bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Merocyanine-dye-sensitized Photoinitiator Generating a Free-radical via an Intramolecular Electron-transfer Process
Authors: Kawamura Koichi
Published: October 2003

Dye-linked initiators, in which merocyanine 1 and bis(trichloromethyl)-1,3,5-triazine 2 were linked by a different number of methylene chains, were synthesized. The linked initiators were found to be much more effective in the polymerization of acrylates than a simple mixture of the dye/initiator in photopolymer coatings upon irradiation at 430-nm wavelength.
Reaction of Stable Sulfenic and Selenenic Acids Containing a Bowl-type Steric Protection Group with a Phosphine. Elucidation of the Mechanism of Reduction of Sulfenic and Selenenic Acids
Authors: Goto Kei , Shimada Keiichi , Nagahama Michiko , Okazaki Renji , Kawashima Takayuki
Published: October 2003

The mechanism of the reduction of the stable sulfenic acid 1 and selenenic acid 2 containing a bowl-type steric protection group by triphenylphosphine was elucidated by tracer studies using H218O. It was found that the initial step of the reaction involves the attack of the phosphine on the sulfur or selenium atom of 1 and 2, respectively, in contrast with the reduction of hydroperoxides by a phosphine, where the initial attack occurs on the hydroxylic oxygen.
Immobilization of Colloidal Crystals, Formed from Polymer-modified Silica in Organic Solvent, in Polymer Gel with Radical Polymerization
Authors: Yoshinaga Kohji , Fujiwara Kumiko , Tanaka Yasuyuki , Nakanishi Mikiko , Takesue Masafumi
Published: October 2003

Radical copolymerization of methyl methacrylate and 1,2-dimethacryloyloxyethane in acetonitrile solution containing colloidal crystals of poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted silica afforded polymer gels involving the particle arrays.
Novel Structural Transformation around Ln(III) and Unusual Bending of Acetylacetonato Chelate in A Series of New 3d–4f Dinuclear Complexes [(hfac)3Ln(μ-bpypz)Cr(acac)2]
Authors: Kawahata Ryouji , Tsukuda Toshiaki , Yagi Takashi , Subhan Md Abdus , Nakata Hiroyasu , Fuyuhiro Akira , Kaizaki Sumio
Published: October 2003

A new series of discrete [(hfac)3Ln(μ-bpypz)Cr(acac)2] dinuclear complexes has demonstrated the novel LnIII ion size depedent structural transformation around LnIII as well as diastereospecifically assembled chiral configuration along with the unusual bending of the acetylacetonate chelate ring in CrIII.
Improving the Dietary Status of Low-Income Pregnant Women at Nutritional Risk
Authors: Brinberg David , Axelson Marta L.
Published: October 2003

The Women, Infants, and Children program provides food assistance, nutrition education, and social service referrals to low-income women. The authors report the results of a small-scale study to evaluate the effectiveness of a tailored nutrition message. The results suggest that these messages could increase the effectiveness of the nutrition counseling.
Ethical Challenges of Social Marketing
Authors: Brenkert George G.
Published: October 2003

Social marketing faces distinctive ethical challenges, which are not faced by commercial marketing, with regard to the ends it seeks, the rationale it offers for achieving those ends, and the effects it may have on its targets. The more social marketing attempts to address these ethical challenges, the more its nature as a form of social activism becomes apparent. Nevertheless, these are special ethical challenges social marketing needs to confront.
Legal Strategies for Protecting Brands from Genericide: Recent Trends in Evidence Weighted in Court Cases
Authors: Taylor Charles R. , Walsh Michael G.
Published: October 2003

Under the Lanham Act and the Trademark Revision Act of 1988, trademarks may be cancelled if it is ruled that consumers use the brand name to describe a generic category. Trademark cancellation, or “genericide,” has high stakes in that it can result in the loss of a valuable corporate asset. The authors provide an overview of the history of trademark cancellation cases and examine what types of evidence are considered in such cases. The authors provide an analysis of trends in recent court rulings and advice for avoiding genericide.
Marketing Social Marketing in the Social Change Marketplace
Authors: Andreasen Alan R.
Published: October 2003

Social marketing faces significant barriers to growth because there is no clear understanding of what the field is and what its role should be in relation to other approaches to social change. However, growth is possible through increases in social marketing's share of competition at the intervention, subject matter, product, and brand levels. The author proposes a specific social marketing branding campaign to advance the field, with roles for academics and the American Marketing Association.
Building Brand Equity through Corporate Societal Marketing
Authors: Hoeffler Steve , Keller Kevin Lane
Published: October 2003

Marketers have shown increasing interest in the use of corporate societal marketing (CSM) programs. In this article, the authors describe six means by which CSM programs can build brand equity: (1) building brand awareness, (2) enhancing brand image, (3) establishing brand credibility, (4) evoking brand feelings, (5) creating a sense of brand community, and (6) eliciting brand engagement. The authors also address three key questions revolving around how CSM programs have their effects, which cause the firm should choose, and how CSM programs should be branded. The authors offer a series of research propositions throughout and conclude by outlining a set of potential future research directions.
Public Policy Issues in Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of Prescription Drugs
Authors: Calfee John E.
Published: October 2003

