bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural Chemistry of Borazines
Authors: Anand Benadir , Nöth Heinrich , Schwenk‐Kircher Holger , Troll Alexander
Published: June 2008

The solid‐state structure of (HN=BF)3 has been redetermined. It is characterised by a stacking of the molecules, similar to hexagonal boron nitride. In contrast, (F3CH2N=BF)3 shows no intermolecular interactions between the planar borazine rings. In (Cl2BN=BCl)3, the Cl2B groups are almost perpendicularly oriented to the planar borazine ring and its B–Cl bonds are shorter than the Cl–B bonds to the ring boron atoms. Reactions of (Cl2BN=BCl)3 with Me3SiNMe2 allows a successive Cl/Me2N exchange. Depending on the molar ratio, the compounds [Cl(Me2N)BN=BCl]3, [(Me2N)2BN=BCl]3 and [(Me2N)2BN=BNMe2]3 are obtained. The latter two react with CH2Cl2 by B–N bond cleavage of one ring boron bonded Me2N group with formation of an N–H bond. These molecules not only possess a strongly distorted BN hexagon with short B–NH bonds but also a nonplanar borazine ring. The nonplanarity of the borazine ring is even more pronounced in [Me3SiN=BCl]3. A planar borazine ring is observed for (MeN=BBr)3. Its molecules are ordered into stacks by translation with borazine planes 4.2 Å apart from each other. Characteristic of the structure are close contacts between neighbouring bromine atoms. Due to the steric demand of pentafluorophenyl groups, the borazine ring of (F5C6N=BBr)3 forms no stacks because one of the three F5C6 rings stands almost perpendicular to the borazine plane while the other two are twisted by 70°. Aminolysis of (F5C6N=BBr)3 yields (F5C6N=BNH2)3 with NH2 groups that are coplanar with the borazine ring. The phenyl groups of (HN=BPh)3 are twisted by only 30–40° relative to the borazine ring. A threefold crystallographic axis stands perpendicular to the ring plane. The sixfold crystallographic axis of the unit cell generates a channel structure with an internal diameter of 4.5 Å. The two isomeric borazines, (iPrN=BMe)3 and (MeN=BiPr)3 are structurally rather similar although the first of these has longer B–N bonds due to the shorter N–C bonds. Moreover, the B–N–B and N–B–N bond angles are slightly different.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
β‐Diketonate, β‐Ketoiminate, and β‐Diiminate Complexes of Difluoroboron
Authors: Macedo Felipe P. , Gwengo Chengeto , Lindeman Sergey V. , Smith Mark D. , Gardinier James R.
Published: June 2008

A series of β‐diketonate, keto(aryl)iminato, and β‐bis(aryl)iminato complexes of difluoroboron, twenty in total, have been prepared to assess the impact of chelate ring and aniline substitution on the structural, electrochemical, and photophysical properties of these ubiquitous chelates. DFT (B3LYP/6‐31G*) calculations supplemented the experimental results and both demonstrated that replacing oxygen with the more electron‐donating aniline groups serves to only fine‐tune the electronic properties because both the HOMO and LUMO energies are affected by such substitution. The electronic properties of all compounds are most greatly influenced by the nature of the substituents bound to the carbon portion of the chelate ring. Each difluoroboron complex undergoes two ligand‐based, one‐electron reductions where the first reduction potential becomes less favorable with increasing aniline substitution. Similarly, replacing oxygen with the more electron‐donating aniline groups gives rise to slightly red‐shifted absorption and emission processes. Substitution on the aniline ring has little, if any, influence on the electronic properties of the resultant complexes. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Advances in Polynuclear Iron(II), Iron(III) and Cobalt(II) Spin‐Crossover Compounds
Authors: Murray Keith S.
Published: June 2008

This review describes the recent advances made in the syntheses, structures (including the use of synchrotron sources and variable‐temperature crystal structures and PXRD determinations of unit cell axes), magnetism, and photomagnetism of dinuclear and 1‐D chain spin‐crossover compounds of (primarily) iron(II), iron(III) and cobalt(II). It focuses on the work of the author's group and also includes a discussion of related work by other groups. In particular, the early and ongoing work by Kahn, Real, Gütlich and co‐workers on bipyrimidine‐bridged FeII dinuclear materials has been extended by us and others to include many other new bridging and capping ligands. This had led to a fuller understanding of the spin transitions that involve HS‐HS, HS‐LS and LS‐LS pair states. The same is being achieved for new 1‐D chain materials, and notable advances include structural observation of ordered and disordered metal centres and corresponding spin states. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Biocatalytic Cleavage of Alkenes with O2 and Trametes hirsuta G FCC 047
Authors: Lara Miguel , Mutti Francesco G. , Glueck Silvia M. , Kroutil Wolfgang
Published: June 2008

Alkenes possessing a C=C double bond adjacent to an aromatic ring were cleaved to yield the corresponding carbonyl compounds by use of molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant and a cell‐free extract of the wood‐degrading fungus Trametes hirsuta FCC 047 as catalyst. The oxygen pressure required was optimized. Special adapted equipment allowed 96 reactions to be performed in parallel under controlled oxygen pressure. A broad spectrum of aryl‐alkenes was successfully converted into the corresponding ketones/aldehydes with excellent chemoselectivity under a controlled oxygen atmosphere (2 bar).(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Intra‐ and Intermolecular C(sp2)–H···O Hydrogen Bonds in a Series of Isobenzofuranone Derivatives: Manifestation and Energetics
Authors: Niebel Claude , Lokshin Vladimir , Sigalov Mark , Krief Pnina , Khodorkovsky Vladimir
Published: June 2008

