bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative studies on the analysis of urinary trypsin inhibitor (ulinastatin) preparations
Authors: Matsuno Yu‐ki , Nakamura Hitomi , Kakehi Kazuaki
Published: June 2006

Urinary trypsin inhibitor (ulinastatin) is a characteristic protein pharmaceutical which contains both glycosaminoglycans and N‐linked glycans in its molecule and has been used for treatment of acute pancreatitis. The comparability of ulinastatin preparations of different lots or from different companies was studied by using conventional analytical approaches such as SDS‐PAGE, cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis, and HP size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC) and also by using newly developed techniques such as CE and MALDI‐TOF MS. The methods using SEC and SDS‐PAGE according to The Japanese Pharmacopoeia showed similar molecular masses for two different preparations, and the estimated molecular masses were significantly different from those observed with MALDI‐TOF MS. We also showed that the electrophoretic methods using cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis and CE can be used for comparability assessments of ulinastatin preparations. In addition, we analyzed the unsaturated disaccharides derived from glycosaminoglycan (chondroitin 4‐sulfate chain) and N‐linked oligosaccharides attached to ulinastatin by CE after releasing them by enzymatic digestion followed by fluorescent labeling with 2‐aminoacridone and 2‐aminobenzoic acid, respectively. The results indicated that carbohydrate chains are important as markers for comparability assessments of ulinastatin pharmaceutical preparations.
Why not using capillary electrophoresis in drug analysis?
Authors: Holzgrabe Ulrike , Brinz Daniela , Kopec Susanne , Weber Christine , Bitar Yaser
Published: June 2006

CE and related methods are well‐established techniques in the analysis of biomolecules, such as DNA and proteins. Even though CE is a rather good alternative to HPLC for the evaluation of the impurity profile and the enantiomeric purity of a drug, it is rarely applied. This might be due to the reservation of national licensing authorities and the pharmacopoeia commissions for several reasons. In this review containing some experimental data we report on several drug examples which demonstrate the superiority of CE over HPLC in special cases, i.e., in the analysis of antibiotics, amino acids and peptides, and the determination of enantiomeric purity. However, in order to make the CE techniques more suitable for pharmacopoeial purposes the general methods describing separation methods have to be complemented with the adjustment of the electrophoretic conditions being necessary to satisfy the system suitability criteria without fundamentally modifying the methods. Taken together CE should be more often applied in drug quality control.
Capillary electrophoresis for the analysis of small‐molecule pharmaceuticals
Authors: Altria Kevin , Marsh Alex , Sänger‐van de Griend Cari
Published: June 2006

This paper reviews the application of CE to the analysis of small‐molecule pharmaceuticals. The areas of pharmaceutical analysis covered are enantiomer separation, the analysis of small molecules such as amino acids or drug counter‐ions, pharmaceutical assay, determination of related substances and physicochemical measurements such as log P and pKa of compounds. The different electrophoretic modes available and their advantages for pharmaceutical analysis are described. Recent applications of CE for each subject area are tabulated with electrolyte details.
Pre‐ and post‐test mathematical modelling of a plan‐asymmetric reinforced concrete frame building
Authors: Fajfar Peter , Dolšek Matjaž , Marušić Damjan , Stratan Aurel
Published: June 2006

Pre‐ and post‐test analyses of the structural response of a three‐storey asymmetric reinforced concrete frame building were performed, aimed at supporting test preparation and performance as well as studying mathematical modelling. The building was designed for gravity loads only. Full‐scale pseudo‐dynamic tests were performed in the ELSA laboratory in Ispra. In the paper the results of initial parametric studies, of the blind pre‐test predictions, and of the post‐test analysis are summarized. In all studies a simple mathematical model, with one‐component member models with concentrated plasticity was employed. The pre‐test analyses were performed using the CANNY program. After the test results became available, the mathematical model was improved using an approach based on a displacement‐controlled analysis. Basically, the same mathematical model was used as in pre‐test analyses, except that the values of some of the parameters were changed. The OpenSees program was employed. Fair agreement between the test and numerical results was obtained. The results prove that relatively simple mathematical models are able to adequately simulate the detailed seismic response of reinforced concrete frame structures to a known ground motion, provided that the input parameters are properly determined. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A coupled finite volume method for the solution of flow processes on complex geometries
Authors: McBride D. , Croft T. N. , Cross M.
Published: June 2006

