bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteomic Analysis of Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Bendall Sean C. , Booy Aaron T. , Lajoie Gilles
Published: July 2007

Mass spectrometry (MS)–based proteomics has become one of the most powerful tools for identifying expressed proteins, providing quick insights into molecular and cellular biology. Traditionally, proteins isolated by either one‐ or two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis are digested with a site specific protease. The resulting peptides are subject to one of two forms of analysis: (1) matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) MS, where a “mass fingerprint” of all the peptides in a sample is generated, or (2) electrospray ionization tandem MS (ESI‐MS/MS), where a mass fragmentation spectra is generated for each peptide in a sample. The resulting mass information is then compared to that of a theoretical database created with available genomic sequence information. This unit provides protocols for this type of assessment in embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 2:1B.1.1‐1B.1.33. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells into Cartilage Cells
Authors: Singh Khillan Jaspal
Published: July 2007

Embryonic stem (ES) cells have complete potential to form all types of cells. Although these cells have indefinite capacity for self‐renewal, the mechanisms that control their lineage‐restricted differentiation are not well understood. Due to their potential to form all types of cells, these cells are expected to have applications in regenerative medicine to cure human diseases. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease of articular cartilage of weight bearing joints. Approximately twenty million people suffer from this debilitating disease. Therefore, the induced differentiation of ES cells into cartilage‐producing cells will have potential application to cure OA. This unit describes a system to induce differentiation of a high percentage of ES cells into mesenchymal cells that differentiate into chondrocytes, the cartilage‐producing cells. A quantitative production of chondrocytes can be a powerful resource to alleviate the suffering of those patients with OA. Furthermore, this can be an excellent system to investigate the upstream events of cell‐restricted differentiation during the inaccessible period of development. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 2:1F.1.1‐1F.1.13. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells to Cardiomyocytes by Coculture with Endoderm in Serum‐Free Medium
Authors: Mummery Christine L. , Ward Dorien , Passier Robert
Published: July 2007

Many of the applications envisaged for human embryonic stem cells (hESC) undergoing cardiomyogenesis require that the differentiation procedure is robust and high yield. For many hESC lines currently available this is a challenge; beating areas are often obtained but subsequent analysis shows only few (<1%) cardiomyocytes actually present. Here the authors provide a protocol based on serum‐free coculture with a mouse endoderm‐like cell line (END2), which yields cultures containing on average 25% cardiomyocytes for two widely available hESC lines, hES2 and hES3. The authors also provide a variant on the protocol based on growth of hESC aggregates/embryoid bodies in END2‐conditioned medium and a method for dissociating beating aggregates without compromising cardiomyocyte viability so that they can be used for transplantation into animals or further (electrophysiological) analysis. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 2:1F.2.1‐1F.2.14. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Magnetic and Transparent Composites by Linking Liquid Crystals to Ferrite Nanoparticles through Covalent Networks
Authors: Song H. M. , Kim J. C. , Hong J. H. , Lee Y. B. , Choi J. , Lee J. I. , Kim W. S. , Kim J.‐H. , Hur N. H.
Published: July 2007

The fabrication of transparent, flexible, and optically homogeneous magnetic composites containing ferrite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles, liquid crystals (LCs), and siloxane backbones is reported. The transparent magnets are achieved by covalently bonding LCs to the siloxane backbones and then linking them to dopamine‐functionalized ferrite nanocrystals. They exhibit simultaneous high transparency and strong magnetic properties. A remarkable feature of these films is that the surface morphology of the LC‐attached ferrite films can be tuned by an external magnetic field, demonstrating a striped surface in the direction of the field. We show that the LC‐attached film can act as an alignment layer to orient LCs, enabling the development of LC alignment surfaces on the basis of these nanomagnet–LC polymer composites.
Origin of the Reduced Fill Factor and Photocurrent in MDMO‐PPV:PCNEPV All‐Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Mandoc M. M. , Veurman W. , Koster L. J. A. , de Boer B. , Blom P. W. M.
Published: July 2007

The photogeneration mechanism in blends of poly[2‐methoxy‐5‐(3′,7′‐dimethyloctyloxy)‐1,4‐phenylene vinylene] (MDMO‐PPV) and poly[oxa‐1,4‐phenylene‐(1‐cyano‐1,2‐vinylene)‐(2‐methoxy‐5‐(3′,7′‐dimethyloctyloxy)‐1,4‐phenylene)‐1,2‐(2‐cyanovinylene)‐1,4‐phenylene] (PCNEPV) is investigated. The photocurrent in the MDMO‐PPV:PCNEPV blends is strongly dependent on the applied voltage as a result of a low dissociation efficiency of the bound electron–hole pairs. The dissociation efficiency is limited by low carrier mobilities, low dielectric constant, and the strong intermixing of the polymers, leading to a low fill factor and a reduced photocurrent at operating conditions. Additionally, electrons trapped in the PCNEPV phase recombine with the mobile holes in the MDMO‐PPV phase at the interface between the two polymers, thereby affecting the open‐circuit voltage and increasing the recombination losses. At an intensity of one sun, Langevin recombination of mobile carriers dominates over trap‐assisted recombination.
Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering Using Microstructured Optical Fiber Substrates
Authors: Amezcua‐Correa A. , Yang J. , Finlayson C. E. , Peacock A. C. , Hayes J. R. , Sazio P. J. A. , Baumberg J. J. , Howdle S. M.
Published: July 2007

