bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Total duration of negative surplus for the dual model
Authors: Song Min , Wu Rong , Zhang Xin
Published: August 2008

In the dual model, we allow the surplus process to continue if the surplus falls below zero. By introducing the renewal measure of the defective renewal sequence constituted by the zero points of the surplus process, we obtain the probability of hitting the zero point. Further, we derive formulae for the Laplace transform, expectation and variance of total duration of negative surplus and present some examples with an exponential individual jump amount distribution. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The compound Poisson process perturbed by a diffusion with a threshold dividend strategy
Authors: Yuen Kam C. , Lu Yuhua , Wu Rong
Published: August 2008

In this paper, we consider the compound Poisson process perturbed by a diffusion in the presence of the so‐called threshold dividend strategy. Within this framework, we prove the twice continuous differentiability of the expected discounted value of all dividends until ruin. We also derive integro‐differential equations for the expected discounted value of all dividends until ruin and obtain explicit expressions for the solution to the equations. Along the same line, we establish explicit expressions for the Laplace transform of the time of ruin and the Laplace transform of the aggregate dividends until ruin. In the case of exponential claims, some examples are provided. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of plasma leptin and zinc levels in elite athletes and sedentary people
Authors: Arikan Sukran , Akkus Hasan , Halifeoglu Ihsan , Baltaci Abdulkerim Kasim
Published: August 2008

In consideration of leptin effects such as reducing food intake and increasing energy consumption, many researchers have sought to examine the relation between leptin and exercise. The presence of reports arguing that zinc, can be a mediator in leptin production indicates a possible relation between zinc and leptin. The present study aims to determine plasma leptin levels in elite weightlifters and examine their relation with zinc. The study enrolled 30 healthy volunteers in the 18–27 age range. The subjects were allocated to groups in equal numbers: Group 1, Control Group: the group included subjects who did not exercise regularly. Group 2, Elite Weightlifter Group: the group included elite weight lifters who were selected to the national team in their weight classes, who exercised regularly and whose values were measured during rest in the training period. Levels of plasma leptin and zinc were determined in the blood samples collected from the subjects included in the study. Comparison of serum leptin and zinc values between groups showed that leptin and zinc levels in the control group were significantly higher than those in the weightlifters and that leptin levels decreased significantly in parallel with the low zinc levels. It can be concluded that physical activity brings about changes in leptin secretion, which in turn, can be significantly related with zinc (p < 0.01). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What happened to the social in contemporary accounts of hypnosis?
Authors: Radtke H. Lorraine , Stam Henderikus J.
Published: August 2008

Historically and continuing into the present, the field of hypnosis has been divided into proponents of ‘state’ or ‘special‐state’ and ‘non‐state’ or ‘sociocognitive’ accounts of hypnosis. Although many investigators now dispute this distinction, it can still be used as a rough guide to views of the phenomenon. The sociocognitive view, at least in the last 20 years, has emphasized social and cognitive processes in the explanation of hypnosis and its effects, but increasingly – and consistent with social cognition in general – the social too has been theorized in cognitive terms. This paper reviews these theoretical developments with the aim of exploring the implications of the loss of the social in ‘non‐state’ accounts. As a historical, cultural and ultimately social phenomenon, at what cost is hypnosis reduced to its strictly cognitive dimensions? Copyright © 2008 British Society of Experimental & Clinical Hypnosis. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Localization of spindle checkpoint proteins in cells undergoing mitosis with unreplicated genomes
Authors: Johnson Mary Kathrine , Cooksey Amanda M. , Wise Dwayne A.
Published: August 2008

CHO cells can be arrested with hydoxyurea at the beginning of the DNA synthesis phase of the cell cycle. Subsequent treatment with the xanthine, caffeine, induces cells to bypass the S‐phase checkpoint and enter unscheduled mitosis [Schlegel and Pardee,1986, Science 232:1264–1266]. These treated cells build a normal spindle and distribute kinetochores, unattached to chromosomes, to their daughter cells [Brinkley et al.,1988, Nature 336:251–254; Zinkowski et al.,1991, J Cell Biol 113:1091–1110; Wise and Brinkley,1997, Cell Motil Cytoskeleton 36:291–302; Balczon et al.,2003, Chromosoma 112:96–102]. To investigate how these cells distribute kinetochores to daughter cells, we analyzed the spindle checkpoint components, Mad2, CENP‐E, and the 3F3 phosphoepitope, using immunofluorescence and digital microscopy. Even though the kinetochores were unpaired and DNA was fragmented, the tension, alignment, and motor components of the checkpoint were found to be present and localized as predicted in prometaphase and metaphase. This unusual mitosis proves that a cell can successfully localize checkpoint proteins and divide even when kinetochores are unpaired and fragmented. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Arp2 depletion inhibits sheet‐like protrusions but not linear protrusions of fibroblasts and lymphocytes
Authors: Nicholson‐Dykstra Susan M. , Higgs Henry N.
Published: August 2008

