bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of a Flexibility and Relaxation Programme, Walking, and Nordic Walking on Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Reuter I. , Mehnert S. , Leone P. , Kaps M. , Oechsner M. , Engelhardt M.
Published: March 2011

Symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) progress despite optimized medical treatment. The present study investigated the effects of a flexibility and relaxation programme, walking, and Nordic walking (NW) on walking speed, stride length, stride length variability, Parkinson-specific disability (UPDRS), and health-related quality of life (PDQ 39). 90 PD patients were randomly allocated to the 3 treatment groups. Patients participated in a 6-month study with 3 exercise sessions per week, each lasting 70 min. Assessment after completion of the training showed that pain was reduced in all groups, and balance and health-related quality of life were improved. Furthermore, walking, and Nordic walking improved stride length, gait variability, maximal walking speed, exercise capacity at submaximal level, and PD disease-specific disability on the UPDRS in addition. Nordic walking was superior to the flexibility and relaxation programme and walking in improving postural stability, stride length, gait pattern and gait variability. No significant injuries occurred during the training. All patients of the Nordic walking group continued Nordic walking after completing the study.
The Importance of Mitochondrial DNA in Aging and Cancer
Authors: Desler Claus , Marcker Maiken Lise , Singh Keshav K. , Rasmussen Lene Juel
Published: March 2011

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in premature aging, age-related diseases, and tumor initiation and progression. Alterations of the mitochondrial genome accumulate both in aging tissue and tumors. This paper describes our contemporary view of mechanisms by which alterations of the mitochondrial genome contributes to the development of age- and tumor-related pathological conditions. The mechanisms described encompass altered production of mitochondrial ROS, altered regulation of the nuclear epigenome, affected initiation of apoptosis, and a limiting effect on the production of ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides.
Male-Female Interactions and the Evolution of Postmating Prezygotic Reproductive Isolation among Species of the Virilis Subgroup
Authors: Sagga Nada , Civetta Alberto
Published: March 2011

Reproductive isolation reduces breeding between species. Traditionally, prezygotic and postzygotic barriers to reproduction have been broadly studied, but in recent years, attention has been brought to the existence of barriers that act after copulation but before fertilization. Here, we show that whenD. virilisfemales from different geographic locations mate withD. novamexicanamales, egg laying is normal, but fertilization rates are severely reduced, despite normal rates of sperm transfer. This reduction in fertilization is probably due to lower retention of heterospecific sperm in female storage organs one-to-two days after copulation. An inspection of egg hatchability in crosses between females and males from other virilis subgroup species reveals that isolation due to poor egg hatchability likely evolved during the diversification ofD. virilis/D. lummeifrom species of the novamexicana-americana clade. Interestingly, the number of eggs laid byD. virilis femalesin heterospecific crosses was not different from the numbers of eggs laid in conspecific crosses, suggesting that females exert some form of cryptic control over the heterospecific ejaculate and that future studies should focus on how female and female-sperm interactions contribute to the loss or active exclusion of heterospecific sperm from storage.
Bone Health in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Zikan Vit
Published: March 2011

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a gait disorder characterized by acute episodes of neurological defects leading to progressive disability. Patients with MS have multiple risk factors for osteoporotic fractures, such as progressive immobilization, long-term glucocorticoids (GCs) treatment or vitamin D deficiency. The duration of motor disability appears to be a major contributor to the reduction of bone strength. The long term immobilization causes a marked imbalance between bone formation and resorption with depressed bone formation and a marked disruption of mechanosensory network of tightly connected osteocytes due to increase of osteocyte apoptosis. Patients with higher level of disability have also higher risk of falls that combined with a bone loss increases the frequency of bone fractures. There are currently no recommendations how to best prevent and treat osteoporosis in patients with MS. However, devastating effect of immobilization on the skeleton in patients with MS underscores the importance of adequate mechanical stimuli for maintaining the bone structure and its mechanical competence. The physical as well as pharmacological interventions which can counteract the bone remodeling imbalance, particularly osteocyte apoptosis, will be promising for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in patients with MS.
Lymphoproliferative Lesions in the Setting of HIV Infection: A Five-Year Retrospective Case Series and Review
Authors: Mahe Etienne , Ross Catherine , Sur Monalisa
Published: March 2011

A wide variety of noninfectious lesions have been identified in association with HIV infection. Many hematolymphoid lesions are possible in this patient group, both reactive and neoplastic. Epidemiologic data suggests that lymphoid malignancies are among the most common neoplasms in patients with HIV. We present a selective case series assembled over a 5-year period from the relatively low HIV-prevalence Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program (HRLMP), a tertiary care referral centre in Southern Ontario. This series serves to demonstrate the wide variety of lymphoid lesions that may be encountered in patients with HIV. In addition to outlining the pathologic work-up necessary in these cases, we discuss characteristics that distinguish the HIV-associated lesions from the pathobiologically similar non-HIV-associated lymphoid lesions.
Case Report of Undifferentiated Endometrial Sarcoma in Association with Osteoclast-Like Giant Cells
Authors: Bardarov Svetoslav , Khachaturov Vadim , Kirtesh Patel , Jimenez Elpidio
Published: March 2011

