bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased reverse triiodothyronine is associated with shorter survival in independently-living elderly: the Alsanut study
Authors: Forestier E , Vinzio S , Sapin R , Schlienger J L , Goichot B
Published: November 2008

Objective

Increased reverse tritiodothyronine (T3) used to be described as a part of euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS). It was demonstrated to be associated with increased mortality in acutely ill patients. It can also be found with low or normal T3 in non-severely ill subjects but its significance remains unclear.

Patients and design

The Alsanut study included a representative sample of 440 independently-living subjects aged 65 or over constituted between January 1988 and September 1989. Past and current medical history and nutritional data were collected at inclusion. Baseline thyroid hormone (TSH, FT4, FT3 and rT3) serum levels were measured. Life status was determined on 1 December 2005.

Results

Of the 374 elderly subjects included in the final analysis, 52 had abnormal TSH (43 with hyperthyroidism, nine with hypothyroidism) and 80.7% had died by 1 December 2005. There was no statistical difference in survival between subjects according to thyroid function (P=0.54). Of the 322 elderly subjects with normal TSH, mortality rate was 81.1%. ESS was found in 3.4%, whereas 8.1% of the participants displayed elevated rT3 with normal FT3. Time to death was strongly related to rT3 (P<0.0001) and FT3 (P<0.0001) in a univariate analysis. After adjusting for other confounding variables, rT3 was the only thyroid hormone associated with shorter survival (P=0.014).

Conclusions

RT3 was the only thyroid hormone associated with shorter survival in a representative population of independently-living elderly. In these subjects, isolated elevated rT3 might be an equivalent of ESS, reflecting declining health.
Complex Epistasis for Dobzhansky–Muller Hybrid Incompatibility in Solanum
Authors: Moyle Leonie C , Nakazato Takuya
Published: November 2008

We examined the prevalence of interactions between pairs of short chromosomal regions from one species (Solanum habrochaites) co-introgressed into a heterospecific genetic background (Solanum lycopersicum). Of 105 double introgression line (DIL) families generated from a complete diallele combination of 15 chromosomal segments, 39 (∼38%) showed evidence for complex epistasis in the form of genotypic and/or allelic marker transmission distortion in DIL F2 populations.
A Comparison of Canadian Pediatric Resident Career Plans in 1998 and 2006
Authors: Shamseer Larissa , Roth Daniel E. , Tallett Susan , Hilliard Robert , Vohra Sunita
Published: November 2008

OBJECTIVES. Studies of pediatric resident career plans and preferences help to forecast changes in the demographic profile and practice patterns of North American pediatricians, providing insights that can guide child health care and medical education policy making. With this study we aimed to compare 4 aspects of Canadian pediatric resident career plans in 1998 and 2006: (1) weekly work hours; (2) scope of practice; (3) professional activities; and (4) community size.

METHODS. Canadian pediatric residents were invited to participate in a national cross-sectional survey to explore career plans and preferences in 1998 (mailing) and 2006 (on-line).

RESULTS. Response rates were 69% in 1998 and 52% in 2006. In both survey years, the majority of respondents were female (69% and 73%, respectively). Overall, residents planned to work a similar number of weekly hours in both survey years (47.8 vs 48.8). Women planned to work significantly fewer hours than men; this gap was wider in 2006 than in 1998 (1998: 2.8 fewer hours; 2006: 7.8 fewer hours). After adjusted analysis, the association between proportion of time in primary care and study year became significant; however, time in consultant general or subspecialty pediatrics remained nonsignificantly changed. Residents planned to spend less time in clinical work in 2006 than 1998 (64.4% vs 58.1%), and more planned to work and reside in metropolitan areas (68% vs 78% of decided respondents).

CONCLUSIONS. Between 1998 and 2006, there was no overall change in the number of hours that Canadian pediatric residents planned to work, but the gender gap widened because of an increase in planned weekly work hours among men. The results also suggest that new strategies may be needed to improve future pediatrician availability in small communities by addressing barriers to nonmetropolitan practice, especially for women.
Energy saving through building insulation and airtightness
Authors: Prescott N.
Published: November 2008

Carbon emissions attributable to the operation of new and existing buildings have never been more prominent in construction, and great strides have been made in developing more energy-efficient designs and building products. In the context of the building envelope, this commonly sees better insulating properties of plain elements, as well as more effective solar treatment/shading of glazing systems. Thermal bridging is also now being taken more seriously. The 2006 Building Regulations brought in simplified building energy model (SBEM) calculations, which set targets for carbon emission relative to a 2002 baseline. The building energy rating must be around 27% lower than a similar ‘notional’ building (designed to 2002 elemental standards) to see compliance with part L2A for new non-domestic buildings. Similar targets exist for dwellings (in part L1A) by way of standard assessment procedure calculations. ‘Backstops’ are in place to dictate minimum standards for all aspects of the building design affecting energy efficiency, but designers must decide which aspects may need to be enhanced to achieve compliance.
Shallow ground energy systems
Authors: Boënnec O.
Published: November 2008

