bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water and Asphalt The Projection of Isotropy in the Metropolitan Region of Venice
Authors: Viganò Paula
Published: January 2008

Through an exploration of the Veneto region close to Venice, in northeastern Italy, Paola Viganò provides an alternative definition of the dispersed territory. Rather than archetypal sprawl, which has developed out of untamed growth of metropolitan areas, this is an ancient landscape of evenly scattered development that has grown up alongside roads and waterways. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
String Block Vs Superblock Patterns of Dispersal in China
Authors: Monson Kjersti
Published: January 2008

The superblock in China has become the dominant unit of urban planning, allowing for rapid urban growth while also meeting the needs of state and property developer alike. Kjersti Monson explains the conditions that have given rise to the superblock, while challenging it by proposing an alternative ‘stringblock’ approach, rooted more in collective culture and addressing the demands of the market‐driven economy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Urban [IM]plants Tactics for Recombining Landscape and Collective Space in Bonheiden, Belgium
Authors: Verbakel Els , Derman Elie
Published: January 2008

Bonheiden, in the province of Antwerp in Belgium, lies in a region known for its exceptional natural beauty. Though the surrounding rural setting has remained protected this has often been to the detriment of urban life, as the built environment has been subject to a process of banal suburbanisation. Els Verbakel and Elie Derman explain how they propose to turn this situation around by creating public spaces that use the town's ‘original landscape as the base material’. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nam Van Square, Macau
Authors: Vicente Manuel
Published: January 2008

A peninsula, lying 60 kilometres (37 miles) to the southwest of Hong Kong, Macau is the Las Vegas of the new China. As Manuel Vicente explains, when he was asked to create an important new public space for the city it provided the opportunity to create a plaza that was able to assimilate the past forms of the historic city without absorbing the symbolism of its colonial history. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kieran Timberlake Associates
Authors: Merkel Jayne
Published: January 2008

Nothing about the beautifully detailed buildings that Steven Kieran, James Timberlake and their colleagues are creating, mostly for schools and colleges, suggests that they have a radical agenda. There are no crazy shapes, dayglo colours or other attention‐grabbing devices in them. But what these architects are doing in their built work, research and teaching attempts no less than to change the way that buildings are made. Jayne Merkel explains how they are expanding the architect's sphere beyond mere ‘design’ to become ‘master builders’ of a uniquely 21st‐century kind ‐ developing new materials and ways to save energy, and introducing methods of collaboration and fabrication drawn from the automobile, aeroplane and shipbuilding industries. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Radical Interface AA New Media Research Initiative
Authors: Newman Joel , Spyropoulos Theodore , Stroumpakos Vasilis
Published: January 2008

At the Architectural Association in London, Joel Newman, Theodore Spyropoulos and Vasilis Stroumpakos are spearheading the New Media Research Initiative. Here they call for architecture to abandon its hold on the formal qualities of the physical in favour of a mode of experience that provides an interface that fully reflects the way we inhabit space today. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On Green Design (Part 3) The Basic Premises for Green Design
Authors: Yeang Ken
Published: January 2008

In the final part of his short series that outlines the main principles of ecodesign, Ken Yeang turns his attention to the alternatives that are on offer to designers who want to ensure comfortable internal conditions in their buildings. He covers the full gamut of choices and hybrids from buildings that are constructed in ‘passive mode’, without the need for any electromechanical systems, to those that are conceived in ‘productive mode’ producing their own energy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laser pulse heating and vapor front generation
Authors: Yilbas B. S. , Mansoor S. Bin , Shuja S. Z. , Abualhamayel H.
Published: January 2008

Laser nonconduction limited heating situation results in cavity formation and vapor front development above the cavity. As laser heating progresses, cavity wall recesses towards the solid bulk while the vapor front expands into its ambient due to recoil pressure generated at liquid‐vapor interface in the cavity. To obtain velocity, temperature, and pressure fields in the evaporating front become challenging, since the process involves with transient evaporation of the surface during the absorption of the laser energy by the solid substrate. In the present study, phase change processes taking place in the substrate material during a laser heating process are modeled using an energy method and evaporating front behavior is modeled using the transient flow equations. Since the problem is involved with the multi‐physics, the numerical technique is introduced to solve the resulting governing equations. The water ambient is assumed around the cavity in order to resemble the laser processing situation, particularly for laser shock processing. It is found that for nanosecond pulses with high intensity, the recession velocity of the surface reaches about 100 m/s at the symmetry axis and the recoil pressure of in the order of 10 GPa is generated in the cavity as a result of rapid evaporation. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Ruthenium catalyzed oxidative conversion of isatins to anthranilic acids: Mechanistic study
Authors: Jagadeesh R. V. , Puttaswamy  , Vaz Nirmala , Gowda N. M. Made
Published: January 2008

