bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hominoid seminal protein evolution and ancestral mating behavior
Authors: Carnahan Sarah J. , Jensen‐Seaman Michael I. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractHominoid mating systems show extensive variation among species. The degree of sexual dimorphism in body size and canine size varies among primates in accordance with their mating system, as does the testes size and the consistency of ejaculated semen, in response to differing levels of sperm competition. To investigate patterns of evolution at hominoid seminal proteins and to make inferences regarding the mating systems of extinct taxa, we sequenced the entire coding region of the prostate‐specific transglutaminase (TGM4) gene in human, chimpanzee, bonobo, western lowland gorilla, eastern lowland gorilla, orangutan, and siamang, including multiple humans, chimps, and gorillas. Partial DNA sequence of the coding regions was also obtained for one eastern lowland gorilla at the semenogelin genes (SEMG1 and SEMG2), which code for the predominant proteins in semen. Patterns of nucleotide variation and inferred protein sequence change were evaluated within and between species. Combining the present data with previous studies demonstrates a high rate of amino acid substitutions, and low intraspecific variation, at seminal proteins in Pan, presumably driven by strong sperm competition. Both gorilla species apparently possess nonfunctional TGM4, SEMG1, and SEMG2 genes, suggesting that gorillas have had low sperm competition, and therefore their current polygynous mating system, for a long time before their divergence. Similarly, orangutans show longstanding stasis at TGM4, which may be interpreted as evidence for an unchanging mating system for most of their evolution after their divergence from African apes. In contrast to the great apes, the data from humans could be interpreted as evidence of fluctuations between different mating systems or alternatively as a relaxed functional constraint in these proteins. It is our hope that this study is a first step toward developing a model to predict ancestral mating systems from extant molecular data to complement interpretations from the fossil record. Am. J. Primatol. 70:939–948, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hybridization of aqueous PU/epoxy resin via a dual self‐curing process
Authors: Chen Wei‐Jen , Wang Shih‐Chieh , Chen Po‐Cheng , Chen Tsorng‐Wen , Chen Kan‐Nan 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAmino‐terminated and carboxyl‐containing polyurethane (PU) is prepared by an isocyanate‐terminated PU prepolymer process. Carboxyl‐containing epoxy resin is obtained from a half‐esterification of epoxy resin with maleic anhydride. These two aqueous resins are obtained after neutralization with triethylamine and dispersion into water phase, respectively. A latent curing agent (TMPTA‐AZ) is prepared by a Michael addition of aziridine with trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA). A self‐curing system of PU/epoxy hybrid is obtained from a blending of these two aqueous resins with latent curing agent. PU/epoxy hybrid is derived from two self‐curing reactions on drying. The first curing for hybridization between PU amino groups with oxirane groups of epoxy resin is via a ring‐opening reaction and the secondary curing takes place on carboxyl groups of PU/epoxy hybrid with aziridine of TMPTA‐AZ. The final properties of these dual self‐cured PU/epoxy hybrids are reported. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Mechanism involved in the dyeing of wool with an oil‐in‐water microemulsion system
Authors: Paul Roshan , Solans Conxita , Erra Pilar 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThis article investigates the influence of oil‐in‐water (o/w) microemulsions, used as media for both dye solubilization and dye baths, on the dye uptake on fiber surfaces. An acetic acid solution/Synperonic L7/benzyl alcohol microemulsion system was used to solubilize a water‐insoluble antimicrobial natural dye (C.I. Natural Orange 2) and to dye wool fabric at an acidic pH. The results clearly show that the dye exhaustion on the fabric took place mainly when the temperature of the dye bath promoted a change in the molecular organization of the microemulsions with the liberation of the dye solubilized in the oil droplets of the microemulsions. Although uniformly and evenly dyed fabrics were obtained, they showed very low wash fastness. To confirm the mechanism involved and to achieve dyed fabrics with good wash‐fastness properties, two different dyeing methods were also studied. The first method was dyeing at a constant low temperature, at which the o/w microemulsion remained a monophase system; the second one was dyeing at a high temperature, at which it was transformed into a multiphase system. Both the dye exhaustion and wash fastness improved considerably for the fabrics dyed at a high temperature. Moreover, uniform and even dyeing was achieved. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Surface functionalization of poly(lactic acid) film by UV‐photografting of N‐vinylpyrrolidone
