bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bacterial lipopolysaccharide regulates nociceptin expression in sensory neurons
Authors: Acosta Cristian , Davies Alun 
Published: November 2007

AbstractNociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is an opioid‐related peptide that is markedly up‐regulated in sensory neurons in vivo following peripheral inflammation and plays a key role in pain physiology. To identify substances that up‐regulate N/OFQ expression in sensory neurons, we carried out an in vitro screen using purified adult mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and identified the potent proinflammatory agent bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as a very effective inducer of N/OFQ. The robust response of these neurons to LPS enabled us to identify the components of a putative neuronal LPS receptor complex. In contrast to the immune system, where the functional LPS receptor complex is composed of CD‐14 together with either MD‐2 and TLR4 on myeloid cells or the homologous receptors MD‐1 and RP105 on mature B cells, DRG neurons express the unusual combination of CD‐14, TLR4, and MD‐1. Blocking antibodies against TLR4 and MD‐1 prevented induction of N/OFQ by LPS, and, in immunoprecipitation experiments, MD‐1 coprecipitated with TLR4. Our findings suggest that LPS regulates N/OFN expression in sensory neurons via a novel combination of LPS receptor components and demonstrate for the first time a direct action of a key initiator of innate immune responses on neurons. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bone marrow stromal cells protect and repair damaged neurons through multiple mechanisms
Authors: Hokari Masaaki , Kuroda Satoshi , Shichinohe Hideo , Yano Shunsuke , Hida Kazutoshi , Iwasaki Yoshinobu 
Published: November 2007

AbstractA surprising shortage of information surrounds the mechanism by which bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) restore lost neurologic functions when transplanted into the damaged central nervous system. To clarify the issue, the BMSC were cocultured with the neurons using two paradigms: the cell‐mixing coculture technique and three‐dimensional coculture technique. The green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐expressing BMSC were cocultured with the PKH‐26‐labelled neurons, using cell mixing coculture technique. GFP‐positive, PKH‐26‐negative cells morphologically simulated the neurons and significantly increased the expression of MAP‐2, Tuj‐1, nestin, and GFAP. GFP/nestin‐positive, PKH‐26‐negative cells increased from 13.6% ± 6.7% to 32.1% ± 15.5% over 7 days of coculture. They further enhanced Tuj‐1 expression when cocultured with neurons exposed to 100 μM of glutamate for 10 min. About 20–30% of GFP‐positive cells became positive for PKH‐26 through coculture with the neurons, but the doubly positive cells did not increase when cocultured with glutamate‐exposed neurons. Alternatively, the BMSC significantly ameliorated glutamate‐induced neuronal damage when cocultured with the three‐dimensional coculture technique. The protective effect was more prominent when coculture was started prior to glutamate exposure than when coculture was started just after glutamate exposure. ELISA analysis revealed that the BMSC physiologically produce NGF, BDNF, SDF‐1α, HGF, TGFβ‐1, and IGF‐1 and significantly enhanced the production of NGF and BDNF when cocultured with glutamate‐exposed neurons. These findings strongly suggest that the BMSC may protect and repair the damaged neurons through multiple mechanisms, including transdifferentiation, cell fusion, and production of growth factors. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential activation of c‐fos and caspase‐3 in hippocampal neuron subpopulations following neonatal hypoxia‐ischemia
Authors: Ness Jayne M. , Harvey Cary R. , Washington Jason D. , Roth Kevin A. , Carroll Steven L. , Zhang Jianhua 
Published: November 2007

AbstractNeonatal hypoxia‐ischemia (HI) induces immediate early gene (IEG) c‐fos expression as well as neuron death. The precise role of IEGs in neonatal HI is unclear. We investigated the temporal and spatial patterns of c‐Fos expression in postnatal day 7 mice after unilateral carotid ligation and exposure to 8% oxygen. mRNA levels of c‐fos quantitated by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) increased nearly 40‐fold (log 1.2 ± 0.4) in the ipsilateral hippocampus 3 hr following neonatal HI, then returned to basal levels within 12 hr, although no change was observed in c‐jun mRNA. Frozen coronal brain sections were stained with cresyl violet or used for immunohistochemical detection of c‐Fos, cleaved caspase‐3, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and the mature neuron marker NeuN. c‐Fos immunoreactivity increased throughout the injured hippocampus 3 hr after HI but became restricted to the CA2–3 subregion and the dentate gyrus (DG) at 6–12 hr and declined by 24 hr. In contrast, cleaved (activated) caspase‐3 immunoreactivity was most abundant in the ipsilateral CA1 region at 3–6 hr after neonatal HI, then became more prominent in CA2–3 and DG. Double‐labeling experiments showed c‐Fos and cleaved caspase‐3 immunoreactivity localized in spatially distinct neuron subpopulations. Prominent c‐Fos immunoreactivity was observed in surviving CA2–3 and external granular DG neurons, and robust cleaved caspase‐3 immunoreactivity was observed in pyknotic CA1, CA2–3, and subgranular DG neurons. The differential expression of c‐Fos in HI‐resistant hippocampal subpopulations vs. cleaved caspase‐3 in dying neurons suggests a neuroprotective role for c‐Fos expression in neonatal HI. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
How do core competencies discriminate? Identification of influencing similarities and differences
Authors: Ljungquist Urban 
Published: November 2007

