bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of ethanol and methanol crossover through different MEA components and structures by cyclic voltammetry
Authors: Ling J. , Longtin G. , Savadogo O. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe crossover rate of ethanol or methanol through membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and MEA components was studied quantitatively at 25 and 60 °C by cyclic voltammetry method. The results obtained in this work show that cyclic voltammetry is a powerful technique to assess the crossover phenomenon through MEA components and structures. In all cases, the ethanol crossover rates are lower than those of methanol. The ethanol and methanol crossover rates depend upon time and temperature. For an initial concentration of 1 M of ethanol or methanol, the crossover rate increases to a maximum after the first hour of the cell operation and then decreases gradually to a certain concentration after the third hour. At 60 °C, the maximum concentration of ethanol crossover rate is lower than that obtained at 25 °C. The crossover rate of ethanol or methanol through MEA is lower than through the components alone (pressed or nonpressed membranes or gas diffusion electrode). Copyright © 2008 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On information transmission in linear feedback tracking systems
Authors: Zhang Hui , Sun Youxian 
Published: September 2008

AbstractInformation transmission in discrete time linear time‐invariant (LTI) feedback tracking systems was investigated by using measures of directed information and mutual information. It was proved that, for a pair of extraneous input and internal variable, directed information (rate) is always equal to mutual information (rate); for a pair of internal variables, the former is smaller than the latter. Furthermore, the feedback changes the information transmission between internal variables, while it has no influence on information transmission from extraneous variable to internal variable. Consideration on system design was discussed. Copyright © 2008 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new fault detection method based on artificial immune systems
Authors: Wang Cunjie , Zhao Yuhong 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA new fault detection method with a continuous learning feature for a complicated process is proposed based on the concept of artificial immune systems (AIS). Both the negative and the clonal selections are adopted in the method. The real‐valued negative selection algorithm (RNSA) is utilized to generate fault detectors. When the detector set is used to perform the fault detection, a clonal selection is employed to update the fault detector set. The proposed method is applied to the Tennessee Eastman (TE) process. The simulation results show that the performance of the proposed method is superior to those of both classical principal component analysis (PCA) and negative selection algorithm. Copyright © 2008 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photophysical and Duplex‐DNA‐Binding Properties of Distamycin Dimers Based on 4,4′‐ and 2,2′‐Dialkoxyazobenzenes as the Core
Authors: Ghosh Sumana , Usharani Dandamudi , De Susmita , Jemmis Eluvathingal D. , Bhattacharya Santanu 
Published: September 2008

AbstractDistamycin‐based tetrapeptide (1) was covalently tethered to both ends of the central dihydroxyazobenzene moiety at either the 2,2′ or 4,4′ positions. This afforded two isomeric, distamycin–azobenzene–distamycin systems, 2 (para) and 3 (ortho), both of them being photoisomerizable. Illumination of these conjugates in solution at approximately 360 nm induced photoisomerization and the time course of the process was followed by UV/Vis and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The kinetics of the thermal reversion at various temperatures of cis to trans isomers of the conjugates obtained after photoillumination were also examined. This afforded the respective thermal‐activation parameters. Both the molecular architecture and the location of the substituent around the core azobenzene determined the rate and activation‐energy barrier for the cis‐to‐trans back‐isomerization of these conjugates in solution. Duplex–DNA binding of the conjugates and the changes in DNA‐binding efficiency upon photoisomerization was also examined by CD spectroscopy, thermal denaturation studies, and a Hoechst displacement assay. The conjugate 2 showed higher DNA‐binding affinity and a greater change in the DNA‐binding efficiency upon photoisomerization compared with its 2,2′‐disubstituted counterpart. The experimental findings were substantiated by using molecular‐docking studies involving each conjugate with a model duplex d[(GC(AT)10CG)]2 DNA molecule.
Study on the interaction between nitroxide free radical and conjugated polyelectrolytes by fluorimetry
Authors: Dou Wenchao , Su Xingguang 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIn this work, we studied the fluorescence quenching of the anionic conjugated polyelectrolyte PPE–SO3 by the paramagnetic species 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐N‐oxide free radical (TEMPO) in aqueous solution. At low quencher concentration the Stern–Volmer constant is 94 mol/L; as the quencher concentration increases the Stern–Volmer plots become superlinear. Ascorbic acid is used to reduce TEMPO to the corresponding hydroxylamine and the PPE–SO3 fluorescence is fully recovered. Under a large excess of ascorbic acid over TEMPO, the rise of fluorescence followed pseudo‐first‐order kinetics. The second‐order rate constant calculated from this time course is 0.7 mol/L/s. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Selective separation and co‐culture of cells by photo‐induced enhancement of cell adhesion (PIECA)
Authors: Edahiro Jun‐ichi , Sumaru Kimio , Ooshima Yuki , Kanamori Toshiyuki 
Published: September 2008

