bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the NOx Generation in Corona, Streamer and Low Pressure Electrical Discharges
Authors: Cooray Vernon , Becerra Marley , Rahman Mahbubur
Published: September 2008

A theory developed by scientists to study nitrogen oxides, NOx, production by solar proton events shows that the NO production rate is approximately equal to the rate of production of ion pairs during the proton impact. Since the bulk of ionization in such events is produced by secondary electron impacts, the same concept is used here to study the NOx production in low pressure discharges, corona discharges and streamer discharges in which the source of ionization is the electron impacts. Using experimental data pertinent to corona discharges it is established that, as in the case of proton impacts, the rate of NOx production is approximately equal to the rate of production of ion pairs. The theory in turn is applied to study the NOx production in streamer and low pressure electrical discharges. The results show that the NO production in low pressure discharges depends not only on the energy dissipated but also on the ambient pressure and the electric field. In low pressure discharges the efficiency of NOx production is given by kα (p, E) / eE NO molecules/J, where α (p, E) is the Townsend’s first ionization coefficient, p is the atmospheric pressure, e is the electronic charge, E is the electric field and k is the number of NO molecules resulting during an ionizing event. This shows that the NOx production efficiency of a discharge depends not only on the energy dissipation but also on the pressure and the electric field. In the case of streamer discharges, the NOx molecules produced by the streamer in propagating a unit distance is given by k / 2ωeE , where ω is the number of positive ions located in the streamer head.
Clinical Significance of Additional Wide Resection for Unplanned Resection of High Grade Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Authors: Morii T , Yabe H , Morioka H , Anazawa U , Suzuki Y , Toyama Y
Published: September 2008

Purpose:

Unplanned resection of musculoskeletal sarcoma involves tumor excision without any suspicion of malignancy or regard for the necessity of defining adequate margins. For orthopaedic oncologists, many opportunities arise for management of unplanned resections initially performed by non-specialist surgeons. The puropose of this study is to assess the clinical outcomes and the problems of the patients with unplanned resection of high-grade soft tissue sarcoma.

Methods:

77 consecutive patients were retrospectively reviewed. Oncological outcomes together with validity and problems of additional treatments were analyzed.

Results:

Five-year local recurrence-free survival, metastasis-free survival, event-free survival and total survival were 71.55%, 73.2%, 57.5% and 85.9%, respectively. Among adjuvant therapy including additional wide resection, radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy, only additional wide resection significantly improved oncological outcomes.

Conclusion:

Additional wide resection appears to be effective in the treatment of high-grade soft tissue sarcomas following primary resection with compromised margins of resection.
Spatial Delimitation, Forecasting and Control of Japanese Encephalitis: India – A Case Study
Authors: Sabesan Shanmugavelu , Konuganti Hari Kishan Raju , Perumal Vanamail
Published: September 2008

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is the leading cause of viral encephalitis through large parts of Asia with temperate
and subtropical or tropical climate. In the present communication environmental determinants that influence the occurrence
of JE have been enlisted, and based on which a conceptual frame for JE transmission was developed. The concept of
endemic and epidemic has been defined using cluster analysis on JE occurrences in 175 districts over a period of 53 years
in India. The average number (±standard deviation) of occurrences in endemic (7.4±3.5) and epidemic districts (3.4±2.9)
was statistically significant (‘t’=8.3; P=0.000). In the epidemic areas, JE immunization of target population in the risk area
may be an effective preventive measure. In the endemic areas regular monitoring of vector population and viral activity,
and implementing appropriate integrated methods of vector control are likely to reduce the transmission, besides the selective
immunization of children.
Infection of CD8+CD45RO+ Memory T-Cells by HIV-1 and Their Proliferative Response
Authors: Gulzar Naveed , Balasubramanian Sowyma , Harris Greg , Sanchez-Dardon Jaime , Copeland Karen F.T.
Published: September 2008

CD8+ T-cells are involved in controlling HIV-1 infection by eliminating infected cells and secreting soluble factors that inhibit viral replication. To investigate the mechanism and significance of infection of CD8+ T-cells by HIV-1in vitro, we examined the susceptibility of these cells and their subsets to infection. CD8+ T-cells supported greater levels of replication with T-cell tropic strains of HIV-1, though viral production was lower than that observed in CD4+ T-cells. CD8+ T-cell infection was found to be productive through ELISA, RT-PCR and flow cytometric analyses. In addition, the CD8+CD45RO+ memory T-cell population supported higher levels of HIV-1 replication than CD8+CD45RA+ naïve T-cells. However, infection of CD8+CD45RO+ T-cells did not affect their proliferative response to the majority of mitogens tested. We conclude, with numerous lines of evidence detecting and measuring infection of CD8+ T-cells and their subsets, that this cellular target and potential reservoir may be central to HIV-1 pathogenesis.
Effects of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis on Driving Ability, Memory Functioning, Sustained Attention, and Quality of Life §
Authors: Mets Monique A.J. , Volkerts Edmund R. , Dunnebier Erwin A. , de Senerpont Domis Lieke M. , Olivier Berend , Verster Joris C.
Published: September 2008

Objective:

The objective of this study was to compare driving ability, memory, and psychomotor performance during
grass pollen season with winter season in untreated patients with SAR.

