bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Material Culture
Authors: Bar‐Yosef Ofer
Published: December 2005

The evolution of human material culture over the past 2.5 Ma, as seen through the archaeological windows of tool use, the controlled use of fire, and prehistoric art, provides interesting clues about the parallel evolution of human cognition as both a cause and an effect of these cultural changes.
Simon, Herbert A.
Authors: Feigenbaum Edward A
Published: December 2005

Herbert A. Simon (1916–2001) was an American scientist whose research ranged broadly over the cognitive and social sciences, computer science, economics, and the philosophy of science. For his fundamental, innovative, and penetrating contributions he received the highest research awards in the fields of economics, psychology, computer science and artificial intelligence, including the 1978 Nobel Prize for Economics for his model of bounded rationality in decision‐making and problem‐solving.
Iconicity
Authors: Haiman John
Published: December 2005

In spite of the relative autonomy of grammar, there are many ways in which the structure of language directly reflects the structure of thought.
Consciousness
Authors: Zeman Adam
Published: December 2005

Consciousness refers both to wakefulness and to the contents of our experience. The subjective aspect of consciousness poses a philosophical problem for objective science.
Pain
Authors: Chapman C Richard
Published: December 2005

Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional bodily awareness that normally serves a protective function by informing us of tissue damage.
Attractor Networks
Authors: Cottrell Garrison W
Published: December 2005

Attractor networks are types of neural network that are often used to represent human subjects' content‐addressable memory. That is, given part of a memory, such as a name, we can complete the pattern and recall other information about the individual associated with that name.
Adaptive predictive control algorithm based on Laguerre Functional Model
Authors: Zhang Haitao , Chen Zonghai , Wang Yongji , Li Ming , Qin Ting
Published: December 2005

Laguerre Functional Model has many advantages such as good approximation capability for the variances of system time‐delay, order and other structural parameters, low computational complexity, and the facility of online parameter identification, etc., so this model is suitable for complex industrial process control. A series of successful applications have been gained in linear and non‐linear predictive control fields by the control algorithm based on Laguerre Functional Model, however, former researchers have not systemically brought forward the theoretical analyses of the stability, robustness, and steady‐state performance of this algorithm, which are the keys to guarantee the feasibility of the control algorithm fundamentally. Aimed at this problem, we introduce the principles of the Incremental Mode Linear Laguerre Predictive Control (IMLLPC) algorithm, and then systemically propose the theoretical analyses and proofs of the stability and robustness of the algorithm, in addition, we also put forward the steady‐state performance analysis. At last, the control performances of this algorithm on two different physical industrial plants are presented in detail, and a number of experimental results validate the feasibility and superiority of IMLLPC algorithm. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How to exploit external model of data for parameter estimation?
Authors: Kárný Miroslav , Andrýsek Josef , Bodini Antonella , Guy Tatiana V. , Kracík Jan , Ruggeri Fabrizio
Published: December 2005

Any cooperation in multiple‐participant decision making (DM) relies on an exchange of individual knowledge pieces and aims. A general methodology of their rational exploitation without calling for an objective mediator is still missing. Desired methodology is proposed for an important particular case, when a participant, performing Bayesian parameter estimation, is offered a model relating the observable data to their past history.

The designed solution is based on the so‐called fully probabilistic design (FPD) of DM strategies. The result reduces to an ‘ordinary’ Bayesian estimation if the offered model is the sample probability density function (pdf), i.e. if it provides additional observations. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Model prediction of hot spots formation in shallow adiabatic packed‐bed reactors
Authors: Viswanathan Ganesh A. , Luss Dan
Published: December 2005

Transversal hot zones have been observed in many industrial and laboratory reactors. Yet, previous models which utilized rate expressions that depended only on the temperature and concentration of the limiting reactant failed to predict formation of stable hot zones. We previously proved that pseudohomogeneous models of a uniformly active shallow adiabatic packed‐bed reactor cannot predict a bifurcation to stable hot zones when the transversal heat dispersion is larger than that of the species, and the reaction rate depends only on the temperature and concentration of the limiting reactant. We prove here that the same is true also for a two‐phase model of a uniformly active shallow, adiabatic packed‐bed reactor. It is shown that a shallow reactor model, which uses more detailed kinetic expression, may attain stable, transversal hot zones. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
Non‐Hodgkin disease in β‐thalassemia major
Authors: Otrock Zaher K. , Shamseddine Ali I. , Taher* Ali T.
Published: December 2005

Thalassemia is a spectrum of diseases characterized by the decrease or absence of globin chains. The occurrence of lymphoma in thalassemia has rarely been reported, and our review of the English literature revealed only four cases. Because anemia is always masked by regular transfusions in thalassemic patients, physicians discover a hidden malignancy late in the course of the disease. We hereby report the case of a thalassemic patient developing non‐Hodgkin disease and discuss the possibility of a link between the two disease entities. This case is intended to alert physicians of the possibility of a malignancy in thalassemia patients. Am. J. Hematol. 81:62–64, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relative incidence of agranulocytosis and aplastic anemia
Authors: Kaufman David W. , Kelly Judith P. , Issaragrisil Surapol , Laporte Joan‐Ramon , Anderson Theresa , Levy Micha , Shapiro Samuel , Young Neal S.
Published: December 2005