Oxidation of isatins (isatin, 5‐methylisatin, 5‐bromoisatin, and 5‐nitroisatin) to their corresponding anthranilic acids was performed with sodium N‐bromo‐p‐toluenesulfonamide or bromamine‐T (BAT) as an oxidant and ruthenium trichloride (Ru(III)) as a catalyst in HCl medium at 30 ± 0.1°C. The four reactions follow identical kinetics with a first‐order dependence each on [BAT]o and [Ru(III)], zero‐order on [Isatin]o, and inverse fractional‐order on [H+]. Activation parameters have been deduced for the composite reaction. The rates satisfactorily correlate with the Hammett σ relationship and the reaction constant ρ is −0.36 signifies that the electron donating groups accelerate the reaction while the electron withdrawing groups retard the rate. An isokinetic relationship is observed with β = 360 K, indicating that enthalpy factors control the reaction rate. Oxidation products of isatins were identified as their corresponding anthranilic acids by GC‐MS analysis and the yields were found to be >90%. Under similar experimental conditions, the kinetics of Ru(III)‐catalyzed oxidation of isatins with BAT has been compared with that of uncatalyzed reactions, revealing that the catalyzed reactions are three to fourfold faster. The observed results have been explained by a plausible mechanism and the related rate law has been deduced. The method adopted for the oxidation of isatins to anthranilic acids in the present work offers several advantages and can be scaled up to industrial operation. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Introducing principles of validation into biochemistry and biotechnology courses
Authors: Pembroke J. T.
Published: January 2008

Although undergraduate biochemistry and biotechnology courses teach the concept of accuracy and precision during practical laboratory sessions, the formal teaching of validation methodologies receives little attention. An increasing number of biochemistry and biotechnology graduates are finding work in industry in the area of industrial validation associated with biopharmaceutical, diagnostics, biomedical device, and pharmaceutical validation. We have introduced a structured introduction to validation into our undergraduate industrial biochemistry programme to illustrate the importance of validation within a framework of good manufacturing practice (GMP) and to show how validation is essential for regulatory compliance.
How do child and family social workers talk to parents about child welfare concerns?
Authors: Forrester Donald , McCambridge Jim , Waissbein Clara , Rollnick Stephen
Published: January 2008

Working with parents in relation to child welfare concerns is challenging. Social workers are expected to combine working in partnership with ensuring that the focus remains on the child's needs and protection. To date, most research in this area has relied on retrospective accounts from parents or workers. The current study explored the responses of 40 social workers to nine vignettes, six of which were textual prompts based on the Helpful Responses Questionnaire (Miller et al., 1991), and three further verbal prompts designed to reflect typical resistance comments found in working with parental alcohol misuse. Responses were taped and rated. Overall, social workers tended to use a very confrontational and at times aggressive communication style. This was so consistently observed that it is likely to be a systemic issue. In conclusion, it is argued that at the levels of research, theory and official guidance, insufficient attention has been give to the micro‐skills involved in safeguarding children and that this is an urgent priority for further work. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemometric characterization of (chromatographic) lipophilicity parameters of newly synthesized s‐triazine derivatives
Authors: Djaković‐Sekulić Tatjana , Smolinski Adam , Perisić‐Janjić Nada , Janicka Małgorzata
Published: January 2008

A (chromatographic) lipophilicity parameters of newly synthesized 2,4‐bis(substituted)‐6‐chloro‐s‐triazines were studied. PCA‐HCA were performed in order to classify and organize various chromatographic lipophilicity parameters that were determined by using different stationary and mobile phases and by various chromatographic techniques. The PCA‐HCA indicates that for the set of investigated compounds, similar lipophilicity scales are given by chromatographic systems with covalently bonded hydrocarbons as a stationary phase and acetonitrile as a mobile phase modifier. Another cluster of lipophilicity scales forms cyano and octadecylsilica stationary phases with dioxane or tetrahydrofuran as a mobile phase modifiers. The general arrangement of investigated compounds along PC1 was according to the increase in lipophilicity forming two clusters (one of lower and the other of higher lipophilicity). PCA study of RM values underline the differences concerning solvent fraction. Also reveal that HPTLC systems on amino plates are distinguishable from the cyano and octadecylsilica supports, which were similar. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ChemInform Abstract: Catalytic Coupling of sp2‐ and sp‐Hybridized Carbon—Hydrogen Bonds with Vinylmetalloid Compounds
Authors: Marciniec Bogdan
Published: January 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
Biodegradation of Crude Oil by Individual Bacterial Strains and a Mixed Bacterial Consortium Isolated from Hydrocarbon Contaminated Areas
Authors: Sathishkumar Muthuswamy , Binupriya Arthur Raj , Baik Sang‐Ho , Yun Sei‐Eok
Published: January 2008

A preliminary study was undertaken to determine the optimal conditions for the biodegradation of a crude oil. Among 57 oil‐degrading bacterial cultures isolated from oil‐contaminated soil samples, Bacillus sp. IOS1‐7, Corynebacterium sp. BPS2‐6, Pseudomonas sp. HPS2‐5, and Pseudomonas sp. BPS1‐8 were selected for the study based on the efficiency of crude oil utilization. Along with the selected individual strains, a mixed bacterial consortium prepared using the above strains was also used for degradation studies. The mixed bacterial consortium showed more growth and degradation than did individual strains. At 1% crude oil concentration, the mixed bacterial consortium degraded a maximum of 77% of the crude oil. This was followed by 69% by Pseudomonas sp. BPS1‐8, 64% by Bacillus sp. IOS1‐7, 45% by Pseudomonas sp. HPS2‐5, and 41% by Corynebacterium sp. BPS2‐6. The percentage of degradation by the mixed bacterial consortium decreased from 77 to 45% as the concentration of crude oil was increased from 1 to 12%. Temperature of 35°C and pH 7 were found to be optimum for maximum degradation.
Flow Characteristics of Microbubble Suspensions in Porous Media as an Oxygen Carrier
Authors: Choi Yong Ju , Park Joo Young , Kim Young‐Jin , Nam Kyoungphile
Published: January 2008