In a move to reduce the effects of climate change and energy dependency, planners, regulators and local authorities have encouraged or requested a number of technologies for saving carbon to be integrated into new buildings. Ground-source energy is among these technologies and one that has been applied to many parts of the construction industry including buildings, green houses, roads and bridges. Of particular interest is the integration of ground energy systems into the structural piles of the building. Energy piles have been installed in many buildings in the last 10–15 years in the USA, Europe and Britain. What does it mean to structural engineers? Will these energy piles require a redesign of the building? Will they lead to the loss of load-carrying capacity of the piled foundations? This article will look at the progress of the ground-source heat pump industry to date and will consider an opinion on the future. It will define some of the challenges facing structural, civil and services engineers and the opportunities for developing a new range of solutions to the construction industry.
Enhancing Nutrient Cycling by Coupling Cover Crops with Manure Injection
Authors: Singer Jeremy W. , Cambardella Cynthia A. , Moorman Thomas B.
Published: November 2008

Coupling winter small grain cover crops (CC) with liquid manure injection may increase manure nutrient capture. The objectives of this research were to quantify manure injection effects using target swine (Sus scrofa) manure N rates of 112, 224, and 336 kg N ha−1 on CC plant density, fall and spring shoot biomass, N, P, and K uptake and subsequent corn (Zea mays L.) yield. A winter rye (Secale cereale L.)–oat (Avena sativa L.) CC was established before fall manure injection. Manure injection lowered mean CC plant density 25% because of CC mortality in the injection zone. Fall CC dry matter (DM) was 26% lower in the manure treatments than the no manure CC control, although no difference was detected for N (9.4 kg ha−1) or P (1.4 kg ha−1) uptake. No difference was detected for spring DM between CC no manure and manure treatments. Shoot DM, N, P, and K uptake increased 29, 41, 31, and 25% from the CC manure 112 to CC manure 224 with no increase above CC manure 224. Cover crop N uptake was higher in CC manure vs. no manure (60.1 vs. 35.6 kg ha−1). Cover crop P and K uptake were also higher in CC manure vs. no manure (9.2 vs. 6.6 kg P ha−1 and 41.3 vs. 30.0 kg K ha−1). Corn grain yield was unaffected by CC and responded positively to manure application (11,022 with manure vs. 9,845 kg ha−1 without manure). Coupling manure injection and cover crops can increase nutrient capture without lowering corn yield.
Cotton Subsurface Drip and Overhead Irrigation Efficiency, Maturity, Yield, and Quality
Authors: Whitaker Jared R. , Ritchie Glen L. , Bednarz Craig W. , Mills Cory I.
Published: November 2008

Subsurface drip (SSD) is used as a water‐efficient alternative to overhead irrigation in many crops. This study compared soil water, water use, crop maturity, lint yield, and fiber quality of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) grown with SSD to cotton grown with overhead irrigation. Three experiments were conducted at two Georgia locations in 2004 and 2005. Treatments consisted of overhead irrigated, nonirrigated, SSD matched to overhead irrigation rates (SSD Matched), and SSD based on soil water (SSD Fed). Cotton maturity was affected by irrigation treatment as nonirrigated cotton matured earliest, whereas overhead irrigated cotton matured latest. Subsurface drip irrigated cotton produced similar or higher lint yields than overhead irrigated cotton. Subsurface drip provided adequate soil water and irrigation amounts were 4.4, 8.2, and 0.5 cm less than overhead irrigation at the three locations. Water use efficiency (WUE) of cotton SSD irrigated was 23 and 15% higher than overhead‐irrigated cotton in two experiments. Irrigation method did not substantially affect fiber quality; however, micronaire was higher in cotton from the SSD Fed treatment than cotton in the Overhead treatment in two locations. We conclude that SSD irrigation provides the same positive effects as overhead irrigation in cotton production while reducing irrigation water use and may allow for improved irrigation efficiency.
Effect of Height on the Competitive Ability of Wheat with Oats
Authors: Zerner Michael C. , Gill Gurjeet S. , Vandeleur Rebecca K.
Published: November 2008

Competitive ability of wheat is influenced by a range of attributes such as plant height, tiller number, and light interception. This study focused on the effect of plant height on weed competitiveness of a set of near‐isogenic wheat lines (NILs). The set included seven bread wheat (Triticum aestivium L.) and six durum wheat (T. turgidum L.) cultivars, each having a semidwarf and tall near‐isogenic line. These lines were examined in field experiments conducted over two growing seasons. Oats (Avena sativa ‘Marloo’) were used as a weed mimic and sown with the wheat and various plant traits were recorded. The tall NILs were more competitive than the corresponding semidwarf lines, having consistently lower yield losses in both years with differences between NILs ranging from 3 to 10% for bread wheat and 10 to 17% for durum wheat. Greater suppression of oat seed production was observed during 2003, tall NILs reduced oat seed production by 26% (P < 0.01) in bread wheat and 41% (P < 0.001) in durum wheat. Increasing plant height improved bread and durum wheat's ability to tolerate and suppress oats. In addition to plant height, traits associated with early vigor such as length and width of leaves 1 and 2, early plant biomass and leaf area index (LAI) were also shown to have a significant influence on crop yield loss and weed suppression, but these correlations were not consistent across both years. The results suggest that selection for high early vigor could reduce the negative effect of reduced plant height on weed competitive ability.
Productivity and Nutrient Dynamics in Bioenergy Double‐Cropping Systems
Authors: Heggenstaller Andrew H. , Anex Robert P. , Liebman Matt , Sundberg David N. , Gibson Lance R.
Published: November 2008