CFD modelling of ‘real‐life’ thermo‐fluid processes often requires solutions in complex three‐dimensional geometries, which can result in meshes containing aspects that are badly distorted. Cell‐centred finite volume methods (CC‐FV), typical of most commercial CFD tools, are computationally efficient, but can lead to convergence problems on meshes that feature cells with highly non‐orthogonal shapes. The control volume‐finite element method (CVFE) uses a vertex‐based approach and handles distorted meshes with relative ease, but is computationally expensive. A combined vertex‐based—cell‐centre technique (CFVM), detailed in this paper, allows solutions on distorted meshes where purely cell‐centred solutions procedures fail. The method utilizes the ability of the vertex‐based approach to resolve the flow field on a distorted mesh, enabling well established cell‐centred physical models to be employed in the solution of other transported quantities. The vertex‐based flow code is verified against a manufactured 3D solution and error norms are compared on meshes with various degrees of distortion. The CFVM method is validated with benchmark solutions for thermally driven flow and turbulent flow. Finally, the method is illustrated on three‐dimensional turbulent flow over an aircraft wing on a distorted mesh where purely cell‐centred techniques fail. The CFVM is relatively straightforward to embed within generic CC based CFD tools allowing it to be employed in a wide variety of processing applications. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parallel CFD fire modelling on office PCs with dynamic load balancing
Authors: Grandison A. J. , Galea E. R. , Patel M. K. , Ewer J.
Published: June 2006

Parallel processing techniques have been used in the past to provide high performance computing resources for activities such as Computational Fluid Dynamics. This is normally achieved using specialized hardware and software, the expense of which would be difficult to justify for many fire engineering practices. In this paper, we demonstrate how typical office‐based PCs attached to a local area network have the potential to offer the benefits of parallel processing with minimal costs associated with the purchase of additional hardware or software. A dynamic load balancing scheme was devised to allow the effective use of the software on heterogeneous PC networks. This scheme ensured that the impact between the parallel processing task and other computer users on the network was minimized thus allowing practical parallel processing within a conventional office environment. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An unsteady single‐phase level set method for viscous free surface flows
Authors: Carrica P. M. , Wilson R. V. , Stern F.
Published: June 2006

The single‐phase level set method for unsteady viscous free surface flows is presented. In contrast to the standard level set method for incompressible flows, the single‐phase level set method is concerned with the solution of the flow field in the water (or the denser) phase only. Some of the advantages of such an approach are that the interface remains sharp, the computation is performed within a fluid with uniform properties and that only minor computations are needed in the air. The location of the interface is determined using a signed distance function, and appropriate interpolations at the fluid/fluid interface are used to enforce the jump conditions. A reinitialization procedure has been developed for non‐orthogonal grids with large aspect ratios. A convective extension is used to obtain the velocities at previous time steps for the grid points in air, which allows a good estimation of the total derivatives. The method was applied to three unsteady tests: a plane progressive wave, sloshing in a two‐dimensional tank, and the wave diffraction problem for a surface ship, and the results compared against analytical solutions or experimental data. The method can in principle be applied to any problem in which the standard level set method works, as long as the stress on the second phase can be specified (or neglected) and no bubbles appear in the flow during the computation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial firing properties of lateral septal neurons
Authors: Takamura Yusaku , Tamura Ryoi , Zhou Tian Lu , Kobayashi Tsuneyuki , Tran Anh Hai , Eifuku Satoshi , Ono Taketoshi
Published: June 2006

The present study describes the spatial firing properties of neurons in the lateral septum (LS). LS neuronal activity was recorded in rats as they performed a spatial navigation task in an open field. In this task, the rat acquired an intracranial self‐stimulation reward when it entered a certain place, a location that varied randomly from trial to trial. Of 193 neurons recorded in the LS, 81 showed place‐related activity. The majority of the tested neurons changed place‐related activity when spatial relations between environmental cues were altered by rotating intrafield (proximal) cues. The comparison of place activities between LS place‐related neurons recorded in the present study and hippocampal place cells recorded in our previous study, using identical behavioral and recording procedures, revealed that spatial parameters (spatial information content, coherence, and cluster size) were smaller in the LS than in the hippocampus. Of the 193 LS neurons, 86 were influenced by intracranial self‐stimulation rewards; 31 of these 86 were also place‐related. These results, together with previous anatomical and behavioral observations, suggest that the spatial information sent from the hippocampus to the LS is modulated by and interacts with signals related to reward in the LS. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The pathogenesis of venous thromboembolism in cancer: emerging links with tumour biology
Authors: Winter Paul C
Published: June 2006

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a frequent complication in individuals with cancer and is considered to be a cause of substantial mortality. Epidemiological studies identify malignancy as an independent VTE risk factor and show that cancer patients are at increased risk of both initial and recurrent VTE events. The risk due to cancer is compounded by the effects of chemotherapy and other treatments. The pathogenesis of cancer‐associated VTE is complex involving multiple interactions between tumours and various components of haemostasis. The development of a systemic hypercoagulable state is considered a key pathogenetic feature and is attributed to tumour expression of tissue factor and other procoagulants, activation of vascular cells by tumour‐derived cytokines and adhesive interactions between tumour cells and host cells. An increasing body of evidence indicates that the activation of haemostasis in malignant disease contributes to tumour growth and progression by stimulation of intracellular signalling pathways. The interaction of tissue factor, thrombin and other coagulation factors with protease activated receptor (PAR) proteins expressed by tumour cells and host vascular cells leads to the induction of genes related to the processes of angiogenesis, cell survival and cell adhesion and migration. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased expression of telomere length regulating factors TRF1, TRF2 and TIN2 in patients with adult T‐cell leukemia
Authors: Bellon Marcia , Datta Abhik , Brown Megan , Pouliquen Jean‐Francois , Couppie Pierre , Kazanji Mirdad , Nicot Christophe
Published: June 2006

