bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The crystal structure of buttgenbachite
Authors: Fanfani L. , Nunzi A. , Zanazzi P. F. , Zanzari A. R.
Published: December 2006

The crystal structure of buttgenbachite from Likasi (Congo) was solved by a three- dimensional Patterson function, computed using intensity data collected photographically by the Weissenberg method, and refined by successive Fourier maps and least-squares refinement to an R index 0·055 for 328 independent observed reflections. The cell content resulting from the structural analysis is Cu36·6Cl6·7(NO3)2·6(OH)63·9.2·1 H2O. The space group is P63/mmc with a = 15·750 Å and c = 9·161Å. The buttgenbachite structure is not completely ordered. It consists of a rigid three-dimensional skeleton formed by Cu co-ordination polyhedra sharing edges and corners. The large channels in the framework show a zeolite-like nature; inside the channels the disorder is caused by the different orientations of nitrate groups and by the occurrence of the substitution . The crystal structure of buttgenbachite is closely related to that of connellite. The mechanism of forming an isomorphous series is discussed: the present study shows that the replacement is more complicated than was supposed in the literature.
Effects of structural order and disorder on the infrared spectra of brittle micas
Authors: Farmer V. C. , Velde B.
Published: December 2006

Comparison of the infrared spectra (4000-50 cm−1) of natural and synthetic samples of margarite, beryllian margaritc, ephesite, and clintonite indicates that the tetrahedral layers of margarite and ephcsite, containing Si and Al in equal atomic proportions, are ordered as the spectra are sharp and show no Al-O-Al vibrations. Clintonite of this tctrahedral composition is disordered. The hydroxyl-stretching frequencies are affected by ionic substitutions in both the octahedral and tetrahedral layers. The spectra permit the distinction of the different species of brittle mica. They also indicate the presence of beryllium in margarite, and allow an estimate of the tetrahedral composition of clintonites.
Phase Equilibria in the System MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O: Chlorites and Associated Minerals
Authors: Velde Bruce
Published: December 2006

Twenty-six compositions in the system MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O were investigated under conditions of 1 and 2 Kb water pressure and temperatures between 300 and 700°C. The solid solution for 7 Å and 14 Å chlorites has been delimited as well as that of the expanding phases (tri- and dioctahedral montmorillonites and expanding chlorites). Negative slopes were found for the transformation montmorillonite → expanding chlorite, and expanding chlorite → chlorite+quartz and a positive slope for 7Å → 4 Å transformation. The relative positions of the reactions chlorite+quartz → cordierite+talc, chlorite+andalusite → cordierite and chlorite+corundum → cordierite+spinel are located between 500 and 65°C.

Cell dimensions of the synthetic chlorites can be correlated with their chemical composition. Solid solution in synthetic minerals compares well with 325 analysis of natural minerals from the literature, indicating that the chemiographic relations between phases in the simplified synthetic system are applicable to natural mineral assemblages. The phase relations indicate that at low temperature the 7Å aluminous chlorite is not stable with quartz or another silica phase.
Application of gas chromatography to
mineral chemistry: aluminium-silicon ordering in
melilites
Authors: Lachowski E. E. , Glasser F. P.
Published: December 2006

The mole fractions of the silicons present
in melilites as monomeric
(SiO4) and dimeric
(Si2O7)
groups depends both upon the composition of the
melilite and also upon the degree of Al-Si
ordering. It is shown that the absolute numbers of
monomeric and dimeric silicons in a 10 mg
polycrystalline sample can be determined by a
relatively rapid chromatographic method.

A statistical theory is developed to treat
the data; this contains a variable
k-parameter that
describes the degree of ordering.

Experimental results are presented and
interpreted for one natural and five synthetic
melilites. The synthetic gehlenite-rich melilites
are appreciably, but not completely disordered.
The natural melilite is well ordered, but heating
at 1050 °C introduces considerable
disorder.
Palladium arsenide-antimonides from habira, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Clark A. M. , Criddle A. J. , Fejer E. E.
Published: December 2006

The arsenopalladinite concentrates from Itabira, Minas Gerais, Brazil, have been found to contain three arsenide-antimonides of palladium, namely arsenopalladinite, atheneïte, and isomertieite. The second and third of these are new minerals.

Arsenopalladinite, redefined, is Pd5(As,Sb)2 and triclinic with a 7·399, b 14·063, c 7·352 Å, α 92° 03′, β 118° 57′, γ 95° 54′. Z = 6. Dmeas = 10·4, Dcalc = 10sd46. In reflected light arsenopalladinite is white with a yellowish creamy hue. The mineral shows complex polysynthetic twinning and is strongly anisotropic. Reflectance measurements at 470, 546, 589, and 650 nm respectively gave: in air, 46·67–48·86, 49·97–52·90, 52·82–54·96, and 55·61–57·72 in oil, 32·30–35·07, 37·12–39·40, 38·97–41·32, and 40·28–43·07. VHN100 379–449, av. 407.

Atheneïte, (Pd, Hg)3As, is hexagonal, space group P6/mmm and cell dimensions a 6·798, c 3·483 Å. The strongest lines of the powder pattern are 2·423 vvs (111) , 2·246 vs (201), 1·371 s (212), 1·302 s (302), 1·259 s (321). Z =2. Dcalc = 10·16. In reflected light atheneïte is white with a faint bluish tint compared to arsenopalladinite. Anisotropy distinct. Untwinned. Reflectivities for the two grains examined are: in air, 470 nm 47·51–54·75, 47·43–51·18; 546 nm 50·79–58·01, 51·36–54·36; 589 nm 53·13–61·01, 53·24–55·86; 650 nm 55·94–63·13, 54·76–56·77; in oil, 470 nm 30·03–43·67, 33·46–37·31; 546 nm 33·42–47·75, 37·64–41·07; 589 nm 35·80–49·04, 39·40–42·24; 650 nm 38·25–50·49, 41·07–42·85. VHN100 419–442, av. 431.