Methods:

Patients with SAR were trained and tested during the grass pollen season (summer) and winter. An on-the-road
driving test during normal traffic conditions was performed. Primary parameter is the Standard Deviation of Lateral Position
(SDLP), i.e. the weaving of the car. In addition, a word learning test and continuous performance test were performed
and quality of life was assessed. Patients were included if in winter the Total 5-Symptoms Score (T5SS) was < 3 and in
summer the T5SS was > 3.

Results:

70 patients were recruited of which 22 started the study. Fifteen patients completed the study of which 11 met the
inclusion criteria. These 11 patients had a mean T5SS of 6.8 in summer and 0.6 in winter. Patient reported a significantly
reduced overall quality of life during grass pollen season (p<0.0001). No significant effects were found on the driving test,
except a significant (but not relevant) decrease in mean speed during the grass pollen season (p<0.035). No significant effects
were found on the word learning test and continuous performance test.

Conclusion:

Our data suggest that moderate SAR symptoms do not impair driving ability, memory functioning and continuous
performance. However, given the small sample size future studies should confirm these findings.
Development of a use Case for Chemical Resource Description Framework for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Drug Discovery
Authors: Narayana Bhat Talapady , Barkley John
Published: September 2008

There is considerable interest in RDF (Resource Description Framework) as a data representation standard for
the growing information technology needs of drug discovery. Though several efforts towards this goal have been reported,
most of the reported efforts have focused on text-based data. Structural data of chemicals are a key component of drug
discovery and molecular images may offer certain advantages over text-based representations for them. Here we discuss
the steps that we used to develop and search chemical Resource Description Framework (RDF) using text and image for
structures of relevant to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). These steps are (a) acquisition of the data on
drugs, (b) definition of the framework to establish RDF on drugs using commonly asked questions during a drug discovery
effort, (c) annotation of the structural data on drugs into RDF using the framework established in step (b), (d) validation
of the annotation methods using Semantic Web concepts and tools, (e) design and development of public Web to distribute
data to the public, (f) generation and distribution of data using OWL (Web Ontology Language). This paper describes
this effort, discusses our observations and announces the availability of the OWL model at the W3C Web site
(http://esw.w3.org/topic/HCLS/ChemicalTaxonomiesUseCase). The style of this paper is chosen so as to cover a broad
audience including structural biologists, medicinal chemists, and information technologists and at times may appear say to
the obvious for certain experts. A full discussion of our method and its comparison to other published methods is beyond
the scope of this publication.
Sequence-Only Based Prediction of β -Turn Location and Type Using Collocation of Amino Acid Pairs
Authors: Campbell Kevin , Kurgan Lukasz
Published: September 2008

Development of accurate β-turn (beta-turn) type prediction methods would contribute towards the prediction
of the tertiary protein structure and would provide useful insights/inputs for the fold recognition and drug design. Only
one existing sequence-only method is available for the prediction of beta-turn types (for type I and II) for the entire protein
chains, while the proposed method allows for prediction of type I, II, IV, VII, and non-specific (NS) beta-turns, filling
in the gap. The proposed predictor, which is based solely on protein sequence, is shown to provide similar performance to
other sequence-only methods for prediction of beta-turns and beta-turn types. The main advantage of the proposed method
is simplicity and interpretability of the underlying model. We developed novel sequence-based features that allow identifying
beta-turns types and differentiating them from non-beta-turns. The features, which are based on tetrapeptides (entire
beta-turns) rather than a window centered over the predicted residues as in the case of recent competing methods, provide
a more biologically sound model. They include 12 features based on collocation of amino acid pairs, focusing on amino
acids (Gly, Asp, and Asn) that are known to be predisposed to form beta-turns. At the same time, our model also includes
features that are geared towards exclusion of non-beta-turns, which are based on amino acids known to be strongly detrimental
to formation of beta-turns (Met, Ile, Leu, and Val).
OLIGAMI: OLIGomer Architecture and Molecular Interface
Authors: Fujiwara Kazuo , Ikeguchi Masamichi
Published: September 2008

OLIGAMI (OLIGomer Architecture and Molecular Interface) is a database of the verified coordinates and new
chain formulas for biological molecules that allows users to browse oligomers through the SCOP hierarchy and to interactively
view three-dimensional structures of biological molecules for all PDB entries. OLIGAMI is publicly available at
http://protein.t.soka.ac.jp/oligami/
What if the Median Voter Were a Failing Student?
Authors: Caplan Bryan
Published: September 2008

As teachers, economists usually assume that their students have systematically biased beliefs about economics; yet, as researchers, economists usually assume that voters understand how the economy works. Teachers have it right, according to Bryan Caplan, and so modern political economy needs a serious overhaul.
Please Think This Over
Authors: Leamer Edward E
Published: September 2008

Edward Leamer has questions about the Treasury's bailout plan, but the question is: does Secretary Paulson have answers? If not, then Leamer proposes a more direct way to spend $700 billion dollars that attacks the root of the problem--housing price declines: call it "trickle up" economics.
Letter: Another Take on "Why Paulson is Wrong"
Authors: Barton Allen H
Published: September 2008