Agranulocytosis and aplastic anemia are both rare, life‐threatening blood dyscrasias. Agranulocytosis is mainly caused by medicines, whereas the etiology of aplastic anemia is largely unexplained. In two epidemiologic studies using the same methods, we observed a striking inverse relationship between the incidence of the two diseases in different regions, including five countries in Europe, and Israel and Thailand. The annual incidence of agranulocytosis ranged from 1.1 to 4.9 cases per million, and that of aplastic anemia, from 0.7 to 4.1 per million; the inverse correlation was consistent among the regions (R2 = 0.74). There is no clear explanation for this previously unreported pattern, but it seems unlikely to be due to methodology. Am. J. Hematol. 81:65–67, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil as single‐agent therapy for refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Provan Drew , Moss Ashley J. , Newland Adrian C. , Bussel James B.
Published: December 2005

Refractory disease occurs in 25% or more of adults with idiopathic (immune) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Therapy to elevate the platelet count may be required in a proportion of these patients. Immunosuppressive agents such as prednisone, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, and cyclosporin have been shown to be effective treatments in a proportion of patients with refractory ITP. A newer immunosuppressive medication, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), has been used successfully with acceptable toxicity in solid organ transplant patients to reduce the risk of organ rejection. The goal of this study was to determine whether MMF is an effective treatment for refractory ITP. Efficacy, defined as a sustained platelet increase to a level greater than 50 × 109/L, was seen in 7 of 18 patients with refractory ITP. Three of these 7 patients have had intermittent thrombocytopenic episodes while continuing the medication. No severe toxicity was seen, although two of the 18 patients discontinued MMF within the first month of treatment because of side effects, i.e., headache. In summary, MMF may be a useful component of a combination protocol but does not appear to be highly effective as sole therapy in patients with refractory ITP. The data suggests that response rates to MMF may be higher in patients who have had a shorter duration of their ITP. Am. J. Hematol. 81:19–25, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Do human parents face a quantity‐quality tradeoff?: Evidence from a Shuar community
Authors: Hagen Edward H. , Barrett H. Clark , Price Michael E.
Published: December 2005

A number of evolutionary theories of human life history assume a quantity‐quality tradeoff for offspring production: parents with fewer offspring can have higher biological fitness than those with more. Direct evidence for such a tradeoff, however, is mixed. We tested this assumption in a community of Ecuadorian Shuar hunter‐horticulturalists, using child anthropometry as a proxy for fitness. We measured the impact of household consumer/producer (CP) ratio on height, weight, skinfold thicknesses, and arm and calf circumferences of 85 children and young adults. To control for possible “phenotypic” correlates that might mask the effect of CP ratio on anthropometry, we also measured household garden productivity, wealth, and social status. Regression models of the age‐standardized variables indicated a significant negative impact of CP ratio on child growth and nutrition. The age‐standardized height and weight of children in households with the largest CP ratio (10) were 1.38 and 1.44 standard deviations, respectively, below those of children in households with the smallest CP ratio (2). Surprisingly, garden productivity, wealth, and status had little to no effect on the fitness proxies. There was, however, an interesting and unexpected interaction between status and sex: for females, but not males, higher father status correlated significantly with higher values on the proxies. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of hydrophilic monomer on the surface properties of cationic polyurethane‐fluorinated acrylate hybrid dispersions
Authors: Li Ganghui , Li Xiaorui , Shen Yiding , Ren Qinghai
Published: December 2005

Cationic polyurethane‐fluorinated acrylate hybrid dispersions (PUFA) were prepared by the copolymerization of styrene, butyl acrylate, and 2,2,3,4,4,4‐hexafluorobutyl methacrylate in the medium of crosslinked polyurethane via phase inversion polymerization. The said polyurethane was synthesized in acetone from 2,4‐tolyene diisocyanate, N‐methyldiethanolamine, trimethylolpropane, and soft polyester diol block. The influences of hydrophilic monomer on the surface properties, immersion behaviors, particle size and, zeta potential of the dispersions were investigated. The results show that the addition of hydrophilic monomer can be advantaged to the stability of dispersions and yet will increase the surface free energy by more than 19.9%. The PUFA coating films cured at ambient conditions have the lower surface free energy (less than 0.02033 J/m2). At the same time, there is an obvious mobility of fluorinated groups in fluorinated polymer films. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Studies on nonisothermal crystallization of ultra–high molecular weight polyethylene in liquid paraffin
Authors: Zhang Chunfang , Zhu Baoku , Ji Genliang , Xu Youyi
Published: December 2005

The nonisothermal crystallization kinetics for ultra–high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in liquid paraffin (LP) systems was investigated through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurement. The influence of UHMWPE concentration and cooling rate on crystallization mechanism and spherulitc structure as implied by the modified Avrami equation and Mo's analysis was determined, whereas the Ozawa's approach fails to describe the crystallization behaviors of these UHMWPE‐diluent systems. As a result, in the modified Avrami analysis, it was found that the Avrami exponent is constant around five at various concentrations of UHMWPE and cooling rates. Further, the value of F(T) in the Mo's approach increases with the increasing of relative crystallinity and UHMWPE content in the blends. The nonisothermal crystallization kinetics presented here are the first for UHMWPE‐diluent systems. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Effect of reactive compatibilisation on the phase morphology and tensile properties of PA12/PP blends
Authors: Jose S. , Nair S. V. , Thomas S. , Karger‐Kocsis J.
Published: December 2005