In August 1997, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a reinterpretation of its rules on direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising, the effect of which was to permit branded broadcast advertisements and therefore to increase the volume of DTC advertising several-fold. A substantial body of research, consisting primarily of consumer surveys, provides the basis for a preliminary assessment of the effects of DTC advertisements. The FDA's own assessment, that DTC advertisements can provide substantial benefits and do not appear to cause substantial harm, is consistent with survey and other data. Direct-to-consumer advertisements appear to provide valuable information (including risk information); induce information-seeking (mainly from physicians); prompt patients to discuss conditions not previously discussed; and generate significant, positive externalities including the possibility of improved patient compliance with drug therapy. The effects of DTC advertisements on drug consumption and on health care have yet to be assessed. The author suggests that a further relaxation of FDA rules would accelerate the dissemination of valuable information, with favorable consequences for drug development and consumer health.
Image Advertisements’ Influence on Adolescents’ Perceptions of the Desirability of Beer and Cigarettes
Authors: Kelly Kathleen J. , Slater Michael D. , Karan David
Published: October 2003

The authors examine whether attitude toward the ad (A ad ) and attitude toward the brand (A b ) mediate the effects of visual, image-oriented content in advertisements on perceptions of the desirability of beer and cigarettes, as well as of soft drinks. Adolescents (n = 384) rated either image advertisements with visuals for cigarettes, beer, and soft drinks or comparable tombstone advertisements that had no photographs or drawings. Advertisements with image-oriented visuals were found to directly produce more positive A ad , A b , and attitude toward the product category (A pc ) evaluations than did the tombstone versions. The authors then used structural equation modeling to examine the relationship among A ad , A b , and A pc. The results were generally supportive of the proposed mediating model. Also, little support was found for the assumption of some advocacy groups and policymakers that to be well received by adolescents, cigarette advertisements require human models. The authors discuss implications of findings for advertising research and public policy.
International Harmonization of Food and Nutrition Regulation: The Good and the Bad
Authors: Bone Paula Fitzgerald , France Karen Russo
Published: October 2003

Researchers have long been interested in food and nutrition regulations. Such regulations, however, expand beyond the typical research focus on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Several international organizations play a role in global food and nutrition regulations. The authors discuss the issues revolving around harmonization of food and nutrition regulations and discuss the potential benefits and negative impacts of this process.
The Federal Communications Commission's Competition Policy and Marketing's Information Technology Revolution
Authors: Sappington David E.M. , Stockdale Donald K.
Published: October 2003

The Federal Communications Commission's competition policy can affect the speed, scale, and scope of marketing's information technology revolution. This article reviews key policy issues before the commission and describes related research projects. The key issues pertain to wireline competition policy, broadband policy, and spectrum policy.
Consumer Privacy and Security Protection on Church Web Sites: Reasons for Concern
Authors: Hoy Mariea Grubbs , Phelps Joseph
Published: October 2003

The authors examine online privacy and security issues in a study of 102 church Web sites throughout the nation and find that though church Web sites collect personal identifying information comparable to that collected by commercial Web sites, few offer information practice statements or privacy policies. Furthermore, unlike their commercial counterparts, church Web sites often post personal identifying information of their members and site visitors that enhances potential threats to both consumer privacy and security. Survey responses from 21 church Web site administrators provide further insight into this information disclosure gap and potential means of addressing it.
Wireless Advertising Messaging: Legal Analysis and Public Policy Issues
Authors: Petty Ross D.
Published: October 2003

Wireless advertising messaging is a newly developing form of advertising in the United States that includes short text messages sent to cellular telephones, personal data assistants, and other wireless devices. This article examines the legal and public policy issues raised by this novel form of advertising.
Which way to the Revolution? The Consequences of Database Protection as a New Form of Intellectual Property
Authors: Langenderfer Jeff , Kopp Steven W.
Published: October 2003

In the age of information technology, the sale of information in the form of searchable databases has become a multibillion-dollar industry. In the United States, compilations of data have always presented a difficult problem: Although such works are often assembled at considerable cost and are extremely valuable to commerce and science, they do not exhibit the modicum of creativity usually required for copyrightability. In stark contrast, the European Union has set a global agenda by putting into effect a new form of intellectual property protection for databases, the terms of which could significantly affect the interests of database producers and consumers throughout the world. This article provides a summary of U.S. and international laws used to protect databases and describes the pressures that are affecting U.S. alternatives. Because both information and technology are now subject to porous international boundaries, the authors propose a change in U.S. law.
Scholarly Research in Marketing: Exploring the “4 Eras” of Thought Development
Authors: Wilkie William L. , Moore Elizabeth S.
Published: October 2003

