bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microbial conversion of androst‐1,4‐dien‐3,17‐dione by Mucor racemosus to hydroxysteroid‐1,4‐dien‐3‐one derivatives
Authors: Faramarzi Mohammad Ali , Zolfaghary Nadia , Tabatabaei Yazdi Mojtaba , Adrangi Sina , Rastegar Hossein , Amini Mohsen , Badiee Mohsen 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: A large number of bacterial, fungal and microalgal species are able to bio‐transform steroid compounds. Among them, fungi from the Mucor genus have been shown to mediate hydroxylation, oxidation, and desaturation by the double bond formation and epoxidation of various steroid substances. Mucor racemocus has not been studied for its ability to modify androst‐1,4‐dien‐3,17‐dione, a pharmaceutically important steroid precursor.RESULTS: The filamentous fungus M. racemosus was applied for bioconversion of androst‐1,4‐dien‐3,17‐dione (ADD, I) in a 5‐day fermentation. Microbial metabolites were purified chromatographically and identified on the basis of their spectral data as 17β‐hydroxyandrost‐1,4‐dien‐3‐one (II), 14α‐hydroxyandrost‐1,4‐dien‐3,17‐dione (III), 15α‐hydroxyandrost‐1,4‐dien‐3,17‐dione (IV), 15α,17β‐dihydroxyandrost‐1,4‐dien‐3‐one (V), 14α,17β‐dihydroxyandrost‐1,4‐dien‐3‐one (VI), and 6β,17β‐dihydroxyandrost‐1,4‐dien‐3‐one (VII).CONCLUSION: Observed modifications included hydroxylation at C‐6β, C‐14α, C‐15α positions and 17‐carbonyl reduction. The best fermentation conditions for production of hydroxysteroid‐1,4‐dien‐3‐one derivatives were found to be 25 °C at 150 rpm for 5 days with a substrate concentration of 0.5 g L−1. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Experimental and neural model analysis of styrene removal from polluted air in a biofilter
Authors: Rene Eldon R. , Veiga María C. , Kennes Christian 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:Biofilters are efficient systems for treating malodorous emissions. The mechanism involved during pollutant transfer and subsequent biotransformation within a biofilm is a complex process. The use of artificial neural networks to model the performance of biofilters using easily measurable state variables appears to be an effective alternative to conventional phenomenological modelling.RESULTS:An artificial neural network model was used to predict the extent of styrene removal in a perlite‐biofilter inoculated with a mixed microbial culture. After a 43 day biofilter acclimation period, styrene removal experiments were carried out by subjecting the bioreactor to different flow rates (0.15–0.9 m3h−1) and concentrations (0.5–17.2 g m−3), that correspond to inlet loading rates up to 1390 g m−3h−1. During the different phases of continuous biofilter operation, greater than 92% styrene removal was achievable for loading rates up to 250 g m−3h−1. A back propagation neural network algorithm was applied to model and predict the removal efficiency (%) of this process using inlet concentration (g m−3) and unit flow (h−1) as input variables. The data points were divided into training (115 × 3) and testing set (42 × 3). The most reliable condition for the network was selected by a trial and error approach and by estimating the determination coefficient (R2) value (0.98) achieved during prediction of the testing set.CONCLUSION:The results showed that a simple neural network based model with a topology of 2–4–1 was able to efficiently predict the styrene removal performance in the biofilter. Through sensitivity analysis, the most influential input parameter affecting styrene removal was ascertained to be the flow rate. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Aerobic biodegradation of MtBE in an upflow fixed bed reactor
Authors: Bianchi Emma , Censabella Irene , Fascetti Eugenio 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: An aerobic upflow fixed bed reactor (UFBR) was densely colonized by a bacterial consortium, obtained from gasoline polluted waters, able to mineralize MtBE and BTEX. The system was studied in order to determine its capability to degrade the MtBE present in prepared solutions and in real contaminated aquifers and was operating for more than a year.RESULTS: Efficient colonization of the reactor took about 50 days, utilizing bacteria grown in continuous culture in a fermenter connected to the UFBR. During the study the influence of feed concentration of MtBE, temperature and hydraulic retention time (HRT) was analyzed. The system, running at 18 °C on synthetic medium, was fed at an influent MtBE concentration of 27.8 mg L−1 with HRT of 5 h showing 99.98% of MtBE degradation. When working with polluted groundwater, the system achieved 100% BTEX degradation and 99.34% MtBE degradation.CONCLUSION: The UFBR was tested on synthetic medium spiked with MtBE and on groundwater contaminated with MtBE and BTEX at concentrations of 50–60 ppm and a few ppm, respectively. The reactor responded efficiently showing great flexibility and capability of adjustment to different operating conditions with MtBE degradation of nearly 100%. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