Microstructured optical fibers (MOFs) represent a promising platform technology for fully integrated next generation surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensors and plasmonic devices. In this paper we demonstrate silver nanoparticle substrates for SERS detection within MOF templates with exceptional temporal and mechanical stability, using organometallic precursors and a high‐pressure chemical deposition technique. These 3D substrates offer significant benefits over conventional planar detection geometries, with the long electromagnetic interaction lengths of the optical guided fiber modes exciting multiple plasmon resonances along the fiber. The large Raman response detected when analyte molecules are infiltrated within the structures can be directly related to the deposition profile of the nanoparticles within the MOFs via electrical characterization.
Multifunctional Hydrogels that Promote Osteogenic Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation Through Stimulation and Sequestering of Bone Morphogenic Protein 2
Authors: Benoit D. S. W. , Collins S. D. , Anseth K. S.
Published: July 2007

The extracellular environment controls many cellular activities thereby linking external material cues to internal cell function. By better understanding these processes, synthetic extracellular material niches can be tailored to present cells with highly regulated physical and/or chemical cues that promote or suppress selected cell functions. Here, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels are functionalized with fluvastatin‐releasing grafts and growth‐factor‐binding heparin domains to enable the dynamic exchange of information between the material and cells from the outside‐in and inside‐out (i.e., bidirectional signaling). By incorporating a fluvastatin‐releasing graft and carefully controlling the dose and temporal release, materials are designed to promote bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP2) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) production by human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). When the release of fluvastatin is controlled to occur over 2 weeks, BMP2 and ALP production is increased 2.2‐fold and 1.7‐fold, respectively, at day 28 compared to hMSCs cultured in the absence of fluvastatin. By introducing a heparin functionality into the gel to sequester and localize the hMSC‐produced BMP2, the osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs is further augmented over fluvastatin delivery alone. Osteopontin and core‐binding factor α1 gene expression is sixfold and fourfold greater, respectively, for hMSCs exposed to fluvastatin in the presence of the heparin functionalities. These results demonstrate how multifunctional gels that interact with cells in a bidirectional manner can efficiently promote selected cell functions, such as the osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs.
Fluorescent, Carrier‐Trapping Dopants for Highly Efficient Single‐Layer Polyfluorene LEDs
Authors: Zhao Z. , Li J.‐H. , Lu P. , Yang Y.
Published: July 2007

Two fluorescent molecules with an alkynylanthracene core and pyrene end‐cappers have been synthesized and fully characterized. Carbazole moieties are introduced into one molecule at the C9 position of the fluorene linkages to enhance the hole‐transport ability of the molecule and to reduce intermolecular interactions. Both compounds exhibit high thermal stabilities and narrow energy bandgaps. Single‐layer polymer light‐emitting diodes (PLEDs) based on poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene) (PFO) doped with the synthesized compounds exhibit excellent performance. A PLED with 0.2 % of dopant 7 had a high luminance efficiency of 10.7 ± 0.3 cd A–1 as well as a brightness of 1400 cd m–2 at a current density of 13 mA cm–2, and a low turn on voltage (3.1 V) at a brightness of 10  cd m–2. A maximum brightness of 20 500 ± 1400 cd m–2 at 7 V was also measured. The high efficiency of the device's performance is attributed to the good electron and hole trapping ability of the dopants, which possess suitable energy levels as compared to those of PFO.
TNF‐α inhibitor etanercept and hematologic malignancies: Report of a case and review of the literature
Authors: Nair Bijay , Raval Girindra , Mehta Paulette
Published: July 2007

We report here a 57‐year‐old man treated with etanercept for 6 months for psoriasis who developed myelodysplasia with acute myeloid leukemia. Leukemia cells had distinct karyotype associated with poor prognosis. The patient did not respond to cytosine arabinoside 100 mg/m2 continuous infusion over 7 days with daunorubicin 45 mg/m2 daily for 3 days. He also did not respond to salvage induction therapy with gemtuzumab (6 mg/m2 on day 1 and 4 mg/m2 on day 8) and intravenous continuous infusion cytosine arabinoside 200 mg/m2. We review other cases of lymphoma and leukemia associated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors and suggest mechanisms by which inhibition of the TNF‐α family may predispose to cancer. We also suggest that all patients being considered for TNF‐α treatment be screened for hematologic malignancies or premalignancies with blood counts and bone marrow aspirates/biopsies if indicated. Am. J. Hematol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pyruvate kinase deficiency associated with severe liver dysfunction in the newborn
Authors: Raphaël Martine F. , Van Wijk Richard , Schweizer Joachim J. , Schouten‐van Meeteren Netteke A.Y. , Kindermann Angelika , van Solinge Wouter W. , Smiers Frans J.
Published: July 2007

Significant hyperbilirubinaemia, anemia, and splenomegaly are common features in patients with severe haemolysis due to pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency. Until now, severe neonatal PK deficiency has not been associated with fatal liver disease at this age. We present two neonatal cases of severe PK deficiency complicated with progressive fatal liver disease. The patients presented with severe haemolysis, progressive cholestasis, and hepatosplenomegaly, and both patients ultimately developed liver failure at a very young age. Despite extensive investigations, no specific explanation for liver disease and failure was found. We suggest that the PK deficiency itself directly led to liver dysfunction. Am. J. Hematol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immune complex binding by immunocamouflaged [poly(ethylene glycol)‐grafted] erythrocytes
Authors: Bradley Amanda J. , Scott Mark D.
Published: July 2007