Isomertieite, (Pd,Cu)5(Sb,As)2, is cubic, space group Fd3m, a 12·283 Å. The strongest lines of the powder pattern are 2·356 vs (333, 511), 2·167 vvs (440), 0·8599 s (10.10.2, 14.2.2), 0·8206 s (12.8.4), 0·7996 s (10.10.6, 14.6.2), 0·7881 s (999, 1.11.1, 13·7·5, 15·3·3), 0·7801 s (12.10.2, 14.6.4). Z = 16. Dcalc = 10·33. In reflected light isomertieite is a pale yellow colour. One grain was isotropic, three others displayed weak anisotropy. Untwinned. Reflectance measurements at 470, 546, 589, and 650 nm gave respectively: in air, 44·74–46·46, 52·23–53·25, 55·05-57·49, 56·97–62·03; in oil, 31·04–31·40, 38·42–38·90, 40·80–42·16, and 42·91–45·63. VHN100 587–597, av. 592.

Quantitative colour values are also given, and the chemical and optical properties are compared with the related mineral, stibiopalladinite.
Zeolites and associated secondary minerals in the Deccan Traps of Western India
Authors: Sukheswala R. N. , Avasia R. K. , Gangopadhyay Maya
Published: December 2006

Zeolites (eight species) and the associated secondary minerals (minerals akin to zeolites, chlorites and related minerals, silica, and calcite) in the Deccan Traps of Western India have been examined in some detail on the basis of chemical, optical, and X-ray studies. The three zeolite zones (laumontite, scolecite, and heulandite, in ascending order) suggested by Walker have been recognized. Efforts have been made to understand their genesis. On available field and laboratory data it is suggested that the different zones of zeolitization are the result of increasing depth and the action of the circulating fluids on the rocks. The activity of such solutions was probably enhanced in the wake of the structural disturbances and intrusive activity that affected the rocks of this area.
The alkali-feldspar solvus at 1 kilobar water-vapour pressure
Authors: Smith Peter , Parsons Ian
Published: December 2006

The compositions of feldspar pairs crystallized from stoichiometric alkali feldspar gels with water at PH2O≈ 1 kbar in runs of up to 3000 hours' duration vary with Na:K in the starting material. This is because, for most bulk compositions, rapid nucleation in the gel leads to growth of one feldspar phase outside the solvus. The composition of this initial feldspar phase can be thought of as reflecting the configuration of the liquidus-solidus curves in the system Ab-Or. In general, the attainment of the stable equilibrium solvus (binodal) requires that one phase approach the binodal from outside; for compositions with < 30 mole % Or this phase becomes more potassic with time, with > 30 mole % Or, more sodic. Homogeneous gels of bulk composition Ab70Or30initially crystallize feldspar pairs inside the binodal, which rapidly (< 17 hours) unmix to define a solvus-like curve (probably the spinodal, with an apparent critical point at 602 °C and 31 mole % Or) and then unmix slowly, giving a solvus after 3000 hours with a critical point at 657 °C and 36 mole % Or.

Because this curve has been approached from two directions it is the best approximation to the binodal (metastable only with respect to Al-Si order) obtained. It is similar to the 2 kbar ‘peralkaline’ solvus of Orville, 1963, provided an adjustment for pressure of 16 °C/kbar is made. Differences between solvi determined by Luth and Tuttle (1966) for ‘non-stoichiometric’ bulk compositions may reflect differences in initial crystallization behaviour, as may the breaks in the solvus limbs suggested by Luthet al.(1974).
Clinobisvanite, monoclinic BiVO4, a new mineral from Yinnietharra, Western Australia
Authors: Bridge P. J. , Pryce M. W.
Published: December 2006

Monoclinic BiVO4, well known as a high-temperature compound, has been found as a mineral at Yinnietharra and subsequently in specimens from five further W.A. localities, Londonderry, Wodgina, Menzies, Westonia, and Corinthia. At the type locality, the mineral occurs on garnet in a beryl-bearing spessartine pegmatite associated with bismutite, bismutoferrite, and other pegmatite minerals.

Clinobisvanite occurs as yellow powder and orange aggregates and plates to 0·1 mm, is commonly intergrown with bismutite, and frequently associated with its polymorph pucherite. It has a yellow streak, earthy to subvitreous lustre, is very soft with perfect {010} cleavage, D calc. 6·95, transparent in very thin cleavage flakes, and shows multiple twinning with cross hatching, strong dispersion and n calc. 2·63.

Space group I 2/a, a, 5·186, b 11·708, c 5·100 Å, β 90° 26′ refined from powder data. An electronprobe analysis gave Bi2O3 69·88, V2O5 27·63, PbO 1·34 sum 98·85. Cell content 4[BiVO4] with minor substitution of Pb for Bi. All measurable data agree with earlier work including a prior description of the mineral from Mozambique.

Type material is preserved in the government collections at the Government Chemical Laboratories, W.A.
Attitudes and Practices of Breast Cancer Consultations Regarding Sexual Issues: A Nationwide Survey of Japanese Surgeons
Authors: Takahashi Miyako , Kai Ichiro , Hisata Mitsuru , Higashi Yasuhiro
Published: December 2006

Purpose

To investigate doctors' current practices and attitudes and correlates of sexuality-related consultations in clinical encounters.

