bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased free fetal DNA levels in early pregnancy plasma of women who subsequently develop preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction
Authors: Illanes S. , Parra M. , Serra R. , Pino K. , Figueroa‐Diesel H. , Romero C. , Arraztoa J. A. , Michea L. , Soothill P. W.
Published: October 2009

Objective

To determine if maternal plasma ffDNA is increased early in pregnancies which subsequently develop preeclampsia (PE) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Methods

Blood was obtained at 11–14 weeks and plasma stored. Among those who delivered a male infant and had a birth weight under the tenth centile and/or PE, we divided them into those who delivered before 35 weeks (9) and those who delivered after this gestation (15). A third group with uncomplicated pregnancies was used as controls (24). Real time‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) was carried out to detect the multi‐copy Y chromosome associated DSY14 gene.

Results

There were no differences between the ffDNA levels in the group delivered after 35 weeks and the control group (2.23ge/mL–1.61ge/mL p = 0.39). However, the levels of ffDNA at 11–14 weeks were statistically, significantly higher in patients that delivered before 35 weeks (4.34ge/mL–1.61ge/mL p = 0.0018). A logistic regression analysis shows that for every unit (1ge/mL) in which ffDNA increases, the likelihood of having PE or a fetus growing under the tenth centile delivered before 35 weeks increases by 1.67 times (CI 1.13–2.47).

Conclusion

The concentration of ffDNA is significantly higher even during early pregnancy, in patients who subsequently develop PE and/or IUGR and are delivered before 35 weeks. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Generation of radical species on polypropylene by alkylborane‐oxygen system and its application to graft polymerization
Authors: Okamura Hirokazu , Sudo Atushi , Endo Takeshi
Published: October 2009

Graft polymerization of ethyl acrylate and n‐butyl acrylate onto surface of polypropylene (PP) beads (diameter: 3.2 mm) were carried out by using a redox system composed of triethylborane (Et3B) and molecular oxygen in air. The amounts of the grafted polymers increased by prolonging a period of soaking PP beads in a solution of Et3B in hexane, a less polar solvent of which affinity with PP would be higher than that of tetrahydrofuran, a highly polar solvent. These results implied that the present graft polymerization involved: (1) interpenetration of Et3B into the surface area with the aid of hexane as a solvent, (2) its aerobic oxidation to generate a radical species, (3) abstraction of proton from PP by the radical species, and (4) initiation of polymerization from the resulting radical on the PP surface. Besides the acrylates, acrylic acid, and glycidyl methacrylate were also grafted onto the surface of PP to endow it with carboxyl and epoxy moieties, respectively. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6163–6167, 2009
Control of thermoresponsive property of urea end‐functionalized poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) based on the hydrogen bond‐assisted self‐assembly in water
Authors: Fuchise Keita , Kakuchi Ryohei , Lin Sung‐Tso , Sakai Ryosuke , Sato Shin‐Ichiro , Satoh Toshifumi , Chen Wen‐Chang , Kakuchi Toyoji
Published: October 2009

The precise synthesis and variation in the thermoresponsive property based on the supramolecular assembly of a novel urea end‐functionalized poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) were studied. A series of PNIPAMs with different diphenylurea groups at the chain end (XPhNHCONHPhtrzPNIPAM: X = H, OCH3, CH3, NO2, Cl, and CF3) were synthesized by using a combination of the atom transfer radical polymerization and the copper(I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition. The cloud point of the obtained polymers depended on the hydrogen‐bonding ability of the introduced urea group. The 1H NMR measurement suggested that the obtained PNIPAM assembled in water via the intermolecular hydrogen bonding by the terminal urea group. From the dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy measurements, the aggregated nanoparticles of the resulting polymer were directly observed in water at a temperature below its cloud point. The hydrogen‐bonding property of the chain end urea group was concluded to be involved in the aggregation of the PNIPAM in water, leading to the variation in its cloud point. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6259–6268, 2009
Melt rheology of hyperbranched‐polystyrene synthesized with multisite macromonomer
Authors: Sugimoto Masataka , Koizumi Takumi , Taniguchi Takashi , Koyama Kiyohito , Saito Katsuhiro , Nonokawa Daigo , Morita Tsuyoshi
Published: October 2009

Melt rheological behaviors of hyperbranched‐polystyrene (PS) copolymerized by dendric macromonomer technique are presented. The time–temperature superposition principle was applicable to the hyperbranched‐PS. The branched‐PS showed slightly lower zero‐shear viscosity in comparison with linear PS regardless of a presence of a number of branches expected from the dendric macromonomer technique. Although the influence of use of multimethacryloyl macromonomer in the polymerization process was marginal for linear viscoelastic regime, nonlinear shear and uniaxial elongational flows showed distinct differences between linear and branched‐PS. The strain dependence of the damping function became weak as increase of macromonomer content. The branched‐PS exhibited the growing elongational viscosity function comparing with linear PS. This prominent effect on the elongational flow behavior can be explained by the molecular architecture of the branched‐PS. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 2226–2237, 2009
Glass transition temperature of polymer nanocomposites: Prediction from the continuous‐multilayer model
Authors: Ahn Sung Il , OHk Chang Woo , Kim Jae Hyun , Zin Wang‐Cheol
Published: October 2009

