bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation between serum hepatitis B virus core‐related antigen and intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA in chronic hepatitis B patients
Authors: Suzuki Fumitaka , Miyakoshi Hideo , Kobayashi Mariko , Kumada Hiromitsu
Published: November 2008

Nucleos(t)ide analogues are utilized for the treatment of chronic HBV infection, and HBe seroconversion and HBV DNA levels are commonly used as markers of viral status and as primary treatment endpoints. Recently, a new assay was prepared for the detection of serum HBV core‐related antigen (HBcrAg), consisting of HBcAg, HBeAg, and p22cr, which is a precore protein from amino acid −28 to at least amino acid 150, by coding the precore/core region. In this study, we examined the correlation between serum HBcrAg concentration and viral status by the analysis of serum HBeAg, HBsAg, peripheral HBV DNA, and intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in 57 chronic hepatitis B patients. Intrahepatic cccDNA was detected in all 57 patients, 42 patients were HBcrAg‐positive, and serum HBcrAg concentration level was closely correlated with cccDNA. Additionally, positive HBcrAg concentration level results were observed in 6 out of 13 HBsAg seroclearance patients and 20 out of 31 HBV DNA‐negative patients. Moreover, the correlation between HBcrAg and cccDNA in these 31 HBV DNA‐negative patients was statistically significant (r = 0.482, P = 0.006). These data suggest that serum HBcrAg concentration is well correlated with intrahepatic cccDNA level, and that the measurement of serum HBcrAg may be clinically useful for monitoring intrahepatic HBV viral status, especially in patients under treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogues. J. Med. Virol. 81:27–33, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of the VP6 gene of human and porcine group A rotavirus strains with unusual subgroup specificities
Authors: Thongprachum Aksara , Khamrin Pattara , Saekhow Prayuth , Pantip Chansom , Peerakome Supatra , Ushijima Hiroshi , Maneekarn Niwat
Published: November 2008

Full‐length VP6 amino acid sequences of human and porcine rotaviruses with subgroup (SG) (I + II) and SG non‐(I + II) were analyzed in comparison with those of SG I and SG II. In human rotaviruses, the strains in the same SG shared a very high degree of amino acid identity, ranging from 97.4% to 99.4% for SG I, 95.9% to 100% for SG II, and 99.4% to100% for SG non‐(I + II), while viruses in different SGs shared somewhat lower sequence identity at 90.4–93.1%. Conserved amino acids that distinguished the strains of SG I from SG II were observed at 21 positions. The viruses with SG non‐(I + II) shared sequence identity with SG II as high as 97.2–99.7%, suggesting that they belonged to genogroup II. Similarly, porcine rotaviruses in the same SG shared 96.4–99.7% for SG I, 98.2–100% for SG II, 97.4–100% for SG (I + II), and 96.2–99.7% for SG non‐(I + II), while strains in different SGs shared sequence identity ranging from 91.9% to 94.4%. Interestingly, the strains with SG (I + II) and SG non‐(I + II) shared a high degree of sequence identity with SG I, at 96.4–100% and 94.7–99.7% respectively, suggesting that they are related to porcine SG I strains. The conserved amino acids which distinguished SG I from SG II were observed at 13 positions. The strains with SG I, SG (I + II), and SG non‐(I + II) showed identical amino acid residues at these positions. Phylogenetic analysis strongly supported the findings of the sequence analysis. J. Med. Virol. 81:183–191, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of viral and atypical bacterial pathogens in children hospitalized with acute respiratory infections in Hong Kong by multiplex PCR assays
Authors: Sung R.Y.T. , Chan Paul K.S. , Tsen Tracy , Li A.M. , Lam W.Y. , Yeung Apple C.M. , Nelson E.A.S.
Published: November 2008

Acute respiratory tract infection is a leading cause of hospital admission of children. This study used a broad capture, rapid and sensitive method (multiplex PCR assay) to detect 20 different respiratory pathogens including influenza A subtypes H1, H3, and H5; influenza B; parainfluenza types 1, 2, 3, and 4; respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) groups A and B; adenoviruses; human rhinoviruses; enteroviruses; human metapneumoviruses; human coronaviruses OC43, 229E, and SARS‐CoV; Chlamydophila pneumoniae; Legionella pneumophila; and Mycoplasma pneumoniae; from respiratory specimens of 475 children hospitalized over a 12‐month period for acute respiratory tract infections. The overall positive rate (47%) was about twice higher than previous reports based on conventional methods. Influenza A, parainfluenza and RSV accounted for 51%, and non‐cultivable viruses accounted for 30% of positive cases. Influenza A peaked at March and June. Influenza B was detected in January, February, and April. Parainfluenza was prevalent throughout the year except from April to June. Most RSV infections were found between February and September. Adenovirus had multiple peaks, whereas rhinovirus and coronavirus OC43 were detected mainly in winter and early spring. RSV infection was associated with bronchiolitis, and parainfluenza was associated with croup; otherwise the clinical manifestations were largely nonspecific. In general, children infected with influenza A, adenovirus and mixed viruses had higher temperatures. In view of the increasing concern about unexpected outbreaks of severe viral infections, a rapid multiplex PCR assay is a valuable tool to enhance the management of hospitalized patients, and for the surveillance for viral infections circulating in the community. J. Med. Virol. 81:153–159, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Low‐level plasma HIVs in patients on prolonged suppressive highly active antiretroviral therapy are produced mostly by cells other than CD4 T‐cells
Authors: Sahu Gautam K. , Paar David , Frost Simon D.W. , Smith Melissa M. , Weaver Scott , Cloyd Miles W.
Published: November 2008