Here, we report that freshly isolated unstimulated adult T‐cell leukemia (ATL) cells present high telomerase activity compared to asymptomatic carriers or normal donors. In spite of this high telomerase activity, ATL cells retained shorter telomeres compared to those of uninfected cells isolated from the same patients. Because the safeguarding of telomere length is critical to the unlimited proliferation of tumor cells, we investigated the underlying mechanism for short telomere maintenance in ATL cells. Transcriptional and posttranscriptional expression of telomere‐binding proteins TRF1, TRF2, TIN2 and POT1, known to regulate telomere homeostasis and protection, were evaluated. We found that TRF1 and TRF2 are overexpressed in in vivo patient's samples from ATL but not asymptomatic carriers, while levels of POT1 expression did not specifically increase in ATL. To gain insights into the regulation of TRF genes in HTLV‐I infected cells, we investigated the expression of TIN2, a regulator of these genes, and found an increase in TIN2 expression in ATL patients. Together our results underscore the importance of telomerase and telomere length regulating factors as novel markers for ATL disease progression and as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of HTLV‐I‐associated malignancies. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polyamine depletion by ODC‐AdoMetDC antisense adenovirus impairs human colorectal cancer growth and invasion in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Zhang Bing , Liu Xian‐xi , Zhang Yan , Jiang Chun‐ying , Hu Hai‐yan , Gong Lei , Liu Min , Teng Qing‐shan
Published: June 2006

Background

Polyamine biosynthesis is controlled primarily by ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S‐adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AdoMetDC). Polyamine concentrations are elevated in colorectal cancer. Depletion of polyamine content in colorectal cancer by chemotherapy is related to tumor regression and impaired tumorigenicity. The current study evaluates the therapeutic effects of antisense ODC and AdoMetDC sequences on colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

Antisense ODC and AdoMetDC sequences were cloned into an adenoviral vector (Ad‐ODC‐AdoMetDCas). The human colon cancer cell lines, HT‐29 and Caco‐2, were infected with Ad‐ODC‐AdoMetDCas as well as with control vector. Viable cell counting, determination of polyamine concentrations, cell cycle analysis, and Matrigel invasion assays were performed in order to assess properties of tumor growth and invasiveness. Furthermore, the antitumor effects of Ad‐ODC‐AdoMetDCas were also evaluated in vivo in a nude mouse tumor model.

Results

Our study demonstrated that adenovirus‐mediated ODC and AdoMetDC antisense expression inhibits tumor cell growth through a blockade of the polyamine synthesis pathway. This inhibitory effect cannot be reversed by the administration of putrescine. Tumor cells were arrested at the G1 phase of the cell cycle after gene transfer and had reduced invasiveness. The adenovirus also induced tumor regression in established tumors in nude mice.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that Ad‐ODC‐AdoMetDCas has antitumor activity and therapeutic potential for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of myocardial velocities obtained with magnetic resonance phase velocity mapping and tissue doppler imaging in normal subjects and patients with left ventricular dyssynchrony
Authors: Delfino Jana G. , Bhasin Mohit , Cole Robert , Eisner Robert L. , Merlino John , Leon Angel R. , Oshinski John N.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To compare longitudinal myocardial velocity and time to peak longitudinal velocity obtained with magnetic resonance phase velocity mapping (MR‐PVM) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and to assess the reproducibility of each method.

Materials and Methods

Longitudinal myocardial velocity was measured by TDI and MR‐PVM in 10 normal volunteers and 10 patients with dyssynchrony. The reproducibility of MR‐PVM and TDI was assessed on repeated measurements in the 10 normal volunteers.

Results

MR and TDI measurements of longitudinal myocardial velocity correlated well (r = 0.86) in both normal subjects and patients with dyssynchrony. However, myocardial velocities measured with MR consistently exceeded velocities measured with TDI. MR and TDI agreed strongly in measuring the time to peak velocity (r = 0.97). The reproducibility of TDI and MR‐PVM appeared similar in measuring peak velocities (13.1% vs. 11.0%, respectively; P = NS) and time to peak velocity (9.1% vs. 5.7%, respectively; P = NS).

Conclusion

Excellent correlation and reproducibility were observed between MR‐PVM and TDI in measuring longitudinal myocardial velocity and time to peak velocity in both normal subjects and patients with dyssynchrony. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Monitoring the therapeutic response of locally advanced breast cancer patients: Sequential in vivo proton MR spectroscopy study
Authors: Kumar Mahesh , Jagannathan N.R. , Seenu V. , Dwivedi S.N. , Julka P.K. , Rath G.K.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To evaluate the use of the water‐to‐fat (W‐F) value obtained from in vivo proton (1H) MR spectroscopy (MRS) as a response indicator of cytologically confirmed patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC), and to monitor the therapeutic response of such patients to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT)

Materials and Methods

Serial 1H MR spectra were recorded both before and after the completion of chemotherapy in 33 LABC patients (with infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC)) at 1.5T. In addition, spectra from normal breast tissues of 28 healthy volunteers were recorded.

