bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plasma‐Treated Polyethylene Surfaces for Improved Binding of Active Protein
Authors: Ho Joan P. Y. , Nosworthy Neil J. , Bilek Marcela M. M. , Gan Bee K. , McKenzie David R. , Chu Paul K. , dos Remedios Cris G.
Published: July 2007

The use of plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) to prepare polyethylene surfaces for binding active proteins is investigated. The PIII surface treatment significantly improves the density of active HRP bound to the surface after incubation in buffer containing the protein. The retention of enzyme activity on the PIII‐treated surfaces is greatly improved as compared to both untreated controls and surfaces exposed to the plasma without the PIII treatment. A nitrogen PIII treatment produced surfaces with the best retention of protein activity. Oxidation of the ion‐damaged surface and the formation of a carbonized subsurface are believed to be responsible for the observed protein binding properties.

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cGMP‐enhancing‐ and α1A/α1D‐adrenoceptor blockade‐derived inhibition of Rho‐kinase by KMUP‐1 provides optimal prostate relaxation and epithelial cell anti‐proliferation efficacy
Authors: Liu Chi‐Ming , Lo Yi‐Ching , Wu Bin‐Nan , Wu Wen‐Jeng , Chou Yii‐Her , Huang Chun‐Hsiung , An Li‐Mei , Chen Ing‐Jun
Published: July 2007

Background

Soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/protein kinase G (PKG) and Rho kinase (ROCK2) pathways are important in the regulation of prostate smooth muscle tone. This study is aimed to examine the relaxation activities of a sGC activator and PDE5A/ROCK2 inhibitor KMUP‐1 in rat prostate and associated anti‐proliferation activity in human prostatic epithelial cells.

Methods

The action characteristics of KMUP‐1 were identified by isometric tension measurement, receptor binding assay, Western blotting and radioimmunoassay in rat prostate. Anti‐proliferation activity of KMUP‐1 in human prostatic epithelial PZ‐HPV‐7 cells was identified using flow cytometry and real time QRT‐PCR.

Results

KMUP‐1 inhibited phenylephrine‐induced contractility in a concentration‐dependent manner. KMUP‐1 possessed potent α1A/α1D‐adrenoceptor binding inhibition activity, increased cAMP/cGMP levels and increased the expression of sGC, PKG, and PKA protein in rat prostate. Moreover, KMUP‐1 inhibited phenylephrine‐induced ROCK2 expression. KMUP‐1 inhibited cell growth, arrested the cell cycle at G0/G1phase and increased the expression of p21 in PZ‐HPV‐7 cells.

Conclusions

These results broaden our knowledge of sGC/cGMP/PKG and ROCK2 regulation on the relaxation and proliferation of prostate, which may help in the design of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) therapies that target these signaling pathways. KMUP‐1 possesses the potential benefit in the treatment of BPH by its α1A/α1D‐adrenoceptor blockade, sGC activation, inhibition of PDE5A and ROCK2 and p21 protein enhancement, leading to attenuation of the smooth muscle tone and the proliferation of epithelial PZ‐HPV‐7 cells. The synergistic contribution of these pathways by KMUP‐1 may benefit BPH patients with lower urinary tract symptoms. Prostate 67: 1397–1410, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vitro anticancer activity of aqueous extracts and ethanol extracts of fifteen taditional Chinese medicines on human digestive tumor cell lines
Authors: Sun Jing , Liu Bao‐Rui , Hu Wen‐Jing , Yu Li‐Xia , Qian Xiao‐Ping
Published: July 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anticancer activity of 15 traditional Chinese medicines which are usually used for tumor patients in China. The MTT (methylthiazolyldiphenyl‐tetrazolium bromide) method was applied to compare the antitumoral activity of the aqueous crude extracts and the ethanol crude extracts of these drugs on six human digestive tumor cell lines: human liver carcinoma cell lines (HepG‐2 and SMMC‐7721), human gastric cancer cell line (BGC‐823), human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines (LoVo and SW‐116) and esophagus adenocarcinoma cell line (CaEs‐17). Most ethanol extracts demonstrated a more powerful inhibitory effect than aqueous extracts. Their IC50 values were between 10 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL. Among these drugs, Paris polyphylla Smith showed a predominant inhibitory effect on all the cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 10 µg/mL to 30 µg/mL. The findings in this study suggested that traditional Chinese medicines, especially Paris polyphylla Smith, might have potential anticancer activity on digestive cancer and its mechanism needs further study. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Screening of Indian medicinal plants for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity
Authors: Mukherjee Pulok K. , Kumar Venkatesan , Houghton Peter J.
Published: July 2007