Today's body of marketing thought is expanding geometrically, pushing frontiers in numerous domains—quantitatively, behaviorally, strategically—with much enhanced technology and on an increasingly globalized basis. As this pushes forward on many fronts, however, it is also worthwhile to ask what is in danger of being left behind. What is the benefit, if any, of discerning the roots of this field? On the basis of an extended look across the last century of marketing thought, this article paints a wide-ranging portrait of (1) the general course that has been taken by the body of marketing thought over its “4 Eras” and (2) how the treatment of societal dimensions of marketing has fared during each period. On the basis of these findings, the authors pose several key issues for further consideration by interested thinkers concerned with the progress of marketing scholarship.
When Profit Equals Price: Consumer Confusion about Donation Amounts in Cause-Related Marketing
Authors: Olsen G. Douglas , Pracejus John W. , Brown Norman R.
Published: October 2003

A series of five studies examine potential consumer confusion associated with the “percentage of profit” wording often used to describe cause-related marketing in which money is donated to a charity each time a consumer makes a purchase. The initial four studies demonstrate that (1) expressing the donation amount as a percentage of profit leads to widespread confusion and near universal overestimation of the amount being donated, (2) even consumers who have had formal accounting training are susceptible to this bias, (3) participant motivation in an experimental setting cannot account for these results, and (4) people report higher attitudes toward a company and express stronger purchase intentions as a function of the percentage value of the donation but not as a function of whether it is a percentage of profit or price. The authors conclude with a study that explores several potential affirmative disclosures for the percentage-of-profit problem.
Consumers'Attention to the Brief Summary in Print Direct-to-Consumer Advertisements: Perceived Usefulness in Patient–Physician Discussions
Authors: Menon Ajit M. , Deshpande Aparna D. , Perri Matthew , Zinkhan George M.
Published: October 2003

To what extent does direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising communicate detailed technical information (e.g., relevant to risks, warnings, indications, contraindications, adverse effects)? This study examines whether consumers attend to the brief summary of risk information in product-specific print direct-to-consumer advertisements and whether they find it useful in discussing the risks of taking the drug with their physicians. The authors analyze data from a 1999 national survey of 1205 consumers. A discussion of the study findings highlights the implications for the development of future public policy in this area.
Warning and Informing the Domestic International Market
Authors: Torres Ivonne M. , Gelb Betsy D. , Noriega Jaime L.
Published: October 2003

The authors believe that U.S. marketers should offer necessary instructions and warnings in English and Spanish and should consider including these in additional languages as well. The argument is based on the literature of “special needs” populations, the usefulness of warnings, and the understanding of the Spanish-speaking “domestic international market” in the United States. The authors also advocate public policy that requires multilingual information and warnings where necessary and practical.
E-Space Inclusion: A Case for the Americans with Disabilities Act in Cyberspace
Authors: Schaefer Kelly
Published: October 2003

Consumers who are blind or visually impaired face greater risks of injury from deceptive or fraudulent online advertising practices that may be difficult to define as unlawful or misleading under the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act. The FTC's clear and conspicuous requirements are not adequate to ensure effective communication with blind or visually impaired consumers. This article suggests that the Americans with Disabilities Act needs to be expanded to include commercial Web sites and more specific definitions of disabilities. Disability-specific accessibility guidelines should also be incorporated into the FTC's clear and conspicuous requirement in order for online advertisements to minimize visually impaired consumers’ risk of injury. The author discusses technological barriers to Internet access and their implications for marketing operations and policy reform.
In‐Situ Reaction Synthesis of Oxide‐Boron Nitride Composites
Authors: Zhang G.‐J. , Yang J.‐F. , Ando M. , Ohji T. , Kanzaki S.
Published: October 2003

Oxide‐Boron Nitride Composites with high strain tolerance and good mechanical/thermal shock resistance were prepared by reactive hot pressing taking advantage of in‐situ reactions between aluminium borates, AlN and Si3N4. The in‐situ formed BN phase is in agglomerate shape, as shown by an SEM fractograph of mullite/BN (see Figure): the fine particles located at the junctions of the matrix particles consist of BN.
Deformation‐induced Structural Changes in Bulk Metallic Glass at Room Temperature
Authors: Deng Y.F. , He L.L. , Zhang Q.S. , Zhang H.F. , Ye H.Q.
Published: October 2003

Room‐temperature local structure changes in a bulk metallic glass, namely crystallization and void formation, occur after uniaxial compressive plastic deformation; probably this is due to the creation of free volume. Deformation‐induced nanocrystallization may provide a synthesis of bulk amorphous‐nanocrystalline alloys. The Figure shows a TEM image of voids in a bulk Zr55Al10Ni5Cu30 specimen prepared by standard twin‐jet electrolytic thinning followed by low‐angle ion milling.
Physical Aspects of Process Control in Selective Laser Sintering of Metals
Authors: Das S.
Published: October 2003

Direct selective laser sintering (SLS) is a layered manufacturing technique that can produce fully dense, functional components in high performance metals. In this review paper, a first step is taken towards identifying and understanding some of the important physical mechanisms in direct SLS. This study not only provides an insight into phenomena observed during direct SLS processing of a variety of metallic materials but also helps in selecting those materials that are most amenable to direct SLS processing. The physical mechanisms discussed include oxidation, non‐equilibrium wetting, epitaxial solidification, metal vaporization, and oxide purification. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for the design of direct SLS machines, process development, and process control.
Investigation of the Correlation between Texture and Microstrucure on a Submicrometer Scale in the TEM
Authors: Zaefferer S.
Published: October 2003