In situ transmission electron microscopy and ion irradiation of ferritic materials
Authors: Kirk Marquis A. , Baldo Peter M. , Liu Amelia C.Y. , Ryan Edward A. , Birtcher Robert C. , Yao Zhongwen , Xu Sen , Jenkins Michael L. , Hernandez‐Mayoral Mercedes , Kaoumi Djamel , Motta Arthur T. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe intermediate voltage electron microscope‐tandem user facility in the Electron Microscopy Center at Argonne National Laboratory is described. The primary purpose of this facility is electron microscopy with in situ ion irradiation at controlled sample temperatures. To illustrate its capabilities and advantages a few results of two outside user projects are presented. The motion of dislocation loops formed during ion irradiation is illustrated in video data that reveals a striking reduction of motion in Fe‐8%Cr over that in pure Fe. The development of extended defect structure is then shown to depend on this motion and the influence of nearby surfaces in the transmission electron microscopy thin samples. In a second project, the damage microstructure is followed to high dose (200 dpa) in an oxide dispersion strengthened ferritic alloy at 500°C, and found to be qualitatively similar to that observed in the same alloy neutron irradiated at 420°C. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In situ deformation of thin films on substrates
Authors: Legros Marc , Cabié Martiane , Gianola Daniel S. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractMetallic thin‐film plasticity has been widely studied by using the difference between the coefficients of thermal expansion of the film and the underlying substrate to induce stress. This approach is commonly known as the wafer curvature technique, based on the Stoney equation, which has shown that thinner films have higher yield stresses. The linear increase of the film strength as a function of the reciprocal film thickness, down to a couple hundred nanometers, has been rationalized in terms of threading and interfacial dislocations. Polycrystalline films also show this kind of dependence when the grain size is larger than or comparable to the film thickness. In situ TEM performed on plan‐view or cross‐section specimens faithfully reproduces the stress state and the small strain levels seen by the metallic film during wafer curvature experiments and simultaneously follows the change in its microstructure. Although plan‐view experiments are restricted to thinner films, cross‐sectional samples where the film is reduced to a strip (or nanowire) on its substrate are a more versatile configuration. In situ thermal cycling experiments revealed that the dislocation/interface interaction could be either attractive or repulsive depending on the interfacial structure. Incoherent interfaces clearly act as dislocation sinks, resulting in a dislocation density drop during thermal cycles. In dislocation‐depleted films (initially thin or annealed), grain boundaries can compensate for the absence of dislocations by either shearing the film similarly to threading dislocations or through fast diffusion processes. Conversely, dislocations are confined inside the film by image forces in the cases of epitaxial interfaces on hard substrates. To increase the amount of strain seen by a film, and to decouple the effects of stress and temperature, compliant substrates can also be used as support for the metallic film. The composite can be stretched at a given temperature using heating/cooling straining holders. Other in situ TEM methods that served to reveal scaling effects are also reviewed. Finally, an alternate method, based on a novel bending holder that can stretch metallic films on rigid substrates, is presented. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Implications of an avian‐style respiratory system for gigantism in sauropod dinosaurs