The Arp2/3 complex‐mediated assembly and protrusion of a branched actin network at the leading edge occurs during cell migration, although some studies suggest it is not essential. In order to test the role of Arp2/3 complex in leading edge protrusion, Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts and Jurkat T cells were depleted of Arp2 and evaluated for defects in cell morphology and spreading efficiency. Arp2‐depleted fibroblasts exhibit severe defects in formation of sheet‐like protrusions at early time points of cell spreading, with sheet‐like protrusions limited to regions along the length of linear protrusions. However, Arp2‐depleted cells are able to spread fully after extended times. Similarly, Arp2‐depleted Jurkat T lymphocytes exhibit defects in spreading on anti‐CD3. Interphase Jurkats in suspension are covered with large ruffle structures, whereas mitotic Jurkats are covered by finger‐like linear protrusions. Arp2‐depleted Jurkats exhibit defects in ruffle assembly but not in assembly of mitotic linear protrusions. Similarly, Arp2‐depletion has no effect on the highly dynamic linear protrusion of another suspended lymphocyte line. We conclude that Arp2/3 complex plays a significant role in assembly of sheet‐like protrusions, especially during early stages of cell spreading, but is not required for assembly of a variety of linear actin‐based protrusions. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Combination of 5‐azacytidine and thalidomide for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Raza Azra , Mehdi Murtaza , Mumtaz Muhammad , Ali Fahad , Lascher Steven , Galili Naomi
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND.

The treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) remains a challenge to the clinician despite recent advances. Many patients will either not respond or will have only limited and/or brief responses to single‐agent therapy. Eventually, 30% of patients with MDS will progress and develop acute myeloid leukemia (AML). New strategies are needed for these patients.

METHODS.

5‐Azacytidine (AZA) and thalidomide were administered to 40 patients with MDS or AML. AZA was given at a dose of 75 mg/m2 subcutaneously for 5 of 28 days together with thalidomide starting at a dose of 50 mg per day and increasing to 100 mg per. Six patients had refractory anemia (RA), 2 patients had RA with ringed sideroblasts, 10 patients had RA with excess blasts (RAEB), 1 patient had RAEB in transformation, 4 patients had chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, 1 patient had chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis, and 16 patients had AML. Thirty‐six patients were evaluable for outcome.

RESULTS.

A hematologic improvement (HI) was observed in 15 of 36 patients (42%), stable disease was observed in 5 of 36 patients (14%), and 10 of 36 patients (28%) had disease progression. Six patients experienced complete remission (CR), 2 patients experienced an erythroid HI (HI‐E), 1 patient experience an absolute neutrophil count HI (HI‐ANC), 5 patients experienced a platelet HI (HI‐P), and 7 patients had bilineage HI (HI‐P and HI‐ANC or an HI‐E and HI‐ANC). It was noteworthy that 9 of 14 patients with AML had a history of prior MDS, 2 of 9 patients achieved a CR, 4 of 9 patients had HI (HI‐E and bilineage HI), and 1 patient had stable disease and was continuing treatment. DNA microarray analysis of 8 responders and 4 nonresponders revealed that the genes associated with cellular proliferation had higher expression levels in nonresponders.

CONCLUSIONS.

The current findings indicated that a combination of low‐dose AZA and thalidomide was well tolerated and was effective therapy for the treatment of patients with MDS and AML arising from prior MDS. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Results of the hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone regimen in elderly patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: O'Brien Susan , Thomas Deborah A. , Ravandi Farhad , Faderl Stefan , Pierce Sherry , Kantarjian Hagop
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND.

Understanding the causes of failure in older patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) may help improve treatment strategies for patients in this particular age group.

METHODS.

The objectives of the current study were to define the causes of death in older patients (aged ≥60 years) with ALL during induction and consolidation‐maintenance with a dose‐intensive regimen of alternating 8 courses of hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (hyper‐CVAD) with high doses of methotrexate and cytarabine followed by maintenance with 6‐mercaptopurine, vincristine, methotrexate, and prednisone and to compare their outcomes with the outcomes of older patients who received earlier, less intensive regimens and younger patients who received hyper‐CVAD. One hundred twenty‐two older patients who received hyper‐CVAD were compared with 34 older patients who received less intensive regimens and with 409 younger patients who received hyper‐CVAD.

RESULTS.

The complete response (CR) rates in older patients receiving hyper‐CVAD, older patients receiving other regimens, and younger patients receiving hyper‐CVAD were 84%, 59%, and 92%, respectively (P < .001); and the respective induction mortality rates were 10%, 12%, and 2% (P not significant in older patients). The incidence of disease resistance during induction was 5%, 27%, and 2%, respectively (P < .001). The majority of deaths were related to infections. Among patients who achieved a CR, death in CR was noted in 34%, 15%, and 7% of older patients receiving hyper‐CVAD, older patients receiving other regimens, and younger patients, respectively (P < .001); and the respective rates of recurrence were 40%, 80%, and 48% (P = .004). The estimated 5‐year survival rates were 20%, 9%, and 48%, respectively (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS.

The results of the current study suggested that intensifying the chemotherapy in older patients with ALL reduced the incidence of leukemia resistance but increased the incidence of death in CR from myelosuppression‐associated infections. The overall benefit:risk ratio was favorable. Identifying novel, low‐intensity agents/regimens for older patients with ALL may improve the results further. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Treatment and survival outcomes based on histologic grading in patients with head and neck mucoepidermoid carcinoma
Authors: Nance Melonie A. , Seethala Raja R. , Wang Yun , Chiosea Simion I. , Myers Eugene N. , Johnson Jonas T. , Lai Stephen Y.
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND.

