bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unsteady RANS simulation of oscillating mould flows
Authors: Schwarze R.
Published: March 2006

Mould flow oscillations are of major importance for the performance of the continuous casting process. They are suspected to promote entrainment of slag and other unwanted secondary phases into the melt pool. These oscillating turbulent flows are investigated by means of numerical simulations. The numerical model is based on the equation of continuity and the unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes equations. The system of flow equations is closed by a Reynolds stress turbulence model in combination with non‐equilibrium wall functions.

The unsteady simulation resolves low‐frequency oscillations of the flow field. These frequencies and numerically resolved mean values are in agreement with results of corresponding model experiments.

The proposed model should be advantageous in order to investigate the mechanisms of the oscillations and the process of slag entrainment in more detail. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Bayesian toolkit for genetic association studies
Authors: Lunn David J. , Whittaker John C. , Best Nicky
Published: March 2006

We present a range of modelling components designed to facilitate Bayesian analysis of genetic‐association‐study data. A key feature of our approach is the ability to combine different submodels together, almost arbitrarily, for dealing with the complexities of real data. In particular, we propose various techniques for selecting the “best” subset of genetic predictors for a specific phenotype (or set of phenotypes). At the same time, we may control for complex, non‐linear relationships between phenotypes and additional (non‐genetic) covariates as well as accounting for any residual correlation that exists among multiple phenotypes. Both of these additional modelling components are shown to potentially aid in detecting the underlying genetic signal. We may also account for uncertainty regarding missing genotype data. Indeed, at the heart of our approach is a novel method for reconstructing unobserved haplotypes and/or inferring the values of missing genotypes. This can be deployed independently or, alternatively, it can be fully integrated into arbitrary genotype‐ or haplotype‐based association models such that the missing data and the association model are “estimated” simultaneously. The impact of such simultaneous analysis on inferences drawn from the association model is shown to be potentially significant. Our modelling components are packaged as an “add‐on” interface to the widely used WinBUGS software, which allows Markov chain Monte Carlo analysis of a wide range of statistical models. We illustrate their use with a series of increasingly complex analyses conducted on simulated data based on a real pharmacogenetic example. Genet. Epidemiol. 30:231–247, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hand preference and sex shape the architecture of language networks
Authors: Hagmann Patric , Cammoun Leila , Martuzzi Roberto , Maeder Philippe , Clarke Stephanie , Thiran Jean‐Philippe , Meuli Reto
Published: March 2006

In right‐handed subjects, language processing relies predominantly on left hemisphere networks, more so in men than in women, and in right‐ versus left‐handers. Using DT‐MRI tractography, we have shown that right‐handed men are massively interconnected between the left‐hemisphere language areas, whereas the homologous in the right hemisphere are sparse; interhemispheric connections between the language areas and their contralateral homologues are relatively strong. Women and left‐handed men have equally strong intrahemispheric connections in both hemispheres, but women have a higher density of interhemispheric connections. Hum Brain Mapp, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Japan's strategic contributions to hydro‐meteorological disaster mitigation in the world: planning to establish the UNESCO–PWRI Centre
Authors: Ikeda Tetsuya , Yoshitani Junichi
Published: March 2006

Hydro‐meteorological disasters such as floods are major challenges that need to be overcome in order to realize sustainable development and poverty alleviation for humankind. Devastating flood disasters have occurring in various locations throughout the world, and there has recently been rising concern that the intensity and frequency of catastrophic floods may be increasing. Being located on the eastern edge of monsoonal Asia and having climatic variations according to the seasonal and regional conditions, Japan has long suffered from numerous flood disasters, and thus has developed advanced flood management policies. This paper aims to discuss flood disasters in Japan and the recently improved flood management policies. In addition, this paper introduces a new plan attempted by the Public Works Research Institute (PWRI) of Japan that takes advantage of the wealth of long accumulated experience and knowledge in the hydro‐meteorological field. The PWRI is now working toward the establishment of an International Centre on Water‐related Hazard and Risk Management by acquiring UNESCO's auspices. In order to contribute to the global challenge of reducing devastating hydro‐meteorological disasters all over the world, this centre aims to conduct research, capacity‐building and training programmes, and information networking activities at the local, national, regional and global levels. The aim is to prevent and mitigate hydro‐meteorological disasters from the viewpoint of sustainable and integrated river basin management. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ecosystem approach to mitigate impacts of sedimentation on the hydrological cycle and aquatic ecosystem
Authors: Yamashiki Yosuke , Nakamura Takehiro , Kurosawa Miyuki , Matsui Saburo
Published: March 2006