Results

Malignant breast tissues showed elevated W‐F values compared to normal breast tissues of controls. Statistically significant higher pretherapy W‐F value (P < 0.01) was observed in patients compared to controls. In patients who received NACT resulting in the reduction of the primary tumor size, the W‐F value showed a decrease that was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Analysis of the MR data further indicates that the W‐F value had no correlation with the menstrual status of the patients. A comparison of pretherapy W‐F value with pretherapy tumor volume showed a fair correlation (P = 0.05), while the posttherapy W‐F value showed no such correlation with the posttherapy tumor volume.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that simple, conventional in vivo 1H MRS is a useful technique for monitoring the therapeutic response of breast cancer patients. The observed trend in the reduction of W‐F value provides a noninvasive response indicator to monitor the clinical outcome of locally advanced breast cancer patients to NACT J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Water‐Soluble Stoichiometric Polyelectrolyte Complexes Based on Cationic Comb‐Type Copolymers
Authors: Matralis Alexios , Sotiropoulou Maria , Bokias Georgios , Staikos Georgios
Published: June 2006

Summary: The interaction between the cationic comb‐type copolymer poly(acrylamide‐co‐MAPTAC)‐graft‐polyacrylamide, synthesized by free‐radical polymerization, and the anionic homopolymer NaPA has been investigated. Water‐soluble PECs are formed through a charge neutralization process. They adopt a compact structure, and form nanoparticles consisting of a hydrophobic PEC core and a protective hydrophilic PAM corona. By increasing the composition of the graft copolymers in neutral PAM side chains, the aggregation number and the size of the nanoparticles decrease. Moreover, increasing the ionic strength of the solution favours the dissociation of the complexes.

A schematic representation of the PEC nanoparticles formed at NNaPA = 0.5.

magnified image

A schematic representation of the PEC nanoparticles formed at NNaPA = 0.5.
A Novel Liquid‐Crystalline Phase in Dilute Aqueous Solutions of Methylcellulose
Authors: Yin Yimei , Nishinari Katsuyoshi , Zhang Hongbin , Funami Takahiro
Published: June 2006

Summary: The existence of liquid‐crystalline (LC) phases in dilute methylcellulose solutions is demonstrated by exothermic peaks in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves upon heating and is evidenced by a discontinuity of the dynamic storage modulus when the concentration of methylcellulose increases. This crystalline phenomenon is further confirmed by polarized light microscopy and optical rotatory dispersion measurements. It is found that the appearance of the LC formation is related to the temperature, concentration, and molecular weight of methylcellulose.

The exothermic peaks in DSC curves upon heating and cooling, and conformational transitions in ORD profiles for 2.5 g · L−1 SM4000 methylcellulose aqueous solutions.

magnified image

The exothermic peaks in DSC curves upon heating and cooling, and conformational transitions in ORD profiles for 2.5 g · L−1 SM4000 methylcellulose aqueous solutions.
Jordan's principal angles in complex vector spaces
Authors: Galántai A. , Hegedűs Cs. J.
Published: June 2006

We analyse the possible recursive definitions of principal angles and vectors in complex vector spaces and give a new projector based definition. This enables us to derive important properties of the principal vectors and to generalize a result of Björck and Golub (Math. Comput. 1973; 27(123):579–594), which is the basis of today's computational procedures in real vector spaces. We discuss other angle definitions and concepts in the last section. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characteristic‐mixed covolume methods for advection‐dominated diffusion problems
Authors: Chen Zhangxin , Chou So‐Hsiang , Kwak Do Young
Published: June 2006

Characteristic‐mixed covolume methods for time‐dependent advection‐dominated diffusion problems are developed and studied. The diffusion term in these problems is discretized using covolume methods applied to the mixed formulation of the problems on quadrilaterals, and the temporal differentiation and advection terms are treated by characteristic tracking schemes. Three characteristic tracking schemes are studied in the context of mixed covolume methods: the modified method of characteristics, the modified method of characteristics with adjusted advection, and the Eulerian–Lagrangian localized adjoint method. The proposed methods preserve the conceptual and computational merits of both characteristics‐based schemes and the mixed covolume methods. Existence and uniqueness of a solution to the discrete problem arising from the methods is shown. Stability and convergence properties of these methods are also obtained; unconditionally stable results and error estimates of optimal order are established. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Grafting of functionalized silica particles with poly(acrylic acid)
Authors: Heikkinen Jarkko J. , Heiskanen Juha P. , Hormi Osmo E.O.
Published: June 2006