Immune complexes (IC) are constantly formed at low levels in normal individuals. In humans, the red blood cell (RBC) complement receptor 1 (CR1) plays the dominant role in the IC binding and clearance. Over the last several years, we have investigated the potential utility of immunocamouflaged (methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) [mPEG] grafted) RBC to attenuate the risk of alloimmunization. Because the grafted polymer nonspecifically camouflages membrane proteins, its effects on CR1 detection and IC binding were assessed. The dose dependent (0–2.5 mM) effects of activated mPEG (CmPEG, 5 kDa; and BTCmPEG, 5 and 20 kDa) on CR1 detection and the binding of artificially generated IC [C3b coated alkaline phosphatase and antialkaline phosphatase complexes] to control and pegylated RBC was investigated by flow cytometry. In contrast to selected non‐ABO blood group antigens, grafted mPEG did not effectively camouflage CR1. Surprisingly, however, even very low grafting concentrations of mPEG (≥0.3 mM) resulted in a ≥95% loss in IC binding. Further reductions in grafting concentration (0.15 and 0.03 mM mPEG) still yielded decreased IC binding of ∼60 and 40%, respectively. Importantly, unactivated mPEG had minimal effects on IC binding. These data demonstrate that even small amounts of grafted mPEG interfere with the multivalent CR1‐IC interaction necessary for high affinity IC binding, hence large volume transfusions of mPEG‐RBC may be contraindicated in patients with pre‐existing IC disease. Whether this concern is of clinical significance in healthy humans is less clear due to dilutional effects and the presence of secondary clearance pathways. Am. J. Hematol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increased γ‐globin gene expression in β‐thalassemia intermedia patients correlates with a mutation in 3′HS1
Authors: Papachatzopoulou Adamantia , Kaimakis Polynikis , Pourfarzad Farzin , Menounos Panagiotis G. , Evangelakou Panagiota , Kollia Panagoula , Grosveld Frank G. , Patrinos George P.
Published: July 2007

We report a novel set of genetic markers in the DNaseI hypersensitive sites comprising the human β‐globin locus chromatin hub (CH), namely HS‐111 and 3′HS1. The HS‐111 (−21 G>A) and 3′HS1 (+179 C>T) transitions form CH haplotypes, which occur at different frequencies in β‐thalassemia intermedia and major patients and normal (nonthalassemic) individuals. We also show that the 3′HS1 (+179 C>T) variation results in a GATA‐1 binding site and correlates with increased fetal hemoglobin production in β‐thalassemia intermedia patients. In contrast, the HS‐111 (+126 G>A) transition, found in three normal chromosomes, is simply a rare polymorphism. We conclude that the CH haplotypes are useful genetic determinants for β‐thalassemia major and intermedia patients, while the 3′HS1 (+179 C>T) mutation may have functional consequences in γ‐globin genes expression. Am. J. Hematol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ovarian failure in ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2
Authors: Lynch David R. , Braastad Corey D. , Nagan Narasimhan
Published: July 2007

Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2 (AOA2) is an autosomal recessive disorder associated with mutations in the Senataxin (SETX) gene. Clinical manifestations (ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, oculomotor apraxia) of this disease have previously been limited to the nervous system. We describe a patient homozygous for a novel mutation of SETX who manifested not only ataxia but also ovarian failure. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mehrphotonen‐Mikrofabrikation
Authors: LaFratta Christopher N. , Fourkas John T. , Baldacchini Tommaso , Farrer Richard A.
Published: July 2007

Chemische und physikalische Prozesse, die auf Mehrphotonenabsorption beruhen, ermöglichen die Herstellung komplexer dreidimensionaler Mikrostrukturen mit einer Auflösung von 100 nm. Seit der experimentellen Realisierung der Mehrphotonenabsorption vor nicht einmal zehn Jahren wurden in diesem Bereich rasch Fortschritte erzielt, und Mehrphotonentechniken werden heute für die Herstellung funktionsfähiger Mikrosysteme eingesetzt. In diesem Aufsatz diskutieren wir die Techniken und Materialien, die für die Mehrphotonen‐Mikrofabrikation verwendet werden, sowie bereits beschriebene und gegenwärtig angestrebte Anwendungen. Wir betrachten auch die Perspektiven dieses Felds für Forschung und Industrie.
Ferrocene‐based derivative bearing phenol group recognitive sites: efficient H2PO4− receptor
Authors: Shang X. F. , Lin H. , Xu X. F. , Jiang P. , Lin H. K.
Published: July 2007

Two artificial receptors, bearing ferrocene and phenol groups, were synthesized and their anion‐binding properties were evaluated for F−, Cl−, Br−, I−, AcO− and $\hbox{H}_{2}\hbox{PO}_{4}^{-}$ by UV–vis, 1H NMR titration and cyclic voltammetry experiments in order to research the effect of different substituents on anion‐recognition properties. Results indicate that the anion binding abilities can be effectively tuned by introducing a nitro group in the ortho position of the phenyl ring of the receptors, and the most obvious effect is for $\hbox{H}_{2}\hbox{PO}_{4}^{-}$. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel route to perovskite lead zirconate from lead glycolate and sodium tris(glycozirconate) via the sol–gel process
Authors: Tangboriboon N. , Jamieson A. , Sirivat A. , Wongkasemjit S.
Published: July 2007