Derivatives2–6were prepared as models for studying intra‐ and intermolecular C(sp2)–H···O hydrogen bonding. Their X‐ray structures confirm the presence of intramolecular hydrogen bonds in derivatives of the “a” series: the corresponding C···O distances vary between 2.91 and 2.97 Å. The corresponding13C–1H coupling constants are increased by about 7.5 Hz, and the1H chemical shifts in CDCl3are 9.1–10.7 ppm. No intramolecular hydrogen bonds can form in derivatives of the isomeric “b” series. In this series, the chemical shifts of the corresponding aromatic protons exhibit strong solvent dependency; in particular, they are as sensitive as the proton in chloroform to the presence of DMSO. The vinylic protons activated by the electron‐accepting COOR groups behave similarly. Quantum mechanical calculations in the gas phase and in DMSO reproduce the experimental observations. Energies of the intramolecular hydrogen bonds evaluated by two independent approaches vary between 3.7 and 4.4 kcal mol–1in the gas phase and still amount to at least 2.5 kcal mol–1in2ain DMSO. These estimates are practically independent of the computational method (HF, MP2, and DFT B3LYP were employed for derivatives2). We conclude that the behavior of both activated aromatic and vinylic C(sp2)–H atoms in the studied derivatives is qualitatively and quantitatively similar to the behavior of the C(sp3)–H atom in chloroform. The existence of hydrogen bonds involving these atoms can easily be detected by NMR spectroscopy.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
An analysis of three multiple access techniques for the uplink of future cellular mobile systems
Authors: Ciochina Cristina , Mottier David , Sari Hikmet
Published: June 2008

Orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) is today a part of many standard specifications. Despite its attractive features, it has two main drawbacks when employed in the uplink: the high peak‐to‐average power ratio (PAPR) inherited from orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and the inherent frequency diversity loss. The loss of frequency diversity can be alleviated by precoding. Variants of precoded OFDMA include spread spectrum multi‐carrier multiple access (SS‐MC‐MA) and the frequency‐domain implementation of single‐carrier (SC) FDMA. The latter transforms OFDMA into a SC transmission system, avoiding the PAPR problem. This paper analyses OFDMA, several variants of precoded OFDMA and SC‐FDMA in its frequency‐domain implementations and compares them for uplink transmission. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
OFDM‐CDM with spatial pre‐coding in fading channels
Authors: Kaiser Stefan
Published: June 2008

This paper investigates the potential of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing‐code division multiplexing (OFDM‐CDM) for its application in future broadband mobile radio systems. The focus is on the performance analysis of OFDM‐CDM with spatial pre‐coding and its comparison with OFDM. Code division multiplexing (CDM) is an efficient coding scheme without rate loss. The investigations take into account the spatial diversity and pre‐coding schemes cyclic delay diversity (CDD), spatial phase coding (SPC), equal gain transmission (EGT) and maximum ratio transmission (MRT). SPC can closely approach the performance of optimum pre‐coding schemes, whereas SPC requires less complexity and overhead with respect to channel estimation and feedback information. Imperfections due to channel estimation are taken into account in the analysis. It can be shown that OFDM‐CDM with spatial pre‐coding applying single symbol detection as well as multi‐symbol detection outperforms OFDM with spatial pre‐coding. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dual‐mode multi‐modulus algorithms for blind equalisation of QAM signals
Authors: Feng Liu , Lin‐dong Ge , Ye‐jin Wu
Published: June 2008

A dual‐mode multi‐modulus algorithm (DM‐MMA) and a stop‐and‐go dual‐mode multi‐modulus algorithm (SAG‐DMMMA) for blind equalisation of high‐order quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signals are proposed. Simulation results show the proposed blind equalisation algorithms have faster convergence speed and smaller steady‐state mean square error, compared with the recently introduced multi‐modulus algorithm. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of alginate on innate immune activation of macrophages
Authors: Yang Dong , Jones Kim S.
Published: June 2008

Alginate, a natural polysaccharide, has been widely used in tissue engineering and drug delivery, butlike other biomaterials, it causes inflammation by unknown mechanisms. We hypothesized that alginate would stimulate innate immune responses through macrophage receptors. In this study, we showed that sodium alginate induced activation of macrophage‐like cells (RAW264.7) through the NF‐κB pathway. Production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐12, and TNF‐α was time and dose‐dependent. Treatment with alginate solution caused responses that closely paralleled stimulation by lipopolysaccharide in timing and magnitude. These data suggest that sodium alginate causes innate immune responses through NF‐κB activation and likely activates the same pathways as pathogen recognition. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
In vitro and in vivo studies of alkali‐ and heat‐treated Ti‐6Al‐7Nb and Ti‐5Al‐2Nb‐1Ta alloys for orthopedic implants
Authors: Tamilselvi S. , Raghavendran H. Balaji , Srinivasan P. , Rajendran N.
Published: June 2008

