bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fabrication and characterization of semicircular detection electrodes for contactless conductivity detector – CE microchips
Authors: Lee Chia‐Yen , Chen C. M. , Chang Guan‐Liang , Lin Che‐Hsin , Fu Lung‐Ming 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThis study uses simple and reliable microfabrication techniques to fabricate CE biochips, integrating a novel contactless conductivity detector in a miniaturized detection system in a microfluidic biochip. The off‐channel electrodes are deposited around side channels by Au sputtering and patterned using a standard “lift‐off” process. A vacuum fusion bonding process is employed to seal the lower substrate containing the microchannels and the electrodes to an upper glass cover plate. The variations in the capacitance between the semicircular detection electrodes in the side channels are measured as different samples and ions pass through the detection region of the CE separation channel. Samples of Rhodamine B, commercial sports drinks, mineral waters, and a red wine, respectively, are mixed in different buffer solutions, separated, and successfully detected using the developed device. The semicircular detection electrodes for the contactless conductivity detector have microscale dimensions and provide a valuable contribution to the realization of the lab‐on‐a‐chip concept.
Floating electrode dielectrophoresis
Authors: Golan Saar , Elata David , Orenstein Meir , Dinnar Uri 
Published: November 2006

AbstractIn practice, dielectrophoresis (DEP) devices are based on micropatterned electrodes. When subjected to applied voltages, the electrodes generate nonuniform electric fields that are necessary for the DEP manipulation of particles. In this study, electrically floating electrodes are used in DEP devices. It is demonstrated that effective DEP forces can be achieved by using floating electrodes. Additionally, DEP forces generated by floating electrodes are different from DEP forces generated by excited electrodes. The floating electrodes' capabilities are explained theoretically by calculating the electric field gradients and demonstrated experimentally by using test‐devices. The test‐devices show that floating electrodes can be used to collect erythrocytes (red blood cells). DEP devices which contain many floating electrodes ought to have fewer connections to external signal sources. Therefore, the use of floating electrodes may considerably facilitate the fabrication and operation of DEP devices. It can also reduce device dimensions. However, the key point is that DEP devices can integrate excited electrodes fabricated by microtechnology processes and floating electrodes fabricated by nanotechnology processes. Such integration is expected to promote the use of DEP devices in the manipulation of nanoparticles.
Improvements on the electrokinetic injection technique for microfluidic chips
Authors: Wu Chien‐Hsien , Yang Ruey‐Jen 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThis paper presents a T‐form electrokinetic injection system for the discrete time‐based loading and dispensing of samples of variable‐volume in a microfluidic chip. A novel push–pull effect is produced during the loading and dispensing processes by the application of an appropriate control voltage distribution. The experimental and numerical results show that this push–pull loading technique produces compact sample plugs and hence improves the detection resolution of the microfluidic device. The injection system is integrated with a microflow switch, and a suitable voltage control scheme is proposed to guide the sample to the desired outlet port such that the microfluidic device can function as a microdispenser. The time‐based variable‐volume T‐form injection method presented in this study is performed using a compact geometry and a simple control scheme and can be readily integrated with other microfluidic devices to form a microfluidic system capable of continuous monitoring and analysis of bioreactions in the life science and biochemistry fields.
Numerical analysis of an electrokinetic double‐focusing injection technique for microchip CE
Authors: Zhuang Gui‐Sheng , Li Gang , Jin Qing‐Hui , Zhao Jian‐Long , Yang Meng‐Su 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe injection techniques in electrophoresis microchips play an important role in the sample‐handling process, whose characteristics determine the separation performance achieved, and the shape of a sample plug delivered into the separation channel has a great impact on the high‐quality separation performance as well. This paper describes a numerical investigation of different electrokinetic injection techniques to deliver a sample plug within electrophoresis microchips. A novel double‐focusing injection system is designed and fabricated, which involves four accessory arm channels in which symmetrical focusing potentials are loaded to form a unique parallel electric field distribution in the intersection of injection channel and separation channel. The parallel electric field effectuates virtual walls to confine the spreading of a sample plug at the intersection and prevents sample leakage into separation channel during the dispensing step. The key features of this technique over other injection techniques are the abilities to generate regular and nondistorted shape of sample plugs and deliver the variable‐volume sample plugs by electrokinetic focusing. The detection peak in the proposed injection system is uniform regardless of the position of the detection probe in the separation channel, and the peak resolution is greatly enhanced. Finally, the double‐focusing injection technique shows the flexibility in detection position and ensures improved signal sensitivity with good peak resolution due to the delivered high‐quality sample plug.