The continuous‐multilayer model introduced in our previous study for the Tg behavior of thin films is adapted to nanocomposite systems. Tg enhancement in both thin films and nanocomposites with attractive interfacial interactions can be explained by the same model. Various shapes of nanoparticles are proposed to rationalize the adaptation of the one‐dimensional model for the Tg behavior of thin film to three‐dimensional system such as nanocomposite. The tendency of predicted Tg enhancements in poly(methyl methacrylate) and P2VP nanocomposites with silica particles are qualitatively fit to experimental data in literatures. For the further quantitative fitting, the model is partially modified with the consideration for other factors affecting Tg deviation in nanocomposite. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 2281–2287, 2009
Rural–urban migration in West Africa: towards a reversal? Migration trends and economic situation in Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Beauchemin Cris
Published: October 2009

Although Africa is still the continent with the highest urban growth in the world, this paper shows that, in some African countries, rural outmigration is tending now to decrease, or at least to stagnate, while urban outmigration is on the rise. These trends are so sharp in Côte d'Ivoire that the country is experiencing a pattern of counterurbanisation (i.e. the level of urbanisation is decreasing). Results are based on a proposed method to build a history of migration using retrospective data from national migration surveys. A review of literature is also provided on the potential explanations of the observed trends. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Advances in positron studies of age hardening in light alloys
Authors: Somoza A. , Dupasquier A. , Ferragut R.
Published: October 2009

The extensive experimental work on age hardening of Al‐ and Mg‐based alloys, performed by the associated groups at IFIMAT (UNCentro, Argentina) and at LNESS (Politecnico di Milano, Italy) in recent years, is discussed here in a comprehensive way, with attention to experimental procedures and to results of general validity. For Al‐based alloys, the established knowledge regarding the different action of Zn, Cu, Mg and Ag in the formation of vacancy‐solute clusters is presented. For Mg‐based alloys, the limits of positron annihilation spectroscopy are discussed on the basis of experience in progress. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Multi‐wall carbon nanotubes investigated by positron annihilation techniques and microscopies for further production handling
Authors: Luu A. T. , Kajcsos Zs. , Thanh N. D. , Dung T. Q. , Nhon M. V. , Lázár K. , Havancsák K. , Huhn G. , Horváth Z. E. , Tap T. D. , Son L. T. , Phuc P. T.
Published: October 2009

Multi‐wall carbon nanotube samples with various tube diameters produced by Thermal Chemical Vapor Deposition technique using various catalysts were studied by various microscopic methods and positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) with the aim of assessing the applicability of these methods for structural studies in these novel materials. Specifically, positron lifetime (LT) and Doppler broadening (DB) techniques, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were employed, on iron‐containing samples Mössbauer spectroscopy was also utilized. The PAS measurements were carried out on densely packed powder samples and on samples pressed into pills in atmospheric pressure and in vacuum as well. The lifetime values could be interpreted by assuming trapping of positrons, the low contribution from longer‐living trapped positronium can be probably related to defects on walls of the tubes. Possibility of correlation of LT and DB data with the nanotube sizes and sample composition was also considered. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Characterization of high area nanostructured gold surfaces by slow positron depth profiling
Authors: Macchi C. , Somoza A. , Mariazzi S. , Brusa R. S. , Vericat C. , Vela M. E. , Salvarezza R. C.
Published: October 2009

A monoenergetic positron beam was employed to characterize the uniformity and the nanostructures of gold surfaces layers grown using an electrochemical treatment. The results obtained indicate that positrons are sensitive to the roughness process and their different levels of roughness. They are discussed in terms of the morphological changes in the columnar‐like structure formed during the roughening process. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Investigation of the free volume in olanzapine by PALS
Authors: Jasińska B. , Kędzior M. , Śniegocka M. , Kozioł A. E. , Wawrzycka‐Gorczyca I.
Published: October 2009

Two polymorphic forms of olanzapine were investigated as a function of temperature in a range from 100 to 420 K and as a function of hydrostatic pressure from 0 to 1300 MPa using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. In the crystallographic structure of both investigated forms exists component ascribed to positronium formation. The lifetime value of o‐Ps changes nonmonotinicaly from 1.0 to 1.6 ns as a function of temperature. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Increasing high‐throughput Discovery bioanalysis using automated selected reaction monitoring compound optimization, ultra‐high‐pressure liquid chromatography, and single‐step sample preparation workflows
Authors: Smalley James , Xin Baomin , Olah Timothy V.
Published: October 2009