We describe the clinical, gross and microscopic features of undifferentiated uterine stromal sarcoma associated with osteoclast-like giant cells. A case of low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma is already described in association with osteoclast-like giant cells; however, the current case differs in that the tumor was a high grade and did not show any evidence of smooth muscle or epithelioid differentiation and was shown to be strongly positive for CD10 and focally for WT-1 and Inhibin supporting an endometrial stromal origin. The associated osteoclast-like giant cells were abundant, evenly distributed within the tumor and showed strong positivity for CD68. Interestingly, rare (less than 2%) giant cells also showed weak cytoplasmic positivity for b-hCG. The tumor infiltrated deep into the myometrium and had marked lymphovascular invasion. Although the regional lymph nodes and peritoneal washings were negative, the lesion showed a highly aggressive clinical course. Despite treatment, the tumor disseminated within the abdominal cavity and lungs and ultimately led to the patient's demise within 9 months of the diagnosis.
Optimization of Inulinase Production from Garlic byStreptomyces sp.in Solid State Fermentation Using Statistical Designs
Authors: Dilipkumar M. , Rajasimman M. , Rajamohan N.
Published: March 2011

Plackett-Burman design was employed for screening 18 nutrient components for the production of inulinase using Garlic as substrate byStreptomyces sp.in solid-state fermentation (SSF). From the experiments, 4 nutrients, namely, NH4NO3, MnSO4⋅7H2O, Soya bean cake, and K2HPO4were found to be most significant nutrient components. Hence, these 4 components are selected. The selected components were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum conditions are NH4NO3—6.63 mg/gds, MnSO4⋅7H2O—26.16 mg/gds, Soya bean cake—60.6 mg/gds, and K2HPO4—5.24 mg/gds. Under these conditions, the production of inulinase was found to be 76 U/gds.
Elemental composition and oxidation of chamber organic aerosol
Authors: Chhabra P. S. , Ng N. L. , Canagaratna M. R. , Corrigan A. L. , Russell L. M. , Worsnop D. R. , Flagan R. C. , Seinfeld J. H.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. Recently, graphical representations of aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) spectra and elemental composition have been developed to explain the oxidative and aging processes of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). It has been shown previously that oxygenated organic aerosol (OOA) components from ambient and laboratory data fall within a triangular region in the f44 vs. f43 space, where f44 and f43 are the ratios of the organic signal at m/z 44 and 43 to the total organic signal, respectively; we refer to this model as the "triangle plot." Alternatively, the Van Krevelen diagram has been used to describe the evolution of functional groups in SOA. In this study we investigate the variability of SOA formed in chamber experiments from twelve different precursors in both "triangle plot" and Van Krevelen domains. Spectral and elemental data from the high-resolution Aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometer are compared to offline species identification analysis and FTIR filter analysis to better understand the changes in functional and elemental composition inherent in SOA formation and aging. We find that SOA formed under high- and low-NOx conditions occupy similar areas in the "triangle plot" and Van Krevelen diagram and that SOA generated from already oxidized precursors starts higher on the "triangle plot." As SOA ages, it migrates toward the top of the triangle, suggesting higher organic acid content and decreased mass spectral variability. The most oxidized SOA come from the photooxidation of methoxyphenol precursors which yielded SOA O/C ratios near unity. α-pinene ozonolysis and naphthalene photooxidation SOA systems have had the highest degree of mass closure in previous chemical characterization studies and also show the best agreement between AMS elemental composition measurements and elemental composition of identified species. In general, compared to their respective unsaturated SOA precursors, the elemental composition of chamber SOA follows a slope shallower than −1 on the Van Krevelen diagram. From the spectra of SOA studied here, we are able to reproduce the triangular region originally constructed with ambient OOA components with chamber aerosol showing that SOA becomes more chemically similar as it ages. Ambient data in the middle of the triangle represent the ensemble average of many different SOA precursors, ages, and oxidative processes.
Invertebrate fossils from cave sediments: a new proxy for pre-Quaternary paleoenvironments
Authors: Moldovan O. T. , Mihevc A. , Mikó L. , Constantin S. , Meleg I. , Petculescu A. , Bosák P.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. Five samples of clastic sediments from interior cave facies taken in three Slovenian relic caves (Trhlovca, Račiška pečina, and a cave in Črnotiče Quarry, Classical Karst, SW Slovenia) provided invertebrate fossil remains. Most of them belong to Oribatida but sparse individuals of Cladocera and insects were also identified. They represent the first pre-Quaternary invertebrate fossils found in sediments of continental temperate climate. The Pliocene/Pleistocene age of the sediments was determined by paleomagnetic dating chronologically calibrated by micromammal biostratigraphy. Invertebrate fossils could be validated as new proxy for the study of cave sediments due to their suitability for ecological and paleogeographic correlations in caves and outside the caves. They also bring additional information about cave formation and karst hydraulic regime in the area. Even if the number of remains was very low, it represents evidence that climatic conditions in caves allow a better preservation of fossil remains of some groups as compared to most of the surface habitats. This may open a new direction in the study of cave sediments.
Characterizing the multi-scale spatial structure of land-atmosphere interactions with information theory