A sheath‐flow nanoelectrospray interface of microchip electrophoresis MS for glycoprotein and glycopeptide analysis
Authors: Mao Xiuli , Chu Ivan K. , Lin Bingcheng 
Published: November 2006

AbstractMicrochip was coupled with MS through a stable, sensitive, and controllable sheath‐flow nanoelectrospray (nES) interface for glycoprotein and glycopeptide analysis. The nano‐ESI (nESI) was made with a delivery capillary, a commercial nES capillary, and a stainless steel (SS) tube which were connected together through a tee unit. High voltage for nES was applied on the SS tube and the commercial nES capillary was used as nES emitter. The delivery capillary was attached to the microchannel for delivering liquid from microchip to the nESI source. The flow rate of sheath liquid was optimized to be 100–200 nL/min which largely reduced the sample dilution. The detection limit of peptides on this microchip/MS platform was at femtomole level. Glycoprotein and glycopeptides were also successfully analyzed on the platform. All the glycoforms and glycopeptides of ribonuclease B (RNase B) were identified with this method. Some structures of the glycopeptides from RNase B were further characterized with MS/MS on the microchip, coupled with a quadrupole IT‐MS.
A microfluidic‐based system for analysis of single cells based on Ca2+ flux
Authors: Zhang Xunli , Yin Huabing , Cooper Jon M. , Haswell Stephen J. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractA microfluidic format‐based system has been developed for in situ monitoring of the calcium flux response to agonists using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The assay is based on measuring the fluorescent intensity of the calcium‐sensitive indicator, Fluo‐4 AM, and was performed in a modified glass chip channel, whose surface was functionalised using a silanisation method with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) (enabling the cells to be immobilised on the channel surface). CHO cells calcium flux response was measured for different agonists over a range of concentrations. Cells and reagents were introduced into the chip in a continuous flow as a series of plugs in a given sequence.
Integrated isotachophoretic preconcentration with zone electrophoresis separation on a quartz microchip for UV detection of flavonoids
Authors: Ma Bo , Zhou Xiaomian , Wang Gang , Huang Huaiqing , Dai Zhongpeng , Qin Jianhua , Lin Bingcheng 
Published: November 2006

AbstractA quartz microchip integrated isotachophoretic (ITP) preconcentration with zone electrophoresis (ZE) separation was fabricated using a novel multi‐point pressure method featured in normal temperature and lower pressure during bonding process. ITP followed by subsequential ZE of two flavonoids, quercetin and isorhamnetin on the microchip was performed consecutively on the homemade microfluidic workstation with UV detection, resulting in a decreased detectable concentration of 32‐fold, compared to the ZE mode only, and their detection limits decreased down to 0.2 µg/mL and 1.2 µg/mL, respectively
Enhanced Treatment of Trace Pollutants by a Novel Electrolytic Cell
Authors: Sakakibara Y. , Senda Y. , Obanayama T. , Nagata R. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractContinuous experiments were conducted to evaluate the electrolytic performance of a novel 3‐dimensional electrolytic cell consisting of granular Pt/Ti electrodes. The electric current efficiency to decompose indigotrisulfonate was approx. 96 %, while energy consumption was one to two orders of magnitude smaller than that for O3 treatment. Furthermore, the cell was successfully applied to treat trace endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and chlorinated compounds. Energy consumption was in the range of 2 to 10 Wh/m3. From these results, it was concluded that the present electrolytic cell would be a feasible alternative to conventional oxidation processes in water treatment.
