bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preferential Solvation in 2-Propanol/Water Mixtures: Relationship between Solvatochromic Parameters and Ionization and Transfer Thermodynamics of Nalidixic Acid Antibiotic
Authors: Shehatta I.
Published: August 2006

Precise ionization constants for nalidixic acid have been obtained in various binary 2-propanol/water mixtures at four different temperatures using a potentiometric method. The thermodynamic parameters of ionization and transfer of nalidixic acid from water to aquo-organic solvents were calculated. The variation of p
Densities, Speeds of Ultrasound, Ultrasonic Absorption and Viscosities of 1-Butanol + 1,3-Butanediol System at 298.15 K
Authors: Zorebski E. , Zorebski M. , Nurek J.
Published: August 2006

Densities, speeds of ultrasound, ultrasonic absorption coefficients (in the frequency range 10–80 MHz) and kinematic viscosities have been measured for 1-butanol + 1,3-butanediol mixtures at the temperature 298.15 K. Using these results, the molar volumes, isentropic compressibility coefficients, molar isentropic compressibilities, volume viscosities, and the corresponding excess and deviation values (excess molar volumes, excess isentropic compressibility coefficients, excess molar isentropic compressibilities, two different defined deviations speed of ultrasound, and dynamic viscosity deviations) were calculated. The excess and deviation values are expressed by Redlich-Kister polynomials and discussed in terms of the variations of the structure of the system caused by the participation of the two different alcohol molecules in the dynamic intermolecular association process through hydrogen bonding. The predictive abilities of Grunberg-Nissan and McAllister equations for viscosities of mixtures are also examined.
Thermodynamic Properties of Isomeric Butanols with 2-Bromobutane
Authors: Artigas H. , Rodríguez V. , Haro M. , Royo F.M. , Lafuente C.
Published: August 2006

Excess volumes and excess enthalpies for mixtures of isomeric butanols with 2-bromobutane were determined at the temperatures of 298.15 K and 313.15 K. Excess volumes are positive over the whole composition range except for the mixture 1-butanol with 2-bromobutane at 298.15 K in which
An Optical Spectroscopic Study on Carbon- and Oxygen-Centered Free Radical Adducts Trapped by a Bi-functional Nitrone Spin Trap
Authors: Sueishi Yoshimi , Yoshioka C. , Takemoto K. , Kotake Y.
Published: August 2006

A hydroxylated nitrone spin trap, α-(3,5-di-
Apparent Molar Volumes and Refractive Indices of Hydroxamic Acid Solutions
Authors: Vanjari H. , Pande R.
Published: August 2006

Apparent molar volumes (φ
Heat Capacities of “Plastic Crystal” Solid State Thermal Energy Storage Materials
Authors: Chandra D. , Chien W.-M. , Gandikotta V. , Lindle D. W.
Published: August 2006

The heat capacities of polyalcohol “Plastic Crystals,” such as pentaerythritol [PE, C–(CH
Structure-Function Analysis of RNAs Generated by In Vivo and In Vitro Selection
Authors: Schwienhorst Andreas
Published: August 2006

Today, the concept of Darwinian evolution plays a significant role in studying structure-function relationships concerning known molecules and in helping to design previously unknown molecules with desired functionalities. Results from
Barrier Trees of Degenerate Landscapes
Authors: Flamm Christoph , Hofacker Ivo L. , Stadler Peter F. , Wolfinger Michael T.
Published: August 2006

The heights of energy barriers separating two (macro-)states are useful for estimating transition frequencies. In non-degenerate landscapes the decomposition of a landscape into basins surrounding local minima connected by saddle points is straightforward and yields a useful definition of macro-states. In this work we develop a rigorous concept of barrier trees for degenerate landscapes. We present a program that efficiently computes such barrier trees, and apply it to two well known examples of landscapes.
Matching and Significance Evaluation of Combined Sequence-Structure Motifs in RNA
Authors: Meyer Carsten , Giegerich Robert
Published: August 2006

The discipline of Algebraic Dynamic Programming is a powerful method to design and implement versatile pattern matching algorithms on sequences; here we consider mixed sequence and secondary structure motifs in RNA. A recurring challenge when designing new pattern matchers is to provide a statistical analysis of pattern significance. We demonstrate that by the use of so-called canonical pattern descriptions, the expected number of hits on a sequence of length
Towards a Calculus of Biological Networks
Authors: Mortveit H.S. , Reidys C.M.
Published: August 2006

In this paper we present a new framework for studying the dynamics of biological networks. A specific class of dynamical systems,
Vibrational Dynamics in Hydrogen-Bonded (Pyridine + Water) Complexes Studied by Spectrally Resolved Femtosecond CARS
Authors: Schlücker S. , Heid M. , Singh R.K. , Asthana B.P. , Popp J. , Kiefer W.
Published: August 2006

The technique of femtosecond time-resolved coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (fs-CARS) was used to study the vibrational dephasing dynamics in hydrogen-bonded (pyridine + water) complexes as a function of pyridine mole fraction
Electric Field Effects on an Enzyme Membrane Oscillator
Authors: Schreiber I. , Hasal P. , Marek M.
Published: August 2006

A simple two compartment model system composed of a reservoir and a reactor is studied by means of numerical bifurcation analysis. An enzyme reaction involving ionic species is assumed to take place in the reactor connected to the reservoir
Spatiotemporal Patterns on a Disk Electrode: Effects of Cell Geometry and Electrolyte Properties
Authors: Birzu Adrian , Green Brian J. , Otterstedt Ralph D. , Hudson John L. , Jaeger Nils I.
Published: August 2006

