bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FROM ‘NARCISSISTIC’ POSITIVE INTERNATIONAL LAW TO ‘UNIVERSAL’ NATURAL INTERNATIONAL LAW: THE DIALECTICS OF ‘ABSENTEE COLONIALISM’
Authors: SINGH PRABHAKAR
Published: June 2008

The classic notions of antiquity had very imperfect notions of international justice. With the Greeks and Romans, ‘foreigners’ and ‘Barbarians’ or ‘enemy’ were synonymous in language and in fact. By their rude theory of public law, the persons of alien were doomed to slavery (…) piracy was unblushingly practised by the most civilized states which then existed (…) Grecian philosophers gravely assert that they (barbarians or foreigners) were intended by nature to be the slaves of the Greeks.1 ‘Colonialism’ has been the first gift of science to the non-European world. Developments in natural science through inventions set the pace for industrial revolution in Europe. The industrial revolution, further, set the sail for discovering new markets, resources and raw materials. An attempt to find markets and materials exposed the fragile Asian and African states to the imperial designs of colonisers, hidden in the garb of civilisers and merchants. The marriage of ‘mercantilism’ and ‘civilisationalism’ on the Asian and African soil fertilised by advances in science gave birth to colonialism. This ‘couple’ conceived many a time and brought forth ‘cultural’ and ‘military’ subjugation, servility, racism and interference into the sovereignty and society of the unexcavated soil of Asia and Africa. This family soon spread in the world what we now know as ‘the Empire’.
THE REGULATION OF MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES OPERATING IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: A CASE STUDY OF THE CHAD–CAMEROON PIPELINE PROJECT
Authors: MUJIH EDWIN
Published: June 2008

Multinational companies (MNCs) present specific regulatory problems to ensure socially responsible conduct, particularly when they operate in developing countries where the regulatory mechanisms are relatively weaker. This is more apparent with MNCs in the extractive industry where their activities usually have a harmful effect on the environment and the local community. The host country usually lacks the capacity or the political will to effectively regulate the huge MNC in order to protect the environment and the local population. But are there other regulatory mechanisms such as public international law rules or the laws of the home state which can be relied upon? The object of this article is to use the Chad-Cameroon Oil and Pipeline project as a platform to examine the state of regulatory framework for projects involving MNCs (in the extractive industry) operating in developing countries and their host countries.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS–ACTUALITES BAN ON THE IMPORTATION OF TOMATO PASTE AND CONCENTRATE INTO GHANA
Authors: KUFUOR KOFI OTENG
Published: June 2008

In August 2007, Ghana's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Presidents Special Initiatives (MOTI) announced a ban on imported tomato paste and concentrate. The ban took effect from 1st November 2007. The consequence of the ban is that any tomato paste or concentrate imported into Ghana will be confiscated to the state.1 On its face, this decision is quite strange. Since the early 1980s and stemming from a crippling economic crisis at the time, Ghana has embraced the Bretton Woods neoliberal policy prescriptions as a panacea for its economic recovery. As part of its commitment to neoliberalism, Ghana has adhered to trade liberalization and evidence of this is carefully documented in its Trade Policy submissions to the World Trade Organization (WTO).2 Thus, the import ban is a deviation from the commitment to trade liberalization and is one of the few instances where MOTI has moved to grant new levels of protection to domestic industry.3
Risk-profile and outcome of small papillary and follicular thyroid carcinomas (≤1 cm)
Authors: Hutzenlaub V. , Fischer R.-J. , Schober O. , Riemann B. , Rahbar K.
Published: June 2008

Aim: According to the procedure guidelines of the German Society of Nuclear Medicine no radioiodine ablation is necessary in patients with papillary microcarcinomas in case of limited surgical resection. Few data are available with respect to the optimal management of patients with small follicular thyroid carcinomas. It was the aim to compare risk-profile and outcome of patients with small papillary (PTC) and follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTC) ≤1 cm. Patients, methods: 1594 patients with thyroid cancer were attended at our department between 1995 and 2006. For the subgroup of 383 patients with small PTC and FTC ≤1 cm a comparative correlation of multifocality, extrathyroidal growth, lymph node spread, distant metastasis, local recurrence and survival was performed. Patients were monitored for a mean follow-up time of six years. Results: A total of 361 patients had PTC and 22 FTC ≤1 cm. At presentation the mean age of the 306 women and 77 men was 49 ± 13 years. An ablative radioiodine therapy was performed in 77% and 100% of patients with small PTC and FTC, respectively. Multifocality (14% vs. 9%), extrathyroidal growth (10% vs. 5%), lymph node spread (14% vs. 5%), local recurrence (0.5% vs. 0%) and progressive disease (1% vs. 0%) were more common in patients with small PTC than FTC, whereas the corresponding values for distant metastasis were 2% vs. 5%, respectively; however, these figures did not reach statistical significance. Eight patients with papillary microcarcinomas died because of nonthyroidal diseases. Conclusion: Our data show no statistically significant differences in the risk-profile and outcome of patients with small PTC and FTC ≤1 cm. Therefore, the decision for or against radioiodine ablation in patients with small differentiated thyroid carcinomas should be discussed individually.
Thyroid sonomorphology, thyroid peroxidase antibodies and thyroid function
Authors: Balzer K. , Diener J. , Wegscheider K. , Vaupel R. , Grünwald F. , Döbert N.
Published: June 2008