Tools for Selective Enzyme Reaction Steps in the Synthesis of Laboratory Chemicals
Authors: Wohlgemuth R. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe need for more selective reactions steps and the compatibility between process steps which follow on from each other has been a major driving force for organic synthesis. The synthesis of chiral compounds, metabolites, new chemical entities and natural products by a combination of chemical and enzyme reaction steps has become well established, due the existence of stable enzymes as selective catalysts which are inherently chiral by nature. Auxiliary tools such as suitable transfer reagents for reaching complete conversion, easy and robust reaction control as well as tools for straightforward workup and purification of the final product have been developed. Selective enzyme reaction steps in the area of hydrolyses, oxidation steps including hydroxylation and the Baeyer‐Villiger oxidation, carbon‐carbon bond formation and glycosylation reactions have compared favorably with existing methods of classical organic synthesis. The tools developed during optimization and scale‐up of these enzyme reaction steps have the potential to shorten development time. The introduction of selective enzyme reactions into an entire synthetic process has resulted in harmonization of improvements in economic efficiency with resultant solutions to health, safety and environment problems. This will become even more important in industrial synthetic chemistry in the future, for convenient solutions to certain intractable synthetic problems and for expanding the repertoire of chemistry by modular biocatalysts. Efficient isolation procedures for the final product are essential to take full advantage of the biocatalytic conversion to obtain high product yields.
Generating “Tide” in Pilot‐Scale Constructed Wetlands to Enhance Agricultural Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Sun G. , Zhao Y. , Allen S. , Cooper D. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe operation of tidal flow was studied using a pilot‐scale system treating high strength piggery wastewater. Located on a farm in Staffordshire, UK, the system consisted of five wetland treatment stages vegetated with common reeds of Phragmites australis. Wastewater samples were collected from the inlet and outlet of each stage and analyzed for BOD5, COD, NH4‐N, NO3‐N, NO2‐N, SS, PO4‐P and pH. Average hydraulic and organic loadings on the system were 0.12 m3/m2 d and 240 g BOD/m2 d, respectively, which is considerably higher than the typical loadings on conventional subsurface flow systems. On average, BOD5 and COD were reduced by 82 % and 80 % from initial concentrations of 2000 mg/L and 2750 mg/L, respectively, across the whole system. The first‐order kinetics constant for BOD5 removal (KBOD in m/d) in this tidal flow system is approximately 2.5 times the rate constant obtainable in a typical horizontal flow system, demonstrating a more efficient removal of organic matter in tidal flow wetlands. The overall efficiency of the system was found to increase with time before stabilizing towards the end of a start‐up period. Straight‐line correlations were established between the loading and removal of BOD5 and COD. Contributions by individual stages to the overall treatment were analyzed. SEM images of wetland media demonstrated the formation of biofilms and microbial activities inside the matrices of the wetland system, which accounted for the degradations of organic pollutants.
High Frequency in vitro Multiplication of Centella asiatica: An Important Industrial Medicinal Herb
Authors: Sivakumar G. , Alagumanian S. , Rao M. V. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractAn efficient protocol was developed for rapid clonal propagation of the important medicinal plant, Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, using shoot tip culture. High frequency bud break (88 %) and multiple shoot formation (16.8 shoots/shoot tip) were induced from a shoot tip segment, which was cultured on MS medium supplemented with 6‐benzylaminopurine (BAP) (17.76 μM) and gibberillic acid (GA3) (1.44 μM). Half‐strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with naphthalen acetic acid (NAA) (10.74 μM) induced the maximum (27.66) number of roots. Plantlets with 3–4 fully expanded leaves and well‐developed roots were successfully transferred to potted soil which exhibited a 95 % survival. The protocol enables the harvest of more than 25,000 plantlets within 160 days starting from a single shoot tip explant.