Microbubble suspensions were generated as an oxygen carrier for aerobic biodegradation, and their flow characteristics in porous media were investigated. Commercial surfactants including sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and dodecylethyldimethylammonium bromide (DEDAB), saponin (a natural surfactant), and collagen (a protein hydrolysate) were examined as base materials for generating microbubble suspensions. Among them, 2×CMC (critical micellar concentration) of SDS, DEDAB, and saponin developed microbubble suspensions with the highest gas hold‐up and half‐drainage time. Visualization of the flow patterns in sand showed that the microbubble suspensions were separated into a liquid and gas phase directly after injection, showing much faster movement of liquid phase flow. The gas front of the microbubble suspensions flowed in a plug‐flow manner, particularly in cases of SDS and DEDAB. The experimental results from both homogeneous and heterogeneous cells confirmed that the microbubble flow could overcome the heterogeneity in porous media. However, the plug‐flow characteristics and flow propagation of the microbubble suspensions to the low‐permeability zone was accompanied by a large pressure drop, which needs to be considered for future field application.
Methylation status of breast cancer resistance protein detected by methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction analysis is correlated inversely with its expression in drug‐resistant lung cancer cells
Authors: Nakano Hirofumi , Nakamura Yoichi , Soda Hiroshi , Kamikatahira Megumi , Uchida Kanako , Takasu Mineyo , Kitazaki Takeshi , Yamaguchi Hiroyuki , Nakatomi Katsumi , Yanagihara Katsunori , Kohno Shigeru , Tsukamoto Kazuhiro
Published: January 2008

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) functions as a drug efflux transporter that mediates drug resistance. Topoisomerase I inhibitors, including 7‐ethyl‐10‐hydroxycamptothecin (SN‐38), are substrates effluxed by BCRP. However, it remains unclear whether the overexpression of BCRP induces drug resistance during chemotherapy. The objectives of the current study were to examine a correlation of altered promoter methylation of BCRP with BCRP expression and to investigate the correlation between methylation status according to methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) analysis and BCRP expression levels in several small cell and nonsmall cell lung cancer cells.

METHODS

Non‐BCRP‐expressing PC‐6 cells, which were sensitive to SN‐38, were treated with DNA methyltransferase inhibitor to induce BCRP re‐expression by means of reverse transcriptase‐polymersae chain reaction, Western blot, and flow cytometric analyses. Subsequently, bisulfite sequencing analysis in both PC‐6 cells and SN‐38‐resistant PC‐6/SN2‐5H, highly expressing BCRP cells was performed to identify the methylated region in the BCRP promoter. Finally, the authors established an MSP method on the basis of methylated and unmethylated DNA sequences.

RESULTS

DNA methyltransferase inhibitor treatment of PC‐6 cells induced BCRP re‐expression at the messenger RNA and protein levels. Bisulfite sequencing analysis revealed that both alleles at all CpG sites were methylated completely in PC‐6 cells, whereas alleles at portions of CpG sites in PC‐6/SN2‐5H cells were unmethylated. There was an inverse correlation between promoter methylation of BCRP determined by MSP and BCRP expression in both small cell and nonsmall cell lung cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The current results indicated that demethylation of at least 1 allele is necessary for BCRP re‐expression and that promoter demethylation of BCRP may be a mechanism of BCRP expression in lung cancer cells. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Health‐related quality of life in cancer survivors between ages 20 and 64 years
Authors: Richardson Lisa C. , Wingo Phyllis A. , Zack Matthew M. , Zahran Hatice S. , King Jessica B.
Published: January 2008

BACKGROUND

The authors examined the health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) of cancer survivors between ages 20 and 64 years by using a population‐based survey of individuals who had activity limitations caused by cancer.

METHODS

A population‐based, cross‐sectional study was conducted using the 2000 to 2002 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to examine HRQOL among respondents who reported activity limitations because of cancer. HRQOL was measured by using the CDC's Healthy Days Measures, including self‐rated health status, numbers of unhealthy physical and mental health days, and activity limitation. HRQOL was compared among the following groups: those who reported no activity limitations and those who were limited primarily by cardiovascular conditions, emotional problems, and cancer. Taylor‐series linearization methods were used to calculate population‐based estimates in this complex sample survey.

RESULTS

Individuals between ages 20 and 64 years who were limited by cancer reported poorer HRQOL measured as higher prevalence of poor or fair self‐reported health, more physically unhealthy days, more painful days, and more inadequate sleep days. Compared with the group that had no activity limitations, the individuals who had limitations were more likely to be women and to have annual household incomes <$25,000. They were more likely to be unable to work and to have health insurance. In addition, they were more likely to be former smokers and to be overweight, but they were less likely to participate in leisure‐time physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, respondents between ages 20 and 64 years who reported being limited primarily by cancer reported lower HRQOL. They also reported unhealthy behaviors that were detrimental to improved HRQOL. The HRQOL and lifestyle modification needs of this population need to be examined prospectively to help decrease their burden of suffering. Cancer 2008. Published 2008 by the American Cancer Society.
Numerical performance of compact fourth‐order formulation of the Navier–Stokes equations
Authors: Erturk Ercan
Published: January 2008