Authors: Perry Steven F. , Christian Andreas , Breuer Thomas , Pajor Nadine , Codd Jonathan R. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIn light of evidence for avian‐like lungs in saurischian dinosaurs, the physiological implications of cross‐current gas exchange and voluminous, highly heterogeneous lungs for sauropod gigantism are critically examined. At 12 ton the predicted body temperature and metabolic rate of a growing sauropod would be similar to that of a bird scaled to the same body weight, but would increase exponentially as body mass increases. Although avian‐like lung structure would be consistent with either a tachymetabolic‐endothermic or a bradymetabolic‐gigantothermic model, increasing body temperature requires adjustments to avoid overheating. We suggest that a unique sauropod structure/function unit facilitated the evolution of gigantism. This unit consisted of (1) a reduction in metabolic rate below that predicted by the body temperature, akin to thermal adaptation as seen in extant squamates, (2) presence of air‐filled diverticula in the long neck and in the visceral cavity, and (3) low activity of respiratory muscles coupled with the high efficiency of cross‐current gas exchange. J. Exp. Zool. 311A:600–610, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Arboreal habitat structure affects the performance and modes of locomotion of corn snakes (Elaphe guttata)
Authors: Astley Henry C. , Jayne Bruce C. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractArboreal environments pose many functional challenges for animal locomotion including fitting within narrow spaces, balancing on cylindrical surfaces, moving on inclines, and moving around branches that obstruct a straight path. Many species of snakes are arboreal and their elongate, flexible bodies appear well‐suited to meet many of these demands, but the effects of arboreal habitat structure on the locomotion of snakes are not well understood. We examined the effects of 108 combinations of surface shape (cylinder vs. rectangular tunnel), surface width, incline, and a row of pegs on the locomotion of corn snakes (Elaphe guttata). Pegs allowed the snakes to move on the widest and steepest surfaces that were impassable without pegs. Tunnels allowed the snakes to move on steeper inclines than cylinders with similar widths. The mode of locomotion changed with habitat structure. On surfaces without pegs, most snakes used two variants of concertina locomotion but always moved downhill using a controlled slide. Snakes used lateral undulation on most surfaces with pegs. The detrimental effects of increased uphill incline were greater than those of increased surface width on maximal velocity. Snakes moved faster in tunnels than on cylinders regardless of whether pegs were present. Depending on the surface width, the addition of pegs to horizontal cylinders and tunnels resulted in 8–24‐fold and 1.3–3.1‐fold increases in speed, respectively. Thus, pegs considerably enhanced the locomotor performance of snakes, although similar structures such as secondary branches seem likely to impede the locomotion of limbed arboreal animals. J. Exp. Zool. 311A:207–216, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of toxicity and transfection efficiency of amphiphilic block copolymers and polycationic polymers in striated muscles
Authors: Roques Caroline , Fattal Elias , Fromes Yves 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackgroundGene delivery using synthetic vectors is frequently based on cationic compounds such as polyethyleneimine (PEI). However, few data have been published on the ability of PEI to mediate transgene expression in muscle tissue. Besides cationic vectors, there is increasing interest focusing on amphiphilic copolymers as gene carriers into striated muscles, although their mechanism of action is unknown.MethodsPlasmid DNA was associated with three different polymers: the cationic polyethyleneimine and two amphiphilic copolymers displaying few (tetronic 304) or no charges (pluronic L64). The resulting formulations were investigated by dynamic light scattering, laser doppler velocimetry, gel retardation assay and transmission electron microscopy. The toxicity and efficiency of the carriers were assessed in both skeletal and cardiac muscles.ResultsPEI efficiently condenses plasmids into small complexes displaying a positive electrophoretic mobility. However, these PEI/DNA complexes lead to severe side‐effects in vivo. The association between amphiphilic copolymers and DNA leads to no or only partial condensation of plasmids. Moreover, amphiphilic polymers do not interact strongly with DNA and tetronic‐based systems are destabilized with a decreasing pH. Those vectors also display a negative electrophoretic mobility. Thus, characteristics of amphiphilic polymer/DNA systems might be considered unfavourable for transfection. However, safe and rather efficient gene expression was obtained in skeletal muscles, even at low DNA doses, but not in the myocardium.ConclusionsThe present study highlights the interest in amphiphilic carriers for promoting DNA transfection in vivo. Gaining new insights into the properties of these vectors should allow their optimization. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Replacement of sulfur dioxide by lysozyme and oenological tannins during fermentation: influence on volatile composition of white wines