Two different methods to graft silica particles with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were studied. In the first method PAA was reacted with 1,1′‐carbonyldiimidazole to give functionalized PAA. The resulting activated carbonyl group reacted easily with 3‐aminopropyl‐functionalized silica at low temperatures. In the second method 3‐glycidoxypropyl‐functionalized silica particles were reacted directly with PAA by using magnesium chloride as a catalyst. Different molecular weights of PAAs were used in order to investigate the effect of molecular weight on grafting yields in both methods. The grafting yields were determined with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). All products were also investigated with IR. The results showed that the yields of reactions performed at ambient temperature by using 1,1′‐carbonyldiimidazole‐functionalized PAA were the same as with a direct reaction of unfunctionalized PAA and 3‐aminopropyl‐functionalized silica performed at 153°C. Also in reactions between 3‐glycidoxypropyl‐functionalized silica and PAA the yields were satisfactory. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cure kinetics of a cyanate ester blended with poly(phenylene oxide)
Authors: Wu Shao Jung , Mi Fwu Long
Published: June 2006

The cure kinetics and mechanisms of a cyanate ester and its blends with poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO) were studied using differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that blending with PPO has an effect on the cure reaction. Reaction rates of the cyanate ester blends were higher in the initial stage than that of the neat cyanate ester; however, the conversion reached decreased with increasing PPO content. Experimental data, showing autocatalytic behavior, were compared with Kamal's model which includes two apparent rate constants and two reaction orders. This model apparently describes well the kinetics, but diffusion control in the vitrified state limits the reactions from going further. By introducing a diffusion factor f(α) into this model, it becomes possible to predict the cure kinetics over the whole range of conversion. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Glycolyzed PET waste and castor oil‐based polyols for two‐pack coating systems
Authors: Patel MR , Patel JV , Sinha VK
Published: June 2006

Useful coating products may be obtained by chemical valorization (glycolysis) of post‐consumed poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) wastes. Glycolysis of PET waste was carried out using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) of various molecular weights (200, 400, 600). The depolymerized oligoesters obtained were transesterified with castor oil which results in the formation of saturated hydroxyl‐functional polyester polyols. Two‐pack coating systems were formulated using these resins as base component and melamine formaldehyde resins as hardener component. Cured films were tested for their mechanical and chemical performances. The glycolysis of PET using PEG and polyester polyol formation was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the molecular weights were determined using gel permeation chromatography. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
The Chinese silicon photovoltaic industry and market: a critical review of trends and outlook
Authors: Marigo Nicoletta
Published: June 2006

With manufacturing capacity ranking number 5 in the world in 2005, China is rapidly emerging as an important player in the global silicon solar cell and module market. Production capacity has been growing by more than 70% per year over the last 7 years and future ambitious plans for the further expansion of the domestic production are likely to transform China in one of the largest (if not the largest) PV hubs in the world. However China's ability to fulfil its goals is challenged in the short term by a global shortage of silicon and in the medium to long term by the ability of the government to stimulate innovation and to introduce the necessary incentives to grow the domestic market significantly given that 80% of the production is currently exported to Germany and the USA.

The article addresses these issues by reviewing the recent technological and market trends in the Chinese PV industry. It also explains the major domestic manufacturing strategies and indicates the possible future direction of photovoltaic power generation in China. The study is based on personal interviews conducted in China from May to July 2005 with the major players along the solar supply chain, as well as with representatives of the Chinese photovoltaic R&D sector and policy makers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Control of Aspergillus growth and aflatoxin production using natural maize phytochemicals under different conditions of water activity
Authors: Nesci Andrea V , Etcheverry Miriam G
Published: June 2006

The effects of the natural phytochemicals trans‐cinnamic acid (CA) and ferulic acid (FA) alone at concentrations of 1–25 mM and in 16 combinations (M: mixtures) on growth and aflatoxin B1 production by Aspergillus flavus Link and A. parasiticus Speare were evaluated. Studies on growth rate and aflatoxin B1 production were carried out in vitro in relation to a water activity aw of 0.999, 0.971, 0.955 and 0.937. Overall, CA at concentrations of 10 and 20 mM and FA–CA mixtures M3 (20 + 5 mM respectively), M8 (25 + 5 mM), M9 (1 + 10 mM), M10 (10 + 10 mM), M11 (20 + 10 mM), M12 (25 + 10 mM), M13 (1 + 20 mM), M14 (10 + 20 mM), M15 (20 + 20 mM) and M16 (25 + 20 mM) were the treatments most effective at inhibiting growth of the four species assayed. All strains were much more sensitive to all natural phytochemicals tested on growth rate at aw = 0.937. CA and the FA–CA mixtures M1 (1 + 1 mM respectively), M4 (25 + 1 mM), M5 (1 + 5 mM), M6 (10 + 1 mM), M7 (20 + 1 mM), M8 (25 + 5 mM), M9 (1 + 10 mM), M10 (10 + 10 mM), M11 (20 + 10 mM), M12 (25 + 10 mM), M13 (1 + 20 mM), M14 (10 + 20 mM), M15 (20 + 20 mM) and M16 (25 + 20 mM) completely inhibited aflatoxin B1 production by all strains at aw = 0.999, 0.971, 0.955 and 0.937. Decreased aflatoxin B1 levels in comparison with the control were observed with FA at 1, 10, 20 and 25 mM with the strains RCM89, RCM108 and RCM38 at aw = 0.971, 0.955 and 0.999 respectively. The data show that CA and FA can be considered as effective fungitoxicants for A. flavus and A. parasiticus in in vitro assay. The information obtained is part of an ongoing study to determine their application at the storage level. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Learning an optimal distance metric in a linguistic vector space
Authors: Mochihashi Daichi , Kikui Genichiro , Kita Kenji
Published: June 2006