Double‐crop systems have the potential to generate additional feedstocks for bioenergy and livestock utilization, and also to reduce NO3–N leaching relative to sole‐crop systems. Field studies were conducted near Ames, IA, during 2005–2007 to evaluate productivity and crop and soil nutrient dynamics in three prototypical bioenergy double‐crop systems, and in a conventionally managed sole‐crop corn system. Double‐cropping systems evaluated in the study included fall‐seeded forage triticale (XTriticosecaleWittmack), succeeded by one of three summer‐adapted crops: corn (Zea maysL.), sorghum‐sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench], or sunn hemp (Crotalaria junceaL.). Total dry matter production by triticale/corn and triticale/sorghum‐sudangrass was 25% greater than sole‐crop corn, which in turn produced 21% more dry matter than triticale/sunn hemp. Potential ethanol yield was greatest for triticale/corn, which was estimated to have the capacity to produce 1080 L ha−1more ethanol than sole‐crop corn. Crop N uptake was greater in double‐crop systems during April‐June, greater in the sole‐crop corn system during July–August, and greater again in double‐crop systems during September–October. Relative to sole‐crop corn, potentially leachable soil N was reduced in double‐crop systems by 34 and 25%, respectively, in the spring (mid‐April) and fall (late October). High nutrient density of biomass coupled with high productivity for triticale/corn and triticale/sorghum systems also resulted in the removal of 83, 41, and 177% more N, P, and K, respectively, compared with sole‐crop corn. Sustained removal of large quantities of nutrient‐dense biomass from double‐cropping systems would necessitate increased fertilization or integration with nutrient recycling mechanisms.
Sward Management Effects on Forage Component Responses in a Production System for Early Weaned Calves
Authors: Vendramini J. M. B. , Sollenberger L. E. , Dubeux J. C. B. , Interrante S. M. , Stewart R. L. , Arthington J. D.
Published: November 2008

There has been limited research to define appropriate management practices for pastures grazed by early weaned calves. Experiments were conducted from January to April (cool season) and May to July (warm season) 2003 and 2004 to evaluate the effects of N fertilization and regrowth interval on herbage mass and nutritive value of rye (Secale cereale L.)‐annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) mixtures and ‘Tifton 85’ bermudagrass (Cynodon sp.). Treatments were the factorial combinations of three N fertilization rates (0, 40, and 80 kg ha−1 period−1, with two periods per season) and two regrowth intervals (3 and 6 wk for rye‐ryegrass and 2 and 4 wk for bermudagrass). Rye‐ryegrass herbage mass increased linearly from 0.9 to 1.8 Mg ha−1 period−1 as N fertilization increased. There was no effect of regrowth interval on rye‐ryegrass herbage mass during the winter; but in the spring, herbage mass was greater for the 6‐wk vs. the 3‐wk interval (2.2 vs. 1.6 Mg ha−1). For bermudagrass, there was a linear increase in herbage mass (1.6 to 2.6 Mg ha−1 period−1) and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) (480 to 530 g kg−1) with increasing N fertilization. Regrowth interval effects on rye‐ryegrass were more important in spring than winter in determining forage nutritive value and herbage mass; shorter regrowth intervals may be necessary in spring to maintain calf gains. During the warm season, shorter regrowth intervals for Tifton 85 resulted in forage with greater nutritive value, which is the key factor limiting growth of early weaned calves.
No Evidence ThatBacillus thuringiensisGenes and Their Products Influence the Susceptibility of Corn Residue to Decomposition
Authors: Lehman R. Michael , Osborne Shannon L. , Rosentrater Kurt A.
Published: November 2008

The possibility thatBacillus thuringiensis(Bt) corn (Zea maysL.) residues resist decomposition compared to non‐Bt residues would present direct (soil carbon turnover times) and indirect (changes in tillage practices) effects on carbon budgets in agricultural systems. We evaluated the relative decomposition of residue from two pairs of Bt and non‐Bt corn hybrids from different seed manufacturers buried in the root zone of adjacent Bt and non‐Bt corn plots over a period of 384 d. We found no persistent differences in residue decomposition among the different hybrids regardless of the seed manufacturer or the presence of the Bt genes (bothcry1Abandcry3Bb1genes present in each Bt hybrid) in the residue. No significant differences in residue compositional properties or flexural strength of intact stalk sections were observed among the four hybrids. Both Bt and non‐Bt residues buried in the root zone of a Bt corn hybrid decomposed faster than those buried in the root zone of the corresponding, near‐isogenic non‐Bt hybrid. A subsequent replicated laboratory study showed no difference between the decomposition of cellulose filter paper buried in the root zone of growing and senescing Bt and non‐Bt hybrids. We conclude that (i) the presence of Bt genes and their products in chopped residue does not affect its decomposability; (ii) the presence of Bt genes does not affect the mechanical strength of the stalks; and, (iii) Bt products released from growing or senescing Bt corn plants do not adversely affect decomposition activities in the surrounding soil.
Harnessing Pharmacogenomics to Tackle Resistance to the “Nucleoside Reverse Trancripatse Inhibitor” Backbone of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Resource Limited Settings
Authors: Wayengera Misaki , Kajumbula Henry , Byarugaba Wilson
Published: November 2008

Background

The sustainable use of HAART within the sub-Saharan and other developing world settings faces the emerging challenge of drug resistance. Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) form the backbone of HAART and preserving their “antiviral efficacy” is thus critical to sustainable HAART use.