QuickQuan is an integrated software package for Thermo Scientific triple quadrupole mass spectrometers that allows users to automate routine operations ranging from method development to data processing. QuickQuan automated optimization of compound‐selected reaction monitoring (SRM) transitions by evaluating both positive and negative polarities during an infusion. Whichever mode produces the most intense Q1 scan is then carried to product ion spectra. QuickQuan then writes these SRM methods to a shared network database. The total volume of compound needed is 100 µL infused over approximately 1.6 min. The auto‐optimization is carried out in 96‐well plates and does not require an operator present. The SRM database was shared between two identical TSQ Quantum mass spectrometers. For data acquisition, QuickQuan automatically created a sequence file complete with a data processing method pre‐populated with compound IDs and corresponding SRM transitions. To increase throughput we coupled each Finnigan Quantum with ultra‐high‐pressure liquid chromatography (uHPLC) accomplished using 4× Ultra Flux quaternary pumps that were designed to handle pressures up to 15 000 psi. The total run time for all analyses was 1.2 min using BEH 1.7 µm particle C18 columns. Further time reductions were realized with sample preparation accomplished using Strata Impact protein precipitation plates which provided an in‐well protein crash and 0.20 micron filtering in a one‐step process. Pharmacokinetic data turnaround time was significantly improved by combining these three techniques of automated method development with the speed efficiency of uHPLC and a single step in well sample preparation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sequence confirmation of chemically modified RNAs using exonuclease digestion and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Gao Hong , Liu Yong , Rumley Megan , Yuan Huimin , Mao Bing
Published: October 2009

A broadly applicable, robust, and rapid method for complete sequence confirmation of highly modified oligonucleotides containing a mixture of 2′‐deoxy, 2′‐fluoro, 2′‐o‐methyl, abasic and ribonucleotides is presented. The passenger (sense) and guide (antisense) strands from synthetic short interfering RNA duplexes (siRNA) were digested individually using both 5′‐ and 3′‐exonucleases and the resulting ladders were analyzed using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry. Conditions for enzymatic digestion and MALDI‐TOF mass analysis were investigated and optimized, and the digestion pattern and sequence coverage of each strand was discussed. Complete sequence confirmation for the antisense strands of four synthetic RNA duplexes was obtained, whereas a three‐base sequence gap in the 5′‐end was observed for all four sense strands. A general strategy is proposed for routine sequence confirmation of highly modified oligonucleotides, and the potential for complete automation of the method is also discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stahlbau für die Kunst – Bühnenbilder der Bregenzer Festspiele
Authors: Lener Gerhard , Weichert Jörn
Published: October 2009

Für bekannte Festivalstätten in Österreich, wie zum Beispiel Wien, Salzburg und die Seebühnen in Bregenz und Mörbisch, sind im Sommer Freilufttheater die Publikumsmagnete. Dabei zeichnet sich Bregenz durch spektakuläre Kulissenkonstruktionen auf dem See aus. In diesem Beitrag werden Konstruktionen bekannter Bühnenbilder und Spezifika im Planungsprozess für die Bregenzer Seebühne vorgestellt.

Steel construction for performing arts – Stage sets of the Bregenzer Festivals.

For well‐known festivals in Austria like e.g. Vienna, Salzburg and the Floating Stages in Bregenz and Mörbisch, open air theatres are the public magnets in summer time. Bregenz is characterized by the spectacular stage sets on the Floating Stage. In this contribution constructions of stage sets and specifics in the planning process for the Bregenzer Floating Stages are presented.
Die neue Landecker Eisenbahnbrücke über den Inn
Authors: Schmid Karl , Kari Hannes , Margreiter Kurt
Published: October 2009

Eisenbahntragwerke aus Stahl, wie die alte Landecker Fachwerkbrücke über den Inn, hatten Tradition und sind nur mehr selten anzutreffen. Die vor 105 Jahren errichtete Landecker Innbrücke der Arlbergstrecke war für einen modernen Eisenbahnbetrieb mit den höheren Lasten und Geschwindigkeiten nicht mehr geeignet und aus der Sicht der Erhaltung zu erneuern. Der Brückenneubau und die Revitalisierung des alten Steinviaduktes stellten für die Österreichischen Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) als Bauherr eine besondere Herausforderung dar, da die Brücke mit dem Viadukt an zentraler Stelle in der Stadt steht und damit ein regionales Wahrzeichen ist. Durch die intensive und gute Zusammenarbeit der Bürger mit der Projektleitung der Bahn, den Planern mit den ausführenden Firmen sowie den Architekten mit den Fachleuten der ÖBB Brückenbau ist dennoch ein neues Wahrzeichen für die Stadt Landeck entstanden.

The new Landecker railway bridge across the Inn.

Railway structures of steel had been tradition like the old Landecker Innbrücke – a lattic bridge across the Austrian river Inn. Nowadays these bridges are still rarely to found. The Landecker Bridge of the Arlberg Passage has been erected 105 years ago. Today the bridge is no longer suitable for modern railway traffic with higher loads and higher speeds and has to be rehabilitated. The new building of the bridge and the restoration of the old stone viaduct is an exceptional challenge for the ÖBB (Österreichische Bundesbahnen) group how is the building owner. Because the bridge with its viaduct is centrally located in the city of Landeck and thus it represents a regional landmark. As a result of the intensive and good cooperation between the inhabitants and the project management of the railway corporation, between the planners and the building contractors as well as the cooperation between architects and experts of the ÖBB Brückenbau, a new landmark of the city of Landeck is still created.
Vergleich und Beurteilung unterschiedlicher Lastmodelle für die Ermittlung der dynamischen Antwort von Zugüberfahrten über Brücken bei Hochgeschwindigkeitsverkehr
Authors: Mähr Tobias , Fink Josef
Published: October 2009