In vitro studies of Ti‐6Al‐7Nb and Ti‐5Al‐2Nb‐1Ta alloys were carried out by treating the specimens with 10M NaOH at 60°C for 24 h and subsequently heat‐treated at 600°C for 1 h. After the alkali and heat treatments, and on subsequent soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF), the morphological and compositional changes on the surface of the specimens were examined using scanning electron microscope attached with an energy‐dispersive electron probe X‐ray analyzer. The results revealed a dense and uniform bonelike apatite layer on the surface of treated substrates immersed in SBF solution. In vivo studies were carried out in rats to evaluate osteoconduction of Ti‐6Al‐7Nb and Ti‐5Al‐2Nb‐1Ta alloys surface after alkali and heat treatments compared with untreated titanium alloys as the control. The following titanium implants were prepared from these species: (1) control without implant; (2) untreated titanium implant; (3) alkali‐ and heat‐treated implant—the implants were immersed in 10M NaOH solution at 60°C for 24 h and subsequently heated at 600°C for 1 h. The specimens were inserted into the medial side of each tibia of rats. Histologically, direct bone contact with the implant surface was significantly higher in the alkali heat‐treated implants than the untreated titanium implants. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Cell growth as a sheet on three‐dimensional sharp‐tip nanostructures
Authors: Choi Chang‐Hwan , Heydarkhan‐Hagvall Sepideh , Wu Benjamin M. , Dunn James C. Y. , Beygui Ramin E. , Kim Chang‐Jin “CJ”
Published: June 2008

Cells in vivo encounter with and react to the extracellular matrix materials on a nanometer scale. Recent advances in nanofabrication technologies allowing the precise control of a nanostructure's pattern, periodicity, shape, and height have enabled a systematic study of cell interactions with three‐dimensional nanotopographies. In this report, we examined the behavior of human foreskin fibroblasts on well‐ordered dense arrays (post and grate patterns with a 230‐nm pitch) of sharp‐tip nanostructures with varying three‐dimensionalities (from 50 to 600 nm in structural height) over time—until a cell sheet was formed. Although cells started out smaller and proliferated slower on tall nanostructures (both posts and grates) than on smooth surfaces, they became confluent to form a sheet in 3 weeks. On grate patterns, significant cell elongation in alignment with the underlying pattern was observed and maintained over time. On tall nanostructures, cells grew while raised on sharp tips, resulting in a weak total adherence to the solid surface. A sheet of cells was easily peeled off from such surfaces, suggesting that nanoscale topographies can be used as the basis for cell‐sheet tissue engineering. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Bone growth is enhanced by novel bioceramic coatings on Ti alloy implants
Authors: Wang Chaoyuan , Karlis Gross A. , Anderson Gail I. , Dunstan Colin R. , Carbone Angelo , Berger Goerg , Ploska Ute , Zreiqat Hala
Published: June 2008

Calcium phosphate ceramics are widely used as coating materials to orthopedic implants and are found to enhance initial bony ingrowth by stimulating osseous apposition to the implant surface. In this study, two novel calcium orthophosphate materials were selected for coating onto the commonly used orthopedic implant material Ti‐6Al‐ 4V. One was calcium alkali orthophosphate with the crystalline phase Ca10[K/Na](PO4)7 with a small addition of SiO2 (AW‐Si) and the other was calcium orthophosphate composed of 70 mol % fluorapatite, Ca10(PO4)6F2 and 30 mol % CaZr4(PO4)6 (FA7Z). The coated implants were placed in cortical and cortico‐cancellous bone of sheep femur for six weeks. Retrieved samples were tested for osseointegration and mechanical strength. It was found that both coatings produced enhanced bone/implant contact rate compared to the control when implanted in cortico‐cancellous bone. This study demonstrates that the two coatings have the capability of encouraging bone growth, and hence the potential for being used as coating materials on Ti implants. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Solvent extraction of gold(I) from alkaline cyanide solution by dibutylcarbitol (DBC) with n‐octanol
Authors: Lu Pan
Published: June 2008

BACKGROUND: Currently, cyanidisation is preferred for the extraction of gold because it has a number of advantages over other methods. Gold(I) can be extracted with various extractants, but there are no reports on the extraction of gold(I) from cyanide solution by dibutylcarbitol (DBC). In this work the extraction of gold(I) from alkaline cyanide solution using DBC with n‐octanol was studied. Several factors affecting the percentage extraction of gold(I), including DBC concentration, diluent concentration, equilibrium time, phase ratio, pH and gold concentration in aqueous phase, were investigated.

RESULTS: The results showed that 96.2% of gold(I) could be extracted using an organic phase composed of 40% (v/v) DBC, 50% (v/v) n‐octanol and 10% (v/v) odourless kerosene. The extraction was quite fast and equilibrium could be established within 2 min. Stripping of the gold‐laden organic phase was carried out using sodium sulfite (Na2SO3) and sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3) solutions, with Na2S2O3 proving better than Na2SO3. The percentage stripping of gold(I) was 96.5% when the Na2S2O3 concentration was 4% (w/w), and the stripping capacity of gold(I) exceeded 311.3 mg L−1 when the phase ratio (A/O) was equal to 0.2.