Both uncompatibilized and compatibilized blends based on polyamide 12 (PA12) and isotactic polypropylene (PP) were prepared in a Brabender Plastograph®. The compatibiliser used was maleic anhydride functionalized polypropylene (PP‐g‐MA). Phase morphology of the blends was inspected in scanning electron microscope (SEM) on cryogenically fractured etched surfaces of the specimens. PA12/PP blends possessed a nonuniform and unstable morphology owing to the incompatibility between their constituents. Addition of compatibiliser improved the interfacial characteristics of the blends by retarding the rate of coalescence. So, the phase morphology became more fine, uniform, and stable. Tensile properties of both uncompatibilized and compatibilized blends were measured as a function of blend composition and compatibiliser concentration. Uncompatibilized blends displayed inferior mechanical properties to compatibilized ones; especially for those containing 40–60 wt % of PP. Reactive compatibilisation of blends was found to be efficient and improved the tensile strength of the blends considerably. Addition of PP‐g‐MA improved the interfacial adhesion, decreased the interfacial tension, and thereby, enhanced the tensile strength by 85%. Finally, various models were adopted to describe the tensile strength of the blends. The experimental data exhibited a reasonably good fit with Nielsen's first power law model. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Polymer micellar aggregates of novel amphiphilic biodegradable graft copolymer composed of poly(aspartic acid) derivatives: Preparation, characterization, and effect of pH on aggregation
Authors: Jiang Tong‐Ying , Wang Zhong‐Yan , Tang Lin‐Xi , Mo Feng‐Kui , Chen Chuang
Published: December 2005

Novel amphiphilic biodegradable graft copolymer based on poly(aspartic acid) was prepared by attaching monomethoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG) as hydrophiphic segment to poly(aspartic acid‐g‐octadecylamine) (PASP‐g‐ODA) as hydrophobic backbone. The chemical structures of amphiphilic copolymers were confirmed by FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The polymeric micelles were prepared with solvent evaporation and their physicochemical properties in aqueous media were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and fluorescence spectroscopy. These micelles were confirmed to be pH‐sensitive by measuring optical transmittance of micelle solution and the size of micellar aggregates. The number average diameter of polymeric micelles prepared in medium at pH 2.5 was larger than that in neutral and basic medium and showed a bimodal size distribution because of the protonation of carboxyl groups in backbone. Furthermore, the polymeric micelle can load water‐insoluble drug (podophyllotoxin), and the drug release from micelles showed a pH‐dependency. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Interaction between medetomidine and alkyd resins: NMR and FTIR investigation of antifouling marine paint model systems
Authors: Shtykova Liubov , Ostrovskii Denis , Jacobsson Per , Nydén Magnus
Published: December 2005

The synthesis and optimization of novel bioactive components is key to the development of antifouling marine coatings. It was recently demonstrated that medetomidine (MM) has perfect antibarnacle behavior along with good ecological properties. To investigate the applicability of MM in self‐polishing marine paints, a large set of mixtures of MM with two commercial alkyd resins (ARs) was prepared. The nature and strength of the intermolecular interaction as a function of composition in both the liquid and solid states were studied using NMR and FTIR techniques, respectively. It was found that at low concentrations MM molecules were coordinated to alkyd resin chains by hydrogen bonding. This interaction had a multidentate character (i.e., one molecule of MM interacted with several COOH species of ARs) that resulted in stronger bonding between the two compounds. However, at higher MM concentrations an ionic association between the two compounds began, which at a large MM content resulted in microphase separation. It was noted that the strong interaction between medetomidine and the alkyd resins investigated was a positive factor for the application of these compounds in self‐polishing marine paints. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2006
Ring‐opening polymerization of lactones using RuCl2(PPh3)3 as initiator: Effect of hydroxylic transfer agents
Authors: Mata‐Mata José Luis , Báez José E. , Gutiérrez José Alfredo , Martínez‐Richa Antonio
Published: December 2005

ε‐Caprolactone and δ‐valerolactone were polymerized in bulk at 150°C using the ruthenium(II) complex RuCl2(PPh3)3 as initiator in the presence of 1,3‐propanediol (PD) with a series of alcohols as coinitiators. Polymerization of lactones proceeds via ruthenium(II) alkoxide active centers. 1H‐NMR analysis revealed that the ruthenium complex reacted with the alcohol, generating in situ a ruthenium alkoxide. This species became a more active initiator of ring‐opening polymerization than was RuCl2(PPh3)3. The obtained polylactones were characterized by 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF). The results showed the formation had occurred of α,ω‐telechelic PCL and PVL diols, in which PD had been incorporated into the polymer backbone. Depending on the nature of the alcohol used as coinitiator, PCLs with different end groups could be synthesized. Insertion of an alcohol as an end group (benzyl alcohol, n‐octanol, or isopropanol) or into the polymeric backbone (propanediol) provided support for the conclusion that a classical coordination–insertion mechanism was operating during lactone polymerization. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Diffusion in elongated membranes
Authors: Liu Q. , Xiao S. , De Kee D. , Moresoli C.
Published: December 2005