Methods

A systematic review of the “mechanisms of evolution” of resistance to NRTI at the HIV genome level, and the phenotypic manifestations on drug pharmacokinetics was done.

Conclusion

This paper provides an evidence based account of how the knowledge of pharmacogenomics may be exploited to tackle NRTI resistance within limited resource.
Money, Management and Outcomes: The New Challenge
Authors: Tobin Margaret
Published: November 2008

The proposition will be made in this paper, that the outcomes focus in mental health is not merely a passing political fad, destined to go the way of trends in terminology changes in health such as patients, customers, consumers etc. It is a challenge to service hinders and providers to make a difference to the health of the population being served. Its foundations lie in three main themes.
President's Letter
Authors: Wilson Janice
Published: November 2008

I write this third letter as President on 15 August 1997. A great deal has been happening over the past three months, in both our countries, and I am sure when you read Australasian Psychiatry a lot more will have occurred.
Studies on fruiting, bearing habit and fruit growth of jackfruit germplasm
Authors: Ullah MA , Haque MA
Published: November 2008

Studies on fruiting, bearing habit and fruit growth of jackfruit was carried out at orchard of Jackfruit Research Project, Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh during the period from November 2000 to October 2001. Ten jackfruit germplasm of 13 years of age were selected for this study. Fruit bearing habit of jackfruit was cauliflorous i.e., fruits are borne on trunk and branches. The germplasm under study bore fruits on trunk, primary, secondary, tertiary, fourth, fifth and sixth branches of jackfruit trees. On an average, the maximum fruits were borne on primary branches (33.0%) followed by those on trunk (31.5%), secondary (12.3%), and fourth branch (8.4%), while it was the lowest on sixth branch (2.0%). The growth pattern of fruit of jackfruit is characterized by single sigmoid curve. This is true when all aspects of measurements viz, length, diameter, circumference, weight, and volume of fruits; length, breadth, weight of bulb as well as seed were plotted against time from fruit set to haiwesting maturity. Key Words: Bearing habit, fruit growth, jackfruit germplasm. doi:10.3329/bjar.v33i3.1598 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 33(3) : 391-397, September 2008
Effect of water management and weed control treatments on the performance of transplanted aman rice
Authors: Kabir MH , Bari MN , Haque M Moynul , Ahmed GJU , Islam JMS
Published: November 2008

A study was conducted from June to December 2003 to assess weed dynamics and yield performance of transplanted aman rice (cv. BRRI Dhan39) in different weed control treatments e.g. two hand weedings at 15 and 40 DAT; Weeding by BRRI Weeder at 20 and 40 DAT; Rifit 500EC @ 1L/ha at 7 DAT; Rifit 500EC @ 1 L/ha at 7 DAT and one hand weeding at 40 DAT; Butachlor 5G @ 2 kg/ha at 7 DAT; Butachlor 5G @ 2 kg/ha at 7 DAT and one hand weeding at 40 DAT along with weed free and unweeded check under both good and poor water management practices. Weed density, weed biomass and weed control efficiency were significantly influenced by different weed control treatments under both water management practices. Other than weed free treatment, Butachlor 5G @ 2 kg/ha applied at 7 DAT along with one hand weeding at 40 DAT showed the best performance under good water management with minimum weed density (16 g/m2) as well as weed biomass (9.27 g/m2) and the highest weed control efficiency (82.57%). Yield and yield components were also significantly influenced by different weed control treatments and water management. The highest grain yield (5.22 t/ha) was obtained under good water management in weed free treatment followed by Butachlor 5G @ 2 kg/ ha and one hand weeding (4.96 t/ha) under same water management. Results revealed that integration of approaches, particularly Butachlor application along with one manual weeding accompanied by proper water management might be the best option to combat weed problems as well as to obtain satisfactory grain yield in transplanted aman rice. Key Words: Transplanted aman rice, water management, weed control treatment and yield. doi:10.3329/bjar.v33i3.1599 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 33(3) : 399-408, September 2008
Change and instability in area and production of wheat and maize in Bangladesh
Authors: Hasan MN , Miah MA Monayem , Islam MS , Alam QM , Hossain MI
Published: November 2008

The study measured the change and instability in area, production, and yield of two major cereal crops wheat and maize in Bangladesh based on secondary data during 1980/81-2003/04 using different statistical techniques. Area and production of wheat increased satisfactorily. But yield was not increased to meet the demand of the country. In the case of maize, significant increment happened in yield during the study period. Area and production of maize also increased to fulfill the increasing demand of population. Presently production of maize increased more rapidly than its area. The growth in area, production, and yield of wheat slightly improved in period-II, whereas the growth rate in area, production, and yield of maize improved rapidly. Though both of wheat and maize are unstable crops, maize showed very instability in its area and production because of its increasing tendency in the recent years. Key Words: Change and instability, production, wheat, maize. doi:10.3329/bjar.v33i3.1600 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 33(3) : 409-417, September 2008
Determination of residue of diazinon and carbosulfan in brinjal and quinalphos in yard long bean under supervised field trial
Authors: Kabir KH , Rahman MA , Ahmed MS , Prodhan MDH , Akon MW
Published: November 2008