Paulson proposes a top-down solution to the financial crisis by government purchase of bad loans from the lenders to "clean" their balance sheets. But, Barton suggests, a bottom-up solution would be a subsidy to borrowers to ensure full payments, restoring the value of the "toxic assets," thereby cleaning up.
Good Bailouts and Bad
Authors: Beim David O
Published: September 2008

David Beim asks whether the Treasury Plan is a good or bad bailout in historic terms and suggests that the difference is price and whether the problem addressed is solvency or liquidity.
Auction Design Critical for Rescue Plan
Authors: Ausubel Lawrence M , Cramton Peter
Published: September 2008

The details of the auction design could make or break the Treasury's plan to invest $700 billion in mortgage-related securities to resolve the financial crisis, using market mechanisms such as reverse auctions to determine prices, according to Lawrence M. Ausubel and Peter Cramton.
Study of anchoring characteristics and splay-bend elastic constant based on experiments with non-twisted nematic liquid crystal cells
Authors: Kędzierski J. , Kojdecki M. , Raszewski Z. , Rutkowska J. , Piecek W. , Perkowski P. , Zieliński J. , Miszczyk E.
Published: September 2008

Possible influence of a nematics splay-bend elastic constant and corresponding free energy functional term on adequacy of description of nematics states is studied by comparing results of theoretical considerations and computer simulations with experimental data. Planar deformation states enforced in flat nematics cells by symmetric aligning cover coatings and external electric or magnetic fields are studied in one-dimensional approximation. Nematics material parameters and nematics-substrate coupling characteristics are determined from experimental data by immediate measurement or by solving inverse problems. Two series of cells with thicknesses between twenty and forty-four micrometers (in fact two wedge cells) with two different orienting substrates are investigated by measuring a cell optical response in a birefringence experimental system. Good agreement between optical retardation measured and simulated is observed. Posterior comparison of free energy contributions from substrate interactions and a hypothetical surface-like term leads to a conclusion that the last one together with a splay-bend elastic constant should be very small and can be neglected.
“The Mute Who Can Sing”: a cortical stimulation study on singing
Authors: Roux Franck-Emmanuel , Borsa Stefano , Démonet Jean-François
Published: September 2008

Object

In an attempt to identify cortical areas involved in singing in addition to language areas, the authors used a singing task during direct cortical mapping in 5 patients who were amateur singers and had undergone surgery for brain tumors. The organization of the cortical areas involved in language and singing was analyzed in relation with these surgical data.

Methods

One left-handed and 4 right-handed patients with brain tumors in left (2 cases) and right (3 cases) hemispheres and no significant language or singing deficits underwent surgery with the “awake surgery” technique. All patients had a special interest in singing and were involved in amateur singing activities. They were tested using naming, reading, and singing tasks.

Results

Outside primary sensorimotor areas, singing interferences were rare and were exclusively localized in small cortical areas (< 1 cm2). A clear distinction was found between speech and singing in the Broca region. In the Broca region, no singing interference was found in areas in which interference in naming and reading tasks were detected. Conversely, a specific singing interference was found in nondominant middle frontal gyri in one patient. This interference consisted of abrupt singing arrest without apparent face, mouth, and tongue contraction. Finally, nonspecific singing interferences were found in the right and left precentral gyri in all patients (probably by interference in final articulatory mechanisms of singing).

Conclusions

Dissociations between speech and singing found outside primary sensorimotor areas showed that these 2 functions use, in some cortical stages, different cerebral pathways.
MicroNester coil for neurointervention
Authors: Hayashi Kentaro , Kitagawa Naoki , Morikawa Minoru , Hiu Takeshi , Morofuji Yoichi , Suyama Kazuhiko , Nagata Izumi
Published: September 2008

A MicroNester coil (MNC) was developed from the Nester coil with a 0.018-in microcatheter. The most specific feature of the MNC is the extended length of 14 cm.

Neurointervention involving the MNC was undertaken in 11 patients. Intervention procedures were transvenous embolization for a dural arteriovenous fistula in 4 patients, transarterial embolization for a dural arteriovenous fistula in 2, parent artery occlusion for a cerebral aneurysm in 4, and stent-assisted embolization for a carotid artery dissection in 1. A push technique through microcatheter was used to deploy the MNCs.

The MNCs were successfully placed into the venous sinus lesion, feeding artery, parent artery of the aneurysm, and the pseudoaneurysm. There were no major technical complications resulting in morbidity. The postoperative course was uneventful except in 2 cases in which the occluded vessel recanalized.