This study illustrates the importance of sedimentation control on a global scale by introducing general concepts developed locally through field observations in eutrophic bay in Lake Biwa in Japan, and in Dongting Lake in China. The phosphorus concentration of suspended solids in water columns and in the bottom sediment during soil puddling before the transplanting of rice seedlings have been measured analytically. We have estimated the gross phosphorus loads and the economical loss of losing fertilizer from rice paddy fields in the whole Lake Biwa basin during the same period. Additionally, the discussions and conclusions made in the session ‘Ecosystem approach to water monitoring and management’ organized during the Third World Water Forum held in Kyoto, are introduced. The importance of sediment control in carrying out overall water quality programmes has been emphasized not only for watersheds with severe land degradation, but also for basins where the sedimentation impacts are considered rather small, and there is a need to reverse the long‐term water quality trend in shallow reservoirs in international river basins, such as La Plata River basin in South America. Establishing international standards and regulations for controlling fine sediments, making an effective economic evaluation of the impacts induced by sedimentation applicable to local farmers, as well as developing an effective project focusing on treating sedimentation to improve nutrient control should be initiated on a global scale, as with the Global Environmental Facility project. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An application of a flood risk analysis system for impact analysis of a flood control plan in a river basin
Authors: Dutta Dushmanta , Herath Srikantha , Musiake Katumi
Published: March 2006

An application of a flood risk analysis system is presented for the analysis on the impact of a proposed flood control plan in the Ichinomiya river basin, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. The system consists of two main modules: a physically based distributed hydrological model for flood inundation and a geographical information system (GIS)‐based raster model for flood loss estimation. In the system, the grid‐based distributed hydrological model simulates surface flood inundation parameters for user‐specified spatial and temporal resolutions. At the end of each time step the simulated flood parameters in each grid are transferred to the GIS‐based model for economic loss estimation. The proposed flood control plan consisted of three structural measures. These measures were then incorporated into the system to analyze their impacts on the reduction of flood inundation and resulting economic impacts for 50‐year and 100‐year return‐period rainfall scenarios in the basin. From the analyses, it was found that the proposed flood control plan can reduce flood inundation in the basin for 50‐year and 100‐year return‐period rainfalls to a great extent, and the resulting urban and agriculture damage in the basin can be reduced by over 70%. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of spatial variability of rainfall intensity: improve‐ ment of Eagleson's classical model to explain the rela‐ tionship between the coefficient of variation of annual maximum discharge and catchment size
Authors: Kuzuha Yasuhisa , Sivapalan Murugesu , Tomosugi Kunio , Kishii Tokuo , Komatsu Yosuke
Published: March 2006

Eagleson's classical regional flood frequency model is investigated. Our intention was not to improve the model, but to reveal previously unidentified important and dominant hydrological processes in it. The change of the coefficient of variation (CV) of annual maximum discharge with catchment area can be viewed as representing the spatial variance of floods in a homogeneous region. Several researchers have reported that the CV decreases as the catchment area increases, at least for large areas. On the other hand, Eagleson's classical studies have been known as pioneer efforts that combine the concept of similarity analysis (scaling) with the derived flood frequency approach. As we have shown, the classical model can reproduce the empirical relationship between the mean annual maximum discharge and catchment area, but it cannot reproduce the empirical decreasing CV–catchment area curve. Therefore, we postulate that previously unidentified hydrological processes would be revealed if the classical model were improved to reproduce the decreasing of CV with catchment area. First, we attempted to improve the classical model by introducing a channel network, but this was ineffective. However, the classical model was improved by introducing a two‐parameter gamma distribution for rainfall intensity. What is important is not the gamma distribution itself, but those characteristics of spatial variability of rainfall intensity whose CV decreases with increasing catchment area. Introducing the variability of rainfall intensity into the hydrological simulations explains how the CV of rainfall intensity decreases with increasing catchment area. It is difficult to reflect the rainfall‐runoff processes in the model while neglecting the characteristics of rainfall intensity from the viewpoint of annual flood discharge variances. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A downscaling method of topographic index distribution for matching the scales of model application and parameter identification
Authors: Pradhan N. R. , Tachikawa Y. , Takara K.
Published: March 2006

Higher resolution topographic information contained in the topographic index of TOPMODEL is lost when digital elevation models (DEMs) with a coarse grid resolution are used; thus, the topographic index is scale dependent, demonstrating identified model parameter values to be dependent on DEM resolution. This makes it difficult to use model parameter values identified through a different resolution of TOPMODEL. The inconsistency is the result of the difference between the scale at which the model parameters are identified and the scale at which the model is applied. To overcome this problem, scale laws that govern the relationship between the resolution of digital elevation data and geomorphometric parameters of the topographic index were analysed and a method to downscale the topographic index distribution developed to account for the difference in scales between model application and parameter identification. The method to downscale the topographic index is composed of two ideas: one involves introducing a resolution factor to account for the scale effect in upslope catchment area per unit contour length in the topographic index; the other utilizes a fractal method through steepest slope scaling to account for the scale effect on slopes. This method successfully derived a topographic index distribution of a fine‐resolution DEM by using only a coarse‐resolution DEM. The method has been applied successfully to the Kamishiiba catchment (210 km2) in Japan and has demonstrated that the downscaled topographic index distribution derived using a 1000 m grid DEM is very similar to the topographic index distribution derived via fine‐target‐resolution DEMs. The method is then coupled with a TOPMODEL simulation to match the scales of model application and parameter identification. It is shown that the simulated runoff from the downscaled TOPMODEL applied at 1000 m resolution of the Kamishiiba catchment, with the same set of effective parameter values derived from 50 m resolution DEM, matched the simulated runoff in the 50 m DEM resolution TOPMODEL. It was also shown that TOPMODEL coupled with the downscaling method of the topographic index accurately simulated runoff for different rainfall events in the catchment without recalibration. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrogeochemical properties of a salinity‐affected coastal aquifer in western Japan
Authors: Hiroshiro Yoshinari , Jinno Kenji , Berndtsson Ronny
Published: March 2006