Histopathologic grade of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is an established predictor of prognosis and affects treatment protocol. Tumor behavior is more aggressive in high‐grade than in low‐grade MEC, leading to a more intensive treatment protocol. Outcomes for patients with intermediate‐grade MEC are less clear; therefore, the optimal treatment protocol for this group is not well defined. The treatment protocol and survival outcomes of patients treated for MEC of the head and neck was investigated.

METHODS.

A retrospective clinical review and prospective review of histopathologic grading were undertaken using the most recently established grading system of 50 patients with MEC of the head and neck from 1983 through 2004.

RESULTS.

As histologic grade increased from low to intermediate to high, overall survival (P< .0001) and disease‐free survival (P< .001) were significantly decreased. Overall and disease‐free survival were significantly better for patients with intermediate‐grade MEC than those with high‐grade disease. Overall and disease‐free survival were similar for patients with low‐grade and intermediate‐grade MEC. There was a low rate of disease recurrence in patients with intermediate‐grade MEC, but this did not lead to death from disease. Although no patients with low‐grade or intermediate‐grade MEC died of disease, 52% of patients with high‐grade MEC died of disease. Multivariate analysis revealed that histologic grade, age, and surgical margin status significantly predicted prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS.

These findings suggest that, under the current histopathologic classification system, the behavior of intermediate‐grade MEC is comparable to that of low‐grade MEC and different from high‐grade MEC, allowing for the establishment of an evidence‐based treatment protocol. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Immunohistochemical markers associated with brain metastases in patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma
Authors: Saad Ali G. , Yeap Beow Y. , Thunnissen Frederik B. J. M. , Pinkus Geraldine S. , Pinkus Jack L. , Loda Massimo , Sugarbaker David J. , Johnson Bruce E. , Chirieac Lucian R.
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND.

To the authors' knowledge, there are no reliable markers able to identify patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that will develop metastases to the brain. The authors investigated associations between immunohistochemical markers and the development of brain metastases in patients with NSCLC.

METHODS.

This was a hospital‐based, case‐control study of patients who were newly diagnosed with NSCLC between 1989 and 2003, developed brain metastases, and had pathology material available from both the primary NSCLC and the brain metastases. These patients were compared with a control group of patients who had NSCLC and no evidence of brain metastases. NSCLC was examined for expression levels of Ki‐67, caspase‐3, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF‐A), VEGF‐C, E‐cadherin, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in 54 surgical pathology specimens using immunohistochemistry, and associations were evaluated between those markers and the development of brain metastases.

RESULTS.

Brain metastases developed after a median of 12.5 months (range, 1.7‐89.4 months) after the diagnosis of NSCLC. A significantly increased risk of developing brain metastases was associated with patients with NSCLC who had primary tumors with high Ki‐67 levels (adjusted odds ratio [OR] of 12.2; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.4‐70.4 [P < .001]), low caspase‐3 expression (adjusted OR of 43; 95% CI, 5.3 to >100 [P < .001]), high VEGF‐C expression (adjusted OR of 14.6; 95% CI, 2.0 to >100 [P < .001]), and low E‐cadherin (adjusted OR of 3.6; 95% CI, 0.9‐16.4 [P = .05]). No significant risk was associated with VEGF‐A or EGFR expression. High Ki‐67 expression also was associated with a shorter overall survival (P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS.

The results of the current study indicated that patients with NSCLC who had high Ki‐67 expression, low caspase‐3 expression, high VEGF‐C expression, and low E‐cadherin expression in their tumors may benefit from close surveillance because they may have an increased risk of developing brain metastases. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Grid workflow optimization regarding dynamically changing resources and conditions
Authors: Schikuta Erich , Wanek Helmut , Ul Haq Irfan
Published: August 2008

Automatic construction of workflows on the Grid is a challenging task. The problems that have to be solved are manifold: How can existing services be integrated into a workflow that is able to accomplish a specific task? How can an optimal workflow be constructed with respect to changing resource characteristics during the optimization process? How to cope with dynamically changing or incomplete knowledge of the goal function of the optimization process? and finally: How to react to service failures during workflow execution? In this paper, we propose a method to optimize a workflow based on a heuristic A* approach that allows to react to dynamics in the environment. Changes in the Grid infrastructure and in the users' requirements can be handled during the optimization process as well as during the execution of the workflow. Our algorithm also allows the workflow to recover from failing resources during the execution phase. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrophobic derivatives of 5‐(hydroxymethyl)isophthalic acid that selectively induce apoptosis in leukemia cells but not in fibroblasts
Authors: Galkin Anna , Surakka Anu , Boije af Gennäs Gustav , Ruotsalainen Timo , Kreander Kari , Tammela Päivi , Sivonen Kaarina , Yli‐Kauhaluoma Jari , Vuorela Pia
Published: August 2008