Aim: Employees of Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH underwent thyroid screening in 2006 to assess new data about the prevalence of irregular sonomorphological pattern, elevated thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO AB) and thyroid function in an unselected adult German population. Participants, methods: The examination included 700 unselected employees. Blood samples were analyzed for serum TSH and TPO AB, and ultrasound of the thyroid was performed. Results: In 40.7% of the participants (n = 285) an irregular sonomorphological pattern was detected: goiter in 13.7%, nodules in 35.6%, nodular goiter in 8.6% and a hypoechogenic pattern of the thyroid gland in 20.4%. Serum TSH was increased in 3.9% and decreased in 0.6%. Elevated TPO AB values were observed in 13%. Only 1.4% (n= 10) showed elevated TPO AB combined with a TSH increase. Sonomorphological abnormalities were associated with increased TPO AB in 7.1%. Elevated TPO AB was observed significantly more often in combination with sonomorphological pathology (54.9%) than without (45.1%) (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Sonomorphological disorders are still very common in Germany and our results are comparable with previous screening examinations. Elevated TPO AB correlated significantly with the sonomorphological pattern of nodules and goiter. This may reflect an improved iodine supply or a hypertrophic stage of autoimmune thyroiditis in some cases.
Radiation treatment planning in brain tumours
Authors: Alheit H. , Oehme L. , Winkler C. , Füchtner F. , Hoepping A. , Grabowski J. , Kotzerke J. , Beuthien-Baumann B.
Published: June 2008

Aim: Amino acid PET has become an important diagnostic tool for brain tumour imaging. In this data analysis, the potential impact of amino acid PET with 3-O-methyl- 6-[18F]fluoro-L-DOPA ([18F]OMFD) on radiation treatment planning is addressed by the following questions: 1. Was tumour tissue identified with OMFD-PET which was not covered by the conventionally derived planning target volume (PTV)? 2. Would the PTV have been changed incorporating OMFD-PET? Patients, methods: OMFD-PET of 25 patients after subtotal resection of malignant glioma was evaluated. The region of elevated tracer uptake of PET and of contrast enhancing masses on MRI were outlined as separate gross tumour volumes (GTVMRI and GTVOMFD) and reconstructed in the planning CT for comparison with the conventionally drawn GTVconv. A PTVnew based on GTVconv+MRI was calculated. Pairwise differential volumes were calculated to estimate overlap and differential volumes delineation by each image modality and the PTVconv and PTVnew respectively. Results: Differential volume analysis showed > 10 cm3 of GTVOMFD outside GTVconv and GTVMRI in 5/25 patients respectively. From GTVMRI >10 cm3 were found outside GTVOMFD in 8/25 patients. Although all tumour areas indicated by [18F]OMFD were covered by the conventionally derived PTV, based on a GTVOMFD+MRI, the PTVnew would have been enlarged >20% in seven patients. In seven patients the PTVnew would have been reduced. Conclusion: OMFD-PET indicated tumour tissue outside the tumour region identified with MRI, adding valuable information for the delineation of the GTV in radiation treatment planning. OMFD-PET contains the potential to tailor the high dose radiation to the appropriate tumour volume, especially if dose escalation is desired.
Influence of the injection technique on the false negative rate of SLNE in multifocal breast cancer
Authors: Stöcklein R. , Dorn R. , Vogt H. , Wischnik A. , Sciuk J. , Holl G.
Published: June 2008

Aim: We investigated the influence of the injection technique on the false negative rate in identifying the sentinel lymph node in multifocal breast cancer. Patients, methods: 958 consecutive patients were divided into unifocal and multifocal breast cancer patients. The scintigrafic and intraoperative detection rate as well as the false negatives were calculated in relation to peritumoral or subareolar injection. Results: In all patients the scintigrafic and intraoperative detection rate exceeded 99%, except in patients with multifocal cancer, who were injected peritumorally. In this group the intraoperative detection rate declined to 96%. In patients with unifocal breast cancer the false negative rate was below 5%, independent of the injection technique. Multifocal breast cancer patients showed a significant dependence on the injection technique. The false negative rate was 26.3% in patients with peritumoral injection and 5.6% in those with subareolar injection. Conclusion: The results clearly demonstrate that in multifocal breast cancer a reliable detection of a SLN is impossible with the peritumoral injection technique. Subareolar injection seems to be a way to operate on multifocal breast cancer with SLNE, but the number of investigated patients is too low for statistic approval. So, prospective studies should be performed to validate these preliminary results before SLNE becomes routine in multifocal breast cancer.
Obesity, energy regulation and thyroid function
Authors: Kahaly G. , Kobe C. , Schmidt M. , Derwahl K.-M. , Schicha H. , Dietlein M.
Published: June 2008

Several population-based studies have shown a significant association between TSH-level and BMI (body mass index). About 30% of the rest energy expenditure are regulated by thyroid hormones, which generated the hypothesis that thyroid hormone substitution with TSH-titration into the lower reference levels may prevent body weight gain. The opposite effect of thyroid hormones is appetite stimulation, which may be responsible for body weight gain in case of substitutive medication.