The present study was undertaken to detect and quantify the left over residue of Diazinon and Carbosulfan in brinjal and Quinalphos in yard long bean and comparison between the detected residue level with maximum residue level (MRL) set by FAO (1970). Three supervised field trials (two for brinjal and one for yard long bean) were carried out sprayed with the field dose (1.5 ml/L of water) of Diazinon, Carbosulfan, and Quinaiphos. Samples were collected daily after spraying till residue were found. In case of Diazinon, left over residue was found upto 6 days after spray (DAS), and upto 3 DAS, the level of residue was above the MRL. Carbosulfan residue was detected till 7 DAS and the detected quantity of residue was above MRL upto 3 DAS. Left over residue of Quinalphos in yard long bean sample was detected upto 6 DAS and upto 4 DAS the level of residue was above the MRL. Key Words: Residue, Diazinon, Carbosulfan, Quinalphos. brinjal, yard long bean. doi:10.3329/bjar.v33i3.1609 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 33(3) : 503-513, September 2008
Optimal design and planning of sustainable chemical supply chains under uncertainty
Authors: Guillén‐Gosálbez Gonzalo , Grossmann Ignacio E.
Published: November 2008

This article addresses the design of sustainable chemical supply chains in the presence of uncertainty in the life cycle inventory associated with the network operation. The design task is mathematically formulated as a bi‐criterion stochastic mixed‐integer nonlinear program (MINLP) that simultaneously accounts for the maximization of the net present value and the minimization of the environmental impact for a given probability level. The environmental performance is measured through the Eco‐indicator 99, which incorporates the recent advances made in Life Cycle Assessment. The stochastic model is converted into its deterministic equivalent by reformulating the probabilistic constraint required to calculate the environmental impact in the space of uncertain parameters. The resulting deterministic bi‐criterion MINLP problem is further reformulated as a parametric MINLP, which is solved by decomposing it into two sub‐problems and iterating between them. The capabilities of the proposed model and solution procedure are illustrated through two case studies for which the set of Pareto optimal, or efficient solutions that trade‐off environmental impact and profit, are calculated. These solutions provide valuable insights into the design problem and are intended to guide the decision maker towards the adoption of more sustainable design alternatives. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
Cut‐off value of red‐blood‐cell‐bound IgG for the diagnosis of Coombs‐negative autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Authors: Kamesaki Toyomi , Oyamada Takashi , Omine Mitsuhiro , Ozawa Keiya , Kajii Eiji
Published: November 2008

Direct antiglobulin test (DAT)‐negative autoimmune hemolytic anemia (Coombs‐negative AIHA) is characterized by laboratory evidence of in vivo hemolysis, together with a negative DAT performed by conventional tube technique (CTT) in clinically suspected AIHA patients. The immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) for red‐blood‐cell‐bound immunoglobulin G (RBC‐IgG) can be used to diagnose patients in whom CTT does not detect low levels of red cell autoantibodies. We investigated the diagnostic cutoff value of the IRMA for RBC‐IgG in Coombs‐negative AIHA and calculated its sensitivity and specificity. Of the 140 patients with negative DAT by CTT referred to our laboratory with undiagnosed hemolytic anemia, AIHA was clinically diagnosed in 64 patients (Coombs‐negative AIHA). The numbers of Coombs‐negative AIHA and non‐AIHA patients changed with age and gender. The cutoff values were determined from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve according to age and gender. The IRMA for RBC‐IgG proved to be sensitive (71.4%) and specific (87.8%) when using these cutoffs. Using these cutoffs for 41 patients with negative DAT referred to our laboratory in 2006, all the pseudonegative cases were treated with steroids before the test. The 31 untreated cases could be grouped using one cutoff value of 78.5 and showed 100% sensitivity and 94% specificity, independent of gender and age. Results indicate that RBC‐IgG could become a standard approach for the diagnosis of Coombs‐negative AIHA, when measured before treatment. Am. J. Hematol., 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Incorporation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes into poly(vinyl alcohol) membranes for use in the pervaporation of water/ethanol mixtures
Authors: Choi Jae‐Hyun , Jegal Jonggeon , Kim Woo‐Nyon , Choi Ho‐Sang
Published: November 2008

Multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT)/poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) blend membranes were prepared by the solution‐casting method to determine the effect of MWNTs with nanoscale empty inner space along the tube length on the pervaporation performance of a PVA membrane in the separation of alcohol/water mixtures. The blend membranes were then characterized with several analytical methods such as transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X‐ray diffractometry: Transmission electron microscopy showed that the MWNTs were homogeneously distributed through the PVA matrix. The glass‐transition temperature of the PVA membrane was increased from 69.21 to 78.53°C via blending with MWNTs. The crystallinity of the PVA matrix decreased with increasing MWNTs up to 5 wt % from 41 to 36%. The pervaporation properties of the blend membranes were completely different from those of the pure PVA membrane in the separation of water/ethanol mixtures. The flux of the membrane was increased with the amount of MWNTs, whereas the separation factor was maintained up to 1.0 wt % MWNTs. However, beyond that, it was reduced. These results suggested that two factors, the crystallinity of the membrane and the diameters of the MWNTs, affected the performance of the membranes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Synthesis and properties of fluorinated polyimides from 1,1‐bis(4‐amino‐3,5‐dimethylphenyl)‐1‐(3,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethane and various aromatic dianhydrides
Authors: Zhao Xiao‐Juan , Liu Jin‐Gang , Li Hong‐Shen , Fan Lin , Yang Shi‐Yong
Published: November 2008