The cholinergic hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has provided the rationale for the current pharmaco‐therapy of this disease, in an attempt to reduce the cognitive decline caused by cholinergic deficits. Nevertheless, the search for potent and long‐acting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors that exert minimal side effects in AD patients is still ongoing. AChE inhibitors are currently the only approved therapy for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease; only a limited number of drugs are commercially available. Hydroalcohol extracts of six herbs, Andrographis paniculata, Centella asiatica, Evalvulus alsinoides, Nardostachys jatamansi, Nelumbo nucifera, Myristica fragrans used in Indian systems of medicine, were tested for in vitro acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity based on Ellman's method in 96‐well microplates using AChE obtained from bovine erythrocytes. The results showed that the hydroalcohol extract from Centella asiatica, Nardostachys jatamansi, Myristica fragrans, Evalvulus alsinoides inhibited 50% of AChE activity at concentrations of 100–150 µg/mL. Andrographis paniculata and Nelumbo nucifera extracts showed a weak inhibition of acetylcholinesterase with IC50 values of 222.41 ± 19.87 µg/mL and 185.55 ± 21.24 µg/mL, respectively. Physostigmine was used as a standard and showed inhibition of acetylcholinesterase with an IC50 value of 0.076 ± 0.0042 µg/mL. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemical composition and antibacterial activities of the essential oil from Abies koreana
Authors: Jeong Seung‐Il , Lim Jong‐Pil , Jeon Hoon
Published: July 2007

The essential oils from an alpine needle leaf of Abies koreana, which is a species native to Korea, was obtained by hydrodistillation with 0.9% (v/w) yield and analysed by GC and GC‐MS. Sixty‐eight constituents, accounting for more than 95.9% of the total oil composition, were identified. The main compounds with concentrations higher than 3% were borneol (27.9%), α‐pinene (23.2%), β‐pinene (5.8%), terpinene‐4‐ol (3.8%), bornyl acetate (3.4%) and α‐terpineol (3.1%). The antibacterial activity of the oil was evaluated against nine microorganisms using disc diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The essential oil exhibited some broad spectrum antibacterial activity against the tested organisms, including methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Sairei‐to on the pharmacokinetics of nifedipine in rats
Authors: Ikehata Mika , Ohnishi Noriaki , Matsumoto Tsuyoshi , Kiyohara Yoshifumi , Maeda Atsushi , Kawakita Takuya , Takara Kohji , Yokoyama Teruyoshi
Published: July 2007

Sairei‐to is a traditional herbal medicine used to complement, and as an alternative to, Western drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic interactions between Sairei‐to and nifedipine (NFP), a substrate for CYP3A, in rats. NFP‐oxidizing activity and the pharmacokinetics of NFP were examined after a single or 1‐week of administration of Sairei‐to (EK‐114). NFP‐oxidizing activity was enhanced transiently around 24 h after a single administration of EK‐114 (1400 mg/kg). In vivo, the first‐pass metabolism of NFP increased in the small intestine at 24 h after the administration of EK‐114, and this effect disappeared at 72 h. Co‐administration of EK‐114 tended to inhibit the metabolism of NFP. On the other hand, when EK‐114 was given at a high dose (1400 mg/kg) for 1 week, the oxidation of NFP in the small intestine was inhibited, and Cmax and AUC after the oral administration of NFP increased. In addition, a clinical dose of EK‐114 (140 mg/kg) did not alter the pharmacokinetics of NFP, regardless of the administration schedule. EK‐114 was suggested to affect the metabolism of NFP. However, the CYP3A‐mediated pharmacokinetic interaction on the concomitant use of EK‐114 may not be clinically significant. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Observational study of a rainy January day in the Northeast Brazil semi‐arid region: synoptic and mesoscale characteristics
Authors: da Silva Aragão Maria Regina , Damião Mendes Mônica Cristina , Cavalcanti Iracema F. A. , de Fatima Correia Magaly
Published: July 2007

This is an analysis of the atmospheric structure of a particular rainy day in January 1985, a month of well‐above‐normal rainfall in the Northeast Brazil semi‐arid region. Close attention is given to 24 January 1985, with a focus on the rain structures that are most indicative of the mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) within a radar coverage area centred at Petrolina (9 24′S, 40 30′W), situated in the semi‐arid lower‐middle portion of the São Francisco River Valley. The contribution of the synoptic environment to the development of these systems is also investigated. C‐band meteorological radar, along with surface rain‐gauge data (intensities and 24‐hour totals), has made possible a diagnosis of the mesoscale structure of the rain systems. Surface data, upper‐air data, NCEP/NCAR reanalyses and Meteosat satellite images are employed as well. On the synoptic scale, the results reveal that during the greater part of the month, the area of study was largely influenced not only by the western sector of the South Atlantic upper‐tropospheric trough but also by a weak South Atlantic subtropical high, as indicated by surface winds in Petrolina over all quadrants of the wind rose, except for the typical southeasterly winds. On day 24, the upper trough showed high amplitude, whereas the South Atlantic high was weak, as demonstrated by less intense subsidence inversion, high moisture content, and light and variable winds in the mid‐to‐lower troposphere. Extensive (meso‐β‐scale), long‐lasting stratiform rain areas with embedded convection that became intensified in the mid‐to‐late afternoon indicated the presence of MCSs. These precipitation areas were dynamically supported by low‐level moisture convergence and upward motion on the mesoscale and larger scales, while surface heating due to solar radiation may have been an additional factor for convection growth in the afternoon. A large number of rain‐gauge stations reporting rain and surface rain rates (5‐minute duration) higher than 60 mm h−1 gave additional evidence of widespread light (stratiform) and localized intense (convective) rainfall, indicating the presence of MCSs. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Multiple imputation using an iterative hot‐deck with distance‐based donor selection
Authors: Siddique Juned , Belin Thomas R.
Published: July 2007