The model proposed by Cohen and collaborators is used to describe the process of diffusion through polymeric membranes subjected to externally applied extensions. This continuum mechanics approach is compared with a model developed via a mesoscopic theory. Experimental data on a variety of polymer/solvent systems are successfully described by the model. It was found that the flux‐versus‐time curves for deformations up to 80% elongation could be reduced to a master curve. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Study of dynamically cured PP/MAH‐g‐PP/talc/epoxy composites
Authors: Jiang Xueliang , Zhang Yong , Zhang Yinxi
Published: December 2005

In the present study, an epoxy resin was dynamically cured in a polypropylene (PP)/maleic anhydride–grafted PP (MAH‐g‐PP)/talc matrix to prepare dynamically cured PP/MAH‐g‐PP/talc/epoxy composites. An increase in the torque at equilibrium showed that epoxy resin in the PP/MAH‐g‐PP/talc composites had been cured by 2‐ethylene‐4‐methane‐imidazole. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that MAH‐g‐PP and an epoxy resin had effectively increased the interaction adhesion between PP and the talc in the PP/talc composites. Dynamic curing of the epoxy resin further increased the interaction adhesion. The dynamically cured PP/MAH‐g‐PP/talc/epoxy composites had higher crystallization peaks than did the PP/talc composites. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the addition of MAH‐g‐PP and the epoxy resin into the PP/talc composites caused an obvious improvement in the thermal stability. The dynamically cured PP/MAH‐g‐PP/talc/epoxy composites had the best thermal stability of all the PP/talc composites. The PP/MAH‐g‐PP/talc/epoxy composites had better mechanical properties than did the PP/MAH‐g‐PP/talc composites, and the dynamically cured PP/MAH‐g‐PP/talc/epoxy composites had the best mechanical properties of all the PP/talc composites, which can be attributed to the better interaction adhesion between the PP and the talc. The suitable content of epoxy resin in the composites was about 5 wt %. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Molecular and cellular organization of insect chemosensory neurons
Authors: de Bruyne Marien , Warr Coral G.
Published: December 2005

Animals use their chemosensory systems to detect and discriminate among chemical cues in the environment. Remarkable progress has recently been made in our knowledge of the molecular and cellular basis of chemosensory perception in insects, based largely on studies in Drosophila. This progress has been possible due to the identification of gene families for olfactory and gustatory receptors, the use of electro‐physiological recording techniques on sensory neurons, the multitude of genetic manipulations that are available in this species, and insights from several insect model systems. Recent studies show that the superfamily of chemoreceptor proteins represent the essential elements in chemosensory coding, endowing chemosensory neurons with their abilities to respond to specific sets of odorants, tastants or pheromones. Investigating how insects detect chemicals in their environment can show us how receptor protein structures relate to ligand binding, how nervous systems process complex information, and how chemosensory systems and genes evolve. BioEssays 28:23–34, 2006. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Indecent images of children: the ever‐changing law
Authors: Gillespie Alisdair A.
Published: December 2005

Child pornography is undoubtedly one of the principal threats to child protection in the digital sphere. Although such material existed before the days of the internet, the growth in information and communication technology (ICT) has led to an explosion in the number of images accessible. The law in this area dates backs over 25 years, and thus legitimate questions could be raised as to whether it remains an effective tool. This article seeks to explore some questions in respect of the application of the current law and demonstrates a need to rethink certain aspects of it. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What tools do we need to improve identification of child abuse?
Authors: Munro Eileen
Published: December 2005

Child protection work is being transformed by the introduction of information and communication technology (ICT) and other tools to improve frontline work. This article argues that current innovations are being developed without sufficient attention to understanding the needs of frontline workers. Taking the identification of child abuse as an example, the article shows how beginning with the question ‘What tools do we need?’ produces radically different answers from the current proposed tools such as the Information Sharing and Assessment database (ISA). The approach advocated here involves examining what aspects of the task frontline workers find difficult and identifying where they would most appreciate help. In relation to the problem of sharing information between professionals to ensure accurate assessment of risk, it is argued that the key problems do not lie in the technical process of sharing data but in professionals' ability to collect the necessary information, to interpret it accurately and to communicate it clearly. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cover Picture: Preparation and Functionalization of Multilayer Fullerenes (Carbon Nano‐Onions) (Chem. Eur. J. 2/2006)
Authors: Rettenbacher Arno S. , Elliott Bevan , Hudson Joan S. , Amirkhanian Armen , Echegoyen Luis
Published: December 2005

Round about The preparation, funtionalization, and characterization of carbon nano‐onions (CNOs) is described by L. Echegoyen et al. on page 376 ff. CNOs represent the most recently discovered and least studied allotropic form of carbon.
Synthesis of Stable Analogues of Geranylgeranyl Diphosphate Possessing a (Z,E,E)‐Geranylgeranyl Side Chain, Docking Analysis, and Biological Assays for Prenyl Protein Transferase Inhibition
Authors: Minutolo Filippo , Bertini Simone , Betti Laura , Danesi Romano , Gervasi Gianbattista , Giannaccini Gino , Martinelli Adriano , Papini Anna Maria , Peroni Elisa , Placanica Giorgio , Rapposelli Simona , Tuccinardi Tiziano , Macchia Marco
Published: December 2005

