bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Micropipette tips – the unsung heroes of mass spectrometry
Authors: Rakhmankulova Malika , Stavrou Steven W. , Yuen Alvis P. , Zhou Raymond , Kessler Paul , Pevsner Paul H. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractMicropipette tip (tip) pipetting accuracy and precision are functions of tip manufacture consistency, morphological variation, and retained inner tip wall particulate matter. Irregular tip inner wall surfaces and retained particulate matter cause pipetting inaccuracy. Washed and unwashed tips from seven manufacturers were compared using weight by difference (six), microscopic Luxol Fast Blue staining (seven), and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/onization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry (six). Photomicrographs revealed tip irregularity and inner wall retained particulate matter. Computer model analysis was used to identify tip irregularity and retained matter. These tests established the utility of a pipette solvent wash to increase the performance and the accuracy of tips and, thus, improve the MALDI mass spectra obtained. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of probe electrospray to direct ambient analysis of biological samples
Authors: Chen Lee Chuin , Nishidate Kentaro , Saito Yuta , Mori Kunihiko , Asakawa Daiki , Takeda Sen , Kubota Takeo , Terada Nobuo , Hashimoto Yutaka , Hori Hirokazu , Hiraoka Kenzo 
Published: July 2008

AbstractRecently, we have developed probe electrospray ionization (PESI) that uses a solid needle. In this system, the probe needle moves up and down along the vertical axis by a motor‐driven system. At the highest position of the probe needle, electrospray is generated by applying a high voltage. In this study, we applied PESI directly to biological samples such as urine, mouse brain, mouse liver, salmon egg, and fruits (orange, banana, etc.). Strong ion signals for almost all the samples were obtained. The amount of liquid sample picked up by the needle is as small as pL or less, making PESI a promising non‐invasive technique for detecting biomolecules in living systems such as cells. Therefore, PESI may be useful as a versatile and ready‐to‐use semi‐online analytical tool in the fields of medicine, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food science, etc. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychological consequences of life‐saving cardiac surgery in patients and partners: measurement of emotional stress by the Impact of Event Scale
Authors: Bunzel Brigitta , Roethy Wilfried , Znoj Hansjoerg , Laederach‐Hofmann Kurt 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe objective of this study is to investigate the long‐term psychological aftermaths of the implantation of a ventricular assist device as bridge to successful heart transplantation. Cross‐sectional, retrospective assessment of 30 patients (aged 48.1 ± 11.5 years, m/f = 28/2, 64.8 ± 32.2 months, range 12–134 months after transplantation) and 21 partners (m/f = 1/20) by standardized instruments [Impact of Event Scale (IES‐R), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale] and a questionnaire about specific problems regarding the time on the device (Artificial Heart Questionnaire) at Vienna Transplant Center (Austria) were used. Twenty patients suffered from dilatative cardiomyopathy and 10 of ischemic cardiomyopathy. The assist remained implanted for 158 ± 130 days (range 28–711). After transplantation, patients had to stay in Coronary care unit for 8.5 ± 7.3 days (range1–40) and remained in hospital for 29.8 ± 7.9 days (range 21–51) before they were transferred to a rehabilitation unit. None of the patients but 23 per cent of the partners (n = 6) met the criteria for post‐traumatic stress disorder (Maercker cut‐off > 0). Thereby, the IES‐R sum scales differed significantly between the two groups [21.2 ± 15.1 (mean ± standard deviation) for patients versus 38.1 ± 27.8 for partners, respectively, p = 0.001]. Two per cent of the patients and 19 per cent (p = 0.055) of the partners showed mild to moderate depression, and 4 per cent of patients and 23 per cent (p = 0.007) of their partners reported mild to moderate anxiety. None of the results were significantly influenced by the time elapsed since transplantation, the patients' age, diagnoses or indication for heart transplantation. However, the type of assist device had significant effects on hyperarousal (p = 0.040), avoidance (p = 0.030), sum scale (p = 0.050) and IES‐R‐cut‐offs (p = 0.039) of the spouses. Concerning the specific heart support related questions, patients rated all the items lower than did their respective spouses. These values significantly were lower for pain (p = 0.034) and stroke (p = 0.008) in spouses than patients. Despite of patients being much closer to a life threat, it is their partners who experience significantly more psychological distress even in the long run. Our findings highlight the need to support the supporting persons. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is a Highly Ionic Material Still Ionic as a Nanoparticle?