In this study, the numerical performance of the fourth‐order compact formulation of the steady 2‐D incompressible Navier–Stokes (NS) equations introduced by Erturk et al. (Int. J. Numer. Methods Fluids 2006; 50:421–436) will be presented. The benchmark‐driven cavity flow problem will be solved using the introduced compact fourth‐order formulation of the NS equations with two different line iterative semi‐implicit methods for both second‐ and fourth‐order spatial accuracy. The extra CPU work needed for increasing the spatial accuracy from second‐order (𝒪(Δx2)) formulation to fourth‐order (𝒪(Δx4)) formulation will be presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An explicit drive algorithm for aiding the design of firing sequence in side‐drive micromotor
Authors: Pao William K. S. , Wong Wallace S. H. , Lai Adriana M. K.
Published: January 2008

Finite element analysis (FEA) is used to design the rotor–stator layout and the driving algorithm for electrostatic‐actuated side‐drive micro electro‐mechanical system (MEMS) micromotor. FEA is performed to calculate the generated torque when voltage is applied to a single stator pole of the micromotor. A quasi‐static approach is then adopted to model the operation of the entire micromotor. The approach rotates the rotor based on the torque estimated by extrapolating the earlier FEA result for a single stator pole. This enables a fast and accurate enough way to model the performance of the rotor–stator layout and the micromotor drive algorithm. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Excited‐State Double Proton Transfer in Model Base Pairs: The Stepwise Reaction on the Heterodimer of 7‐Azaindole Analogues
Authors: Hsieh Wan‐Ting , Hsieh Cheng‐Chih , Lai Chin‐Hung , Cheng Yi‐Ming , Ho Mei‐Lin , Wang Kung K. , Lee Gene‐Hsiang , Chou Pi‐Tai
Published: January 2008

A four fused‐ring system 11‐propyl‐6H‐indolo[2,3‐b]quinoline (6 HIQ) is strategically designed and synthesized; it possesses a central moiety of 7‐azaindole (7AI) and undergoes excited‐state double proton transfer (ESDPT). Despite a barrierless type of ESDPT in the 6 HIQ dimer, femtosecond dynamics and a kinetic isotope effect provide indications for a stepwise ESDPT process in the 6 HIQ/7AI heterodimer, in which 6 HIQ (deuterated 6 HIQ) delivers the pyrrolyl proton (deuteron) to 7AI (deuterated 7AI) in less than 150 fs, forming an intermediate with a charge‐transfer‐like ion pair, followed by the transfer of a pyrrolyl proton (deuteron) from cation‐like 7AI (deuterated 7AI) to the pyridinyl nitrogen of the anion‐like 6 HIQ (deuterated 6 HIQ) in ∼1.5±0.3 ps (3.5±0.3 ps). The barrier of second proton transfer is estimated to be 2.86 kcal mol−1 for the 6 HIQ/7AI heterodimer.
Theoretical Studies on [Ru(bpy)2(NN)]2+ [NN = Hydrazone and Azine]: Ground‐ and Excited‐State Geometries, Electronic Structures, Absorptions, and Phosphorescence Mechanisms
Authors: Liu Tao , Zhang Hong‐Xing , Zhou Xin , Xia Bao‐Hui
Published: January 2008

The ground‐ and excited‐state geometries, electronic structures, absorptions, and emissions of two ruthenium(II) complexes Ru(bpy)2(NN) [bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridine, NN = hydrazone (1) and azine (2)] were investigated theoretically. Their ground and the excited state geometries were fully optimized at the B3LYP/MP2/LANL2DZ and UB3LYP/UMP2/LANL2DZ levels, respectively, and the calculated geometries are consistent with the X‐ray results. At the TD‐DFT level with the PCM model, the absorptions and phosphorescence properties of 1 and 2 were calculated on the basis of the optimized ground‐ and excited‐state geometries, respectively. Thecalculated lowest‐lying absorptions of 1 (512 nm) and 2 (598 nm) are attributed to a {[d(Ru) + dxy(Ru) + π(NN)] → [π*(bpy)]} transition with MLCT/LLCT transition characters and a {[d(Ru) + dxy(Ru)] → [π*(NN)]} transition with dominant MLCT transition character, respectively. The calculated phosphorescence of 1 (638 nm) and 2 (731 nm) can be described as originating from a 3{[d(Ru) + dxy(Ru) + π(NN)] [π*(bpy)]} excited state with 3MLCT/3LLCT character and a 3{[d(Ru) + d(Ru)] [π*(NN)]} excited state with dominantly 3MLCT character, respectively. The calculated results showed that the modulation of the lowest 3MLCT excited state of this kind of Ru complexes can be achieved by changing the NN ligand from hydrazone to azine. Moreover, the fact that 2 displays phosphorescence but 1 does not can be interpreted by the different properties of the 3MLCT excited state: the 3MLCT excited state of 2 is more than 60 % occupied, whereas that of 1 is less than 20 % (kr1 < kr2). The lowest‐lying excited state of 1 is localized on the bpy ligand, whereas that of 2 lies on the NN ligand, and the nonradiative decay pathways of 1 are easier than those of 2 (knr1 > knr2). (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Comparison of Isoelectronic Heterometallic and Homometallic Binuclear Cyclopentadienylmetal Carbonyls: The Iron–Nickel vs. the Dicobalt Systems
Authors: Zhang Jun D. , Chen Zhongfang , King R. Bruce , Schaefer Henry F.
Published: January 2008