A novel aromatic diamine, 1,1‐bis(4‐amino‐3,5‐dimethylphenyl)‐1‐(3,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethane, containing a pendant polyfluorinated phenyl group, a trifluoromethyl group, and methyl groups ortho‐substituted to the amino groups in the structure was synthesized and characterized. The diamine was polymerized with several aromatic dianhydrides, including 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride, and 4,4′‐hexafluoroisopropylidene diphthalic anhydride, via a high‐temperature one‐step procedure to afford four polyimides (PIs) with inherent viscosities of 0.47–0.70 dL/g. The PIs exhibited excellent solubilities in a variety of organic solvents. They were soluble not only in polar aprotic solvents but in many common solvents, such as cyclopentanone, tetrahydrofuran, and even toluene at room temperature. The tough and flexible PI films cast from the PI solutions exhibited good thermal stabilities and acceptable tensile properties. The glass‐transition temperatures were in the range 312–365°C, and the 5% weight loss temperatures were all higher than 480°C in nitrogen. The films had tensile strengths in the range 76–99 MPa, tensile moduli of 2.2–2.8 GPa, and elongations at break of 5–8%. In addition, the PI films exhibited excellent transparency in the visible light region with cutoff wavelength as low as 302 nm and transmittance higher than 88% at the wavelength of 450 nm. The PI films showed low dielectric constants ranging from 2.50–2.68 and low moisture absorptions of less than 0.56%. The good combined properties of the PIs mainly resulted from the synergic effects of the different substituents. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
New binary thermoresponsive polymeric system for local chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Hruby Martin , Kucka Jan , Mackova Hana , Konak Cestmir , Vetrik Miroslav , Kozempel Jan , Lebeda Ondrej
Published: November 2008

Radiolabeled thermoresponsive polymers (TRPs) with cloud‐point temperatures between room temperature and body temperature may have an advantage for local radiotherapeutical applications because TRPs may be isotopically labeled in solution at room temperature and injected as a solution, and at the site of application, the polymers form a depo because of phase separation at body temperature. A new polymeric drug‐delivery system designed for combined local chemoradiotherapy with an injectable TRP bearing a radionuclide and the hydrophobic moiety doxorubicin (DOX) was synthesized and characterized. In the system, DOX served as an antiproliferative agent with known synergic effects with ionizing radiation and the hydrophobic moiety controlling bioerosion and elimination of the system at the same time. DOX was bound to the polymer carrier by a hydrolytically labile N‐glycosylamine bond. Hydrolysis of the N‐glycosylamine bond thus controlled the DOX release and dissolution of the system in the model aqueous milieu. DOX was slowly released during incubation in aqueous milieu at 37°C, which caused complete dissolution of the bioerodable polymer within about 2 weeks. The model radionuclide iodine 125, bound to a small amount of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐N‐methacryloyl tyrosinamide), was retained in the separated phase and also slowly dissolved during the incubation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Effect of additives on the digestibility of corn stover solids following pretreatment by leading technologies
Authors: Kumar Rajeev , Wyman Charles E.
Published: November 2008

Bovine serum albumin (BSA), Tween‐20, and polyethylene glycol (PEG6000) were added to washed corn stover solids produced by ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX), ammonia recycled percolation (ARP), dilute sulfuric acid (DA), lime, controlled pH, and sulfur dioxide (SO2) pretreatments and to untreated corn stover (UT) and pure Avicel glucan prior to adding cellulase supplemented with β‐glucosidase at an activity ratio of 1:2/g and a moderate enzyme loading of 16.1 mg/g glucan in the raw corn stover. The additives were applied individually at 150, 300, and 600 mg/g glucan in the pretreated solids and in combinations of equal amounts of each that totaled 600 mg/g. The greatest increase in total sugar release was by Tween‐20 with SO2 pretreated solids followed by PEG6000 with ARP solids and Tween‐20 with lime solids. The effectiveness of the additives was observed to depend on the type of sugars left in the solids, suggesting that it may be more beneficial to use the mixture of these additives to realize a high total sugar yield. In addition, little enhancement in sugar release was possible beyond a loading of 150 mg additives/g glucan for most pretreatments, and combinations did not improve sugar release much over use of additives alone for all except SO2. Additives were also found to significantly increase concentrations of cellobiose and cellooligomers after 72 h of Avicel hydrolysis. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1544–1557. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neuroprotective effects of testosterone on the morphology and function of somatic motoneurons following the death of neighboring motoneurons
Authors: Little Christine M. , Coons Kellie D. , Sengelaub Dale R.
Published: November 2008