Use of MNCs was safe and feasible for embolization of cerebrovascular lesions. Fewer coils are required in embolization when using MNCs.
Hyperinsulinemic euglycemia therapy for stunned myocardium following subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Vanderschuren Abel , Hantson Philippe
Published: September 2008

The authors describe the clinical course of a 50-year-old woman who presented with life-threatening cardiac dysfunction after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (Fisher Grade 4). The pathophysiology of cardiac injury in this setting is not fully understood, but excess sympathetic activation can lead to neurogenic stressed myocardium. A metabolic intervention using the continuous intravenous infusion of high doses of insulin with euglycemia resulted in a rapid improvement of cardiac contractility. The observed benefit could be due to better myocardial glucose utilization that could not have been achieved by catecholamine administration.
Endovascular intervention for acute thromboembolic stroke in young patients: an ideal population for aggressive intervention?
Authors: Mocco J , Tawk Rabih G. , Jahromi Babak S. , Samuelson Rodney M. , Siddiqui Adnan H. , Hopkins L. Nelson , Levy Elad I.
Published: September 2008

Object

Endovascular treatment of acute thromboembolic stroke is a rapidly developing field that appears to hold great promise. Young patients may be particularly suited to benefit from endovascular acute stroke therapy. The authors sought to identify outcomes in young patients with thromboembolic stroke who underwent endovascular intervention.

Methods

The authors retrospectively reviewed a prospectively collected endovascular intervention registry of patients with ischemic strokes treated at a single large-volume institution between December 2000 and June 2007 to identify patients 18–35 years of age who were treated for thromboembolic stroke. Data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation unless otherwise noted.

Results

Seven young patients underwent 8 consecutive endovascular interventions for thromboembolic stroke (mean age 26 ± 6 years; 5 women). The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at presentation was 13 ± 4.3 (median 13). All patients presented within 6 hours of symptom onset. Revascularization was attempted with mechanical thrombectomy/disruption, intraarterial thrombolysis, and/or angioplasty, with or without stent placement.

The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at discharge was 2.2 ± 1.5 (median 1.5), with 5 patients (62.5%) achieving independence at discharge (mRS Score 0–2). There were no deaths. Hospital length of stay was 6.5 ± 3.7 days (4.4 ± 1.5 days for patients with an mRS score of 0–2; 10 ± 3.6 days for patients with an mRS score of 4). All patients became independent and had reached an mRS score of ≤ 2 at last follow-up evaluation (29 ± 25 months).

Conclusions

The data demonstrate the relative safety of endovascular intervention in young patients with thromboembolic cerebral ischemia and may suggest a potential benefit in outcome. Further investigation is indicated with larger numbers of patients and an appropriate control population.
Accuracy of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography and single-photon emission computed tomography in the diagnosis of angiographically demonstrated cerebral vasospasm
Authors: Kincaid M. Sean , Souter Michael J. , Treggiari Miriam M. , Yanez N. David , Moore Anne , Lam Arthur M.
Published: September 2008

Object

The goal of this study was to assess the accuracy of the routine clinical use of transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography and SPECT in predicting angiographically demonstrated vasospasm.

Methods

Following receipt of institutional review board approval, the authors reviewed the records of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage who had been admitted between 2004 and 2005 and underwent TCD ultrasonography and SPECT evaluations within 24 hours of cerebral angiography. Patients were categorized based on the presence or absence of vasospasm and/or hypoperfusion in the anterior cerebral arteries (ACAs), middle cerebral arteries (MCAs), and basilar arteries (BAs) or posterior cerebral arteries (PCAs) according to each imaging modality. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of an angiographically demonstrated vasospasm also detected on TCD ultrasonography and SPECT.

Results

One hundred fifty-two patients (101 women) with a mean age (± standard deviation) of 53 ± 13 years were included in the study. In the ACA, the OR of a vasospasm on TCD ultrasonography was 27 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3–243) and on SPECT 0.97 (95% CI 0.36–2.6); in the MCA, 17 (95% CI 5.4–55) and 2.0 (95% CI 0.71–5.5), respectively; in the BA, 4.4 (95% CI 0.72–27) and 5.6 (95% CI 0.89–36), respectively. There was no substantial change in the relative odds of a vasospasm when the findings on TCD ultrasonography and SPECT were considered jointly.

Conclusions

Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography appears to be highly predictive of an angiographically demonstrated vasospasm in the MCA and ACA; however, its diagnostic accuracy was lower with regard to vasospasm in the BA. Single-photon emission computed tomography was not predictive of a vasospasm in any of the vascular territories assessed.
The Myth of the Boiling Point
Authors: Chang Hasok
Published: September 2008

Around 1800, many reputable scientists reported significant variations in the temperature of pure water boiling under normal atmospheric pressure. The reported variations included a difference of over 1°C between boiling in metallic and glass vessels (Gay-Lussac), and “superheating” up to 112°C on extracting dissolved air out of water (De Luc). I have confirmed most of these observations in my own experiments, many of which are described in this paper. Water boils at the “boiling point” only under very particular circumstances. Our common-sense intuition about the fixedness of the boiling point is only sustained by our limited experience.
The Development of Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes: Insights from Knockout Studies
Authors: Pattaranit Ratchada , Van Den Berg Hugo Antonius , Spanswick David
Published: September 2008