Coastal groundwater aquifers are often exposed to heavy pumping and consequently to risks of saltwater intrusion. In many cases, however, the observed increase in groundwater salinity can only be partly explained by actual saltwater intrusion from the sea. Other salinity‐increasing processes may also significantly contribute to the total salt content of the groundwater. This paper describes a geochemical investigation that was carried out to investigate recent salinity increases in groundwater for the Motooka coastal area in Fukuoka, Japan. A strong increase in electrical conductivity at 15–20 m depth was observed, corresponding to the freshwater and saltwater interface. Oxidation–reduction potentials observed in deeper groundwater were low, indicating long residence time for the groundwater. These results, together with hydrogen–oxygen isotope ratio analysis, indicated that the deeper groundwater is affected by seawater. Consequently, observed tritium concentration in the shallow groundwater system was higher than that of the deeper groundwater system, and a 14C isotope dating of shell samples collected at 2 m depth indicated an age of about 2000 years. The overall results suggest that the aquifer was originally below the current sea floor and that deeper saline groundwater is not mixed with the shallower fresh groundwater. The deeper groundwater is, therefore, mainly affected by old seawater. In other words, modern saltwater intrusion has not yet occurred even if some wells contain saline water. The study shows that, even though coastal aquifers are heavily pumped, the reason for the rise in groundwater salinity may not necessarily be due to seawater intrusion. Further geochemical and hydrological investigations will be necessary to identify the underlying mechanisms. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Control of bisphosphonate release using hydroxyapatite granules
Authors: Seshima Hisashi , Yoshinari Masao , Takemoto Shinji , Hattori Masayuki , Kawada Eiji , Inoue Takashi , Oda Yutaka
Published: March 2006

The efficacy of hydroxyapatite (HAp) as a carrier was investigated to establish a method of local administration of bisphosphonates (Bps), which has currently been administered systemically. HAp granules (300–500 μm in size) with different physicochemical features were prepared by altering the sintering temperature. To ascertain the physicochemical properties of the HAp granules, their crystallinity was assessed using X‐ray diffraction, the surface morphology was examined under scanning electron microscopy, and the specific surface area and calcium dissolution were evaluated. Different Bps‐HAp composites were subsequently prepared and the concentration of Bps released from these composites was measured. The influence of Bps‐HAp composites on the rate of osteoclast survival was also evaluated. The results revealed that (1) HAp solubility depends on the sintering temperature; (2) The concentration of released Bps could be controlled by regulating the sintering temperature of HAp as a carrier; and (3) Bps released from Bps‐HAp composites reduced the number of osteoclasts. These findings indicated that Bps‐HAp composites could be locally administered as a drug delivery system to areas with bone resorption. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Influence of the structure of new generation prostheses on shrinkage after implant in the abdominal wall
Authors: Bellón J. M. , García‐Honduvilla N. , Rodríguez M. , Pascual G. , Gómez‐Gil V. , Buján J.
Published: March 2006

When a biomaterial is used to repair an abdominal wall defect, wound contraction can cause the prosthesis to shrink, and the tension generated can provoke recurrence of the defect. This study was designed to determine whether the structure of a prosthesis can directly influence prosthetic shrinkage. Abdominal wall defects (7 × 5 cm) in rabbits were repaired using the laminar prosthesis DualMesh® (DM), the composites Sepramesh® (Se) and Vypro II® (Vy), and the reticular prosthesis Surgipro® (PP). The animals were sacrificed 14 and 90 days after surgery, at which time implant specimens were morphologically and immunohistochemically examined to establish the presence of myofibroblasts and macrophages. The size of each prosthesis was measured at the end of the study through image analysis. Morphometric measurements revealed greatest prosthesis shrinkage for Se, PP, and Vy (16.05% ± 5.08%; 13.75% ± 4.22%; 16.16% ± 6.34%), while the DM prostheses only showed a 7.57% ± 0.62% decrease in size (p < 0.05). In the DM implants, the macrophage response and myofibroblast labeling were reduced. Both biomaterial structure and the macrophage reaction induced at the implant site modulate prosthetic shrinkage, laminar prostheses of the ePTFE type undergoing less shrinkage than reticular meshes. Reduced DM shrinkage was linked to decreased myofibroblast numbers 2 weeks postimplant. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Preparation and characterization of hyaluronan oligosaccharides for angiogenesis study
Authors: Gao Feng , Cao Manlin , Yang Cuixia , He Yiqing , Liu Yiwen
Published: March 2006