In recent years the investigation of local texture and microstructure by analysis of electron backscatter diffraction patterns (EBSP) in the SEM has become a very powerful and popular method. With the introduction of SEM with field emission guns (FEG) the spatial resolution of EBSP measurements could be enhanced from 500 nm with a tungsten emitter to better than 50 nm. This evolution of SEM techniques raises the question whether transmission electron microscopy (TEM) still has fields of application in texture research. The present article answers this question with a clear “yes” and presents three examples of investigations where TEM is indispensable. The three examples comprise the investigation of the correlation between dislocation structure and deformation texture, a study on nucleation mechanisms of recrystallization in highly deformed metals and the investigation of microtexture and microstructure in nanocrystalline materials. Together with the presentation of these cases some of the necessary measurement techniques are described briefly. It is shown that TEM has to be applied when highest spatial resolution of orientation determination and imaging and high accuracy of orientation determination are to be reached, when the three‐dimensional and quantitative characterization of lattice defects is required or when materials with a high density of lattice defects are to be investigated.
Materials Aspects of Photonic Crystals
Authors: López C.
Published: October 2003

Photonics, the technology of photons (as electronics is the technology of electrons), promises to be the new century's driving force in the advancement of, mainly but not only, information technology, such as communications and computing. This technology was initiated with the advent of lasers and optical fibers that, for various reasons, embody the best choice of source and channel of the information carrier: the photon. If the parallel with electronics is to be further pursued, one soon realizes that many more components are needed not only in the transport section of the technology but also, and principally, in the logic section: signal processing. An answer is promised to many of these demands by the potentiality of the new photonics era: photonic bandgap (PBG) materials, otherwise known as photonic crystals (PCs). In the present review a general perspective is presented on the state of the art in PC technology providing a broad audience‐oriented description of fundamentals and properties.
Can Carbon Nanotubes be Considered Useful Tools for Biological Applications?
Authors: Bianco A. , Prato M.
Published: October 2003

Carbon nanotubes can be made soluble in both organic solvents and in aqueous solutions by organic functionalization. In particular, soluble carbon nanotubes can be further derivatized by coupling with amino acids and bioactive peptides. Immobilization of peptides to the external walls of carbon nanotubes may find interesting applications in diagnostics, vaccine and drug delivery, or multipresentation of bioactive molecules.
The Deepening Impact of Materials Science
Authors: Levy E.
Published: October 2003

The latest developments in the publication of materials science are examined from the point of view of the top journal in the field in this Editorial. Following the announcement of the 2002 ISI Impact factors, materials science publications are found to be competing capably with the more established research fields of chemistry and physics. Recent highpoints for Advanced Materials are reviewed and upcoming enhancements discussed.
Surfactant‐Assisted Growth of Novel PbS Dendritic Nanostructures via Facile Hydrothermal Process
Authors: Kuang D. , Xu A. , Fang Y. , Liu H. , Frommen C. , Fenske D.
Published: October 2003

3D PbS dendritic nanostructures (see Figure) have been fabricated by a facile hydrothermal method in the presence of N‐cetyl‐N,N,N‐trimethyl‐ammonium bromide (CTAB). Both CTAB and thiourea play important roles in the formation of well‐defined PbS dendrites. X‐ray diffraction, electron diffraction, and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy results show that the PbS nanostructure is a 3D dendrite of a single crystal.
Exfoliation of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes by Electrochemical Treatment in a Nitric Acid
Authors: Kim H.J. , Jeon K.K. , An K.H. , Kim C. , Heo J.G. , Lim S.C. , Bae D.J. , Lee Y.H.
Published: October 2003

Single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) bundles have been dispersed by an electrolysis method. Intercalation of bundles by NO3– widens locally the inter‐tube spacing. Bundles are nanodispersed into individual nanotubes after deintercalation (see Figure). This method could be used to fabricate electrodes for high‐capacity batteries and supercapacitors.
Preparation of Photosensitive Dye Aggregates and Fluorescent Nanocrystals in Microreaction Containers
Authors: Peyratout C.S. , Möhwald H. , Dähne L.
Published: October 2003

Functionalization of the interior of hollow microcapsules with polyelectrolytes allows the preparation of supramolecular dye assemblies inside the capsules (see Figure). The dye J‐aggregates can be transformed into dye nanocrystals by diffusion of hydrophobic counterions in the capsules, resulting in strong changes of the luminescence behavior.
Polymer–Clay Nanocomposite Foams Prepared Using Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Zeng C. , Han X. , Lee L.J. , Koelling K.W. , Tomasko D.L.
Published: October 2003

Poly(methylmethacrylate) and polystyrene–clay nanocomposites have been synthesized and exfoliated clay dispersion has been achieved (see Figure). Nanocomposite foams have been prepared using CO2 as the foaming agent. Orders of magnitude increase in nucleation efficiency was accomplished by manipulation of clay dispersion and polymer–clay–CO2 interaction.
Ferromagnetic Spots in Graphite Produced by Proton Irradiation
Authors: Han K.‐h. , Spemann D. , Esquinazi P. , Höhne R. , Riede V. , Butz T.
Published: October 2003