The cellular source(s) and the clinical significance of persistent low‐level viremia, below 50 HIV RNA copies per ml of plasma, achieved in many patients with high adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) remain unclear. Also, it is not clear if residual plasma HIVs during HAART can become predominant populations in the rebounding plasma viral loads after therapy interruption. Since, different HIV quasispecies tend to compartmentalize in various cell types and tissue locations in patients during chronic infection, the phylogenetic relationships between HIV sequences amplified from residual plasma viruses and CD4 T cells of five patients on long‐term suppressive therapy were examined. Three of these patients stopped therapy voluntarily for 3 weeks, but only one of them demonstrated viral load rebound in plasma. In phylogenetic analyses, the residual plasma viruses were found to be distinct genetically from the majority of CD4 T cell‐associated virus populations in four of five patients. The compartmental analyses revealed that in all patients, plasma‐ and CD4 T cell‐derived viral sequences were compartmentalized separately. Interestingly, the plasma sequences obtained before and after HAART‐off in two patients were produced apparently from the same compartment, which was different from the circulating CD4 T cell‐compartment. These results suggest the possibility that residual plasma viruses in patients on long‐term suppressive HAART may be produced persistently from a cellular source yet to be identified, and are capable of spreading quickly in vivo, accounting for the rapid rebound of viral loads in plasma after therapy interruption. J. Med. Virol. 81:9–15, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Retracted: Immunotherapy of HIV‐infected patients with Gc protein‐derived macrophage activating factor (GcMAF)
Authors: Yamamoto Nobuto , Ushijima Naofumi , Koga Yoshihiko
Published: November 2008

The above article, published online on 21 Nov 2008 Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between Dr. Ari Zuckerman, Editor‐in‐Chief, Journal of Medical Virology and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. due to irregularities in the documentation for institutional review board approval.
Cytokine responses in a severe case of glandular fever treated successfully with foscarnet combined with prednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin
Authors: Ma Christine , Wong Chun K. , Wong Bonnie C.K. , Chan K.C. Allen , Lun Samantha W.M. , Lee Nelson , Wu Justin , Cockram Clive S. , Chan Paul K.S. , Tang Julian W.
Published: November 2008

Viral loads and cytokine responses Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) were measured in an 18‐year‐old boy with severe glandular fever complicated by a mild anaemia, severe thrombocytopaenia and neutropaenia. Hepatosplenomegaly was detected by abdominal ultrasound in the presence of significant hepatitis. Cytokine testing demonstrated elevated cell‐mediated Th1 (IFN‐γ, IL‐12, sTNFR1, CXCL10, CXCL9 and CCL3) and humoral Th2 (IL‐4) immune responses. Serum antibodies to EBV virus capsid antigen (VCA) IgM and IgG antibodies were detected, together with a raised EBV DNA level (up to about 70,000 DNA copies/mL) in the acute phase of the illness. This EBV DNA load decreased rapidly in response to treatment with a combination of foscarnet, intravenous immunoglobulin and prednisolone, and the boy's symptoms settled eventually after approximately 50 days of illness, following this combined antiviral and immune‐modulating therapy. Detailed immunological, virological, haematological and biochemical laboratory parameters are presented to document this patient's severe EBV disease and eventual recovery. J. Med. Virol. 81:99–105, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection of human orthopoxvirus infections and differentiation of smallpox virus with real‐time PCR
Authors: Putkuri Niina , Piiparinen Heli , Vaheri Antti , Vapalahti Olli
Published: November 2008

We developed a real‐time PCR protocol to detect orthopoxviruses (OPVs) from different clinical specimens and to separate variola virus from other OPVs. In our protocol, we used automated nucleic acid extraction system together with real‐time PCR to create a simple, safe and fast procedure to obtain an initial result. The sensitivity was better by using designed hybridization probes as compared to SYBR green I for detection. The detection limit ranged from 13 to 1,300 copies per 20 µl reaction volume depending on the sample type. The PCR detected all OPVs pathogenic to human (variola, cowpox, monkeypox, vaccinia) as well as camelpox and ectromelia viruses. Amplification of variola virus sequences could be distinguished from other OPVs by melting curve analysis. We also demonstrated the applicability of the assay in human cases of cowpox and vaccinia virus infections. J. Med. Virol. 81:146–152, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interplay of hormones and p53 in modulating gender dimorphism of subventricular zone cell number
Authors: Kim Jin Young , Casaccia‐Bonnefil Patrizia
Published: November 2008

Previous studies have suggested the existence of a gender bias in repair after demyelination. Here we report the existence of gender dimorphism for the regulation of cell number in the subventricular zone (SVZ), an area that has been studied for its repair potential. The number of Sox2+ multipotential cells in the SVZ of young adult female mice was greater than in age‐matched male siblings, but this difference was not evident prior to the surge of sex hormones (i.e., in prepubertal mice). To begin asking whether hormonally derived signals were responsible for these gender‐related differences, we analyzed proliferation and survival of cultured male‐ and female‐derived SVZ cells. Estrogen, but not testosterone treatment increased cell proliferation and survival of cultured cells after IFN‐γ treatment or after UV irradiation, regardless of the gender of origin. Because apoptosis in UV‐irradiated SVZ cells correlated with the expression of the proapoptotic molecule p53, we postulated that this molecule could be responsible for the gender dimorphism in the SVZ. In agreement with this prediction, no difference in the SVZ cell number was detected in male and female p53 null mice. Together with previous reports, these results implicate p53 as an important component of the mechanism regulating gender dimorphism in the SVZ. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Patterns of hippocampal neuronal loss and axon reorganization of the dentate gyrus in the mouse pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Zhang Si , Khanna Sanjay , Tang Feng Ru
Published: November 2008