New apoptosis modulating agents are widely sought, because failure in regulation of apoptosis is associated with many diseases. In this study, we have evaluated apoptosis inducing the potential of ten new hydrophobic derivatives of 5‐(hydroxymethyl)isophthalic acid. Cancerous leukemia cells (HL‐60) and non‐malignant fibroblasts (Swiss 3T3) were incubated with test compounds for 24 h and morphologically evaluated. The changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and caspase‐3 activity were used to confirm the results and to study early induction of apoptosis. Cytotoxicity was determined using the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay and mutagenicity with miniaturized Ames‐test. The most potent selective apoptosis inducers were compounds 1c and 1 h having IC50 values of 41 and 23 µM, respectively, in leukemia cells (HL‐60) while effects in fibroblasts (Swiss 3T3) were insignificant. Reduction of δψm and increase in caspase‐3 activity were observed already during the first 2 hr in the HL‐60 cells treated with compounds 1 c and 1 h. Neither of the compounds was cytotoxic or mutagenic. The results indicate that compounds 1 c and 1 h are selective apoptosis inducers and should be studied further for possible use in cancer therapy. Drug Dev. Res. 69: 185–195, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
17α‐estradiol: a less‐feminizing estrogen
Authors: Moos Walter H. , Dykens James A. , Howell Neil
Published: August 2008

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly and is the most common form of dementia. Approved AD drugs like donepezil and memantine provide some cognitive benefits to a subset of patients. However, the cost burden of AD will continue to increase in the absence of more effective drugs that treat its symptoms and ultimately slow its progression or delay or prevent its onset. A substantial number of studies report that 17β‐estradiol (E2; estrogen), a potent endogenous feminizing hormone, is neuroprotective. Unfortunately, negative results from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) and its ancillary Memory Study (WHIMS) have overshadowed the positive data collected over several decades. Importantly, there are a number of reasons why the WHIMS results should not be generalized to less‐ or non‐feminizing estrogens. For the sake of argument, consider “non‐hormonal” or non‐feminizing estrogens to be worthwhile drug development candidates for AD and other neurodegenerative conditions because they have the potential to retain the positive neuroprotective activities of E2 while reducing the potential complications associated with feminizing hormones. Because the literature comparing estrogenicity of various estrogens is complex and spans multiple decades, we summarize herein the available hormonal comparisons of a common less‐feminizing estrogen, 17α‐estradiol (17αE2), with E2. 17αE2 is less feminizing than E2 in every published study where reasonable comparisons can be made. One‐half of these studies report a difference of two orders of magnitude or greater. In practice, compounds like 17αE2 may prove to be largely non‐feminizing at doses to be explored in human clinical trials. Moreover, other novel E2 analogues have been identified that are essentially devoid of feminizing actions. If the positive effects of feminizing estrogens on neurodegeneration prove useful in treating neurodegenerative diseases, less‐feminizing and non‐feminizing estrogen analogues may be even more effective, safer, and better tolerated. Drug Dev Res 69:177–184, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of anti‐inflammatory activities of ruscogenin, a major steroidal sapogenin from Radix Ophiopogon japonicus, and Its succinylated derivative, RUS‐2HS
Authors: Huang Ya‐Lin , Kou Jun‐Ping , Liu Ji‐Hua , Liu Nan , Yu Bo‐Yang
Published: August 2008

Ruscogenin (RUS), first isolated from Ruscus aculeatus, is also a major steroidal sapogenin of the traditional Chinese herb Radix Ophiopogon japonicus. It has robust anti‐inflammatory activities. In previous studies, a ruscogenin affinity column, derived from succinylated ruscogenin (RUS‐2HS), was used to purify an antibody of ruscogenin. A ruscogenin affinity column can also be used to explore its protein targets. However, until now there have been no related pharmacological reports about ruscogenin derivatives. Whether the activity groups of ruscogenin have been blocked during the derivation process remains unknown. The present study was performed to compare the anti‐inflammatory activities in vitro of RUS‐2HS and ruscogenin. Both compounds reduced tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α)‐induced adhesion of human pro‐myelocytic leukemia cells (HL‐60) to endothelial ECV304 cells with IC50 values of 6.90 nM and 7.45 nM, respectively. They were also inhibited overexpression of ICAM‐1 in ECV304 cells at the mRNA level as evaluated by real‐time PCR and at the protein level evaluated by flow cytometry with similar potency. Such data demonstrate that the functional groups of ruscogenin were not blocked by derivation, suggesting further use of the ruscogenin affinity column for target investigation. Meanwhile, RUS‐2HS was found to have remarkable anti‐inflammatory activity for the first time, indicating it would be a new lead compound with improved bioavailability. Drug Dev Res 69: 196–202, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genistein down‐regulates the constitutive activation of nuclear factor‐κB of bone marrow stromal cells in multiple myeloma, leading to suppression of gene expression and proliferation
Authors: He Hui , Chen Laurie , Zhai Ming , Chen John Z.S.
Published: August 2008