The association between TSH and BMI has become a complex topic in the light of the endocrine activity of adipocytes. Adipocytes are not a silent fat mass, but increase the hormone level of leptin, which influences neurones in the hypothalamus, the thyreotropic axis and TSH secretion. BMI is positively correlated with serum leptin. Elevated leptin levels, endogenous in individuals with high BMI or exogenous after leptin injection for treatment of hypothalamic amenorrhoea, shift TSH in the upper reference level. Borderline elevated TSH levels are reversible in case of body weight reduction in obese persons. It remains unclear whether high TSH levels or high leptin level are responsible for obesity or represent secondary phenomenon.

Recommendation for daily practice: Borderline elevated TSH-levels in obese patients will decrease in case of body weight reduction without hormone medication. After definitive treatment of hyperthyroidism patient's history for use of carbohydrates (increased during hyperthyroidism) should be noticed and substitution with thyroid hormones aims at TSH in the lower reference level. As body weight gain is observed in all TSH groups, a special concept for prevention and therapy of obesity (diet, daily exercise, behaviour training) should be initiated early and additionally to medication.
Swelling‐Agent‐Free Synthesis of Siliceous and Functional Mesocellular Foam‐Like Mesophases by Using a Carboxy‐Terminated Triblock Copolymer
Authors: Hsu Yu‐Chuan , Chang Yung‐Hsun , Yang Chia‐Min
Published: June 2008

Swelling‐agent‐free synthesis of mesocellular foam (MCF)‐like silica mesophases by a pH‐dependent structural transformation using carboxy‐terminated triblock copolymer Pluronic P123 has been discovered. The structural properties of the MCF‐like silica materials can be modulated by controlled calcination or post‐synthesis treatment with sulfuric acid, and either closed‐cell or open‐cell mesostructures have been prepared. The MCF‐like silica mesophases have also been applied as hard templates to prepare MCF‐like carbon materials via a nanocasting route. Furthermore, the swelling‐agent‐free synthesis has been found to be less sensitive to the presence of organosilanes, and the cocondensation syntheses of functional MCF‐like materials with carboxyethyl, iodopropyl, or mercaptopropyl groups have also been demonstrated.
Nanoimprint Lithography and the Role of Viscoelasticity in the Generation of Residual Stress in Model Polystyrene Patterns
Authors: Ding Yifu , Ro Hyun Wook , Alvine Kyle J. , Okerberg Brian C. , Zhou Jing , Douglas Jack F. , Karim Alamgir , Soles Christopher L.
Published: June 2008

Understanding polymer deformation during the nanoimprinting process is key to achieving robust polymer nanostructures. Information regarding this process can be extracted from monitoring the decay of the imprinted polymer patterns during thermal annealing. In the present work, the effect of both the molar mass and the imprinting temperature on the pattern decay behavior during thermal annealing is investigated. Previously, it was found that the decay rate is fastest for a highly entangled polymer due to the elastic recovery caused by the residual stress created during the imprinting process. The present paper demonstrates that this residual stress level can be modified through control of the imprinting temperature. These results are contrasted with those for an unentangled polymer over a similar range of imprinting temperatures, where it is found that the pattern decay is controlled by simple Newtonian flow. In particular, the pattern decay is well described by surface‐tension‐driven viscous flow, and no imprinting‐temperature effect is observed during thermal annealing. It is shown that the stability of the film against pattern decay can be optimized for moderately entangled polymer films. This effect is attributed to the competition between the effect of increased viscosity with increasing molar mass and increased residual stresses with entanglements. These observations provide guidance for the optimization of imprinting process in terms of selection of molar mass and processing temperatures.
Novel Enantiocomplementary C2‐Symmetric Chiral Bis(imidazoline) Ligands: Highly Enantioselective Friedel–Crafts Alkylation of Indoles with Ethyl 3,3,3‐Trifluoropyruvate
Authors: Nakamura Shuichi , Hyodo Kengo , Nakamura Yuko , Shibata Norio , Toru Takeshi
Published: June 2008

Enantioselective Friedel–Crafts alkylations of a variety of indoles with ethyl 3,3,3‐trifluoropyruvate catalyzed by novel chiral m‐phenylenebis(imidazoline)‐copper(II) complexes or the bis(imidazoline)‐achiral acid combination afforded products with high enantioselectivity. Both enantiomers of indole derivatives can be prepared with high enantioselectivities by tuning the N‐substituents of the imidazoline.
Controlling particle dispersion in a transverse jet by synchronized injection
Authors: Campolo Marina , Cremese Andrea , Soldati Alfredo
Published: June 2008

The dispersion produced by a jet injecting microparticles (or droplets) in a cross stream is controlled by the interaction between injected species and large scale flow structures characteristic of the jet in crossflow system. In a previous work we characterized accurately the dynamics of the particles undergoing dispersion under the action of the shear layer vortices (SLV) which form in the jet shear layer. In this article, we propose a strategy to control and possibly optimize the dispersion of species injected in the cross stream. This strategy is based on injecting particle packets (or puffs) synchronized with the time of formation of the shear layer vortices. The possibility to increase or decrease particle dispersion by synchronized, pulsed injection is explored by identifying the relevant parameters of the particle/flow system; the effectiveness of this strategy is verified by exploring a representative sample of the parameter range. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Heat‐exchange pressure swing adsorption process for hydrogen separation
Authors: Lee Jang‐Jae , Kim Min‐Kyu , Lee Dong‐Geun , Ahn Hyungwoong , Kim Myung‐Jun , Lee Chang‐Ha
Published: June 2008