The heterometallic binuclear cyclopentadienylironnickel carbonyl compounds Cp2FeNi(CO)n (n = 3, 2, 1; Cp = η5‐C5H5) have been studied by density functional theory (BP86) for comparison with the isoelectronic homometallic dicobalt derivatives Cp2Co2(CO)n. The FeNi tricarbonyl is shown to be the doubly bridged isomer Cp2Fe(CO)Ni(μ‐CO)2 with an Fe–Ni distance of 2.455 Å (BP86), in accord with experiment and in contrast to Cp2Co2(CO)3 where singly and triply bridged but not doubly bridged isomers are found. The dicarbonyl compounds Cp2FeNi(μ‐CO)2 and Cp2Co2(μ‐CO)2 both have analogous doubly bridged structures with M=M distances around 2.35 Å, suggesting formal M=M double bonds. The monocarbonyl compounds have analogous singly bridged axial structures Cp2FeNi(μ‐CO) and Cp2Co2(μ‐CO) with metal–metal distances in the range 2.05 Å (M2 = Co2) to 2.12 Å (M2 = FeNi) consistent with the formal M≡M triple bonds required for the favored 18‐electron configuration. Open‐shell states of Cp2FeNi(μ‐CO) are found to have even lower energies than the closed‐shell structure, which indicates that the ground state of Cp2FeNi(μ‐CO) might be a high spin structure. However, the global minimum for the monocarbonyl is found to be a singlet “hot dog” perpendicular Cp2NiFe(CO) structure with a terminal CO group bonded to the iron atom. Other higher energy perpendicular structures are also found for Cp2FeNi(CO)n (n = 3, 2, 1) with terminal CO groups and bridging Cp rings. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Forecasting US employment growth using forecast combining methods
Authors: Rapach David E. , Strauss Jack K.
Published: January 2008

We examine different approaches to forecasting monthly US employment growth in the presence of many potentially relevant predictors. We first generate simulated out‐of‐sample forecasts of US employment growth at multiple horizons using individual autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) models based on 30 potential predictors. We then consider different methods from the extant literature for combining the forecasts generated by the individual ARDL models. Using the mean square forecast error (MSFE) metric, we investigate the performance of the forecast combining methods over the last decade, as well as five periods centered on the last five US recessions. Overall, our results show that a number of combining methods outperform a benchmark autoregressive model. Combining methods based on principal components exhibit the best overall performance, while methods based on simple averaging, clusters, and discount MSFE also perform well. On a cautionary note, some combining methods, such as those based on ordinary least squares, often perform quite poorly.  Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Strengthening of laterality of verbal and visuospatial functions during childhood and adolescence
Authors: Everts Regula , Lidzba Karen , Wilke Marko , Kiefer Claus , Mordasini Michela , Schroth Gerhard , Perrig Walter , Steinlin Maja
Published: January 2008

Cognitive functions in the child's brain develop in the context of complex adaptive processes, determined by genetic and environmental factors. Little is known about the cerebral representation of cognitive functions during development. In particular, knowledge about the development of right hemispheric (RH) functions is scarce. Considering the dynamics of brain development, localization and lateralization of cognitive functions must be expected to change with age. Twenty healthy subjects (8.6–20.5 years) were examined with fMRI and neuropsychological tests. All participants completed two fMRI tasks known to activate left hemispheric (LH) regions (language tasks) and two tasks known to involve predominantly RH areas (visual search tasks). A laterality index (LI) was computed to determine the asymmetry of activation. Group analysis revealed unilateral activation of the LH language circuitry during language tasks while visual search tasks induced a more widespread RH activation pattern in frontal, superior temporal, and occipital areas. Laterality of language increased between the ages of 8–20 in frontal (r = 0.392, P = 0.049) and temporal (r = 0.387, P = 0.051) areas. The asymmetry of visual search functions increased in frontal (r = −0.525, P = 0.009) and parietal (r = −0.439, P = 0.027) regions. A positive correlation was found between Verbal‐IQ and the LI during a language task (r = 0.585, P = 0.028), while visuospatial skills correlated with LIs of visual search (r = −0.621, P = 0.018). To summarize, cognitive development is accompanied by changes in the functional representation of neuronal circuitries, with a strengthening of lateralization not only for LH but also for RH functions. Our data show that age and performance, independently, account for the increases of laterality with age. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sex differences in brain activation to anticipated and experienced pain in the medial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Straube Thomas , Schmidt Stephanie , Weiss Thomas , Mentzel Hans‐Joachim , Miltner Wolfgang H.R.
Published: January 2008

Previous studies on sex differences in neural responses to noxious stimuli yielded mixed results. Both increased and decreased brain activation in several brain areas in women as compared to men has been reported. The current event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging study used a parametric design with different levels of the intensity of electrical stimulation in order to investigate sex differences in brain activation during pain processing. Four intensity levels, which were determined individually according to subjective ratings, ranging from stimulation below the stimulus detection threshold to moderately painful stimuli, were applied. Females experienced mild and moderate pain at lower stimulus intensity than males. Pronounced sex differences in brain activation were found in response to stimulation below the detection threshold and for the most intense pain stimuli in the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC). Under both the conditions, women showed stronger activation in a region of the pregenual MPFC, which has been implicated in introspective, self‐focused informationprocessing. The results suggest that women, as compared to men, show increased self‐related attention during anticipation of pain and in response to intense pain. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Building‐Block Approach for the Straightforward Incorporation of a New FRET (Fluorescence‐Resonance‐Energy Transfer) System into Synthetic DNA
Authors: Clima Lilia , Bannwarth Willi
Published: January 2008