Authors: Gutierrez‐Villarreal Mario H. , Ulloa‐Hinojosa Mayra G. , Gaona‐Lozano Jose G. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe photoinitiated grafting of N‐vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) onto poly(lactic acid) (PLA) film with the use of benzophenone (BP) as the initiator, modified the natural hydrophobic PLA behavior to an hydrophilic film with desirable wettability. The surface photografting parameters‐percent conversion of monomer to overall photopolymerization (Cp), percent conversion of monomer to the photograft polymerization (Cg), and grafting efficiency (Eg) were calculated. The resulting film surface was analyzed using ATR‐FTIR and UV spectroscopy, derivative spectroscopy and water contact angle. Besides, we demonstrated that the grafted polyvinylpyrrolidone chains could easily react with iodine to form a complex as the homopolymer does with antibacterial activity. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Study on phase separation of PET/PEN blends by dynamic rheology
Authors: Wagner M. H. , Wu W. , Liu Y. , Qian Q. , Zhang Y. , Mielke W. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBlends of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN) were processed into biaxially drawn films, and samples taken from the bi‐oriented films were then investigated by dynamic rheology experiments in the melt state. Storage modulus G′ and loss modulus G″ were determined in the frequency range of 10−2–102 rad/s at temperatures between 260 and 300°C. Although the time–temperature superposition (TTS) principle was found to hold in the high frequency regime, a breakdown of TTS was observed at low frequencies, and the terminal behavior of the storage modulus G′ of the blends departs drastically from the terminal behavior observed for the blend components. This is caused by interfacial surface tension effects. The results indicate that despite the effect of transesterification reactions, the PET/PEN blend systems investigated consist of a microseparate phase of PEN platelets in a matrix of PET. This morphology is produced when the blends are processed into biaxially oriented PET/PEN films, and droplets of PEN are deformed into a lamellar structure consisting of parallel and extended, separate layers. The large interfacial surface area of the bi‐oriented PET/PEN blends leads to remarkably strong interfacial tension effects in dynamic rheology measurements. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Modification of the mechanical and thermal properties of PVC by semi IPN formation with poly(butyl acrylate)
Authors: Chakrabarti Rupa , Chakraborty Debabrata 
Published: June 2008

AbstractSemi1 and semi2 interpenetrating polymer networks of poly(vinyl chloride) PVC and in situ formed poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA) have been synthesized and characterized using diallyl phthalate (DAP) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDM) as the crosslinkers of PVC and PBA, respectively. These two types of IPNs have been compared with respect to their mechanical and thermal properties. The semi1 IPNs displayed a decrease in their mechanical parameters and the physical properties as well, while in contrast, the semi2 IPNs exhibited a marginal increase in the corresponding values when compared to the crosslinked PVC in the case of semi1 IPN and linear PVC in case of semi2 IPN. The representative samples of semi1 and semi2 IPNs revealed a two‐stage‐degradation typical of PVC while confirming the increased stability of the samples with higher onset temperature of degradation. The softening characteristics as detected by thermomechanical analysis are in conformity with their mechanicals. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Development of a benzaldehyde sensor utilizing chemiluminescence on nanosized Y2O3
Authors: Wu Yayan , Zhang Sichun , Wang Xin , Na Na , Zhang Zhenxi 
Published: June 2008

AbstractA chemiluminescence sensor has been proposed for sensitive determination of benzaldehyde, with nanosized Y2O3 as the sensing material. Under optimized conditions, the linear range of the CL intensity vs. the concentration of benzaldehyde vapour is 1.8 ng/mL–10.8 µg/mL (r2 = 0.9996), with a detection limit of 0.90 ng/mL (signal:noise ratio = 3:1). The sensor also exhibits high selectivity to benzaldehyde because no or weak CL signals have been detected when foreign substances are introduced into the sensor. In addition, the sensor also shows good stability and longer lifetime within 100 h. The results indicate that the proposed sensor, which has high sensitivity and selectivity, shows great potential for the detection of benzaldehyde. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extracellular recombinant protein production from an Escherichia coli lpp deletion mutant