Low molecular weight hyaluronan (HA) is proved to be active in stimulating endothelial cell (EC) proliferation. The study is to obtain biological active HA fragments of defined length from high molecular weight HA for angiogenesis research. A novel method, by a high‐voltage polyacrylamide‐gel electrophoresis (PAGE) that uses specific fluorophore labeling, was developed to identify the degraded products digested from native high molecular weight HA. The polymer HA was digested by hyaluornidase partially, and the enzymatic fragments of HA or HA oligosaccharides (o‐HAs) were analyzed for molecular sizes by a combination of PAGE, high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and mass spectrometry (MS). The purified HA oligomers were pooled and the biological effects of the mixtures on EC proliferation were studied, by separating the digests of HA fragments by size exclusion chromatography on a Bio‐Gel P‐10 column. The prepared o‐HAs were collected and analyzed by a series of methods, PAGE, HPLC, and MS, which indicated a mixture of oligosaccharides covering a range of different sizes from 4 to 20‐mer. The minimal molecular size determined by the special PAGE was 2 disaccharide, and the method can determine o‐HA mass as high as 10 disaccharide (seeing the least clear band as much as possible on gel). Fractions containing HA fragments with sizes from 4 to 20‐mer were pooled by distinct oligosaccharide species and added to the culture of pig endothelial cell (PIEC) for biological activities study. A significant increase in EC proliferation was found in comparison with nondigested high molecular weight HA. Our results suggested that o‐HA can be obtained by a method of fluorophore‐labeled olyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for identifying as small as 4‐mer oligomer HA from high molecular weight HA‐digested products. This method was proved to be sensitive, simple, and rapid in characterizing saccharides, which may be used by replacing the complicated ways of HPLC and MS. The prepared o‐HA was found to be active in stimulating EC proliferation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Polyethersulfone dead‐end tube as a scaffold for artificial lacrimal glands in vitro
Authors: Long Li , Liu Zongbin , Wang Ting , Deng Xiaopei , Yang Kaiguang , Li Longjiang , Zhao Changsheng
Published: March 2006

Polyethersulfone (PES) dead‐end tubes were fabricated by means of a phase inversion technique, and then were used as scaffolds for artificial lacrimal glands. The wall of the dead‐end tubes could allow nutrients such as ascorbic acid, L‐tryptophan, and glucose to pass through, but prevents rat IgG from passing through. Lacrimal acinar epithelial cells of Sprague‐Dawley rats were cultured in vitro, and cell‐associated secretory component was detected with an immunofluorescence technique to identify the acinar cells. The second passage of the cells showed high degree of cellular differentiation, and was used to seed on the PES tubes. The results showed that the PES tube could support the attachment, the growth, and the proliferation of the rat lacrimal acinar cells. Thus, PES is a substrate for the growth of lacrimal acinar cells and may be a useful scaffolding biomaterial for tissue engineering, such as a scaffold for artificial lacrimal glands. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Pin‐on‐disc evaluation of self‐reinforced composite poly(methyl methacrylate) for total joint replacements
Authors: Peers William J. , Wright‐Charlesworth Debra D. , Miskioglu Ibrahim
Published: March 2006

Femoral components of hip replacements are commonly anchored in the femur with bone cement or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Wear or fracture of bone cement can lead to loosening of the femoral component, which drastically affects the success and longevity of hip replacements. Self‐reinforced composite PMMA (SRC‐PMMA) has been previously developed for potential use, as a precoat material for hip replacements. The composite consists of high strength fibers that have been shown to have greatly improved mechanical properties over bulk PMMA. The goal of this work was to examine SRC‐PMMA for improved wear properties, as a function of processing temperature. Pin‐on‐disc tests were used to characterize and rank the wear rates of SRC‐PMMA and PMMA. Composites made with higher processing temperatures had significantly lower wear rates than do PMMA at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. The lowest wear rate was 8.2 μg/m, at a processing temperature of 136°C, compared to a wear rate for PMMA of 13.3 μg/m. At the lowest processing temperature (105°C), a wear rate higher than PMMA was found, and failure was dominated by fiber delamination. In the more completely processed samples (122°C ≤ T ≤ 150°C), wear rates were equivalent to or better than PMMA, and smoother and more homogenous wear was noted in wear tracks. Fatigue cracks were prominent at higher processing temperatures or when the wear pin was riding orthogonal to fibers. Wear particles were collected and examined. Wear particle diameter and aspect ratio showed no correlation to processing temperature, but were similar to particles retrieved from human tissue samples. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Modulation of protein release from biodegradable core–shell structured fibers prepared by coaxial electrospinning
Authors: Jiang Hongliang , Hu Yingqian , Zhao Pengcheng , Li Yan , Zhu Kangjie
Published: March 2006