A current focus in the energy field is on the use of hydrogen in fuel cells. Development of a hydrogen station system is important to the commercialization of fuel cells and fuel cell powered vehicles. In this study, the heat‐exchange pressure swing adsorption (HE‐PSA) was developed to design a compact H2 PSA process for small spatial occupancy in the hydrogen station. The adsorption dynamics and performance of the newly designed bed were compared with those of a conventional bed by using a quaternary mixture (H2/CO2/CH4/CO 69:26:3:2 vol %) which is generally obtained from the steam‐reforming reaction of natural gas. Because the detrimental exothermic/endothermic heat effects accompanied by the adsorption/desorption steps were reduced by heat exchange between the adsorption beds, the separation performance of the HE‐PSA was higher than that of a conventional PSA. In addition, the spatial occupancy of the beds could be significantly reduced, compared with a conventional PSA, because the single annular‐type bed performed the function of two beds in the HE‐PSA. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
A new approach to bioconversion reaction kinetic parameter identification
Authors: Chen Bing H. , Hibbert Edward G. , Dalby Paul A. , Woodley John M.
Published: June 2008

The commonly used methods for bioconversion kinetic parameter identification are linear plotting and nonlinear regression. However, linear plotting methods generally require considerable experimentation, and nonlinear regression can lead to “local optimization” because the obtained parameters depend heavily on given initial values. In this article, a new and reliable nonlinear regression‐based approach to bioconversion kinetic parameter estimation is reported. By obtaining preliminary values of kinetic parameters on a step‐by‐step basis, the number of estimated parameters in each step can be reduced to 3 or 4. These preliminary values can then be used as initial guesses for the final parameter estimation via nonlinear regression. Compared with the linear plotting method, the proposed approach can significantly reduce the number of experiments required for kinetic parameter estimation. The transketolase catalyzed synthesis of 1,3‐dihydroxypentan‐2‐one from propionaldehyde and β‐hydroxypyruvate is used as an experimental example to illustrate the approach. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Relationship between public attitudes toward genomic studies related to medicine and their level of genomic literacy in Japan
Authors: Ishiyama Izumi , Nagai Akiko , Muto Kaori , Tamakoshi Akiko , Kokado Minori , Mimura Kyoko , Tanzawa Tetsuro , Yamagata Zentaro
Published: June 2008

The aim of this study was to assess public attitudes toward the promotion of genomic studies related to medicine and to examine the relationship between public attitudes and the level of genomic literacy by analyzing data from a nationwide opinion survey. The participants comprised 4,000 people (age, 20–69) selected from the Japanese general population by using the two‐step stratified random sampling method. They were queried on the following topics in a mail survey: (1) pros and cons of the promotion of genomic studies related to medicine, (2) level of scientific literacy in genomics, (3) demographic and socioeconomic background, and (4) knowledge and attitudes toward science in general and genetic testing in particular. We examined the relationship between the approval of promotion and literacy level, using logistic regression models stratified by gender. Our results showed the response rate was 54.3% (2,171/4,000), and 69.4% participants favored the promotion of genomic studies related to medicine. Only 1.3% participants expressed a negative attitude. Multivariate analysis revealed that approval of promotion was related to a high literacy score. This relationship was stronger in males than in females (the highest quartile of score vs. the lowest: adjusted odds ratio, 3.36 for males and 1.86 for females; 95% confidence interval, 1.88–5.98 for males and 1.17–2.95 for females). We determined that a majority of the Japanese participants currently approved of the promotion of genomic studies related to medicine and that people with a high level of genomic literacy tended to approve the promotion. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phosphorylated TDP‐43 in frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Hasegawa Masato , Arai Tetsuaki , Nonaka Takashi , Kametani Fuyuki , Yoshida Mari , Hashizume Yoshio , Beach Thomas G. , Buratti Emanuele , Baralle Francisco , Morita Mitsuya , Nakano Imaharu , Oda Tatsuro , Tsuchiya Kuniaki , Akiyama Haruhiko
Published: June 2008

Objective

TAR DNA‐binding protein of 43kDa (TDP‐43) is deposited as cytoplasmic and intranuclear inclusions in brains of patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitinated inclusions (FTLD‐U) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Previous studies reported that abnormal phosphorylation takes place in deposited TDP‐43. The aim of this study was to identify the phosphorylation sites and responsible kinases, and to clarify the pathological significance of phosphorylation of TDP‐43.

Methods

We generated multiple antibodies specific to phosphorylated TDP‐43 by immunizing phosphopeptides of TDP‐43, and analyzed FTLD‐U and ALS brains by immunohistochemistry, immunoelectron microscopy, and immunoblots. In addition, we performed investigations aimed at identifying the responsible kinases, and we assessed the effects of phosphorylation on TDP‐43 oligomerization and fibrillization.

Results

We identified multiple phosphorylation sites in carboxyl‐terminal regions of deposited TDP‐43. Phosphorylation‐specific antibodies stained more inclusions than antibodies to ubiquitin and, unlike existing commercially available anti–TDP‐43 antibodies, did not stain normal nuclei. Ultrastructurally, these antibodies labeled abnormal fibers of 15nm diameter and on immunoblots recognized hyperphosphorylated TDP‐43 at 45kDa, with additional 18 to 26kDa fragments in sarkosyl‐insoluble fractions from FTLD‐U and ALS brains. The phosphorylated epitopes were generated by casein kinase‐1 and ‐2, and phosphorylation led to increased oligomerization and fibrillization of TDP‐43.