Authors: Shin Hyun‐Dong , Chen Rachel R. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractE. coli is one of the most commonly used host strains for recombinant protein production. However, recombinant proteins are usually found intracellularly, in either cytoplasm or periplasmic space. Inadequate secretion to the extracellular environment is one of its limitations. This study addresses the outer membrane barrier for the translocation of recombinant protein directed to the periplasmic space. Specifically, using recombinant maltose binding protein (MalE), xylanase, and cellulase as model proteins, we investigated whether the lpp deletion could render the outer membrane permeable enough to allow extracellular protein production. In each case, significantly higher excretion of recombinant protein was observed with the lpp deletion mutant. Up to 90% of the recombinant xylanase activity and 70% of recombinant cellulase activity were found in the culture medium with the deletion mutant, whereas only 40–50% of the xylanase and cellulase activities were extracellular for the control strain. Despite the weakened outer membrane in the mutant strain, cell lysis did not occur, and increased excretion of periplasmic protein was not due to cell lysis. The lpp deletion is a simple method to generate an E. coli strain to effect significant extracellular protein production. The phenotype of extracellular protein production without cell lysis is useful in many biotechnological applications, such as bioremediation and plant biomass conversion. Biotechnol. Bioeng. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Determination of protein aggregation with differential mobility analysis: Application to IgG antibody
Authors: Pease Leonard F. , Elliott John T. , Tsai De‐Hao , Zachariah Michael R. , Tarlov Michael J. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractHere we describe the use of electrospray differential mobility analysis (ES‐DMA), also known as gas‐phase electrophoretic mobility molecular analysis (GEMMA), as a method for measuring low‐order soluble aggregates of proteins in solution. We demonstrate proof of concept with IgG antibodies. In ES‐DMA, aqueous solutions of the antibody protein are electrosprayed and the various aerosolized species are separated according to their electrophoretic mobility using a differential mobility analyzer. In this way, complete size distributions of protein species present from 3 to 250 nm can be obtained with the current set up, including distinct peaks for IgG monomers to pentamers. The sizes of the IgG and IgG aggregates measured by DMA were found to be in good agreement with those calculated from simple models, which take the structural dimensions of IgG from protein crystallographic data. The dependence of IgG aggregation on the solution concentration and ionic strength was also examined, and the portion of aggregates containing chemically crosslinked antibodies was quantified. These results indicate that ES‐DMA holds potential as a measurement tool to study protein aggregation phenomena such as those associated with antibody reagent manufacturing and protein therapeutics. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 1214–1222. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Biologically mediated mobilization of arsenic from granular ferric hydroxide in anaerobic columns fed landfill leachate
Authors: Cortinas Irail , Sierra‐Alvarez Reyes , Field Jim A. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractTo gain insight on the fate of arsenic (As) from drinking water treatment residuals in landfills, the mobilization of arsenate adsorbed onto granular ferric hydroxide (GFH) was studied in continuous anaerobic columns fed with a synthetic landfill leachate. The release of As was compared in biologically active and abiotic columns. More than 150 days of incubation were required before noteworthy As release occurred. After 400 days of operation, 19% of the As was mobilized as identified species in the biologically active column, which was 25.5‐fold greater than that of the abiotic column. Fine colloids accounted for up to 81% of the As released. Arsenite was the predominant species identified in filtered (0.45 µm) effluent samples. Dimethylarsinic acid and monomethylarsonic acid were also observed as metabolites. During column operation, approximately 30% of the iron (hydr)oxide mass was lost and most of the mass loss was attributed to changes in iron mineralogy that could be demonstrated in a batch bioassay. The results indicate that As‐laden GFH residuals from drinking water treatment are subject to mobilization in municipal landfills and that biologically mediated changes in the iron mineralogy may play an important role in the mobilization mechanism. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 1205–1213. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cell‐free synthesis of functional proteins using transcription/translation machinery entrapped in silica sol–gel matrix