The synthesis of the two new phosphoramidites 5 and 8 bearing a carbostyril (=quinolin‐2(1H)‐one) chromophore used as donor entity in our recently developed new FRET (fluorescence‐resonance‐energy transfer) system is described (Schemes 1 and 2) The high stability of the chromophore to basic conditions enables the incorporation of the phosphoramidites directly into DNA during solid‐phase synthesis (Schemes 3 and 4). Since this is also possible for the (bathophenanthroline)ruthenium(II) complex used as acceptor (Scheme 4, Steps d and e), the whole labelling procedure to insert the FRET system into synthetic DNA is straightforward and represents a major improvement to our previous strategy.
Micellar Effects on the Reaction between an Arenediazonium Ion and the Antioxidants Gallic Acid and Octyl Gallate
Authors: Barreiro Sonia Losada , Sánchez‐Paz Verónica , Gallego Maria José Pastoriza , Bravo‐Díaz Carlos
Published: January 2008

The effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles on the reaction between the 3‐methylbenzenediazonium (3MBD) ion and either the hydrophilic antioxidant gallic acid (GA) or the hydrophobic analogue octyl gallate (OG) have been investigated as a function of pH. Titration of GA in the absence and presence of SDS micelles showed that the micelles do not alter the first ionization equilibrium of GA. Analysis of the dependence of the observed rate constant (kobs) with pH shows that the reactive species are GA2− and OG−. Kinetics results in the absence and presence of SDS micelles suggest that SDS aggregates do not alter the expected reaction pathway. SDS Micelles inhibit the spontaneous decomposition of 3MBD as well as the reaction between 3MBD and either GA or OG, and upon increasing the SDS concentration, with kobs approaching the value for the thermal decomposition of 3MBD in the presence of SDS. Our results are consistent with the prediction of the pseudophase model and show that the origin of the inhibition for the reaction with GA is different to that for the reaction with OG; in the former case, the observed inhibition can be rationalized in terms of the micelle‐induced electrostatic separation of reactants in the micellar Stern layer, whereas the observed inhibition in the reaction with OG is a consequence of the dilution effect caused by increasing SDS concentration, decreasing the local OG− concentration in the Stern layer.
Synthesis of a Novel Chiral Ionic Liquid and Its Application in Enantioselective Aldol Reactions
Authors: Zhou Wei , Xu Li‐Wen , Qiu Hua‐Yu , Lai Guo‐Qiao , Xia Chun‐Gu , Jiang Jian‐Xiong
Published: January 2008

A novel chiral ionic liquid, compound 1, based on camphorsulfonic acid, was prepared. A catalytic amount of 1 readily promotes L‐proline‐catalyzed aldol reactions, with good chemoselectivity, both in H2O and in organic solvents. Further, the aldol reaction of cyclohexanone with 4‐nitrobenzaldehyde afforded 2‐[hydroxy(4‐nitrophenyl)methyl]cyclohexanone (6) in 98% yield with high enantioselectivity (94% ee) when large amounts of 1 (5 equiv.) were used as promoter.
Two New Dammarane‐Type Bisdesmosides from the Fruit Pedicels of Panax notoginseng
Authors: Wang Xian‐You , Wang Dong , Ma Xiao‐Xia , Zhang Ying‐Jun , Yang Chong‐Ren
Published: January 2008

Two new dammarane‐type triterpenoidal saponins, notoginsenosides FP1 (1) and FP2 (2), were isolated from the fruit pedicels of Panax notoginseng, along with 22 known compounds. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidences and chemical methods. The known compounds were identified as ginsenosides Rg1 (3), Re (4), Rb3 (5), Rc (6), Rd (7), Rb2 (8), Rb1 (9), F2 (10), and F1 (11); as notoginsenosides R1 (12), Fa (13), and Fc (14); as vina‐ginsenoside R7 (15); as gypenosides IX (16), XVII (17), and XIII (18), and as chikusetsusaponin‐L5 (19), quercetin 3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D‐galactopyranoside (20), kaempferol 3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D‐galactopyranoside (21), benzyl‐β‐primeveroside (22), (S)‐tryptophan (23), and icariside B6 (24). Compounds 15, 19 and 22–24 are reported for the first time from the title plant.
New Epoxydammarane Triterpenes from Salvia santolinifolia
Authors: Ahmad Zaheer , Fatima Itrat , Mehmood Sajid , Ifzal Rehana , Malik Abdul , Afza Nighat
Published: January 2008

Three new 20,24‐epoxydammarane triterpenes, santolins A–C (1–3), were isolated from the AcOEt‐soluble fraction of the MeOH extract of Salvia santolinifolia (whole plant). Their structures were assigned based on 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR (DEPT), and 2D‐NMR analyses, in combination with HR‐MS experiments and comparison with literature data of related compounds.
Three New Polyyne (=Polyacetylene) Glucosides from the Edible Roots of Codonopsis cordifolioidea
Authors: Mei Ren‐Qiang , Lu Qing , Hu Yan‐Fen , Liu Hai‐Yang , Bao Fu‐Kai , Zhang Yu , Cheng Yong‐Xian
Published: January 2008