AbstractCore competencies are highly valued by managers since, among other things, they underpin competitive advantage. One stream of research in this area has focused on practical processes relating to the identification of single and multiple core competencies. Yet, identification is insufficient for sustaining core competence‐derived competitive advantage, since a core competence needs continuous development. Organizations typically possess multiple core competencies, which most likely have different origins and requirements of the developments. They typically underpin different markets and products; face different degree of dynamic conditions, and so on. Thus, it is our contention that core competencies accordingly ought to be managed separately.In this paper, we advance existing core competence research by identifying similarities and differences in influences on three core competencies. Three concepts were used to assess the similarities and differences in one case company; the latter to avoid empirical bias. The three concepts are competencies, capabilities, and resources: all commonly applied to core competence issues, such as identification.All three core competencies were heavy influenced by specific competence attributes: technological developments and customers adaptation, which are fundamental to the case‐company's success. This finding brings in a context‐dependency aspect to core competence management.The core competencies were also found to have differences in the less context‐dependent influences. The more complex the core competence, the more it is influenced by transfer and adaptation competencies, as well as by organizational capabilities. Resource influence clearly separates a service‐producing core competence, which is mainly influenced by organizational capabilities, from two goods‐producing core competencies which are not so influenced. The more complex of the goods‐producing core competencies is more strongly influenced by both tangible and intangible resources. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the design of process‐oriented knowledge management system for fourth generation R&D
Authors: Kim Seonwoo , Park Yongtae , Seol Hyeonju 
Published: November 2007

AbstractIt is difficult to measure innovation and to define close coordination of adequate technical knowledge and excellent market judgments to satisfy economic and technological constraints simultaneously. However, research on technological innovation models has gradually and continuously evolved over time. Innovation models and R&D systems do not match exactly, but have similar evolutionary trajectories in view of market and managing knowledge. Knowledge management system (KMS) potentially supports successful innovation and R&D systems in response to evolutionary changes at the same time that it minimizes changes in both information systems and organizational structure. First, the evolutionary classification of R&D generations and the corresponding characteristics of respective generations are defined, and KMS and its role in the R&D process are reviewed. We delineate the fourth generation R&D structure and its activities using IDEF0. Finally, the overall framework and detailed sub‐modules are described. The system outline and some sub‐modules are employed for illustration purposes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An XML‐based process repository and process query language for integrated process management
Authors: Choi Injun , Kim Kwangmyeong , Jang Mookyung 
Published: November 2007

AbstractDespite surging interests in business processes that must be managed throughout their lifecycle, there have been very few research efforts that have focused on a process repositories that support reuse of business processes and the knowledge discovery that may result from. This paper introduces an XML‐based process repository and process query language for Integrated Process Management (IPM), which has been proposed to support the management of business processes throughout their lifecycle. The paper identifies comprehensive requirements for a process repository including a new notion of process state management and proposes an architecture that satisfies these requirements. Then, it presents IPM‐PQL, an XML‐based process query language for IPM, which reflects various process search requirements. This paper also presents a prototype system to demonstrate that the architecture and query language can support effective retrieval of process‐related information to support the management of business processes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An autopoietic framework for organisational learning
Authors: Parboteeah Paul , Jackson Thomas W. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThis paper aims to explore the concept of autopoiesis and use it as the framework for organisational learning.Many models in organisational learning are tested in organisations and based on real‐life experiences, but very few of them are actually based on any theory. This research starts to readdress that balance through interpreting Kim's (1993) model of organisational learning using autopoiesis. This paper introduces autopoiesis and analyses whether people and organisations are autopoietic in nature in order to interpret Kim's model. The paper provides a scientific foundation to organisational learning, as well as tackling and explaining the complexities of autopoiesis that in turn could aid companies to better understand the composition of their organisation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design of service systems using a knowledge‐based approach
Authors: Kaner Maya , Karni Reuven 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe service industry makes up an increasingly large proportion of modern economies. Despite the importance and expansion of this sector the topic of new service development, as opposed to new product development, has been largely neglected. One of the crucial steps in new service development is the conceptualization of a service concept: a qualitative description of a future service system in terms of its objects, their attributes, and possible values for these attributes. Our knowledge framework, as described in the following paper, encompasses a five‐level taxonomy of service objects: major class, main class, minor class, attribute, and value. We further suggest several knowledge‐based processes for applying the framework to the conceptual design of a new service, drawing upon model‐based reasoning and case‐based reasoning. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel Polymers with Inherent Conductivity and Enhanced Second‐Order NLO Activity
Authors: Lanzi Massimiliano , Paganin Luisa , Cesari Gaia 
Published: November 2007