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) play a central role in human multiple myeloma(MM) cell survival and proliferation. We explored the possibility of using BMSCs as a target for MM treatment using genistein, a chemopreventive agent with little or no toxicity in humans. NF‐κB was constitutively active in BMSCs and genistein down‐regulated NF‐κB in BMSCs as measured by an electrophoretic mobility gel shift assay. BMSCs also showed constitutively active Akt phosphorylation that was suppressed by genistein. Genistein also down‐regulated the expression of NF‐κB‐regulated gene products, including bcl‐2, bcl‐xl, Cyclin D1, IL‐6, and ICAM‐1, which was associated with the suppression of BMSC proliferation. MM cells can survive if co‐cultured with BMSCs, suggesting that the bone marrow microenvironment is important. However, genistein‐treated BMSCs provide little support to MM cells. Overall, our results indicate that genistein down‐regulates NF‐κB and phospho‐Akt of BMSCs in human myeloma, leading to the suppression of gene expression of bcl‐2, bcl‐xl, Cyclin D1, IL‐6, and ICAM‐1 suppression proliferation, thus providing a potential new target for the treatment of MM. Drug Dev Res 69:219–225, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morning cortisol Levels in preschool‐aged foster children: Differential effects of maltreatment type
Authors: Bruce Jacqueline , Fisher Philip A. , Pears Katherine C. , Levine Seymour
Published: August 2008

Maltreated foster children are subjected to a range of early adverse experiences, including neglect, abuse, and multiple caregiver disruptions. Research suggests that such disturbances alter the development and subsequent functioning of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenocortical system. The current study was designed to investigate morning cortisol levels in 117 foster children and 60 low‐income, nonmaltreated children. Maltreatment and foster care placement experiences were coded from official records. Analyses revealed that the foster children were significantly more likely than the nonmaltreated children to have low morning cortisol levels. Additionally, specific maltreatment experiences were significantly associated with the foster children's morning cortisol levels. Foster children with low morning cortisol levels experienced more severe physical neglect than the other foster children. In contrast, foster children with high morning cortisol levels experienced more severe emotional maltreatment. These results suggest that specific early adverse experiences have differential effects on the functioning of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenocortical system. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 51: 14–23, 2009
2‐Thiopheneacetato‐Based One‐Dimensional Coordination Polymer of Tb3+: Enhancement of Terbium‐Centered Luminescence in the Presence of Bidentate Nitrogen Donor Ligands
Authors: Raphael Shyni , Reddy M. L. P. , Cowley Alan H. , Findlater Michael
Published: August 2008

Four new lanthanide(III) complexes of 2‐thiopheneacetic acid (HTPAC), [Tb(TPAC)3·H2O]n (1), [Gd(TPAC)3·H2O]n (2), [Tb(TPAC)3(phen)]2 (3) and [Tb(TPAC)3(bath)]2 (4) (phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline; bath = bathophenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. The X‐ray structure of 1 reveals that each Tb3+ ion is connected to two neighboring ions by six thiopheneacetic acid ligands via the carboxylate groups to form an infinite one‐dimensional polymer. The unit cell contains only one independent crystallographic site for the Tb ions. The carboxylate groups of the six molecules of the thiopheneacetate ligands are coordinated in both bidentate bridging and tridentate chelate‐bridging modes. Each Tb3+ ion is coordinated by nine oxygen atoms in an overall distorted tricapped trigonal‐prismatic geometry. Eight of the oxygen atoms are furnished by the carboxylate moieties, and the remaining oxygen atom is provided by the water molecule. The photophysical properties of these complexes in the solid state at room temperature have been investigated. The quantum yields of 3 (4.43 ± 0.44 %) and 4 (9.06 ± 0.90 %) were found to be significantly enhanced by the presence of the bidentate nitrogen donor ligands in comparison with that of 1 (0.07 ± 0.01 %) due to effective energy transfer from the secondary ligands. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Applications of the dual integral formulation in conjunction with fast multipole method to the oblique incident wave problem
Authors: Chen K. H. , Chen J. T. , Kao J. H. , Lee Y. T.
Published: August 2008

In this paper, the dual integral formulation is derived for the modified Helmholtz equation in the propagation of oblique incident wave passing a thin barrier (zero thickness) by employing the concept of fast multipole method (FMM) to accelerate the construction of an influence matrix. By adopting the addition theorem, the four kernels in the dual formulation are expanded into degenerate kernels that separate the field point and the source point. The source point matrices decomposed in the four influence matrices are similar to each other or only to some combinations. There are many zeros or the same influence coefficients in the field point matrices decomposed in the four influence matrices, which can avoid calculating the same terms repeatedly. The separable technique reduces the number of floating‐point operations from O((N)2) to O(N loga(N)), where N is the number of elements and a is a small constant independent of N. Finally, the FMM is shown to reduce the CPU time and memory requirement, thus enabling us to apply boundary element method (BEM) to solve water scattering problems efficiently. Two‐moment FMM formulation was found to be sufficient for convergence in the singular equation. The results are compared well with those of conventional BEM and analytical solutions and show the accuracy and efficiency of the FMM. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The intrinsic XFEM for two‐fluid flows
Authors: Fries T. P.
Published: August 2008

In two‐fluid flows, jumps and/or kinks along the interfaces are present in the resulting velocity and pressure fields. Standard methods require mesh manipulations with the aim that either element edges align with the interfaces or that the mesh is sufficiently refined near the interfaces. In contrast, enriched methods, such as the extended finite element method (XFEM), enable the representation of arbitrary jumps and kinks inside elements. Thereby, optimal convergence can be achieved for two‐fluid flows with meshes that remain fixed throughout the simulation. In the intrinsic XFEM, in contrast to other enriched methods, no more unknowns are present in the approximation than in a standard finite element approximation. In this work, the intrinsic XFEM is employed for the simulation of incompressible two‐fluid flows. Numerical results are shown for a number of test cases and prove the success of the method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regulators retreating to ex parte?
Authors: Willett Robert E.
Published: August 2008

Through last fall, economist and former college professor Charley G. Stalon spent a dozen years as a commissioner—first of the Illinois Commerce Commission and, most recently, of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. He is now at the Washington‐based consulting firm Resources for the Future.

