bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using electronic polarization from the internal continuum (EPIC) for intermolecular interactions
Authors: Truchon Jean‐François , Nicholl's Anthony , Grant J. Andrew , Iftimie Radu I. , Roux Benoît , Bayly Christopher I.
Published: July 2009

Recently, the vacuum‐phase molecular polarizability tensor of various molecules has been accurately modeled (Truchon et al., J Chem Theory Comput 2008, 4, 1480) with an intramolecular continuum dielectric model. This preliminary study showed that electronic polarization can be accurately modeled when combined with appropriate dielectric constants and atomic radii. In this article, using the parameters developed to reproduce ab initio quantum mechanical (QM) molecular polarizability tensors, we extend the application of the “electronic polarization from internal continuu” (EPIC) approach to intermolecular interactions. We first derive a dielectric‐adapted least‐square‐fit procedure similar to RESP, called DRESP, to generate atomic partial charges based on a fit to a QM abinitio electrostatic potential (ESP). We also outline a procedure to adapt any existing charge model to EPIC. The ability of this to reproduce local polarization, as opposed to uniform polarization, is also examined leading to an induced ESP relative root mean square deviation of 1%, relative to ab initio, when averaged over 37 molecules including aromatics and alkanes. The advantage of using a continuum model as opposed to an atom‐centered polarizable potential is illustrated with a symmetrically perturbed atom and benzene. We apply EPIC to a cation‐π binding system formed by an atomic cation and benzene and show that the EPIC approach can accurately account for the induction energy. Finally, this article shows that the ab initio electrostatic component in the difficult case of the H‐bonded 4‐pyridone dimer, a highly polar and polarized interaction, is well reproduced without adjusting the vacuum‐phase parameters. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2010
Screening tests for the evaluation of nanoparticle titania photocatalysts
Authors: Thompson Kathryn , Goodall Josephine , Kellici Suela , Mattinson John A. , Egerton Terry A. , Rehman Ihtesham , Darr Jawwad A.
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND: Nano‐sized titanium dioxide has potential as a photocatalyst, and doped variants may have different photocatalytic properties. Nano‐titanias with a wide range of dopants and compositions can be prepared using continuous hydrothermal flow synthesis (CHFS), but when many samples are made, a large‐scale screening test is required to investigate their properties. A range of doped nano‐titanias were prepared using a CHFS route, and investigated as powders using a range of photocatalytic test methods. These tests included decolourization of methylene blue (in the presence of oxygen), partial oxidation of a simple alcohol (propan‐2‐ol) and the degradation of aqueous solutions of dichloroacetic acid. The practicality of the tests for large‐scale screening was considered, and the test results were cross‐correlated to see if any of them gave similar ranking for activity of the photocatalysts.

RESULTS: Two of the tests, namely DCA degradation and propan‐2‐ol, gave similar rank ordering for the nanopowders, while the MB decolourization results did not suggest a strong correlation with any other test. The addition of metal dopants was observed to produce varying results between different dopants and tests.

CONCLUSIONS: Two of the tests, DCA degradation and MB decolourization in visible light, were recommended for further use as screening tests. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of larval density on hematological stress indices in salamanders
Authors: Davis Andrew K. , Maerz John C.
Published: July 2009

In animals with complex life cycles, the quality of juvenile environments is important in shaping the longer‐term fitness of individuals. Larval density is a major factor governing quality of larval environments in amphibians, with high densities leading to reduced growth rates, smaller size at metamorphosis, and potentially long‐lasting postmetamorphic effects. A little‐studied effect of larval density is its impact on physiological stress of postmetamorphic individuals. We used a hematological approach, involving counts of specific white blood cells types (neutrophils and lymphocytes) that covary with corticosterone, to estimate stress levels in recently metamorphosed spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) that were reared in three different larval densities in outdoor mesocosms. In replicated treatments consisting of 12, 25, or 50 larvae, survival was, as expected, lowest and size at metamorphosis smallest in the highest density mesocosms. In addition, surviving salamanders from high‐density treatments had significantly higher neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios, indicative of high levels of stress hormones (corticosterone). This trend was not a result of density‐related differences in body condition as these did not vary with density. Further, estimated stress levels were similar regardless of whether the salamanders metamorphosed early or late, suggesting that the density effect on stress is long‐lasting even once realized density has been reduced through mortality or early metamorphosis. These results may be important in understanding amphibian population dynamics, since research on other vertebrate taxa demonstrates that high hematological stress indicators lead to reduced growth, survival, and increased disease susceptibility in vertebrate animals. J. Exp. Zool. 311A: 697–704, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rac‐ and R‐(+)‐[4,4′,5,5′‐2H4]‐2‐(1′‐[2′′,6′′‐dichlorophenoxy]‐ethyl)‐Δ2‐imidazoline (lofexidine)
Authors: Vartak Ashish P. , Sonar Vijayakumar , Crooks Peter A.
Published: July 2009