The patterns of hippocampal neuronal loss and rewiring of the dentate gyrus (DG) were studied in the mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy at 2 months after pilocarpine‐induced status epilepticus (PISE). NeuN immunocytochemistry showed two patterns of neuronal damage, i.e., type 1 with partial loss of pyramidal neurons in CA3 area and type 2 with almost compete loss of CA3 pyramidal neurons. Anterograde tracing with Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA‐L) demonstrated that, at different rostrocaudal segments of the hippocampus, associational and commissural connections in the DG changed differently between mice with type 1 vs. type 2 neuronal loss. Calretinin (CR)‐immunopositive mossy cells in ventral hilus and its fibers in inner molecular layer of bilateral DG remained in mice with type 1 but almost disappeared in mice with type 2 neuronal loss, which was further supported by retrograde labeling with cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) showing colocalization of CTB with CR in the ventral hilus of bilateral DG in mice with type 1 neuronal loss, which was lost in those with type 2 neuronal loss. Furthermore, the sprouted PHA‐L‐immunopositive en passant and terminal boutons from the DG were found in CA1 area to contact with surviving calbindin‐, CR‐, and parvalbumin‐immunopositive neurons. The present study therefore suggests that different patterns of neuronal loss in CA3 area may be linked to different axon reorganizations in the DG. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interaction of estrogen receptor‐α transactivation domain with nuclear proteins of mouse brain: p68 RNA helicase shows age‐ and sex‐specific change
Authors: Ghosh Swati , Thakur M.K.
Published: November 2008

Estrogen receptor (ER)‐α interacts with nuclear proteins to mediate its multiple functions in the brain. However, it is not known which proteins interact with the ERα‐transactivation domain (TAD) in mouse brain and whether they change with age and sex. Therefore, we have used affinity‐purified GST‐tagged mouse ERα‐TAD fusion protein for interaction with nuclear proteins from the mouse brain. The pull‐down assay and far‐Western blotting detected four nuclear proteins of 100, 80, 68, and 50 kD. We have recently identified the 80‐kD protein as MTA1 and demonstrated its decrease in old age. Here we report alteration in the interaction and expression of the 68‐kD protein of adult and old mice of both sexes. This protein was identified as p68 RNA helicase through NCBI database search, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblotting. Further analysis showed that the extent of its interaction was relatively lower in old mice of both sexes and in male mice of both ages compared with their counterparts. However, the expression of p68 was significantly lower in old males compared with adult males, although other groups did not show significant changes. Such age‐ and sex‐specific interaction of p68 suggests its implication in ERα‐mediated brain functions during aging. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preparation of antibacterial chito‐oligosaccharide by altering the degree of deacetylation of β‐chitosan in a Trichoderma harzianum chitinase‐hydrolysing process
Authors: Lin Shih‐Bin , Chen Shan‐He , Peng Kou‐Cheng
Published: November 2008

BACKGROUND: Chito‐oligosaccharide (COS) is generally known to possess many specific biological functions, especially antibacterial activity, depending on its size. To prepare a specific size range of COS, however, has proved difficult. The aim of this study was to establish a method for preparing a specific size range of antibacterially active COS by adjusting the degree of deacetylation (DD) of β‐chitosan in a Trichoderma harzianum chitinase‐hydrolysing process.

RESULTS: The molecular weight spectrum, elucidated by viscosity‐average molecular weight, high‐performance liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatography, of COS in chitosan hydrolysate was significantly related to the DD of its original chitosan. Compared with the original form, COS produced at 90% DD showed superior activity against most Gram‐negative bacteria tested, with a minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) ranging from 55 ± 27 to 200 ± 122 µ g mL−1. Conversely, most Gram‐positive strains tested were less sensitive to COS (MIC > 880 ± 438 µ g mL−1) than to its original form. Among the Gram‐positive strains, Staphylococcus xylosus was the only exception in that it showed a high susceptibility to COS and had an MIC as low as 45 ± 11 µ g mL−1.

CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the production of a specific size range of COS product is possible by altering the DD of chitosan in the chitinase‐catalysed process. To produce various sizes of COS for versatile biological functions, as seen in this study to inhibit various types of bacteria, is made possible in this established process. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Aflatoxin contamination of consumer milk caused by contaminated rice by‐products in compound cattle feed
Authors: Nordkvist Erik , Stepinska Anna , Häggblom Per
Published: November 2008

BACKGROUND: Elevated levels of aflatoxin M1 were observed in routine checks of consumer milk in southern Sweden in early 2006. A trace‐back study revealed contaminated milk from several farms, and a total of 68 farms were banned from delivering milk to dairies for shorter or longer periods. The maximum level of aflatoxin M1 in a single sample from an individual farm was 257 ng kg−1 fresh milk.