A perovskite lead zirconate was synthesized, using lead glycolate and sodium tris (glycozirconate) as the starting precursors, by the sol–gel process. The obtained molar ratio Pb:Zr of PbZrO3 was 0.9805:1. The TGA–DSC characterizations indicated that the percentage of ceramic yield was 56.4, close to the calculated chemical composition of 59.6. The exothermic peak occurred at 245.7 °C, close to the theoretical Curie temperature of 230 °C. The pyrolysis of PbZrO3 of the perovskite phase was investigated in terms of calcination temperature and time. The structure obtained was the orthorhombic form when calcined at low temperature at 300 °C for 1 h; it transformed to the monoclinic and cubic forms of the perovskite phase at higher temperatures above the Curie temperature as verified by X‐ray data. The lead zirconate synthesized and calcined at 300 °C for 1 h has the highest dielectric constant, the highest electrical conductivity and the dielectric loss tangent of 2267, 3.058 × 10−4 (Ω m)−1 and 2.484 at 1000 Hz, respectively. The lead zirconate powder produced has potential applications as materials used in microelectronics and microelectromechanical systems. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Activation of the calcium‐added coal combustion solid residues
Authors: Liu Hao , Qiu Jianrong , Kong Fanhai , Wu Hui , Zeng Hancai , Xie Changsheng , Zhou Huaichun
Published: July 2007

A novel method is proposed to change the mineral composition of low‐calcium coal ash and get higher value‐added solid residues during coal combustion by means of adding calcium‐based additives in order to promote ash utilization. To investigate the heterogeneous reaction mechanisms of inorganic constituents in coal and additives, based on the thermodynamic equilibrium calculation results, combustion (calcination) experiments of the mixture of coal/coal ash and additives were conducted on testing facilities such as a high temperature reactor, a drop tube furnace and a single burner furnace, respectively. The mineral composition of the combustion (calcination) solid products was analyzed by SQXRD; moreover, solid reaction process as well as the influencing factors were also investigated. The activation and potential utilization of calcium‐added ash are discussed according to the generated mineral species, concentration and hydration capacity. On the basis of experimental results, the optimal conditions are proposed to realize coal ash activation and modification in terms of CaO content, temperature and residence time. Copyright © 2007 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pectin and acrylamide based hydrogels for environment management technologies: Synthesis, characterization, and metal ions sorption
Authors: Chauhan Ghanshyam S. , Kumari Anita , Sharma Rakesh
Published: July 2007

The present article describes various aspects of preparation and characterization of hydrogels based on pectin and three different amide monomers viz: acrylamide (AAm), N‐isopropyl acrylamide (N‐i‐PAAm), and 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sulfonic acid (AAmPSA). Hydrogels have been prepared by graft copolymerization as well as in the presence of crosslinker N,N‐Methylene bisacrylamide ((N,N‐MBAAm) and initiated by redox system comprising of ammonium peroxysulphate–ferrous ammonium sulfate (APS: FAS) at two temperatures. Hydrogels thus synthesized have been characterized by SEM, FTIR, and water uptake studies. The later has been carried as a function of time, temperature, pH, crosslinker concentration, and temperature at which the hydrogels were prepared. Candidate hydrogels have been used for the sorption of some common metal ions pollutants found in soil, industrial, and mining water bodies. Biodegradability studies have been carried by soil burial method to investigate the effect of chemical modification on biodegradability of pectin and to understand the possibility of eco‐friendly nature and to explore the scope of reusability of the hydrogels and waste minimization. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Long‐lasting plasma membrane permeabilization in mammalian cells by nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF)
Authors: Pakhomov Andrei G. , Kolb Juergen F. , White Jody A. , Joshi Ravindra P. , Xiao Shu , Schoenbach Karl H.
Published: July 2007

The barrier function of plasma membrane in nsPEF‐exposed mammalian cells was examined using whole‐cell patch‐clamp techniques. A specialized setup for nsPEF exposure of individual cells in culture was developed and characterized for artifact‐free compatibility with the patch‐clamp method. For the first time, our study provides experimental evidence that even a single 60‐ns pulse at 12 kV/cm can cause a profound and long‐lasting (minutes) reduction of the cell membrane resistance (Rm), accompanied by the loss of the membrane potential. Rm measured in GH3, PC‐12, and Jurkat cells (but not in HeLa cells) in 80–120 s after nsPEF exposure was decreased about threefold, and its gradual recovery could take 15 min. Multiple pulses enhanced permeabilization, for example, Rm in GH3 cells fell about 10‐fold after a train of five pulses. Within studied limits, permeabilization did not depend on the presence of Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Cs+, Cd2+, EGTA, tetraethylammonium, or 4‐aminopyridine in the pipette or bath solutions. Our results supported theoretical model predictions of plasma membrane poration by nsPEF. However, the extended decrease in Rm, assumed to be related to the life span of the pores, and different nsPEF sensitivity of individual cell lines have yet to be explained. The phenomenon of long‐lived membrane permeabilization provides new insights on the nature of nsPEF‐opened conductance pores and on molecular mechanisms that underlie nsPEF bioeffects. Bioelectromagnetics 28:655–663, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Coping with plagiarism and grading load: Randomized programming assignments and reflective grading
Authors: Spinellis Diomidis , Zaharias Panagiotis , Vrechopoulos Adam
Published: July 2007