The synthesis of the d4‐forms of rac‐ and R‐lofexidine was accomplished. Two methods are described; one method is a two‐step synthesis of rac‐d4‐lofexidine from 2‐chloropropionitrile, the second method is a three‐step preparation of R‐d4‐lofexidine in absolute enantiomeric purity from S‐methyl lactate. The commercial availability of R‐methyl lactate makes this latter enantioselective synthesis applicable also to the synthesis of S‐d4‐ lofexidine. These procedures also conserve the utilization of the relatively expensive [1,1′,2,2′‐2H4]ethylene diamine precursor. The availability of S‐ and R‐d4‐lofexidines will enable pharmacokinetic studies to be carried out to determine if differential in vivo metabolism of the two enantiomers of lofexidine occurs. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mass defect filter technique and its applications to drug metabolite identification by high‐resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Haiying , Zhang Donglu , Ray Kenneth , Zhu Mingshe
Published: July 2009

Identification of drug metabolites by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) involves metabolite detection in biological matrixes and structural characterization based on product ion spectra. Traditionally, metabolite detection is accomplished primarily on the basis of predicted molecular masses or fragmentation patterns of metabolites using triple‐quadrupole and ion trap mass spectrometers. Recently, a novel mass defect filter (MDF) technique has been developed, which enables high‐resolution mass spectrometers to be utilized for detecting both predicted and unexpected drug metabolites based on narrow, well‐defined mass defect ranges for these metabolites. This is a new approach that is completely different from, but complementary to, traditional molecular mass‐ or MS/MS fragmentation‐based LC/MS approaches. This article reviews the mass defect patterns of various classes of drug metabolites and the basic principles of the MDF approach. Examples are given on the applications of the MDF technique to the detection of stable and chemically reactive metabolites in vitro and in vivo. Advantages, limitations, and future applications are also discussed on MDF and its combinations with other data mining techniques for the detection and identification of drug metabolites. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inactivation of fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling in myelinating glial cells results in significant loss of adult spiral ganglion neurons accompanied by age‐related hearing impairment
Authors: Wang S.J. , Furusho M. , D'Sa C. , Kuwada S. , Conti L. , Morest D.K. , Bansal R.
Published: July 2009

Hearing loss has been attributed to many factors, including degeneration of sensory neurons in the auditory pathway and demyelination along the cochlear nerve. Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), which signal through four receptors (Fgfrs), are produced by auditory neurons and play a key role in embryonic development of the cochlea and in neuroprotection against sound‐induced injury. However, the role of FGF signaling in the maintenance of normal auditory function in adult and aging mice remains to be elucidated. Furthermore, the contribution of glial cells, which myelinate the cochlear nerves, is poorly understood. To address these questions, we generated transgenic mice in which Fgfr1 and Fgfr2 were specifically inactivated in Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes but not in neurons. Adult mutant mice exhibited late onset of hearing impairment, which progressed markedly with age. The hearing impairment was accompanied by significant loss of myelinated spiral ganglion neurons. The pathology extended into the cochlear nucleus, without apparent loss of myelin or of the deletion‐bearing glial cells themselves. This suggests that perturbation of FGF receptor‐mediated glial function leads to the attenuation of glial support of neurons, leading to their loss and impairment of auditory functions. Thus, FGF/FGF receptor signaling provides a potentially novel mechanism of maintaining reciprocal interactions between neurons and glia in adult and aging animals. Dysfunction of glial cells and FGF receptor signaling may therefore be implicated in neurodegenerative hearing loss associated with normal aging. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Apoptosis and autophagy in rat cerebellar granule neuron death: Role of reactive oxygen species
Authors: Maycotte Paola , Guemez‐Gamboa Alicia , Moran Julio
Published: July 2009