Hot‐deck imputation offers advantages in reflecting salient features of data distributions in missing‐data problems, but previous implementations have lacked the appeal associated with modern Bayesian statistical‐computing techniques. We outline a strategy of iterative hot‐deck multiple imputation with distance‐based donor selection. With distance defined as a monotonic function of the difference in predictive means between cases, donors are chosen with probability inversely proportional to their distance from the donee. This method retains the implementation ease of ad hoc techniques, while incorporating the desirable features of Bayesian approaches. Special cases of our method include nearest‐neighbor imputation and a simple random hot‐deck. Iterating the procedure provides an analogy to Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods and is intended to mitigate dependence on starting values. Results from imputing missing values in a longitudinal depression treatment trial as well as a simulation study are presented. We evaluate how different definitions of distance, choices of starting values, the order in which variables are chosen for imputation, and the number of iterations impact inferences. We show that our measure of distance controls the tradeoff between bias and variance of our estimates. We find that inferences from the depression treatment trial are not sensitive to most definitions of distance. In addition, while differences exist between 1 iteration and 10 iterations, there are no meaningful differences between inferences based on 10 iterations and those based on 500 iterations. The choice of starting value did not have an impact on inferences but the order in which the variables were chosen for imputation was significant even after iteration. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Case–cohort methods for survival data on families from routine registers
Authors: Moger Tron Anders , Pawitan Yudi , Borgan Ørnulf
Published: July 2007

In the Nordic countries, there exist several registers containing information on diseases and risk factors for millions of individuals. This information can be linked to families by the use of personal identification numbers, and represents a great opportunity for studying diseases that show familial aggregation. Due to the size of the registers, it is difficult to analyze the data by using traditional methods for multivariate survival analysis, such as frailty or copula models. Since the size of the cohort is known, case–cohort methods based on pseudo‐likelihoods are suitable for analyzing the data. We present methods for sampling control families both with and without replacement, and with or without stratification. The data are stratified according to
family size and covariate values. Depending on the sampling method, results from simulations indicate that one only needs to sample 1–5 per cent of the control families in order to obtain good efficiency compared with a traditional cohort analysis. We also provide an application to survival data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Foreign direct investment as a strategic linkage
Authors: Chen Homin , Chen Tain‐Jy
Published: July 2007

This article studies the pattern of Taiwanese foreign direct investment (FDI) in light of strategic linkage theory. Measuring the level of proprietary asset by technological capability and scale of operation, we found that firms possessing higher levels of proprietary assets invest in more advanced host countries. Through FDI, higher levels of proprietary assets are linked to higher levels of strategic assets, which in turn enhance the technological and marketing capabilities of investing firms. Firms better endowed with proprietary assets are also shown to be more inclined to make multiple investments and more capable of investing in countries which are psychologically and geographically distant from Taiwan. In contrast, firms with low levels of proprietary assets seek linkages to nonstrategic assets in a single country which is psychologically and geographically close to Taiwan. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Japanese managerial and organizational learning
Authors: Keys J. Bernard , Wells Robert A. , Denton L. Trey
Published: July 2007

The article describes how the external forces of Japanese culture, industrial organization, and government intervention support managerial and organizational learning. It provides an overview of the culturally explicit philosophies that govern and stimulate learning in Japan, then explains how these philosophies are exhibited in Japanese management practice today. A model is presented which demonstrates the relationships among external forces, philosophical origins, management practice, and managerial and organizational learning. The conclusion is that managerial and organizational learning constitute one of Japan's most valuable competitive advantages. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
First mover advantages in investing in transitional economies
Authors: Luo Yadong , Peng Mike W.
Published: July 2007

As China, Eastern Europe, and the post‐Soviet republics undertake economic transitions toward more market‐based systems, foreign investors have been greatly interested in these countries. However, it is not clear whether an early mover strategy or a late mover strategy will result in better performance in these markets characterized by both potential opportunities and tremendous uncertainties and difficulties. This article uses the experience of foreign investors in China to shed light on this question. Specifically, we conducted two separate tests comparing the performance of early entrants and late entrants drawing on samples from different time periods (early stage versus late stage of local operations). The results show the existence of significant first mover advantages, and the risk‐return tradeoff between the first mover and late mover strategies. Implications for both early movers and late movers from these two tests are discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The dual‐career couple: Female expatriates and male trailing spouses
Authors: Harvey Michael , Wiese Danielle
Published: July 2007