In recent years, Stalon has protested the limits placed upon the information that is made available to commissioners—limits that reflect ex pane procedures (roughly, procedures that treat commission actions as courts of law). In our conversation with Mr. Stalon, he told us he views such limits as both ex parte and systematic.
Rate initiative shows few clear signals yet
Authors: Willett Robert E.
Published: August 2008

Squeaking wheels being what they are, recent court reversals—of Orders 451, 500, and of the take‐or‐pay‐sharing mechanism (see Ed Grenier's article, which leads this issue of Natural Gas )—have drawn the rapt attention of many gas industry observers. In spite of these judicial setbacks, however, regulators are still patiently attempting to make the industry a little more flexible through other methods, like the rate initiative that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission announced last summer.

Because this initiative encourages the ratemakers to tailor rates to fit their own situations, presumably these managers are out there with wild abandon, gleefully dreaming up new rate structures. Thus I thought it would be helpful to interview Kevin P. Madden, the commission's director of the Office of Pipeline and Producer Regulation, who would be in charge of actually regulating any new rates.
Industry searches for price security
Authors: Willett Robert E.
Published: August 2008

A decade ago, secure prices were firmly part of the industry: All business was done on long‐term contract. But come the dawn of the new age, most business is being done on a thirty‐day basis.

In this process, prices are determined monthly during one week, bid week. Thus bid week determines the monthly profit of the producer, only to be redetermined in the following month; this week also determines the monthly profit of the end user. Earnings become more risky for the pipeline and LDC, since the amount these segments can earn depends on what they put through, which is determined by the demand for gas, a demand which in turn depends on prices, which now gyrate. Thus the industry has begun to search for security, or less price risk.

The search has made itself known in many ways. Recently, natural gas futures have begun to trade, offering the industry the opportunity to hedge prices. Longer‐term contracts have begun to reemerge. Storage, which offers the ability to lock‐in prices, has become available from any open‐access pipeline. and now in another example of how the industry will adapt to reduce risk, Enron Gas Marketing (EGM) has offered a service that will match buyers and sellers for firm delivery at any of four hubs (see map), as far out as either is willing to go.

For buyers and sellers that register in the program, Enron among other things will also quote prices that it will buy or sell gas, on any day, not just in bid week. Basically, the company wishes to get away from the bid‐week process, as shown by our late‐April interview with two intrepid EGM executives. President John J. Esslinger and Vice President Peter E. Wiedler.
Clean air means new gas customers
Authors: Willett Robert E.
Published: August 2008

The major new market increment for gas from the efforts to clean up the environment should be gas used in place of coal to generate electricity. Estimates from 2 trillion cubic feet a year to 4 trillion cubic feet a year by the year 2000 seem to be commonplace: this is the amount that the American Gas Association has estimated [see my interview with AGA President George H. Lawrence, “The '90s: Regulation No Longer Critical Concern,” Natural Gas, January 1990, 13.]; a recent estimate of 2.2 trillion cubic feet by 2000 from National Economic Research Associates falls in the AGA's range.

If the AGA's estimate of 5 trillion cubic feet a year by 2000 of the entire new market from clean air is true [see also the interview with Lawrence], then electric generation is clearly the largest of the submarkets. (The second‐largest may be natural gas vehicles.)

Exactly where will these markets be? A listing of electric‐generation plants that must reduce their emissions is a good start (Figure 1).

Jack Hawks, director of public information for the AGA, had a few comments on the list and the legislation that will affect it.
The future role of natural gas in the independent power industry
Authors: Pfeffer Jerry L. , Johnson Julia E.
Published: August 2008

The Enron program and innovative marketing programs under consideration by other suppliers are illustrative of the efforts underway in the natural gas industry to address the needs of the independent power sector.
Handling of Excavated Material from the Koralm Tunnel in Styria
Authors: Pichler Peter , Fleischhacker Erich
Published: August 2008

The Koralm Railway Line represents an essential section of the Pontebbana corridor between Graz and Klagenfurt. It creates new capacities and significantly improved conditions for the freight transportation. Furthermore, the travel time of the passenger traffic will be considerably reduced. The heart of the Koralm railway Line is the Koralm tunnel with a length of approximately 32.8 km. Right from the first steps of planning it became clear that there would be a demand for an economical and ecological handling of the excavated materials. So a specific programme was performed, which is presented in this paper. The experiences made will strongly influence the programme of construction and the detailed design of the future main tunnel structure.
Catenary‐, Energy‐, Communication‐ and Signalling Systems in the Koralm Tunnel
Authors: Radmanovic Goran , Sampl Johannes , Kaban Josef
Published: August 2008