Much natural language processing still depends on the Euclidean distance function between the two feature vectors, but the Euclidean distance suffers from severe defects as to feature weightings and feature correlations. In this paper we propose an optimal metric distance function that can be used as an alternative to the Euclidean distance, accommodating the two problems at the same time. This metric is optimal in the sense of global quadratic minimization, and can be obtained from the clusters in the training data in a supervised fashion.

We have confirmed the effect of the proposed metric by the sentence retrieval, document retrieval, and K‐means clustering of general vectorial data. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 37(9): 12–21, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20533
Estimation of a human planned trajectory from a measured trajectory
Authors: Oyama Takashi , Uno Yoji
Published: June 2006

The general view of human motion is that it is realized by combining feedforward control based on a planned trajectory and feedback control for correction. Thus, in order to analyze the motion control mechanism, these two components must be separately extracted. One possible approach is to estimate the trajectory planned before performance from the realized trajectory, including the correction, as obtained by measurement. This paper proposes a method of estimating the planned trajectory from the actually measured finger trajectory in two‐point reaching motion. The following two assumptions are made in the estimation of the planned trajectory. (1) Since there is a time delay in the feedback loop, the measured trajectory immediately after the start of motion can be considered to be the planned trajectory. (2) The human planned trajectory is represented as the minimum command torque change trajectory. Based on these assumptions, the entire planned trajectory can be determined from the measured trajectory immediately after the start of the motion. Assuming that by sufficient training of the reaching motion in the state without vision, the subject can move the hand to a target with little correction, this motion is measured and the planned trajectory is estimated. The measured trajectory and the planned trajectory are very close except for the neighborhood of the target point. It is thus shown that the planned trajectory can be estimated by the method proposed in this study. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 37(9): 1– 11, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20536
History at the Table: Conflict in Planning in a Community in the Rural American South
Authors: Messinger Lori
Published: June 2006

This article is a case study of problems that emerged during the planning of an anti‐poverty program in a community in the rural American South in the early 1990s. Issues of racism, sexism, and classism in the planning process are discussed as they are informed by the national welfare reform rhetoric of the time, a local context of historical and current White racism, and the historical and current identity positions of the local Black planners. The author argues that understanding local history is a vital component in planning and implementing social programs. The article offers an analysis of the deployment of power in the planning of social change projects that can be used to develop inclusive planning processes that are responsive to the needs of economically and socially oppressed populations.
Alg44, a unique protein required for alginate biosynthesis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Remminghorst Uwe , Rehm Bernd H.A.
Published: June 2006

Here the putative alginate biosynthesis gene alg44 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was functionally assigned. Non‐polar isogenic alg44 deletion mutants of P. aeruginosa were generated and did neither produce alginate nor released free uronic acids. No evidence for alginate enrichment in the periplasm was obtained. Alginate production was restored by introducing only the gene alg44. PhoA fusion protein analyses suggested that Alg44 is a soluble protein localized in the periplasm. Hexahistidine‐tagged Alg44 was detected by immunoblotting. The corresponding 42.6 kDa protein was purified and identified by MALDI/TOF‐MS analysis. Alg44 might be directly involved in alginate polymerization presumably by exerting a regulatory function.
Isolation and characterisation of conomap‐Vt, a d‐amino acid containing excitatory peptide from the venom of a vermivorous cone snail
Authors: Dutertre Sébastien , Lumsden Natalie G. , Alewood Paul F. , Lewis Richard J.
Published: June 2006

Cone snail venom is a rich source of bioactives, in particular small disulfide rich peptides that disrupt synaptic transmission. Here, we report the discovery of conomap‐Vt (Conp‐Vt), an unusual linear tetradecapeptide isolated from Conus vitulinus venom. The sequence displays no homology to known conopeptides, but displays significant homology to peptides of the MATP (myoactive tetradecapeptide) family, which are important endogenous neuromodulators in molluscs, annelids and insects. Conp‐Vt showed potent excitatory activity in several snail isolated tissue preparations. Similar to ACh, repeated doses of Conp‐Vt were tachyphylactic. Since nicotinic and muscarinic antagonists failed to block its effect and Conp‐Vt desensitised tissue remained responsive to ACh, it appears that Conp‐Vt contractions were non‐cholinergic in origin. Finally, biochemical studies revealed that Conp‐Vt is the first member of the MATP family with a d‐amino acid. Interestingly, the isomerization of l‐Phe to d‐Phe enhanced biological activity, suggesting that this post‐translational modified conopeptide may have evolved for prey capture.
High-Throughput Screening Application for the Determination of Enantiomeric Excess Using ESI-MS
Authors: Gördes Dirk , Thurow Kerstin
Published: June 2006