Authors: Brunsell N. A. , Anderson M. C.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. A more thorough understanding of the multi-scale spatial structure of land surface heterogeneity will enhance understanding of the relationships and feedbacks between land surface conditions, mass and energy exchanges between the surface and the atmosphere, and regional meteorological and climatological conditions. The objectives of this study were to (1) quantify which spatial scales are dominant in determining the evapotranspiration flux between the surface and the atmosphere and (2) to quantify how different spatial scales of atmospheric and surface processes interact for different stages of the phenological cycle. We used the ALEXI/DisALEXI model for three days (DOY 181, 229 and 245) in 2002 over the Ft. Peck Ameriflux site to estimate the latent heat flux from Landsat, MODIS and GOES satellites. We then applied a multiresolution information theory methodology to quantify these interactions across different spatial scales and compared the dynamics across the different sensors and different periods. We note several important results: (1) spatial scaling characteristics vary with day, but are usually consistent for a given sensor, but (2) different sensors give different scalings, and (3) the different sensors exhibit different scaling relationships with driving variables such as fractional vegetation and near surface soil moisture. In addition, we note that while the dominant length scale of the vegetation index remains relatively constant across the dates, but the contribution of the vegetation index to the derived latent heat flux varies with time. We also note that length scales determined from MODIS are consistently larger than those determined from Landsat. These results aid in identifying the dominant cross-scale nature of local to regional biosphere-atmosphere interactions.
NALPS: a precisely dated European climate record 120–60 ka
Authors: Boch R. , Cheng H. , Spötl C. , Edwards R. L. , Wang X. , Häuselmann Ph.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. Accurate and precise chronologies are essential in understanding the rapid and recurrent climate variations of the Last Glacial – known as Dansgaard-Oeschger (D-O) events – found in the Greenland ice cores and other climate archives. The existing chronological uncertainties during the Last Glacial, however, are still large. Radiometric age data and stable isotopic signals from speleothems are promising to improve the absolute chronology. We present a record of several precisely dated stalagmites from caves located at the northern rim of the Alps (NALPS), a region that favours comparison with the climate in Greenland. The record covers most of the interval from 120 to 60 ka at an average temporal resolution of 2 to 22 a and 2 σ-age uncertainties of ca. 200 to 500 a. The rapid and large oxygen isotope shifts of 1 to 4.5‰ occurred within decades to centuries and strongly mimic the Greenland D-O pattern. Compared to the current Greenland ice-core timescale the NALPS record suggests overall younger ages of rapid warming and cooling transitions between 120 to 60 ka. In particular, there is a discrepancy in the duration of stadial 22 between the ice-core and the stalagmite chronology (ca. 3000 vs. 3650 a). The short-lived D-O events 18 and 18.1 are not recorded in NALPS, provoking questions with regard to the nature and the regional expression of these events. NALPS resolves recurrent short-lived climate changes within the cold Greenland stadial (GS) and warm interstadial (GI) successions, i.e. abrupt warming events preceding GI 21 and 23 (precursor-type events) and at the end of GI 21 and 25 (rebound-type events), as well as intermittent cooling events during GI 22 and 24. Such superimposed Last Glacial events have not been documented in Europe before.
Assessment of a vertical high-resolution distributed-temperature-sensing system in a shallow thermohaline environment
Authors: Suárez F. , Aravena J. E. , Hausner M. B. , Childress A. E. , Tyler S. W.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. In shallow thermohaline-driven lakes it is important to measure temperature on fine spatial and temporal scales to detect stratification or different hydrodynamic regimes. Raman spectra distributed temperature sensing (DTS) is an approach available to provide high spatial and temporal temperature resolution. A vertical high-resolution DTS system was constructed to overcome the problems of typical methods used in the past, i.e., without disturbing the water column, and with resistance to corrosive environments. This paper describes a method to quantitatively assess accuracy, precision and other limitations of DTS systems to fully utilize the capacity of this technology, with a focus on vertical high-resolution to measure temperatures in shallow thermohaline environments. It also presents a new method to manually calibrate temperatures along the optical fiber achieving significant improved resolution. The vertical high-resolution DTS system is used to monitor the thermal behavior of a salt-gradient solar pond, which is an engineered shallow thermohaline system that allows collection and storage of solar energy for a long period of time. The vertical high-resolution DTS system monitors the temperature profile each 1.1 cm vertically and in time averages as small as 10 s. Temperature resolution as low as 0.035 °C is obtained when the data are collected at 5-min intervals.
Characteristics of long-term regional seismicity before the 2008 Wen-Chuan, China, earthquake using pattern informatics and genetic algorithms
Authors: Li H.-C. , Chen C.-C.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. To understand the generation of the 2008 Wen-chuan, China earthquake, we developed a strategy to objectively identify possible seismic precursors. Based on the pattern informatics (PI) method, the pattern of seismic anomaly was identified by the aid of genetic algorithms (GA) to be highly similar to the spatial distribution of the Wen-chuan earthquake sequence. We found that smaller earthquakes (M < 4.4) showed a linear relationship of Gutenberg-Richter (G-R) distribution. However, the frequency of the intermediate earthquakes (M ≥ 4.4) showed an uplift. This uplift supports the seismic activation hypothesis developed by Rundle et al. (2000b) and is similar to the case of the 1999 Chi-chi, Taiwan earthquake sequence reported by Chen (2003).
A Decrement Method for Quantifying Nonlinear and Linear Damping in Multidegree of Freedom Systems
Authors: Meskell Craig
Published: March 2011