Dual‐income and dual‐career couples are becoming an increasingly important segment of professional managers in the United States. The difficulties associated with addressing the unique needs of these dual couples is accentuated when attempting to relocate one of the members of the couple overseas. Referral rates for expatriation have increased and the failure rate of those expatriates who are relocated continues to be high. This article examines the issues international human resource executives face when expatriating female managers and how multinational corporations (MNCs) can proactively address the concerns of both the expatriate managers and their trailing spouses. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Saad Al‐barrak of international turnkey systems (ITS), kuwait
Authors: Mahmoud Essam , Rice Gillian
Published: July 2007

International Turnkey Systems (ITS) is a regional company operating in several countries in the Middle East. At the start of operations in Kuwait in 1981, the company faced many challenges, and did not reach a turning point until 1987. Thereafter, ITS realized the road to success. This report of an interview with Managing Director Saad Al‐Barrak provides a profile of his management philosophy and vision, and the company's policies and success components. The ITS story is a valuable learning tool because it illustrates how an Arab firm can incorporate and benefit from a management philosophy apparently alien to the local culture. The interview was conducted in April 1998 during Saad Al‐Barrak's visit to deliver a speech at Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The future of swiss asset management: A look in the crystal ball
Authors: Lhabitant François‐Serge
Published: July 2007

Until recently, Switzerland had an unmatched reputation for the quality of its banking services. Based on a secular tradition of security and a strict banking secrecy enforced by law, Swiss banks have established themselves as leaders in discretionary asset management. Recent studies estimate that about 35 percent of the private off‐shore wealth is managed in Switzerland. At the end of 1996, asset management in Switzerland represented about 2.5 trillion Swiss francs (about $2 trillion), provided 3.5 percent of the total added value in the country, and contributed 4.44 billion Swiss francs in taxes, making it one of Switzerland's major sector of activity.

But the traditional paradigm on which asset management is based in Switzerland–confidentiality, conservatism, and safety–is undergoing rapid change. Have the profound changes which transformed the banking industry and its production structures over the past several years ended? This is the subject of a large study we carried out with the Institute of Banking and Financial Management at HEC‐University of Lausanne. This survey provides an unbiased global reference and a neutral benchmark describing the current state of the Swiss asset management industry. It should help the assessment of specific strategies before considering implementations issues. This interview article contains part of the survey results and identifies a few factors that could prolong the industrial revolution underway. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Prospects for an islamic derivatives market in Malaysia
Authors: Kamali Mohammad Hashim
Published: July 2007

If one were to single out an area of derivative trading which can find support in the relevant evidence of Shari'ah, it would unquestionably be the commodity futures. This is because futures and options that derive from commodities, especially agricultural commodities and food grains, can be used for a variety of beneficial purposes. Commodity futures can be used as hedging devices that protect farmers and the food production industry against the price risk over a period of time. Futures and options can also be used in the interest of effective planning by the market players in agricultural and industrial sectors that may wish to have the security of selling in advance instead of facing the uncertainties of marketing at short notice, especially for commodities that can only be stored over a period of months rather than years. The greatest benefit of trading in futures and options is that they facilitate risk management and risk reduction. All of these would fall, from the Shari'ah point of view, within the broad scope of public interest or maslahah, which is a recognized proof and basis of judgment in Shari'ah. However, the validity of maslahah in areas and issues which have given rise to controversy need to be established through valid Shariah evidence. This is the nature of the challenge that we face concerning trading in derivatives. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Web‐based Chinese management (WCM)—Toward a new management paradigm for the next millennium?
Authors: Schlevogt Kai‐Alexander
Published: July 2007

This article develops a distinctive Chinese management model called “Web‐based Chinese Management” (WCM). It is practiced in private family enterprises located in Mainland China's booming “noncommunist” business centers and in overseas Chinese firms. The model is thought to be highly effective due to its use of social capital, high degree of flexibility, and cost efficiency. However, given that it usually puts limits to the growth of the focal company, it is less effective in exploiting economies of scale in steady‐state mass‐production industries. With its emphasis on skill, experience, and action, it conforms to my definition of “art.” I propose WCM as a new management paradigm for the next millennium and think that it fits well into the prevailing zeitgeist of ever more interdependent networks. The framework can help international businessmen both to deal effectively with Chinese enterprises, as well as serve as “best practice” that can be emulated to master highly uncertain and complex environments. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
“Retracted: Changes in the Tei index during acute fetal hypoxemia in the near‐term ovine fetus after intermittent umbilical cord occlusion”
Authors: Lu G. , Wang Z. , He S. , Li B. , Huang Z. , Chen Q. , Jin P. , Su R.
Published: July 2007

Retraction: The following article from Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Changes in the Tei index during acute fetal hypoxemia in the near‐term ovine fetus after intermittent umbilical cord occlusion by G. Lu, Z. Wang, S. He, B. Li, Z. Huang, Q. Chen, P. Jin, R. Su, published online on July 18 2007 in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com), has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editor‐ in‐Chief, Yves Ville and John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. The retraction has been agreed because the article shows significant overlap with another paper published by the group in Prenatal Diagnosis, entitled “Tei index for prenatal diagnosis of acute fetal hypoxia due to intermittent umbilical cord occlusion in an animal model” (Prenat Diagn 2007; 27: 817–823). Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Primal finite element solution of second order problems in three‐dimension space with normal stress/flux continuity
Authors: Ruas V. , Carneiro de Araujo J.H.
Published: July 2007