Methods

A nationwide, self-administered mail survey was conducted with 1,313 board-certified Japanese breast surgeons in August 2001. Surgeons were asked about their experiences regarding consultations about sexual issues, attitudes toward sex-related statements, and advice to a patient's hypothetical question on having sex after undergoing breast cancer treatment.

Results

Of the surveyed sample, 635 surgeons (50.3%) responded. Of these surgeons, 32.4% had been consulted about sexual issues by patients or families. Multiple logistic regression analysis suggested that female respondents (P < .01), respondents whose hospitals conduct a large number of breast cancer operations annually (P < .01), and respondents who agreed that “Surgeons have a professional responsibility to deal with patients' sexual issues” (P < .01) were significantly more likely to be consulted. Respondents who agreed that “If any sexual problem exists, patients will raise the topic before surgeons ask them” were less likely to be consulted (P < .05). Respondents' attitudes toward the sex-related statements showed that, although the majority recognized the importance of patients' sexuality-related concerns, they did not necessarily think that surgeons had a professional responsibility to deal with them. Regarding their advice in response to the question of “Are there any particular things to be careful about when having sex after surgery?”, 32.8% answered “nothing in particular.”

Conclusion

This study shows that talking about sex-related topics is still repressed in patient–doctor encounters in Japan. It is an urgent matter to increase doctors' awareness and clinical skills to deal with patients' sexual issues.
Early Invasive Cervical Cancer: Tumor Delineation by Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomography, and Clinical Examination, Verified by Pathologic Results, in the ACRIN 6651/GOG 183 Intergroup Study
Authors: Mitchell Donald G. , Snyder Bradley , Coakley Fergus , Reinhold Caroline , Thomas Gillian , Amendola Marco , Schwartz Lawrence H. , Woodward Paula , Pannu Harpreet , Hricak Hedvig
Published: December 2006

Purpose

To compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and clinical examination for delineating early cervical cancer and for measuring tumor size.

Patients and Methods

A 25-center study enrolled 208 patients with biopsy-proven invasive cervical cancer for MRI and CT before attempted curative radical hysterectomy. Each imaging study was interpreted prospectively by one onsite radiologist and retrospectively by four independent offsite radiologists, who were all blinded to surgical, histopathologic, and other imaging findings. Likelihood of cervical stromal and uterine body involvement was rated on a 5-point scale. Tumor size measurements were attempted in three axes. Surgical pathology was the standard of reference.

Results

Neither MRI nor CT was accurate for evaluating cervical stroma. For uterine body involvement, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was higher for MRI than for CT for both prospective (0.80 v 0.66, respectively; P = .01) and retrospective (0.68 v 0.57, respectively; P = .02) readings. Retrospective readers could measure diameter by CT in 35% to 73% of patients and by MRI in 79% to 94% of patients. Prospective readers had the highest Spearman correlation coefficient with pathologic measurement for MRI (rs = 0.54), followed by CT (rs = 0.45) and clinical examination (rs = 0.37; P < .0001 for all). Spearman correlation of multiobserver diameter measurements for MRI (rs = 0.58; P < .0001) was double that for CT (rs = 0.27; P = .03).

Conclusion

In patients with cervical cancer, MRI is superior to CT and clinical examination for evaluating uterine body involvement and measuring tumor size, but no method was accurate for evaluating cervical stroma.
Zinc(II) and Copper(I)–Ferrocenedicarboxylate Polyhedron and Polygon
Authors: Kim Young S , Kim Jaheon , Kim Don , Chae Hee K
Published: December 2006

Metal organometallic carboxylates with unusual polyhedral and rectangular shapes have been prepared by the reaction of 1,1′-ferrocenedicarboxylic acid (H2FDCA) with ZnII and CuII to give [Zn6O2(FDCA)5(H2O)(DMF)]·(DMF)4 (1), [Zn8O4(FDCA)6(H2O)3]·(DMA)4·(H2O)2 (2), and [Cu4(FDCA)2] (3), respectively (DMF = N,N′-dimethylformamide; DMA = N,N′-dimethylacetoamide). SQUID data of zinc compounds show that iron ions of the ferrocene moieties in the compounds exhibit antiferromagnetic coupling.
The Crystal Structure of Methylphenylarsinic Acid: A Contaminant of Rice Plants and Groundwater
Authors: Chan Eric J , Edmonds John S , Kazawa Kozo , Skelton Brian W , White Allan H
Published: December 2006

Methylphenylarsinic acid, MePhAsO·OH, a contaminant of rice plants and of groundwater, has been the subject of a single crystal X-ray study. In the crystal lattice the molecules form hydrogen-bonded chains linking O···HO entities; As–O, OH are 1.654(1), 1.719(1) Å.
Preparation of Zinc–Homoenolate from α-Sulfonyloxy Ketone and Bis(iodozincio)methane
Authors: Nomura Kenichi , Matsubara Seijiro
Published: December 2006

Treatment of α-sulfonyloxy ketone with bis(iodozincio)methane gives a zinc cyclopropoxide which is formed via a nucleophilic addition of the reagent to carbonyl group followed by an intramolecular substitution reaction.
Cu2(C3H2N3O3)2(C10H8N2): A Hydrogen-bonded Assemblies Supermolecule Containing 1D Channels and Novel Two-coordinated Linear N–Cu–N Configurations
Authors: Du Ji-Min , Kang Dae Joon
Published: December 2006