CONCLUSION: Gold(I) can be extracted from aqueous cyanide solution by DBC in the presence of n‐octanol and efficiently stripped by aqueous Na2S2O3 solution. This method has the potential for practical application in the extraction and separation of gold. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
The application of carbon isotope ratio mass spectrometry to doping control
Authors: Cawley Adam T. , Flenker Ulrich
Published: June 2008

The administration of synthetic steroid copies is one of the most important issues facing sports. Doping control laboratories accredited by the World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA) require methods of analysis that allow endogenous steroids to be distinguished from their synthetic analogs in urine. The ability to measure isotope distribution at natural abundance with high accuracy and precision has increased the application of Gas Chromatography–Combustion–Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC–C–IRMS) to doping control in recent years. GC–C–IRMS is capable of measuring the carbon isotope ratio (δ13C) of urinary steroids and confirm their synthetic origin based on the abnormal 13C content. This tutorial describes some of the complexities encountered by obtaining valid δ13C measurements from GC–C–IRMS and the need for careful interpretation of all relevant information concerning an individual's metabolism in order to make an informed decision with respect to a doping violation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Time‐dependent increases in protease activities for neuronal apoptosis in spinal cords of Lewis rats during development of acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Das Arabinda , Guyton M. Kelly , Matzelle Denise D. , Ray Swapan K. , Banik Naren L.
Published: June 2008

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by axonal demyelination and neurodegeneration, the latter having been inadequately explored in the MS animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The purpose of this study was to examine the time‐dependent correlation between increased calpain and caspase activities and neurodegeneration in spinal cord tissues from Lewis rats with acute EAE. An increase in TUNEL‐positive neurons and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in EAE spinal cords suggested that neuronal death was a result of apoptosis on days 8–10 following induction of EAE. Increases in calpain expression in EAE correlated with activation of pro‐apoptotic proteases, leading to apoptotic cell death beginning on day 8 of EAE, which occurred before the appearance of visible clinical symptoms. Increases in calcineurin expression and decreases in phospho‐Bad (p‐Bad) suggested Bad activation in apoptosis during acute EAE. Increases in the Bax:Bcl‐2 ratio and activation of caspase‐9 showed the involvement of mitochondria in apoptosis. Further, caspase‐8 activation suggested induction of the death receptor–mediated pathway for apoptosis. Endoplasmic reticulum stress leading to caspase‐3 activation was also observed, indicating that multiple apoptotic pathways were activated following EAE induction. In contrast, cell death was mostly a result of necrosis on the later day (day 11), when EAE entered a severe stage. From these findings, we conclude that increases in calpain and caspase activities play crucial roles in neuronal apoptosis during the development of acute EAE. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Signaling pathways of bisphenol A–induced apoptosis in hippocampal neuronal cells: Role of calcium‐induced reactive oxygen species, mitogen‐activated protein kinases, and nuclear factor–κB
Authors: Lee Soyoung , Suk Kyoungho , Kim In Kyeom , Jang Il‐Sung , Park Jin‐Woo , Johnson Victor J. , Kwon Taeg Kyu , Choi Byung‐Ju , Kim Sang‐Hyun
Published: June 2008

In the present study, we investigated the neurotoxicity of bisphenol A [BPA; 2,2‐bis‐(4 hydroxyphenyl) propane] and the underlying mechanisms of action in mouse hippocampal HT‐22 cells. BPA, known to be a xenoestrogen, is used in the production of water bottles, cans, and teeth suture materials. BPA‐treated HT‐22 cells showed lower cell viability than did controls at concentrations of BPA over 100 μM. BPA induced apoptotic cell death as indicated by staining with Hoechst 33258, costaining with Annexin V/propidium iodide, and activation of caspase 3. BPA regulated the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by increasing intracellular calcium. BPA activated phosphorylation of extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)‐κB. Pretreatment with specific inhibitors for calcium, ROS, ERK, and JNK decreased BPA‐induced cell death; however, inhibitor for NF‐κB increased BPA‐induced cell death. The results suggest that calcium, ROS, ERK, and JNK are involved in BPA‐induced apoptotic cell death in HT‐22 cells. In contrast, an NF‐κB cascade was activated for survival signaling after BPA treatment. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neurodevelopmental abnormalities in neurosphere‐derived neural stem cells from SMN‐depleted mice
Authors: Shafey Dina , MacKenzie Alex E. , Kothary Rashmi
Published: June 2008

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disorder caused by depletion of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein and characterized by degeneration of α‐motor neurons in the spinal cord. We investigated the morphology and differentiation of neurosphere‐derived neural stem cells (NSCs) generated from the brains of a hypomorphic series of SMA mice. Neurospheres from the Smn−/−;SMN2 mice, which represent a model of very severe SMA, produced NSCs with increased proliferation during growth and differentiation. These cells produced fewer Tuj1‐positive neuronal cells, which displayed morphological alterations and had fewer and shorter neurites. The decrease in the number of Tuj1‐positive cells was not a result of enhanced apoptosis but was accompanied by an increase in the number of nestin‐positive cells. These results provide insight into the most severe model of SMA, in which SMN is nearly completely depleted, and suggest that SMN has a role in neurodevelopment as well as in neuromaintenance. Our work raises the possibility that SMN depletion affects neurodevelopment and neuromaintenance to varying extents, leading to SMA pathogenesis. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Changes in Central‐European soil‐moisture availability and circulation patterns in 1881–2005
Authors: Trnka Miroslav , Kyselý Jan , Možný Martin , Dubrovský Martin
Published: June 2008