AbstractTaking advantage of the phenomenon that animal cells adhering to a culture substrate are temporarily immobilized by light irradiation, we established a technique to manipulate the cells adhering to a culture substrate under microscopic observation. Using this technique, we demonstrated a separation of cells adhering to a culture substrate and fabrication of an elaborately patterned co‐culture system. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1278–1282. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Protein A‐based antibody immobilization onto polymeric microdevices for enhanced sensitivity of enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay
Authors: Yuan Yuan , He Hongyan , Lee L. James 
Published: September 2008

AbstractHighly efficient antibody immobilization is extremely crucial for the development of high‐performance polymeric microdevices for enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In this article, a site‐selective tyrosinase (TR)‐catalyzed protein A strategy for antibody immobilization was developed to enhance the sensitivity of ELISA in poly‐(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microchannels for interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) assay. To effectively immobilize the target antibodies, oxygen plasma was first used to activate the inert PMMA. This is followed by poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) coating, an amine‐containing functional polymer. For comparison, protein A was also immobilized through the commonly used amine‐glutaraldehyde (GA) chemistry. Oxygen plasma treatment effectively increased the amount of PEI attachment and subsequent binding efficiency of the primary antibody. The antibody immobilized via TR‐catalyzed protein A was able to provide much better specific antigen capture efficiency than GA chemistry due to the optimal spacing and orientation. Consequently, by using this new method, the detection signal and the signal‐to‐noise ratio of the ELISA immunoassay in microdevices were all significantly improved. In comparison to the standard assay carried out in the 96‐well microtiter plate, the treated microchannels exhibited a broader detection range and a shorter detection time. And the detection limit was also decreased to 20 pg/mL, much lower than that obtained in other microdevices. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009; 102: 891–901. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An injectable cellulose‐based hydrogel for the transfer of autologous nasal chondrocytes in articular cartilage defects
Authors: Vinatier C. , Gauthier O. , Fatimi A. , Merceron C. , Masson M. , Moreau A. , Moreau F. , Fellah B. , Weiss P. , Guicheux J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractArticular cartilage has a low capacity for spontaneous repair. To promote the repair of this tissue, the transfer of autologous chondrocytes using a three‐dimensional matrix appears promising. In this context, the aim of the present work was to investigate the potential use of autologous rabbit nasal chondrocytes (RNC) associated with an injectable self‐setting cellulose‐based hydrogel (Si‐HPMC). Firstly, the influence of Si‐HPMC on chondrocytic phenotype was investigated by real‐time PCR for specific chondrocyte markers (type II collagen and aggrecan) and type I collagen. Thereafter, autologous RNC were amplified in vitro for 4 weeks before transplantation with Si‐HPMC into a rabbit articular cartilage defect followed by analysis 6 weeks later. Implants were histologically characterized for the presence of sulfated GAG and type II collagen. Transcripts analysis indicated that dedifferentiated RNC recovered expression of the main chondrocytic markers after in vitro three‐dimensional culture within Si‐HPMC. Histological analysis of autologous RNC transplanted in an articular cartilage defect revealed the formation of repair tissue with a histological organization similar to that of healthy articular cartilage. In addition, immunohistological analysis of type II collagen suggested that the repair tissue was a hyaline‐like cartilage. Si‐HPMC hydrogel associated with nasal chondrocytes therefore appears a promising injectable tissue engineering device for the repair of articular cartilage. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1259–1267. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Biocatalytic dechlorination of trichloroethylene with bio‐palladium in a pilot‐scale membrane reactor
Authors: Hennebel Tom , Simoen Henri , De Windt Wim , Verloo Marc , Boon Nico , Verstraete Willy 
Published: September 2008