Three new linear C14 polyyne (=polyacetylene) glucosides, cordifolioidynes A–C (1–3), together with two known polyynes, lobetyol (4) and lobetyolin (5), and five known phenylpropanoids, i.e., sinapinaldehyde (6), coniferaldehyde (7), coniferoside (8), sachaliside (9), and isoconiferin (10), were isolated from the roots of Codonopsis cordifolioidea. The structures of 1–3 were established from spectral evidences and by characterization of their hydrolysis products. Acid hydrolysis of 1 afforded the aglycone 1a, while hydrolysis of 2 and 3 gave the cyclization products 2a and 3a, respectively. Compounds 4–10 were isolated from this plant for the first time. The antibacterial activity of compounds 1–5 were assessed against eight microbial strains by the agar dilution method, none of them exhibited antibacterial effects at concentrations up to 100 μg/ml.
Synthesis of Components for the Generation of Constitutional Dynamic Analogues of Nucleic Acids
Authors: Hickman David T. , Sreenivasachary Nampally , Lehn Jean‐Marie
Published: January 2008

The introduction of dynamic covalent polymers, in which the monomer units are linked by reversible covalent bonds and can undergo component exchange, opens up new possibilities for the generation of functional materials. Extending this approach to the generation of dynamic biopolymers in aqueous media, which are able to adapt constitution (sequence, length) to external factors (e.g., environment, medium, template), would provide an alternative approach to the de novo design of functional dynamic bio‐macromolecules. As a first step towards this goal, various mono‐ and bifunctionalised (hetero‐ and homotopic) nucleic acid‐derived building blocks of type I–X have been synthesised for the generation of dynamic main‐chain and side‐chain reversible nucleic acid analogues. Hydrazide‐ and/or acetal (protected carbonyl)‐functionalised components were selected, which differ in terms of flexibility, length, net formal charge, and hydrazide/acetal substituents, in order to explore how such factors may affect the properties (structure, solubility, molecular recognition features) of the polymer products that may be generated by polycondensation.
Long‐term weight loss observed with olanzapine orally disintegrating tablets in overweight patients with chronic schizophrenia. A 1 year open‐label, prospective trial
Authors: Chawla Bharat , Luxton‐Andrew Heather
Published: January 2008

Objective

To investigate the long‐term weight loss outcomes during usual clinical practice after switching from olanzapine standard oral tablet (SOT) to olanzapine orally disintegrating tablets (ODT).

Method

In this open‐label prospective study, 26 patients with schizophrenia who were clinically stable on olanzapine SOT treatment were switched to olanzapine ODT. All other aspects of treatment remained constant. Weight was recorded at 3, 6, and 12 months.

Results

Patients incurred an average weight loss of 2.7 ± 0.7 kg (p = 0.001) after switching patients from olanzapine SOT to olanzapine ODT at 12 months. Peak weight loss was observed at 6 months; however, significant weight loss was achieved as early as 3 months. The majority (81.9%) of patients lost weight, while 18.1% had no weight change or weight gain. Body mass index (BMI) significantly decreased by 1.0 ± 0.3 kg/m2 (p = 0.001). Interestingly, patients treated with higher doses of olanzapine (≥20 mg) incurred a greater weight loss of their body weight (5.6%), compared to those treated with lower doses (<20 mg), who lost 1.9% of their body weight (p = 0.04).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that, in usual clinical practice, switching patients from olanzapine SOT to olanzapine ODT treatment resulted in significant weight loss that was maintained over 12 months. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Endoscopic OCT with forward‐looking probe: clinical studies in urology and gastroenterology
Authors: Zagaynova E. , Gladkova N. , Shakhova N. , Gelikonov G. , Gelikonov V.
Published: January 2008

In the current paper we present results of application of endoscopic time‐domain OCT (EOCT) with lateral scanning by forward looking miniprobe. We analysed material of clinical studies of 554 patients: 164 patients with urinary bladder pathology, and 390 with gastrointestinal tract pathology. We reviewed the materials obtained in different clinics using the OCT device elaborated at the Institute of Applied Physics. We demonstrate results of EOCT application in detection of early cancer and surgery guidance, examples of combined use of OCT and fluorescence imaging. As a result, we show the diagnostic accuracy of EOCT in specific clinical tasks. The sensitivity of EOCT cancer determination in Barrett's esophagus is from 71% to 85% at different stages of neoplasia with specificity 68% for all stages. As for bladder carcinoma, the sensitivity and specificity are 85% and 68%, respectively. In colon dysplasia EOST demonstrates high efficacy: sensitivity 92% and specificity 84%. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Mammalian collagen IV
Authors: Khoshnoodi Jamshid , Pedchenko Vadim , Hudson Billy G.
Published: January 2008