Relationships between the soil moisture availability atmospheric and the atmospheric circulation in Central Europe were analyzed for the period 1881–2005. The analysis was based on the Hess‐Brezowsky catalogue of circulation types and series of weekly self‐calibrated Palmer Z‐index (scZ‐index) and Palmer Drought Severity index (scPDSI) at seven stations where high‐quality daily data had recently become available. The results show that the large scale droughts during spring months (MAM) were associated with east (E), south (S), and south‐east (SE) Grosswettertypen (GWT), whereas during summer (JJA) and the whole growing season, i.e., April‐September (VEG), the Central Europe high pressure systems (HM) and east (E) GWT were conducive to drought. Statistically significant drying trends were noted at a majority of the stations, especially during MAM and JJA over the whole period for which the scPDSI and scZ‐index series were available (1875–2005). Although almost no statistically significant tendencies were found prior to 1940, after this year a significant tendency towards more intense drought was present at all sites. The largest drying trend was noted during the VEG and AMJ seasons. The overall drying trend might be associated with shifts in the GWT frequency, especially during AMJ. Although the aggregate frequency of occurrence of drought conducive GWT (i.e. E, S and HM) remained stable at approximately 30% up to the 1940s, afterwards a steady increase to the present 55% is observed. Higher frequencies of S and HM types drove the observed increase of drought conducive GWT at the expense of N types that are associated with wet conditions. The long‐term shifts in the frequency of circulation types conducive to drought explain more than 50% of the long‐term variations of both scZ‐index and PDSI values over the territory of the Czech Republic, and they are likely to affect neighboring regions as well. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
The current anatomical description of the inferior glenohumeral ligament does not correlate with its functional role in positions of external rotation
Authors: Moore Susan M. , Stehle Jens H. , Rainis Eric J. , McMahon Patrick J. , Debski Richard E.
Published: June 2008

The objective of this study was to determine the strain distribution in the inferior glenohumeral ligament at 0°, 30°, and 60° of external rotation with an anterior load applied to the joint. Five cadaver shoulders were dissected free of all soft tissue except the glenohumeral capsule and a 7 × 11 grid of strain markers were affixed to the inferior glenohumeral ligament. The location of these strain markers was then determined for a reference strain configuration and while a 25 N anterior load was applied to simulate a clinical exam for instability. The magnitude and direction of the maximum principal strains were then determined at each joint position. For all specimens, the magnitude of the maximum principal strains were significantly greater for 30° and 60° of external rotation when compared to 0° of external rotation. Furthermore, when comparing 30° to 60° of external rotation, three of the five specimens were significantly different. Additionally, the previously described regions of the inferior glenohumeral ligament could not be identified with a qualitative evaluation of the strain distribution pattern for each specimen at all external rotation angles. This indicates that our current description of the three regions of the inferior glenohumeral ligament does not correspond to its functional role. Additionally, the directions of the maximum principal strains across the inferior glenohumeral ligament became more aligned with one another as external rotation was increased. The complex strain distributions observed indicates that future studies should treat the inferior glenohumeral capsule as a continuous sheet of fibrous tissue. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
Stability of protein‐stabilised β‐carotene nanodispersions against heating, salts and pH
Authors: Chu Boon‐Seang , Ichikawa Sosaku , Kanafusa Sumiyo , Nakajima Mitsutoshi
Published: June 2008

BACKGROUND: Milk proteins are used in a wide range of formulated food emulsions. The stability of food emulsions depends on their ingredients and processing conditions. In this work, β‐carotene nanodispersions were prepared with selected milk‐protein products using solvent‐displacement method. The objective of this work was to evaluate the stability of these nanodispersions against heating, salts and pH.

RESULTS: Sodium caseinate (SC)‐stabilised nanodispersions possessed the smallest mean particle size of 17 nm, while those prepared with whey‐protein products resulted in larger mean particle sizes (45–127 nm). Formation of large particles (mean particle size of 300 nm) started after 1 h of heating at 60 °C in nanodispersions prepared with SC. More drastic particle size changes were observed in nanodispersions prepared with whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate. The SC‐stabilised nanodispersions were fairly stable against Na+ ions at concentrations below 100 mmol L−1, but drastic aggregation occurred in ≥ 50 mmol L−1 CaCl2 solutions. Aggregation was also observed in whey protein‐stabilised nanodispersions after the addition of NaCl and CaCl2 solutions. All sample exhibited the smallest mean particle size at neutral pH, but large aggregates were formed at both ends of extreme pH and at pH around the isoelectric point of the proteins.

CONCLUSION: The nanodispersions prepared with SC were generally more stable against thermal processing, ionic strength and pH, compared to those prepared with whey proteins. The stable β‐carotene nanodispersions showed a good potential for industrial applications. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Basmati rice: its characteristics and identification
Authors: Kamath Shashikala , Stephen JK Charles , Suresh S , Barai BK , Sahoo AK , Radhika Reddy K , Bhattacharya Kshirod R
Published: June 2008

BACKGROUND: Basmati comprises a small group of premium aromatic rice from India (and Pakistan), prized in international trade. These varieties have not so far been fully characterized physicochemically. To address this gap, all available recognized as well as unrecognized varieties/lines of basmati and its derivatives (crosses) were exhaustively studied for their physical, chemical and cooking properties over eight years.