Spatiotemporal patterns on a disk electrode are simulated with a model for the electrodissolution of a metal that exhibits passivity; a 3-dimensional geometry with a point reference electrode is used. The two variables of the model are the potential drop across the electric double layer and the proton concentration near the surface of the working electrode. Non-local coupling among reaction sites is through the electric field. Several patterns seen previously in experiments are reproduced in the simulations and the dependence of transitions among them on system geometry, electrolyte conductivity and double layer capacitance are explored. For example, a state with an inhomogeneous oscillation is changed to one with a rotating wave as the reference electrode is moved closer to the working electrode and negative coupling develops; under other conditions the negative coupling produces anti-phase oscillations.
Fluorescence Excitation Spectrum, Lifetimes and Photoisomerization of Jet-Cooled Conformers of 1,1´-bi(benzocyclobutylidene)
Authors: Ernst D. , Rupp L. , Frank R. , Kühnle W. , Lemmen P. , Lenoir D. , Schroeder J. , Grimm Ch. , Steinel T.
Published: August 2006

First measurements of fluorescence excitation spectra of the recently synthesized rigid stilbene analogue 1,1´-bi(benzocyclobutylidene) in asupersonic jet expansion show that, in contrast to the parent compound, both the
Formation of Carbon Nanoparticle in Carbon Suboxide Pyrolysis behind Shock Waves
Authors: Deppe J. , Emelianov A. , Eremin A. , Wagner H.Gg.
Published: August 2006

The process of carbon nanoparticles formation following the pyrolysis of carbon suboxide C
Quantum Cluster Equilibrium Theory of Liquids: Isotopically substituted QCE/3-21G Model Water
Authors: Ludwig R. , Weinhold F.
Published: August 2006

The simplest Quantum Cluster Equilibrium (QCE/3-21G level) theory of water is extended to isotopically substituted water. Microstructural composition and macroscopic properties are calculated for light, heavy and superheavy water. The main goal is to study qualitative aspects of cluster populations, phase diagrams and thermodynamical properties as a function of isotopic substitution. The QCE triple point is shifted to higher temperatures about 2.0 K for deuterated and 3.0 K for tritiated water, approximating the experimental shift of 3.8 K and 4.5 K, respectively. We find that isotopic substitution leads not only to the well known lowering of zero point energies and vibrational frequencies but also to changing cluster populations and thus to slightly different population-weighted structures. This result differs from the usual assumption that the structural properties of different isotopically substituted waters are nearly identical once a zero point energy induced thermal offset is taken into account, but is in agreement with results inferred from X-ray diffraction.
First Dissociation Constant of Phosphoric Acid in Non-Aqueous Solvents
Authors: Bandyopadhyay G. , Lahiri Sujit Chandra
Published: August 2006

The first dissociation constant of phosphoric acid and its equivalent conductance at infinite dilution were determined in non-aqueous solvents like methanol, ethanol and acetonitrile. The single ion conductance values of H

The
Infrared Spectroscopic Study of NO and NH3 Adsorption on Alumina-Supported Nickel Oxide Catalysts
Authors: Stoilova D.G. , Koleva V.G. , Cheshkova K.T.
Published: August 2006

The surface changes of alumina due to supported nickel oxide species (samples are prepared by step-wise pore volume impregnation with formate solutions) are studied in the high frequency region (OH stretches) by the method of
Studies on Thermodynamic Dissociation Constants of 2,2′-Bipyridine and 1,10-Phenanthroline in Acetonitrile + Water Mixtures and Gibbs Energy of Transfer of Hydrogen Ions from Water to Acetonitrile + Water Mixtures
Authors: Bandyopadhyay G. , Lahiri Sujit Chandra
Published: August 2006

The thermodynamic dissociation constants for isoelectric reactions of the type LH

Attempts were made to understand the basicity and structuredness of acetonitrile + water mixtures from a comparative study of Δ
An Approximate Empirical Intermolecular Potential for CF4–Ar
Authors: El-Kader Mohamed Sayed Abdel , El-Sheikh S.M. , Mehrem R.
Published: August 2006

An approximate empirical intermolecular potential for CF
Absolute Rate Data for Halogen Atom-Abstraction Reactions of Ground State Atomic Caesium, Cs(6 2S1/2) Determined by Time-Resolved Laser-induced Fluorescence [Cs(7 2P3/2 – 6 2S1/2); λ = 455.5 nm] Following Pulsed Irradiation
Authors: Silva K.M.N. de , Husain D.
Published: August 2006

Absolute rate data are reported for reactions of ground state atomic caesium, Cs(6
Pressure Dependence of Exciplex Formation in Solvents of Different Polarity up to 5 kbar
Authors: Pollmann P.
Published: August 2006

The exciplex formation in the system 1,2-benzanthracene (electron acceptor) and 1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene (electron donor) in

By means of a van´t Hoff type equation the volume change of exciplex formation, Δ

Δ

The possibility of formation of a nonfluorescent radical ion pair directly from an encounter complex or via exciplex is discussed.
Thermodynamics of Alkoxyethanol + Alkane Mixtures
Authors: Missopolinou D. , Ioannou K. , Prinos I. , Panayiotou C.
Published: August 2006