AbstractTrichloroethylene (TCE) is a toxic and recalcitrant groundwater pollutant. An innovative technology using microbial produced Pd(0) nanoparticles for the remediation of TCE contaminated groundwater was developed. The nanoscale bio‐Pd particles were precipitated on the biomass of Shewanella oneidensis and hydrogen gas, formate, or formic acid were used as hydrogen donors. Ethane turned out to be the only organic degradation product and no intermediate chlorinated reaction products were detected. Subsequently bio‐Pd was implemented in a plate membrane reactor (MR) for the treatment of water containing TCE. In a continuous MR system, containing 50 mg L−1 bio‐Pd, removal rates up to 2,515 mg TCE day−1 g−1 Pd were achieved with H2 gas as hydrogen donor. The measured chloride mass balance confirmed the removal rates. This work shows that a complete, efficient and rapid removal of TCE was achieved with bio‐Pd and that a MR system containing bio‐Pd and supplied with hydrogen gas offers an alternative for the current remediation technologies of water contaminated with TCE. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 995–1002. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A novel aryl acylamidase from Nocardia farcinica hydrolyses polyamide
Authors: Heumann Sonja , Eberl Anita , Fischer‐Colbrie Gudrun , Pobeheim Herbert , Kaufmann Franz , Ribitsch Doris , Cavaco‐Paulo Artur , Guebitz Georg M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAn alkali stable polyamidase was isolated from a new strain of Nocardia farcinica. The enzyme consists of four subunits with a total molecular weight of 190 kDa. The polyamidase cleaved amide and ester bonds of water insoluble model substrates like adipic acid bishexylamide and bis(benzoyloxyethyl)terephthalate and hydrolyzed different soluble amides to the corresponding acid. Treatment of polyamide 6 with this amidase led to an increased hydrophilicity based on rising height and tensiometry measurements and evidence of surface hydrolysis of polyamide 6 is shown. In addition to amidase activity, the enzyme showed activity on p‐nitrophenylbutyrate. On hexanoamide the amidase exhibited a Km value of 5.5 mM compared to 0.07 mM for p‐nitroacetanilide. The polyamidase belongs to the amidase signature family and is closely related to aryl acylamidases from different strains/species of Nocardia and to the 6‐aminohexanoate‐cyclic dimer hydrolase (EI) from Arthrobacter sp. KI72. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1003–1011. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The activity of human CYP2D6 in low water organic solvents
Authors: Zhao Jin , Auclair Karine 
Published: September 2008

AbstractP450 enzymes are of high interest for synthetic applications due to their ability to catalyze hydroxylation reactions at inactivated C–H bonds. The low solubility of many substrates in buffer, however, is limiting the applications of P450s. Our recent demonstration that the P450 enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 can function very well in biphasic solvent systems is one step towards overcoming this drawback, but is not practical when substrates or products are unstable in water, or with water‐soluble products. An alternative strategy, which also facilitates enzyme recycling, is to directly resuspend lyophilized enzyme into nearly anhydrous organic solvents. Interestingly, we report here that CYP2D6 colyophilized with trehalose and suspended inn‐decane shows higher activity than in aqueous buffer. This study demonstrates the unexpected high tolerance of CYP2D6 to some low water organic solvents and provides an alternative strategy to facilitate the use of this enzyme in synthesis. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1268–1272. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of the effect of chronic hydrodynamical stresses on cultures of suspensed CHO‐6E6 cells
Authors: Godoy‐Silva Ruben , Mollet Mike , Chalmers Jeffrey J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe effect of hydrodynamic forces on animal cell cultures, while extensively studied, still lacks significant, fundamental understanding. A previous manuscript reported on the acute exposure of CHO cells to hydrodynamic forces in a second generation convergent–divergent microfluidic device (Mollet et al., 2007). In this study, the use of this device is extended in a proof of concept system in which suspended animal cells, grown in a typical bioreactor, are subjected to chronic exposure of moderately high levels of hydrodynamic forces by way of a continuous recycle loop between the bioreactor and the microfluidic device. A strain of CHO cells (CHO‐6E6) was grown in a batch culture under controlled pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen conditions. At mid exponential stage of growth in the bioreactor the recycle flow was initiated. The cells either stopped growing or started dying at EDR values that were significantly lower (one to two orders of magnitude) than those previously reported to kill cells from a single, acute exposure. These observations allow further refinement in the design of bioprocess equipment since it provides a more accurate threshold, above which one does not want to subject animal cells to continuous exposure to specific levels of hydrodynamic forces. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1119–1130. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exploring the relationship between environmental orientation and brand value: is there fire or only smoke?
Authors: First Ivana , Khetriwal Deepali Sinha 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis paper investigates whether a firm's environmental orientation influences corporate brand value. In the discussion on sustainable development, corporate participation is a given, and increasingly firms are adopting environmental policies and practices. This paper observes corporate environmentalism from two perspectives: environmental embeddedness – the level to which environmental values are incorporated in brand identity; and environmental performance – the level of a firm's accordance with environmental policies and good practices. Cross‐analysis of these two perspectives generates four types of corporate environmental orientation: leaders, performers, advocates and laggards. The results do not provide conclusive evidence for whether consumers reward environmental leaders and punish environmental laggards by converting their environmental opinions into brand perceptions and purchasing decisions. It is believed that the hypothesized relationships are moderated and mediated by other stimuli, so managers are advised not to negate corporate social responsibility, but rather to invest wisely in environmental activities and its communication. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
How to define an environmental policy to improve corporate sustainability in developing countries
Authors: Abreu Mônica Cavalcanti Sá de 
Published: September 2008