Methods for the rapid determination of the enantiomeric excess (ee%) of organic substrates, especially for HTS, are often the “bottleneck” in a process. For this purpose, a new process of entirely automated sample preparation and the determination of ee% using electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) has been developed. Various substrates and new auxiliaries were explored to enhance the methodical scope. In combination with a very versatile liquid-handling system (HTS-PAL) and a comprehensive processing equipment, a multitude of standardized reaction vessels can be managed with the presented system. As an example of use, the ee% determination of I-phenylethanole via ESI-MS is compared to state-of-the-art GC analysis. In addition, a HTS suitable data processing network was constructed that allows postrun data manipulation and the automated data transfer to analysis and visualization templates with a maximum amount of automation.
Differences between non-specific and bio-specific, and between equilibrium and non-equilibrium, interactions in biological systems
Authors: Israelachvili Jacob
Published: June 2006

Biological interactions are ‘processes’ 331

Intermolecular forces involved 332

Synergy between different forces occurring at different locations 333

Non-equilibrium, rate and time-dependent interactions 335

Reversible and irreversible interactions 337

The interaction forces between biological molecules and surfaces are much more complex than those between non-biological molecules or surfaces, such as colloidal particle surfaces. This complexity is due to a number of factors: (i) the simultaneous involvement of many different molecules and different non-covalent forces – van der Waals, electrostatic, solvation (hydration, hydrophobic), steric, entropic and ‘specific’, and (ii) the flexibility of biological macromolecules and fluidity of membranes. Biological interactions are better thought of as ‘processes’ that evolve in space and time and, under physiological conditions, involve a continuous input of energy. Such systems are, therefore, not at thermodynamic equilibrium, or even tending towards equilibrium. Recent surface forces apparatus (SFA) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements on supported model membrane systems (protein-containing lipid bilayers) illustrate these effects. It is suggested that the major theoretical challenge is to establish manageable theories or models that can describe the spatial and time evolution of systems consisting of different molecules subject to certain starting conditions or energy inputs.
RIBA symposium encourages new links between design and research
Authors: Veal Alex
Published: June 2006

Sponsored by Vectorworks and SketchUp and convened by the new Director of the Architectural Association, Brett Steele, the RIBA's first annual Research Symposium, held on 3 October 2005, aimed to promote and disseminate architectural research work, and to encourage relationships between practice and research. At a time of growing concern over the future of research in architecture, and a sense of increasing marginalisation by the encroachment of other disciplines, both the variety of papers and the evident popularity of the event spoke of its continued vitality and relevance across the profession.
A quantitative approach to the dike intrusion process inferred from a joint analysis of geodetic and seismological data for the 1998 earthquake swarm off the east coast of Izu Peninsula, central Japan
Authors: Morita Yuichi , Nakao Shigeru , Hayashi Yoshinari
Published: June 2006

A series of earthquake swarms off the east coast of Izu Peninsula, central Japan, is typically associated with dike intrusion around active volcanoes. Numerous studies in this region have documented the seismic activity and ground deformations without fully resolving the process of dike intrusion. This study involves a joint analysis of geodetic and seismic data from the most recent major activity in this region, occurring in 1998, to reveal the process of dike intrusion quantitatively. We combine data from a dense GPS array, including 10 temporary stations, with seismic analysis published previously. We estimate the location of the dikes from seismic data and the volume of intruded magma from geodetic data. Combined analysis of both data sets enables us to reveal the kinematic process of dike intrusion associated with the 1998 earthquake swarm. The process of dike intrusion is quantitatively modeled using the time evolution of recorded dike volume and the use of seismic hypocenters as an indicator of the site of instantaneous dike intrusion. On the basis of these observations, we propose the following process of the dike intrusion: The magma rose upward through a pathway aligned vertically and created a dike when it lost buoyancy. We also evaluate the dike intrusion process quantitatively using a model of a circular dike that grows under a continuous magma supply from a deep magma reservoir. From the observational data, we infer the time evolution in the dike shape, pressure distribution, and magma viscosity in the dike. The acquired viscosity increases over time and it may be reasonable because magma cools gradually. However, its value is too large compared to typical basaltic magma expected in this region. It may represent magma within the dike that is nearly solidified. Otherwise, the magma is supplied intermittently and the dike growth is mainly controlled by the magma supply rate from a deep reservoir. The quantitative description of the dike intrusion process in nature described in this study is very rare, and our results provide constraints on several parameters that have not been solved in many previous theoretical studies on the dike intrusion process.
Seasonal export of carbon, nitrogen, and major solutes from Alaskan catchments with discontinuous permafrost
Authors: Petrone Kevin C. , Jones Jeremy B. , Hinzman Larry D. , Boone Richard D.
Published: June 2006