New spectroscopic data are reported for the intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonding in 2-methoxyethanol +
Study on Sn-Fe-Cr Composite Oxides: Novel, Active and Thermally Stable Catalysts for CH4 Total Oxidation
Authors: Wang X. , Xie Y.
Published: August 2006

With the combination of redox reaction and co-precipitation, a series of Sn-Fe-Cr composite metal oxide catalysts with various compositions were prepared, which exhibit higher specific surface areas, thermal stability and CH
Transfer Thermodynamic Parameters of Local Anesthetic Lidocaine in Ethanol–Water Mixtures. Effect of Preferential Solvation
Authors: Shehatta I.
Published: August 2006

The dissociation constants of lidocaine (LH
The Hydrothermal Formation of Hydronium Alunite from Aqueous Al2(SO4)3 Solution and the Characterization of the Solid
Authors: Rudolph W.W. , Mason R.
Published: August 2006

Raman spectra have been measured for aqueous Al

A white precipitate in equilibrium with the solution at 184 °C could be characterized as (H
Solvent Effects on the Gibbs Energy of Adsorption of Neutral Organic Compounds
Authors: Anastopoulos A.G.
Published: August 2006

The effect of neat solvents and methanol-water mixtures on the adsorption energy of phosphororganic and arsenicorganic neutral compounds is described by means of empirical polarity indices.
Photodarkening of Amorphous Selenium under High Pressure
Authors: Ikemoto H. , Tsuzuki T. , Inui Masanori , Yao Makoto , Endo Hirohisa
Published: August 2006

The photodarkening phenomena of amorphous Se have been studied by the optical absorption coefficient, sound velocity and attenuation measurements. The light illumination at low temperatures induces the photodarkening, and the photodarkened state is completely recovered by annealing near 306 K corresponding to the glass transition temperature. The photodarkening is enhanced by application of pressure. The sound velocity decreases and the sound attenuation increases by the illumination at low temperature. These suggest that a structural disorder increases in the photodarkened state. Three stages are observed for the recovery process of the photodarkened specimen. The photodarkening and the recovery process are discussed on the basis of VAP (valence alternative pair) model.
A Jäntti Approach for Quick Calculations of Sorption Equilibria
Authors: Poulis Johannes A. , Reichenauer Gudrun , Massen Carel H. , Robens Erich
Published: August 2006

Jäntti introduced a method to calculate the adsorption equilibrium by measuring the actual adsorbed amount three times after a change to the gas pressure. He successfully applied the method to gas/solid systems in which simple adsorption processes occur. In the present paper we discuss a more general approach for different modes of measurement (adsorption and desorption), including sorption processes obeying second order differential equations.
Centrosomal protein centrin is not detectable during early pre-implantation development but reappears during late blastocyst stage in porcine embryos
Authors: Manandhar G , Feng D , Yi Y-J , Lai L , Letko J , Laurincik J , Sutovsky M , Salisbury J L , Prather R S , Schatten H , Sutovsky P
Published: August 2006

Centrin is an evolutionarily conserved 20 kDa, Ca+2-binding, calmodulin-related protein associated with centrioles and basal bodies of phylogenetically diverse eukaryotic cells. Earlier studies have shown that residual centrosomes of non-rodent mammalian spermatozoa retain centrin and, in theory, could contribute this protein for the reconstruction of the zygotic centrosome after fertilization. The present work shows that CEN2 and CEN3 mRNA were detected in germinal vesicle-stage (GV) oocytes, MII oocytes, and pre-implantation embryos from the two-cell through the blastocyst stage, but not in spermatozoa. Boar ejaculated spermatozoa possess centrin as revealed by immunofluorescence microscopy and western blotting. Immature, GV oocytes possess speckles of centrin particles in the perinuclear area, visualized by immunofluorescence microscopy and exhibit a 19 kDa band revealed by western blotting. Mature MII stage oocytes lacked centrin that could be detected by immunofluorescence or western blotting. The sperm centrin was lost in zygotes after in vitro fertilization. It was not detectable in embryos by immunofluorescence microscopy until the late blastocyst stage. Embryonic centrin first appeared as fine speckles in the perinuclear area of some interphase blastocyst cells and as putative centrosomes of the spindle poles of dividing cells. The cells of the hatched blastocysts developed centrin spots comparable with those of the cultured cells. Some blastomeres displayed undefined curved plate-like centrin-labeled structures. Anti-centrin antibody labeled interphase centrosomes of cultured pig embryonic fibroblast cells as distinct spots in the juxtanuclear area. Enucleated pig oocytes reconstructed by electrofusion with pig fibroblasts displayed centrin of the donor cell during the early stages of nuclear decondensation but became undetectable in the late pronuclear or cleavage stages. These observations suggest that porcine zygotes and pre-blastocyst embryonic cells lack centrin and do not retain exogenously incorporated centrin. The early embryonic centrosomes function without centrin. Centrin in the blastocyst stage embryos is likely a result of de novo synthesis at the onset of differentiation of the pluripotent blastomeres.
Pig zona pellucida 2 (pZP2) protein does not participate in zona pellucida formation in transgenic mice
Authors: Hasegawa Akiko , Kanazawa Nozomi , Sawai Hideaki , Komori Shinji , Koyama Koji
Published: August 2006