Herein, we report the synthesis of novel stable analogues of geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP), in which the “natural” all‐trans geranylgeranyl portion has been replaced by a (Z,E,E)‐geranylgeranyl chain. The change in configuration and consequent change in the relative position of the polar portion with the lipophilic side chain did not improve the properties of the E,E,E analogues in their inhibition of geranylgeranyl protein transferase I (GGTase I). However, a significant level of GGTase I inhibition and selectivity for GGTase I over farnesyl transferase (FTase) was maintained the unsubstituted phosphonoacetamidoxy derivative 4 a. This has shed light on the relative importance of the configuration at the C2C3 double bond among GGPP derivatives. Moreover, the biological activities of all the compounds reported herein, in particular the preferential FTase inhibitory activity shown by compound 6, were in good agreement with the results of docking analysis.
Barriers to certified timber and paper uptake in the construction and paper industries in the United Kingdom
Authors: Werndle Lorenz , Brown Nick , Packer Mike
Published: December 2005

Whilst forest management certification emerged in the early 1990s as a potential market‐based solution to the problem of forest loss and degradation, certified timber has not yet taken a significant share of timber and wood product markets. Although the lack of supply of certified timber is acknowledged as a problem, market barriers to the uptake of certified products are poorly understood. This study sought to identify and compare barriers to the uptake of certified wood and wood products in the UK's paper and construction industries. Findings indicate marked variation in barriers between individual companies and between the industries. Key barriers identified include: organizational constraints – strategic commitment, inadequate systems, staff skills and financial provision; supply constraints – material availability, supply chain complexities, entrenched supplier relationships; and demand constraints – lack of knowledge, weak demand, price sensitivity, traditional expectations and availability of substitutes. Ways to overcome these barriers are discussed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Regulation of T cells and cytokines by the interleukin‐10 (IL‐10)‐family cytokines IL‐19, IL‐20, IL‐22, IL‐24 andIL‐26
Authors: Oral Haluk B. , Kotenko Sergei V. , Yılmaz Mustafa , Mani Orlando , Zumkehr Judith , Blaser Kurt , Akdis Cezmi A. , Akdis Mübeccel
Published: December 2005

The family of IL‐10‐related cytokines includes several human members, IL‐19, IL‐20, IL‐22, IL‐24 and IL‐26, and a series of herpesviral and poxviral paralogs. Some of these cytokines share common receptor subunits. In this study, we investigated the effects of these cytokines on naive T cell differentiation, antigen‐specific T cell suppression, survival ad expression of surface markers in comparison to IL‐10 and cytomegalovirus (CMV)‐IL‐10. Human CD45RA+ T cells were stimulated in the presence of IL‐10‐family cytokines in sequential 12‐day cycles. After three to four cycles of stimulation, IL‐10 and CMV‐IL‐10 led to increased IFN‐γ and IL‐10 but decreased IL‐4 and IL‐13. Interestingly, long‐term exposure of T cells to IL‐19, IL‐20 and IL‐22 down‐regulated IFN‐γ but up‐regulated IL‐4 and IL‐13 in T cells and supported the polarization of naive T cells to Th2‐like cells. In contrast, neutralization of endogenous IL‐22 activity by IL‐22‐binding protein decreased IL‐4, IL‐13 and IFN‐γ synthesis. The antigen‐specific suppressor activity of IL‐10 and CMV‐IL‐10 was not observed for any of the other IL‐10‐family cytokines. These data demonstrate that IL‐19, IL‐20 and IL‐22 may participate in T cell‐mediated diseases by distinct regulation of T cell cytokine profiles.
A novel lipid A from Halomonas magadiensis inhibits enteric LPS‐induced human monocyte activation
Authors: Ialenti Armando , Di Meglio Paola , Grassia Gianluca , Maffia Pasquale , Di Rosa Massimo , Lanzetta Rosa , Molinaro Antonio , Silipo Alba , Grant William , Ianaro Angela
Published: December 2005

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin is the bacterial product responsible for the clinical syndrome of Gram‐negative septicemia and endotoxic shock. During sepsis, microbial antigens, such as LPS, activate monocytes and macrophages to produce several pro‐inflammatory cytokines, among which tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) appears to be very important for the development of endotoxic shock. The endotoxic properties of LPS principally reside in the lipid A (LIP A) component, which is the primary immunostimulatory center of Gram‐negative bacteria. In recent years there has been a continuous effort to identify molecules able to antagonize the deleterious effects of endotoxic shock. In this study we show that a novel LIP A fraction from the LPS of Halomonas magadiensis (Hm), a Gram‐negative extremophilic and alkaliphilic bacterium, significantly inhibits the synthesis of TNF‐α by human monocytes activated by Escherichia coli LPS. LIP A from Hm exerts these effects by interfering with E. coli LPS for activation of Toll‐like receptor 4 expressed in human cells. This result defines Hm LIP A as a novel class of LPS antagonist whose structural features could be utilized for the design of compounds for the treatment of Gram‐negative sepsis.
Luminescent Polyoxotungstoeuropate Anion‐Pillared Layered Double Hydroxides
Authors: Sousa Filipa L. , Pillinger Martyn , Sá Ferreira Rute A. , Granadeiro Carlos M. , Cavaleiro Ana M. V. , Rocha João , Carlos Luís D. , Trindade Tito , Nogueira Helena I. S.
Published: December 2005