Authors: Kim Kyeong‐Ohn , Lim Seong Yoon , Hahn Geun‐Hee , Lee Sahng Ha , Park Chan Beum , Kim Dong‐Myung 
Published: June 2008

AbstractHerewith we report the encapsulation of functional protein synthesis machinery in a silica sol–gel matrix. When the sol–gel reaction using alkoxysilane monomers was carried out in the presence of Escherichia coli cell extract, macromolecular protein synthesis machinery in the cell extract was successfully immobilized within a silica gel matrix, catalyzing the translation of co‐immobilized DNA when supplied with small‐molecular‐weight substrates for protein synthesis. The efficiency of protein synthesis was affected by the pore size of the gel structure, which was controlled through the use of appropriate additives during the sol–gel reactions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the reproduction of the entire set of complicated biological process within an inorganic gel matrix, and we expect that the developed technology will find many applications in numerous fields such as high‐throughput gene expression and the development of multifunctional biosensors. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 303–307. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transient gene delivery for functional enrichment of differentiating embryonic stem cells
Authors: Wallenstein Eric J. , Barminko Jeffrey , Schloss Rene S. , Yarmush Martin L. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThere is a critical need for new sources of hepatocytes, both clinically to provide support for patients with liver failure and in drug discovery for toxicity, metabolic and pharmacokinetic screening of new drug entities. We have reported previously a variety of methods for differentiating murine embryonic stem (ES) cells into hepatocyte‐like cells. One major challenge of our work and others in the field has been the ability to selectively purify and enrich these cells from a heterogeneous population. Traditional approaches for inserting new genes (e.g., stable transfection, knock‐in, retroviral transduction) involve permanent alterations in the genome. These approaches can lead to mutations and involve the extra costs and time of developing, validating and maintaining new cell lines. We have developed a transient gene delivery system that uses fluorescent gene reporters for purification of the cells. Following a transient transfection, the cells are purified through a fluorescence‐activated cell sorter (FACS), re‐plated in secondary culture and subsequent phenotypic analysis is performed. In an effort to test the ability of the reporters to work in a transient environment for our differentiation system, we engineered two non‐viral plasmid reporters, the first driven by the mouse albumin enhancer/promoter and the second by the mouse cytochrome P450 7A1 (Cyp7A1) promoter. We optimized the transfection efficiency of delivering these genes into spontaneously differentiated ES cells and sorted independent fractions positive for each reporter 17 days after inducing differentiation. We found that cells sorted based on the Cyp7A1 promoter showed significant enrichment in terms of albumin secretion, urea secretion and cytochrome P450 1A2 detoxification activity as compared to enrichment garnered by the albumin promoter‐based cell sort. Development of gene reporter systems that allow us to identify, purify and assess homogeneous populations of cells is important in better understanding stem cell differentiation pathways. And engineering cellular systems without making permanent gene changes will be critical for the generation of clinically acceptable cellular material in the future. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 859–872. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Histo‐Topographic study of the longitudinal anal muscle