RESULTS: It was found that all five basmati land races (‘traditional’ varieties) had similar properties. They had substantial σ1 distal end (DE) shape of brown and milled rice; good aroma; intermediate amylose (∼230 g kg−1), alkali score and viscogram breakdown (BDr); and they yielded a high elongation ratio (>1.9) and good ‘rings’ after cooking. The 23 Indian crossbred (basmati derivative) varieties/lines (plus 13 supermarket samples of Pakistani basmati) studied were different. Each of them differed in at least two or three and sometimes several of the above properties from the land races.

CONCLUSION: These results provided a framework of what constituted basmati properties and a benchmark to decide how close a cross was. Additionally, the varying combinations of the observed values of the ten or more key indices enabled any of the above varieties/lines to be identified by simple physicochemical techniques. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Parotid and cervical nodal status predict prognosis for patients with head and neck metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ch'ng Sydney , Maitra Aloka , Allison Robert S. , Chaplin John M. , Gregor Reinhold T. , Lea Rodney , Tan Swee T.
Published: June 2008

Background and Objectives

The appreciation of parotid involvement being an independent prognostic factor for metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is relatively new. A more comprehensive clinical staging system that separates parotid (P) from neck (N) disease, and further stratifies the N category has been proposed [O'Brien et al., Head Neck 2002; 24: 417–422]. This paper presents the clinical outcome of patients with head and neck metastatic cutaneous SCC treated at the four major head & neck surgical oncology centers in New Zealand and tests the proposed staging system, with modifications for pathological staging.

Methods

Patients treated with a curative intent from 1990 to 2005 were identified and re‐staged. Survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and curves were compared with the log‐rank test. Multivariate analysis using the Cox regression model was performed to assess the impact of each proposed P and N sub‐group, and other parameters.

Results and Conclusions

One hundred and seventy patients were identified. The 5‐year disease‐specific survival rate was 69%, and the loco‐regional recurrence rate was 36%. The presence of parotid (P < 0.01) or neck (P = 0.01) disease, immunosuppression (P < 0.01) and the uptake of radiotherapy (P < 0.01) impacted significantly on survival. Increasing P or N category worsened the prognosis significantly. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;98:101–105. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morphology and Motional Heterogeneity in PS/PMMA Diblock Copolymers Studied by 1H and 13C Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Gandhi Sonia , Melian Claudiu , Demco Dan Eugen , Brar Ajaib Singh , Blümich Bernhard
Published: June 2008

The domain thicknesses and the heterogeneity of the chain dynamics of PS‐b‐PMMA diblock copolymers with different molar masses was studied by 1H and 13C solid‐state NMR. The chain dynamics heterogeneity of different components and inside the interfacial region was investigated by different NMR methods, including 1H residual second van Vleck moments of PS and high‐resolution 13C longitudinal magnetization relaxation. The effect of changes in the morphology on chain dynamics heterogeneity is demonstrated. The interplay between microscopic and mesoscopic properties of diblock copolymer is helpful for a better assessment of their role in the mechanical properties of these systems.

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End‐Grained Wood/Polyurethane Composites, 3 – Isocyanate‐Free Route
Authors: Persenaire Olivier , Alexandre Michaël , Degée Philippe , Dubois Philippe
Published: June 2008

End‐grained wood/polyurethane composites were obtained by a water‐based one‐pot process free of diisocyanates. Wood was impregnated with both PEG and CBC‐functionalized PEG as a coupling agent. A thorough study of the CBC‐mediated end‐groups conversion of PEG was achieved. It came out that functionalization conditions strongly affected the polyurethane chain extension and its grafting onto the wood structure. Antiswelling efficiency measurements showed that the one‐pot procedure allowed to reach comparable dimensional stabilization than the diisocyanate‐based process previously described. Morphological analysis demonstrated that such an improvement was attributable to the formation of cell wall‐bulked WPCs.

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Control of Bubble Size and Location in Nano‐/Microscale Cellular Poly(propylene)/Rubber Blend Foams
Authors: Nemoto Tomoyuki , Takagi Jun , Ohshima Masahiro
Published: June 2008

Plastic foam with nano‐/micro‐scale cellular structures was prepared from a poly(propylene) (PP)/propylene‐ethylene copolymer (PER) blend by controlling bubble nucleation sites and bubble growth in disperse PER domains. Batch foaming experiments using a CO2 pressure quench method were conducted at room temperature. The bubble size and location were highly controlled in disperse PER domains by exploiting the differences in CO2 solubility and viscoelasticity between the PER domains and the PP matrix. The average cell diameter of PP/PER blend foams can be controlled within 0.5–2 µm by the PP/PER ratio, depressurization rate, and foaming temperature.

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F‐Chord: Improved uniform routing on Chord
Authors: Cordasco G. , Gargano L. , Negro A. , Scarano V. , Hammar M.
Published: June 2008

We propose a family of novel Chord‐based P2P schemes retaining all positive aspects that made Chord a popular topology for routing in P2P networks. The schemes, based on the Fibonacci number system, allow to simultaneously improve on the maximum/average number of hops for lookups and the routing table size per node. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2008
Hyperglycemia during induction therapy is associated with increased infectious complications in childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Sonabend Rona Y. , McKay Siripoom V. , Okcu M. Fatih , Yan Jinrong , Haymond Morey W. , Margolin Judith F.
Published: June 2008

Background

Children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) are at high risk for developing hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemic adult ALL patients have shorter remissions, more infections, and increased mortality. No corresponding data are available in children. We hypothesized that children with ALL who become hyperglycemic during induction chemotherapy have an increased risk for infection during their first year of treatment.