A method is presented which can estimate the linear and nonlinear damping parameters in a lightly damped multidegree of
freedom system which allows the system to be decomposed into a set of single degree of freedom nonlinear systems. Only a single response measurement from a free decay test is required as input ensuring that the magnitude of the damping parameters is not compromised by phase distortion between measurements. The response is band-pass filtered in the time domain, around each of the natural frequencies. While this provides a free response measurement for each mode, it introduces a restriction as the natural frequencies must be distinct and separated. The instantaneous energy of each trace is used to describe the long-term evolution of the mode. This is achieved by using only the peak amplitudes in each period, and so the stiffness and inertial forces are effectively ignored, and only the damping forces are considered. Thus, the method is not unlike the familiar decrement method, which can estimate the viscous damping in linear systems. The method is developed for a weakly nonlinear, lightly damped two-degree-of-freedom system, with both linear and Coulomb damping. Simulated response data is used to demonstrate the accuracy of the technique.
Optimal design of sustainable cellulosic biofuel supply chains: Multiobjective optimization coupled with life cycle assessment and input–output analysis
Authors: You Fengqi , Tao Ling , Graziano Diane J. , Snyder Seth W.
Published: March 2011

This article addresses the optimal design and planning of cellulosic ethanol supply chains under economic, environmental, and social objectives. The economic objective is measured by the total annualized cost, the environmental objective is measured by the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, and the social objective is measured by the number of accrued local jobs. A multiobjective mixed‐integer linear programming (mo‐MILP) model is developed that accounts for major characteristics of cellulosic ethanol supply chains, including supply seasonality and geographical diversity, biomass degradation, feedstock density, diverse conversion pathways and byproducts, infrastructure compatibility, demand distribution, regional economy, and government incentives. Aspen Plus models for biorefineries with different feedstocks and conversion pathways are built to provide detailed techno‐economic and emission analysis results for the mo‐MILP model, which simultaneously predicts the optimal network design, facility location, technology selection, capital investment, production planning, inventory control, and logistics management decisions. The mo‐MILP problem is solved with an ε‐constraint method; and the resulting Pareto‐optimal curves reveal the tradeoff between the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of the sustainable biofuel supply chains. The proposed approach is illustrated through two case studies for the state of Illinois. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
Proposed chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency criteria do not predict multiple sclerosis risk or severity
Authors: Centonze Diego , Floris Roberto , Stefanini Matteo , Rossi Silvia , Fabiano Sebastiano , Castelli Maura , Marziali Simone , Spinelli Alessio , Motta Caterina , Garaci Francesco G. , Bernardi Giorgio , Simonetti Giovanni
Published: March 2011

Objective:

It is still unclear whether chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) is associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), because substantial methodological differences have been claimed by Zamboni to account for the lack of results of other groups. Furthermore, the potential role of venous malformations in influencing MS severity has not been fully explored. This information is particularly relevant, because uncontrolled surgical procedures are increasingly offered to MS patients to treat their venous stenoses.

Methods:

In the present study, CCSVI was studied in 84 MS patients and in 56 healthy subjects by applying the Zamboni method for CCSVI identification.

Results:

We found no significant differences (p = 0.12) in CCSVI frequency between MS and control subjects. Furthermore, no differences were found between CCSVI‐positive and CCSVI‐negative patients in terms of relevant clinical variables such as disease duration, time between onset and first relapse, relapsing or progressive disease course, and risk of secondary progression course. Statistically significant differences were not found between CCSVI‐positive and CCSVI‐negative MS subjects by analyzing direct measures of disability such as mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (p = 0.07), mean progression index (p > 0.1), and mean MS severity score (p > 0.1). The percentage of subjects who reached EDSS 4.0 and 6.0 milestones was not different among CCSVI‐negative and CCSVI‐positive subjects, and no significant correlation was found between severity of disability and number of positive CCSVI criteria.

Interpretation:

Our results indicate that CCSVI has no role in either MS risk or MS severity. Ann Neurol 2011;
Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane–polyphenylsulfone nanocomposites: Investigation of the melt‐flow enhancement, thermal behavior, and mechanical properties
Authors: Jones Paul J. , Cook Robert D. , McWright Cynthia N. , Nalty Raymond J. , Choudhary Veena , Morgan Sarah E.
Published: March 2011

Two structurally and chemically different polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) molecules with different solubility parameters, dodecaphenyl POSS and trisilanolphenyl POSS, were melt‐blended with polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), and the effects on the material processing, rheology, and thermomechanical properties were investigated. Process monitoring and capillary rheometry revealed enhancements in the processing melt flow and a reduction in the nanocomposite viscosity with only a small addition of POSS. The magnitude and concentration dependence of rheological modification were shown to depend on POSS structure. Although small increases in the tensile modulus were observed, reductions in the tensile elongation properties were observed at high POSS loading levels. Analysis of the nanocomposite fracture behavior and surface morphology provided evidence for the surface phase segregation of both types of POSS, but the extent of segregation was related to the POSS structure. The degree of interfacial adhesion in the POSS/polymer composites and the resultant rheological behavior were related to the POSS composition and predicted solubility parameters. No measurable effect on the glass‐transition temperature or molecular weight of PPSU was observed, whereas small improvements in the thermal degradation behavior were obtained with the incorporation of POSS. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
New polymers from epoxidized soybean oil with pyridine derivatives
Authors: Öztürk Cem , Küsefoğlu Selim H.
Published: March 2011