RESULTS: Aflatoxin analyses of commercial compound feed revealed that the contamination originated from the ingredient rice feed meal, a by‐product from the preparation of Basmati rice for human consumption. Up to 56 µg kg−1 of aflatoxin B1 was found in rice feed meal at one feed mill.

CONCLUSION: The present example shows that an aflatoxin‐contaminated minor feed ingredient included at less than 10% (w/w) of compound cattle feed can significantly contaminate the milk produced. This emphasises the need for effective monitoring of the feed chain of food‐producing animals in order to prevent food contamination. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Plasma Polymer Surfaces Compatible with a CMOS Process for Direct Covalent Enzyme Immobilization
Authors: Yin Yongbai , Nosworthy Neil J. , Gong Bill , Bax Dan , Kondyurin Alexy , McKenzie David R. , Bilek Marcela M. M.
Published: November 2008

Plasma polymerized surfaces, prepared using a CMOS compatible plasma enhanced chemical vapor polymerization technique, are found to covalently immobilize enzymes without the need for intermediate chemical linker groups. The polymerized surfaces are smooth, strongly adherent to substrates, and have a long shelf life for storage. After incubation with enzymes, a densely packed monolayer is attached. We report the effects of both oxygen etching and annealing post‐processing showing that they can be implemented so as not to affect the enzyme binding performance. The fully compatible polymerization method with CMOS device manufacture processes is a potential candidate for integration into nano‐CMOS biochemical sensors for direct immobilization of enzymes.

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QSAR Analysis of Antimicrobial Activity of 4‐thiazolidone Derivatives
Authors: Artemenko Anatoliy G. , Muratov Eugene N. , Atamanyuk Dmytro V. , Kuz'min Victor E. , Hromov Alexander I. , Kutsyk Roman V. , Lesyk Roman B.
Published: November 2008

The influence of molecular structure of 4‐thiazolidone derivatives (about 70 compounds) on their antimicrobial activity has been investigated by QSAR approach based on Simplex Representation of Molecular Structure (SiRMS). This method is characterized by the absence of molecular alignment problem as well as by taking into account the different atom characteristics (partial charge, lipophilicity, etc) and the possibility of drug design. The following micro‐organisms were used as reference cultures: Candida albicans S, Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (R and S strains) and Staphylococcus aureus MSSA. Statistical characteristics of QSAR models obtained by Partial Least Squares (PLS) method are rather good (R2=0.843–0.989, Q2=0.679–0.864, R2test=0.744–0.943). Y‐scrambling test shows the possibility of chance correlations for equations developed for C. freundii and K. pneumonia. These two cultures were excluded from subsequent analysis. The molecular fragments promoting/interfering with antimicrobial activity and degree of their influence on the activities have been determined. Thus, naphthalene‐substituted fragment (irrespective to its location within the molecule) decreases the antimicrobial activities significantly. The requirements to molecular design were formulated; e.g. highly active compounds must contain indole fragment. In addition, the influence of heterocyclic system evolution on antimicrobial properties of 4‐thiazolidones derivatives was demonstrated. The important role of electrostatic characteristics of their molecular structure was also shown. The compounds with the highest predicted values of antimicrobial activities against several cultures were chosen as a result of virtual screening.
Acute Toxicity of Substituted 2‐(1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)acetanilides and Related Commercially Available Local Anesthetics Toward Mice. A GRIND/ALMOND‐Based 3‐D QSAR Study
Authors: Drakulić Branko J. , Zalaru Christina , Iovu Mircea
Published: November 2008

Alignment‐free three‐dimensional quantitative structure–toxicity relationship models, developed on the basis of GRid INdependent Descriptors (GRIND), on acute toxicity data obtained by (i) oral administration of 25 pyrazolylacetanilides, and (ii) intravenous administration of 15 commercially available Local Anesthetics (LAs) to mice was reported. The most favorable interaction regions extracted from molecular interaction fields obtained with HBA, HBD, hydrophobic, and shape probes were correlated with toxicity data expressed as log[1/(LD50)] by partial Least Square Analysis (PLS). Variable selection was done by fractional factorial design. The best PLS models for set (i) comprises 3LV with r2=0.95 and q2=0.72; for set (ii) comprises 2LV with r2=0.95 and q2=0.58. Internal cross‐validation was done by using three random groups of compounds for each set. External predictivity of the second model was checked by a test set consists of eight structurally diverse compounds. The PLS model related to orally administrated set of compounds was compared with the corresponding one related to intravenously administrate drugs. Variables having high impact on each model, positively or negatively correlated with toxicities, were discussed and an attempt was made to link those variables with calculated ADME related properties of compounds, as well as with literature data that describes probable interaction of LA drugs with the homology modeled voltage‐gated sodium channels. According to the best of our knowledge this is first reported study that use GRIND methodology in structure–toxicity relationships on whole animals.
Theoretical Prediction of Antiproliferative Activity against Murine Leukemia Tumor Cell Line (L1210). 3D‐Morse Descriptor and its Application in Computational Chemistry
Authors: Saíz‐Urra Liane , Pérez‐Castillo Yunierkis , Pérez González Maykel , Molina Ruiz Reinaldo , Cordeiro M. Natália D. S. , Rodríguez‐Borges J. Enrique , García‐Mera Xerardo
Published: November 2008