AbstractA new polythiophene derivative bearing an azobenzene substituent at the end of a ethylenic side‐chain was synthesized and characterized by FT‐IR spectroscopy, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, DSC, TGA, XRD, and UV‐vis spectroscopy. Its electrical conductivity was measured and its second‐order NLO activity was by SHG. Structure‐property relations were elucidated by comparison with a similar polymer only partially substituted by the NLO‐active chromophore. The molecular design of the chromophoric system allows high and stable non‐linear coefficients d33 to be obtained, making these polymers suitable for the construction of second‐harmonic generators with improved efficiency and life‐time.magnified image
Iridium‐Functionalized Polyfluorenes: Advantages and Limitations of the Suzuki and Yamamoto Approaches
Authors: Langecker Jens , Rehahn Matthias 
Published: November 2007

AbstractFour synthetic pathways leading toward iridium‐functionalized polyfluorenes are compared: the metallopolymers have been synthesized via Suzuki and Yamamoto polycondensation reactions, and precursor routes as well as direct routes have been tested for both coupling protocols. The direct Yamamoto synthesis – using an appropriately functionalized iridium‐complex as comonomer – is shown to be the most efficient method. The three competing routes produce the desired polymers too, but the materials are either lower in molar mass or less regular in molecular constitution. Exploratory analysis of the optical properties shows that the polyfluorene moieties dominate absorption and photoluminescence behavior in dilute solution, while luminescence originates mainly from the iridium complexes when solid‐state samples are investigated.magnified image
A Novel, Amphiphilic Ethyl Cellulose Grafting Copolymer with Poly(2‐Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) Side Chains and Its Micellization
Authors: Kang Hongliang , Liu Wenyong , Liu Ruigang , Huang Yong 
Published: November 2007

AbstractEthyl cellulose‐graft‐poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (EC‐graft‐PHEMA) graft copolymers were synthesized by atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in methanol. The graft copolymers were characterized by means of gel‐permeation chromatography (GPC) and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The kinetic study indicated that the polymerization was controllable. The EC‐graft‐PHEMA copolymers self‐assembled in water into spherical micelles. The morphology of the micelles was characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electric microscopy (TEM) and the formation process of the micelles was discussed.magnified image
“Click” on Conducting Polymer Coated Electrodes: A Versatile Platform for the Modification of Electrode Surfaces
Authors: Li Yan , Zhang Weixia , Chang Jing , Chen Jinchun , Li Guangtao , Ju Yong 
Published: November 2007

AbstractTwo types of N‐substituted pyrroles with azide and terminal alkyne groups have been synthesized and electropolymerized. “Click” chemistry, specifically Huisgen 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition, was used as a general method for functionalization of the polypyrrole films. Several model compounds, including redox active (quinone), bioactive (cholic acid) and recognition elements (carbohydrate and thymidine) could easily be attached onto the electrode surfaces without loss of functionality or the electroactivity of the underlying conducting polymers. The results suggest that the polypyrrole films are clickable and provide a novel biocompatible and versatile platform for efficient modifications on electrode surfaces.magnified image
Structure‐Transport Relationship of Dendritic Core‐Shell Nanocarriers for Polar Dyes
Authors: Xu Shangjie , Luo Ying , Haag Rainer 
Published: November 2007

AbstractTriPEGylated functionalized dendritic poly(ethylene imines) were synthesized and their transportation properties for rose Bengal (up to 50 guests per dendrimer) were evaluated. A critical aggregation concentration was observed, demonstrating the formation of aggregates among the dendrimers. The structure‐activity relationships show that their encapsulation capacities were dependent linearly on the density of the PEG shell, either as PEG length or degree of functionality, which confirmed that the PEG chains play a predominant role in the encapsulation process. It further gives some insights that the guest molecules appeared to be predominantly located in the PEG shell rather than in the core.magnified image
Study of the Polymerization Kinetic of Lactic Acid
Authors: Orozco Víctor H. , Vargas Andrés F. , López Betty L. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractSummary: Biodegradable polymers production is growing, mainly poly (lactic) acid, due to the fact that it is environmentally friendly and might be used in different fields i.e. medicine, agriculture, textiles, etc. Hence the importance of studying the polymerization process and its kinetic parameters. The polymerization process is performed by polycondensation of lactic acid using different kinds and amounts of tin based catalysts. This process is monitored during 12 hours and samples are taking for analyses every hour. Each sample is measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) to determine its molecular weight and by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) to study the evolution of alkyl absorption bands and the disappearing of hydroxyl ones. Modulated differential scanning calorimetric analysis (MDSC) is used to study the thermal behavior of every sample during each period, such as Tg displacement and changes in crystallization and melting. These data are used for the construction of the kinetic curve.
Characterization of HDPE /Polyamide 6/ Nanocomposites Using Scanning‐and Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Erdmann Eleonora , Dias Marcos L. , Pita Victor J. R. R. , Destéfanis Hugo , Monasterio Fernanda , Acosta Delicia 
Published: November 2007