Authors: Masenelli B. , Nicolas D. , Mélinon P. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe evolution of ionicity with size in highly ionic nanoparticles is investigated in small sesquioxide clusters. Representative clusters (Y2O3)N (N < 50) are theoretically analyzed by first‐principle calculations within the density functional theory within the local‐density approximation (DFT‐LDA) framework and compared to experimental results obtained in an ultrahigh vacuum environment. By studying the structural relaxation and the electronic density of states as a function of size, the respective roles of ionicity and covalency are elucidated. For compounds as ionic as rare earth sesquioxides, the highly ionic bond essentially governs and preserves the crystalline structure. Particular attention is paid to the mechanism responsible for the surface relaxation. The role of the ions at the corners and edges appears prominent, especially in reducing the dipole carried by the particles. Eventually, contrary to the observations and computations concerning ionic surfaces, the mean ionicity remains constant as the size is reduced. It emphasizes that the description of highly ionic nanoparticles cannot be directly inferred from knowledge regarding the ionic surface reconstruction.
Scalable Routes to Gold Nanoshells with Tunable Sizes and Response to Near‐Infrared Pulsed‐Laser Irradiation
Authors: Prevo Brian G. , Esakoff Shelley A. , Mikhailovsky Alexander , Zasadzinski Joseph A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA simplified synthesis of hollow gold nanoshells 20–50 nm in diameter via the well‐established templated galvanic replacement reaction of silver for gold is presented. The surface plasmon resonance absorbance of the nanoshells is tuned using basic colloid chemistry to control the size of the silver templates. The gold nanoshells have an aqueous core and are varied in size and shell thickness depending on the silver/gold reagent ratios. The template replacement chemistry is rapid, highly scalable, uses minimal amounts of toxic reagents, and in many cases is a true one‐pot synthesis. The smallest nanoshells (20‐nm diameter, 7‐nm wall thickness) reach the highest temperature on irradiation with femtosecond light pulses in the near infrared and anneal to form spherical nanoparticles fastest, even though their plasmon resonance does not overlap as well as the larger nanoshells (50‐nm diameter, 7‐nm wall thickness) with 800‐nm wavelength excitation.
Using SPI to achieve delivery objectives in e‐commerce software development
Authors: Downey Fergal , Coleman Gerry 
Published: July 2008

AbstractSoftware process improvement (SPI) initiatives in large commercial banking organisations are often constrained by the control mechanisms implemented by the organisation to protect it from financial loss. As such, any changes to the software development process must maintain the required level of independent quality control. However, commercial pressure from customers and competition dictate that high‐quality software systems are delivered within shorter timeframes. In order to meet these increasing demands, whilst maintaining the desired level of quality, one option is for organisations to make more effective use of the quality assurance (QA) team during the software development process. This article reports on current research which is examining the impact on software delivery of involving testers earlier in the development life cycle. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cassava Starch Processing at Small Scale in North Vietnam
Authors: Da Guillaume , Dufour Dominique , Marouzé Claude , Thanh Mai Le , Maréchal Pierre‐André 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn Northern Vietnam, small‐scale cassava starch processing is conducted in densely populated craft villages, where processors face difficulties to expand their activities. Three different processing systems were studied among a cluster of three communes in the Red River Delta, producing up to 430 t of starch (at 55% dry matter) per day. The first system, type A, is a cylindrical rasper and a manual sieve, the second, type B, is a cylindrical rasper and stirring‐filtering machine and the third, type C, used equipment for both the rasping and filtering stages. Moisture, starch, crude fibers and ash content analysis were carried out on samples collected from the A‐B‐C manufacturing processes to establish the mass balance of starch. Production capacity, water consumption, electrical requirements and capital‐labor costs per tonne of starch (12% moisture) were also reported. A‐B‐C manufacturing processes enabled 75% recovery of the starch present in fresh roots. No significant change was observed in the composition of starch. Upgrading from system A to B and subsequently to C resulted in an increase in the extraction capacities (up to 0.9 t of peeled roots per hour), the extraction efficiencies during the extraction stage (up to 93%), and an increase in the water consumption and electrical power (up to 21 m3 and 55 kWh per tonne of starch, respectively). The highest amount of total solids carried in the waste‐water was obtained with type C (up to 17% of the dry weight of fresh roots, compared to 10% and 13% for type A and B, respectively). This may lead to a higher chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD) in waste‐water, which can result in more polluted waste‐water than compared with the type A and B technologies. Upgrading the rasping‐extraction technologies also resulted in higher profits and reduction of labor per tonne of starch (up to 18 US$ and 26 man‐hours respectively). The diagnosis proposed in this study can be applied in different contexts to recommend technological options by considering space, energy and capital‐labor availabilities.
Ron Klemencic, P.E., S.E.