Cancer is among the top ten causes of death in the world but in spite of the efforts of the pharmaceutical companies and many governmental organizations, new and more effective drugs are urgently needed. Computer‐assisted studies have been widely used to predict anticancer activity taking into account different molecular descriptors, statistical techniques, cell lines, and datasets of congeneric and non‐congeneric compounds.
Resonance energies and fusion rates of mass‐nonsymmetric dtμ* molecule
Authors: Gheisari Rouhollah
Published: November 2008

Several resonances in the molecular spectrum of the exotic dtμ* ion are obtained. We present a theoretical formulation for its energy levels together with the numerical calculations for the nuclear fusion rates. The calculations are performed with the coupled rearrangement channel method, but with a set of functions alternative to others. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
Development of consistent buckling curves for torsional and lateral‐torsional buckling
Authors: Taras Andreas , Greiner Richard
Published: November 2008

The stability design of beams and columns for lateral‐torsional and torsional buckling is generally treated in the new Eurocode 3‐1‐1 [1] by using the same buckling curves used for flexural buckling. These buckling curves are expressed mathematically in terms of a function χ($ \bar \lambda $), which was derived in [2] and [3] by combining a first‐yield strength criterion with a second‐order analysis of a geometrically imperfect column. Since the basic idea of this approach was originally presented by Ayrton and Perry [4], their names are often quoted in reference to this type of representation of buckling curves.

In this paper, analytical Ayrton‐Perry‐type formulae are developed for the lateral‐torsional and torsional buckling modes of profiles with doubly symmetrical open I‐sections. The similarities and differences to the flexural buckling mode are highlighted.

As a first step, the analytical background of the current code regulations is discussed and compared to the actual behaviour in lateral‐torsional and torsional buckling of open sections as shown by geometrically and materially non‐linear FEM calculations (GMNIA). Then, both the numerically derived buckling curves and the current code regulations (Eurocode 3) for these modes are compared to the Ayrton‐Perry‐type formulae developed.
Performance of drywall shear walls: UC Irvine and CSU San Jose tests
Authors: Hart Gary C. , Hortacsu Ayse , Simsir Can , Jain Anurag
Published: November 2008

A wealth of data has become available since 2001 about the performance of drywall shear walls under cyclic loading. Drywalls and stucco are the only earthquake lateral force‐resisting system in many existing residential buildings, especially single‐family homes built in the 1970s and earlier. This paper takes a closer look at the actual laboratory cycle‐by‐cycle data from three test programs and uses them to clarify the meaning of significant damage in regard to gypsum‐sheathed shear walls. This paper can be viewed as an extension of the valuable information in the reports by the original authors with a focus on the interpretation and use of the test data for the evaluation of damage to existing wood‐frame buildings. Analysis of the data considers the strength loss observed between the initial and later cycles when the wall is loaded to a certain displacement and shows that a loss of strength does occur. In this regard the paper can also be valuable to others working on performance based design development. The last section of the paper also considers the case where a wall might be repaired after the first cyclic loading protocol and loaded again after the repairs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Desulfuration and Cyclization of (Z)‐2‐[Amino(pyridine‐2‐yl)methylene]‐ hydrazonecarbothioamide in the Presence of Manganese(II)
Authors: Castiñeiras Alfonso , García‐Santos Isabel
Published: November 2008

The reaction of (Z)‐2‐[amino(pyridine‐2‐yl)methylene]hydrazonecarbothioamide (HAm4DH) with Mn(ClO4)2·6H2O afforded different mononuclear or polynuclear manganese(II) complexes, the nature of which apparently depended on the solvent used. For example, in ethanol a compound of formula [Mn(HAm4DH)2](ClO4)2 (1) was obtained, where HAm4DH coordinates as a common tridentate NNS donor, but the [Mn(bpy)2(NCS)2] complex (2) (bpy = 2,2'‐bipyridine) has also been obtained – probably due to C–N bond cleavage of the thiosemicarbazone. Nevertheless, in a basic aqueous medium [Mn(bpy)3](ClO4)2·0.5bpy (3) is formed and there is structural evidence for chemical transformations of the thiosemicarbazone promoted by MnII. Thus, the sulfate in {[Mn(py)4Mn(py)2(H2O)2(μ‐SO4)2]·4H2O}n (4) or sulfate and cyclooctasulfur in [Mn(pta)2(pdo)]4(SO4)2·4H2O·S8] (5), where pta is 3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐amine and pdo is (2R,4R/2S,4S)‐pentane‐2,4‐diolato, arise from the desulfuration and oxidation of the thiosemicarbazone ligand. The structures of complexes 2 to 5 were established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The formation of pta is the result of the oxidative cyclization of HAm4DH. In the polynuclear complex 4, the sulfate acts as an (O,O') bridge between alternating Mn(py)2(H2O)2 and Mn(py)4 centers. In the tetranuclear complex 5, pta acts as a bischelating ligand through the N‐pyridine and N‐triazole, and pdo act as a bridge between two manganese atoms. It is also noteworthy that in complexes 4 and 5 hydrogen bonds give rise to different self‐assembly behaviour that leads to complicated supramolecular structures.
Formation of Crystalline CdSe Particles from a Single‐Source‐Precursor according to Ostwald's Rule
Authors: Erk Christoph , Rohner Christian , Schlecht Sabine
Published: November 2008