Biodegradable core–shell structured fibers with poly(ε‐caprolactone) as shell and bovine serum albumin (BSA)‐containing dextran as core were prepared by coaxial electrospinning for incorporation and controlled release of proteins. BSA loading percent in the fibers and its release rate could be conveniently varied by the feed rate of the inner dope during electrospinning. With the increase in the feed rate of the inner dope, there was an associated increase in the loading percent and accelerated release of BSA. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was added to the shell section of the fibers to further finely modulate the release behavior of BSA. It was revealed that the release rate of BSA increased with the PEG percent in the shell section. By varying the feed rate of the inner dope and PEG content, most of BSA could be released from the core–shell structured fibers within the period of time ranging from 1 week to more than 1 month. The effect of the feed rate of the inner dope and addition of PEG into the shell section on the fiber morphology was also examined by scanning electron microscope. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Titanium particles and surface‐bound LPS activate different pathways in IC‐21 macrophages
Authors: Schwab Luciana P. , Xing Zhiqing , Hasty Karen A. , Smith Richard A.
Published: March 2006

It is still unknown if wear‐debris particles themselves induce osteolysis or if they serve a functional role as receptors for ligands that incite an inflammatory response that ultimately leads to bone resorption. In this study, commercially pure titanium particles (cpTi) were subjected to a serial combination of different cleaning methods to remove Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or were incubated in LPS solutions of known concentrations. Then, the response of the macrophage cell line IC‐21 to the cleaned particles, LPS‐bound Ti particles, and soluble LPS was examined. It was found that cleaned particles up to 1000 particles per cell did not stimulate macrophages to release Tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) or Interleukin 6 (IL‐6), but they significantly increased the release of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) when the particle concentration was higher than 500 particles per cell. At one particle per cell, Ti particles bound with LPS stimulated the release of IL‐6 and TNF‐α by macrophages. The level of released cytokines was dependent on, and correlated with, the amount of LPS present on the particles. The macrophages were more sensitive to soluble LPS than to particle‐bound LPS, and the simultaneous addition of cleaned Ti particles did not have additional effects on the effects of soluble LPS. This study shows evidence that, cpTi particles and LPS have distinct mechanisms of action on the IC‐21 macrophages, but that both contribute to the development of an inflammatory response. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Effects of autologous platelet lysates on ceramic particle resorption and new bone formation in critical size defects: The role of anatomical sites
Authors: Soffer E. , Ouhayoun J. P. , Meunier A. , Anagnostou F.
Published: March 2006

This study investigated the effects of rabbit autologous platelet lysates (APL) on the performance of fillers consisting of calcium carbonate ceramic particles (CP) pertinent to new bone formation and repair. Critical‐size defects in rabbit femurs and calvaria were filled with CP alone, CP plus APL, and CP plus APL with or without thrombin (THR). After 6 weeks, resorption of CP occurred under all conditions tested in the present study. Compared with respective CP alone controls, addition of APL resulted in significantly higher ceramic resorption, as evidenced by decreased ceramic particle diameter (p < 0.01) and number (p < 0.01) at both defect sites. The presence of THR prevented reduction of both CP diameter and number in the femoral defect sites. Addition of APL to the CP resulted in a significant (p < 0.03) decrease in new bone area at the calvarial sites, but not at the femoral sites; moreover, when THR was added to the CP plus APL fillers, bone formation in the femoral defects was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced. In addition to differences in the respective anatomical and cellular milieu, the biochemical events induced by mechanical loading at the femurs may explain the reduced ceramic particle resorption as well as the enhanced new bone formation when compared with the results obtained at the calvarial defect sites. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Medium (DMEM/F12)‐containing chitosan hydrogel as adhesive and dressing in autologous skin grafts and accelerator in the healing process
Authors: Kiyozumi Tetsuro , Kanatani Yasuhiro , Ishihara Masayuki , Saitoh Daizoh , Shimizu Jun , Yura Hirofumi , Suzuki Shinya , Okada Yoshiaki , Kikuchi Makoto
Published: March 2006

Autologous skin grafts are considered necessary for the treatment of extensive skin defects. However, skin graft by suturing is a time‐consuming medical handling and rather stressful event for recipients. To that end, tissue adhesives have been suggested in skin grafts. Chitosan hydrogel is well known as a wound dressing and tissue adhesive material showing biocompatibility, anti‐infective activity, and the ability to accelerate wound healing. In this report, we evaluated the application of the chitosan hydrogel as a tissue adhesive in skin grafts. Although chitosan hydrogel shortened the operation time and resulted in a high graft absorption rate in comparison with suturing, wound epithelization was rather retarded. On the other hand, chitosan hydrogel was found more biocompatible than the commonly used tissue adhesive octyl‐2‐cyanoacrylate. When the chitosan hydrogel was premixed with a serum‐free tissue culture medium DMEM/F12, it was found to easily degrade and promote wound epithelization. Histological examination revealed that the medium (DMEM/F12)‐containing chitosan hydrogel was associated with the accumulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and neovascularization. In addition, immunohistochemical staining showed that the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was localized in the chitosan hydrogel degraded matrices. And infiltration of leukocytes determined the degradation activity with the D‐glucose in the medium (DMEM/F12) suggested to play a central role in chitosan hydrogel degradation. Therefore, the medium (DMEM/F12)‐containing chitosan hydrogel may become commonly accepted as a beneficial wound dressing and tissue adhesive in extensive wound management and skin grafts. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Evaluation of a bioresorbable polylactide sheet for the reduction of pelvic soft tissue attachments in a porcine animal model
Authors: Walsh William R. , Evans Richard O.N. , Iliopoulos Jim , Cornwall G. Bryan , Thomas Kevin A.
Published: March 2006