AbstractSummary: Preparation and morphology of high density polyethylene (HDPE)/ polyamide 6 (PA 6)/modified clay nanocomposites were studied. The ability of PA 6 in dispersing clays was used to prepare modified delaminated clays, which were then mixed with HDPE. Mixing was performed using melt processing in a torque rheometer equipped with roller rotors. After etching the materials with boiling toluene and formic acid at room temperature, the morphology was examined by SEM analyses, showing that the PA 6 formed the continuous phase and HDPE the dispersed phase. X‐ray diffraction patterns show that the (001) peak of the clay is dramatically decreased and shifted to lower angles, indicating that intercalated/exfoliated nanocomposites are obtained. TEM analyses confirmed the typical structure of exfoliated nanocomposites. A scheme for the mechanism of exfoliation and/or intercalation of these HDPE /PA 6/ /organoclay nanocomposites is proposed.
The Use of Low Field NMR and Thermal Analysis to the Wood Polymer Composite Study
Authors: Luetkmeyer Leandro , Tavares Maria Inês Bruno , Valle Gisele C. X. , Nogueira José de Souza 
Published: November 2007

AbstractSummary:The focus of this work was to characterize the molecular dynamic of High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS ‐ 5% PB), wood ‐ A (Vochysia divergens) and B (Erisma uncinatum) ‐ and their composites, using solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), by measuring the proton spin‐lattice relaxation time (T1H) using a low field NMR, and by thermal analysis as Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). DSC and TGA measurements show that both woods present the same molecular behavior. On the other hand, the spin‐lattice relaxation time observed that the water is interfering in the packing and arrangements of cellulose chains due to inter and intra hydrogen molecular interactions, promoting the T1H values changed to high values. T1H shows that the sample B presents a higher rigidity than sample A. However, HIPS presents higher T1H values comparing to wood types. Analyzing the relaxation data for the composites, the values indicate that composites present an interaction between both components.
Effect of Wood Content on The Thermal Behavior and on The Molecular Dynamics of Wood/Plastic Composites
Authors: Valle Gisele C. X. , Tavares Maria I. B. , Luetkmeyer Leandro , Stael Giovanni C. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractSummary: In the last decades, the growing environmental awareness has resulted in a renewed interest in the use of natural materials for different applications. In this context, the use of wood in plastic to obtain composites has grown significantly. In the present work, heartwood and sapwood from Angelim Pedra (Hymenolobiun petraeum) were used to prepare PVC/wood composites. To study the composites with different wood types and filler contents the molecular dynamic was investigated through low field NMR by poton spin‐ lattice relaxation time measurements (T1H) and the thermal behavior was characterized by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) focusing the glass transition temperature and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) observing the changes in the thermal stability. It was found that increasing addition of wood flour (sapwood and heartwood) caused a small but progressive improvement of the decomposition temperature of the composites, whereas the glass transition temperature remains practically unchanged. In the molecular dynamic behavior, a gradual decrease in T1H values was observed with increasing sapwood and heartwood content, indicating that the composites became less rigid. The distribution curves of the domains showed a better interaction and phase dispersion between the composite components with higher filler content.
Glass Transition Temperature and Value of the Relaxation Time at Tg in Vitreous Polymers
Authors: Saiter Jean Marc , Grenet Jean , Dargent Eric , Saiter Allisson , Delbreilh Laurent 
Published: November 2007

AbstractSummary: Many works focused on glassy polymers determine values of glass transition temperature (Tg) and an overview of the literature shows that depending on the method used, values of Tg are found different for the same material. In this paper, a review of data collected on different materials are used and interpreted in term of molecular mobility characterized by relaxation time functions. By using three independent experimental procedures (dielectric, thermally depolarized current and calorimetric), we show that the value of the glass transition and the value of the relaxation time at Tg can be correctly determined. It is also shown that the assumption: τ (Tg) = 100 s is constant, is not correct. The protocol proposed also allows the determination of the value of the fragility index “m” of the glass forming liquid with a great accuracy.