Effectiveness of Various Small‐Scale Constructed Wetland Designs for the Removal of Iron and Zinc from Acid Mine Drainage under Field Conditions
Authors: Wiessner A. , Kuschk P. , Buddhawong S. , Stottmeister U. , Mattusch J. , Kästner M. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractA system of planted and unplanted small‐scale subsurface flow (SSF) and surface flow (SF) constructed wetlands together with hydroponic systems (HP) were installed to compare the removal efficiencies of Fe and Zn from acid mine drainage (AMD) under long‐term field conditions. Maximum removal of 94–97 % (116–142 mg/m2 d) for Fe and 69–77 % (6.2–7.9 mg/m2 d) for Zn was calculated for the planted soil systems. The planted SSF was most sensitive to heavy rain fall. Short‐term increases of the metal concentration in the outflows, short‐term breakdowns of the Fe removal and continual long‐term breakdowns of the Zn removal were observed. In contrast to Zn removal, all wetland types are applicable for Fe removal with maximum removal in the range of 60–98 %. Most of the removed Fe and Zn was transformed and deposited inside the soil bed. The amount absorbed by the plants (0.03 to 0.3 %) and gravel‐associated soil beds (0.03 to 1.7 %) of the total input were low for both metals. The response of the planted SSF to rainfall suggests a remobilization of metals accumulated inside the rhizosphere and the importance of buffering effects of the surface water layers of SF systems. The importance of plants for metal removal was shown.
Novel microdeletion in the transforming growth factor β type II receptor gene is associated with giant and large cell variants of nonsmall cell lung carcinoma
Authors: Wang Jiu‐Cun , Su Cheng‐Chang , Xu Ji‐Bin , Chen Le‐Zhen , Hu Xiao‐Hua , Wang Gui‐Ying , Bao Yang , Huang Qiang , Fu Song‐Bin , Li Pu , Lu Chen‐Qi , Zhang Rong‐Mei , Luo Z. W. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractMutations in the tumor suppressor gene transforming growth factor β (TGFB) Type II receptor (TGFBR2) are frequently found in many cancers with microsatellite instability, but are less common in lung cancer. In the present study, we looked for mutations in TGFBR2 in nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells and tissues. A novel homozygous microdeletion (c.492_507del) was identified in two cell lines derived from the same giant cell carcinoma (GCC) and was confirmed in the corresponding tumor tissues. Furthermore, a heterozygous c.492_507del was found in the germ‐line of one patient, as well as in the other GCC cases and some large cell carcinomas (LCC) but not in other subtypes of NSCLC. The 16 bp‐microdeletion introduced a premature stop codon at positions 590–592 of the cDNA, resulting in a truncated TGFBR2 protein with a mutated transmembrane domain and loss of kinase domain. The GCC cells were characterized as being unresponsive to TGFB induction both in growth inhibition and stimulation of extracellular matrix protein. Moreover, after the reconstitution of wild‐type TGFBR2 expression, the sensitivity to TGFB was restored. Therefore, mutated TGFBR2 seems to play an important role in the abrogation of TGFB signal transduction in GCC cells. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Primary colorectal tumors fail to express the proapoptotic mediator PTAG and its reexpression augments drug‐induced apoptosis
Authors: Bahar Adil , Whitby Philip , Holley Sarah , Hoban Paul R. , Elder James B. , Deakin Mark , Hall Christine , Clayton Richard N. , Williams Gwyn T. , Farrell William E. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractGenes implicated in tumor evolution and progression, including those in apoptotic pathways, are associated with methylation‐associated gene silencing in different tumor types. By exploiting differential methylation we recently isolated a novel pituitary tumor derived apoptosis gene (PTAG) that augments drug‐induced apoptosis. The importance of PTAG was determined in other tumor types, and these studies show that the majority of primary colorectal tumors fail to express the PTAG gene, indicating an important role for PTAG in colorectal tumorigenesis. The effects of expression of PTAG were examined through stable transfection of the colorectal cell lines HCT116 and SW480. Expression of PTAG, per se, had no discernible effects on cell viability or cell kinetics. In contrast to these findings, in cells subject to drug challenges that engaged either a death‐receptor mediated or mitochondrial pathway, all of the experiments indicated a role for PTAG in the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Loss of PTAG therefore contributes to a blunted apoptotic response and is likely to predispose cells toward malignant transformation and resistance to chemotherapeutic interventions. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Post‐stroke dementia and depression: frontosubcortical dysfunction as missing link?