Diabetes is a common endocrine disorder, primarily characterised by elevated plasma glucose levels. The disease affects all age groups worldwide. Most patients suffer from Type 2 diabetes, which is mainly due to insulin resistance. It is thought that changes in insulin signalling pathways underlie the development of insulin resistance. This article aims to review recent studies that have elucidated the role of individual proteins in these insulin signalling pathways. These studies have been undertaken using two strategies, one employing mice carrying a global null mutation of particular gene-encoding proteins by the homologous recombination method and another strategy using mice with tissue-specific insulin receptor and/or GLUT4 knockout by the Cre-loxP system. The various phenotypes of these knockout mice, and the light they shed on the etiology of insulin resistance, are discussed. By advancing our understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms underlying insulin resistance, these knock-out models may help us to develop more effective treatments for Type 2 diabetes.
Towards recombinant antibody-fragment targeted Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Milgrom Lionel R.
Published: September 2008

For the treatment of tumours and other proliferative conditions, widespread uptake of photodynamic therapy (PDT) has to some extent been hindered by its inability to target specifically photosensitisers (PSs) to localised lesions in the body. PSs may be deposited in the skin, leading to painful and disfiguring photosensitivity, sometimes for weeks after initial treatment. Targeting PSs specifically could not only avoid such side-effects, it could greatly improve PDT's therapeutic margin.

This review describes photoimmunoconjugates (PICs) produced via successful combination of PSs with recombinant monoclonal antibody fragments (sc-Fvs). PICs can not only target specifically and destroy tumour cells in vitro and in vivo, but counter-intuitively, it is possible to conjugate many more PSs to an sc-Fv than to the much larger parent monoclonal antibody.

The general utility of PICs is demonstrated by significant improvements to the potency and selectivity of already existing PSs. Furthermore, critical features of sc-Fvs are discussed that enable them to make effective PICs. This has implications for the future engineering of scFv carriers for PDT, in order to control the number and function of the PSs that can be coupled.
Selective Patterned Growth of Single‐Crystal Ag–TCNQ Nanowires for Devices by Vapor–Solid Chemical Reaction
Authors: Xiao Kai , Tao Jing , Puretzky Alex A. , Ivanov Ilia N. , Retterer Scott T. , Pennycook Stephen J. , Geohegan David B.
Published: September 2008

We report the deterministic growth of individual single‐crystal organic semiconductor nanowires of silver–tetracyanoquinodimethane (Ag–TCNQ) with high yield (>90%) by a vapor–solid chemical reaction process. Ag–metal films or patterned dots deposited onto substrates serve as chemical reaction centers and are completely consumed during the growth of the individual or multiple nanowires. Selective‐area electron diffraction (SAED) revealed that the Ag–TCNQ nanowires grow preferentially along the strong π–π stacking direction of Ag–TCNQ molecules. The vapor–solid chemical reaction process described here permits the growth of organic nanowires at lower temperatures than chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of inorganic nanowires. The single‐crystal Ag–TCNQ nanowires are shown to act as memory switches with high on/off ratios, making them potentially useful in optical storage, ultrahigh‐density nanoscale memory, and logic devices.
Copper‐Catalyzed Synthesis of 1,2‐Disubstituted Cyclopentanes from 1,6‐Dienes by Ring‐Closing Kharasch Addition of Carbon Tetrachloride
Authors: Muñoz‐Molina José María , Belderraín Tomás R. , Pérez Pedro J.
Published: September 2008

The reaction of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) with various 1,6‐heptadienes catalyzed by copper homoscorpionate complexes affords cyclization products in moderate to high yields. The process involves the addition of the trichloromethyl radical to the diene followed by a 5‐exo‐trig cyclization reaction, resulting in the formation of the cis‐3‐chloromethyl‐4‐(2,2,2‐trichloroethyl)cyclopentane isomers in a highly regiospecific and stereospecific manner. We have studied the use of magnesium (Mg) as reducing agent for the regeneration of copper(I) catalysts. This method has afforded heterocycles in high yields even in the cases of diallyl ether (DAE) and tert‐butyl N,N‐diallylcarbamate (TBDAC).
Binary hydrogen‐tetrahydrofuran clathrate hydrate formation kinetics and models
Authors: Nagai Yorihiko , Yoshioka Hiroki , Ota Masaki , Sato Yoshiyuki , Inomata Hiroshi , Smith Richard L. , Peters Cor J.
Published: September 2008

Binary H2‐THF clathrate hydrate formation kinetics were investigated with a pressure decay method at temperatures from 266.7 to 275.1 K, at initial pressures from 3.6 to 8.4 MPa, and at stoichiometric THF hydrate concentrations for particle sizes between 212 and 1,400 μm. Formation rate increased for smaller particle sizes, higher pressures and lower‐temperatures. A hydrogen delocalization model and a proposed hydrogen hydrate phase diffusion (HHPD) model were used to analyze the formation mechanisms. The HHPD model assumes that the H2‐THF hydrate phase is formed due to hydrogen adsorption onto the particle surface that is followed by subsequent diffusion of hydrogen into the clathrate hydrate. The HHPD model could express the kinetics quantitatively at the experimental conditions studied. Values of the hydrogen diffusion coefficient in the clathrate hydrate estimated from the bulk data and the phase thickness in the HHPD model agreed well with the literature. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Rapid production of a plasmid DNA encoding a malaria vaccine candidate via amino‐functionalized poly(GMA‐co‐EDMA) monolith
Authors: Danquah Michael K. , Liu Shan , Ho Jenny , Forde Gareth M. , Wang Lina , Coppel Ross L.
Published: September 2008