A tetrahedral finite element method of the Hermite type for solving second order elliptic equations in three‐dimension bounded domains is introduced. It is a sort of extension of the Morley triangle [3] but contrary to this element it provides converging approximations in this case. The new element is particularly useful in situations where flux continuity across interelement boundaries is required.
The influence of variable permeability on vortex instability of a horizontal combined free and mixed convection flow in a saturated porous medium
Authors: Elaiw A.M. , Ibrahim F.S. , Bakr A.A.
Published: July 2007

A linear stability theory is used to analyze the vortex instability of combined free and mixed convection boundary layer flow in a saturated porous medium incorporating the variation of permeability and thermal conductivity due to paking particles with non‐uniform temperature. Forchheimer's extended‐Darcy model is used. Local Nusselt number for the base flow are presented for both uniform permeability (UP) and variable permeability (VP) cases. An implicit finite difference method is used to solve the base flow and the resulting eigenvalue problems are solved numerically. The critical Peclet and Rayleigh numbers and the associated wave numbers are obtained for both UP and VP cases. The results indicate that, the inertia coefficients reduces the heat transfer rate and destabilizes the flow to the vortex mode of disturbance. The effect of variable permeability tends to increase the heat transfer rate and destabilize the flow to the vortex mode of disturbance.
A Novel method for spectrophotometric determination of triglycerides
Authors: Agrawal Vishwanath P. , Blagrove Robert J.
Published: July 2007

A new method for the spectrophotometric determination of triglycerides at microgram levels has been developed. The method relies on the quantitative degradation ofO‐acyl lipids with hydrazine and the subsequent conversion of the fatty acid hydrazides to the correspondingN′‐isopropylidenealkanohydrazides by reaction with acetone. Results are presented for triolein and some oils of plant origin.
Chemical treatment of barometric condenser cooling water systems
Authors: Farr W. , Bolhofner K.
Published: July 2007

The application of cationic polymers to barometric condenser cooling water systems is described. Reduction of fats, oils, and greases from 900 ppm to 10 ppm in cooling water can be attained economically.
Effects of variety and maturity on lipid class composition of peanut oil
Authors: Sanders T. H.
Published: July 2007

Oils extracted from three varieties of mature peanuts with chloroform/methanol (2:1, v/v) or petroleum ether and oils extracted with petroleum ether from one variety at eight distinct physiological maturity stages were fractionated by TLC. The three varieties of mature peanuts were quantitatively similar in relative percentages of lipid classes regardless of extraction solvent; however, oil composition of the one variety changed with maturity. Generally, triacyl‐glycerol percentage increased and percentage of all other fractions decreased with maturity. The calculated weight per seed of most fractions increased from the lowest maturity stage tested up through stage 10 or 11, which corresponds closely with apparent physiological maturity of the seed.
Fatty acid composition of lipid classes in oils from peanuts differing in variety and maturity
Authors: Sanders T. H.
Published: July 2007

Oils from three varieties of mature peanuts and from one variety at seven physiological maturity stages were extracted with petroleum ether and fractionated into lipid classes. The fatty acid composition of the whole oils and fractions were then determined. The fractions from the Starr variety generally contained more 16:0 and 18:2 and less 18:1 than those from the Florunner and Florigiant varieties. Long chain fatty acids (C20–C24) were generally more predominant in thesn‐1,3‐diacylglycerol fraction than in other fractions, and only traces of long chain acids were found in the sn‐1,2(2,3)‐di‐acylglycerol fraction. An unusual compound associated with thesn‐ 1,3‐diacylglycerol fraction was detected by GLC. Fatty acid compositions of classes in the different maturity stages showed that, generally, the concentration of 18:1 increased and that the concentrations of all other fatty acids decreased with maturity.
Bromine content of lipids of marine organisms
Authors: Tinsley I. J. , Lowry R. R.
Published: July 2007

Lipids were extracted from a number of organisms taken in the northern Pacific ocean and the bromine content measured by neutron activation analysis. The lipids of each species studied were found to contain bromine with concentrations ranging from ten to several hundred µg/g. The major portion of the bromine was associated with the fatty acids in Chromatographic separations; however, the presence of a number of different brominated compounds was indicated. When the fatty acids were prepared from the crude lipids by acid hydrolysis, partitioned into base, and then esterified, 60% of the initial bromine was recovered in the ester fraction. This would indicate the presence of brominated acids in marine lipids.
Functional analysis of gas chromatographic data for C‐4 through C‐18:2 fatty acids
Authors: Wulff C. A. , Duthie A. H. , Wulff S.
Published: July 2007