Novel luminescent polyoxometalate anion‐pillared layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were prepared by aqueous ion exchange of a Zn–Al LDH precursor in nitrate form with the europium‐containing polyoxotungstate anions [EuW10O36]9–, [Eu(BW11O39)(H2O)3]6– and [Eu(PW11O39)2]11–. The host–guest interaction has a strong influence on the nature of the final intercalated species, as evidenced by elemental analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), infra‐red (IR) and Raman spectroscopy, solid state magic‐angle spinning (MAS) 11B and 31P NMR spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Synthesis of a Tetradehydro‐Disorazole C1
Authors: Niess Barbara , Hartung Ingo V. , Haustedt Lars O. , Hoffmann H. Martin R.
Published: December 2005

The synthesis of a protected 9,9′,10,10′‐tetradehydro‐disorazole C1 is described. A C1–C8 oxazole fragment with an E‐vinylic iodide terminus is coupled to a suitable C9–C19 enyne. The resulting ω‐hydroxycarboxylic acid is cyclodimerized stepwise via intermolecular esterification, followed by lactonization. In addition, simplified masked analogues of disorazole C1 with truncated side chains are prepared. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Functionalization of Porphyrins: Mechanistic Insights, Conformational Studies, and Structural Characterizations
Authors: Halime Zakaria , Balieu Sébastien , Lachkar Mohammed , Roisnel Thierry , Richard Philippe , Boitrel Bernard
Published: December 2005

The condensation of 3‐chloromethylbenzoyl chloride with three atropisomers of meso‐5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(2‐aminophenyl)porphyrin (TAPP) is reported, followed by the reaction of the anion of diethyl malonate to prepare various strapped porphyrins. According to two different geometries of the straps, the resulting preorganization of the hanging ethoxycarbonyl groups is more or less adapted to the coordination of cations such as lanthanides. The conformational study, as well as the X‐ray structures of three strapped porphyrins, demonstrate that among the three atropisomers investigated in this work, only two of them lead to strapped porphyrins in which an ethoxycarbonyl group is directed towards the centre of the porphyrin. Additionally, we were able to explain some peculiar reactivities observed for single‐strapped porphyrins, as the 5–15 strapped geometry is shown to be favoured. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
A Concise Sultone Route to Highly Oxygenated 1,10‐seco‐Eudesmanolides – Enantioselective Total Synthesis of the Antileukemic Sesquiterpene Lactones(–)‐Eriolanin and (–)‐Eriolangin
Authors: Merten Jörn , Hennig André , Schwab Pia , Fröhlich Roland , Tokalov Sergey V. , Gutzeit Herwig O. , Metz Peter
Published: December 2005

Using a sultone as the key intermediate, the first enantioselective total synthesis of the antileukemic 1,10‐seco‐eudesmanolides (–)‐eriolanin (1) and (–)‐eriolangin (2) was achieved, which also established the hitherto unknown absolute configuration of these sesquiterpene lactones. Starting from 2‐bromo‐1‐(2‐furyl)ethanone, 24 steps were required to generate the common basic structure and two additional steps in each case for completion of the natural products. The effect of 1 and 2 on the cell cycle of human leukemia (HL‐60) cells was investigated by flow cytometry. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Fate of Pesticides in the Environment and its Bioremediation
Authors: Gavrilescu M.
Published: December 2005

The present paper is an overview of the presence and fate of pesticides as persistent organic pollutants in the environment as well as of the potential for their detoxification, also combined with chemical and physical treatment. It contains information gathered from a range of currently available sources. The fate of pesticides in the environment is analyzed considering the processes that determine their persistence and mobility, grouped into transport, transfer and transformation processes. Few pesticide characteristics such as persistence, mobility and biodegradability are emphasized. The fate of a pesticide and the potential for its persistence and mobility from the site of application are considered to be affected by the chemical and physical properties of the pesticide, site characteristics such as soil and groundwater individuality, climate and local weather conditions, biological population, and the handling practices of the pesticide user. Bioremediation, as one of the most environmentally‐sound and cost‐effective methods for the decontamination and detoxification of a pesticide‐contaminated environment is discussed especially considering the factors affecting the biodegradability of pesticides such as biological factors and the characteristics of the chemical compounds. In situ and ex situ bioremediation as possible types of bioremediation activities are weighted up. Also, the paper includes some considerations for developing strategies regarding the choice of bioremediation technology, as well as advantages and disadvantages of the bioremediation of environmental components polluted with pesticides.
Biosafe Ginseng: A Novel Source for Human Well‐Being
Authors: Sivakumar G. , Yu K. W. , Paek K. Y.
Published: December 2005