Interpretation

These results suggest that phosphorylated TDP‐43 is a major component of the inclusions, and that abnormal phosphorylation of TDP‐43 is a critical step in the pathogenesis of FTLD‐U and ALS. Phosphorylation‐specific antibodies will be powerful tools for the investigation of these disorders. Ann Neurol 2008
Die katalytische Reduktion von Distickstoff zu Ammoniak mit Molybdän: Theorie und Experiment
Authors: Schrock Richard R.
Published: June 2008

Molybdänkomplexe mit dem Triamidoamin‐Liganden [(RNCH2CH2)3N]3− (R=3,5‐(2,4,6‐iPr3C6H2)2C6H3) katalysieren die Reduktion von Distickstoff unter Einwirkung von Protonen und Elektronen zu Ammoniak. Die Protonen stammen dabei aus 2,6‐Dimethylpyridinium‐Ionen, die Elektronen aus Decamethylchromocen, die Reaktion verläuft bei 22 °C und 1 atm Druck. Mögliche Intermediate dieser Reduktion und ihre Reaktionscharakteristik wurden in mehreren theoretischen Arbeiten untersucht. So wurden DFT‐Rechnungen des Mo‐Komplexes [(HIPTNCH2CH2)3N]Mo (HIPT=Hexaisopropylterphenyl=3,5‐(2,4,6‐iPr3C6H2)2C6H3) durchgeführt, der wie die katalytisch wirksamen Intermediate den Liganden Triamidoamin enthält. In diesem Kurzaufsatz vergleichen wir für jeden angenommenen Teilschritt der Katalysereaktion aktuelle theoretische Befunde und experimentelle Ergebnisse.
Grafting emulsion polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate onto leather by chemical initiation systems
Authors: Shaffei K. A. , Moustafa A. B. , Mohamed W. S.
Published: June 2008

The kinetics of the grafting polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto leather were studied with chemical initiation systems. The results showed that the rate of grafting of GMA onto leather was dependent on different rates in the chemical initiation systems; for ammonium persulfate (AmPS)/acetone sodium bisulfite (ASBS), potassium persulfate (PPS)/ASBS, and sodium persulfate (SPS)/ASBS, the powers were 1.06, 0.48, and 0.43 and 0.63, 0.46, and 0.43, respectively, with respect to the concentration of the emulsifier sodium dodecyl sulfate, whereas the powers were 1.41, 0.70, and 0.81, respectively, with respect to the monomer concentration. The apparent activation energy was calculated for each initiation system and was found to be 180.8, 361.63, and 542.45 kcal for the AmPS/ASBS, PPS/ASBS, and SPS/ASBS systems, respectively. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Development of calibration models for quality control in the production of ethylene/propylene copolymers by FTIR spectroscopy, multivariate statistical tools, and artificial neural networks
Authors: Marengo Emilio , Longo Valentina , Robotti Elisa , Bobba Marco , Gosetti Fabio , Zerbinati Orfeo , Di Martino Silvana
Published: June 2008

Principal component regression (PCR), partial least squares (PLS), StepWise ordinary least squares regression (OLS), and back‐propagation artificial neural network (BP‐ANN) are applied here for the determination of the propylene concentration of a set of 83 production samples of ethylene–propylene copolymers from their infrared spectra. The set of available samples was split into (a) a training set, for models calculation; (b) a test set, for selecting the correct number of latent variables in PCR and PLS and the end point of the training phase of BP‐ANN; (c) a production set, for evaluating the predictive ability of the models. The predictive ability of the models is thus evaluated by genuine predictions. The model obtained by StepWise OLS turned out to be the best one, both in fitting and prediction. The study of the breakdown number of samples to be included in the training set showed that at least 52 experiments are necessary to build a reliable and predictive calibration model. It can be concluded that FTIR spectroscopy and OLS can be properly employed for monitoring the synthesis or the final product of ethylene–propylene copolymers, by predicting the concentration of propylene directly along the process line. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Perfluorosulfonic acid—Tetraethoxysilane/polyacrylonitrile (PFSA‐TEOS/PAN) hollow fiber composite membranes prepared for pervaporation dehydration of ethyl acetate–water solutions
Authors: Yuan Hai‐Kuan , Xu Zhen‐Liang , Shi Jiang‐Huan , Ma Xiao‐Hua
Published: June 2008

Preparation of organic‐inorganic composite membranes and their pervaporation (PV) permeation and separation characteristics for the aqueous solution of ethyl acetate were described. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane as support membrane, the mixtures of perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) by the sol‐gel reaction as the coating solution, the PFSA‐TEOS/PAN hollow fiber composite membranes by the different annealing conditions were prepared. The swelling of PFSA in ethyl acetate aqueous solutions was inhibited with addition of TEOS. The PFSA‐TEOS/PAN composite membranes containing up to 30 wt % TEOS in coating solution exhibited high selectivity towards water, then the selectivity decreased and permeation flux increased with increasing the TEOS concentration more than 30 wt %. When the PFSA‐TEOS/PAN composite membranes were annealed, the separation factor increased with increasing annealing temperature and time. Higher annealing temperature and longer annealing time promoted the crosslinking reaction between PFSA and TEOS in PFSA‐TEOS/PAN composite membranes, leading to the enhanced selectivity towards water. For the PFSA/PAN and PFSA‐TEOS/PAN composite membrane with 5 and 30 wt % TEOS annealed at 90°C for 12 h, their PV performance of aqueous solution 98 wt % ethyl acetate were as follows: the separation factors were 30.8, 254 and 496, while their permeation flux were 1430, 513 and 205 g/m2 h at 40°C, respectively. In addition, the PV performance of PFSA‐TEOS/PAN composite membranes was investigated at different feed solution temperature and concentration. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Radiopaque, barium sulfate‐filled biomedical compounds of a poly(ether‐block‐amide) copolymer
Authors: Guo Xiaoping
Published: June 2008