Frequent measurements of stream chemistry during snowmelt and summer storms were used in three watersheds that differ in permafrost coverage (high, 53%; medium, 18%; and low, 4%) to determine the role of water flow paths on the fluxes of carbon, nitrogen, and major solutes from Alaskan catchments. Permafrost was important in the seasonal pattern of stream chemistry as there was a distinct shift in chemistry and flow from winter through snowmelt and into summer in the permafrost‐dominated catchment. Furthermore, the active layer above the permafrost was important for the late summer release of NO3− and DOC, suggesting a deeper active layer may increase N and C loss in permafrost‐dominated areas. Overall, permafrost constrained water flow to the active layer, resulting in higher DOC but lower dissolved mineral fluxes (Ca2+ Mg2+ K+ Na+) in the high‐permafrost watershed than in the watersheds with less permafrost coverage. However, the decline in dissolved mineral fluxes was not linearly related to permafrost coverage across watersheds. The flux of weathering ions may also be explained by total water runoff, since the medium‐permafrost watershed, which had the greatest runoff on an areal basis, yielded the greatest loss of all major elements (Ca2+ Mg2+ K+ Na+ SO42− NO3− NH4+ Cl−) except DOC. Despite differences among watersheds in permafrost coverage, hydrologic flow paths, area, and total runoff, all watersheds were net sources of every individual ions or elements (Cl−, PO42−, SO42−, DOC, DON, NO3−, Na+, K+ Mg2+, Ca2+) except NH4+, which was a small fraction of the total N concentration in streams.
Linearized Richards' equation approach to pumping test analysis in compressible aquifers
Authors: Mathias S. A. , Butler A. P.
Published: June 2006

There is increasing acceptance of the importance of slow drainage from the unsaturated zone (SDUZ) when interpreting drawdown‐time curves derived from pumping tests. Previous analytical solutions have generally assumed instantaneous drainage from the unsaturated zone. Such models typically underestimate the specific yield. Some authors have sought to account for SDUZ by assuming that drainage from the unsaturated zone declines exponentially with time, giving rise to an empirical delay index. These models tend to overestimate drawdown at early times and underestimate it during late times. More recently, the superposition of an arbitrary number of exponential models with different delay indices has been advocated, giving rise to an overparameterized and complicated empirical function. Following the work of Kroszynski and Dagan (1975), we obtain a new drainage function based on a linearized Richards' equation assuming that moisture content and hydraulic conductivity are exponential functions of pressure head. Furthermore, the drainage function can be incorporated into existing analytical solutions (e.g., Moench, 1997) with minor adjustment. The resulting model requires an additional three parameters: a moisture retention exponent, a hydraulic conductivity exponent, and the initial unsaturated zone thickness. The new drainage function can also be used in an empirical fashion with only one parameter (the other two are lost by assuming an infinitely deep unsaturated zone and that the moisture retention and relative permeability exponents are equal). Its applicability is demonstrated using pumping test data sets from Borden and Cape Cod. The results show improved consistency with the experimental data in comparison with previous studies.
Air‐sea exchange of carbon dioxide in ocean margins: A province‐based synthesis
Authors: Cai Wei‐Jun , Dai Minhan , Wang Yongchen
Published: June 2006

In determining global sea‐to‐air CO2 flux from measurements or models, the ocean margin has not been resolved from the land or the open ocean. Recent studies have indicated that shelves can be either a large sink or a source for atmospheric CO2. This CO2 sink/source term may substantially alter our current view of the global carbon budget for land and oceans. However, past fieldwork and synthesis have focused on a few shelves in the northern temperate zone while the vast majority of other shelves are ignored. By dividing the highly heterogeneous shelves into seven provinces, we suggest that the continental shelves are a sink for atmospheric CO2 at mid‐high latitudes (−0.33 Pg C a−1) and a source of CO2 at low latitudes (0.11 Pg C a−1). Warm temperature and high terrestrial organic carbon input are most likely responsible for the CO2 release in low latitude shelves.
Why the Studies of Science Need a Psychology of Science
Authors: Feist Gregory J.
Published: June 2006

As I have argued elsewhere ( Feist, 2006a ; Feist & Gorman, 1998 ), the psychology of science is a discipline that incorporates all the major subdisciplines in psychology, in particular the neuroscientific, developmental, cognitive, personality, and social perspectives. The empirical investigations that psychologists have contributed to the study of scientific thought, interest, and achievement have substantially altered and added to our understanding of the nature of science. Moreover, psychologists of science bring unique methodological and theoretical tools to the studies of science. Only psychologists, for instance, can bring a true experimental design to the study of scientific thought and behavior. The contributions by Simonton, Gorman, Brewer and Schommer-Aikins, Runyan, and myself in this current special issue exemplify some of uniqueness and diversity that psychology has to offer the studies of science.