The zona pellucida, an extracellular matrix surrounding mammalian oocytes, is composed of three or four glycoproteins. It is well known that the zona pellucida plays several critical roles during fertilization, but there is little knowledge about its formation. The purpose of this study is to examine whether a pig zona pellucida glycoprotein 2 (pZP2) would assemble with mouse zona pellucida. A transgene construct was prepared by placing a minigene encoding pZP2 downstream from the promoter of mouse ZP2. The result showed that the transgenic protein was synthesized in growing oocytes but not incorporated into the zona pellucida. Furthermore, the pZP2 transgene did not rescue the phenotype in ZP2-knockout zona-deficient mice. These results indicate that pZP2 does not participate in mouse zona pellucida formation and the zona pellucida is constituted from its component proteins in a molecular species-specific manner between mice and pigs.
The relationship between microvessel density, proliferative activity and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A and its receptors in eutopic endometrium and endometriotic lesions
Authors: Bourlev V , Volkov N , Pavlovitch S , Lets N , Larsson A , Olovsson M
Published: August 2006

Studies were performed to elucidate the possible relationship between microvessel density, proliferative activity and angiogenesis in eutopic endometrium from women with and without endometriosis and peritoneal endometriotic lesions. The question whether changes in these parameters in endometriotic lesions were reflected by the level of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) in serum and peritoneal fluid was also studied. Biopsy specimens of both eutopic endometrium and peritoneal endometriotic lesions from women with endometriosis (n = 25) as well as eutopic endometrium from women without endometriosis (n = 14) were analysed immunohistochemically regarding microvessel density, proliferative activity, and expression of VEGF-A and its receptors vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 and 2 (VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2) in stroma, glands and blood vessels. The VEGF-A concentration was measured in peritoneal fluid and serum. Secretory phase eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis had significantly higher microvessel density, expression of VEGF-A in glandular epithelium and VEGFR-2 in endometrial blood vessels than those from women without endometriosis. Endometriotic lesions with high proliferative activity had a higher microvessel density and showed higher vascular expression of VEGFR-2 as well as being accompanied by higher levels of VEGF-A in peritoneal fluid and serum, compared with lesions with low proliferative activity. In conclusion, there seems to be a dysregulation of angiogenic activity in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis and endometriotic lesions with high proliferative activity were accompanied by higher local angiogenic activity and higher levels of VEGF in serum and peritoneal fluid.
Follicle selection in cattle and horses: role of intrafollicular factors
Authors: Beg M A , Ginther O J
Published: August 2006

The eminent event in follicle selection during a follicular wave in monovular species is diameter deviation, wherein one follicle continues to grow (developing dominant) and other follicles (subordinates) begin to regress. In cattle, the IGF system, oestradiol and LH receptors are involved in the intrafollicular events initiating deviation as indicated by the following: (1) concentrations of free IGF-I and oestradiol in the follicular fluid and number of LH receptors in the follicular wall increase more dramatically in the future dominant follicle than in the future subordinate follicles before the beginning of deviation and (2) ablation of the largest follicle (LF) or injection of recombinant human IGF (rhIGF)-I into the second LF at the expected beginning of deviation increases the concentrations of oestradiol in second LF before the expected beginning of deviation between second LF and third LF. In horses, an increase in free IGF-I, oestradiol, inhibin-A and activin-A is greater in the future dominant follicle than in other follicles before the beginning of deviation. However, free IGF-I is the only one of these four factors needed for the initiation of deviation in horses as indicated by the following: (1) ablation of LF at the expected beginning of deviation increases the concentrations of free IGF-I in second LF before the beginning of deviation between second LF and third LF but does not increase the other factors; (2) injection of rhIGF-I into second LF at the expected beginning of deviation causes second LF to continue to grow and become a codominant follicle and (3) injection of IGF-binding protein-3 into LF at the expected beginning of deviation causes LF to regress and second LF to become dominant. Thus, the dramatic changes in the IGF system in LF compared to other follicles before the beginning of deviation play a crucial role in the events that lead to the beginning of diameter deviation in both cattle and horses. Oestradiol and LH receptors also play a role in cattle. These intrafollicular events prepare the selected follicle for the decreasing availability of FSH and increasing availability of LH. The other follicles of the wave have the same future capability but do not have adequate time to attain a similar preparatory stage.
Competition of giant smutgrass (Sporobolus indicus) in a bahiagrass pasture
Authors: Ferrell Jason A. , Mullahey J. Jeffrey , Dusky Joan A. , Roka Fritz M.
Published: August 2006

Field experiments were established in 1998 and 1999 to evaluate the effect of giant smutgrass competition and hexazinone application on bahiagrass forage yield. The experimental design was a split-plot, with low (< 20% groundcover), medium (20 to 70% groundcover), and high (> 70% groundcover) giant smutgrass density as the main plot factors and hexazinone application or no hexazinone application as the subplot factors. In 1998, without hexazinone, bahiagrass biomass accumulation was 1,164 kg ha−1mo−1under low giant smutgrass infestation but 590 and 154 kg ha−1mo−1under medium and high giant smutgrass densities, respectively. From harvests occurring 1 yr after hexazinone application, bahiagrass yield in the weed-free area was similar to that growing under low giant smutgrass density. However, as giant smutgrass density increased to moderate or high levels, bahiagrass yield was reduced relative to the weed free. Giant smutgrass biomass accumulation was also measured over time. Giant smutgrass biomass, in both years, increased dramatically in the late summer months at the medium and high densities but not at the low density. It was concluded that bahiagrass was competing with the giant smutgrass at low density and depressed late season growth but was not capable of doing so at higher infestation levels. A rapid increase in late-season giant smutgrass growth was partially explained by the fact that bahiagrass is a short day plant that begins to flower in mid- to late summer, and aboveground biomass production decreases in late summer. This shift in carbon allocation in bahiagrass would exert less competition on giant smutgrass and thus partially be responsible for the late season increase in giant smutgrass growth. Economic analysis performed on these data illustrated that a net loss of $15.20 per stocking unit (cow–calf pairs) would be realized if hexazinone were used to control low densities of giant smutgrass. However, a net gain of $29.28 and $55.75 per stocking unit was observed if hexazinone was used to control giant smutgrass that had reached medium or high levels of infestation, respectively. It was concluded from these data that giant smutgrass should not be controlled until densities reach approximately 35% infestation.
Overestimates of the Genetic Contribution to Eating Disorders
Authors: Ross Colin A.
Published: August 2006