Authors: Naarding Paul , de Koning Inge , van Kooten Fop , Janzing Joost G. E. , Beekman Aartjan T. F. , Koudstaal Peter J. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjectiveTesting the hypothesis that depressive symptoms in dementia reflect dysfunction in fronto‐subcortical pathways.BackgroundBoth depression and dementia can be the result of vascular damage of the brain. The nature of the depressive symptomatology seems to be related to concommittant cognitive disturbances in that subjects show more so‐called motivational symptoms of depression. These symptoms can be the result of frontal‐subcortical dysfunction. It could be very helpful for clinical practice if these subjects could be identified by simple diagnostic procedures.MethodsAssociations were computed between measures of depressive symptoms and a set of neuropsychological tests in a sample of 54 subjects with a post‐stroke dementia.ResultsAllthough we used an extensive set of neuropsychological tests, most subjects were able to participate only in a small part of them, because of disease severity. Our hypothesis was supported by a negative correlation between scores on the verbal semantic fluency task and the total numbers of motivational depressive symptoms. None of the neuropsychological tests was significantly related to the number of mood symptoms neither did they correlate with the total number of depressive symptoms.ConclusionThis study gives further evidence for the assumption that motivational‐based depressive symptoms partially originate from fronto‐subcortical dysfunction. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation in patients with mild cognitive impairment treated with cholinesterase inhibitors
Authors: Rozzini Luca , Costardi Daniela , Chilovi Barbara Vicini , Franzoni Simone , Trabucchi Marco , Padovani Alessandro 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBackgroundIndividuals who have Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) may be in a transitional stage between aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The high rate of conversion from MCI to AD makes early treatment an important clinical issue. Recent evidence suggests that cognitive training intervention may reduce the rate of progression to AD.ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy of a NeuroPsychological Training (TNP) in patients with MCI who are treated with cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs), compared with patients MCI treated only with ChEIs and patients not treated, in a longitudinal, one year follow‐up study.MethodsOne year longitudinal and retrospective comparison study of neuropsychological performances in 59 subjects affected by Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) according to Petersen's criteria. Fifteen subjects were randomised to receive TNP plus cholinesterase inhibitors; 22 subjects cholinesterase inhibitors alone and 22 subjects no treatment. All the subjects referring memory complaints, corroborated by an informant, underwent a multidimensional assessment concerning neuropsychological, behavioural and functional characteristics, at baseline and after one year follow‐up.ResultsSubjects without treatment maintained their cognitive, functional and behavioural status after one year; patients treated only with ChEIs improved in depressive symptoms whereas subjects treated with TNP and ChEIs showed significant improvements in different cognitive areas, such as memory, abstract reasoning and in behavioural disturbances, particularly depressive symptoms.ConclusionsA long‐term TNP in ChEIs‐treated MCI subjects induces additional cognitive and mood benefits. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of memantine in age‐associated memory impairment (memantine in AAMI)
Authors: Ferris Steven , Schneider Lon , Farmer Mildred , Kay Gary , Crook Thomas 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjectivesTo determine the safety and efficacy of memantine in treating Age‐Associated Memory Impairment (AAMI).MethodsSixty adults between 50–79 years of age meeting diagnostic requirements for AAMI were randomly assigned to either memantine (titrated to 20 mg) or a matched placebo and treated for 90 days. An extensive battery of computerized cognitive tests was administered at screening, baseline and, thereafter, at monthly intervals.Results and ConclusionStudy results suggest that the primary cognitive effects of memantine in this population are on attention and information processing speed, rather than on memory. There were no differences in adverse events between memantine and placebo. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New large sets of t‐designs with prescribed groups of automorphisms
Authors: Laue R. , Omidi G. R. , Tayfeh‐Rezaie B. , Wassermann A. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractIn this article, we investigate the existence of large sets of 3‐designs of prime sizes with prescribed groups of automorphisms PSL(2,q) and PGL(2,q) for q < 60. We also construct some new interesting large sets by the use of the computer program DISCRETA. The results obtained through these direct methods along with known recursive constructions are combined to prove more extensive theorems on the existence of large sets. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 15: 210–220, 2007