Malaria is a global health problem; an effective vaccine is urgently needed. Due to the relative poverty and lack of infrastructure in malaria endemic areas, DNA‐based vaccines that are stable at ambient temperatures and easy to formulate have great potential. While attention has been focused mainly on antigen selection, vector design and efficacy assessment, the development of a rapid and commercially viable process to manufacture DNA is generally overlooked. We report here a continuous purification technique employing an optimized stationary adsorbent to allow high‐vaccine recovery, low‐processing time, and, hence, high‐productivity. A 40.0 mL monolithic stationary phase was synthesized and functionalized with amino groups from 2‐Chloro‐N,N‐diethylethylamine hydrochloride for anion‐exchange isolation of a plasmid DNA (pDNA) that encodes a malaria vaccine candidate, VR1020‐PyMSP4/5. Physical characterization of the monolithic polymer showed a macroporous material with a modal pore diameter of 750 nm. The final vaccine product isolated after 3 min elution was homogeneous supercoiled plasmid with gDNA, RNA and protein levels in keeping with clinical regulatory standards. Toxicological studies of the pVR1020‐PyMSP4/5 showed a minimum endotoxin level of 0.28 EU/mg pDNA. This cost‐effective technique is cGMP compatible and highly scalable for the production of DNA‐based vaccines in commercial quantities, when such vaccines prove to be effective against malaria. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Isotherm modeling for biosorption of Cu(II) and Ni(II) from wastewater onto brown seaweed, Cystoseira indica
Authors: Basha Shaik , Murthy Z. V. P. , Jha B.
Published: September 2008

The biosorption equilibrium isotherms of Cu(II) and Ni(II) from wastewater onto marine brown algae Cystoseira indica, which was chemically modified by various methods were studied and modeled. To predict the biosorption isotherms and to determine the characteristic parameters for process design, 21 one‐, two‐, three‐, four‐, and five‐parameter isotherm models were applied to experimental data. The interaction among biosorbed molecules is repulsive and there is no association between them, and biosorption is carried out on energetically different sites and is an endothermic process. The five‐parameter Fritz‐Schluender model gives the most accurate fit with high R2 (0.9899–0.9976), low standard error (0.1202–0.0144), and sum of square error (0.0144–0.0495) values to all experimental data in comparison to other models. The biosorption isotherm models fitted the experimental data in the order: Fritz‐Schluender (five‐parameter) > Langmuir (two‐parameter) > Radke‐Prausnitz‐II (three‐parameter) > Fritz‐Schluender (four‐parameter) > Temkin (two‐parameter). © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Unusual presentation of a severe autosomal recessive anhydrotic ectodermal dysplasia with a novel mutation in the EDAR gene
Authors: Mégarbané Hala , Cluzeau Céline , Bodemer Christine , Fraïtag Sylvie , Chababi‐Atallah Myrna , Mégarbané André , Smahi Asma
Published: September 2008

We report on an 18‐year‐old woman, born to first‐cousin parents, presenting with a severe form of anhydrotic ectodermal dysplasia (EDA/HED). She had sparse hair, absent limb hair, absent sweating, episodes of hyperpyrexia, important hypodontia, and hyperconvex nails. She also showed unusual clinical manifestations such as an absence of breasts, a rudimentary extranumerary areola and nipple on the left side, and marked palmo‐plantar hyperkeratosis. Light microscopy of skin biopsies showed orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis and absence of sweat glands. A novel homozygous mutation (IVS9 + 1G > A) in the EDAR gene was identified. This mutation results in a total absence of EDAR transcripts and consequently of the EDAR protein, which likely results in abolition of all ectodysplasin‐mediated NF‐κB signaling. This is the first complete loss‐of‐function mutation in the EDAR gene reported to date, which may explain the unusual presentation of HED in this patient, enlarging the clinical spectrum linked to the dysfunction of the ectodysplasin mediated NF‐κB signaling. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tactile Devices To Sense Touch on a Par with a Human Finger
Authors: Maheshwari Vivek , Saraf Ravi
Published: September 2008

Our sense of touch enables us to recognize texture and shape and to grasp objects. The challenge in making an electronic skin which can emulate touch for applications such as a humanoid robot or minimally invasive and remote surgery is both in mimicking the (passive) mechanical properties of the dermis and the characteristics of the sensing mechanism, especially the intrinsic digital nature of neurons. Significant progress has been made towards developing an electronic skin by using a variety of materials and physical concepts, but the challenge of emulating the sense of touch remains. Recently, a nanodevice was developed that has achieved the resolution to decipher touch on a par with the human finger; this resolution is over an order of magnitude improvement on previous devices with a sensing area larger than 1 cm2. With its robust mechanical properties, this new system represents an important step towards the realization of artificial touch.
Development of an analytical quality control system of high‐purity chemical substances on the CALS concept basis
Authors: Bessarabov A. M. , Zhdanovich O. A. , Yaroshenko A. M. , Zaikov G. E.
Published: September 2008