Authors: Sonni Francesca , Cejudo Bastante Maria Jesus , Chinnici Fabio , Natali Nadia , Riponi Claudio 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: In recent years the use of sulfur dioxide, a commonly used additive in winemaking, has been questioned because of its toxic effects on human health. Studies have been conducted to find alternatives that can effectively substitute for this additive in all its various technological functions. In previous work, lysozyme and oenological tannins were found as possible substitutes in controlling bacterial undesirable fermentations and phenolic oxidation. However, data on the volatile composition of wines obtained by that protocol are lacking. In this work, the effects on volatile composition of white wines by the substitution of SO2 during fermentation with lysozyme and tannin were studied. At the same time, the technological performance of two strains of yeast that produce low amounts of SO2 were evaluated.RESULTS: The results showed that both SO2 and lysozyme prevented the development of undesirable bacterial fermentations. The study of volatile compounds shows differences in the alcohol, acid and ester contents among the final products: wines fermented with strain 1042 and lysozyme had higher total alcohol concentration, while the addition of SO2 promoted higher production of 3‐methyl‐1‐butanol, 3‐methylthio‐1‐propanol, phenylethyl alcohol and 4‐hydroxy‐benzenethanol. Esters, as a total, were influenced by the different strain and tannins addition, while amounts of medium‐chain fatty acid ethyl esters and their corresponding fatty acids were found in higher amounts in wines coming from fermentations with lysozyme. The sensory analysis revealed a preference for wines to which lysozyme and tannins had been added.CONCLUSION: The data suggest that the addition of lysozyme and oenological tannins during alcoholic fermentation could represent a promising alternative to the use of SO2 and for the production of wines with reduced content of SO2. The composition of the volatiles in the final wines was affected by the different vinification protocols (mainly with regards to alcohols and ethyl esters). Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparison of physicochemical, microscopic and sensory characteristics of ecologically and conventionally grown crops of two cultivars of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)
Authors: Ordóñez‐Santos Luis Eduardo , Arbones‐Maciñeira Enrique , Fernández‐Perejón José , Lombardero‐Fernández Matilde , Vázquez‐Odériz Lourdes , Romero‐Rodríguez Angeles 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: Numerous studies have compared ecologically produced foods with conventionally produced competitors, with contradictory results. In this work we investigated the physicochemical, microscopic and sensory properties of two tomato cultivars (Lladó and Antillas), which were grown both ecologically and conventionally.RESULTS: The physicochemical variables size, weight, firmness, total acidity, pH, total solids content, lycopene content and CIELab a*, b*, a*/b*, C* and h* were all significantly influenced by cultivar, as were the sensory variables external colour, internal colour, external aroma intensity and flavour persistence. Compared with conventionally grown tomatoes, ecologically grown tomatoes had larger total solids contents and larger values of the CIELab colour parameters b*, C* and h*, but smaller sizes and weights and smaller values of the CIELab parameter ratio a*/b*; however, these physicochemical differences were insufficient for growing method to have a significant influence on any of the sensory attributes that were evaluated. Microscopy showed the influence of cultivar on lycopene content, but no other structural differences were observed between the two cultivars or between tomatoes grown by different methods.CONCLUSIONS: The statistically significant differences found in this study were mainly between cultivars rather than between tomatoes grown using different management practices. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Inflammatory cutaneous adverse effects of methylene blue dye injection for lymphatic mapping/sentinel lymphadenectomy