The purpose of this article is to analyze and critique repeated claims in the literature that there is a substantial genetic contribution to eating disorders. Data from the existing twin and family studies of eating disorders were tabulated and compared to heritability estimates resulting from complex statistical analyses of the same data. Overall, concordance in monozygotic twins is 26% for bulimia and 35% for anorexia nervosa. Among the relatives of probands with bulimia, 95.1% do not have bulimia, whereas among the relatives of probands with anorexia nervosa, 97.1% do not have the disorder. The raw data refute claims that the genetic heritability of eating disorders is as high as 80%. The erroneous conclusion that there is a substantial genetic contribution to eating disorders needs to be corrected by focusing on the raw data for twin concordance and prevalence in first-degree relatives.
Participatory Action Research: Community Diagnosis and Intervention in Controlling Urinary Schistosomiasis in An Urban Community in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Olaseha I. O. , Sridhar M. K. C.
Published: August 2006

Schistosomiasis is second only to malaria and is endemic in Nigeria. It has been reported that the infection is more prevalent, irrespective of gender, in the age group 5 to 14 years. It is least among the age group 26 and 55 and occurs mostly in the rural areas in the country. The infection is spreading from the rural areas to various urban communities, particularly the agricultural and fishing populations. In Ibadan, capital of Oyo State in southwestern Nigeria where the focus of this study is made, the infection has been reported among children and adolescents in six Local Government Areas. Students of Advanced Diploma in Health Education (ADHE) of the Department of Health Promotion and Education, during a community diagnosis exercise among primary schools in two communities in Ibadan, met with this problem. The purpose of this study is to mobilize the affected communities, with both internal and external resources through a participatory-action process, to combat the infection which is one of their major problems. Since the providence of schistosomiasis in target communities is age related, investigations were concentrated in 17 Primary Schools in the two communities. The investigation involved laboratory confirmation by collecting 147 urine samples from a total population of 676 children and examining them microscopically for the schistosoma ova. In addition, the quality of stream water and their vector presence were assessed. The key intervention strategy used was community mobilization of both internal and external resources of targeted communities. The striking outcome of the intervention study is that the outbreak of schistosomiasis in the communities was formally reported to the Federal Ministry of Health and the Oyo State Ministry of Health. All infected pupils were treated, the long awaited water scheme to replace the broken pipes was completed, and two new water supply schemes were implemented by the communities. Further, the communities displayed sign boards prohibiting community members from fetching water from “Dandaru” river for daily domestic needs. It is concluded that the combined efforts of all the actors helped the community to enjoy improved water supply and reduced their exposure to infection from the stream, which was the source of the infection.
Parameters explaining removal of PAHs from sewage sludge by ozonation
Authors: Carrère Hélène , Bernal‐Martínez Arodi , Patureau Dominique , Delgenès Jean‐Philippe
Published: August 2006

This study aimed at explaining the differences in the removal efficiencies of 12 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs, from low to high molecular weight) stated during the ozonation of contaminated sewage sludge. Correlation between PAH removal efficiency at fixed ozone doses and the characteristics of PAHs (molecular weight, number of aromatic rings, number of 5‐carbon rings, solubility in water, octanol–water partitioning coefficient) was established through partial least‐squares (PLS) regression. PAHs removal efficiency was primarily determined by the solubility of PAHs in water and the number of 5‐carbon rings. Considering six ozone doses (from 0.5 to 4 g/L), the impact of added ozone on PAH removal efficiency decreased. PLS analysis suggested that 77% of the ozone efficiency variability was a result of the sludge soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) concentration in sludge. The competition between SCOD and PAHs was confirmed by ozonation experiments in the presence of surfactants. The use of surfactants actually led to higher gas–liquid transfer coefficients and to higher PAH removal efficiencies, which shows that ozone concentration was the limiting factor. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
Increased circulating platelet–neutrophil, platelet–monocyte complexes, and platelet activation in patients with ulcerative colitis: A comparative study
Authors: Pamuk Gülsüm E. , Vural Özden , Turgut Burhan , Demir Muzaffer , Ümit Hasan , Tezel Ahmet
Published: August 2006