In this study 4‐methylpyridine (4MP), 4‐vinylpyridine (4VP) and poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (P4VP) were separately reacted with epoxidized soybean oil triglycerides (ESO) to give plant oil based thermoset polymers. The addition reaction of pyridine with epoxide followed by a rearrangement results in formation of pyridone units and these were polymerized via a Diels–Alder reaction. DMA, DSC, TGA and IR spectroscopy were used for the characterization of the products. 4MP‐ESO, P4VP‐ESO and P4VP‐ESO‐in situ polymers were crosslinked yielding rigid infusible polymers. Glass transition temperatures (Tg) of 4MP‐ESO and P4VP‐ESO‐in situ were found as −10.5 and 70.5 (32.3 as shoulder) °C respectively, by DMA analysis. Storage moduli of 4MP‐ESO and P4VP‐ESO‐in situ at 25°C were 13.7 and 187.2 MPa, respectively. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Preparation and surface activity of gelatin‐derived surfactants modified with polyoxyethylene stearyl ether units
Authors: Lin Li‐Huei , Lin Po‐Chang
Published: March 2011

We have prepared a series of novel gelatin derivatives through reactions of gelatin with alkyl succinic anhydride and polyoxyethylene stearyl ether. These derivatives contain gelatin units and polyoxyethylene chains as their hydrophilic moieties and alkyl succinic anhydrides and 18‐carbon‐atom alkyl chains as their hydrophobic moieties. Surface activities were evaluated in terms of the materials' surface tensions, wetting abilities, emulsifying powers, and foaming properties. The surface tensions were characterized with respect to the critical micelle concentration (cmc), the surface tension at the cmc, the maximum surface excess concentration, the standard free energy, and the surface area per molecule at the air‐water interface. The modified gelatins were more surface‐active relative to gelatin itself. Increasing the polyoxyethylene chain length led to a decrease in surface activity. The excellent foaming, wetting, and emulsifying behavior of the gelatin derivatives was a direct result of the presence of their multiple hydrophilic and hydrophobic units. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Synthesis and characterization of the polyaminophenol derivatives containing thiophene in side chain: Thermal degradation, electrical conductivity, optical‐electrochemical, and fluorescent properties
Authors: Kaya İsmet , Aydın Aysel
Published: March 2011

Novel polyaminophenols, poly‐2‐[3‐thienylmethylene]aminophenol (P‐2,3‐TP), poly‐3‐[3‐thienylmethylene]aminophenol (P‐3,3‐TP) and poly‐4‐[3‐thienylmethylene]amino phenol (P‐4,3‐TP), were synthesized by oxidative polycondensation reaction. Metal complexes of P‐2,3‐TP were also obtained. The structures of synthesized compounds were confirmed by FT‐IR, UV‐vis, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR techniques. The characterization was made by TG‐DTA, DSC, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analyses in addition to solubility tests. Electrical conductivities of polymers were measured by four‐point probe technique. Fluorescence measurements were carried out in various solutions and optimum concentrations and maximal intensities were determined. The new synthesized polyaminophenols are good candidates for electronic, opto‐electronic, and photovoltaic applications due to polyconjugated structures. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
High‐energy heavy‐ion irradiation effects in makrofol‐KG polycarbonate and PET
Authors: Ramola R. C. , Negi Ambika , Semwal Anju , Chandra Subhash , Rana J. M. S. , Sonkawade R. G. , Kanjilal D.
Published: March 2011

This experimental study investigated the modification of optical, structural and morphological properties of Makrofol‐KG and Polyethylene Terephtalate (PET) by irradiation of 120 MeV Ni+9 ions at fluences ranging from 1 × 1010 to 1 × 1012 ion/cm2. Optical and structural properties were studied by UV–visible spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) method, respectively. XRD studies of pristine and irradiated polymers revealed that crystallinity decreased after irradiation with swift heavy ions. The UV–visible spectrum displayed a shift in absorbance edge toward higher wavelength at higher fluence, which can be correlated with transition involved in polymers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra were analyzed to investigate the changes in the chemical/structural properties of these polymers. The Makrofol‐KG is found to exhibit more pronounced modification compared to PET after irradiation by swift heavy ions. The surface morphology studied by atomic force microscopy showed that the roughness of polymers surface increased with increasing fluence. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Higher clearance of micafungin in neonates compared with adults: role of age‐dependent micafungin serum binding
Authors: Yanni Souzan B. , Smith P. Brian , Benjamin Daniel K. , Augustijns Patrick F. , Thakker Dhiren R. , Annaert Pieter P.
Published: March 2011