A proton microbeam produces ferromagnetic spots on a highly oriented graphite surface. The Figure shows the topography and the magnetic force microscopy (MFM) images obtained after irradiating the surface with a beam size of 1 μm × 1 μm and a dose of 0.098 nC μm–2. The strength of the magnetic signal is only a factor of ∼ 10 smaller than that obtained on Fe particles.
A Low Threshold Polymer Laser Based on Metallic Nanoparticle Gratings
Authors: Stehr J. , Crewett J. , Schindler F. , Sperling R. , von Plessen G. , Lemmer U. , Lupton J.M. , Klar T.A. , Feldmann J. , Holleitner A.W. , Forster M. , Scherf U.
Published: October 2003

Optically pumped lasing is demonstrated in a device consisting of a conjugated polymer on top of a 2D distributed feedback template comprising gold nanodiscs on indium tin oxide (see Figure). Although the nanodiscs are potential dissipative energy absorbers only a marginal increase in lasing threshold is found when compared to conventional dielectric distributed feedback resonators. The inset shows a photograph of the far‐field emission above threshold.
Tiling Silicalite‐1 Nanoslabs into 3D Mosaics
Authors: Kremer S.P.B. , Kirschhock C.E.A. , Aerts A. , Villani K. , Martens J.A. , Lebedev O.I. , Van Tendeloo G.
Published: October 2003

Three new zeotiles, materials combining the advantages of micro‐ and mesoporous silica materials and capable of withstanding 300 °C, have been designed by tiling Silicalite‐1 nanoslabs. The Figure shows the projected silicate framework of one of the zeotiles in yellow, superimposed on a high resolution electron microscopy simulated image. Applications of the zeotiles as molecular sieves and carriers for catalytic functions may be expected.
Monodispersed ZnS Dimers, Trimers, and Tetramers for Lower Symmetry Photonic Crystal Lattices
Authors: Liddell C.M. , Summers C.J.
Published: October 2003

Monodispersed ZnS dimers, trimers, and tetramers (see Figure) have been prepared by the decomposition of thioacetamide in the presence of metal salts. The hierarchically structured aggregates expand the menu of complex colloid bases available as building blocks for photonic crystal structures. Such ordered assemblies of non‐spherical colloids are predicted to promote large, stable photonic bandgaps.
A Novel Hierarchical Nanozeolite Composite as Sorbent for Protein Separation in Immobilized Metal‐Ion Affinity Chromatography
Authors: Xu F. , Wang Y. , Wang X. , Zhang Y. , Tang Y. , Yang P.
Published: October 2003

A new hierarchical porous zeolite–diatomite composite (see Figure inset) of excellent mechanical and chemical stability, after immobilization of Co2+ by an ion‐exchange process, was utilized as a packing sorbent for the separation of peptides and proteins containing histidine clusters. The Figure shows the chromatographic profile for two peptides separated using immobilized metal‐ion affinity chromatography.
Aerosol‐Assisted Formation of Mesostructured Thin Films
Authors: Lu Y. , McCaughey B.F. , Wang D. , Hampsey J.E. , Doke N. , Yang Z. , Brinker C.J.
Published: October 2003

A new aerosol‐assisted surfactant self‐assembly approach has been developed for large‐scale mesostructured silica thin film fabrication. The formation mechanism involves coalescence of semisolid surfactant–silica mesostructured particles on substrates (see Figure) and subsequent reassembly of the mesostructures to adapt the morphology transformation from spherical to planar shape.
Anisotropy in the Mobility and Photogeneration of Charge Carriers in Thin Films of Discotic Hexabenzocoronenes, Columnarly Self‐Assembled on Friction‐Deposited Poly(tetrafluoroethylene)
Authors: Piris J. , Debije M.G. , Stutzmann N. , van de Craats A.M. , Watson M.D. , Müllen K. , Warman J.M.
Published: October 2003

Discotic derivatives of hexabenzocoronene macroscopically self‐align on friction‐deposited poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (see Figure for polarization microscopy image of a partially coated sample). Such films display highly anisotropic photoconductivity with charge transport along the columnar director favored by a factor of at least 20. The anisotropy in the optical absorption depends on the tilt angle of the aromatic core in the columns.
Laser Ablation Synthesis and Electron Transport Studies of Tin Oxide Nanowires
Authors: Liu Z. , Zhang D. , Han S. , Li C. , Tang T. , Jin W. , Liu X. , Lei B. , Zhou C.
Published: October 2003

The synthesis of high‐quality SnO2 nanowires by a laser ablation method is demonstrated. Single nanowire transistors have been fabricated, and their electronic transport and photoconduction properties have been studied. The Figure shows a schematic of the experimental setup for polarized UV detection.
A Novel Approach for Preparation of Thermoresponsive Polymer Magnetic Microspheres with Core–Shell Structure
Authors: Deng Y.H. , Yang W.L. , Wang C.C. , Fu S.K.
Published: October 2003