Drei analytische Lastmodelle für die Berechnung von Zugüberfahrten über Brücken werden mathematisch formuliert: eine Folge von Einzelkräften, eine Folge von Punkmassen und eine Folge von Mehrkörpersystemen. Die Kopplung der Lastmodelle an das Brückenmodell erfolgt mechanisch exakt im Rahmen einer ebenen Betrachtung des Problems. Die Diskretisierung der Bewegungsgleichungen erfolgt mit Hilfe der Methode von Ritz und Galerkin (Modalanalyse). Am Beispiel einer leichten Balkenbrücke aus Stahl unter der Einwirkung eines Hochgeschwindigkeitszuges werden die drei Lastmodelle untereinander verglichen. An diesem Beispiel wird deutlich, dass mit Lastmodellen aus Einzelkräften oder Punktmassen die Schwingungsantwort von leichten Brücken stark überschätzt werden kann. Bereits die Verwendung von einfachen Mehrkörpersystemen mit nur wenigen Freiheitsgraden führt zu wesentlich genaueren Ergebnissen, insbesondere bei resonanzgefährdeten Brücken. Wege für eine effiziente Berechnung stehen unter Anwendung der Modalanalyse offen und werden ebenso diskutiert wie die Beurteilung der Resonanzgefahr.

Comparison and assessment of various load models to calculate train crossings of bridges at high speed.

Three analytical load models to calculate train crossings over bridges are mathematically formulated: a series of concentrated forces, a series of concentrated masses and a series of multi‐body systems. The coupling of the load models to the bridge model is carried out within the scope of a two‐dimensional treatment of the problem and without simplifications. The differential equations of motion are discretised using the method of Ritz and Galerkin (modal analysis). The three load models are compared with each other using the example of a lightweight beam bridge made of steel which is loaded by a high‐speed train. The example shows clearly that the dynamic response of a lightweight bridge is overestimated if the load models consist of concentrated forces or masses. Even the use of simple multi‐body systems with only few degrees of freedom lead to considerably more accurate results. This finding particularly holds true for bridges which are at risk of resonance effects. Options for an efficient calculation are available with modal analysis and are discussed. The assessment of resonance effects is also treated.
UNIQA PS1 – Ein Hochhaus aus Stahl
Authors: Salzer Christian , Breitfuß Walter , Siokola Walter
Published: October 2009

In Wien wurde von September 2008 bis Juli 2009 die Stahltragkonstruktion eines Hochhauses errichtet. Über einem 30 m hohen und 27 m breiten Luftraum war schwebend ein 13‐geschossiger Turm zu errichten. Als Haupttragsystem wurden in die Wände integrierte Stahlfachwerke gewählt. Die Verbindung der Stahlkonstruktion mit den Betontragkonstruktionen und deren unterschiedliche Steifigkeiten stellten hohe Ansprüche an das Planungsteam des Bauherren UNIQA, bestehend aus Werner Consult Ziviltechniker GesmbH und dem Zivilingenieurbüro Roller. Detailplanung, Fertigung und Montage der Konstruktion erfolgten durch die ARGE Stahlbau PS1, bestehend aus Zeman und Strabag. Der Auftrag konnte unter anderem aufgrund eines innovativen Montagekonzeptes gewonnen werden. Die untersten Geschosse wurden mit ihren Decken auf Erdgeschossniveau zusammengebaut und die rund 1600 t schwere Konstruktion auf 30 m Höhe gehoben. Der Rohbau konnte nur auf Grundlage einer sehr intensiven Zusammenarbeit zwischen den ARGE‐Partnern aus dem Stahl‐ und Stahlbetonbau termingerecht und im Kostenrahmen abgeschlossen werden.

UNIQA PS1 a high rise building made from steel.

From September 2008 to July 2009 the steel construction of a high rise building was erected in Vienna. A 13‐storey tower floats above an air‐space with 30 m height and 27 m width. The main carrying structure consists of a latticed framework which is integrated into the walls. The connection between the steel construction and the concrete structure was an ambitions task for the structural team of the client UNIQA, consisting of Werner Consult Ziviltechniker GesmbH and Zivilingenieurbüro Roller. Detail engineering, fabrication and erection was executed by ARGE Stahlbau PS1 consisting of Zeman and Strabag. The order was won amongst other reasons because of an innovative erection procedure. The two lowest floors were pre erected on the ground floor and the approximately 1600 tons lifted into the final position on 30 m afterwards. It was only possible to complete this task on time and in budget due to the intensive cooperation between the partners from the steelworks and the concrete works.
Yas Island Marina‐Hotel – Pole Position in Abu Dhabi
Authors: Frey Hans , Reiser Bernhard , Ziegler René
Published: October 2009