Micafungin, a new echinocandin antifungal agent, has been used widely for the treatment of various fungal infections in human populations. Micafungin is predominantly cleared by biliary excretion and it binds extensively to plasma proteins. Micafungin body weight‐adjusted clearance is higher in neonates than in adults, but the mechanisms underlying this difference are not understood. Previous work had revealed the roles of sinusoidal uptake (Na+‐taurocholate co‐transporting peptide, NTCP; organic anion transporting polypeptide, OATP) as well as canalicular efflux (bile salt export pump, BSEP; breast cancer resistance protein, BCRP) transporters in micafungin hepatobiliary elimination. In the present study, the relative protein expression of hepatic transporters was compared between liver homogenates from neonates and adults. Also, the extent of micafungin binding to serum from neonates and adults was measured in vitro. The results indicate that relative expression levels of NTCP, OATP1B1/3, BSEP, BCRP and MRP3 were similar in neonates and in adults. However, the micafungin fraction unbound (fu) in neonatal serum was about 8‐fold higher than in the adult serum (0.033±0.012 versus 0.004±0.001, respectively). While there was no evidence for different intrinsic hepatobiliary clearance of micafungin between neonates and adults, our data suggest that age‐dependent serum protein binding of micafungin is responsible for its higher clearance in neonates compared with adults. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling of phenol biodegradation by Candida tropicalis immobilised in alginate gel beads
Authors: Jia Xiaoqiang , Wen Jianping , Ji Tao , Jiang Yan
Published: March 2011

Phenol‐degrading yeast Candida tropicalis were immobilised in alginate gel beads and photographed by scanning electron microscopy. Batch phenol biodegradation experiments were done in shaking flasks under varying conditions such as initial phenol concentrations and bead loadings. A mathematical model was proposed to simulate the batch phenol biodegradation process in the immobilised system, which took into account the internal and external mass transfer resistances of phenol and oxygen and the double‐substrate phenol–oxygen intrinsic kinetics. The validation of this model was done by the comparison between the model simulations and the experimental measurements of phenol concentration profiles in the main liquid phase. Moreover, the time and radius courses of phenol, oxygen, and cell concentration profiles within the alginate gel beads were reasonably predicted by the proposed model.
A Literature Review on the Links between Environmental Regulation and Competitiveness
Authors: Iraldo Fabio , Testa Francesco , Melis Michela , Frey Marco
Published: March 2011

The effects of environmental regulation on competitiveness are under constant debate for policy‐makers and practitioners. The following article reviews the different ways of defining and measuring the effects of environmental regulation on competition and market forces and synthesizes the most recent findings on the relationship between these dimensions. We find that two variables have proved to be both (1) key in defining to what extent and under what conditions environmental regulation exerts adverse or positive effects on competitiveness, and (2) difficult to nail down: forms of regulation and responses by business. The form of regulation may be as important as its stringency in determining the nature of its relationship with competitiveness. The relationship between environmental policies, environmental performance and competitiveness may also vary depending on the characteristics of the businesses and sectors concerned. Taking these factors in the methods of assessment into account may be crucial in understanding the nature of the relationship between environmental regulation and competitiveness. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Electronic Band Structure, Optical Properties, and Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production of Barium Niobium Phosphate Compounds (BaO–Nb2O5–P2O5)
Authors: Cho In Sun , Kim Dong Wook , Kim Dong Hoe , Shin Seong Sik , Noh Tae Hoon , Kim Dong Wan , Hong Kug Sun
Published: March 2011

Barium niobium phosphate compounds (BaNb2P2O11 and Ba3Nb2P4O18), with corner‐sharing NbO6 octahedra as well as PO4 tetrahedra, were prepared by a conventional solid‐state reaction method, and their optical properties, electronic band structure, and photocatalytic activity were investigated. The powders were characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), field‐emission SEM (FESEM), high‐resolution TEM (HRTEM), and UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Both compounds exhibit similar optical band gaps, 3.55 eV for BaNb2P2O11 and 3.58 eV for Ba3Nb2P4O18. However, photoluminescence spectra revealed that a radiative recombination process of charge carriers is dominant in Ba3Nb2P4O18 (strong blue‐white emission at 300 K) under UV irradiation, whereas no obvious emission was observed from BaNb2P2O11. The photocatalytic activity for the evolution of H2 from the splitting of pure water was evaluated. BaNb2P2O11, which has a smaller photon emission at room temperature, exhibited a much higher photocatalytic activity than Ba3Nb2P4O18. The difference in the photocatalytic activity of the two compounds is attributed to their different electronic band structures, resulting from their different crystal‐structure environments.
Synthesis and Derivatization of the Bis(amido)‐λ3‐cyclodiphosphazanes cis‐[R′(H)NP(μ‐NR)]2, Including a Rare Example, trans‐[tBu(H)N(Se)P(μ‐NCy)]2, Showing Intermolecular Se···H–O Hydrogen Bonding
Authors: Chandrasekaran P. , Mague Joel T. , Balakrishna Maravanji S.
Published: March 2011