Dual‐responsive polymer microspheres with well‐defined core–shell structure (see Figure) have been prepared via a template polymerization process. The resulting microspheres consist of a silica‐coated magnetite core and a cross‐linked poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) shell, which enable them to exhibit both magnetic response and thermoresponse.
Sol–Gel Mediated Synthesis of Fe2O3 Nanorods
Authors: Woo K. , Lee H.J. , Ahn J.‐P. , Park Y.S.
Published: October 2003

Fe2O3 nanorods with controlled phase depending on the conditions have been synthesized via a sol–gel‐mediated route. The synthesis was performed using an easy and cheap method whereby, starting with an Fe3+ salt, a sol–gel reaction in reverse micelles is followed by crystallization by reflux (see Figure for a schematic of the synthesis). A mechanism is proposed for the nanorod growth.
Barrier‐Free Electron–Hole Capture in Polymer Blend Heterojunction Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Morteani A.C. , Dhoot A.S. , Kim J.‐S. , Silva C. , Greenham N.C. , Murphy C. , Moons E. , Ciná S. , Burroughes J.H. , Friend R.H.
Published: October 2003

A novel barrier‐free mechanism for electron–hole capture at heterojunctions between two semiconductor polymers is shown to occur in highly efficient light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). Electron–hole capture across the heterojunction forms an exciplex—a localized heterojunction state—and subsequent endothermic energy transfer produces highly emissive excitons. This process only requires low charge densities at the interface, enabling excellent LED performance.
Hydrothermal Synthesis for High‐Quality CdTe Nanocrystals
Authors: Zhang H. , Wang L. , Xiong H. , Hu L. , Yang B. , Li W.
Published: October 2003

Synthesis of water‐soluble CdTe nanocrystals with high photoluminescence quantum yield and narrow fluorescence emission spectra (see Figure) is developed under the conditions of low precursor concentration and moderate temperature of hydrothermal growth. The relatively high temperature accelerates the particle growth rate and enhances the photoluminescence quantum yield.
Direct Synthesis of Se@CdSe Nanocables and CdSe Nanotubes by Reacting Cadmium Salts with Se Nanowires
Authors: Jiang X. , Mayers B. , Herricks T. , Xia Y.
Published: October 2003

Se@CdSe nanocables and CdSe nanotubes with diameters of around 50 nm (see Figure) can be directly synthesized via a template‐ engaged approach in aqueous solution. The walls of these nanotubes are composed of CdSe nanoparticles 5–10 nm in size. It is believed this approach can be potentially extended to process many other chalcogenides into tubular nanostructures.
Prevalence of overweight among adolescent females in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Al‐Hourani Huda M. , Henry C. Jeya K. , Lightowler Helen J.
Published: October 2003

The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence of overweight in adolescent females in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A total of 898 females, ages 11–18 years, were recruited from five of the seven Emirates with the highest resident Emirati population. Height, weight, triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), and mid‐upper‐arm circumference were measured in each subject. Reference data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) were used for comparison. At risk for overweight or overweight were defined as a body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) ≥85–95th percentile and ≥95th percentile, respectively. Mean values for BMI and TSF at all ages were higher than the 50th percentile (median) of the NHANES reference data. Using the BMI classification, 14% and 9% of all subjects were classified as at risk for overweight or overweight, respectively. The proportion of subjects at risk for overweight ranged between 7–19% and the prevalence of overweight ranged between 6–15%. The proportion of subjects with a BMI ≥85 percentile ranged from 15% at age 17 years to 33% at age 11 years. Furthermore, 27% and 28% of subjects ages 11 and 12 years, respectively, were above the TSF 90th percentile. These two age groups also showed a high prevalence of overweight using the BMI classification. In conclusion, the findings from our study suggest that a high proportion of adolescent females in the UAE are overweight or at risk for overweight. The consequences of this are a serious concern for public health and need to be addressed. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 15:758–764, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Decline in enamel hypoplasia in relation to fluoridation in Australians
Authors: Corruccini R.S. , Townsend G.C.
Published: October 2003

Enamel hypoplasias are thought to represent calcification disruption indicative of metabolic stress during development. Hypoplasias of permanent maxillary central incisors and mandibular canines have undergone a notable reduction in frequency between Euro‐Australian twins born around 1965 and those born ca. 1990. Even when scored very liberally these linear defects are 3.1–4.6 times as prevalent in the earlier Australians, and the discrepancy is proportionately greater among strictly scored defects. Likely correlates of this secular trend logically include reduced childhood fevers and clinical intervention to reduce circum‐natal stresses acting on cotwins. However, fluoridation of metropolitan water has emerged as the statistically strongest hypoplasia‐preventing factor. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 15:795–799, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Historical genetics: Spatiotemporal analysis of the formation of the Brazilian population
Authors: Callegari‐Jacques Sidia M. , Grattapaglia Dario , Salzano Francisco M. , Salamoni Sabrina P. , Crossetti Shaiane G. , Ferreira Márcio E. , Hutz Mara H.
Published: October 2003