The formation of crystalline CdSe particles in the thermal degradation of Cd(SePh)2·TMEDA (TMEDA = tetramethylethylenediamine) as a single‐source‐precursor was investigated by in‐situ powder X‐ray diffraction. It was shown that the primary grains were formed in the cubic zinc blende modification. After an increase in particle size by further annealing a phase transition to the thermodynamically favored hexagonal wurtzite type was detected. This behaviour indicates that, according to Ostwald's rule, the primary grains consist of the less stable polymorph due to the lower activation barrier of its formation. When the volume energy of the particles gets dominant over the surface energy, the metastable form is transformed and the system adopts the modification of lowest energy.
Direct regulation of HSP60 expression by c‐MYC induces transformation
Authors: Tsai Ya-Ping , Teng Shu-Chun , Wu Kou-Juey
Published: November 2008

The c‐MYC proto‐oncogene encodes a ubiquitous transcription factor involved in cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) plays an essential role in assisting many newly synthesized proteins to reach their native forms. Increased HSP60 expression is observed in different types of human cancer. Here we show that c‐MYC directly activates HSP60 transcription through an E‐box (CACGTG) site located in the proximal promoter of the HSP60 gene. Overexpression of HSP60 induces transformation. Short‐interference RNA (siRNA) mediated repression of HSP60 reduces transformation caused by c‐MYC overexpression. These results indicate that c‐MYC may promote transformation through the induction of HSP60 expression.
Burn injuries during pregnancy in Iran
Authors: Karimi Hamid , Momeni Mahnoush , Momeni Mazdak , Rahbar Hossein
Published: November 2008

Objective

To report on maternal and fetal outcome in 53 pregnant women seen at a referral burn center.

Methods

Possible links between outcome and maternal age, level of education, marital status, percentage of total body surface area (TBSA) burned, inhalation injury, source and intentionality of the burn, and trimester of pregnancy at the time of the burn were assessed.

Results

Of 5497 women, 53 (1.3%) were pregnant at the time of admission. Maternal and fetal deaths occurred at significantly higher rates in cases of inhalation injury (P = 0.001). The mean percentage of TBSA burned was significantly higher in cases of maternal or fetal death (P < 0.001 for both), and when the burn has a suicidal intent (P = 0.006). The maternal and fetal mortality rates were also higher when the burn was suicidal (P = 0.001 and P = 0.005).

Conclusion

Inhalation injury, suicidal burn injury, and percentage of TBSA burned were correlated with a higher maternal and fetal mortality.
Modelling the lactation curve of dairy cows using the differentials of growth functions
Authors: NASRI M. H. FATHI , FRANCE J. , ODONGO N. E. , LOPEZ S. , BANNINK A. , KEBREAB E.
Published: November 2008

Descriptions of entire lactations were investigated using six mathematical equations, comprising the differentials of four growth functions (logistic, Gompertz, Schumacher and Morgan) and two other equations (Wood and Dijkstra). The data contained monthly milk yield records from 70 first, 70 second and 75 third parity Iranian Holstein cows. Indicators of fit were model behaviour, statistical evaluation and biologically meaningful parameter estimates and lactation features. Analysis of variance with equation, parity and their interaction as factors and with cows as replicates was performed to compare goodness of fit of the equations. The interaction of equation and parity was not significant for any statistics, which showed that there was no tendency for one equation to fit a given parity better than other equations. Although model behaviour analysis showed better performance of growth functions than the Wood and Dijkstra equations in fitting the individual lactation curves, statistical evaluation revealed that there was no significant difference between the goodness of fit of the different equations. Evaluation of lactation features showed that the Dijkstra equation was able to estimate the initial milk yield and peak yield more accurately than the other equations. Overall evaluation of the different equations demonstrated the potential of the differentials of simple empirical growth functions used in the current study as equations for fitting monthly milk records of Holstein dairy cattle.
A physical model for widespread near‐surface and fault zone damage induced by earthquakes
Authors: Ma Shuo
Published: November 2008

I present a rigorous unifying interpretation of the well‐documented widespread near‐surface and fault zone damage induced by earthquakes by simulating three‐dimensional dynamic rupture propagation on a vertical strike‐slip fault. Stresses in the crust are depth‐dependent and material response is governed by the Drucker‐Prager yield criterion. I show that material yielding induced by seismic waves under the low confining pressure causes widespread near‐surface damage. Because the confining pressure increases with depth, the yielding zone at depth is narrowly confined near the fault, but its thickness broadens dramatically near the surface, forming a “flower‐like” damage zone. The fault zone damage at depth is induced by large dynamic stresses associated with the rupture front, while is induced by strong seismic waves ahead of the rupture front near the Earth's surface. These results have important implications for the formation and evolution of fault zones and possibly for the dynamic triggering of earthquakes as well.
On formation of a shock wave in front of a coronal mass ejection with velocity exceeding the critical one
Authors: Eselevich M. V. , Eselevich V. G.
Published: November 2008

It is shown that in front of a coronal mass ejection, having a velocity u lower than the critical uC relative to the surrounding coronal plasma, there is a disturbed region expended along a direction of the CME propagation. The time difference brightness (plasma density) in the disturbed region smoothly decreases to larger distances in front of the CME. A discontinuity forms at u higher than uC in the disturbed region front part in radial distributions of the difference brightness. Since the uC value is close to the local fast‐mode MHD velocity, which in corona approximately equal to the Alfven one, the formation of such a discontinuity when uC is exceeded may be identified with the formation of a shock wave.
A novel technique for remote sensing of thunderstorm electric fields via the Kerr effect and sky polarization
Authors: Carlson B. E. , Inan U. S.
Published: November 2008