Procedure

We conducted a retrospective chart review of 135 patients diagnosed with ALL during 1999–2001 at Texas Children's Hospital. Infectious outcomes during the first year of therapy were compared in three groups patients based on blood glucose concentrations during induction therapy: euglycemic (<140 mg/dl), mild hyperglycemic (MH) (140–199 mg/dl) and overt hyperglycemic (OH) (blood glucose >200 mg/dl).

Results

Seventy‐five (56%) patients met criteria for either MH (21%) or OH (35%). Hyperglycemia was more prevalent in older children (P < 0.001) and those at risk for being overweight (BMI% >85%) at diagnosis (P < 0.01). Patients with MH and OH were 2.5 times (95% CI 1.0–6.2) and 2.1 times (95% CI 1.0–4.6) more likely to have documented infections, respectively. Patients with OH were 4.2 times (95% CI 1.5–12) more likely to have bacteremia/fungemia, 3.8 times (95% CI 1.2–11.6) more likely to have cellulitis, and 4.0 times (95% CI 1.7–9.3) more likely to be admitted for fever and neutropenia than the euglycemia group.

Conclusion

Hyperglycemia, especially when overt, may be a previously unrecognized risk factor of infectious complications in children with ALL during the first year of treatment. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:387–392. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Patient awareness of prognosis, patient–family caregiver congruence on the preferred place of death, and caregiving burden of families contribute to the quality of life for terminally ill cancer patients in Taiwan
Authors: Tang Siew Tzuh , Liu Tsang‐Wu , Tsai Chun‐Ming , Wang Cheng‐Hsu , Chang Gee‐Chen , Liu Li‐Ni
Published: June 2008

Objectives: The main goal of end‐of‐life care is to achieve the best quality of life (QOL) for patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of (1) the patients' awareness of their prognosis, (2) the extent of patient–family caregiver congruence on the preferences for end‐of‐life care options, and (3) the perceived caregiving burden of family caregivers when they provide end‐of‐life care to their dying relative, on the QOL for terminally ill cancer patients in Taiwan.

Methods: A total of 1108 dyads of patient–family caregiver from 24 hospitals throughout Taiwan were one‐time surveyed. Predictors of the QOL were identified by multiple regression analysis.

Results: Controlling for the effects of age, financial status, and symptom distress, a novel finding of this study was that the patient awareness of prognosis, patient–family caregiver congruence on the preferred place of death, and the subjective family caregiving burden had a significant impact on the QOL of Taiwanese terminally ill cancer patients.

Conclusions: QOL is not only related to the unavoidable decline in physical condition and daily functioning of the dying patient but is also related to domains that, as death approaches, have the potential to show improvement through the efforts of health‐care professionals, such as presenting prognostic information to optimize the patients' understanding and assists them with psychological adjustments, facilitating patient–family caregiver congruence on the end‐of‐life care decision regarding the place of death and lightening the caregiving burden of family caregivers. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification and management of chronic kidney disease
Authors: Lusignan Simon de , Gallagher Hugh
Published: June 2008

Chronic kidney disease, a common long‐term condition, typically remains asymptomatic until the severe end stages are reached. Here, the authors describe its diagnosis and management. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
Diagnosis and recommended treatment of common URTIs
Authors: Virgincar Nilangi , Spencer Robert
Published: June 2008

Upper respiratory tract infections collectively encompass a range of syndromes with various aetiologies. Our Drug review considers the common URTIs and their diagnosis and management, including when to prescribe antibiotics, followed by sources of further information in Resources. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
New 21‐ and 24‐atom Aib‐containing cyclopeptides
Authors: Jeremic Tatjana , Linden Anthony , Heimgartner Heinz
Published: June 2008

The synthesis of two Aib‐containing cyclic octapeptides, cyclo(Leu‐Aib‐Phe‐Aib‐Gly‐Aib‐Phe‐Aib) (1) and cyclo(Gly‐Aib‐Aib‐Val‐Aib‐Leu‐Aib‐Phe) (2), and a cyclic heptapeptide cyclo(Gly‐Aib‐Val‐Aib‐Leu‐Aib‐Phe) (3), is described. The linear precursors of 1–3 were prepared using solution‐phase techniques, and the cyclisation was also accomplished in solution. Among the coupling reagents examined in the final macrolactamisation step, PyAOP, HATU and DEPC/DEPBT efficiently yielded cyclised products. However, the success of the cyclisation was found to be dependent on the coupling reagent used. The two octapeptides 1 and 2 were obtained in much better yields (up to 63%) than the cycloheptapeptide 3 (30–37%). In addition, crystal‐state conformational analysis of 2 was performed by X‐ray crystallography. Six intramolecular hydrogen bonds stabilise the structure characterised by two consecutive type II′/I β‐turns, two consecutive type II/III′ β‐turns, one γ‐turn, and one inverse γ‐turn. Copyright © 2008 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pentapeptides containing two dehydrophenylalanine residues ‐ synthesis, structural studies and evaluation of their activity towards cathepsin C
Authors: Latajka R. , Jewginski M. , Makowski M. , Pawełczak M. , Huber T. , Sewald N. , Kafarski P.
Published: June 2008