It is reported that the incidence of thromboembolism is increased in ulcerative colitis (UC), and hypercoagulability persists even when patients are in remission. We evaluated the association of inflammatory response parameters with UC activity, and activation parameters of the platelets, endothelium, and the coagulation system in UC. Eighteen UC patients and 19 healthy subjects were included in the study. The patients' clinical features were recorded down; whole blood counts and acute phase parameters were evaluated. UC patients were divided into two as active (9 patients) and inactive (9 patients) according to combined clinical activity index (CAI) and endoscopic activity index (EAI) scores. In all subjects, platelet CD62P expression, platelet–monocyte complexes (PMC), platelet–neutrophil complexes (PNC), and platelet microparticles (PMP) were determined by flow cytometry. E‐selectin, thrombin–antithrombin complex (TAT) levels in plasma, and sCD40L levels in serum were determined by ELISA. In both active and inactive UC patients, platelet CD62P expression, the percentages of PMC, and PNC were significantly higher than those in the control group (P< 0.01). PMP level was higher in the control group than in inactive UC patients (P = 0.001). sCD40L level was significantly higher in active UC group than in the control group (P < 0.01). EAI score correlated significantly with PMP (r = 0.5, P = 0.04) and sCD40L (r = 0.48, P = 0.044); CAI score had a negative correlation (r = −0.68, P = 0.002) with sE‐selectin level. In addition to increased CD62P expression and sCD40L, increased formation of PMC and PNC suggests a role for platelet–leukocyte complex formation together with platelet activation in thromboembolic events observed in UC. Am.J. Hematol., 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evidence of linkage and association on 18p11.2 for psychosis
Authors: Mukherjee O. , Meera P. , Ghosh S. , Kubendran S. , Kiran K. , Manjunath K.R. , Subhash M.N. , Benegal V. , Brahmachari S.K. , Majumder P.P. , Jain S.
Published: August 2006

The genetic basis of bipolar disorder (BPD) and schizophrenia (SCZ) has been established through numerous clinical and molecular studies. Although often considered separate nosological entities, evidence now suggests that the two syndromes may share some genetic liability. Recent studies have used a composite phenotype (psychosis) that includes BPD, SCZ, psychosis not otherwise specified, and schizoaffective disorder, to identify shared susceptibility loci. Several chromosomal regions are reported to be shared between these syndromes (18p, 6q, 10p, 13q, 22q). As a part of our endeavor to scan these regions, we report a positive linkage and association finding at 18p11.2 for psychosis. Two‐point linkage analysis performed on a series of 52 multiplex pedigrees with 23 polymorphic markers yielded a LOD score of 2.02 at D18S37. An independent set of 159 parent offspring trios was used to confirm this suggestive finding. The TDT analysis yielded support for association between the marker D18S453 and the disease allele (χ2 = 4.829, P < 0.028). This region has been implicated by several studies on BPD [Sjoholt et al. (2004); Mol Psychiatry 9(6):621–629; Washizuka et al. (2004); Biol Psychiatry 56(7):483–489; Pickard et al. (2005); Psychiatr Genet 15(1):37–44], SCZ [Kikuchi et al. (2003); J Med Dent Sci 50(3):225–229; Babovic‐Vuksanovic et al. (2004); Am J Med Genet 124(3):318–322] and also as a shared region between the two diseases [Ishiguro et al. (2001); J Neural Transm 108(7):849–854; Reyes et al. (2002); Mol Psychiatry 7(4):337–339; Craddock et al. (2005); J Med Genet 42(3):193–204]. Our findings provide an independent validation of the above reports, and suggest the presence of susceptibility loci for psychoses in this region. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association between polymorphisms in serotonin transporter gene and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Chinese Han subjects
Authors: Li Jun , Wang Yufeng , Zhou Rulun , Zhang Haobo , Yang Li , Wang Bing , Faraone Stephen V.
Published: August 2006

Prior work has shown reduced serotonin transmission to be associated with impulsivity and behavioral problems. The current study assessed the association between ADHD and two variants of the serotonin transporter gene: the 44‐bp deletion/insertion polymorphism (5‐HTTLPR) and the 17 bp‐repeat polymorphism in intron 2 (STin2.VNTR). We hypothesized that ADHD phenotypes associated with impulsivity would show an association with these variants. Two‐hundred and ninety‐three ADHD trios were genotyped and analyzed using transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) analysis and haplotype analysis. We found no association between the STin2.VNTR and ADHD, but did find preferential transmission of the S allele of the 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism (χ2 = 5.751, P = 0.016) to probands with ADHD. Haplotype analysis found the L/10 haplotype was over‐transmitted (χ2 = 6.172, P = 0.013), while L/12 was under‐transmitted to probands with ADHD (χ2 = 4.866, P = 0.027). © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CHMP2B mutations are not a cause of dementia in Dutch patients with familial and sporadic frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Rizzu Patrizia , van Mil Saskia E. , Anar Burcu , Rosso Sonia M. , Kaat Laura Donker , Heutink Peter , van Swieten John C.
Published: August 2006

Mutations in the CHMP2B gene have been recently identified in a large Danish pedigree with autosomal dominant frontotemporal dementia (FTD) linked to chromosome 3 (FTD3). We report the frequency of CHMP2B mutations in 162 FTD patients recruited from a large population‐based study of FTD carried out in The Netherlands. Our results suggest that mutations in CHMP2B are a rare cause of FTD as compared to MAPT mutations. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reelin gene polymorphisms in the Indian population: A possible paternal 5′UTR‐CGG‐repeat‐allele effect on autism
Authors: Dutta Shruti , Guhathakurta Subhrangshu , Sinha Swagata , Chatterjee Anindita , Ahmed Shabina , Ghosh Saurabh , Gangopadhyay Prasanta K. , Singh Manoranjan , Usha Rajamma
Published: August 2006