Quantitative knowledge of the magnitude as well as spatial and temporal structure of quasi‐static electric fields above a thunderstorm, both prior to and immediately after a lightning discharge, is crucially important for understanding the electrodynamic effects of tropospheric weather on the upper atmosphere. At present, such electric fields are typically only measurable by balloon‐ or aircraft‐borne electric field meters launched near, above, or into the cloud. We herein propose a new low‐cost ground‐based spatially‐ and temporally‐resolved technique for measurement of near‐thunderstorm electric fields via electrically‐induced birefringence (Kerr) effects on natural sky polarization, providing detection in clear air near or above thunderclouds. Such measurements would greatly help understand the effects of lightning and thunderstorms in the upper atmosphere, including sprites, blue jets, and terrestrial gamma‐ray flashes.
Saturation effects in the VLF‐triggered emission process
Authors: Gibby A. R. , Inan U. S. , Bell T. F.
Published: November 2008

An in‐depth study is performed of the saturation characteristics of the VLF‐triggered emission process, a plasma instability associated with the amplification of whistler mode signals in the magnetosphere. A survey of data from the 1986 operating year of the Siple VLF wave injection experiment reveals that long‐period oscillations (characterized by a pattern of growth to saturation then subsequent suppression of the wave), short‐period oscillations (previously identified as sidebands), and generation of incoherent wave energy around the frequency of the triggering signal are all characteristics of the instability at saturation. A model is developed to study these phenomena. The model is in some respects similar to the Vlasov Hybrid Simulation but modified so that saturation is a natural consequence of the modeled growth process. Results from the model indicate that the growth and eventual saturation are caused by wave amplitude gradients, most notably gradients that indicate a transition from an amplitude where the wave cannot trap electrons in its potential in the presence of the inhomogeneous magnetospheric magnetic field to an amplitude where such trapping is possible. That is, resonant currents are enhanced in the region where the phase space electron hole created by the trapping condition is allowed to mix with the ambient energetic electrons. This growth process is found to naturally lead to saturation of the instability.
Medium‐latitude sources of plasmaspheric nonthermal continuum radiations observed close to harmonics of the electron gyrofrequency
Authors: Grimald S. , Décréau P. M. E. , Canu P. , Rochel A. , Vallières X.
Published: November 2008

Nonthermal continuum (NTC) radiation is, with auroral kilometric radiation (AKR), one of the two electromagnetic emissions generated within the Earth's magnetosphere and radiated into space. It is generally believed that NTC is emitted in the plasmapause density gradient after conversion of intense electrostatic waves, present near the magnetic equator, into electromagnetic waves. In this paper, we present a specific type of NTC event, of infrequent occurrence, displaying a finger‐like pattern not yet reported: banded emissions peaking at exact multiples of a common frequency, df, which decrease inbound toward the plasmapause boundary layer (PPBL). Analysis is presented that indicates that the corresponding sources are nearby sites of the PPBL where the local electron gyrofrequency fce equals df. The sources are radiating beams of limited cone angle size. The NTC sources for this event are shown to be located at about 20° magnetic latitude. This illustrates that the PPBL is active in radiating NTC waves not only near the magnetic equator but also up to the medium‐latitude range.
Limits on the interstellar cosmic ray electron spectrum below ∼1–2 GeV derived from the galactic polar radio spectrum and constrained by new Voyager 1 measurements
Authors: Webber W. R. , Higbie P. R.
Published: November 2008

Using a Monte Carlo Diffusion Model for electron propagation in the Galaxy we have calculated new electron spectra below 1–2 GeV that reproduce the observed polar galactic nonthermal radio synchrotron spectrum above ∼4 MHz where absorption effects in the disk of the galaxy are small. A full convolution procedure is used for the first time in these calculations. These interstellar electron intensities, which require a rapidly increasing diffusion coefficient at low rigidities, are significantly reduced from previous calculations made assuming the diffusion coefficient is a constant below 1–2 GV. This increasing diffusion coefficient is consistent with the recent suggestions that the magnetohydrodynamic waves that provide the scattering of cosmic rays may themselves be dissipated by resonant scattering from the cosmic rays (protons) but at a lower rigidity than originally suggested. The new interstellar electron spectra we calculate are more consistent with the electron spectra below ∼100 MeV being measured by the Voyager spacecraft, now at >105 AU and well beyond the heliosphere termination shock. Significant solar modulation effects of factors ∼5–10 are still required to explain the electron spectrum being measured at Voyager at 2008.0, but these are much less than the modulation factors ∼102–103 required to agree with typical earlier propagation calculations.
Quantitative determination of HF radio‐induced optical emission production efficiency at high latitudes
Authors: Pedersen Todd , Esposito Robert , Starks Michael , McCarrick Michael
Published: November 2008

A beam‐swinging experiment carried out at the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program under relatively stable ionospheric conditions has allowed the spatial dependence of HF‐induced artificial optical emissions at 630.0 nm to be determined in a quantitative manner for the first time. A forward model accounting for the beam power distribution and beam motion, effective lifetime of the emissions, and integration and sample times of the imager was used to separate the spatial dependence from the many other variables in the experiment. These results show the well‐known magnetic zenith spot to account for just over half of an average maximum emission productivity of 4 R/MW and to be superimposed on a broader plateau of enhanced emission productivity. The broader distribution is centered on a point partway between the vertical and the magnetic zenith and drops off ∼15° from the center of the distribution. Optical emissions from beam positions centered far from vertical are effectively suppressed and are limited to the edge of the beam overlapping the region of higher emission productivity. A simple empirical description of emission generation efficiency captures the average spatial behavior of the 630.0 nm emissions and produces realistic synthetic optical images. Ray tracing through a 4‐D data‐based ionosphere model showed that HF waves are typically able to reach the upper hybrid resonance over a much wider range of angles than optical emissions are observed, suggesting that the emission cutoff results from the specific excitation mechanism rather than refraction.
Revisiting Iapetus following recent Cassini observations
Authors: Mendis D. A. , Axford W. I.
Published: November 2008