The problem of finding a functional relationship between concentration and output data from GC has been considered for a series of fatty acids (FA). The concentrations used are relative values, i.e., the actual concentration of a FA divided by that for an internal standard. The GC output used is relative peak areas, i.e., the integrated chromatogram area of the FA divided by that for the internal standard. Five functions have been investigated, each in reasonable accord with the concept of relative response factors being constant for a homologous series of compounds. We conclude that one of the five, Cj = aAjb, is clearly superior and recommend its use in agreement with a literature report for different compound types (5). In the equation above, “C” and “A” are the relative concentrations and areas, respectively, and “a” and “b” are fitting constants determined from the data by least‐squares minimization. We found it was impossible to deal with a matrix of 10 acids and 9 concentrations in a manner that would reproduce the data within the experimental uncertainty (6%), and we concluded that an acid‐by‐acid analysis was preferable.
Kinetics of fish meal oxidation
Authors: Davidovich L. A. , Soulé C. L. , Lupín H. M.
Published: July 2007

A mathematical model has been developed for the oxidation kinetics of fish meal, based on assumptions of the theory of gas liquid reactions and the kinetics of homogeneous oxidation reactions. This foresees that if diffusional control exists for the oxygen, the observed reaction will be of the first order with respect to this component. The specific rate constant for the reaction will be a function of the interfacial area. The performance of the model was tested experimentally.
Improving personal performance and management productivity
Authors: Rushowy R. H.
Published: July 2007

Most of us find, as consumers, a notion of instant gratification attached to available goods and services. Much of this learned behavior is carried to our places of work and results in a measure of anticipation of immediate solutions to the problems of management. Scientific and mathematical models generally have served us well in projecting and analyzing natural phenomena; however, they may hinder the development of social skills. Management productivity is extremely difficult to measure directly because so much of it is nonquantifiable. However, marked improvement in both real and perceived performance can result through stress reduction, effective group copperation and competition and the establishment of appropriate standards. Prescriptive solutions may not succeed because of the inappropriate use of rational models to describe nonrational or emotion‐laden situations. This paper will focus on pragmatic elements of professional management as they relate to the technically oriented manager.
Addition of phthalimidonitrene to acetylenic fatty acid esters: Synthesis of long‐chain 2‐phthalimido‐2H‐azirines
Authors: Ansari M. H. , Ahmad F. , Ahmad M.
Published: July 2007

Lead tetraacetate (LTA) oxidations of N‐aminophthalimide in the presence of acetylenic fatty acid esters have resulted in the formation of corresponding 1H‐azirines that spontaneously rearranged to give 2H‐azirines in moderate yields. 2H‐Azirine derivatives (IV, V and VI) of acetylenic fatty acid esters, methyl 10‐undecynoate (I), methyl 9‐undecynoate (II) and methyl 9‐octadecynoate (III), respectively, have been prepared and characterized with the help of spectral and micro analyses.
The transformations of the Tang military system and social changes in medieval China
Authors: Guogang ZHANG
Published: July 2007

The military system in the late Tang and Five Dynasties is principally characterized by the transformation of the practice of conscription to the recruitment of mercenary soldiers, along with the changes of military establishments and soldiers’ remuneration. In the early Tang Dynasty, the status and wealth of conscripts were highly valued. While in the late Tang, the martial art of recruits was more valued. This transformation in medieval China illustrates the decline of the imperial power’s direct control over its subjects and reflects the historical trends of the social evolutions taking place during the Tang-Song Era.
Public health in Qing Dynasty Jiangnan: Focusing on environment and water supply
Authors: Xinzhong YU
Published: July 2007

The legislation on public health was almost vacant in traditional China; however, related concepts and activities of local governments and communities helped maintain ecological balance. Since the reigns of the Emperor Jiaqing and Daoguang, Jiangnan has witnessed drastic changes in her society and environment, and has saw the advent of western civilizations. Scholars advocated the government administration to deal with the public health, and thus transferred the public health from individual activities which were free from external influence and destitute of specialized management to systematic and organized conducts which were in charge of governments at various levels.
An investigation of land subletting during Republican period on Chengdu Plain
Authors: Deying LI
Published: July 2007

Subletting land was widely practiced throughout the Chinese countryside during the early 20th century. The various modes of land subletting in the Chengdu Plains during the Republican period included sharecropping, contracted tenancy and a large-tract tenancy system. The subletting caused many conflicts among tenants, like the transfer of tax liability, etc. The reasons why there were so many lands being leased out were: (1) The ecological pressure caused by a surplus of people with little available land. (2) The civil customs of subletting land and national laws opposed each other but also complemented each other. (3) Subletting land was a supplement of the tenancy system, and also an economic activity driven by interests.
Nanomicrobiology
Authors: Alsteens David , Dague Etienne , Verbelen Claire , Andre Guillaume , Francius Grégory , Dufrêne Yves F
Published: July 2007