Programming assignments often suffer from plagiarism and lack of feedback. The Jarpeb system creates individually randomized assignments, grades the students' programs by utilizing Java's reflective evaluation capabilities, and allows students to submit their grade through the web by signing their grade with a cryptographically strong checksum. Jarpeb's empirical evaluation included as the dependent variables important learners' dimensions: plagiarism, understanding, learning, fairness, difficulty, fun, and interest. The results indicate that Jarpeb contributes to the reduction of plagiarism, increases the understanding, and learning of the course subject while also increasing the perceived fairness, fun, and interest of the learners. The system, however, proved to increase the difficulty of the related exercises. We discuss the implications for educators and outline specific future research directions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ. 15: 113–123, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20096
The simulation of the simple batch distillation of multiple‐component mixtures via Rayleigh's equation
Authors: Liu Sean X. , Peng Ming
Published: July 2007

Simple batch distillation has the advantages of versatility and flexibility in treating different mixtures. A mathematical model was developed for predicting distillation results for multicomponent systems based on Rayleigh equation. A Microsoft Excel Visual Basic (VB) Macro program was coded for inputting property data, carrying out calculations, and presenting outcomes in both table and graphic forms. The simulation can be conducted using the VB Macro program when users‐specified inputs in mole, volume, or weight are entered. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ. 15: 198–204, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20098
An AT89S52 microcontroller‐based single board computer for teaching an instrumentation system course
Authors: Khairurrijal  , Munir Muhammad M. , Suhendi Asep , Thaha Hendrayana , Budiman Maman
Published: July 2007

A single board computer (SBC) based on the AT89S52 (a member of MCS‐51 family) microcontroller with an ADC, serial and parallel communications, and input/output devices such as a pushbutton, a keypad, LEDs, 7‐segment displays, and an LCD was developed for teaching an instrumentation system course to the sophomore students. Five microcontroller‐related laboratory experiments offered to the students within the 15‐week semester are (i) basic programming of the microcontroller, (ii) interfacing the DIP switches, LEDs, and 7‐segment displays, (iii) application of the analog multiplexer and the ADC with the LCD, (iv) serial communication and application of the HyperTerminal, and (v) measurement of water temperature, displaying the measurement result, and application of the LabView. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ. 15: 166–173, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20107
A web‐based virtual laboratory for teaching automatic control
Authors: Granado Ernesto , Colmenares William , Strefezza Miguel , Alonso Alfonso
Published: July 2007

This paper describes a web‐based virtual laboratory that improves the automatic control teaching of undergraduate courses. This is achieved by optimizing the time the students spend in the real laboratory. The virtual world or three‐dimensional scenes of real laboratory plants gives the students the opportunity to “learning by doing” through web‐based systems at the location they want, and at the time they like. This virtual laboratory gives the students the tools to be more prepared and therefore, use the time more efficiently and effectively when working in the real laboratory plant. The student does not require the installation of special software on his remote computer; only need a common VRML enabled browser. An example of a developed virtual laboratory of interconnected tanks is presented. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ. 15: 192–197, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20111
The involvement of IL‐10, IL‐6, IFN‐γ, TNF‐α and TGF‐β gene polymorphisms among Turkish lung cancer patients
Authors: Colakogullari Mukaddes , Ulukaya Engin , Yilmaztepe Oral Arzu , Aymak Figen , Basturk Bilkay , Ursavas Ahmet , Oral H. Barbaros
Published: July 2007

Several genes encoding different cytokines may play crucial roles in host susceptibility to lung cancer, since cytokine production capacity varies among individuals and depends on cytokine gene polymorphisms. The association between cytokine gene polymorphisms with primary lung carcinoma was investigated. DNA samples were obtained from a Turkish population of 44 patients with primary lung cancer, and 59 healthy control subjects. All genotyping (IFN‐γ, TGF‐β1, TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐10) experiments were performed using sequence‐specific primers (SSP)‐PCR. When compared to the healthy controls, the frequencies of high/intermediate producing genotypes of IL‐10 and low producing genotype of TNF‐α were significantly more common in the patient group. It is noteworthy that lung cancer patients with the TGF‐β T/T genotype in codon 10 had statistically longer survival compared to those having the C/C genotype (Kaplan–Meier survival function test, log rank significance = 0.014). These results suggest that IL‐10, TNF‐α and TGF‐β1 gene polymorphisms may affect host susceptibility to lung cancer and the outcome of the patients. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laudatio to Professor D. Luc Massart (1941–2005), educator, organizer, and scientist
Authors: Lewi Paul J. , Smeyers‐Verbeke Johanna
Published: July 2007

The intention of this laudatio is to portray how the educational, organizational, and scientific achievements of Professor D. Luc Massart affected the life and work of his contemporaries and will influence that of the next generations of scientists and professionals. Our perspective, therefore, is more toward the future than the past. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Visible Light Induced Catalytic Water Reduction without an Electron Relay
Authors: Tinker Leonard L. , McDaniel Neal D. , Curtin Peter N. , Smith Courtney K. , Ireland Michael J. , Bernhard Stefan
Published: July 2007

Protons from water are reduced by a catalytic system composed of a heteroleptic iridium(III) photosensitizer [Ir(ppy)2(bpy)]+, platinum catalyst, and sacrificial reductant. The hydrogen quantum yield reaches 0.26 in this study, which proceeds via reductive quenching of the excited photosensitizer by triethanolamine. This simplified approach allows the characterization of degradation products that are otherwise obscured in more complex systems. A novel 16‐well setup for parallel kinetic analysis of H2 evolution enables high‐throughput screening of reaction conditions and quantization of the decaying reaction rate. DFT calculations rationalize the differences between this and previous studies on tris‐diimine ruthenium(II) photosensitizers.
Homoleptic Rare‐Earth Metal(III) Tetramethylaluminates: Structural Chemistry, Reactivity, and Performance in Isoprene Polymerization
Authors: Zimmermann Melanie , Frøystein Nils Åge , Fischbach Andreas , Sirsch Peter , Dietrich H. Martin , Törnroos Karl W. , Herdtweck Eberhardt , Anwander Reiner
Published: July 2007