Motoneuron loss is a significant medical problem, capable of causing severe movement disorders or even death. We have previously shown that partial depletion of motoneurons from sexually dimorphic, highly androgen‐sensitive spinal motor populations induces dendritic atrophy in remaining motoneurons, and this atrophy is attenuated by treatment with testosterone. To test whether testosterone has similar effects in more typical motoneurons, we examined potential neuroprotective effects in motoneurons innervating muscles of the quadriceps. Motoneurons innervating the vastus medialis muscle were selectively killed by intramuscular injection of cholera toxin‐conjugated saporin. Simultaneously, some saporin‐injected rats were given implants containing testosterone or left untreated. Four weeks later, motoneurons innervating the ipsilateral vastus lateralis muscle were labeled with cholera toxin‐conjugated horseradish peroxidase, and dendritic arbors were reconstructed in three dimensions. Compared with intact normal males, partial motoneuron depletion resulted in decreased dendritic length in remaining quadriceps motoneurons, and this atrophy was attenuated by testosterone treatment. To examine the functional consequences of the induced dendritic atrophy, and its attenuation with testosterone treatment, the activation of remaining quadriceps motoneurons was assessed using peripheral nerve recording. Partial motoneuron depletion resulted in decreased amplitudes of motor nerve activity, and these changes were attenuated by treatment with testosterone, providing a functional correlate to the neuroprotective effects of testosterone treatment on quadriceps motoneuron morphology. Together these findings suggest that testosterone has neuroprotective effects on morphology and function in both highly androgen‐sensitive as well as more typical motoneuron populations, further supporting a role for testosterone as a neurotherapeutic agent in the injured nervous system. J. Comp. Neurol. 512:359–372, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Axonal projections originating from raphe serotonergic neurons in the developing and adult zebrafish,Danio rerio, using transgenics to visualize raphe‐specificpet1expression
Authors: Lillesaar Christina , Stigloher Christian , Tannhäuser Birgit , Wullimann Mario F. , Bally‐Cuif Laure
Published: November 2008

Serotonin is a major central nervous modulator of physiology and behavior and plays fundamental roles during development and plasticity of the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS). Understanding the developmental control and functions of serotonergic neurons is therefore an important task. In all vertebrates, prominent serotonergic neurons are found in the superior and inferior raphe nuclei in the hindbrain innervating most CNS regions. In addition, all vertebrates except for mammals harbor other serotonergic centers, including several populations in the diencephalon. This, in combination with the intricate and wide distribution of serotonergic fibers, makes it difficult to sort out serotonergic innervation originating from the raphe from that of other serotonergic cell populations. To resolve this issue, we isolated the regulatory elements of the zebrafish raphe‐specific genepet1and used them to drive expression of aneGFPtransgene in the raphe population of serotonergic neurons. With this approach together with retrograde tracing we 1) describe in detail the development, anatomical organization, and projection pattern of zebrafishpet1‐positive neurons compared with their mammalian counterparts, 2) identify a new serotonergic population in the ventrolateral zebrafish hindbrain, and 3) reveal some extent of functional subdivisions within the zebrafish superior raphe complex. Together, our results reveal for the first time the specific innervation pattern of the zebrafish raphe and, thus, provide a new model and various tools to investigate further the role of raphe serotonergic neurons in vertebrates. J. Comp. Neurol. 512:158–182, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of synaptic and phototransduction markers during photoreceptor development in the marmoset monkey Callithrix jacchus
Authors: Hendrickson Anita , Troilo David , Djajadi Hidayat , Possin Daniel , Springer Alan
Published: November 2008

Marmoset photoreceptor development was studied to determine the expression sequence for synaptic, opsin, and phototransduction proteins. All markers appear first in cones within the incipient foveal center or in rods at the foveal edge. Recoverin appears in cones across 70% of the retina at fetal day (Fd) 88, indicating that it is expressed shortly after photoreceptors are generated. Synaptic markers synaptophysin, SV2, glutamate vesicular transporter 1, and CTBP2 label foveal cones at Fd 88 and cones at the retinal edge around birth. Cones and rods have distinctly different patterns of synaptic protein and opsin expression. Synaptic markers are expressed first in cones, with a considerable delay before they appear in rods at the same eccentricity. Cones express synaptic markers 2–3 weeks before they express opsin, but rods express opsin 2–4 weeks before rod synaptic marker labeling is detected. Medium/long‐wavelength‐selective (M&L) opsin appears in foveal cones and rod opsin in rods around the fovea at Fd 100. Very few cones expressing short‐wavelength‐selective (S) opsin are found in the Fd 105 fovea. Across peripheral retina, opsin appears first in rods, followed about 1 week later by M&L cone opsin. S cone opsin appears last, and all opsins reach the retinal edge by 1 week after birth. Cone transducin and rod arrestin are expressed concurrently with opsin, but cone arrestin appears slightly later. Marmoset photoreceptor development differs from that in Macaca and humans. It starts relatively late, at 56% gestation, compared with Macaca at 32% gestation. The marmoset opsin expression sequence is also different from that of either Macaca or human. J. Comp. Neurol. 512:218–231, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evolution of the neural crest viewed from a gene regulatory perspective
Authors: Sauka‐Spengler Tatjana , Bronner‐Fraser Marianne
Published: November 2008