AbstractContinual efforts to work with government and society are crucial to persuade businesses to become even better engaged in sustainability practices in developing countries. This study rebuilds the SCP (structure–conduct–performance) paradigm to incorporate environmental variables and to address the environmental strategy choices. Grounded theory was adopted in a systematic collection of data in petrochemical, textile and beverage companies established in different Brazilian states. In‐depth personal interview, site visit and documentary evidence were coded and analysed. The empirical results demonstrate that environmental regulation and enforcement, environmental risk and demands from stakeholders play a central role in increasing the corporate commitment to the natural environment. The study defines four strategic generic types of organization, termed variously as sleeper, reactor, defender and innovator, owing to their solutions to environmental issues. This typology contributes as a roadmap for business decision makers to choose the appropriate environmental strategy in a global economy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Environmental strategy and low waste operations: exploring complementarities
Authors: Simpson Dayna , Samson Danny 
Published: September 2008

AbstractOrganizations require guidance on the most effective functional areas in which to invest in order to improve and sustain environmental performance. As managerial practices progress from concerns with compliance towards practices seeking competitive advantage, more theory is needed regarding the manner in which corporate strategy and operational practices influence environmental performance. This research considers the potential for previously under‐researched complementarities between strategy and operations and the bridging role of environmentally specific practices such as the use of environmental experts as determinants of environmental performance. Using a sample of manufacturing firms, this study explores the relative contribution to environmental performance of strategic intentions, core operational practices such as data and quality management and environmentally specific practices that link strategy to operations. The most significant influence on environmental performance was found to be environmental expertise – which creates a bridge between strategy and operations – and information‐intensive practices such as quality and data management. Strategic intentions or core operational practices in isolation were not considered sufficient support to successfully maintain or improve environmental performance. This research provides a contribution to our understanding of interactions between those functions that have the greatest influence on environmental performance management in manufacturing firms. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Sustainable tourism in Greek islands: the integration of activity‐based environmental management with a destination environmental scorecard based on the adaptive resource management paradigm
Authors: Karatzoglou Benjamin , Spilanis Ioannis 
Published: September 2008

AbstractTourism is a major industry that can lead to economic gains as well as to degraded environment and social infrastructure. Tourism has the potential to destroy the available common environmental resources through overuse and poor management practices, as limited information disclosure and poor monitoring of actions encourage the perpetuation and extension of environmental problems. Based on the adaptive resource management paradigm for addressing problems related to the use of the commons, this paper suggests a methodology for the development of a management tool that can provide island hotels with a continuous flow of timely, relevant, accurate and objective information on the environmental impact of critical corporate activities. The tool, named the destination environmental scorecard (DES), draws on activity‐based management concepts and can help local hotel SMEs measure and compare their performance against certain standards and thus conduct operations in a responsible and measurable way to the benefit of both business financial performance and regional sustainability. The paper presents the DES operational characteristics and the potential benefits from its implementation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Nacre Calcification in the Freshwater MusselUnio pictorum: Carbonic Anhydrase Activity and Purification of a 95 kDa Calcium‐Binding Glycoprotein
Authors: Marie Benjamin , Luquet Gilles , Bédouet Laurent , Milet Christian , Guichard Nathalie , Medakovic Davorin , Marin Frédéric 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe formation of the molluscan shell is finely tuned by macromolecules of the shell organic matrix. Previous results have shown that the acid‐soluble fraction of the nacre matrix of the freshwater paleoheterodont bivalveUnio pictorumshell displays a number of remarkable properties, such as calcium‐binding activity, the presence of extensive glycosylations and the capacity to interfere at low concentration with in vitro calcium carbonate precipitation. Here we have found that the nacre‐soluble matrix exhibits a carbonic anhydrase activity, an important function in calcification processes. This matrix is composed of three main proteinaceous discrete fractions. The one with the highest apparent molecular weight is a 95 kDa glycoprotein that is specific to the nacreous layer. P95, as it is provisionally named, is enriched in Gly, Glx and Asx and exhibits an apparent pI value of ∼4, or ∼7 when chemically deglycosylated. Furthermore, its glycosyl moiety, consisting of sulfated polysaccharides, is involved in calcium binding. Purified fractions of the three main proteins were digested with trypsin, and the resulting peptides were analysed by mass spectrometry. Our results suggest that identical peptides are constitutive domains of the different proteins. Partial primary structures were obtained by de novo sequencing and compared with known sequences from other mollusc shell proteins. Our results are discussed from an evolutionary viewpoint.