Recent advances in atomic force microscopy (AFM) are revolutionizing our views of microbial surfaces. While AFM imaging is very useful for visualizing the surface of hydrated cells and membranes on the nanoscale, force spectroscopy enables researchers to locally probe biomolecular forces and physical properties. These unique capabilities allow us to address a number of questions that were inaccessible before, such as how does the surface architecture of microbes change as they grow or interact with drugs, and what are the molecular forces driving their interaction with antibiotics and host cells? Here, we provide a flavor of recent achievements brought by AFM imaging and single molecule force spectroscopy in microbiology.
Physicochemical and Stability Characteristics of Flaxseed Oils During Pan‐heating
Authors: Choo W. S. , Birch E. J. , Dufour J. P.
Published: July 2007

Flaxseed oils are used in stir‐frying in parts of China. In this study, flaxseed oils were heated at approximately 150 °C as a thin film in a frying pan for 3 and 6 min, respectively. Pan‐heating caused loss of tocopherols, plastochromanol‐8, phenolic acids and chlorophyll pigments. There was a significant decrease in the linolenic acid resulting in a concomitant relative increase in palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids in the oils after pan heating. Positive CIELAB “b*” color value, which indicates yellowness and levels of β‐carotene and lutein in these oils showed a 42–56% and 8–53% decrease, respectively. Peroxide values, p‐anisidine values, percentage of conjugated dienoic acid, specific extinction at 232 and 270 nm and food oil sensor readings of these oils showed significant increases to levels exceeding good oil quality indices. Acid values only showed one to twofold increase from fresh oil values of 0.65–2.23 mg KOH/g of sample. These results indicate that significant levels of oxidation products would be present in flaxseed oils after pan heating. The flaxseed oil with a lower amount of PUFA appeared to be more degraded suggesting that the major factor affecting the oxidative stability of the flaxseed oils during pan‐heating was not the degree of unsaturation but was dependent on the complex interaction between the fatty acids and minor constituents in the oils.
Localized minimizers of flat rotating gravitational systems
Authors: Dolbeault Jean , Fernández Javier
Published: July 2007

We study a two-dimensional system in solid rotation at constant angular velocity driven by a self-consistent three-dimensional gravitational field. We prove the existence of stationary solutions of such a flat system in the rotating frame as long as the angular velocity does not exceed some critical value which depends on the mass. The solutions can be seen as stationary solutions of a kinetic equation with a relaxation-time collision kernel forcing the convergence to the polytropic gas solutions, or as stationary solutions of an extremely simplified drift-diffusion model, which is derived from the kinetic equation by formally taking a diffusion limit. In both cases, the solutions are critical points of a free energy functional, and can be seen as
localized minimizers
in an appropriate sense.
The Arabidopsis thaliana trehalase is a plasma membrane‐bound enzyme with extracellular activity
Authors: Frison Mathieu , Parrou Jean Luc , Guillaumot Damien , Masquelier Danièle , François Jean , Chaumont François , Batoko Henri
Published: July 2007

The lack of trehalose accumulation in most plant species has been partly attributed to the presence of an active trehalase. Although trehalose synthesis enzymes are thought to be cytosolic, and previous studies have indicated that trehalase activity is extracellular, the exact location of the enzyme has not yet been established in plant cell. We present evidence that the yet uncharacterised full‐length Arabidopsis trehalase is a plasma membrane‐bound protein, probably anchored to the membrane through a predicted N‐terminal membrane spanning domain. The full‐length AtTRE1, when expressed in yeast can functionally substitute for the extracellularly active trehalase Ath1p, by sustaining the growth of an ath1 null mutant strain on trehalose and at pH 4.8. We further demonstrate that AtTRE1 expressed in yeast is plasma membrane‐bound as in plant cell. In light of these findings, the regulation of plant cell endogenous trehalose by trehalase is discussed.
Inactivation of cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase viaS‐nitrosylation in ethanol‐exposed rat liver
Authors: Moon Kwan-Hoon , Abdelmegeed Mohamed A. , Song Byoung-Joon
Published: July 2007

Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isozymes are critically important in the metabolism of acetaldehyde, thus preventing its accumulation after ethanol‐exposure. We previously reported that mitochondrial ALDH2 could be inactivated viaS‐nitrosylation in ethanol‐exposed rats. This study was aimed at investigating whether cytosolic ALDH1, with a relatively‐low‐Kmvalue (11–18 μM) for acetaldehyde, could be also inhibited in ethanol‐exposed rats. Chronic or binge ethanol‐exposure significantly decreased ALDH1 activity, which was restored by addition of dithiothreitol. Immunoblot analysis with the anti‐S‐nitroso‐Cys antibody showed one immunoreactive band in the immunoprecipitated ALDH1 only from ethanol‐exposed rats, but not from pair‐fed controls, suggestingS‐nitrosylation of ALDH1. Therefore inactivation of ALDH1 viaS‐nitrosylation can result in accumulation of acetaldehyde upon ethanol‐exposure.
A Portrait of the Artist in Politics: Justice and Self-Interest in Aristophanes'Acharnians
Authors: LUDWIG PAUL W.
Published: July 2007