After finishing the 32.8 km long Koralm railway tunnel a bottleneck for the Alps‐crossing railway traffic will be disposed. This paper deals with the technical installations in the tunnel. The technical components have to be simple and very safety for breakdowns. All components are redundant systems and a total breakdown of them is very improbable.
Considerations for Development of the Typical Cross Section for the Koralm Tunnel
Authors: Harer Gerhard , Mussger Klaus , Hochgatterer Bernhard , Bopp Rudolf
Published: August 2008

The Koralm Tunnel, located in Austria and with nearly 33 km one of the longest traffic tunnels in the world, is part of the Trans‐European railway network. The paper presents a short project overview and describes the efforts to develop an optimal cross section by questioning general standards valid for shorter tunnels and to justify innovations. Major issues which have to be considered are tunnel lining, tunnel systems, drainage systems, traction system, track superstructure and aerodynamics. A project specific issue is the implication of the existing pilot tunnels.
Real‐time passive volume responses of astrocytes to acute osmotic and ischemic stress in cortical slices and in vivo revealed by two‐photon microscopy
Authors: Risher W. Christopher , Andrew R. David , Kirov Sergei A.
Published: August 2008

The brain swells over the several minutes that follow stroke onset or acute hypo‐osmotic stress because cells take up water. Measuring the volume responses of single neurons and glia has necessarily been confined to isolated or cultured cells. Two‐photon laser scanning microscopy enables real‐time visualization of cells functioning deep within living neocortex in vivo or in brain slices under physiologically relevant osmotic and ischemic stress. Astrocytes and their processes expressing green fluorescent protein in murine cortical slices swelled in response to 20 min of overhydration (−40 mOsm) and shrank during dehydration (+40 or +80 mOsm) at 32–34°C. Minute‐by‐minute monitoring revealed no detectable volume regulation during these osmotic challenges, particularly during the first 5 min. Astrocytes also rapidly swelled in response to elevated [K+]o for 3 min or oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD) for 10 min. Post‐OGD, astroglial volume recovered quickly when slices were re‐supplied with oxygen and glucose, while neurons remained swollen with beaded dendrites. In vivo, rapid astroglial swelling was confirmed within 6 min following intraperitoneal water injection or during the 6–12 min following cardiac arrest. While the astrocytic processes were clearly swollen, the extent of the astroglial arbor remained unchanged. Thus, in contrast to osmo‐resistant pyramidal neurons (Andrew et al., 2007) that lack known aquaporins, astrocytes passively respond to acute osmotic stress, reflecting functional aquaporins in their plasma membrane. Unlike neurons, astrocytes better recover from brief ischemic insult in cortical slices, probably because their aquaporins facilitate water efflux. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of lipid signaling: Protein kinase C as a paradigm
Authors: Gallegos Lisa L. , Newton Alexandra C.
Published: August 2008

The lipid second messenger diacylglycerol (DAG) controls the rate, amplitude, duration, and location of protein kinase C (PKC) activity in the cell. There are three classes of PKC isozymes and, of these, the conventional and novel isozymes are acutely controlled by DAG. The kinetics of DAG production at various intracellular membranes, the intrinsic affinity of specific isoforms for DAG‐containing membranes, the coordinated use of additional membrane‐binding modules, the intramolecular regulation of DAG sensitivity, and the competition from other DAG‐responsive proteins together result in a unique, context‐dependent activation signature for each isoform. This review focuses on the spatiotemporal dynamics of PKC activation and how it is controlled by lipid second messengers. © 2008 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 60(12): 782–789, 2008
Are output growth‐rate distributions fat‐tailed? some evidence from OECD countries
Authors: Fagiolo Giorgio , Napoletano Mauro , Roventini Andrea
Published: August 2008

This work explores some distributional properties of aggregate output growth‐rate time series. We show that, in the majority of OECD countries, output growth‐rate distributions are well approximated by symmetric exponential power densities with tails much fatter than those of a Gaussian (but with finite moments of any order). Fat tails robustly emerge in output growth rates independently of: (i) the way we measure aggregate output; (ii) the family of densities employed in the estimation; (iii) the length of time lags used to compute growth rates. We also show that fat tails still characterize output growth‐rate distributions even after one washes away outliers, autocorrelation and heteroscedasticity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
One‐step preparation of glycopeptide microspheres based on α‐amino acid‐N‐carboxyanhydride polymerization using interfacial protocols
Authors: Wang Jing , Liu Changsheng , Chi Ping
Published: August 2008

A type of polysaccharide‐polypeptide hybrid material, chitin derivative with polypeptide side chains was prepared by the graft copolymerization of L‐leucine N‐carboxyanhydride triggered by water‐soluble chitin (WSC). The studies on surface tension and aggregation demonstrated surface activity of WSC. Using this extraordinary property, the microspheres were synchronously obtained via interfacial polymerization. The method employed here to form the microspheres was in direct contrast to previous syntheses that used either templating method or oil‐in‐water emulsion. The study provided a facile approach for synthesizing microspheres with a variety of distinct polypeptide and regulated graft length, which had mimetic structure of glycoconjugation in extracellular matrix. Furthermore, the swelling capability of the microsphere in both acidic aqueous and organic solvents would give promising application in drug delivery. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Poly(methyl methacrylate)‐grafted chitosan microspheres for controlled release of ampicillin
Authors: Changerath Radhakumary , Nair Prabha D. , Mathew Suresh , Nair C. P. Reghunadhan
Published: August 2008