Neural crest cells are a vertebrate innovation and form a wide variety of embryonic cell types as diverse as peripheral neurons and facial skeleton. They undergo complex migration and differentiation processes from their site of origin in the developing central nervous system to their final destinations in the periphery. In this review, we summarize recent data on the current formulation of a gene regulatory network underlying neural crest formation and its roots at the base of the vertebrate lineage. Analyzing neural crest formation from a gene regulatory viewpoint provides insights into both the developmental mechanisms and evolutionary origins of this vertebrate‐specific cell type. genesis 46:673–682, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Early crest animals and the insight they provide into the evolutionary origin of craniates
Authors: Chen Jun‐Yuan
Published: November 2008

The Cristozoa (also known as crest animals) are established as representing the animals containing neural crest and its derivatives, constituting all known craniates and their immediate precraniate precursors. The precraniate crest animals all are extinct and preserved only in Early Cambrian strata of Yunnan (southwestern China). Fine anatomical details of Haikouella and the slightly more advanced species Yunnanozoon exhibit many characters unique to vertebrates, but they lack a skull and most other elaborated placodal and neural crest derivations, throwing novel light onto the previously missing history at the very beginning of cristozoan evolution. Comparative study with the cephalochordate amphioxus suggests that precraniate evolution is marked by a series of innovations including: muscular ventilation with gill‐bearing and jointed brachial arches, paired head sensorial organs including paired eyes and nostrils, relatively large, slightly differentiated brain, protovertebrae, and some derivatives of neural crest cells. But, they lack ears, a clear telencephalon, and a skull. Furthermore, comparison of the brains of amphioxus and craniates suggests that the tripartite brain with telencephalon was not an older structure but a novelty of the craniates. genesis 46:623–639, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
xArx2: An aristaless homolog that regulates brain regionalization during development in Xenopus laevis
Authors: Wolanski Marian , KhosrowShahian Farhad , Kelly Lisa E. , El‐Hodiri Heithem M. , Crawford Michael J.
Published: November 2008

The aristaless‐related gene, Arx, plays a fundamental role in patterning the brain in humans and mice. Arx mutants exhibit lissencephaly among other anomalies. We have cloned a Xenopus aristaless homolog that appears to define specific regions of the developing forebrain. xArx2 is transcribed in blastula through neurula stages, and comes to be restricted to the ventral and lateral telencephalon, lateral diencephalon, neural floor plate of the anterior spinal cord, and somites. In this respect, Arx2 expresses in regions similar to Arx with the exception of the somites. Overexpression enlarges the telencephalon, and interference by means of antisense morpholino‐mediated translation knockdown reduces growth of this area. Overexpression and inhibition studies demonstrate that misregulation of xArx2 imposes dire consequences upon patterns of differentiation not only in the forebrain where the gene normally expresses, but also in more caudal brain territories and derivatives as well. This suggests that evolutionary changes that expanded Arx‐expression from ventral to dorsal prosencephalon might be one of the determinants that marked development and expansion of the telencephalon. genesis 47:19–31, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
People as resources: Exploring the functionality of warm and cold
Authors: Scholer Abigail A. , Higgins E. Tory
Published: November 2008

We propose a motivational model of impression formation—people as resources—as a way to understand what information perceivers seek in their interpersonal world. Prior work has established that the warm–cold dimension is fundamental to impression formation. Building on other functional approaches, we suggest that the attributes warm and cold are important because they predict the direction of target resource use in interpersonal relationships—whether a person's valued resources are likely (warm) or unlikely (cold) to be used for the benefit of the perceiver. In two studies, the warmth or coldness of a target influenced impressions more when the target did versus did not possess a valued resource. This effect was replicated across two studies using two different types of resources—competence (Study 1) and a material resource (Study 2). Implications of the model for understanding the motivations that underlie social perception are discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of valence in the perception of agency and communion
Authors: Suitner Caterina , Maass Anne
Published: November 2008

Social judgments necessarily carry evaluative connotations that may mask other dimensions of interest. With reference to bi‐dimensional models of stereotype content, we analyzed the role of valence in the study of agency and communion. Because agency and communion are both positively evaluated dimensions, we hypothesize that valence may function as a “third variable” that obscures their obverse relation. In Study 1, investigating people's lay understanding of agency and communion, ratings of 130 adjectives revealed a positive correlation between the two dimensions, unless valence was controlled for, in which case the correlation became negative. In Study 2, exemplifying the role of valence in the case of gender stereotyping, a word frequency analysis of Italian language revealed that more agentic traits were more likely to occur in masculine and more communal traits in feminine form, but again this link emerged only after controlling for valence. This research highlights the importance of controlling for valence when studying the distinct roles of agency and communion in social perception. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
“Having it all” or “doing it all”? Perceived trait attributes and behavioral obligations as a function of workload, parenthood, and gender
Authors: Park Bernadette , Smith J. Allegra , Correll Joshua
Published: November 2008

The perceived warmth and competence of men and women who varied in number of hours worked and childcare responsibilities were assessed using either subjective trait ratings or objective behavioral frequency estimates. Trait ratings were determined by number of hours worked, and not target gender. Estimates of behavioral frequency indicated that women and men were viewed as equally likely to engage in work related competence behaviors, but that women were expected to perform more warmth related behaviors, and their childcare responsibilities remained more constant regardless of hours worked. Thus although trait perceptions are driven by individuating information regarding time distribution to work and home, gender affects judgments of who performs childcare related tasks such that women continue to be viewed as more likely to deal with these. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.