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with high heritability factor and the reelin gene, which codes for an extracellular matrix protein involved with neuronal migration and lamination is being investigated as a positional and functional candidate gene for autism. It is located on chromosome 7q22 within the autism susceptible locus (AUTS1); identified in earlier genome scans and several investigations have been carried out on various ethnic groups to assess possible association and linkage of the gene with autism. However, the findings are still inconclusive. In the present study which represents the first report of such a study on the Indian population, genotyping analyses of CGG repeat polymorphism at 5′UTR, two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) at exon 6 and exon 50 were performed in 73 autistic subjects, 129 parents, and 80 controls. The allelic distributions of the repeat polymorphism and exon 50 T/C SNP were quite different from earlier reports in other populations. Allelic and genotypic distribution of the markers did not show any differences between the cases and controls. While our preliminary data on family‐based association studies on 58 trios showed no preferential transmission of any allele from the parents to the affected offspring, TDT and HHRR analyses revealed significant paternal transmission distortions for 10‐ and ≥11‐repeat alleles of CGG repeat polymorphism. Thus, the present study suggests that 5′UTR of reelin gene may have a role in the susceptibility towards autism with the paternal transmission and non‐transmission respectively of 10‐ and ≥11‐repeat alleles, to the affected offspring. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Homo‐oligomerization of maleic anhydride in nonpolar solvents: A kinetic study of deviations from nonlinear behavior
Authors: Al‐Roomi Yousef M. , Hussain Kaneez F.
Published: August 2006

Deviation from nonlinear first order polymerization kinetic models is usually observed for cases where steric effects are dominant. A kinetic model was developed for the homo‐oligomerization of bulky maleic anhydride units. Factors affecting the kinetics of homo‐oligomerization of maleic anhydride have also been studied using two different initiators, azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and benzoyl peroxide, at 10 mol % concentrations in two different solvents o‐xylene and toluene. Maleic anhydride polymers having a number average molecular weight by SEC, between 300 and 900, and a polydispersity of between 1.0 and 2.0 were observed, and data were justified by the model. The molecular weight of the polymers increased with the conversion, and steric effects dominated at higher molecular weight as observed from the decrease in magnitude in the corresponding termination rate constants. The model values of conversion were compared with experimental data and cross verification of the model was done using molecular weight calculations. The present model represents the data with an average error of less than 5% over the entire experimental range. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3404–3412, 2006
Role of anionic and nonionic surfactants on the control of particle size and latex colloidal stability in the seeded emulsion polymerization of butyl methacrylate
Authors: Castelvetro Valter , De Vita Cinzia , Giannini Giacomo , Giaiacopi Simone
Published: August 2006

The evolution of the main colloidal parameters in the seeded starved‐feed semi‐continuous emulsion polymerization of butyl methacrylate (BMA) was investigated, with the main purpose of assessing the effectiveness of the semi‐empirical relationship S = K  ·  SS  ·  ΔA/AS as a tool to define the surfactant/monomer feed ratio (∝ K) best suited to achieve a target particle size. In particular, the effect of the type and amount of surfactant [i.e., anionic, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), or nonionic, Brij 58P] added during the semi‐continuous stage was considered. Coagulum formation was never observed under the adopted experimental conditions. To detect the occurrence of secondary nucleation or particle aggregation, or both, the particle size and number of particles, the surface tension and the particle surface coverage ratio were correlated. The best results were obtained with SDS and 0.8 ≤ K ≤ 3. In fact, under the selected experimental conditions, only with SDS did the number of particles remain nearly constant throughout the polymerization at the value defined by the seed latex; the particle size distribution was highly monodisperse, and the final particle diameter closely matched the calculated one (∼ 120 nm). The above semi‐empirical relationship based on the adjustable parameter K was validated by running test polymerizations aimed at lattices with well‐defined particle size. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3083–3094, 2006
Synthesis of unsaturated polyphosphoester as a potential injectable tissue engineering scaffold materials
Authors: Qiu Jin‐Jun , Liu Cheng‐Mei , Hu Fen , Guo Xiao‐Dong , Zheng Qi‐Xing
Published: August 2006

Polyphosphoester is a kind of biodegradable polymer with excellent biocompatibility and have been used in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and other bioapplications. A novel unsaturated polyphosphoester (UPPE) based on bis(1,2‐propylene glycol) fumarate (BPGF) and ethyl dichlorophosphate was synthesized by polycondensation reaction, and crosslinkable double bonds was introduced into the resulting polymer through the fumarate groups. NMR results indicate that there are three possible bonding models in polyphosphoester because of three isomers of BPGF. The GPC results express that increase in polymerization time leads to high molecular weight of polyphosphester and narrow distribution of molecular weight. After 18 h of polymerization reaction, the molecular weight reached to 5956 g mol−1 and the polydispersity index was 1.12. The UPPE was soluble in N‐vinyl pyrrolidone and easily crosslinked by free‐radical polymerization. At the constant temperature (37°C), the maximum temperature due to heat release during crosslinking reaction varied from 41.1°C to 82.30°C and the setting time was between 1.95 and 10.28 min, according to different formulas. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3095–3101, 2006
Ecofriendly poly(vinyl alcohol) and coconut shell powder composite films: Physico‐mechanical, thermal properties, and swelling studies
Authors: Ramaraj B. , Poomalai P.
Published: August 2006