Viele der in Dubai und Abu Dhabi in den letzten Jahren im Zuge des Goldrausches für Projektentwickler und Planer konzipierten Bauvorhaben beeindrucken nicht nur durch ihr immenses Volumen, sondern auch durch die engen für die Realisierung zur Verfügung stehenden Zeitrahmen. Insbesondere ist das der Fall, wenn es sich um Bauten für die Formel 1 handelt. Am Rande Abu Dhabis entsteht auf Yas Island, einer ursprünglich unbebauten Insel in der Einflugschneise des internationalen Flughafens, ein neuer Formel 1‐Kurs nach dem Masterplan des Ingenieurbüros Tilke GmbH & Co. KG aus Aachen. Auf und um das Streckengelände werden bis zum ersten Rennen im November 2009 vielfältige Einrichtungen realisiert, die umfassende Infrastrukturmaßnahmen einschließen. Eines Tages wird man von dort aus das ebenso neu entstehende Kulturzentrum auf Saadiyat Island mit seinen Vorzeigebauten erreichen. Hier geht es nicht um Einbindung in ein bestehendes städtebauliches Gefüge, alles ist neu entwickelt, alles beansprucht für sich Einmaligkeit.

Yas Island Marina Hotel – Pole position in Abu Dhabi.

Many of the projects conceived for Dubai and Abu Dhabi as part of the development and design goldrush of the past years are not only impressive by their enormous scale, but also their demanding delivery dates. This is especially the case when building for the Formula 1 with a race date delivery. In the outer skirts of Abu Dhabi, next to the international airport on Yas Island, a previously empty island, construction for a new Formula 1 racecourse master planned by Tilke GmbH & Co. KG is underway. On and around the racecourse massive developments are being delivered for the first race in November 2009 including vast infrastructure projects. One day Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi's much talked about new cultural district equally built from scratch, will be accessed from here. Not the existing urban fabric or context is the theme, everything is newly developed and everything claims individuality.
Vaccination with Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Generates a Broad Spectrum of Immunological and Clinical Responses Against Colon Cancer
Authors: Li Yi , Zeng Hui , Xu Ren-He , Liu Bei , Li Zihai
Published: October 2009

The history of immunizing with embryonic materials to generate an antitumor immune response dates back to a century ago. The premise is that cancer cells share the expression of oncofetal antigens with embryonic materials and that the immune response against these antigens in the embryonic tissues is cross-protective against cancer. However, such a practice has never advanced beyond experimental animal settings, because of lack of uniformed source tissues and ethical challenges. With the availability of well-characterized human pluripotent stem cells, it is now possible to ask whether tumor protective immunity could indeed be elicited with stem cells. Herein, we investigated whether vaccination with defined human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) or induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells was effective against a colon carcinoma. We discovered that vaccination of mice with hESC line H9 generated consistent cellular and humoral immune responses against CT26 colon carcinoma. Protection correlated strongly with the expansion of tumor-responsive and interferon-γ-producing cells and the profound loss of CD11b+Gr-1+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the spleen. No evidence of autoimmunity was observed. We also compared the immunogenicity against colon cancer between a hESC line CT2 and an iPS cell line TZ1 that were generated in the same stem cell facility. We found that the iPS cell line was inferior to the hESC line in conferring tumor protection, suggesting that there is heterogeneity of expression of oncofetal antigens by hESCs and iPS cells. We conclude that the hESC-based vaccine is a promising modality for immunotherapy of cancer.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
A survey and comparative study of simulators for vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs)
Authors: Martinez Francisco J. , Toh Chai Keong , Cano Juan‐Carlos , Calafate Carlos T. , Manzoni Pietro
Published: October 2009

Wireless communication technologies have now greatly impact our daily lives. From indoor wireless LANs to outdoor cellular mobile networks, wireless technologies have benefited billions of users around the globe. The era of vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) is now evolving, gaining attention and momentum. Researchers and developers have built VANET simulation software to allow the study and evaluation of various media access, routing, and emergency warning protocols. VANET simulation is fundamentally different from MANETs (mobile ad hoc networks) simulation because in VANETs, vehicular environment imposes new issues and requirements, such as constrained road topology, multi‐path fading and roadside obstacles, traffic flow models, trip models, varying vehicular speed and mobility, traffic lights, traffic congestion, drivers' behavior, etc. Currently, there are VANET mobility generators, network simulators, and VANET simulators. This paper presents a comprehensive study and comparisons of the various publicly available VANET simulation software and their components. In particular, we contrast their software characteristics, graphical user interface (GUI), popularity, ease of use, input requirements, output visualization capability, accuracy of simulation, etc. Finally, while each of the studied simulators provides a good simulation environment for VANETs, refinements and further contributions are needed before they can be widely used by the research community. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ein neuer Weg zu kolloidalen, UV‐lumineszenten Silicium‐Nanopartikeln
Authors: Klingbeil Christian , Klingebiel Uwe
Published: October 2009

For the last decade, there has been a growing interest in silicon nanoparticles smaller than 5 nm in diameter because of their luminescence properties. Here, we present a new approach for the fabrication of such particles. Starting with larger nanoparticles from industrial production, a combined treatment with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride and 1‐alkenes leads to alkylated Silicon nanoparticles in the size range necessary for luminescence. In nonpolar solvents, these particles are colloids, which do not precipitate for a long time. During one‐pot reactions, the size decrease of the crystalline silicon core is mediated by the intermediary presence of H2O2. In this paper, we describe the reaction conditions of this new path to colloidal silicon nanoparticles and discuss their structure as seen in TEM images, their surface chemistry and luminescence properties.
Measuring zoo animal welfare: theory and practice
Authors: Hill Sonya P. , Broom Donald M.
Published: October 2009