Four decades have passed since the first discovery of collagen IV by Kefalides in 1966. Since then collagen IV has been investigated extensively by a large number of research laboratories around the world. Advances in molecular genetics have resulted in identification of six evolutionary related mammalian genes encoding six different polypeptide chains of collagen IV. The genes are differentially expressed during the embryonic development, providing different tissues with specific collagen IV networks each having unique biochemical properties. Newly translated α‐chains interact and assemble in the endoplasmic reticulum in a chain‐specific fashion and form unique heterotrimers. Unlike most collagens, type IV collagen is an exclusive member of the basement membranes and through a complex inter‐ and intramolecular interactions form supramolecular networks that influence cell adhesion, migration, and differentiation. Collagen IV is directly involved in a number of genetic and acquired disease such as Alport's and Goodpasture's syndromes. Recent discoveries have also highlighted a new and direct role for collagen IV in the development of rare genetic diseases such as cerebral hemorrhage and porencephaly in infants and hemorrhagic stroke in adults. Years of intensive investigations have resulted in a vast body of information about the structure, function, and biology of collagen IV. In this review article, we will summarize essential findings on the structural and functional relationships of different collagen IV chains and their roles in health and disease. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
MR‐guided prostate interventions
Authors: Tempany Clare , Straus Sarah , Hata Nobuhiko , Haker Steven
Published: January 2008

In this article the current issues of diagnosis and detection of prostate cancer are reviewed. The limitations for current techniques are highlighted and some possible solutions with MR imaging and MR‐guided biopsy approaches are reviewed. There are several different biopsy approaches under investigation. These include transperineal open magnet approaches to closed‐bore 1.5T transrectal biopsies. The imaging, image processing, and tracking methods are also discussed. In the arena of therapy, MR guidance has been used in conjunction with radiation methods, either brachytherapy or external delivery. The principles of the radiation treatment, the toxicities, and use of images are outlined. The future role of imaging and image‐guided interventions lie with providing a noninvasive surrogate for cancer surveillance or monitoring treatment response. The shift to minimally invasive focal therapies has already begun and will be very exciting when MR‐guided focused ultrasound surgery reaches its full potential. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;27:356–367. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pulse sequences and system interfaces for interventional and real‐time MRI
Authors: Yutzy Stephen R. , Duerk Jeffrey L.
Published: January 2008

The use of MRI for intervention and real‐time imaging has seen many changes since its inception in the late 1980s. Initial interventional MRI researchers made great strides in building this new specialty, creating devices, sequences, and applications to push the field forward. More recently, researchers have gained more access to the systems themselves, and have taken advantage of this situation to create truly interactive interventional systems. Techniques such as fully interactive scan adjustments and device tracking can be accomplished in real time due to increased transparency between vendors and researchers. Additionally, pulse sequences have undergone an evolution as well, with the constant emergence of novel acquisition schemes to generate image contrast quickly, increase temporal resolution and cover k‐space with nonrectilinear trajectories. We will look at both emerging system interface concepts and novel pulse sequences that we believe will continue to push innovation in the field of interventional MRI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;27:267–275. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The role of ultrasound and magnetic resonance in local drug delivery
Authors: Deckers Roel , Rome Claire , Moonen Chrit T.W.
Published: January 2008

Local drug delivery has recently attracted much attention since it represents a strategy to increase the drug concentration at the target location and decrease systemic toxicity effects. Ultrasound can be used in different ways to trigger regional drug delivery. It can cause the local drug release from a carrier vehicle and the local increase of cell membrane permeability either by a mechanical action or by a temperature increase. Ultrasound contrast agents may enhance these effects by means of cavitation. Ultrasound can be focused deep inside the body into a small region with dimensions on the order of 1 mm. Several types of drug microcarriers have been proposed, from nano‐ to micrometer sized particles. The objective of real‐time imaging of local drug delivery is to assure that the delivery takes place in the target region, that the drug concentration and the resulting physiological reaction are sufficient, and to intervene if necessary. Ultrasound and nuclear imaging techniques play an important role. MRI is rather insensitive but allows precise targeting of (focused) ultrasound, can provide real‐time temperature maps, and gives access to a variety of imaging biomarkers that may be used to assess drug action. Examples from recent articles illustrate the potential of the principles of ultrasound‐triggered local drug delivery. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;27:400–409. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Roc domain of leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 is sufficient for interaction with microtubules
Authors: Gandhi Payal N. , Wang Xinglong , Zhu Xiongwei , Chen Shu G. , Wilson‐Delfosse Amy L.
Published: January 2008

Mutations in the leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are the leading cause of genetically inherited Parkinson's disease (PD). Although this multidomain protein has been shown to have both GTPase and kinase activities through the Roc and MAPKKK domains, respectively, the protein–protein interactions and pathways involved in LRRK2‐mediated signaling remain elusive. Utilizing a combination of protein pull‐down assays, mass spectrometry, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence microscopy, this study identifies and describes the interaction between LRRK2 and microtubules. The Roc or GTPase‐like domain of LRRK2 is sufficient for interaction with α/β‐tubulin heterodimers. This interaction occurs in a guanine nucleotide‐independent manner, suggesting that tubulin might not be an effector of the LRRK2 GTPase domain. The R1441C pathogenic mutation, located within the Roc domain, retains interaction with α/β‐tubulin heterodimers, suggesting that disruption of this interaction likely is not the mechanism whereby the R1441C mutation leads to disease. At a subcellular level, endogenous LRRK2 protein was found to colocalize with α/β‐tubulin in primary hippocampal neurons. These findings are significant in that they link LRRK2 with microtubules, a structural component of the cell that is critically involved in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases, including PD. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.