Authors: Klemencic Ron 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis paper presents a summary of the career of the author. It follows his journey from a small‐town in Wisconsin to president of a world‐class engineering firm in Seattle, WA, designing state‐of‐the‐art high‐rise structures. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitro study on influence of nano particles of CuO on CA1 pyramidal neurons of rat hippocampus potassium currents
Authors: Xu Lan‐Ju , Zhao Jing‐Xia , Zhang Tao , Ren Guo‐Gang , Yang Zhuo 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe effects of nano particles of CuO on voltage‐dependent potassium currents were studied in acutely isolated CA1 pyramidal neurons of rat hippocampus using the whole‐cell patch‐clamp techniques. Nano particles of CuO had small effects on transient outward potassium current (IA, no statistical significance) and mainly inhibited delayed rectifier potassium current (IK) in the concentration of 5 × 10−5 g/mL. Nano particles of CuO didn't shift the steady‐state activation curve of IK and IA but negatively shifted the inactivation curve of IK. The effects on inactivation curve of IA had no statistical significance. These results suggested that blockades of K+ currents by nano particles of CuO could be preferential for Ik for the first time. This may interfere with the normal function of nerve cells. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2009.
Chronic bioassay in benthic fish for the assessment of the quality of sediments in different areas of the coast of Spain impacted by acute and chronic oil spills
Authors: Jiménez‐Tenorio Natalia , Salamanca María José , García‐Luque Enrique , González de Canales María Luisa , DelValls T. Ángel 
Published: July 2008

AbstractMore and more, the coastal regions of the world suffer from the contamination of petroleum hydrocarbon [principally polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)]. This contamination can be acute, as it happened in the Coast of Galicia (NW, Spain) by the oil spill from a tanker, or chronic by the existence of high maritime traffic and a lot of industries as it is the case of the Bay of Algeciras (BA) (SW, Spain). It is of a great concern due to the toxicity, especially in sediments and ecosystem associated to it. The objective of this study is to assess, through chronic bioassay, sediment toxicity in samples collected in different littoral areas of Spain and to compare the damage caused in benthic fish, Solea senegalensis, according to that which suffers acute spill (Coast of Galicia) or chronic spill (the BA) by means of histopathology methods and enzymatic activities studies. Organisms were exposed to different sediments from Galician Coast and the BA during 42 days and every sample was analyzed by triplicate in glass aquaria. At the end of the bioassay, histopathological diseases were analyzed in the gills, target organ. Likewise, stress parameters as ethoxyresorufin‐O‐deethylase (EROD) and the glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) activities were determined in the liver. Results showed a significant positive correlation between the biomarkers of exposure (EROD and GST), biomarkers of effect (histopathology), and PAHs concentrations in the sediments. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2008.
Hölder continuity for the displacements in isotropic and kinematic hardening with von Mises yield criterion
Authors: Frehse J. , Löbach D. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe consider the regularity of weak solutions to evolution variational inequalities arising from the flow theory of plasticity with isotropic and kinematic hardening. The (linear) elasticity tensor is allowed to have discontinuities. We derive a Morrey condition for the stress velocities and the strains (not the strain velocity!) up to the boundary. In the case of two space dimensions we conclude the Hölder continuity of the displacements.
Effects of the pericarp on imbibition, seed germination, and seedling establishment in seeds of Hedysarum scoparium Fisch. et Mey
Authors: Hu Xiao Wen , Wang Yan Rong , Wu Yan Pei 
Published: July 2008

AbstractFour independent experiments were designed to investigate the effects of the pericarp on seed imbibition, dehydration, germination, seedling establishment, and seed longevity in the field in seeds of Hedysarum scoparium Fisch. et Mey. The results showed that the presence of the pericarp decreased seed imbibition rates in the first 6 h, but the seeds attained significantly higher final water content after 24 h of soaking. The pericarp caused seed dormancy, and removal of the pericarp improved the germination percentage to 90 from 44%. In the pot experiment, where the level of moisture was maintained at field capacity (control), seeds with the pericarp removed had significantly improved seedling establishment. However, no statistical differences were observed in seedling establishment when the experiment was repeated under dry conditions at 40% of the field water capacity. The seedling biomass derived from seeds without the pericarp was much higher in the control but the trend was reversed under dry conditions. For seed longevity, 2 months burial in the field killed almost all seeds without the pericarp, while more than 70% of the seeds with the pericarp intact remained viable. These results indicated that the pericarp was beneficial for seedling establishment and seed longevity in arid environments. The results of this study may have practical application in grassland restoration in dry areas, especially for aerial seeding, which has been extensively used in the northern part of China.
Glycosylation Site Analysis of Human Platelets by Electrostatic Repulsion Hydrophilic Interaction Chromatography
Authors: Lewandrowski Urs , Lohrig Katharina , Zahedi René P. , Wolters Dirk , Sickmann Albert 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Introduction
Glycosylations range among the most common posttranslational modifications with an estimated 50% of all proteins supposed to be glycosylated. These modifications are required for essential cellular processes including cell–cell recognition, protein structure and activity, e.g., of surface receptors, as well as subcellular localization of proteins. Beside the elucidation of the carbohydrate structures, the annotation of glycosylation sites is of primary interest as a basis for subsequent functional characterization. Although mass spectrometry is the method of choice for large-scale analysis of glycosylation sites, it requires initial enrichment of glycopeptides prior mass spectrometric detection in most cases.