The reaction of PCl3 with CyNH2 in a 1:3 ratio affordedthe dichloro‐λ3‐cyclodiphosphazane, cis‐[ClP(μ‐NCy)]2 (2), whereas the corresponding 1:5 reaction gave the bis(amido)‐λ3‐cyclodiphosphazane cis‐[Cy(H)NP(μ‐NCy)]2 (3) in quantitative yield. The dichloro derivative 2 was converted into 3 by reacting 2 with four equivalents of CyNH2. The mixed (amido)derivatives cis‐[tBu(H)NP(μ‐NCy)]2 (4) and cis‐[Cy(H)NP(μ‐NtBu)]2 (5) were prepared from the reaction of cis‐[ClP(μ‐NCy)]2 (2) and cis‐[ClP(μ‐NtBu)]2 (1a) with a fourfold excess of the respective primary amines. The oxidation of the bis(amido)‐λ3‐cyclodiphosphazanes 3–5 with two equivalents of H2O2/H2O, S8, and Se8 produced the bis(oxo) [R′(H)N(O)P(μ‐NR)]2 [R = R′ = Cy (6); R = tBu, R′ = Cy (7); R = Cy, R′ = tBu (8)], bis(sulfide) [R′(H)N(S)P(μ‐NR)]2 [R = R′ = Cy (9); R = tBu, R′ = Cy (10); R = Cy, R′ = tBu (11)], and bis(selenide) [R′(H)N(Se)P(μ‐NR)]2 [R = R′ = Cy (12); R = tBu, R′ = Cy (13); R = Cy, R′ = tBu (14)] derivatives, respectively. The reaction of cis‐[R(H)NP(μ‐NtBu)]2 with two equivalents of phosphoryl azide, [N3P(O)(OPh)2], afforded the corresponding bis(iminophosphoryl) derivatives, cis‐{R(H)N[(OPh)2P(O)N]P(μ‐NtBu)}2 [R = tBu (15), R = Ph (16), R = Cy (17)]. The solid‐state structures for 11, 12, 13, and 15 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. Interestingly, the bis(selenide) derivative [tBu(H)N(Se)P(μ‐NCy)]2 13 turned out be a trans isomer in the solid state, whereas the other cyclodiphosphazane derivatives exhibited the cis geometry. Compounds 13 and 15 crystallized along with a water molecule that facilitated the intermolecular Se···H–O and N···H–O hydrogen bonding, respectively, to form a linear 1D hydrogen bonding network.
Polydopamine as an adhesive coating for open tubular capillary electrochromatography
Authors: Martma Kert , Habicht Kaia‐Liisa , Ramirez Xochitl M. , Tepp Kersti , Käämbre Tuuli , Volobujeva Olga , Shimmo Ruth
Published: March 2011

Polydopamine (PolyD) coating was used as an adhesive layer in the preparation of biological stationary phases for open tubular capillary electrochromatography (OT‐CEC). The influence of coating solution freshness, coating time, temperature and dopamine hydrochloride concentration on the PolyD layer formation was studied. The performance of the polyD coating was monitored by measuring the electro‐osmotic flow in coated capillaries. Following polyD coating of the capillary, secondary layer material (e.g. cell membrane solutions, phospholipid mixtures or mitochondria) was inserted into the capillary for at least 1 h. The performance of these double‐coated capillaries (a polyD layer+a biological material layer) was compared with capillaries containing the respective biological material directly attached to the capillary wall. The study reveals that the presence of polyD layer in fused silica capillaries improves the performance of lipid and membrane fragment coatings in capillaries. At the same time, the thickness of the polyD layer does not have marked impact on the secondary coatings. Analysis with test analytes demonstrated that double‐coated capillaries can be applied to study membrane–drug interactions.
Combinatorial peptide ligand libraries: The conquest of the ‘hidden proteome’ advances at great strides
Authors: Righetti Pier Giorgio , Fasoli Elisa , Boschetti Egisto
Published: March 2011

The combinatorial peptide ligand library (CPLL) is compared here with the immuno‐depletion method for evaluating their respective abilities in digging deeper and deeper into the low‐abundance proteome. A recent report suggested in fact that immuno‐subtraction for biomarkers discovery in sera does not perform so well, since it results in a meagre 25% increase in identified proteins compared with unfractionated plasma, leaving little capacity to sample lower abundance proteins. On the contrary, CPLLs permit from 300 to 600% increments in detection abilities, as amply demonstrated in several reports. Moreover, when dealing with large sample volumes, an amplification factor of up to four orders of magnitude for trace proteins could be demonstrated, with 80% capture efficiencies even in large (up to 1 L) sample volumes. At present, the lower detection ability of CPLLs has been evaluated at 1 ng/mL (traces of casein additives in white wines).
SIMPLE‐H: a finite‐volume pressure–enthalpy coupling scheme for flows with variable density
Authors: Emans M. , Frolov Sergey M. , Lidskii B. , Posvyanskii V. , Basara B.
Published: March 2011

We present a method that simultaneously solves the pressure‐correction equation and the energy equation in a conventional SIMPLE scheme. In comparison to other techniques, the new method leads to a remarkable reduction in the number of required iterations, in particular for problems characterized by significant temperature gradients. It is shown that this translates to very attractive computing times. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coping with health stresses and remission from late‐life depression in primary care: a two‐year prospective study
Authors: Wallace Meredith L. , Dombrovski Alexandre Y. , Morse Jennifer Q. , Houck Patricia R. , Frank Ellen , Alexopoulos George S. , Reynolds Charles F. , Schulz Richard
Published: March 2011

Objectives

Identifying the predictors of late‐life depression that are amenable to change may lead to interventions that result in better and faster remission. Thus, the authors investigated the impact of two different strategies for coping with physical illness on depression in older, primary care patients. Health‐oriented goal engagement strategies involve the investment of cognitive and behavioral resources to achieve health goals. Conversely, disengagement strategies involve the withdrawal of these resources from obsolete or unattainable health goals, combined with goal restructuring.