The complexes [Ln(AlMe4)3] (Ln=Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Ho, Lu) have been synthesized by an amide elimination route and the structures of [Lu{(μ‐Me)2AlMe2}3], [Sm{(μ‐Me)2AlMe2}3], [Pr{(μ‐Me)2AlMe2}3], and [La{(μ‐Me)2AlMe2}2{(μ‐Me)3AlMe}] determined by X‐ray crystallography. These structures reveal a distinct Ln3+cation size‐dependency. A comprehensive insight into the intrinsic properties and solution coordination phenomena of [Ln(AlMe4)3] complexes has been gained from extended dynamic1H and13C NMR spectroscopic studies, as well as 1D89Y, 2D1H/89Y, and27Al NMR spectroscopic investigations. [Ce(AlMe4)3] and [Pr(AlMe4)3] have been used as alkyl precursors for the synthesis of heterobimetallic alkylated rare‐earth metal complexes. Both carboxylate and siloxide ligands can be introduced by methane elimination reactions that give the heterobimetallic complexes [Ln{(O2CAriPr)2(μ‐AlMe2)}2(AlMe4)(C6H14)n] and [Ln{OSi(OtBu)3}(AlMe3)(AlMe4)2], respectively. [Pr{OSi(OtBu)3}(AlMe3)(AlMe4)2] has been characterized by X‐ray structure analysis. All of the cerium and praseodymium complexes are used as precatalysts in the stereospecific polymerization of isoprene (1–3 equivalents of Et2AlCl as co‐catalyst) and compared to the corresponding neodymium‐based initiators reported previously. The superior catalytic performance of the homoleptic complexes leads to quantitative yields of high‐cis‐1,4‐polyisoprene (>98 %) in almost all of the polymerization experiments. In the case of the binary catalyst mixtures derived from carboxylate or siloxide precatalysts quantitative formation of polyisoprene is only observed fornLn:nCl=1:2. The influence of the metal size is illustrated for the heterobimetallic lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, and gadolinium carboxylate complexes, and the highest activities are observed for praseodymium as a metal center in the presence of one equivalent of Et2AlCl.
Giant Polyniobate Clusters Based on [Nb7O22]9− Units Derived from a Nb6O19 Precursor
Authors: Niu Jingyang , Ma Pengtao , Niu Hongyu , Li Jie , Zhao Junwei , Song You , Wang Jingping
Published: July 2007

Rational self‐assembly of hexaniobate Lindqvist‐type precursor [HNb6O19]7− with soluble Cu2+ salts utilizing different strategies produces a series of giant polyniobate clusters, namely, (H2en)1.25[Cu(en)2(H2O)]2Cl4[Nb24O72H21.5]⋅7 H2O (1; en: ethylenediamine), [Cu(en)2]3[Cu(en)2(H2O)]9[{H2Nb6O19}⊂{[({KNb24O72H10.25}{Cu(en)2})2{Cu3(en)3(H2O)3}{Na1.5Cu1.5(H2O)8}{Cu(en)2}4]6}]⋅144 H2O (2), K12Na4[H23NaO8Cu24(Nb7O22)8]⋅106 H2O (3), and K16Na12[H9Cu25.5O8(Nb7O22)8]⋅ 73.5 H2O (4). Their structures were determined and further characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, IR and Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and elemental analysis. Structural analyses reveal that compound 2 comprises a giant capsule anion based on a wheel‐shaped cluster encapsulating a Lindqvist diprotonated cluster [H2Nb6O19]6− unit, and forms a honeycomb‐like structure with the inclusion of Lindqvist‐type anions [H2Nb6O19]6− in the holes, whereas 3 and 4 represent an unprecedented giant cube‐shaped framework. All the compounds are built from [Nb7O22]9− fundamental building blocks. Solution Raman spectroscopy studies of 2 and 3 reveal that the solid‐state structures of these polyniobate cluster anions disassemble and exist in the form of the [Nb6O19]8− unit in solution. Magnetic susceptibility measurement of 3 shows antiferromagnetic coupling interactions between CuII ions with the spin‐canting phenomenon.
Dissociated flexor digitorum brevis myofiber culture system—A more mature muscle culture system
Authors: Ravenscroft Gianina , Nowak Kristen J. , Jackaman Connie , Clément Sophie , Lyons Malcolm A. , Gallagher Samantha , Bakker Anthony J. , Laing Nigel G.
Published: July 2007

Considerable knowledge regarding skeletal muscle physiology and disease has been gleaned from cultured myoblastic cell lines or isolated primary myoblasts. Such muscle cultures can be induced to differentiate into multinucleated myotubes that become striated. However they in general do not fully mature and therefore do not model mature muscle. Contrastingly, fresh and cultured dissociated adult mouse flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) myofibers have been studied for many years. We aimed to investigate the possibility of using the FDB myofiber culture system for drug screening and thus long‐term cultures of enzymatically dissociated FDB myofibers were established in 96‐well plates. Ca2+ handling experiments were used to investigate the functional state of the myofibers. Imaging of intracellular Ca2+ during electric field stimulation revealed that calcium handling was maintained throughout the culture period of at least 8 days. Western blot and immunostaining analysis showed that the FDB cultures maintained expression of mature proteins throughout the culture period, including α‐sarcoglycan, dystrophin, fast myosin heavy chain and skeletal muscle α‐actin. The high levels of the fetal proteins cardiac α‐actin and utrophin, seen in cultured C2C12 myotubes, were absent in the FDB cultures. The expression of developmentally mature proteins and the absence of fetal proteins, in addition to the maintenance of normal calcium handling, highlights the FDB culture system as a more mature and perhaps more relevant culture system for the study of adult skeletal muscle function. Moreover, it may be a useful system for screening therapeutic agents for the treatment of skeletal muscle disorders. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Axonemal localization of Chlamydomonas PACRG, a homologue of the human Parkin‐coregulated gene product
Authors: Ikeda Kazuho , Ikeda Takashi , Morikawa Keiko , Kamiya Ritsu
Published: July 2007