The assessment of animal welfare relates to investigations of how animals try to cope with their environment, and how easy or how difficult it is for them to do so. The use of rigorous scientific methods to assess this has grown over the past few decades, and so our understanding of the needs of animals has improved during this time. Much of the work in the field of animal welfare has been conducted on farm animals, but it is important to consider how the methods and approaches used in assessing farm animal welfare have been, and can be, adapted and applied to the measurement of welfare in animals in other domains, such as in zoos. This is beneficial to our understanding of both the theoretical knowledge, and the practicability of methods. In this article, some of the commonly‐used methods for measuring animal welfare will be discussed, as well as some practical considerations in assessing the welfare of zoo animals. Zoo Biol 28:531–544, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Long‐term exposure of human proximal tubule cells to hydroxycobalamin[c‐lactam] as a possible model to study renal disease in methylmalonic acidurias
Authors: Sauer S. W. , Opp S. , Haarmann A. , Okun J. G. , Kölker S. , Morath M. A.
Published: October 2009

Dysfunction of proximal tubules resulting in tubulointerstitial nephritis and chronic renal failure is a frequent long‐term complication of methylmalonic acidurias. However, the underlying pathomechanisms have not yet been extensively studied owing to the lack of suitable in vitro and in vivo models. Application of hydroxycobalamin[c‐lactam] has been shown to inhibit the metabolism of hydroxycobalamin and, thereby, to induce methylmalonic aciduria in rats, oligodendrocytes, and rat hepatocytes. Our study characterizes the biochemical and bioenergetic effects of long‐term exposure of human proximal tubule cells to hydroxycobalamin[c‐lactam], aiming to establish a novel in vitro model for the renal pathogenesis of methylmalonic acidurias. Incubation of human proximal tubule cells with hydroxycobalamin[c‐lactam] and propionic acid resulted in a strong, time‐dependent intra‐ and extracellular accumulation of methylmalonic acid. Bioenergetic studies of respiratory chain enzyme complexes revealed an increase of complex II–IV activity after 2 weeks and an increase of complex I and IV activity as well as a decrease of complex II and III activity after 3 weeks of incubation. In addition, human proximal tubule cells displayed reduced glutathione content after the exposure to hydroxycobalamin[c‐lactam] and propionic acid.
Remarkable differences: the course of life of young adults with galactosaemia and PKU
Authors: Bosch A. M. , Maurice‐Stam H. , Wijburg F. A. , Grootenhuis M. A.
Published: October 2009

Although the need for insight in factors influencing the quality of life of patients with an inborn error of metabolism is recognized, psychological adjustment of adults with metabolic diseases has not been properly studied. Adult patients with PKU were demonstrated not to differ from healthy controls in terms of their course of life (CoL) and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). However, adults with galactosaemia had a lower HRQoL with significant lower scores on the domains of cognitive and social function. This study investigated the CoL and the social demographical outcomes in these young adults with galactosaemia, and compared them with the general population and with PKU patients. A total of 15 (88%) adult patients with classical galactosaemia participated in this study. Classical galactosaemia patients had a delayed social and psychosexual development compared to their peers from the general population and to PKU patients. Also, they were significantly less frequently married or living together and significantly less frequently employed than the general population. Our study shows a stark contrast between patients with galactosaemia and patients with PKU, although both are diagnosed in the neonatal period and need life‐long dietary restrictions. The observed difference is likely due to the long‐term somatic complications frequently seen in galactosaemia and thus not due to the burden of a chronic disease necessitating life‐long dietary restrictions. We conclude that it is essential that parents and clinicians encourage children with galactosaemia to participate in peer‐related activities in order to stimulate social performance, which may result in a more normal CoL.
The pharmacological treatment of neuropathic pain
Authors: Bonezzi C. , Allegri M. , Demartini L. , Buonocore M.
Published: October 2009

Neuropathic Pain (NP) as reported by IASP (International Association Study of Pain) is a “Pain arising as a direct consequence of a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system”. In clinical practice NP is divided in peripheral and central pain and it is characterised by positive and negative symptoms. It is not so easy to plan out an effective therapy for this kind of pain. In this article we try to suggest a method to adapt drugs according to pain mechanisms and somatosensory pathways damages. In this “mechanisms based therapy”, drugs and invasive procedures are used according to a complete examination (bedside and instrumental) of the patient's signs and symptoms. We describe characteristics of NP symptoms in order to individualise our therapeutic target and then we list the possible therapeutic drugs for these kinds of symptoms.
Trade-based Diffusion of Labor Rights: A Panel Study, 1986–2002
Authors: GREENHILL BRIAN , MOSLEY LAYNA , PRAKASH ASEEM
Published: October 2009