In an adult porcine model, the effectiveness of a bioresorbable film to minimize soft tissue attachment to the pelvic viscera was evaluated at 4‐week and 12‐week endpoints. Following a transperitoneal laparotomy through a midline incision, the bladder and uterus were abraded in all animals to promote soft tissue attachment to the viscera. Control animals received no further treatment. The experimental group animals were treated with bioresorbable polylactide (PLa) sheets, 0.02 mm thick, one between the bladder and the abdominal wall, and a second sheet between the bladder and the uterus. Quantitative assessment of the severity and location of soft tissue attachments, and qualitative histologic assessment were performed at 4 and 12 weeks post‐operatively. Statistically significant differences in the quantitative soft tissue attachment scores were observed in comparing the PLa film treated animals versus the control animals, at both the 4‐week and 12‐week time points. In the control animals, the formation of numerous thick fibrous bands was observed at both time points. Histology revealed no adverse reaction to the bioresorbable PLa barrier film. The bioresorbable PLa sheet provided an effective barrier between adjacent anatomical structures and minimized soft tissue attachments to the device when in contact with the viscera as compared to the control groups. Surgical dissection planes between the abdominal wall and adjacent soft tissues were maintained with the use of the PLa sheet at both time points. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Reaction mechanism of the CCN radical with nitric oxide
Authors: Jin Lin , Ding Yi‐Hong , Wang Jian , Sun Chia‐Chung
Published: March 2006

To investigate the possibility of the carbyne radical CCN in removal of nitric oxide, a detailed computational study is performed at the Gaussian‐3//B3LYP/6‐31G(d) level on the CCN + NO reaction by constructing the singlet and triplet electronic state [C2N2O] potential energy surfaces (PESs). The barrierless formation of the chain‐like isomers NCCNO (singlet at −106.5, triplet cis at −48.2 and triplet trans at −47.6 kcal/mol) is the most favorable entrance attack on both singlet and triplet PESs. Subsequently, the singlet NCCNO takes an O‐transfer to form the branched intermediate singlet NCC(O)N (−85.6), which can lead to the fragments CN + NCO (−51.2) via the intermediate singlet NCOCN (−120.3). The simpler evolution of the triplet NCCNO is the direct N–O rupture to form the weakly bound complex triplet NCCN…O (−56.2) before the final fragmentation to NCCN + 3O (−53.5). However, the lower lying products 3NCN + CO (−105.6) and 3CNN + CO (−74.6) are kinetically much less competitive. All the involved transition states for generation of CN + NCO and NCCN + 3O lie much lower than the reactants. Thus, the novel reaction CCN + NO can proceed effectively even at low temperatures and is expected to play a role in both combustion and interstellar processes. Significant differences are found on the singlet PES between the CCN + NO and CH + NO reaction mechanisms. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 27: 883–893, 2006
The ‘partnership’ between international NGOs (non‐governmental organisations) and local NGOs in Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmad Mokbul Morshed
Published: March 2006

‘Partnership’ has become a standard buzzword in the NGO and ‘development’ world. Until 1980s it was common for many Northern NGOs (NNGOs) to implement their own ‘development’ programmes and projects. This implementation approach has shifted to one in which local ‘partner’ organisations are identified and do most of the work, with the NNGOs in a funding and organisational support role. Also many Northern donors started funding the Southern NGOs directly making many NNGOs irrelevant. This paper reviews the current literature on ‘partnership’ between Northern and Southern NGOs and concludes that the new role of the NNGOs in the North should be to work with governments and business to change policies which create poverty in both the North and the South. It also examines the ‘partnership’ between a NNGO (Save the Children (UK)) and local NGOs in Bangladesh. There are probably more and bigger NGOs in Bangladesh than in any other country of its size. This paper concludes that in Bangladesh the relationship is led by the financial constraints of the NNGOs not by any intention to build partnership. In other words it is ‘donorship’ rather than ‘partnership’. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development policy, inequity and civil war in Nepal
Authors: Sharma Kishor
Published: March 2006

It is argued that the civil war which erupted in Nepal in the mid 1990s had its seeds sown five decades ago when the country embarked on the economic development plan which placed a heavy emphasis on an urban‐based import‐substitution strategy. This strategy failed to benefit 86 per cent of the population who live in rural areas and rely on agriculture. This, together with poor governance, significantly increased unemployment, poverty and rural–urban inequality by the mid 1990s, leading to the eruption of civil war. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Globalization and the labour market in South Africa
Authors: Jenkins Rhys
Published: March 2006