A homologue of mammalian PACRG was identified in Sarkosyl‐extracted Chlamydomonas axonemes as a protein that may interact with Rib72 (a component of the protofilament ribbon within the outer doublet microtubules). PACRG is a protein whose expression is co‐regulated with the Parkin gene implicated in Parkinson's disease. Although subsequent analyses did not confirm a Rib72‐PACRG interaction, both proteins display similar localization in the axoneme. Immuno‐localization of PACRG required pretreatment of the axoneme with Sarkosyl, suggesting that the antigen is buried in the wall of the microtubule. Indirect immunofluorescence localized PACRG to the entire length of the axoneme and the basal body, and immuno‐electron microscopy showed that the PACRG antigen is densely distributed along the outer doublets in frayed axonemes. In thin‐section images, the PACRG signals were frequently found between the A‐ and B‐tubules of adjacent outer doublets. From these and other results, we propose that PACRG is a structural component of the doublet and triplet microtubules possibly involved in inter‐tubule linkage. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of Antrodia camphorata on viability, apoptosis, [Ca2+]i, and MAPKs phosphorylation in MG63 human osteosarcoma cells
Authors: Lu Yih‐Chau , Huang Chorng‐Chih , Huang Chun‐Jen , Chu Sau‐Tung , Chi Chao‐Chuan , Su Hsing‐Hao , Hsu Shu‐Shong , Wang Jue‐Long , Chen I‐Shu , Liu Shiuh‐Inn , Huang Jong‐Khing , Ho Chin‐Man , Kuo San‐Jung , Jan Chung‐Ren
Published: July 2007

The present study explored the effect of Antrodia camphorata (AC) on viability, apoptosis, mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) phosphorylation, and Ca2+ regulation in MG63 human osteosarcoma cells. AC (25–50 µg/ml) did not affect cell viability, but at 100–200 µg/ml decreased viability and induced apoptosis in a concentration‐dependent manner. AC at concentrations of 25–200 µg/ml did not alter basal [Ca2+]i, but at 25 µg/ml decreased [Ca2+]i increases induced by ATP, bradykinin, histamine, and thapsigargin. ATP, bradykinin, and histamine increased cell viability while thapsigargin decreased it. AC (25 µg/ml) pretreatment failed to alter bradykinin‐ and thapsigargin‐induced effects on viability, but potentiated ATP‐ and histamine‐induced increases in viability. Immunoblotting showed that MG63 cells did not have background phospho‐JNK and phospho‐p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs); and AC did not induce the phosphorylation of these two MAPKs. Conversely, the cells had significant background phospho‐ERK MAPK that was inhibited by 200 µg/ml AC. The ERK‐specific inhibitor PD98059 also induced cell death. Collectively, in MG63 cells, AC exerted multiple effects on viability and [Ca2+]i, caused apoptosis probably via inhibition of ERK MAPK phosphorylation. Drug Dev Res 68:71–78, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hippocampal slice cultures integrated with multi‐electrode arrays: a model for study of long‐term drug effects on synaptic activity
Authors: Ahuja Tarun K. , Mielke John G. , Comas Tanya , Chakravarthy Balu , Mealing Geoffrey A.R.
Published: July 2007

Technological limitations have restricted the ability to determine chronic drug effects on synaptic function from in vitro preparations. In earlier studies, the extracellular recording duration was limited to less than 10 h and only a distinct population of neurons was examined. To address these limitations, we used organotypic hippocampal slice cultures integrated with planar multi‐electrode arrays (MEA‐OHSC), which permitted within‐slice comparisons and examination of long‐term changes across multiple populations of neurons. Long‐term potentiation (LTP) is a widely accepted measure of synaptic plasticity, and is believed to be a cellular mechanism underlying learning and memory. Amyloid‐β protein (Aβ) is a 40–42 amino acid peptide that is the primary element of senile plaques, a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In contrast to earlier studies, MEA‐OHSCs allowed for long‐term administration of Aβ1–42 to more closely model the chronic nature of AD pathogenesis. Prior to Aβ1–42 exposure, the CA1 region displayed robust potentiation, but afterwards the ability to induce LTP was nearly absent. Spatial analysis illustrated, for the first time, the substantial area of LTP induction, and clearly showed the global loss of this plasticity after long‐term Aβ exposure. The MEA‐OHSC model characterized here presents an ideal platform for examining the effects chronic exposure of a bioactive compound can have on a cellular correlate of memory. This model could also be used to screen potential therapeutics that may influence synaptic activity. Drug Dev Res 68:84–93, 2007. Published 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.; Canadian Crown Copyright
The teleost dermomyotome
Authors: Stellabotte Frank , Devoto Stephen H.
Published: July 2007