This article investigates the nature of the linkages between trade and labor rights in developing countries. Specifically, we hypothesize that a “California effect” serves to transmit superior labor standards from importing to exporting countries, in a manner similar to the transmission of environmental standards. We maintain that, all else being equal, the labor standards of a given country are influenced not by its overall level of trade openness, but by the labor standards of its trading partners. We evaluate our hypothesis using a panel of 90 developing countries over the period 1986–2002, and we separately examine the extent to which the labor laws and the actual labor practices of the countries are influenced by those of their export destinations. We find that strong legal protections of collective labor rights in a country's export destinations are associated with more stringent labor laws in the exporting country. This California effect finding is, however, weaker in the context of labor rights practices, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between formal legislation and actual implementation of labor rights.
The red wine polyphenol resveratrol reduces polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-induced DNA damage in MCF-10A cells
Authors: Leung Hau Y. , Yung Lai Hang , Shi Guoli , Lu A.-Lien , Leung Lai K.
Published: October 2009

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are procarcinogens that can be commonly found in our food and environment. Upon biotransformation in our body system, they can cause DNA damage through the generation of genotoxic species and oxidative stress. Phase I and II enzymes are pivotal in the process of proximate carcinogen formation and elimination. Some dietary phytochemicals are strong inhibitors to the phase I enzymes. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the red wine compound resveratrol on DNA damage induced by PAH in a non-tumorigenic breast cell line MCF-10A. Resveratrol ranging from 1 to 5 μmcould significantly suppress the expressions of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1, CYP1B1 and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1 induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). The comet assay indicated that DMBA introduced DNA damage to these cells, and co-treatment of resveratrol at 5 or 10 μmcould alleviate the damage. Further investigation illustrated that resveratrol reduced the binding of DMBA metabolites to DNA with no effect on DMBA-induced oxidative DNA damage. Since the phase II enzyme UGT1A1 was suppressed, the elimination of DMBA metabolites would not have contributed to the reduction in the DMBA metabolite–DNA binding. In summary, resveratrol might protect breast cells against PAH-induced DNA damage. The underlying mechanism was mediated by phase I enzyme suppression rather than phase II enzyme induction or oxidative DNA repair.
Long-term dietary patterns and carotid artery intima media thickness: The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study
Authors: Mikkilä Vera , Räsänen Leena , Laaksonen Marika M. L. , Juonala Markus , Viikari Jorma , Pietinen Pirjo , Raitakari Olli T.
Published: October 2009

A whole-diet approach has proven useful for characterising dietary exposure in cardiovascular epidemiology research. In our previous analyses, we found dietary patterns to be significant determinants of CVD risk factor levels among the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns cohort. We investigated the associations of major dietary patterns with carotid intima media thickness (IMT), a subclinical predictor of CVD, in healthy adults. The Young Finns Study is an ongoing, prospective cohort study with a 21-year follow-up to date. The subjects were children and adolescents at baseline in 1980 (aged 3–18 years), and all had reached adulthood by the latest follow-up in 2001 (aged 24–39 years). Complete dietary data from the years 1980, 1986 and 2001 and outcome data from the year 2001 were obtained from 785 subjects. The long-term average pattern score for a traditional dietary pattern (characterised by high consumption of rye, potatoes, butter, sausages, milk and coffee) was associated with IMT especially among subjects with a low score for the health-conscious dietary pattern (characterised by high consumption of vegetables, legumes and nuts, rye, tea, cheese and other dairy products). In multivariable regression analyses using long-term pattern scores as predictors, the traditional dietary pattern was independently associated with IMT in men (P < 0·01), but not in women (P = 0·66). Long-term adherence to traditional food choices seems to increase the risk of developing subclinical atherosclerosis among Finnish men.
Asset Liquidity and Capital Structure
Authors: Sibilkov Valeriy
Published: October 2009

This paper tests alternative theories about the effect of asset liquidity on capital structure. Using data from a broad sample of U.S. public companies, I find that leverage is positively related to asset liquidity. Further analysis reveals that the relation between asset liquidity and secured debt is positive, whereas the relation between asset liquidity and unsecured debt is curvilinear. The results are consistent with the view that the costs of financial distress and inefficient liquidation are economically important and that they affect capital structure decisions. In addition, the results are consistent with the hypothesis that the costs of managerial discretion increase with asset liquidity.
On the Volatility and Comovement of U.S. Financial Markets around Macroeconomic News Announcements
Authors: Brenner Menachem , Pasquariello Paolo , Subrahmanyam Marti
Published: October 2009

The objective of this paper is to provide a deeper insight into the links between financial markets and the real economy. To that end, we study the short-term anticipation and response of U.S. stock, Treasury, and corporate bond markets to the first release of surprise U.S. macroeconomic information. Specifically, we focus on the impact of these announcements not only on the level, but also on the volatility and comovement of those assets’ returns. We do so by estimating several extensions of the parsimonious multivariate GARCH-DCC model of Engle (2002) for the excess holding-period returns on seven portfolios of these asset classes. We find that both the process of price formation in each of those financial markets and their interaction appear to be driven by fundamentals. Yet our analysis reveals a statistically and economically significant dichotomy between the reaction of the stock and bond markets to the arrival of unexpected fundamental information. We also show that the conditional mean, volatility, and comovement among stock, Treasury, and corporate bond returns react asymmetrically to the information content of these surprise announcements. Overall, the above results shed new light on the mechanisms by which new information is incorporated into prices within and across U.S. financial markets.
Disorder-specific automatic self-associations in depression and anxiety: results of The Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety
Authors: Glashouwer K. A. , de Jong P. J.
Published: October 2009

Background

Cognitive theory points to the importance of negative self-schemas in the onset and maintenance of depression and anxiety disorders. Hereby, it is important to distinguish between automatic and explicit self-schemas, reflecting different cognitive-motivational systems. This study tested whether patients with a current major depression and/or anxiety disorder are characterized by automatic self-anxious and self-depressive associations and whether these associations are disorder specific.