Authors: Bleicher Richard J. , Kloth Dwight D. , Robinson Darlene , Axelrod Peter 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackgroundMethylene blue (MB) dye has been used for lymphatic mapping/sentinel lymphadenectomy (LM/SL) in staging of melanoma and breast cancer. It has been noted to cause skin necrosis, but its more mild adverse effects from intraparenchymal breast injections are not well characterized.MethodsPatients undergoing LM/SL for breast cancer and melanoma were reviewed, with attention devoted to skin manifestations. Patients undergoing mastectomies were excluded to rule out changes from flap devascularization. All breast patients were injected intraparenchymally.ResultsNinety‐five patients underwent MB injection during a nationwide shortage of lymphazurin; 78 for breast cancer and 17 for melanoma, with 51 patients undergoing breast conservation (BCT). There was no frank skin necrosis among any of the patients. Six (11.8%) BCT patients demonstrated inflammatory changes. Four patients developed findings indistinguishable from infectious cellulitis, with two developing skin telangiectasias prior to radiotherapy. Two patients had fat necrosis confirmed at the MB injection site away from the surgical site; one on imaging and one by biopsy. Most symptoms resolved after conservative management.ConclusionsMB dye may cause cutaneous changes more subtle than previously described. Physicians caring for patients having LM/SL using MB should be aware of these effects so that a proper differential diagnosis can be entertained postoperatively. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;99:356–360. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The latent structure of the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire
Authors: Bryant Richard A. , Brooks Robert , Silove Derrick , Creamer Mark , O'Donnell Meaghan , McFarlane Alexander C. , Marmar Charles R. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis paper has been retracted due to a publisher's error: the order of the authors was incorrect. The Editor and Publisher of the Journal of Traumatic Stress apologize to the authors and our readership.
Recent Developments in Lipase‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Polyesters
Authors: Kobayashi Shiro 
Published: February 2009

AbstractPolyester synthesis by lipase catalyst involves two major polymerization modes: i) ring‐opening polymerization of lactones, and, ii) polycondensation. Ring‐opening polymerization includes the finding of lipase catalyst; scope of reactions; polymerization mechanism; ring‐opening polymerization reactivity of lactones; enantio‐, chemo‐ and regio‐selective polymerizations; and, chemoenzymatic polymerizations. Polycondensation includes polymerizations involving condensation reactions between carboxylic acid and alcohol functional groups to form an ester bond. In most cases, a carboxylic acid group is activated as an ester form, such as a vinyl ester. Many recently developed polymerizations demonstrate lipase catalysis specific to enzymatic polymerization and appear very useful. Also, since lipase‐catalyzed polyester synthesis provides a good opportunity for conducting “green polymer chemistry”, the importance of this is describedmagnified image
79Br NMR spectroscopy as a practical tool for kinetic analysis
Authors: Chan Si Jia , Howe Andrew G. , Hook James M. , Harper Jason B. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract79Br NMR spectroscopy has been used to monitor a series of reactions in which the bromide ion is produced, including the Menschutkin reaction of pyridine with a range of substituted benzyl bromides and a Heck coupling process. In cases where the process could also be monitored using 1H NMR spectroscopy, the kinetic analyses using heteronuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were shown to be completely consistent. Both the utility of the process in following reactions which may be difficult to analyse using other techniques and the practical limitations associated with solvent choice are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Implementation of quantitative perfusion imaging using pulsed arterial spin labeling at ultra‐high field
Authors: Gardener A.G. , Gowland P.A. , Francis S.T. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis study compares the implementation of the STAR and FAIR pulsed arterial spin labeling (PASL) schemes to form quantitative perfusion maps at ultra‐high field, 7 Tesla (T), and high field, 3T. Phantom experiments were performed to compare the inversion efficiency and profile of the labeling pulses at 7T and 3T and to optimize in‐plane saturation techniques. The perfusion weighted (PW) signal was measured at a range of postlabeling delay times and quantitative perfusion maps were calculated on a voxel‐by‐voxel basis. An increase in PW signal was found with field strength, and together with the increased signal‐to‐noise ratio, this led to improved image signal‐to‐noise and quality of fit of perfusion maps at 7T. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.