: Policy Strategies for Industrial Services, Regional Clusters, and Manufacturing SMEs in Japan and the United States
1
Authors: Shapira Philip 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
This paper examines the evolving situation of mature manufacturing small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) in Japan and the United States and considers some of the key challenges they now face in an era of globalization and rapid technological change. The rationale and justification for policy intervention to support mature SMEs is considered. A review is offered of illustrative policy initiatives in three areas: framework policies, industrial services, and regional industrial cluster policies. The convergence of manufacturing and regional policies is noted. The relative strengths and weaknesses of Japanese and US strategies are assessed. The paper concludes with a comparison of Japanese and US approaches to retaining manufacturing SMEs, interpreted through the various and at times interactive ways through which each country’s innovation system develops and evolves technology and business support policies.
Knowledge Clusters and the Revitalization of Regional Economies in Japan: A Case Study of the Biomedical Industry in Kobe
Authors: Collins Steven W. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
On a cold January morning in 1995, a powerful earthquake rocked Kobe, Japan, killing thousands and shattering the economy of one of Japan’s most vibrant cities. Three years later, a small group of local leaders, realizing that much of the lost industrial output would never return, hatched a plan to develop the city as an international hub for biomedical research and innovation. Out of this was born the Kobe Medical Industry Development Project. Housed on part of an artificial island, the project integrates basic, applied, clinical, and translational research in regenerative medicine and biomedical equipment, providing a comprehensive platform for research, development, and commercialization of new medical therapies and technologies. This article reviews and assesses the achievements of this initiative in the context of the broader effort by central and regional governments to harness localized knowledge and resources as catalysts of sustainable economic development.
Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency Enhances Human Coronavirus 229E Infection
Authors: Wu Yi-Hsuan , Tseng Ching-Ping , Cheng Mei-Ling , Ho Hung-Yao , Shih Shin-Ru , Chiu Daniel Tsun-Yee 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
The host cellular environment is a key determinant of pathogen infectivity. Viral gene expression and viral particle production of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)–deficient and G6PD-knockdown cells were much higher than their counterparts when human coronavirus (HCoV) 229E was applied at 0.1 multiplicity of infection. These phenomena were correlated with increased oxidant production. Accordingly, ectopic expression of G6PD in G6PD-deficient cells or addition of antioxidant (such as α-lipoic acid) to G6PD-knockdown cells attenuated the increased susceptibility to HCoV 229E infection. All experimental data indicated that oxidative stress in host cells is an important factor in HCoV 229E infectivity
Genodiversity of ResistantPseudomonas aeruginosaIsolates in Relation to Antimicrobial Usage Density and Resistance Rates in Intensive Care Units
Authors: Jonas Daniel , Meyer Elisabeth , Schwab Frank , Grundmann Hajo 
Published: February 2008

Objective.To evaluate the assumption that resistance rates in intensive care units (ICUs) are markedly influenced by cross-transmission events in addition to high rates of antimicrobial usage.Methods.This was a prospective ICU- and laboratory-based surveillance study involving 35 German ICUs from 1999 through 2004. A total of 585 ciprofloxacin- or imipenem-resistant isolates ofPseudomonas aeruginosawere investigated together with resistance rate and unit-based antimicrobial usage density. Antimicrobial use was reported in terms of defined daily doses per 1,000 patient-days. All the strains were assigned to ICU-based genotypes. Genodiversity was calculated as the numbers of indistinguishable ICU-based genotypes found per isolates tested. Reduced ICU-based genodiversity was taken as an indirect measure of frequently occurring cross-transmission events.Results.The genodiversity of ciprofloxacin- and imipenem-resistant P.aeruginosaisolates was significantly lower (P≤ .05, by Fisher exact test) in ICUs with high resistance rate and low antimicrobial usage density (genodiversity, 0.50 and 0.50, respectively) than in ICUs that featured low resistance rate in the presence of high antimicrobial usage density (genodiversity, 0.90 and 0.95, respectively). In ICUs with low genodiversity, there was a greater rise in resistance rate with increasing antimicrobial usage density, compared with that in ICUs with high diversity.Conclusions.This study on resistant P.aeruginosaisolates supports the assumption that high resistance rate in the presence of low antimicrobial usage density results from more-frequent cross-transmission events. A greater rise in resistance rate with increasing antimicrobial usage density in ICUs with low genodiversity indicates that resistance rate in ICUs might be markedly determined by cross-transmission events other than antimicrobial usage.