Recent work in teleosts has renewed interest in the dermomyotome, which was initially characterized in the late 19th century. We review the evidence for the teleost dermomyotome, comparing it to the more well‐characterized amniote dermomyotome. We discuss primary myotome morphogenesis, the relationship between the primary myotome and the dermomyotome, the differentiation of axial muscle, appendicular muscle, and dermis from the dermomyotome, and the signaling molecules that regulate myotome growth from myogenic precursors within the dermomyotome. The recognition of a dermomyotome in teleosts provides a new perspective on teleost muscle growth, as well as a fruitful approach to understanding the vertebrate dermomyotome. Developmental Dynamics 236:2432–2443, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis and Characterization of New Organosilyl Derivatives of Polyoxometalates (nBu4N)2[NbW5O19SiRR′2] (R = R′ = Et, iPr, OtBu, Ph;R = tBu and R′ = Me) – X‐ray Crystal Structure of (nBu4N)2[NbW5O19SiPh3]
Authors: Bannani Fatma , Thouvenot René , Debbabi Mongi
Published: July 2007

Reactions of (nBu4N)4[(NbW5O18)2O] with trialkyl/arylsilanols in dichloromethane and/or acetonitrile forms respectively (nBu4N)2[NbW5O19SiRR′2] [R = R′ = Et (1), iPr (3), OtBu (4), Ph (5); R = tBu and R′ = Me (2)] in ca. 90–64 % isolated yields. The compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, Raman, multinuclear NMR in solution (1H, 13C, 29Si, 183W) and in the solid‐state by 29Si CP‐MAS NMR spectroscopy. Multinuclear NMR and IR spectroscopic data suggest that the SiRR′2+ electrophilic fragment binds selectively to the terminal NbO oxygen atom which appears the most reactive site in (nBu4N)3[NbW5O19]. This is supported by X‐ray crystallographic analysis of (nBu4N)2[NbW5O19SiPh3] (5) which crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space groupP21/a with lattice parameters a = 19.884(5), b = 16.801(2), c = 20.644(3) Å, β = 112.050(12)°, V = 6392(2) Å3, and Z = 4. Hydrolysis of the alkyl/arylsilyloxide derivatives leads to the back formation of the (NbW5O18)2O4– dimer by the cleavage of the Si–O bond. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Aqueous Reduction of [Cp*2W2O5]: Characterization of the Triangular Clusters [Cp*3W3O4(OH)2]2+ and [Cp*3W3O6]+ – Comparison with Molybdenum
Authors: Dinoi Chiara , Sözen Pelin , Taban Gülnur , Demir Deniz , Demirhan Funda , Prikhodchenko Petr , Gun Jenny , Lev Ovadia , Daran Jean‐Claude , Poli Rinaldo
Published: July 2007

Zinc reduction of Cp*2W2O5 in an acidified water–methanol medium affords the green 3‐electron trinuclear cluster [Cp*3W3O4(OH)2]2+, isolated and crystallographically characterized as the triflate salt, 1. Upon exposure to air, this complex is oxidized to a related 2‐electron cluster, [Cp*3W3O6]+, which was crystallized and characterized in three different salts, 2–4. The 3‐electron cluster exhibits a near‐tetragonal frozen‐glass EPR spectrum, and it shows evidence of coupling of the unpaired electron to only one of the three W atoms. The two‐electron cluster is diamagnetic. An electrospray ionization MSn study revealed a stepwise expulsion of neutral [Cp*WO2] units as the main fragmentation process. DFT calculations unveiled the intimate details of the electronic structures of these complexes and fully rationalized the structural and spectroscopic properties.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Investigating Direct Access to 2‐Oxospiro[4.5]decanones via 6π‐Electrocyclisation
Authors: Pouwer Rebecca H. , Schill Heiko , Williams Craig M. , Bernhardt Paul V.
Published: July 2007

The 2‐oxospiro[4.5]decan‐1‐one (or spiro‐γ‐lactone) structural motif is contained within a number of natural products, for example, the clerodane family of diterpenes. Methods to construct this structural motif are somewhat limited and usually involve multiple functional group interconversions. A novel synthetic approach to this system utilising 6π‐electrocyclisation has been identified and associated density functional calculations performed. Details of the scope, limitations, and ramifications of this methodology are discussed.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
New Zealand = bicultural? Implicit and explicit associations between ethnicity and nationhood in the New Zealand context
Authors: Sibley Chris G. , Liu James H.
Published: July 2007

Four studies examined explicit and implicit perceptions of ethnicity and nationhood in New Zealand (NZ). NZ Europeans/Pakeha (the majority group) endorsed a bicultural perspective and explicitly rated both their own ingroup and Maori (the indigenous peoples of NZ) as contributing equally to NZ national identity and culture (Study 1). Contrary to the divergence between explicit and implicit ethnic‐national associations observed in the USA, implicit associations in NZ were generally consistent with explicitly stated values. Pakeha and Maori, but not Asian New Zealanders, were both strongly implicitly associated with the national category ‘NZ’ (Studies 1–3), although this general tendency was qualified by weak levels of ingroup favoritism from all three ethnic groups (Study 2). Finally, the small tendency for Pakeha to implicitly associate their ingroup more strongly with NZ was erased by using moderately well‐known Pakeha and Maori rugby players as targets (Study 4). These findings contrast with the American = White implicit associations described by Devos and Banaji (2005), and provide insight into the ways in which socio‐cultural realities foster convergence or divergence between explicit and implicit beliefs about equality and the function of ethnicity in nationhood. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.