Microspheres of 50–500 μm diameter were prepared from a blend of chitosan and chitosan‐g‐PMMA. Environmental scanning electron microscopic and SEM studies revealed that the microspheres are porous and the pores extend toward the inner core of the microspheres. The microspheres were also found to be hemocompatible and cytocompatible. A model drug ampicillin was used to evaluate the drug loading capacity and the controlled release properties of the microspheres. The system maintained a sustained release of ampicillin for a period of more than 8 days. The drug‐loaded chitosan/chitosan‐g‐PMMA microspheres exhibited higher antibacterial activity for both the gram positive (ATCC 25923 S. aureus) and gram negative (ATCC 25922 E. coli) bacteria than the drug‐loaded virgin chitosan microspheres. The percentage release and bioactivity of ampicillin was found to be higher for the chitosan/chitosan‐g‐PMMA microspheres than the virgin chitosan microspheres. Potential applications such as oral drug delivery, wound dressings, tissue engineering, and so forth, are envisaged from these microspheres. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Molecular and immunohistochemical analyses of cardiac troponin T during cardiac development in the Mexican axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum
Authors: Zhang C. , Pietras K.M. , Sferrazza G.F. , Jia P. , Athauda G. , Rueda‐de‐Leon E. , Maier J.A. , Dube D.K. , Lemanski S.L. , Lemanski L.F.
Published: August 2008

The article to which this erratum refers was published in J. Cell. Biochem. 100:1–15. (2007), 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oversulfated chondroitin sulfate‐E binds to BMP‐4 and enhances osteoblast differentiation
Authors: Miyazaki Tatsuya , Miyauchi Satoshi , Tawada Akira , Anada Takahisa , Matsuzaka Satoshi , Suzuki Osamu
Published: August 2008

Small leucine‐rich proteoglycans, such as biglycan, and their side chain sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), have been suggested to be involved in bone formation and mineralization processes. The present study was designed to investigate whether chondroitin sulfate (CS), one of the GAG, and its oversulfated structures coupled with bone morphogenetic protein‐4 (BMP‐4) alter the differentiation and subsequent mineralization of MC3T3‐E1 osteoblastic cells. CS‐E, one of the oversulfated CS structure, enhanced cell growth, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, collagen deposition, and mineralization whereas heparin enhanced only ALP activity and mineralization. As well as CS‐E, CS‐H, and CPS also enhanced the mineralization of the cells. CS‐E enhanced the mineralization of the cells by interacting with protein in the conditioned medium. CS‐E induced mineralization was significantly inhibited by an antibody against BMP‐4. The addition of exogenous BMP‐4 further increased the capacity of CS‐E to enhance mineralization. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy method using fluoresceinamine‐labeled GAG revealed that the oversulfated GAGs have a high affinity for BMP‐4. The disaccharide analysis of the cells indicated that MC3T3‐E1 cells are capable of producing oversulfated structures of CS by themselves. The lack of CS from the cells after chondroitinase treatment resulted in the inhibition of mineralization. These results in the present study indicate that oversulfated CS, which possesses 4,6‐disulfates in N‐acetyl‐galactosamine, binds to BMP‐4 and promotes osteoblast differentiation and subsequent mineralization. J. Cell. Physiol. 217: 769–777, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Activation loop phosphorylation of the atypical MAP kinases ERK3 and ERK4 is required for binding, activation and cytoplasmic relocalization of MK5
Authors: Déléris Paul , Rousseau Justine , Coulombe Philippe , Rodier Geneviève , Tanguay Pierre‐Luc , Meloche Sylvain
Published: August 2008

Mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinases are typical examples of protein kinases whose enzymatic activity is mainly controlled by activation loop phosphorylation. The classical MAP kinases ERK1/ERK2, JNK, p38 and ERK5 all contain the conserved Thr‐Xxx‐Tyr motif in their activation loop that is dually phosphorylated by members of the MAP kinase kinases family. Much less is known about the regulation of the atypical MAP kinases ERK3 and ERK4. These kinases display structural features that distinguish them from other MAP kinases, notably the presence of a single phospho‐acceptor site (Ser‐Glu‐Gly) in the activation loop. Here, we show that ERK3 and ERK4 are phosphorylated in their activation loop in vivo. This phosphorylation is exerted, at least in part, in trans by an upstream cellular kinase. Contrary to classical MAP kinases, activation loop phosphorylation of ERK3 and ERK4 is detected in resting cells and is not further stimulated by strong mitogenic or stress stimuli. However, phosphorylation can be modulated indirectly by interaction with the substrate MAP kinase‐activated protein kinase 5 (MK5). Importantly, we found that activation loop phosphorylation of ERK3 and ERK4 stimulates their intrinsic catalytic activity and is required for the formation of stable active complexes with MK5 and, consequently, for efficient cytoplasmic redistribution of ERK3/ERK4‐MK5 complexes. Our results demonstrate the importance of activation loop phosphorylation in the regulation of ERK3/ERK4 function and highlight differences in the regulation of atypical MAP kinases as compared to classical family members. J. Cell. Physiol. 217: 778–788, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.