Authors: Macchi Veronica , Porzionato Andrea , Stecco Carla , Vigato Enrico , Parenti Anna , Caro Raffaele De 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe longitudinal anal muscle (LAM) has been described as a vertical layer of muscular tissue interposed between the circular layers of the internal (IAS) and external (EAS) anal sphincters. There is, however, no general agreement in the literature on its composition and attachments. The aim of this study was to investigate the histological structure, attachments, and topography of the LAM in order to evaluate its role in continence and defecation, thus enhancing knowledge of the surgical anatomy of this region. After in situ formalin fixation, the pelvic viscera were removed from eight male and eight female cadavers (age range: 52–72 years). Serial macrosections of the bladder base, lower rectum and anal canal, cervix and pelvic floor complex, cut in the transverse (six specimens) and coronal (six specimens) planes, underwent histological and immunohistochemical studies. Four specimens were studied using the E12 sheet plastination technique. The LAM was identified in 10/12 specimens (83%). Transverse and coronal sections made clear that it is a longitudinal layer of muscular tissue, marking the boundary between the internal and external anal sphincters. From the anorectal junction it extends along the anal canal, receives fibers from the innermost part of the puborectalis and the puboanalis muscles, and terminates with seven to nine fibro‐elastic septa, which traverse the subcutaneous part of the external anal sphincter, reaching the perianal dermis. In the transverse plane, the mean thickness of the LAM was 1.68 ± 0.27 mm. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the LAM consists of predominantly outer striated muscle fibers and smaller numbers of inner smooth muscle fibers, respectively coming from the levator ani muscle and from the longitudinal muscular layer of the rectum. The oblique fibers suggest that the LAM may represent the intermediate longitudinal course of small bridging muscle bundles going reciprocally from the striated EAS to the smooth IAS and vice versa. The spatial result is the helical course of striated and smooth muscle fibers between the EAS and IAS, which contribute not only to the narrowing but also to some shortening of the anal canal during sphincter contraction. Thus, rather than being a boundary, the LAM gives anatomical evidence of a functional connection between two muscle systems with different structures and topography. Clin. Anat. 21:447–452, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Linearity analysis in pipeline A/D converters
Authors: Sedighi Behnam , Sharif Bakhtiar Mehrdad 
Published: June 2008

AbstractA method for estimating integral nonlinearity (INL) in pipeline analog‐to‐digital converters is presented. In this method, errors in each stage are modeled by an equivalent input‐referred gain error and an input‐referred nonlinearity. For a switched capacitor implementation, the proposed model predicts the maximum statistical INL in terms of capacitor mismatch and also provides an exact formula for INL in terms of finite gain of operational amplifiers. Using this model, it is proved that a high per‐stage resolution reduces the power consumption in low‐speed converters, whereas in high‐speed circuits 1.5‐bit or 2.5‐bit stage is more advantageous. It is also shown that when voltage swing is below 1 V, the lower limit for the size of the capacitors is mainly determined by thermal noise rather than by INL. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regulation of hepatic glucose production and the role of gluconeogenesis in humans: is the rate of gluconeogenesis constant?
Authors: Nuttall Frank Q. , Ngo Angela , Gannon Mary C. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractWe have been interested in the metabolic effects of ingested fuels, both in normal subjects and in people with type 2 diabetes. Recently, we have become interested in the regulation of glucose production and the regulation of gluconeogenesis in particular. We are not aware of a recent comprehensive review of these topics. Therefore, we have reviewed the currently available literature.The pertinent papers obtained from a Medline search of the words gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis, hepatic glucose output, as well as papers from our personal files, form the basis of this review.In order to analyse the data, it also was necessary to review the relevant methodology used in determining gluconeogenesis. Pathway diagrams have been included with this review in order to illustrate and highlight key aspects of the methodologies.Current data support the hypothesis that the rate of glucose appearance changes but the rate of gluconeogenesis remains remarkably stable in widely varying metabolic conditions in people without diabetes. In people with diabetes, whether gluconeogenesis remains unchanged is at present uncertain. Available data are very limited. The mechanism by which gluconeogenesis remains relatively constant, even in the setting of excess substrates, is not known. One interesting speculation is that gluconeogenic substrates substitute for each other depending on availability. Thus, the overall rate is either unaffected or only modestly changed. This requires further confirmation. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.