Various radiopaque compounds of a poly (ether‐block‐amide) copolymer resin filled with fine barium sulfate particles were prepared by melt mixing. Material properties of the filled compounds were investigated using various material characterization techniques, including thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic rheometry, uniaxial tensile test, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). The effects of the filler and its concentration on the measured material properties are evaluated. It has been found that in addition to its well‐known X‐ray radiopacity, the filler is quite effective in reinforcing some mechanical properties of the copolymer, including modulus of elasticity and yield strength. More interestingly, it has been observed that at low loading concentrations near 10 wt %, the filler may also act as a rigid, inorganic toughener for the copolymer by improving the postyield material extensibility of strain hardening against ultimate material fracture. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Novel synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) brush encapsulated silica particles
Authors: Ishizu Koji , Lee Dong Hoon , Tokuno Yoko , Uchida Satoshi , Ozawa Masaaki
Published: June 2008

Silica (SiO2)‐crosslinked polystyrene (PS) particles possessing photofunctional N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate (DC) groups on their surface were prepared by the free‐radical emulsion copolymerization of a mixture of SiO2 (diameter = 20 nm), styrene, divinyl benzene, 4‐vinylbenzyl N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate (VBDC), and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate with a radical initiator under UV irradiation. In this copolymerization, the inimer VBDC had the formation of a hyperbranched structure by a living radical mechanism. The particle sizes of such core–shell structures [number‐average particle diameter (Dn) = 35–40 nm] were controlled by the variation of the feed amounts of the monomers and surfactant, or emulsion system. The size distributions were relatively narrow (weight‐average particle diameter/Dn ≈ 1.05). These particles had DC groups on their surface. Subsequently, poly(methyl methacrylate) brush encapsulated SiO2 particles were synthesized by the grafting from a photoinduced atom transfer radical polymerization approach of methyl methacrylate initiated by SiO2‐crosslinked PS particles as a macroinitiator. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Siloxane‐containing liquid‐crystalline supramolecular polymers: Preparation and study of thermotropic behavior
Authors: Racles Carmen , Cazacu Maria
Published: June 2008

New hydrogen‐bonding supramolecular polymers were obtained from 4,4′‐bipyridine and different silicon‐containing diacids. The formation and thermal stability of these complexes were verified with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy following the specific absorption bands at 1950 and 2450 cm−1. Their thermotropic behavior was investigated with polarizing optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. All the obtained supramolecular compounds were liquid crystals within mesophase ranges that depended on the structure of the starting siloxane/silane diacid. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Phase behavior of temperature‐ and pH‐sensitive poly(acrylic acid‐g‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) in dilute aqueous solution
Authors: Liu Shouxin , Liu Xia , Li Fang , Fang Yu , Wang Yijuan , Yu Juan
Published: June 2008

Several different composition temperature‐ and pH‐sensitive poly(acrylic acid‐g‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) (P(AA‐g‐NIPAM)) graft copolymers were synthesized by free‐radical copolymerization utilizing macromonomer technique. The phase behavior and conformation change of P(AA‐g‐NIPAM) in aqueous solutions were investigated by UV–vis transmittance measurements, fluorescence probe, and fluorescence quenching techniques. The results demonstrate that the P(AA‐g‐NIPAM) copolymers have temperature‐ and pH‐sensitivities, and these different composition graft copolymers have different lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and critical phase transition pH values. The LCST of graft copolymer decreases with increasing PNIPAM content, and the critical phase transition pH value increases with increasing Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) content. At room temperature (20°C), different composition of P(AA‐g‐NIPAM) graft copolymers in dilute aqueous solutions (0.001 wt %) have a loose conformation, and there is no hydrophobic microdomain formation within researching pH range (pH 3 ∼ 10). In addition, for the P(AA‐g‐NIPAM) aqueous solutions, transition from coil to globular is an incomplete reversible process in heating and cooling cycles. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Study on the surface properties of grafted polyethylene particles by inverse gas chromatography
Authors: Zhao Jing‐Chan , Zhang Yong‐Ke , Zhang Yan‐Feng , Guo Zhi‐An , Han Bing , Fan Guo‐Ning
Published: June 2008

Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) studies on the surface of polyethylene (PE) particles grafted with acrylic acid and acryl amide have been reported. Surface properties of the virgin and grafting‐modified PE were compared by IGC. The dispersive contributions of the surface free energy γ and the KA and KB parameters expressing the ability of the stationary phase to act as Lewis acid or Lewis base were calculated. The results showed that the γ value increased significantly after grafting. The PE samples grafted with acrylic acid and acrylamide showed a predominantly basic character while the virgin PE was acidic. All of these suggested that the surface of PE has been modified through the grafting reaction, and thus is expected to improve its adhesions with other polymers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Sodium alginate and its blends with starch: Thermal and morphological properties
Authors: Siddaramaiah  , Swamy T. M. Mruthyunjaya , Ramaraj B. , Lee Joong Hee
Published: June 2008