The title compound was successfully synthesized by the simple hydrothermal route. Interestingly, the title compound exhibits a rare two-coordinated linear N–Cu–N configuration around cuprous ions. Furthermore, the title compound is stacked via hydrogen-bond assembly in three dimensions to form the supermolecule with a channel of 3.98(5) × 8.81(1) Å along the b axis, which may be useful in studying the porous coordination materials.
Electronic Structure Analysis of Interface between Support Surface and Cocatalyst for Water Splitting Layer Photocatalyst by DFT Method
Authors: Shimodaira Yoshiki , Kudo Akihiko , Kobayashi Hisayoshi
Published: December 2006

The electronic structures of cocatalyst/photocatalyst interface (NiOx/K2La2Ti3O10) used for water splitting were investigated by the two-dimentional surface model DFT calculations. The difference in electronic states at the interface between the cocatalyst and photocatalyst was characterized in terms of the crystal faces of support photocatalyst. This result explains the difference in mobility of the photoexcited electron from the support photocatalyst to the cocatalyst between two different crystal surfaces of photocatalyst.
The Hückel total π-electron energy puzzle
Authors: Peric Miljenko , Gutman Ivan , Radic-Peric Jelena
Published: December 2006

In spite of being based on drastic simplifications, the H?ckel molecular orbital (HMO) quantum-mechanical model provides a reasonably good description of the properties of ?-electrons in conjugated molecules. The HMO approach is found to be particularly successful in the case of the total ?-electron energy (E), by means of which it is possible to calculate enthalpies of formation and similar thermodynamic characteristics of conjugated compounds. In this paper it is shown that expressions equivalent to E can be deduced within much more accurate quantum mechanical considerations. This might explain why E agrees so well with experimental findings.
Benzenoid isomers with greatest and smallest Kekulé structure counts
Authors: Gutman Ivan , Arsic Biljana , Denic Marija , Stojanovic Ivana
Published: December 2006

In families of benzenoid isomers, the species with the greatest and smallest value of the Kekul? structure count (K) possess, respectively, the greatest and smallest thermodynamic stability and, respectively, the smallest and greates reactivity. In this paper the structure of the isomers with extremal K-values for the benzenoid molecules A = A(a, b, c, d, e) (with the formula C4h+2H2h+4) and B1 = B1(a, b, c, d)& B2 = B2(a, b, c, d) (with formula C4hH2h+2) were determined. The system A is obtained by attaching linear polyacene fragments of length a, b, c, and d to a linear polyacene of length e + 2, so that h = a + b + c + d + e + 2, the number of hexagons of A, is constant. The systems B1 and B2 are obtained by attaching linear polyacene fragments of length a, b, c, and d to pyrene, in two different ways, so that h = a + b + c + d + 4, the number of hexagons of B1 and B2, is constant. The main conclusion is that K is maximal if the parameters a, b, c, d differ by at most one, and that K is minimal if b, c, d are equal to zero.
Simultaneous correlation of VLE, He and Cpe of some diether + n-alkane systems by the Kohler polynomial
Authors: Kijevcanin Mirjana , Serbanovic Slobodan , Radovic Ivona , Djordjevic Bojan , Tasic Aleksandar
Published: December 2006

The simultaneous correlation of VLE and excess properties (HE, cPE) for diether + n-alkane systems was performed in our previous paper by the cubic equation of state which incorporates the activity coefficient model (CEOS/GE).With the same aim, in the present work, a completely different approach based on a polynomial equation (Kohler model) was considered. This method gave results on the same systems which could be estimated as being comparable to GEOS/GE models for the simultaneous correlation of two and with considerably improved fits, of three properties.
A thermal degradation study of Y and La methanesulfonates
Authors: de Moura , Matos Jivaldo , de Farias
Published: December 2006

The synthesis, characterization and thermal degradation of yttrium and lanthanum methanesulfonates is reported. The prepared salts were characterized by elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy. The thermal degradation study was performed using thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).Using the thermogravimetric data, a kinetic study of the dehydration ofY and Lamethanesulfonates was performed employing the Coats-Redfern and Zsak?methods. It was verified that under heating, yttrium and lanthanum methanesulfonates undergo three main processes: dehydration, thermal degradation and oxide formation. Furthermore, depending on the nature of the atmosphere, i.e., inert or oxidant, the thermal degradation process could be endothermic (N2) or exothermic (air).
Magnetic, spectrochemical and thermal properties of the 2-chloro-5-nitrobenzoates of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II)
Authors: Ferenc Wiesława , Walków-Dziewulska Agnieszka , Cristóvão Beata , Sarzyñski Jan
Published: December 2006

Some physico-chemical properties of the 2-chloro-5-nitrobenzoates of Co(II) Ni(II) and Cu(II) were studied. The complexes were obtained as hydrates with a metal ion to ligand ratio of 1:2. All the complexes were polycrystalline compounds. Their colors depended on the nature of the central ion: pink for the Co(II) complex, green for the Ni(II) and blue for the Cu(II) compounds. Their thermal decomposition was studied in the range of 293-523 K because it was found that the 2-chloro-5-nitrobenzoates decomposed explosively on heating in air above 523 K. The hydrated complexes lost crystallization water molecules in one step. From the results, it appeared that no transformation of the nitro group to nitrite occurred during the dehydration process. Their solubilities in water at 293 K were of the order of 10-2 mol dm-3 for the Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes and 10-4 mol dm-3 for that of Cu(II). The magnetic moment values of Co2+, Ni2+ and Cu2+ in the 2-chloro-5-nitrobenzoates, experimentally determined in the range, of 76-303 K ranged from 3.48 to 3.82 ?B for Co(II), from 2.69 to 3.08 ?B for the Ni(II) and from 1.87 to 2.00 ?B for the Cu(II) complex. The 2-chloro-5-nitrobenzoates of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) followed the Curie-Weiss law.
Synthesis and characterization of divalent metal complexes with ligand derived from the reaction of 3-aminopyridine and biacetyl
Authors: Singh D.P. , Kumar Ramesh , Mehani Rimpi , Verma S.K.
Published: December 2006