Synthesis, structural and biological studies of pentapeptides containing two ΔPhe residues (Z and E isomers) in position 2 and 4 in peptide chain were performed. All the investigated peptides adopted bent conformation and majority of them could exist as two different conformers in solution. Only pentapeptides, containing free N‐termini appeared to act as weak inhibitors of cathepsin C with the slow‐binding, competitive mechanism of inhibition, free acids being bound slightly better than their methyl esters. Results of molecular modeling suggested significant difference between peptides, depending of the type of amino acid residue in position 5 in peptide chain. Dehydropeptides containing Gly residue in this position may act as competitive slow‐reacting substrates and therefore exhibit inhibitory‐like properties. Copyright © 2008 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antiulcerogenic effects of coconut (Cocos nucifera) extract in rats
Authors: Nneli R. O. , Woyike O. A.
Published: June 2008

A warm water crude extract of coconut milk and a coconut water dispersion were investigated for their antiulcerogenic effects in male Wistar albino rats. Ulcers were induced in the male rats by subcutaneous administration of indomethacin (40 mg/kg) using standard procedures. The ulcer inhibition rate (UIR) was taken as a measure of the cytoprotection offered by test substances. Coconut milk (2 mL daily oral feeding) produced a stronger percentage (54%) reduction in the mean ulcer area than coconut water (39%). The effect of coconut milk was similar to the effect of sucralfate that reduced the mean ulcer area by 56% in this study. Sucralfate is a conventional cytoprotective agent. The results showed that coconut milk and water via macroscopic observation had protective effects on the ulcerated gastric mucosa. It is concluded that coconut milk offered stronger protection on indomethacin‐induced ulceration than coconut water in rats. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antiinflammatory activity of methanol extract isolated from stem bark of Magnolia kobus
Authors: Kang Jong Soon , Lee Ki Hoon , Han Mi Hwa , Lee Hyunju , Ahn Ji‐Mi , Han Sang‐Bae , Han Gyoonhee , Lee Kiho , Park Song‐Kyu , Kim Hwan Mook
Published: June 2008

The present study reports the antiinflammatory activity of a methanol extract isolated from the stem bark of Magnolia kobus (MK). MK potently inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced production of nitric oxide and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) in RAW 264.7 cells, a murine macrophage‐like cell line. The secretion of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) was also suppressed in LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 cells although the magnitude of inhibition was weaker than that of nitric oxide and IL‐1β. The mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), IL‐1β and TNF‐α were also suppressed by MK in LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Further study demonstrated that LPS‐induced DNA binding of AP‐1 and phosphorylation of c‐jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) were inhibited by MK treatment in RAW 264.7 cells, whereas phosphorylation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase was unaffected. Moreover, topical application of MK suppressed ear swelling in 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA)‐induced skin inflammation model. Collectively, these results suggest that MK exerts antiinflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo and this might be mediated, at least in part, by blocking AP‐1 and JNK activation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ameliorating effect of balloon flower saponin on the ethanol‐induced memory impairment in mice
Authors: Choi Yeon Hee , Kim Young Sup , Yeo Su Jeong , Roh Seong Hwan , Jeong Young Chul , Kang Jong Seong , Ryu Shi Yong
Published: June 2008

The ameliorating effect of the root extract of Platycodon grandiflorum (Campanulaceae) on ethanol‐induced cognitive dysfunction in mice was investigated. The mice with repeated administration of the root extract of P. grandiflorum, crude saponin fraction and platycoside E, a main ingredient of crude saponin fraction, showed a markedly prolonged step‐through latency period (STL) on the passive avoidance task performed after acute ethanol intoxication, respectively. The present results suggest that the memory enhancing effect of the extract was ascribed mainly to the saponin fraction and that saponin of P. grandiflorum, particularly platycoside E could exert a beneficial effect on memory impairment in mice. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial averaging of ensemble‐based background‐error variances
Authors: Raynaud Laure , Berre Loïk , Desroziers Gérald
Published: June 2008

It is common to compute background‐error variances from an ensemble of forecasts, in order to calculate either climatological or flow‐dependent estimates. However, the finite size of the ensemble induces a sampling noise, which degrades the accuracy of the variance estimation. An idealized 1D framework is firstly considered, to show that the spatial structure of sampling noise is relatively small‐scale, and is closely related to the background‐error correlations.

This motivates investigations on local spatial averaging, which is here applied to ensemble‐based variance fields in this 1D context. It is shown that a spatial averaging, manually optimized, helps to significantly reduce the sampling noise. This provides estimates which are as accurate as those derived from a much bigger ensemble. The dependencies of this optimization on the error correlation length‐scale and on the heterogeneity of the variance and length‐scale fields are also illustrated. These results are next confirmed in a more realistic 2D problem, by considering the current operational version of the Arpège background‐error covariance matrix.

Finally, the possibility to objectively and automatically optimize the filtering is explored. The idea is to apply the usual linear estimation theory and to use signal/noise ratios in order to calculate an optimal filter. The efficiency of this objective filtering is illustrated in the idealized 1D framework. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society