The recent observations of the Saturnian satellite Iapetus by the Cassini spacecraft support the theory proposed by us, over three decades ago, explaining the large brightness asymmetry between the leading and trailing faces of this synchronous satellite. Here we will revisit the question of the observed brightness variations, with orbital phase, not only of the outermost large Saturnian satellite Iapetus but also of the large inner ones (Tethys, Dione, Rhea, and Titan). While Titan (which has a significant atmosphere) shows no brightness variation with orbital phase, the remaining inner satellites show small but definite brightness variations with orbital phase, which, curiously, are in the sense opposite to that of Iapetus. In other words, while the leading face of Iapetus is much darker than its trailing face, the leading faces of the large inner satellites (with the exception of Titan) are slightly brighter. Here we provide an explanation of the latter effect too by invoking the impact on the trailing faces of these inner satellites by a class of negatively charged dust grains in the E‐ring, moving in near‐circular orbits, with super Kepler speeds.
Intermolecular vibrations of different isotopologs of the water dimer: Experiments and density functional theory calculations
Authors: Ceponkus J. , Uvdal P. , Nelander B.
Published: November 2008

Far infrared spectra of seven different isotopologs of the water dimer have been measured in neon matrices at 2.8K. The experiments are interpreted with the aid of density functional theory calculations, in particular the calculated harmonic isotopic shifts were utilized. All six intermolecular vibrational modes of the water dimer and the fully deuterated water dimer are assigned based the isotopic shifts induced. 31 of a total of 42 intermolecular fundamental modes of the seven different H, D, and O18 containing water dimers have been experimentally observed and assigned accordingly. The overall agreement between the calculations and the experiments of all isotopologs results in a complete and consistent description of these modes.
Photodissociation dynamics of methyl formate at 193.3 nm: Branching ratios, kinetic-energy distributions, and angular anisotropies of products
Authors: Lee Shih-Huang
Published: November 2008

We investigated the photodissociation dynamics of methyl formate-d (CH3OC(O)D) at 193.3 nm in a molecular-beam apparatus using undulator radiation as an ionization source. We measured kinetic-energy distributions, spatial angular anisotropies, and branching ratios of all photofragments. Fractions of energy release into product translation were calculated from the kinetic-energy distributions. Four primary dissociation pathways to asymptotes CH3O(X̃ E2)+DCO(X̃ A2′), CH3O(X̃ E2)+DCO(Ã A2″), CH3OCO(X̃ A2′)+D(S2), and CH3OD(X̃ A1′)+CO(X Σ1+) were identified; their branching ratios were determined to be 0.73, 0.06, 0.13, and 0.08, respectively. The former two dissociation paths were discernible in the time-of-flight spectra of fragment CH3O with a signal at m/z=29. Nominal products DCO (Ã A2″) and CH3OCO (X̃ A2′) were unobservable as DCO in state Ã dissociated to D(S2)+CO(X Σ1+) and internally hot CH3OCO (X̃ A2′) decomposed to CH3(X̃ A22″)+CO2(X̃ A11g). Products DCO and CH3O have angular anisotropy parameter β≈−0.37 but other products have nearly isotropic angular distributions with |β|<0.1. Nonadiabatic transitions might play an important role in fragmentation of methyl formate irradiated at 193.3 nm.
Existence of weakly damped kinetic Alfvén eigenmodes in reversed shear tokamak plasmas
Authors: Gorelenkov N. N.
Published: November 2008

A kinetic theory of weakly damped Alfvén eigenmode solutions strongly interacting with the continuum is developed for tokamak plasmas with reversed magnetic shear. It is shown that finite Larmor radius (FLR) effects are required for global eigenmode solutions. FLR effects induce multiple kinetic subeigenmodes and collisionless radiative damping. The theory explains the existence of experimentally observed Alfvénic instabilities with frequencies sweeping down and reaching their minimum (bottom).
Nanocrystalline diamond lateral vacuum microtriode
Authors: Subramanian K. , Kang W. P. , Davidson J. L.
Published: November 2008

A vacuum field emission microtriode in lateral configuration utilizing nanocrystalline diamond is presented. The nanodiamond lateral triode is a completely integrated device comprising a fingerlike emitter geometry with an ∼15nm tip radius of curvature, built-in gate, and anode with gate-cathode spacing of 3μm and anode-cathode spacing of 12μm. Triode characteristics, demonstrating gate-controlled emission current modulation with an anode current of 4μA and high transconductance of 0.3μS from a single emitter-finger at low device voltages (Vg<40V and Va∼65V), are obtained. The anode-induced electron emission conforms to Fowler–Nordheim tunneling. These observations from the first diamond lateral vacuum microtriode demonstrate a robust device for integrated circuit-compatible, temperature-, and radiation-insensitive vacuum micro-nanoelectronics.