Given the enormous biodiversity in field cultivation, bioengineers were only to look within nature to find new promising phytomolecules or biochemical pathways from plant biofactories. The present review discusses pilot‐scale bioreactor cultivation of adventitious roots of ginseng and the enhanced production of pesticide‐free bioactive phytomolecules. This biotechnological method is described together with a discussion on economic and biosafety aspects. Besides the “classical” tissue culture as a subject of research on ginseng, new developments and efforts in pilot‐scale bioreactor tissue modeling and in the generation of artificial adventitious roots are considered. Additionally, recent progress in the field of medicinal and nutritional roles of adventitious roots produced in a pilot‐scale bioreactor are discussed.
Influence of Nitrate and Sulfate on the Anaerobic Treatment of Pharmaceutical Wastewater
Authors: Rodríguez M. J. , Garza G. Y. , Aguilera C. A. , Martínez A. S. Y. , Sosa S. G. J.
Published: December 2005

Anaerobic treatment of wastewater from the pharmaceutical industry, which contained about 3.2 g/L of sulfate, was carried out in an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor. After a startup period of 120 days, a chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of more than 90 % was obtained along with an organic loading rate (OLR) of 1.5 g COD/(L day). During the same period, the sulfate removal was about 90 %. However, the performance of the reactor was affected when the loading rate was increased to 2.09 g COD/(L day). It was found that the accumulation of sulfides, combined with a decrease in the pH, affected the reactor performance. In batch reactor studies with pharmaceutical wastewater it was observed that methane production began only after the initiation of nitrate consumption. The denitrification process can inhibit sulfate reduction at high nitrate concentrations, but compared to reactors without nitrate, the sulfate reduction process and sulfide formation were quickly initiated at low nitrate concentrations. The methanogenic activity was however affected by the presence of more than 2 g/L of sulfate.
Exploring the Phospholipid Biosynthetic Pathways of Aspergillus fumigatus by Computational Genome Analysis
Authors: Do J. H. , Lim B. O. , Choi W. S. , Choi D.‐K.
Published: December 2005

Aspergillus fumigatus causes a wide range of diseases that include mycotoxicosis, allergic reactions and systematic diseases (invasive aspergillosis) with high mortality rates. In recent years, considerable progress in the genome sequencing of this fungus has been made by an international consortium, which includes the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (UK) and the Institute for Genome Research (USA). A tenfold whole genome shotgun sequence assembly of A. fumigatus has been made publicly available. In this study, it was attempted to identify the genes related to the phospholipid biosynthesis from the A. fumigatus genome by a gene prediction program (GlimmerM) and to reconstruct the metabolic pathway for phospholipids of A. fumigatus. Fifteen genes related to phospholipid pathway were identified in the A. fumigatus genomic sequence. The open reading frames predicted by GlimmerM showed a high amino acid sequence similarity with the other fungal phospholipid biosynthetic genes and well‐conserved functional domains. The obtained results also demonstrated that the reconstructed pathway of A. fumigatus in phospholipid biosynthesis was very similar to that of other fungi such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Candida albicans, and Neurospora crassa. Therefore it is postulated that the antifungal drugs targeted for the biosynthesis of phospholipids could also be effective against A. fumigatus.
Improved Properties of Bacillus coagulans β‐Galactosidase through Immobilization
Authors: Batra N. , Singh J. , Joshi A. , Sobti R. C.
Published: December 2005

Thermostable β‐galactosidase from Bacillus coagulans RCS3 was purified by successive column chromatography using DEAE‐cellulose and Sephadex G‐50. Immobilization of the purified enzyme was studied with DEAE‐cellulose and calcium alginate. The efficiency of β‐galactosidase retention was 87 % with DEAE‐cellulose (17 mg protein/mL of matrix) and 80 % with calcium alginate (2.2 mg protein/g bead). Comparative studies of immobilization displayed a shift in the optimum temperature from 65 °C to 70 °C provoked by DEAE‐cellulose, although no effect was observed with calcium alginate. The heat inactivation curve revealed an improvement in the stability (t1/2 of 14.5 h for the immobilized enzyme as compared to 2 h for the free enzyme at 65 °C) in a calcium alginate system. This immobilized enzyme has a wide pH stability range (6.5–11). β‐Galactosidase immobilized by DEAE‐cellulose and calcium alginate allowed a 57 and 70 % lactose hydrolysis, respectively, to be achieved within 48 h after repeated use for twenty times.
Effect of Environmental Factors in Aerobiosis and Anaerobiosis on the Growth and Activity of Propionic Acid Bacteria Evaluated by Pressure Measurement
Authors: Benjelloun H. , Lebeault J.‐M.
Published: December 2005

The effects of air, N2 and CO2 atmospheres on the growth and metabolism of P. shermanii CIP 10 30 27 under “optimum conditions” (pH 6.5, NaCl 0 %, temperature 30 °C) and “stressful conditions” (pH 5.3, NaCl 2.1 %, temperature 20 °C) simulating cheese ripening conditions were investigated using a pressure measurement technique. Under both conditions, the inhibition of growth was at its maximum when a CO2 atmosphere with an increase in the lag phase (LP) from 3 to 80 h and a reduction in the maximum rate of pressure variation (Vmax,P) from 2.5 to 0.4 kPa/h was used. The production of metabolites was not affected under “optimum conditions”, but under “stressful conditions”, propionate production increased and higher ratios of propionate to acetate of up to 2.45 were observed. The effects of air and N2 atmospheres on both growth and metabolite production were also examined.
MPDATA error estimator for mesh adaptivity
Authors: Szmelter Joanna , Smolarkiewicz Piotr K.
Published: December 2005