Methods

The participants were 271 adults aged >59 years who took part in a two‐year randomized clinical trial for treating depression in older adults (Prevention of Suicide in Primary Care Elderly: Collaborative Trial). The use of engagement and disengagement strategies, along with other risk factors for depression, were included in a tree‐structured survival analysis to identify subgroups of individuals at risk for not achieving depression remission.

Results

The use of disengagement strategies predicted earlier remission of depression, particularly among more severely depressed older patients. The use of engagement strategies did not predict earlier remission.

Conclusion

Interventions that encourage disengagement from unattainable health goals may promote remission from depression in older, primary care patients. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hepatitis C virus targets the T cell secretory machinery as a mechanism of immune evasion
Authors: Petrovic Danijela , Stamataki Zania , Dempsey Eugene , Golden-Mason Lucy , Freeley Michael , Doherty Derek , Prichard David , Keogh Catherine , Conroy Jennifer , Mitchell Siobhan , Volkov Yuri , McKeating Jane A. , O'Farrelly Cliona , Kelleher Dermot , Long Aideen
Published: March 2011

T cell activation and the resultant production of interleukin (IL-2) is a central response of the adaptive immune system to pathogens, such as hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV uses several mechanisms to evade both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune response. Here we demonstrate that liver biopsy specimens from individuals infected with HCV had significantly lower levels of IL-2 compared with those with other inflammatory liver diseases. Cell culture–grown HCV particles inhibited the production of IL-2 by normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells, as did serum from HCV-infected patients. This process was mediated by the interaction of HCV envelope protein E2 with tetraspanin CD81 coreceptor. HCV E2 attenuated IL-2 production at the level of secretion and not transcription by targeting the translocation of protein kinase C beta (PKCβ), which is essential for IL-2 secretion, to lipid raft microdomains. The lipid raft disruptor methyl-β-cyclodextrin reversed HCV E2-mediated inhibition of IL-2 secretion, but not in the presence of a PKCβ-selective inhibitor. HCV E2 further inhibited the secretion of other cytokines, including interferon-γ. Conclusion: These data suggest that HCV E2–mediated disruption of the association of PKCβ with the cellular secretory machinery represents a novel mechanism for HCV to evade the human immune response and to establish persistent infection. (HEPATOLOGY 2011;)
Evaluation of testicular degeneration induced by low‐frequency electromagnetic fields
Authors: Tenorio Bruno Mendes , Jimenez George Chaves , de Morais Rosana Nogueira , Peixoto Christina Alves , de Albuquerque Nogueira Romildo , da Silva Valdemiro Amaro
Published: March 2011

The population exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) has been growing in recent decades. The generation, distribution and use of electric energy can generate low‐frequency electromagnetic fields. The present study investigates the effects of EMF (60 Hz and 1 mT) on spermatogenesis of rats during different periods of maturation. Wistar rats were exposed to EMF from day 13 of gestation to postnatal day 21 or 90 in three daily applications of 30 min. Plasma testosterone concentration was not changed by EMF exposure; however, histopathological and histomorphometrical analyses of the testes showed testicular degeneration in a subset of animals exposed to EMF. The magnitude of the degenerative process varied between those individuals affected, indicating different individual sensitivity to EMF. The main alterations observed through transmission electron microscopy were highly electron‐dense mitochondria with loss of their organization and cristae. Exposure to 60 Hz and 1 mT EMF can disturb spermatogenesis and may produce subfertility or infertility. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibition of highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza virus propagation by RNA oligonucleotides targeting the PB2 gene in combination with celecoxib
Authors: Jin Yi , Zhang Guozhong , Hu Yanxin , Ding Meng , Li Yi , Cao Shanpin , Xue Jia , Sun Lun‐Quan , Wang Ming
Published: March 2011

Background

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 can cause acute respiratory infections with an uncontrolled virus‐induced cytokine storm in both poultry and humans. In view of the high mortality of H5N1 influenza virus infection, the development of novel broad‐spectrum prophylactic and therapeutic agents against infection is urgently needed. In the present study, we attempted to explore whether the combinational use of a viral gene‐targeted agent and immunomodulator is feasible as a new strategy against the H5N1 infection.

Methods

Four antisense RNA oligonucleotides targeting the polymerase basic protein 2 (PB2) gene of H5N1‐HPIV were designed and screened for their ability to inhibit H5N1 influenza viral propagation.

Results

In Madin–Darby canine kidney cells, the RNA oligonucleotides efficiently inhibited viral replication, as measured by hemagglutinin production, plaque formation and viral RNA expression assays. In a mouse infection model, a combinational treatment in mice with the PB2 oligonucleotides and celecoxib significantly reduced the viral load, regulated cytokine profiles, and improved lung lesions and animal survival compared to the single use of either PB2 oligonucleotides or the immunomodulatory agent, celecoxib.

Conclusions

The results obtained in the present study suggest the potential use of PB2‐targeted oligonucleotides in conjunction with immunomodulators for the control of H5N1 influenza infection. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.