A total of 1,037 individuals living in five different sociogeographic regions of Brazil were studied in relation to 12 short tandem repeat polymorphisms. The objective was to assess the degree of European, African, and Amerindian contributions to their gene pools. Although most of the genetic variability was found within regions, significant differences were also observed between regions. The estimated relative proportions of the above‐indicated continental contributions showed intermediate values between those obtained with uniparental (mtDNA, Y‐chromosome) data, and a higher percentage of European heritage as compared to previous autosome results. A north–south trend of increasing European contribution was also found, in agreement with the history of the Brazilian population. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 15:824–834, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Patterns for the initiation of breastfeeding in humans
Authors: Holman Darryl J. , Grimes Michael A.
Published: October 2003

Establishment of lactation has important biological and emotional health consequences for the newborn. Even so, substantial variation within a culture and among different cultures is seen in the onset of breastfeeding. Parametric mixture models are used to explore this variation and to uncover general human patterns for the initiation of breastfeeding. The model components reflect two hypothesized patterns of behavior. The first component is a “natural” pattern of breastfeeding that reflects, to some extent, a general mammalian behavior. The second component arises through culturally mediated behaviors that affect the initiation of breastfeeding. The model was fit by maximum likelihood to interval‐ and right‐censored observations on 26,220 mother–infant pairs collected from 25 previously published studies of breastfeeding behavior. Both model components were clearly statistically identified. Effects of cultural and geographic covariates were found to have significant effects on all components of the model. Although there is clear evidence for two distinct patterns of behavior in the initiation of breastfeeding, the results suggest that learned behaviors play an important role in mediating even “natural” breastfeeding behavior. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 15:765–780, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Significant linkage to chromosome 22q for exploratory eye movement dysfunction in schizophrenia
Authors: Takahashi Sakae , Ohtsuki Tsuyuka , Yu Shun‐Ying , Tanabe Ei‐ichi , Yara Kazuo , Kamioka Masashi , Matsushima Eisuke , Matsuura Masato , Ishikawa Koichi , Minowa Yousuke , Noguchi Emiko , Nakayama Junko , Yamakawa‐Kobayashi Kimiko , Arinami Tadao , Kojima Takuya
Published: October 2003

A genome‐wide scan for a locus responsible for exploratory eye movement (EEM), which is quantitative and can be disturbed in association with schizophrenia, was performed. A 10‐cM resolution genome‐wide linkage analysis of the EEM disturbance with 358 highly polymorphic microsatellite markers in 38 nuclear families with 122 members (38 probands, 47 sibs, and 37 parents) including 58 sib‐pairs yielded the suggestive linkage to the GCT10C10 marker on chromosome 22q11.2 (LOD = 2.48). Dense mapping with additional markers around the GCT10C10 marker yielded evidence for significant linkage between EEM disturbance and markers D22S429 and D22S310 on chromosome 22q12.1 (LOD score of 4.63) with suggestive evidence for the chromosome region 22q11.2–q12.1. Our findings suggest that a relatively small number of loci may control the schizophrenia‐related quantitative EEM trait. We believe that identifying gene(s) on chromosome 22q associated with the EEM phenotype may forward our understanding of the etiology of schizophrenia. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polymorphism Screening of PIP5K2A: A Candidate Gene for Chromosome 10p‐Linked Psychiatric Disorders
Authors: Stopkova Pavla , Saito Takuya , Fann Cathy S.J. , Papolos Demitri F. , Vevera Jan , Paclt Ivo , Zukov Ilja , Stryjer Rafael , Strous Rael D. , Lachman Herbert M.
Published: October 2003

Lithium is a potent noncompetitive inhibitor of inositol monophosphatases, enzymes involved in phosphoinositide (PI) and inositol phosphate metabolism. A critical component of the PI pathway is phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2), which is hydrolyzed to second messengers and has a direct role in synaptic vesicle function. Interestingly, a number of genes involved in the synthesis and dephosphorylation of PtdIns(4,5)P2are found in regions of the genome previously mapped in bipolar disorder (BD) including 10p12, 21q22, and 22q11, among others. Some of these regions overlap with loci mapped in schizophrenia (SZ). One gene involved in PI metabolism that maps to a region of interest is 10p12‐linkedPIP5K2A, a member of the phosphatidylinositol 4‐phosphate 5‐kinase family. Polymorphism screening revealed the existence of an imperfect CT repeat polymorphism located near the exon 9‐intron 9 splice donor site. A modest difference was found in the distribution of alleles from this highly polymorphic variant when bipolar and schizophrenic subjects were compared with controls; relatively rare short repeat variants were found more commonly in patients and homozygosity for a common long repeat variant was found more commonly in controls. These data suggest that the imperfect CT repeat inPIP5K2Aintron 9 should be further investigated as a possible candidate allele for 10p12‐linked psychiatric disorders. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Meta‐analysis of the association between the catecholamine‐O‐methyl‐transferase gene and obsessive‐compulsive disorder
Authors: Azzam Amin , Mathews Carol A.
Published: October 2003

Obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic, severely debilitating mental illness that affects approximately 1–2% of the population. Data from twin and family studies have shown that genetic factors contribute to the expression of the disease. The dopaminergic system has been implicated in the pathogenesis of OCD, and catecholamine‐O‐methyl‐transferase (COMT) is a key modulator of dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurotransmission. The gene for COMT has a common polymorphism that has been shown to be correlated with a three‐ to fourfold change in enzymatic activity. Several groups have searched for an association between the COMT gene polymorphism and the presence or absence of OCD, with contrasting results. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of both the published literature and unpublished data. Available data were stratified according to the original study design as either case‐control or family‐based, and two separate meta‐analyses were conducted, using both fixed‐effects and random‐effects models. These analyses showed insufficient evidence to support an association between the COMT gene polymorphism and OCD. Subgroup stratification based on gender generated no statistically significant associations. These results should be considered in any future work correlating the COMT gene with OCD. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polymorphism analysis of HOPA: A candidate gene for schizophrenia
Authors: Sandhu Harinder K. , Sarkar Mitul , Turner Beth M. , Wassink Tom H. , Philibert Robert A.
Published: October 2003

HOPA is a 25 kb Xq13 gene that codes for a member of the thyroid receptor co‐activator protein (TRAP) family of nuclear receptor co‐activators. In our prior research, polymorphisms in the opposite paired (Opa) domain of HOPA have been associated with a syndrome of aberrant behavior, most prominently psychosis, and hypothyroidism. These Opa domain polymorphisms are intriguing because subsequent research has demonstrated that changes in the Opa domain of the C. elegans orthologue of HOPA results in altered neurogenesis and release of transcriptional suppression. In an effort to determine whether other allelic polymorphisms in this gene exist and may potentially contribute to increased susceptibility to neuropsychiatric illness, we have performed single stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of all 45 exons and each of the two potential promoter regions of HOPA using DNA from a panel of patients with psychosis. We found a rare promoter polymorphism in an individual with schizoaffective disorder and extremely low thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The most common exonic polymorphism in HOPA is the previously demonstrated HOPA12 bp polymorphism. Transmission disequilibrium analysis of the HOPA12 bp polymorphism showed segregation with affected status in six of eight instances. We suggest that this evidence supports previous associations of HOPA12 bp with a broad range of neuropsychiatric illness and conclude that further studies of this uncommon polymorphism are merited. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Candidate gene analysis of the human metabotropic glutamate receptor type 4 (GRM4) in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
Authors: Izzi Claudia , Barbon Alessandro , Toliat Mohammad Reza , Heils Armin , Becker Christian , Nürnberg Peter , Sander Thomas , Barlati Sergio
Published: October 2003

Hereditary factors play a major role in the genetically complex etiology of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). Linkage studies in families of JME probands suggest a susceptibility locus (EJM1) for idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) in the chromosomal region 6p21.3 near the HLA region. The gene encoding the metabotropic glutamate receptor type 4 (GRM4) has been localized within the EJM1‐region and represents a high‐ranking candidate gene. Therefore, we have sequenced the coding regions and regulatory GRM4 sequences in 20 IGE probands who were derived from families of JME probands providing positive linkage evidence to the HLA‐DQ locus. Our mutation analysis detected three synonymous exonic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP; exon‐7: c.1455T > C, exon‐8: c.2002A > G, exon‐10: c.2733C > T), one SNP in the 3′‐untranslated region (c.2890A > G), and two intronic SNPs (intron‐3: IVS3 + 2732A > G, intron‐7: IVS7 + 39C > T). None of the identified SNPs was likely to affect receptor function or gene expression. The population‐based association study did not show significant differences in the allele and genotype frequencies of the common c.1455T > C SNP between 144 German JME probands and 144 healthy population controls (P > 0.84). Likewise, the family‐based transmission disequilibrium test did not indicate a preferential transmission of exon‐7 SNP alleles in 31 informative parent–child transmissions (P = 0.86). Our results provide no evidence that genetic variation of the GRM4 gene confers susceptibility to JME‐related IGE syndromes. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association study of a brain‐derived neurotrophic‐factor genetic polymorphism and major depressive disorders, symptomatology, and antidepressant response
Authors: Tsai Shih‐Jen , Cheng Chih‐Ya , Yu Younger W‐Y , Chen Tai‐Jui , Hong Chen‐Jee
Published: October 2003

Preclinical studies have shown that brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be involved in both antidepressant action and the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). The present study tested the hypothesis that the BDNF‐gene Val66Met polymorphism is associated with MDD, its clinical manifestations, and antidepressant response. To elucidate a genetic predisposition of MDD, we studied BDNF‐gene Val66Met polymorphism in 152 MDD patients in 255 normal controls. We also examined the association of this polymorphism and fluoxetine therapeutic response in 110 MDD patients who received a 4‐week fluoxetine treatment. No significant differences were demonstrated for the genotype or allele frequency of the BDNF polymorphism comparing the MDD and control groups. Further, no significant differences were noted comparing the three‐genotype groups for depressive‐cluster symptoms. However, a trend (P = 0.086) to improved 4‐week‐fluoxetine antidepressant response was demonstrated for heterozygous patients in comparison to homozygous analogs. This finding suggests the BDNF polymorphism investigated plays no major role in the pathogenesis of MDD. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.