In multidimensional positive definite advection transport algorithm (MPDATA) the leading error as well as the first‐ and second‐order solutions are known explicitly by design. This property is employed to construct refinement indicators for mesh adaptivity. Recent progress with the edge‐based formulation of MPDATA facilitates the use of the method in an unstructured‐mesh environment. In particular, the edge‐based data structure allows for flow solvers to operate on arbitrary hybrid meshes, thereby lending itself to implementations of various mesh adaptivity techniques. A novel unstructured‐mesh nonoscillatory forward‐in‐time (NFT) solver for compressible Euler equations is used to illustrate the benefits of adaptive remeshing as well as mesh movement and enrichment for the efficacy of MPDATA‐based flow solvers. Validation against benchmark test cases demonstrates robustness and accuracy of the approach. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Direct numerical simulation of particulate flow via multigrid FEM techniques and the fictitious boundary method
Authors: Wan Decheng , Turek Stefan
Published: December 2005

Direct numerical simulation techniques for particulate flow by the fictitious boundary method (FBM) are presented. The flow is computed by a multigrid finite element solver and the solid particles are allowed to move freely through the computational mesh which can be chosen independently from the particles of arbitrary shape, size and number. The interaction between the fluid and the particles is taken into account by the FBM in which an explicit volume based calculation for the hydrodynamic forces is integrated. A new collision model based on papers by Glowinski, Joseph, Singh and coauthors is examined to handle particle–particle and particle–wall interactions. Numerical tests show that the present method provides a very efficient approach to directly simulate particulate flows with many particles. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A priori tests on numerical errors in large eddy simulation using finite differences and explicit filtering
Authors: Brandt Tellervo
Published: December 2005

When low‐order finite‐difference methods are applied in large eddy simulation (LES), the magnitude of the numerical error may be larger than that of the subgrid‐scale (SGS) term. In this paper, the effect of explicit filtering on the numerical error related to the spatial discretization of the convection term and the exact SGS term is studied a priori in the turbulent fully developed channel flow. As the filter width is increased the grid resolution is kept constant. Also filtering in the inhomogeneous wall‐normal direction is discussed. The main conclusions are related to two approaches to explicit filtering. In the traditional approach, the whole velocity field is filtered explicitly while in the alternative approach, only the non‐linear convection term of the Navier–Stokes equations is filtered explicitly. Based on the results presented in the paper it seems that the first approach leads to an unphysical situation. However, the later approach works in the desired way, and the numerical error becomes clearly smaller than the SGS term. The main difference between the two approaches seems to be the interpretation of the resolved non‐linear term in the filtered Navier–Stokes equations. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
3D anisotropic unstructured grid generation
Authors: Ghidoni A. , Pelizzari E. , Rebay S. , Selmin V.
Published: December 2005

This paper describes a fully automatic 3D anisotropic mesh generation method for domains of arbitrary shape. The spacing of the boundary mesh is computed by the analysis of the principal curvatures and directions of the boundary surfaces. The spacing in the domain is obtained by interpolation of the spacing at the boundaries on a suitably constructed background mesh. Examples which illustrate the performance of the proposed methodology are presented. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wälder im Nebel
Authors: Dohrenbusch Achim , Häger Achim
Published: December 2005

Die Bergregenwälder in den tropischen Regionen der Erde bieten Lebensraum für eine faszinierende Pflanzenwelt. Wie das Beispiel Costa Ricas zeigt, üben Klimafaktoren einen großen Einfluss auf die Flora und das gesamte Ökosystem aus
Leben in luftiger Höhe
Authors: Schulze Christian H. , Fiedler Konrad
Published: December 2005

Studien an Nachtfaltern auf Borneo geben neue Hinweise zum Verständnis tropischer Artenvielfalt und zur Einschätzung der Folgen von Waldzerstörung
Gene profiling and bioinformatic analysis of Schwann cell embryonic development and myelination
Authors: D'antonio Maurizio , Michalovich David , Paterson Morris , Droggiti Anna , Woodhoo Ashwin , Mirsky Rhona , Jessen Kristjan R.
Published: December 2005

To elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in Schwann cell development, we profiled gene expression in the developing and injured rat sciatic nerve. The genes that showed significant changes in expression in developing and dedifferentiated nerve were validated with RT‐PCR, in situ hybridisation, Western blot and immunofluorescence. A comprehensive approach to annotating micro‐array probes and their associated transcripts was performed using Biopendium™, a database of sequence and structural annotation. This approach significantly increased the number of genes for which a functional insight could be found. The analysis implicates agrin and two members of the collapsin response‐mediated protein (CRMP) family in the switch from precursors to Schwann cells, and synuclein‐1 and αB‐crystallin in peripheral nerve myelination. We also identified a group of genes typically related to chondrogenesis and cartilage/bone development, including type II collagen, that were expressed in a manner similar to that of myelin‐associated genes. The comprehensive function annotation also identified, among the genes regulated during nerve development or after nerve injury, proteins belonging to high‐interest families, such as cytokines and kinases, and should therefore provide a uniquely valuable resource for future research. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.