An information system has been designed for monitoring the quality of chemical reagents and high‐purity substances. The information system is based on the international CALS standard (ISO‐10303 STEP). It contains the following information for the main elements of analytical monitoring: a list of elements to be monitored (substance classifier), details of the analytical procedure (including the sampling and sample preparation steps), performance parameters of the instruments, metrological support, and normative documentation (GOST standards, technical specifications, and others). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Preparation and characterization of multi‐walled carbon nanotube/poly(ethylene terephthalate) nanoweb
Authors: Ahn Byung Wook , Chi Yong Seung , Kang Tae Jin
Published: September 2008

Multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nanowebs were obtained by electrospinning. For uniform dispersion of MWCNTs in PET solution, MWCNTs were functionalized by acid treatment. Introduction of carboxyl groups onto the surface of MWCNTs was examined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. MWCNTs were added into 22 wt % PET solution in the ratio of 1, 2, 3 wt % to PET. The morphology of MWCNT/PET nanoweb was observed using field emission‐scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The nanofiber diameter decreased with increasing MWCNT concentration. The distribution of the nanofiber diameters showed a bi‐modal shape when MWCNTs were added. Thermal and tensile properties of electrospun MWCNT/PET nanowebs were examined using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) and etc. Tensile strength, tensile modulus, thermal stability, and the degree of crystallinity increased with increasing MWCNT concentration. In contrast, elongation at break and cold crystallization temperature showed a contrary tendency. Electric conductivities of the MWCNT/PET nanowebs were in the electrostatic dissipation range. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Viscosity and shear strength of natural‐rubber‐based adhesives in the presence of gum rosin and petroresin
Authors: Poh B. T. , Yee K. W. , Lim H. B.
Published: September 2008

The viscosity and shear strength of pressure‐sensitive adhesives based on natural rubber (standard Malaysian rubber grade L) were studied with gum rosin and petroresin as the tackifying resins. Effects of the concentration of the tackifying resin and the molecular weight of rubber on the two properties were systematically investigated. Toluene was used as the solvent throughout the study to prepare the adhesives. The viscosity and shear strength of the adhesives were determined with a rotary viscometer and a texture analyzer, respectively. For the shear test, a hand coater was used to coat the adhesives on the release paper substrate to provide coating thicknesses of 60 and 120 μm. The results indicated that the viscosity increased with the resin loading and molecular weight of rubber increasing. The viscosity of the adhesive prepared from petroresin had a higher value than that of the gum‐rosin‐based adhesive. The shear strength of the adhesives decreased gradually with increasing resin content for both tackifying resins and coating thicknesses, and this observation was attributed to the decrease in the cohesive strength due to the dilution effect of the resins. However, the shear strength passed through a maximum at a molecular weight of rubber of 8.5 × 104 for both resins. The gum‐rosin‐based adhesive consistently showed higher shear strength than that of the petroresin/natural rubber adhesive because of the better cohesiveness and compatibility of the former system. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
2‐Sulfonyliminodihydropyrimidines: A Novel Class of Analgesic Compounds
Authors: González‐Rosende M. Eugenia , Olivar Teresa , Castillo Encarna , Sepúlveda‐Arques José
Published: September 2008

A series of 2‐sulfonyliminodihydropyrimidine derivatives have been synthesized and evaluatedin vivofor their antinociceptive and anti‐inflammatory activities. The results were compared with that of acetyl salicylic acid. Compounds6Ab–dand6Bedisplayed an interesting analgesic profile in the acetic acid‐induced abdominal contractions test. Based on the results of the carrageenan‐hind paw edema test, compound6Afshowed potential anti‐inflammatory activity.
Morphogenesis and Crystallization of ZnS Microspheres by a Soft Template‐Assisted Hydrothermal Route: Synthesis, Growth Mechanism, and Oxygen Sensitivity
Authors: Yang Liangbao , Han Jun , Luo Tao , Li Minqiang , Huang Jiarui , Meng Fanli , Liu Jinhuai
Published: September 2008

Almost monodisperse ZnS microspheres have been synthesized on a large scale by a hydrothermal route, in which tungstosilicate acid (TSA) was used as a soft template. By controlling the reaction conditions, such as reaction temperature, pH value of the solutions, and the reaction medium, almost monodisperse microspheres can be synthesized. The structure of these microspheres is sensitive to the reaction conditions. The growth mechanism of these nearly monodisperse microspheres was examined. Oxygen sensing is realized from ZnS microspheres. The current through the ZnS microspheres under UV illumination increases as the oxygen concentration decreases.
The sensitivity of Western European NO2 columns to interannual variability of meteorology and emissions: a model—GOME study
Authors: Savage Nicholas H. , Pyle John A. , Braesicke Peter , Wittrock Folkard , Richter Andreas , Nüß Hendrik , Burrows John P. , Schultz Martin G. , Pulles Tinus , van het Bolscher Maarten
Published: September 2008

Interannual variability (IAV) in tropospheric species concentrations can be driven by variability in emissions, chemistry, transport and UV radiation. In a 3D CTM study we have found good agreement between the IAV of NO2 columns observed by the GOME satellite instrument and model simulations over Western Europe from 1996 to 2000. We find that meteorological variability is an important factor during this period. Averaged 10 m wind speeds from the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) operational analysis are a good proxy for the overall meteorology driving the IAV during the studied period of 1996–2000. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Metabolic flux analysis of Shewanella spp. reveals evolutionary robustness in central carbon metabolism
Authors: Tang Yinjie J. , Martin Hector Garcia , Dehal Paramvir S. , Deutschbauer Adam , Llora Xavier , Meadows Adam , Arkin Adam , Keasling Jay. D.
Published: September 2008