The paper examines the impacts of globalization on labour in South Africa. A framework is developed to link different aspects of the process of globalization with labour market outcomes in developing countries. This framework is then applied to the South African case focusing on trade, foreign direct investment, technology transfer, macro‐economic policies and the impact on the bargaining power of labour. The paper concludes that although globalization is only one of the factors affecting the South African labour market in recent years, the outcomes for labour, particularly unskilled labour, have been unfavorable. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is there a link between dollarization and banking crises?
Authors: Honig Adam
Published: March 2006

I estimate a multivariate probit model to identify key variables that are predictive of banking crises. To add to the literature on this subject, I focus on the role played by unofficial dollarization of domestic banking systems. Unofficial dollarization is a source of vulnerability for emerging markets as large depreciations render both domestic firms and banks unable to pay dollar‐denominated debt. Surprisingly, I find only weak evidence that unofficial dollarization affects the probability of a banking crisis. This finding casts doubt on the widely held belief that liability dollarization is a significant source of risk for emerging markets and developing nations, although there are still reasons to believe that dollarization remains a significant source of risk. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Raman spectroscopic study of the uranyl phosphate mineral parsonsite
Authors: Frost Ray L. , Čejka Jiří , Weier Matt , Martens Wayde N.
Published: March 2006

The mineral parsonsite, with samples from The Ranger Uranium Mine, Australia, and the La Faye Mine, Grury, Saone‐et‐Loire, Burgundy, France, has been characterised by Raman spectroscopy at 298 and 77 K and complemented with infrared spectroscopy. Two Raman bands close to 807 and 796 cm−1 are attributed to the ν1(UO2)2+ symmetric stretching modes, while two bands close to 953 or 945 cm−1 and 863–873 cm−1 are assigned to the ν3(UO2)2+ anti‐symmetric stretching vibrations. Four or five bands (953, 926, 910, 883 cm−1) are observed in the infrared spectrum in this region. Bands at 965–967 and 972 cm−1 are assigned to the ν1(PO4)3− symmetric stretching modes and bands that are observed in the 987 to 1078 cm−1region to the ν3(PO4)3− anti‐symmetric stretching modes. Bands at 465, 439, 406, 394 cm−1 (298 K) and 466, 442, 405, 395 cm−1(77 K) are assigned to the split, doubly degenerate ν2(PO4)−3bending vibrations. Bands of very low intensity at 609, 595, 591, 582, 560 and 540 cm−1are attributed to the split, triply degenerate ν4(PO4)−3bending modes. Bands observed at wavenumbers lower than 300 cm−1are connected with the split ν2(δ) (UO2)2+ bending, ν(UOligand), δ(UOligand) and lattice vibrations. UO bond lengths in uranyl were calculated from the Raman and infrared spectra, which are in agreement with those from the available X‐ray single crystal structure analysis of parsonsite. A short comment is given on the water content and the possibility of a hydrogen‐bonding network in the parsonsite crystal structure. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Raman spectroscopic study of selected minerals of the rosasite group
Authors: Frost Ray L.
Published: March 2006

Minerals in the rosasite mineral group, namely, rosasite, glaukosphaerite, kolwezite, mcguinnessite, nullaginite and pokrovskite have been studied by Raman spectroscopy at 298 and 77 K, complemented with infrared spectroscopy. The spectral patterns for the minerals rosasite, glaukosphaerite, kolwezite and mcguinnessite are similar to those of malachite, implying that the structure is the same as that of malachite, i.e. monoclinic. A comparison is made with the spectra of malachite. The symmetry of the carbonate anion in the rosasite mineral group is C2v or Cs and is composition dependent. Two (CO3)2− symmetric stretching modes are observed for the rosasite minerals at 1060 and 1090 cm−1. Two hydroxyl stretching modes are observed for the rosasite mineral group. The position of these bands is determined to be a function of the hydrogen bond lengths. Hydrogen bond distances for rosasite are calculated as 2.867, 2.799 and 2.780 Å, whereas for pokrovskite the distances are 3.280 and 2.999 Å. The effect of lowering the temperature from ambient to 77 K results in a decrease of the hydrogen bond distances by 5%. Multiple Raman bands are observed in the 800 to 850 cm−1 and the 720 to 750 cm−1 regions and are attributed to ν2 and ν4 bending modes confirming the reduction of the carbonate anion in the rosasite structure. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rhythmic movement disorder (head banging) in an adult during rapid eye movement sleep
Authors: Anderson Kirstie N. , Smith Ian E. , Shneerson John M.
Published: March 2006

Sleep‐related rhythmic movements (head banging or body rocking) are extremely common in normal infants and young children, but less than 5% of children over the age of 5 years old exhibit these stereotyped motor behaviors. They characteristically occur during drowsiness or sleep onset rather than in deep sleep or rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. We present a 27‐year‐old man with typical rhythmic movement disorder that had persisted into adult life and was restricted to REM sleep. This man is the oldest subject with this presentation reported to date and highlights the importance of recognizing this nocturnal movement disorder when it does occur in adults. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
ATP‐induced apoptotic cell death in porcine ovarian theca cells through P2X7 receptor activation
Authors: Vázquez‐Cuevas Francisco G. , Juárez Bere , Garay Edith , Arellano Rogelio O.
Published: March 2006