Divalent cobalt, nickel and copper salts reacted in situ with 3-aminopyridine and biacetyl to form complexes of the type: [M(Ap2biac) 2X2], where Ap 2biac is the ligand and X=Cl, Br, NO3 or NCS. The complexes were analyzed and characterized as distorted octahedral by conductance, molecular weight magnetic, electronic and IR spectral studies. The electronic spectra were interpreted and tentative assignments made. The infrared spectral studies revealed that two molecules of 3-aminopyridine were joined by molecules of biacetyl through a two carbon atom bridge and that the ligand coordinated through azomethine nitrogen atoms, whereas the pyridine nitrogen does not participate in the coordination. In the far infrared spectra, various metal-ligand vibrations were observed and are discussed.
Structure and morphology of nano-sized W-Ti/Si thin films
Authors: Petrovic Suzana , Adnadjevic Borivoje , Perusko Davor , Popovic Nada , Bundaleski Nenad , Radovic Milan , Gakovic Biljana , Rakocevic Zlatko
Published: December 2006

Thin films were deposited by d.c. sputtering onto a silicon substrate. The influence of the W-Ti thin film thickness to its structural and morphological characteristics of a nano-scale were studied. The phase composition and grain size were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), while the surface morphology and surface roughness were determined by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The analysis of the phase composition show that the thin films had a polycrystalline structure - they were composed of a b.c.c. W phase with the presence of a h.c.p. Ti phase. The XRD peak in the scattering angle interval of 38?-43? was interpreted as an overlap of peaks corresponding to the W(110) and Ti(101) planes. The grain size and the mean surface roughness both increase with the thikness of the thin film. The chemical composition of the thin film surface was also analyzed by low energy ions scattering (LEIS). The results show the surface segregation of titanium, as well as a substantial presence of oxygen an the surface.
The influence of microstructural characteristics on the mechanical properties of Ti6Al4V alloy produced by the powder metallurgy technique
Authors: Bozic Dusan , Cvijovic Ivana , Vilotijevic Miroljub , Jovanovic Milan
Published: December 2006

The influence of hot-pressing (HP-ing) parameters on the microstructure tensile properties and impact toughness of Ti6Al4V alloy produced by the powder metallurgy (PM) technique was evaluated. The experimental results show that variations in the microstructural morphology and residual porosity play an important role in affecting the mechanical properties of this alloy. The lamellar microstructure with a higher density, obtained by HP-ing above the ?-transition temperature (T?), was found to exibit a higher tensile strength and toughness than the globular microstructure produced below T?. Although both types of microstructure show a mixed fracture, the ductile mode was more pronounced in the case of the fully lamellar microstructure. By controlling the HP-ing pressure and duration time, the globular microstructure, with lower porosity, improved tensile strength and ductility in combination with a better resistance to crack initation and propagation can be obtained.
Regularly varying functions
Authors: Jessen Hedegaard , Mikosch Thomas
Published: December 2006

We consider some elementary functions of the components of a regularly varying random vector such as linear combinations, products, minima, maxima, order statistics, powers. We give conditions under which these functions are again regularly varying, possibly with a different index.
On a class of functional differential equations having slowly varying solutions
Authors: Kusano Takaŝi , Maric Vojislav
Published: December 2006

Functional differential equations with deviating arguments are studied for the first time in the framework of Karamata regularly varying functions. A sharp condition is established for the existence of slowly varying solutions for a class of second order linear equations of the form x" = q(t)x(g(t)), both in the retarded and in the advanced case.
Immune heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia resulting from preceding exposure to heparin catheter flushes
Authors: Muslimani Alaa A. , Ricaurte Basma , Daw Hamed A.
Published: December 2006

Immune heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a life‐threatening adverse effect of heparin. It can result from any type of heparin exposure and by any route of administration; however only a few cases are reported after exposures to small quantities of heparin from catheter flushes. The major clinical problem associated with HIT is thrombosis. Early detection and institution of alternative, non‐heparin anticoagulation are important. We report a patient with HIT associated with use of therapeutic‐dose unfractionated heparin in whom immune sensitization to heparin was triggered by two 500‐unit exposure to UFH associated with intravascular catheter flushing for antineoplastic chemotherapy in a patient with colon adenocarcinoma. Am. J. Hematol. 82: 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diels–Alder Reactions of Novel (1′‐Arylallylidene)cyclopropanes with Heterodienophiles
Authors: Zhao Ligang , Yucel Baris , Scheurich René Peter , Frank Daniel , de Meijere Armin
Published: December 2006

Palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling of various aryl iodides with bicyclopropylidene provided isolable (1′‐arylallylidene)cyclopropanes, which reacted with a number of carbonyl compounds in the presence of Eu(fod)3 under high pressure to furnish oxaspiro[2.5]octene derivatives in moderate to good yields (22–69 %). The reactions of the allylidenecyclopropanes with two azo compounds as dienophiles afforded diazaspiro[2.5]octenes in high yields (82 and 99 %) even at ambient pressure. When treated with nitrosobenzene, two of the allylidenecyclopropanes gave the Diels–Alder adducts in up to 83 and 40 % yield. 2,5‐Diiodo‐p‐xylene coupled twice with bicyclopropylidene, and the product underwent a twofold Diels–Alder reaction with nitrosobenzene to produce the bis(spirocyclopropaneoxazine) derivative in 88 % yield. This overall transformation can be brought about in a one‐pot, two‐step operation by addition of the nitrosoarene to the reaction mixture immediately after formation of the allylidenecyclopropanes to furnish various 5‐oxa‐4‐azaspiro[2.5]oct‐7‐ene derivatives in 22–77 % yield. The coupling of methyl bicyclopropylidenecarboxylate with 2,6‐dimethylphenyl iodide produced a mixture of very stable regioisomeric allylidenecyclopropane derivatives in 90 % yield. The reaction of this mixture with N‐phenyltriazolinedione gave a corresponding mixture of the spirocyclopropanated heterobicycles in 61 % yield.
Pathologic findings and clinical outcome of patients undergoing retroperitoneal lymph node dissection after multiple chemotherapy regimens for metastatic testicular germ cell tumors
Authors: Eggener Scott E. , Carver Brett S. , Loeb Stacy , Kondagunta G. Varuni , Bosl George J. , Sheinfeld Joel
Published: December 2006

BACKGROUND.

Postchemotherapy surgery is an essential component in the management of patients with metastatic germ cell tumors (GCT). The authors assessed their institutional experience of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) after multiple chemotherapy regimens for advanced GCT.

METHODS.

By analyzing the institutional prospective surgical database from 1989 to 2004, 71 patients were identified who underwent RPLND after multiple chemotherapy regimens. Clinicopathologic and treatment trends were characterized, and predictors of disease‐specific survival (DSS) were evaluated.

RESULTS.

The histologic findings at RPLND were fibrosis in 36 men (51%), GCT in 20 men (28%), and teratoma in 15 men (21%). Patients who underwent RPLND from 1989 to 1998 (n = 47), compared with patients who underwent RPLND from 1999 to 2004 (n = 24) were more likely to have GCT (36% vs 13%; P = .04). Patients who received taxane‐containing chemotherapy regimens as salvage therapy had lower rates of GCT at RPLND (14% vs 42%; P = .01), higher rates of fibrosis (63% vs 39%; P = .04), and similar rates of teratoma (31% vs 33%; P = .9). The 5‐ and 10‐year DSS rates were 74% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 62–86%) and 70% (95% CI, 56–84%), respectively. Five‐year DSS based on worst histology of RPLND and extraretroperitoneal specimens was 87% (95% CI, 75–99%) for fibrosis, 87% for teratoma (95% CI, 63–100%), and 47% for GCT (95% CI, 23–71%; P = .004). On multivariable analysis, retroperitoneal mass ≥5 cm and GCT were predictors of worse DSS (P = .03 and P = .005, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS.

Taxane‐based salvage chemotherapeutic regimens appear to have decreased the rate of GCT at RPLND. The current data support RPLND in select patients after salvage chemotherapy, because a considerable proportion has teratoma or GCT, and the 10‐year DSS rate after resection is 70%. Cancer 2007;109:528–535. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Stabilized Lipid Membrane Based Biosensors with Incorporated Enzyme for Repetitive Uses
Authors: Nikolelis Dimitrios P. , Raftopoulou Garyfallia , Nikoleli Georgia‐Paraskevi , Simantiraki Maria
Published: December 2006

This work reports a technique for the stabilization of lipid membrane based biosensors with incorporated enzyme that retains its activity for repetitive uses. Microporous filters composed of glass fibers were used as supports for the stabilization of these sensors. The lipid film is formed on the filter by polymerization using UV (ultraviolet) radiation prior its use. Methacrylic acid was the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate was the crosslinker and 2,2′‐azobis‐(2‐methylpropionitrile) was the initiator. The enzyme (acetylcholinesterase) is incorporated within this mixture prior to polymerization. The polymerization process takes place by using UV irradiation instead of heating at 60 °C the lipid mixture because this temperature might denature the enzyme. This method for preparation of stabilized lipid membranes was investigated using Raman spectroscopy. The results have indicated that the kinetics of polymerization are completed within 4 hours. The retain in activity of the enzyme was studied using electrochemical experiments which have shown that this mild technique of polymerization can now be used to incorporate a protein in these lipid membranes without loss of their activity. This will allow the practical use of the techniques for chemical sensing based on lipid membranes based biosensors and commercialization of these devices.
Influence of polymorphisms at loci encoding DNA repair proteins on cancer susceptibility and G2chromosomal radiosensitivity
Authors: Wilding Craig S. , Curwen Gillian B. , Tawn E. Janet , Sheng Xiaohua , Winther Jeanette F. , Chakraborty Ranajit , Boice John D.
Published: December 2006