Shewanella spp. are a group of facultative anaerobic bacteria widely distributed in marine and freshwater environments. In this study, we profiled the central metabolic fluxes of eight recently sequenced Shewanella species grown under the same condition in minimal medium with [3‐13C] lactate. Although the tested Shewanella species had slightly different growth rates (0.23–0.29 h−1) and produced different amounts of acetate and pyruvate during early exponential growth (pseudo‐steady state), the relative intracellular metabolic flux distributions were remarkably similar. This result indicates that Shewanella species share similar regulation in regard to central carbon metabolic fluxes under steady growth conditions: the maintenance of metabolic robustness is not only evident in a single species under genetic perturbations (Fischer and Sauer, 2005; Nat Genet 37(6):636–640), but also observed through evolutionary related microbial species. This remarkable conservation of relative flux profiles through phylogenetic differences prompts us to introduce the concept of metabotype as an alternative scheme to classify microbial fluxomics. On the other hand, Shewanella spp. display flexibility in the relative flux profiles when switching their metabolism from consuming lactate to consuming pyruvate and acetate. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1161–1169. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Determination of two metabolites of calycosin‐7‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside in rat urine by HPLC
Authors: Yang Yan‐Ling , Xia Guang‐Xin , Ye Guan
Published: September 2008

A simple and specific analytical method for the simultaneous determination of the two metabolites of calycosin‐7‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside, calycosin‐7‐O‐β‐d‐glucuronic acid methyl ester (M‐1) and calycosin (M‐2), in rat urine was developed using high‐performance liquid chromatography. Quercetin was employed as an internal standard. The correlation coefficients of the calibration curves were higher than 0.999; both intra‐ and inter‐day precisions of two metabolites were determined and their RSD did not exceed 10%. The accuracy and linear range were investigated in detail. The cumulative urinary excretions of two metabolites were measured. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative determination of capsaicin, a transient receptor potential channel vanilloid 1 agonist, by liquid chromatography quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry: evaluation ofin vitrometabolic stability
Authors: Beaudry Francis , Vachon Pascal
Published: September 2008

Capsaicin is the most abundant pungent molecule present in red peppers and it is widely used for food flavoring, in pepper spray in self‐defense devices and more recently in ointments for the relief of neuropathic pain. Capsaicin is a selective agonist of transient receptor potential channel, vanilloid subfamily member 1. A selective and sensitive quantitative method for the determination of capsaicin by LC‐ESI/MS/MS was developed. The method consisted of a protein precipitation extraction followed by analysis using liquid chromatography electrospray quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry. The chromatographic separation was achieved using a 100 × 2 mm C18Waters Symmetry column combined with a gradient mobile phase composed of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution at a flow rate of 220 µL/min. The mass spectrometer was operating in full‐scan MS/MS mode using two‐segment analysis. An analytical range of 10–5000 ng/mL was used in the calibration curve constructed in rat plasma. The interbatch precision and accuracy observed were 6.5, 6.7, 5.3 and 101.2, 102.7, 103.5% at 50, 500 and 5000 ng/mL, respectively. Anin vitrometabolic stability study was performed in rat, dog and mouse liver microsomes and the novel analytical method was adapted and used to determine intrinsic clearance of capsaicin. Results suggest very rapid degradation withT1/2ranging from 2.3 to 4.1 min and high clearance values suggesting that drug bioavailability will be considerably reduced, consequently affecting drug response and efficacy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous determination of triptolide, tripdiolide and tripterine in human urine by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with ion trap atmospheric‐pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Jin Mi‐cong , Chen Xiao‐hong , OuYang Xiao‐kun
Published: September 2008

An accurate and selective method for the simultaneous determination of triptolide, tripdiolide and tripterine in human urine using hydrocortisone as an internal standard (IS) by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with atmospheric‐pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry in negative ion mode has been developed. After triptolide, tripdiolide and tripterine in human urine were extracted with ethyl acetate and cleaned by solid‐phase extraction with C18cartridges, a satisfactory separation was achieved on an XDB C18short column (30 × 2.1 mm i.d., 3 µm) using the mobile phase of acetic acid–ammonium acetate (5 mmol/L, pH = 4.5)–acetonitrile–methanol in gradient elution. Detection was operated by APCI in selected ion monitoring mode. The target ionsm/z359,m/z375,m/z449 andm/z419 were selected for the quantification of triptolide, tripdiolide, tripterine and IS, respectively. The linear range was 1.0–100.0 ng mL−1, and the limits of quantification in human urine were found to be 0.1–0.5 ng mL−1for the three compounds. The precisions (CV%) and accuracies were 6.6–12.9 and 85.1–97.0%, respectively. The developed method could be applied to the determination of triptolide, tripdiolide and tripterine in human urine for diagnosis of the intoxication and for forensic purposes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.