Folliculogenesis modulation via distinct neurotransmitters is a well‐documented phenomenon. Intraovarian purinergic signaling mechanisms have been identified previously in different species. However, the molecular elements involved and the physiological role of this purinergic signaling remain to be elucidated. Here, studies using RT‐PCR amplification, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence microscopy showed that murine and porcine ovaries express the P2X7 subtype receptor, a cationic receptor‐channel operated by ATP. Using immunofluorescence it was demonstrated that P2X7 protein expression, in both mouse and pig, occurs specifically in the theca cells from antral follicles. Isolated porcine theca cells maintained in primary cultures and tested with 1 mM ATP or 250 µM Bz‐ATP, a specific agonist of P2X7, responded with an increase in intracellular calcium concentration, as demonstrated in cells loaded with fluo‐4 as calcium indicator. This strongly suggested that P2X7 receptors in theca cells are functional. Moreover, application for 24 hr of 1 mM ATP or 250 µM Bz‐ATP induced apoptotic cell death as indicated by the DNA fragmentation pattern, positive TUNEL test, and annexin V binding. This ATP effect was antagonized by 300 µM PPADS and 200 µM oxidized ATP. Also, addition of 5 mM EGTA in the external medium to chelate free Ca++decreased death cell to 24% of that produced by 200 µM Bz‐ATP, suggesting that Ca++influx participates in the phenomenon. The highly specific and functional expression of P2X7 receptors in theca cells suggest a role for ATP in modulating follicular physiology. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Confinement and clearance of OCT4 in the porcine embryo at stereomicroscopically defined stages around gastrulation
Authors: Vejlsted Morten , Offenberg Hanne , Thorup Flemming , Maddox‐Hyttel Poul
Published: March 2006

In the areas of developmental biology and embryonic stem cell research, reliable molecular markers of pluripotency and early lineage commitment are sparse in large animal species. In this study, we present morphological and immunohistochemical findings on the porcine embryo in the period around gastrulation, days 8–17 postinsemination, introducing a stereomicroscopical staging system in this species. In embryos at the expanding hatched blastocyst stage, OCT4 is confined to the inner cell mass. Following detachment of the hypoblast, and formation of the embryonic disk, this marker of pluripotency was selectively observed in the epiblast. A prominent crescent‐shaped thickening at the posterior region of the embryonic disk marked the first polarization within this structure reflecting incipient cell ingression. Following differentiation of the epiblast, clearance of OCT4 from the three germ layers was observed at defined stages, suggesting correlations to lineage specification. In the endoderm, clearance of OCT4 was apparent from early during its formation at the primitive streak stage. The endoderm harbored progenitors of the “fourth germ layer,” the primordial germ cells (PGCs), the only cells maintaining expression of OCT4 at the end of gastrulation. In the ectodermal and mesodermal cell lineages, OCT4 became undetectable at the neural groove and somite stage, respectively. As in the mouse, PGCs showed onset of c‐kit expression when located in extraembryonal compartments. They appeared to follow the endoderm during extraembryonal allocation and the mesoderm on return to the genital ridge. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Calpain 11 is unique to mouse spermatogenic cells
Authors: Ben‐Aharon Irit , Brown Paula R. , Shalgi Ruth , Eddy Edward M.
Published: March 2006

The calpains are a family of calcium‐dependent thiol proteases involved in intracellular processing of proteins. They occur as heterodimers containing one of various large subunits and a common small subunit. Some of the large subunits are expressed ubiquitously and others are expressed in a restricted set of tissues. We have cloned the cDNA for mouse calpain 11 and demonstrated that it is expressed specifically in the mouse testis. The mRNA begins to accumulate in the testis between days 14 and 16 after birth, corresponding to the period of pachytene spermatocyte development. The protein is detected by day 18 after birth, during mid to late pachytene spermatocyte development, and is present in the acrosomal region of spermatozoa from the cauda epididymis. The expression of calpain 11 during spermatogenesis and its localization in spermatozoa suggest that it is involved in regulating calcium‐dependent signal transduction events during meiosis and sperm functional processes. Mol. Reprod. Dev. Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ProFit: two‐dimensional prior‐knowledge fitting of J‐resolved spectra
Authors: Schulte Rolf F. , Boesiger Peter
Published: March 2006

A two‐dimensional fitting procedure is introduced, capable of extracting the full amount of information from 2D J‐resolved magnetic resonance spectroscopic data. The fitting procedure uses a linear combination of 2D model spectra. For reducing the degrees of freedom and increasing robustness, it is divided into a non‐linear outer loop and an inner linear least‐squares fit for the concentrations. In vitro and in vivo experiments on a whole‐body 3 T MR scanner show the detectability of a wide range of metabolites in the human brain, namely total creatine, N‐acetylaspartate, N‐acetylaspartylglutamate, choline‐containing compounds, glutamate, myo‐inositol, glutathione, scyllo‐inositol, γ‐aminobutyric acid, alanine and ascorbic acid. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.