A series of sodium alginate (SA) and starch blends, namely 100/0, 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, and 60/40, were processed into films by solution casting process and the obtained SA/starch blends have been characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). DSC analysis shows single glass transition temperature (Tg) up to 30 wt % starch content in the blend, indicating the compatibility and interaction between SA and starch molecules. The TGA reveals the reduction in thermal stability of SA/starch with increase in starch content. FTIR analysis demonstrated the existence of specific intermolecular interactions between carbonyl groups of SA and hydroxyl groups of starch. The morphological analysis by SEM shows the homogeneous distribution of starch in the SA matrix. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Amifostine Protective Effect on Cisplatin‐Treated Rat Testis
Authors: Lirdi Leandra Campos , Stumpp Taiza , Sasso‐Cerri Estela , Miraglia Sandra Maria
Published: June 2008

Cisplatin is a potent drug used in clinical oncology but causes spermatogenesis damage. Amifostine is a drug used against toxicity caused by ionizing irradiation and chemotherapeutic drugs. Since cisplatin provokes fertility and induces germ cell apoptosis and necrosis, we proposed to evaluate the amifostine cytoprotective action on testes of cisplatin‐treated rats. Thirty‐day‐old prepubertal Wistar rats received a single cisplatin dose of 5 mg/kg and were killed after 3, 6, and 12 hr. The hematoxylin–eosin stained testicular sections were submitted to histological, morphometric, and stereological analysis. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated deoxyuridinetriphosphate nick end‐labeling (TUNEL) method was used to label apoptotic cells. TUNEL‐positive and TUNEL‐negative germ cells with abnormal nuclear morphology (ANM) were scored. Significant alterations of greater part of the parameters occurred in the cisplatin‐treated group (CE) compared to the group that received amifostine before the cisplatin‐treatment (ACE); however, testicular weight and volume did not vary between these groups. Tubular diameter was reduced in CE in comparison to ACE rats, while interstitial tissue and lymphatic space volume and volume density were significantly higher in CE rats; interstitial testicular edema probably occurred in cisplatin‐treated rats. CE rats showed important histological alterations, which were more accentuated than in ACE rats. The numerical densities of apoptotic germ cells and TUNEL‐negative cells with ANM were lower in ACE than in CE rats. In conclusion, the amifostine previously administered to prepubertal rats reduced the testicular damage caused by cisplatin. We conclude that amifostine partially protected the rat seminiferous epithelium against cisplatin toxicity. Anat Rec, 291:797–808, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transcriptional regulators of chondrocyte hypertrophy
Authors: Solomon Lauren A. , Bérubé Nathalie G. , Beier Frank
Published: June 2008

Coordinated transition from proliferation to terminal differentiation and hypertrophy of growth plate chondrocytes is required for normal growth of endochondral bones and thus determines final height in humans. Over the last decades, transcription factors of the Sox and Runx families have been shown to be the central regulators of this process. More recently, numerous additional transcription factors have been identified as positive or negative regulators of chondrocyte hypertrophy, such as Shox/Shox2, Dlx5, and MEF2C. These factors do not only control skeletal development and growth, but might also participate in ectopic chondrocyte hypertrophy during the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. This review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of the transcriptional regulation of chondrocyte hypertrophy, with particular attention to genes that have only recently been implicated in cartilage development or received little attention so far. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 84:123–130, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sylt – Einladung zwischen zwei Meere. Die Exkursion
Authors: Kremer Bruno P. , Janke Klaus
Published: June 2008

Deutschlands nördlichste Nordseeinsel hat außer zwei sehr unterschiedlichen Küsten noch weitere bemerkenswerte Seiten: Auf rund 40 km Länge, aber stellenweise weniger als 2 km Breite bietet sie das gesamte Spektrum marin geprägter Lebensräume vom Spülsaum über Dünenserien bis hin zu Seegras‐ und Salzwiesen.
Malaria und Algen – “missing link” im Hafenbecken
Authors: Brennicke Axel
Published: June 2008

Auch wenn wir nicht grün werden, wenn wir mit Malaria infiziert sind und bei einem Malarianfall nicht mit Lichtenergie Stärke produzieren können, sind die nächsten Verwandten des Malariaerregers (Plasmodium falsiparum) einzellige Algen. Eine jetzt im Hafen von Sydney neu entdeckte Alge stellt eine bisher fehlende Verbindung her und belegt diese Verwandtschaft.
Jemen: Watvögel auf Reisen
Authors: Alduais Khaled M. , Kronberg Inge
Published: June 2008

Regenpfeifer, Strandläufer, Pfuhlschnepfe und Rotschenkel sind nicht nur am Nordseestrand ein vertrautes Bild, sondern auch an der Küste der Arabischen Halbinsel, im Jemen. Hier liegt das Überwinterungsgebiet vieler Watvögel, die als Zugvögel weite Strecken zurücklegen. Wandernde Arten verbinden nicht nur Lebensräume, sondern auch Menschen und Staaten. Ihr Schutz ist ohne internationale Abkommen nicht denkbar.
Nachrichten des Verbandes Biologie, Biowissenschaften & Biomedizin in Deutschland
Authors: Elbing Kerstin
Published: June 2008

Ausbildung & Karriere:

Vor dem Start: VBIO‐Sektion Schulbiologie

Biotechnica Studienpreis 2008:

Exzellente Abschlussarbeiten gesucht!