Sixteen candidate polymorphisms (13 SNPs and 3 microsatellites) in nine genes from four DNA repair pathways were examined in 83 subjects, comprising 23 survivors of childhood cancer, their 23 partners, and 37 offspring, all of whom had previously been studied for G2chromosomal radiosensitivity. Genotype at the Asp148Glu SNP site in theAPEXgene of the base excision repair (BER) pathway was associated with childhood cancer in survivors (P= 0.001, significant even after multiple test adjustment), due to the enhanced frequency of theAPEXAsp148 allele among survivors in comparison to that of their partners. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of G2radiosensitivity in the pooled sample, as well as family‐based association test (FBAT) of the family‐wise data, showed sporadic suggestions of associations between G2radiosensitivity and polymorphisms at two sites (the Thr241Met SNP site in theXRCC3gene of the homologous recombinational pathway by ANOVA, and the Ser326Cys site in thehOGG1gene of the BER pathway by FBAT analysis), but neither of these remained significant after multiple‐test adjustment. This pilot study provides an intriguing indication that DNA repair gene polymorphisms may underlie cancer susceptibility and variation in radiosensitivity. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chemical composition of seed essential oils from Algerian Nigella sativa extracted by microwave and hydrodistillation
Authors: Benkaci–Ali Farid , Baaliouamer Aoumeur , Meklati Brahim Y. , Chemat Farid
Published: December 2006

Extraction of essential oil from Nigella sativa seed collected at two locations in the Sahara desert, Timimoun (T) and Adrar (A), has been conducted by hydrodistillation (HD) and a microwave distillation process (MD). The composition of the volatile oil was investigated by capillary gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Using the hydrodistillation, active compounds such as p‐cymene (8.9 and 7.2% in T and A, respectively), 4‐terpineol (0.6–8.9%), thymohydroquinone (6.1–12.2%), thymoquinone (1.6–21.8%), carvacrol (12.9–12.9%), carvone (4.4–0.3%) and thymol (1.5–0.7%) were the major components, representing more than 36% (T) and 64% (A) of the oils. For the microwave distillation, p‐cymene (28.1% and 32.0% in T and A, respectively), 4‐terpineol (3.4–2.0%), thymohydroquinone (0.7–1.1%), thymoquinone (10.8–24.6%), carvacrol (3.0–6.0%), and thymol (0.3–0.3%) represent respectively 46.1% and 66.0% of the T and A oils. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Composition and antioxidant activity of the essential oil of Teucrium royleanum Wall. ex Benth growing in Pakistan
Authors: Saroglou V. , Arfan M. , Shabir A. , Hadjipavlou‐Litina D. , Skaltsa H.
Published: December 2006

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the leaves of Teucrium royleanum, growing in Pakistan, was investigated by GC–MS analyses. Kováts indices, mass spectra and standard compounds were used to identify a total of 46 individual compounds. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons formed the main portion (42.2%) of the oil, among which β‐santalene and cis‐α‐bisabolene were the predominant compounds. The potential antioxidant activity was also investigated and the sample tested was found to interact slightly with the stable free radical DPPH in a time‐dependent manner. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An intervention to improve depression care in older adults with COPD
Authors: Sirey Jo Anne , Raue Patrick J. , Alexopoulos George S.
Published: December 2006

Objective

To describe an intervention for older persons with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) to improve adherence to psychiatric, medical, and rehabilitation recommendations. The intervention supplements antidepressant therapy for depression with an individualized care manager who targets psychological barriers that interfere with treatment participation.

Method

Description of intervention development, training, and barriers to care, and illustration with case example.

Results

Depression and its associated lack of motivation, helplessness, and lack of energy can obstruct active participation in rehabilitation exercises recommended for COPD. Additionally, depressed older adults perceive the benefits of depression treatment; however they also fear side effects, addiction to antidepressants and have concerns about stigma. The intervention elucidates individual attitudes and beliefs that may become barriers. The care manager works with the older adult to address the barriers and improve treatment participation.

Conclusion

Augmentation of traditional pharmacotherapy for depression with a care manager can improve adherence to both depression and COPD treatment. This improved adherence may lessen the physical, psychological, and functional costs of both diseases. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dementia care mapping as a research tool
Authors: Sloane Philip D. , Brooker Dawn , Cohen Lauren , Douglass Carolinda , Edelman Perry , Fulton Bradley R. , Jarrott Shannon , Kasayka Roseann , Kuhn Daniel , Preisser John S. , Williams Christianna S. , Zimmerman Sheryl
Published: December 2006

Introduction

Dementia Care Mapping (DCM) was originally developed as a clinical tool but has attracted interest as a potential observational measure of quality of life (QOL) and well‐being of long‐term care residents with dementia. DCM coding involves continuous observation over a 6‐h period, with observers recording a Behavior Category Code (BCC, a recording of activity/interaction) and a Well/Ill Being (WIB) score at 5 min intervals.

Method

Descriptive data from several different research teams on the distribution and psychometric properties of DCM data were compiled and summarized.

Results

Issues and problems identified include: complex scoring algorithms, inter‐rater reliability of the BCCs, limited variability of WIB values, associations between resident characteristics and DCM assessments, rater time burden, and comparability of results across study settings.

Conclusions

Despite the identified limitations, DCM has promise as a research measure, as it may come closer to rating QOL from the perspective of persons with dementia than other available measures. Its utility will depend on the manner in which it is applied and an appreciation of the measure's strength and limitations. Possible changes that might improve the reliability, validity, and practicality of DCM as a research tool include coding the predominant event (rather than the ‘best’ event), shortening the observation period, and adding ‘0’ as a neutral WIB coding option. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monte Carlo probabilistic sensitivity analysis for patient level simulation models: efficient estimation of mean and variance using ANOVA
Authors: O'Hagan Anthony , Stevenson Matt , Madan Jason
Published: December 2006

Probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) is required to account for uncertainty in cost‐effectiveness calculations arising from health economic models. The simplest way to perform PSA in practice is by Monte Carlo methods, which involves running the model many times using randomly sampled values of the model inputs. However, this can be impractical when the economic model takes appreciable amounts of time to run. This situation arises, in particular, for patient‐level simulation models (also known as micro‐simulation or individual‐level simulation models), where a single run of the model simulates the health care of many thousands of individual patients. The large number of patients required in each run to achieve accurate estimation of cost‐effectiveness means that only a relatively small number of runs is possible. For this reason, it is often said that PSA is not practical for patient‐level models.