The first extant play of Aristophanes,Acharnians, contains an eerily modern thought-experiment: what if justice is self-interest, rightly understood? The drama examines evidence for the hypothesis in three contexts: international relations; relations between the citizen and the polity; and a special case of the latter, relations between the artist and the polity. The drama shows how rudimentary justice can be secured by promoting economic interests over citizenship and artistic dissent over loyalty. Historically, these thoughts on justice—as refined in Aristophanes' later works—constitute an ancient analog of early liberal thought with its derivation of justice from interest. They represent a pre-Platonic position on justice that differs from both Sophistic and conventional Greek thinking. Normatively, Aristophanes' thought sheds light on weaknesses in modern justice theory. By making the artist's political function the linchpin of a vision of justice,Acharnianssuggests a new way to view justice in relation to self-interest.
Post-Fordism's Contradictory Trends: The Case of the Israeli Health Care System
Authors: FILC DANI
Published: July 2007

The transition from the Fordist hegemonic model to post-Fordism is a complex process. It is not the unavoidable result of technological changes, but the contingent consequence of a hegemonic, political, struggle taking place at the different spheres of the social. This article studies the transformations that took place in the Israeli health care system during the last two decades in order to exemplify the political and contradictory character of the transition to post-Fordism. The article emphasises the contradiction between the partial commodification of financing and the privatisation of certain health care facilities, and the legislation of the National Health Insurance Law, which guaranteed the right to access to public health care services.
Disability and Disadvantage: Selection, Onset, and Duration Effects
Authors: JENKINS STEPHEN P. , RIGG JOHN A.
Published: July 2007

This article analyses the economic disadvantage experienced by disabled persons of working age using data from the British Household Panel Survey. We argue that there are three sources of disadvantage among disabled persons: pre-existing disadvantage among those who become disabled (a ‘selection’ effect), the effect of disability onset itself, and the effects associated with remaining disabled post-onset. We show that employment rates fall with disability onset, and continue to fall the longer a disability spell lasts, whereas average income falls sharply with onset but then recovers subsequently (though not to pre-onset levels).
Interferometric investigations of influence of target irradiation on the parameters of laser-produced plasma jets
Authors: Kasperczuk A. , Pisarczyk T. , Borodziuk S. , Ullschmied J. , Krousky E. , Masek K. , Pfeifer M. , Rohlena K. , Skala J. , Pisarczyk P.
Published: July 2007

Our recent experimental results demonstrate that the formation of plasma jets is a fundamental process accompanying the laser produced plasma expansion, if a massive planar target with relatively high atomic number is irradiated by a defocused laser beam. In this paper some new results on the influence of target irradiation conditions on plasma jet parameters are presented. The experiment was carried out at the PALS iodine laser facility, with the third harmonic beam of the pulse duration of 250 ps (FWHM). The beam energies varied in the range of 13–160 J, the focal spot radii in the range of 35–600 µm. The planar massive targets used in the experiment were made of Cu, Ag and Ta. For measurements of the electron density evolution a three frame interferometric system was employed. The jets were observed in the whole range of the laser energy used. The initial velocities of the plasma jets produced in the reported experiment reached the value of up to 7·107 cm/s, the jets were up to 4 mm long including the jet pedestal and about 400 µm in diameter. Calculations of the efficiency of the plasma jet production show that it decreases with increasing the laser energy.
Dental morphology of the pycnodontid fish †Stemmatodus rhombus (Agassiz 1844) (Neopterygii, †Pycnodontiformes) from the Early Cretaceous, with comments on its systematic position
Authors: Kriwet Jürgen
Published: July 2007

The dental morphology of the pycnodontid fish †Stemmatodus rhombus (Agassiz, 1844) from the Lower Cretaceous (lower Barremian) of southern Italy is described in detail. SEM pictures of vomerine and prearticular teeth are provided for the first time allowing the comparison with other Early Cretaceous pycnodonts, which are only known from isolated dental remains. The dentition of †Stemmatodus rhombus consists of incisiform grasping teeth on the paired premaxillae and dentaries and crushing teeth on the unpaired vomer and paired prearticulars. The vomerine teeth are arranged in five longitudinal rows, which display symmetry with a distinct median principal and two lateral rows. The prearticular bears three longitudinal rows. Teeth of the main row are much wider than those of the lateral ones. The tooth crowns are rather flat and expose a shallow apical depression, which is surrounded by a ring of widely-spaced small tubercles. The ornamentation and arrangement of teeth distinguishes dentitions of †Stemmatodus from all other pycnodonts. The wear pattern of the teeth is evaluated and the significance of the dental morphology in pycnodont taxonomy is discussed. In addition, the systematic position of †Stemmatodus is discussed.
A catalogue of the type and figured specimens of Hexapoda from the Rhynie chert (early Devonian) at The Natural History Museum, London, UK
Authors: Ross Andrew J. , York Peter V.
Published: July 2007

Thirteen specimens of type and/or figured Hexapoda from the Rhynie chert are housed at The Natural History Museum, London, UK. They are listed along with a complete bibliography of where they have been cited and figured. Two taxa are present: Rhyniella praecursor Hirst & Maulik 1926 (Collembola); and Rhyniognatha hirsti Tillyard 1928 (Insecta)