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composites with 10, 20, 33, and 50 wt % of coconut shell (CCS) powder were prepared by aqueous mixing. The solution was casted as films and tested for physicomechanical properties such as tensile, tear, burst strengths, density, moisture content, moisture vapor transmission rate, moisture analysis; solubility resistance in water, 5% acetic acid, 50% ethanol, sunflower oil; swelling characteristics in 50% ethanol, sunflower oil; and thermal characteristics by differential scanning calorimetry. The PVA/CCS powder composite films show enhancement in elastic modulus, degradability, solubility resistance in water, 5% acetic acid, 50% ethanol, and moisture resistance. However, the introduction of CCS powder varies the tensile strength and affects percentage of elongation, tear and burst strengths, moisture content, density, and swelling capacity. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3862–3867, 2006
Electrode polarization for nylon 1010 with dielectric relaxation spectroscopy
Authors: Lu Hongbo , Zhang Xingyuan , He Bo , Zhang Hui
Published: August 2006

Electrode polarization arising from charge carriers accumulating at the interface between an electrode and nylon 1010 was investigated with dielectric relaxation spectroscopy. In the frequency spectra of nylon 1010, the dielectric permittivity showed high values in the region of low frequencies and high temperatures. With the Havriliak–Negami function used to fit the experimental spectra, the result revealed that the high values originated from electrode polarization and direct‐current conductivity. For electrode polarization, the dielectric strength, independent of the temperature, was about 1150, and the temperature dependence of the relaxation time followed the Vogel–Tammann–Fulcher equation. Fitting with the Vogel–Tammann–Fulcher equation, the parameters τ0 = 1.33 × 10−10 s and T0 = 303.2 K were proposed (where τ0 is the relaxation time at a very high temperature and T0 is the temperature at which the relaxation time becomes extremely large), and they suggested that the motion of the polymeric chains was one of the factors leading to charge‐carrier transport at temperatures higher than the glass‐transition temperature. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3590–3596, 2006
Graft copolymerization of soybean protein isolate and methacrylic acid
Authors: Yang Cheng , Song Xiaoqing , Sun Chao , Chen Mingqing , Xu Yulan , Liu Xiaoya , Ni Zhongbin
Published: August 2006

Graft copolymers of soybean protein isolate (SPI) and methacrylic acid (MAA) were prepared in an 8 mol/L urea aqueous solution with ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator, β‐mercaptoethanol as an unfolding agent for SPI, and a chain‐transfer agent. Evidence of grafting was obtained by the comparison of the Fourier transform infrared and NMR spectra of SPI with those of the SPI‐grafted MAA copolymer [SPI‐g‐poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA)]. A possible copolymerization mechanism of SPI and MAA was determined, and the copolymerization rate equation was derived. The effect of β‐mercaptoethanol content, APS content, and reaction temperature on the graft copolymerization was studied by the determination of the grafting parameters, including grafting percentage and grafting efficiency. Dynamic laser light scattering was used to investigate the effect of the pH value on the hydrodynamic radius of SPI and the grafted SPI aggregate in aqueous solution. The average hydrodynamic radius of SPI‐g‐PMAA aggregate was much smaller than that of the SPI aggregate at about the isoelectric point of SPI and a high pH value, and the hydrodynamic radius distribution of the SPI‐g‐PMAA aggregate was narrower than that of the SPI aggregate. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 4023–4029, 2006
Synthesis and characterization of polycarbonates by melt‐phase interchange reactions with alkylene and arylene diphenyl dicarbonates
Authors: Al‐Hamouz Othman Charles S. , Sweileh Bassam A. , Al‐Salah Hassan A.
Published: August 2006

Alkylene and arylene diphenyl dicarbonates were used as monomers for the preparation of polycarbonate polymers. The diphenyl dicarbonates were first prepared from dihydroxy compounds and phenyl chloroformate. The polycarbonates were then prepared by the melt‐phase polycondensation of these diphenyl dicarbonates with dihydroxy compounds as monomers. The same polycarbonates were also synthesized by a different route involving the polycondensation of a different arylene or alkylene diphenyl dicarbonates with bisphenol A diphenyl dicarbonate to give another series of polycarbonates. The process involved precondensation under a stream of nitrogen and then melt polycondensation at a high temperature and low pressure. The prepared polycarbonates were characterized by inherent viscosity measurement, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H‐NMR and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy, and powder X‐ray diffraction. The thermal properties of the polycarbonates were studied with differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. With alkylene or arylene diphenyl dicarbonates as monomers, the polycondensation reactions led to the formation of polycarbonates with inherent viscosities of up to 0.68 dL/g and with high thermal stability. The glass‐transition temperature values of the polycarbonates were in the range 24–130°C. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3597–3609, 2006
Characterization of sulfonated poly(styrene–divinylbenzene) and poly(divinylbenzene) and its application as catalysts in esterification reaction
Authors: Coutinho Fernanda M. B. , Rezende Simone M. , Soares Bluma G.
Published: August 2006

Polymeric supports based on divinylbenzene (DVB) were prepared by aqueous suspension polymerization in presence or absence of styrene (S), using toluene and n‐heptane as diluents of the monomers. Poly(S–DVB) and poly(DVB) were sulfonated with sulfuric acid in presence of 1,2‐dichloroethane. The influence of the morphological structure of the supports and as a consequence of the catalyst on the esterification reaction of acetic acid with n‐butanol was evaluated. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3616–3627, 2006