Die zweite Auflage des “Bili” ist erschienen

Aus den VBIO‐Arbeitskreisen:

Akkreditierung für BTA‐Schulen

Aus den Fachgesellschaften:

GBM: Susan Lindquist erhält die Warburg‐Medaille

Aus den Landesverbänden:

Landesverband Hessen mit neuem Vorstand

Treffen der Landesverbände
Hepatic denervation impairs the assembly and secretion of VLDL‐TAG
Authors: Tavares Fábio Luís , Seelaender Marília Cerqueira Leite
Published: June 2008

VLDL secretion is a regulated process that depends on the availability of lipids, apoB and MTP. Our aim was to investigate the effect of liver denervation upon the secretion of VLDL and the expression of proteins involved in this process. Denervation was achieved by applying a 85% phenol solution onto the portal tract, while control animals were treated with 9% NaCl. VLDL secretion was evaluated by the Tyloxapol method. The hepatic concentration of TAG and cholesterol, and the plasma concentration of TAG, cholesterol, VLDL‐TAG, VLDL‐cholesterol and HDL‐cholesterol were measured, as well as mRNA expression of proteins involved in the process of VLDL assembly. Hepatic acinar distribution of MTP and apoB was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Denervation increased plasma concentration of cholesterol (125.3 ± 10.1 vs. 67.1 ± 4.9 mg dL−1) and VLDL‐cholesterol (61.6 ± 5.6 vs. 29.4 ± 3.3 mg dL−1), but HDL‐cholesterol was unchanged (45.5 ± 6.1 vs. 36.9 ± 3.9 mg dL−1). Secretion of VLDL‐TAG (47.5 ± 23.8 vs. 148.5 ± 27.4 mg dL h−1) and mRNA expression of CPT I and apoB were reduced (p < 0.01) in the denervated animals. MTP and apoB acinar distribution was not altered in the denervated animals, but the intensity of the reaction was reduced in relation to controls. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complications of pediatric cardiac catheterization: A review in the current era
Authors: Mehta Rohit , Lee Kyong‐Jin , Chaturvedi Rajiv , Benson Lee
Published: June 2008

Objective: To determine types of complications and risks associated with pedatric cardiac catheterization in the current era. Background: Pedatric cardiac catheterization is an important diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Although in the last decade, there have been significant improvements in technology and equipment, the risk for complications remains, adversely effecting outcomes. Design: The clinical records of 11,073 children undergoing cardiac catheterizations between January 1994 and March 2006 were reviewed to identify procedures associated with complications within the first 24 h after catheterization. All children's electronic and paper chart records were reviewed to obtain demographic, procedural, and treatment data. Results: A total of 858 (7.3%) complications (classified as major or minor) occurred in 816 studies (510 males, 63%), in children ranging in age from 8 h to 20 years (median 4.13 years). There were 195 major (22%) and 663 (78%) minor complications. Vascular complications represented the majority (n = 278; 32.4%) and were major in 53 instances (P < 0.0001). Twenty‐five children died within 24 h (0.23% of total case numbers). Independent risk factors for a complication included young patient age (<6 months), male gender, inpatient status, and year of catheterization. Conclusions: Complications continue to be associated with pedatric cardiac catheterization, although overall incidence appears to be decreasing. Patient age, gender, and inpatient status continue to be risk factors for morbidity and mortality. Efforts at improving equipment for flexibility and size, and developing strategies for the use of alternative methods for catheter access should be encouraged. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Percutaneous coronary intervention using a novel 4‐French coronary accessor
Authors: Takeshita Satoshi , Shiono Takaaki , Takagi Ayumu , Ito Takenari , Saito Shigeru
Published: June 2008

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using a guiding catheter with small diameters may have a favorable impact on vascular access complications and patient morbidity. Here, we report the initial results of PCI using a 4‐Fr coronary accessor. Methods: A total of 31 patients underwent 4‐Fr PCI. Exclusion criteria for 4‐Fr PCI were (1) lesions associated with large side branches requiring wire protection or kissing balloon technique and (2) planned use of angioplasty devices which were not compatible with 4‐Fr catheter. Results: A total of 36 lesions, including 4 chronic total occlusions (CTO), were treated. Access sites included radial artery in 19 patients (61%), brachial artery in 8 (26%), and femoral artery in 4 (13%). Four‐Fr PCI was successful in 34 of 36 lesions (94%) in 29 of 31 patients (94%). One of the two unsuccessful patients was a case of CTO, and the other a case of tortuous right coronary artery. In both, crossover to a 6‐Fr PCI was necessary. Among successfully treated 34 lesions of the 29 patients, coronary stents were deployed in 30 lesions (88%). There were no stent dislodgements or inadequate contrast opacification. No access‐site related complications including radial artery occlusion were observed. Conclusions: PCI with a 4‐Fr coronary accessor is a viable alternative to the use of larger guide catheters. The advent of 4‐Fr stent delivery system may afford a less invasive approach for the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.