Complexity reduction of biochemical rate expressions
Authors: Schmidt Henning , Madsen Mads F. , Danø Sune , Cedersund Gunnar 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
Motivation: The current trend in dynamical modelling of biochemical systems is to construct more and more mechanistically detailed and thus complex models. The complexity is reflected in the number of dynamic state variables and parameters, as well as in the complexity of the kinetic rate expressions. However, a greater level of complexity, or level of detail, does not necessarily imply better models, or a better understanding of the underlying processes. Data often does not contain enough information to discriminate between different model hypotheses, and such overparameterization makes it hard to establish the validity of the various parts of the model. Consequently, there is an increasing demand for model reduction methods.
Results: We present a new reduction method that reduces complex rational rate expressions, such as those often used to describe enzymatic reactions. The method is a novel term-based identifiability analysis, which is easy to use and allows for user-specified reductions of individual rate expressions in complete models. The method is one of the first methods to meet the classical engineering objective of improved parameter identifiability without losing the systems biology demand of preserved biochemical interpretation.
Availability: The method has been implemented in the Systems Biology Toolbox 2 for MATLAB, which is freely available from http://www.sbtoolbox2.org. The Supplementary Material contains scripts that show how to use it by applying the method to the example models, discussed in this article.
Contact: henning.schmidt@uni-rostock.de
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
First Report of Ophiosphaerella herpotricha Causing Spring Dead Spot of Bermudagrass in Mississippi
Authors: Perry D. H. , Tomaso-Peterson M. , Baird R. 
Published: February 2008

Spring dead spot (SDS) is the most destructive disease of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.). Symptoms of SDS appear in the spring when bermudagrass transitions out of winter dormancy. These symptoms include depressed, straw-colored patches that range from several centimeters to a meter in diameter. Infected roots and rhizomes are black, brittle, and necrotic. The disease is caused by three species of fungi: Ophiosphaerella herpotricha (Fr:Fr) J. Walker; O. korrae (J. Walker & A.M. Smith) Shoemaker & C.E. Babcock; or O. narmari (J. Walker & A.M. Smith) Wetzel, Hubert & Tisserat. However, O. korrae is the most prevalent causal organism of SDS in the southeastern United States and was the only species reported in Mississippi (1). In April of 2006, root samples were collected from a bermudagrass putting green in Booneville, MS with a high level of SDS incidence and severity. Symptomatic roots were collected and surface disinfested in 0.6% NaOCl and plated on one-quarter-strength potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with streptomycin sulfate and chloramphenicol. Hyphae growing from the roots were transferred to full-strength PDA after 5 to 7 days. Mycelium from five pure-culture colonies plus an O. herpotricha control was harvested after 4 weeks of growth and the genomic DNA was extracted. The genomic DNA of the Booneville isolates and the O. herpotricha control were amplified by PCR using species-specific primers OHITS1 and OHITS2 for O. herpotricha (2). Amplification of a 454-bp fragment of DNA confirmed one of the five unknown isolates as O. herpotricha. The other four isolates were not identified. ‘Sahara’ bermudagrass (4 weeks old in 3.8 × 20 cm Cone-tainers containing a sand and soil mixture) was inoculated with the Booneville-O. herpotricha isolate and the O. herpotricha control. One gram of oat seed infested with O. herpotricha isolates was inserted 2 cm below the crowns in the root zone of bermudagrass plugs. The inoculated bermudagrass plants were incubated for 4 weeks in the greenhouse. A control consisting of noninfested sterile oats was included. Following incubation, black, necrotic roots were observed on the plants inoculated with both O. herpotricha isolates. No symptoms were observed on roots of noninfested plants. Symptomatic roots were disinfested and plated on one-quarter-strength PDA. Koch's postulates were completed after O. herpotricha was reisolated from roots of plants inoculated with both O. herpotricha isolates and confirmed by PCR as mentioned above. The identification of O. herpotricha as a causal organism of SDS in Mississippi clarifies the involvement of multiple causal agents in this state and broadens the geographic distribution of this root-rot species. References: (1) F. B. Iriarte et al. Plant Dis. 88:1341, 2004. (2) N. A. Tisserat et al. Phytopathology 84:478, 1994.