Materials and Methods
In this paper, we present a novel approach for glycopeptide enrichment by electrostatic repulsion hydrophilic interaction chromatography (ERLIC). Glycopeptides were separated from the bulk of non-modified peptides and gradually eluted from the stationary phase with potential for isoform resolution. Applied to human platelets, 125 glycosylation sites on 66 proteins were identified including major platelet glycoproteins responsible for cellular function.

Conclusion
These sites add a major contribution to the now more than 250 glycosylation sites annotated for platelets, which enable the clinically relevant design of quantification assays for platelet glycoproteins.
Blood Levels of Carbonic Anhydrase 9 Correlate with Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Activity
Authors: Hulick Peter , Zimmer Michael , Margulis Vitaly , Skates Steven , Hamel Maureen , Dahl Douglas M. , Michaelson Dror M. , Liebermann Towia , Signoretti Sabina , Carney Walter , Wood Christopher , Iliopoulos Othon 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIntroductionBiomarkers for early detection of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) may help diagnose minimal residual disease in patients at risk for RCC, can guide anti-angiogenic therapy, or may help identify candidates for adjuvant treatment. In this study, we investigated whether blood levels of carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9) correlate with RCC tumor burden and therefore disease activity.MethodsCA9 is a von Hippel–Lindau–hypoxia inducible factor target upregulated in clear cell RCC. We used an anti-CA9 antibody (M75)-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test to measure CA9 levels in blood obtained before and after nephrectomy for clinically localized disease in patients with: (1) clear cell RCC, (2) papillary and chromophobe RCC or oncocytoma, or (3) benign kidney lesions, and we compared these samples to blood drawn from normal control individuals.ResultsWe observed a significant (p < 0.006) decrease in the blood levels of CA9, after nephrectomy for localized disease, in the majority of patients with clear cell RCC (57%). In contrast, patients with nonclear cell RCC, benign disease, or those having undergone debulking nephrectomy for metastatic disease did not have a decrease in CA9 blood levels after nephrectomy. Preliminary longitudinal follow up measurements of CA9 levels in a small group of patients indicated that rising CA9 levels may correlate with disease progression.ConclusionsPlasma CA9 levels correlate with disease activity in a subset of clear cell RCC patients and should be considered in future multiplex RCC biomarker development algorithms.
A case of congenital cardiomyopathy with acute heart failure
Authors: Ieva Riccardo , Correale Michele , Di Biase Matteo 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA 45‐year‐old woman was admitted to our cardiology department for palpitations and dyspnoea. She had previously been investigated by echocardiography several times, resulting in a diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. However, a congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries was diagnosed by our echocardiographic examination. The patient underwent electrophysiological evaluation and the accessory pathway was successfully ablated by applying radiofrequency pulses. This case report identifies that in patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries the primary diagnosis by echocardiography can sometimes be missed and that these patients are increasingly liable to develop Congestive Heart Failure with advancing age. In order to avoid diagnostic mistakes, more widespread dissemination of information about this congenital heart defect is essential.
Venous endothelial function in heart failure: Comparison with healthy controls and effect of clinical compensation
Authors: Rabelo Eneida R. , Ruschel Karen , Moreno Heitor , Rubira Marcelo , Consolim‐Colombo Fernanda M. , Irigoyen Maria Cláudia , Rohde Luis E. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground:Endothelial function has been extensively evaluated at the arterial bed in several cardiovascular scenarios. Venous endothelial dysfunction, however, has not been thoroughly explored particularly in heart failure (HF).AimsTo characterize venous endothelial function in severe HF.Methods and results:Venous endothelial function was evaluated by the dorsal hand vein technique using a tripod holding a linear variable differential transformer. Dorsal hand veins were pre‐constricted with phenylephrine and dose–response curves were constructed after acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside administration. Maximum vasodilator response to acetylcholine, a marker of endothelium‐dependent venodilation, was significantly lower (47±53% versus 102±54%, respectively, p=0.0004) in HF (n=27) patients compared to healthy controls (n=20). No difference in the endothelium‐independent venodilator response was observed (p=0.87). Maximum vasodilator response to acetylcholine was also significantly lower on admission compared to the response immediately before hospital discharge in patients with acute decompensated HF (p<0.01). Improvement in venous endothelial function paralleled weight loss (mean difference of −3.8 kg, p<0.01) and improvement in the 6‐minute walk test (mean difference of 107 m, p<0.01). There was no significant change in angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor or beta‐blocker use during hospital stay.Conclusions:HF patients experience marked endothelium‐dependent venous dysfunction with partial recovery during in‐hospital management.