We develop a way to reduce the computational burden of Monte Carlo PSA for patient‐level models, based on the algebra of analysis of variance. Methods are presented to estimate the mean and variance of the model output, with formulae for determining optimal sample sizes. The methods are simple to apply and will typically reduce the computational demand very substantially. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression of somatic DNA repair genes in human testes
Authors: Galetzka Danuta , Weis Eva , Kohlschmidt Nicolai , Bitz Oliver , Stein Raimund , Haaf Thomas
Published: December 2006

Meiosis is the key process for recombination and reduction of the diploid chromosome set to a haploid one. Many genes that have been found in yeast or mouse models to play a role in meiosis are also important for the repair of DNA damage in somatic cells. To study the DNA repair gene transcriptome during male germ cell development, we have developed a specialized cDNA microarray with 181 human genes which are involved in different somatic DNA repair pathways and/or cell cycle control and 45 control house‐keeping genes. This DNA repair gene chip was used to quantify the mRNA expression levels in three human testes samples versus a fibroblast RNA pool. Two hundred twenty genes on the chip (including house‐keeping genes) showed detectable expression levels in adult testes. Sixty‐four DNA repair‐ and cell cycle‐associated genes showed higher expression levels in testicular cells than in mitotically dividing fibroblasts and, therefore, are likely to be implicated in meiosis. The microarray results of 17 genes with increased expression levels were validated with reverse Northern blots or real‐time quantitative RT PCR. Systematic analyses of the meiotic DNA repair gene transcriptome may provide new insights into the genetics of male (in)fertility. J. Cell. Biochem. 100: 1232–1239, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tumor–lymphatic interactions in an activated stromal microenvironment
Authors: Wong Sunny Y. , Hynes Richard O.
Published: December 2006

Metastasis to lymph nodes is a common feature of many human tumors and may facilitate dissemination to other parts of the body. Peritumoral lymphatics, which are located at the periphery of a primary tumor, appear to be anything but peripheral for metastasis, as recent studies have highlighted their critical role in disseminating tumor cells to local lymph nodes. The metastatic process, including lymphangiogenesis, is likely governed by a complex series of interactions among tumor cells, endothelial cells, and non‐endothelial stromal components. Therefore, a detailed understanding of the biology of the tumor microenvironment, particularly as it pertains to peritumoral lymphatics near the tumor–stromal junction, may someday translate into clinical approaches that target metastasis at the invasive front. J. Cell. Biochem. 101: 840–850, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of the medium molecular weight venom fractions from five species of common social wasps by MALDI‐TOF spectra profiling
Authors: Turillazzi Stefano , Bruschini Claudia , Lambardi Duccio , Francese Simona , Spadolini Igino , Mastrobuoni Guido
Published: December 2006

The average spectral profiles and the exact mass weight (MW) of biomolecules present in the medium fraction (from 900 to 3000 Da) of the venom of five social wasps (three European and one North American Polistes and the European hornet Vespa crabro) were determined by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight (MALDI‐TOF) MS. Data were obtained analyzing the venom of single specimens (N = 46) and elaborated with the ClinProTools 2.0 (CPT) software to search for differences among the five species examined. Interesting differences in the spectral profiles were found, allowing the discrimination of venoms belonging to the different species, and their possible use as a quality control method in venom immunotherapy (VIT) for allergic patients. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chronic haloperidol treatment results in a decrease in the expression of myelin/oligodendrocyte‐related genes in the mouse brain
Authors: Narayan Sujatha , Kass Kristi E. , Thomas Elizabeth A.
Published: December 2006

Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric illness that manifests as a combination of positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive deficits. Antipsychotic drugs, such as haloperidol, attenuate dopamine receptor signaling in neurons and constitute the frontline treatment for the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. However, haloperidol treatment has also been reported to exacerbate preexisting negative symptoms/cognitive deficits and the severity of these deficits has been correlated with white matter pathology in schizophrenia. Indeed, several studies implicate oligodendrocyte function in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, but it is unknown whether these effects are related to drug treatment. It is well established that haloperidol alters gene expression in neurons. However, its effect on oligodendrocytes is unknown. In this study, we investigate the effects of chronic haloperidol treatment on the expression of eight genes known to play critical roles in myelin/oligodendrocyte function. We treated male mice with haloperidol (2 mg/kg/day) for 30 days and measured gene expression changes by using in situ hybridization analysis and quantitative densitometry. Haloperidol caused a decrease in the expression of these genes in several white matter regions of the mouse CNS. In contrast, clozapine (10 mg/kg/day) had no effect on the expression of a subset of these genes. This has important implications for both disease pathology and the consideration of treatment options for patients. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cover Picture: Macromol. Rapid Commun. 24/2006
Authors: Ju Xiao‐Jie , Chu Liang‐Yin , Mi Peng , Song Hang , Lee Yong Moo
Published: December 2006

Cover: The picture shows the change of the lower critical solution temperature of a novel thermo‐sensitive and molecular‐recognizable copolymer of N‐isopropylacrylamide and cis‐dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6‐diacrylamide (cis‐DBCAm) due to the capture of potassium ion by the cavity of cis‐DBCAm unit. Further details can be found in the article by X.‐J. Ju, L.‐Y. Chu,* P. Mi, H. Song, and Y. M. Lee on page 2072.