Method

Patients (n=2329) and non-clinical controls (n=652) were tested as part of The Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety, a multi-center, longitudinal, cohort study with patients from different health care settings. Patient groups and non-clinical controls (18–65 years of age) were compared with regard to automatic self-anxious and self-depressive associations measured with the Implicit Association Test.

Results

Individuals with an anxiety disorder showed enhanced self-anxious associations, whereas individuals with a depression showed enhanced self-depressive associations. Individuals with co-morbid disorders scored high on both automatic self-associations. Although remitted individuals showed weaker automatic self-associations than people with a current disorder, their automatic self-anxious/depressed associations were still significantly stronger than those of the control group. Importantly, automatic self-associations showed predictive validity for the severity of anxious and depressive symptoms over and above explicit self-beliefs.

Conclusions

This study represents the first evidence that automatic self-anxious and self-depressive associations are differentially involved in anxiety disorders and depression. This may help to explain the refractoriness of these disorders and points to the potential importance of automatic self-associations in the development of psychopathological symptoms.
Managing innovation in English language education
Authors: Waters Alan
Published: October 2009

Innovation in English language education (ELE) has become a major ‘growth area’ in recent years. At the same time, an ELE innovation management literature has also developed, based on insights from innovation theory and their application, both from outside and within ELE, and concerned with attempting to critically evaluate and inform ELE innovation practice. Thus, using a well-established three-part framework for distinguishing the main stages involved in innovation project management, this review describes and discusses the main features of this body of work. After defining terms and clarifying its scope, it considers what is said about the innovation ‘initiation’ phase, in terms of innovation causes, characteristics and contexts. It then examines conceptualisations of the innovation ‘implementation’ stage, by distinguishing main overall approaches, frameworks for identifying and configuring roles, underlying psychological processes, and the use of evaluation techniques. Lastly, the literature relating to innovation ‘institutionalisation’ stage is analysed. The article concludes by identifying overall trends and areas for further development. In particular, it is argued that ELE innovation work needs to become more informed by many of the concepts and procedures which the ELE innovation management literature contains.
Research in the Modern Language Centre at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto (OISE/UT)
Authors: Kim Youn-Hee , Kohls Robert , Chun Christian W.
Published: October 2009

The Modern Language Centre addresses a broad spectrum of theoretical and practical issues related to second and minority language teaching and learning. Since its foundation in 1968, the quality and range of the Centre's graduate studies programs, research, and development projects and field and dissemination services have brought it both national and international recognition. Our work focuses on curriculum, instruction, and policies for education in second, foreign, and minority languages, particularly in reference to English and French in Canada but also other languages and settings – including studies of language learning, methodology and organization of classroom instruction, language education policies, student and program evaluation, teacher development, as well as issues related to bilingualism, multilingualism, cultural diversity, and literacy. In this research report, we will present research activities underway in the Centre in the areas of pedagogy, literacy development, sociocultural theory, pragmatics, and assessment.
Effects of experimental fires on litter decomposition in a seasonally dry Amazonian forest
Authors: Silveira Juliana M. , Barlow Jos , Krusche Alex V. , Orwin Kate H. , Balch Jennifer K. , Moutinho Paulo
Published: October 2009

Litter decomposition is a fundamental process for nutrient cycling but we have a limited understanding of this process in disturbed tropical forests. We studied litter decomposition over a 10-mo period in a seasonally dry Amazon forest in Mato Grosso, Brazil. The study plots (50 ha each) included unburned forest (UF), once-burned (BF1) and forest burned annually for 3 y (BF3). We measured understorey density, litter depth, canopy openness, temperature and relative humidity in the plots. Decomposition experiments took place using 720 litterbags filled with approximately 10 g of natural abscised oven-dried leaves. To test the effects of fire on soil meso- and macrofauna, the litterbags had either a fine (2 mm) or coarse (with 1-cm holes in side) mesh size. Litterbags were collected and reweighed 2, 4, 6 and 8 mo after being placed on the forest floor. All forest structure variables were significantly different across plots: BF3 was hotter, less humid, had the highest degree of canopy openness, lowest understorey density and the shallowest litter depth. Litter decomposition (mass loss) was similar in the once-burned and unburned plots, but declined more slowly in BF3. In addition, decomposition was slower in fine-mesh litterbags than coarse-mesh litterbags in BF3, but there was no difference between mesh sizes in BF1 and UF. It is likely that changes in forest structure and microclimate explain the lower decomposition rates in BF3. These results show the importance of recurrent fires, but suggest that single understorey fires may not have long-term negative effects on some ecological processes in seasonally dry Amazonian forests.