Programmed cell death (PCD) has been defined as an active, controlled process in which cells participate in their own demise. Apoptosis, or type I PCD, has been widely characterized, both morphologically and biochemically. More recently, autophagy, the self‐digesting mechanism involved in the removal of cytoplasmic long‐lived proteins, has been involved in cell death, and type II PCD is defined as cell death occurring with autophagic features. Neurons can undergo more than one type of PCD as a backup mechanism when the traditional death pathway is inhibited or in response to a particular death‐inducing stimulus. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been shown to be important signaling molecules in the execution of apoptosis and, more recently, in the autophagic pathway. In this work, we characterize apoptotic and autophagic cell death in rat cerebellar granule neuron (CGN) culture, a widespread model for the study of neuronal death. Potassium deprivation (K5) and staurosporine (STS) were used for death induction. We found apoptotic and autophagic features under both conditions. Caspase inhibition as well as autophagy inhibition by 3‐methyl adenine decreased cell death. Moreover, CGN can undergo the alternative type of cell death when the other one is inhibited. An antioxidant or NADPH oxidase inhibitors delayed apoptosis and had no effect in autophagic features. Thus, we found that autophagy plays a role in cell death of CGN and that, when cells are treated with K5 or STS, both autophagy and ROS seem to promote apoptosis by independent mechanisms. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Carboxypeptidase E knockout mice exhibit abnormal dendritic arborization and spine morphology in central nervous system neurons
Authors: Woronowicz Alicja , Cawley Niamh X. , Chang Su‐Youne , Koshimizu Hisatsugu , Phillips Andrè W. , Xiong Zhi‐Gang , Loh Y. Peng
Published: July 2009

Carboxypeptidase E (CPE) is involved in maturation of neuropeptides and sorting of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to the regulated pathway for activity‐dependent secretion from CNS neurons. CPE knockout (CPE‐KO) mice have many neurological deficits, including deficits in learning and memory. Here, we analyzed the dendritic arborization and spine morphology of CPE‐KO mice to determine a possible correlation of defects in such structures with the neurological deficits observed in these animals. Analysis of pyramidal neurons in layer V of cerebral cortex and in hippocampal CA1 region in 14‐week‐old CPE‐KO mice showed more dendritic complexity compared with wild type (WT) mice. There were more dendritic intersections and more branch points in CPE‐KO vs. WT neurons. Comparison of pyramidal cortical neurons in 6‐ vs. 14‐week‐old WT mice showed a decrease in dendritic arborization, reflecting the occurrence of normal dendritic pruning. However, this did not occur in CPE‐KO neurons. Furthermore, analysis of spine morphology demonstrated a significant increase in the number of D‐type spines regarded as nonfunctional in the cortical neurons of CPE‐KO animals. Our findings suggest that CPE is an important, novel player in mediating appropriate dendritic patterning and spine formation in CNS neurons. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
New trends and recent advances in coherent Raman microscopy and nonlinear optical spectroscopy: introduction to the special issue
Authors: Volkmer A. , Radi P. P. , Zheltikov A. M. , Zumbusch A.
Published: July 2009

This special issue highlights 20 papers, presenting the latest theoretical and experimental developments and achievements in coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy and nonlinear optical spectroscopy. Most of them were presented at the seventh European Conference on Nonlinear Optical Spectroscopy (ECONOS 2008) jointly held with the first European Conference on CARS Microscopy (microCARS 2008) in Igls, Austria, May 25–27, 2008. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Olive oil mineral content of two local genotypes as influenced by recycled effluent irrigation under arid environment
Authors: Al‐Absi Khaled M , Mohawesh Osama E
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND: An alternative plan for saving scarce water could include use of non‐conventional water resources such as reclaimed wastewater originating from wastewater treatment plants. The main health risks are associated with contamination of crops by wastewater due to its chemical composition. Therefore, the effect of recycled effluent irrigation was investigated on mineral composition and quality of olive oil of two local olive cultivars under field conditions during two complete cycles.

RESULTS: The treated wastewater used in this study was taken from the HUIE Wastewater Treatment Plant. This water is mainly generated by textile firms, mixed with municipal domestic effluent. The analysis of the effluent indicated that element concentrations fall within the permissible range in irrigation water used for plants. The concentrations of mineral composition were relatively higher in olive oils irrigated with treated wastewater but lower than the maximum permissible concentration. Concentrations ranged from 8.91 to 26.16 mg kg−1 for Ca; 6.25–16.11 mg kg−1 for Na, 53.20–111.76 mg kg−1 for K, 0.19–0.36 mg kg−1 for Zn, 0.97–1.46 mg kg−1 for Mn and 0.07–0.13% for Cl. No statistically significant differences were found between the oil quality indices (peroxide and acidity).

CONCLUSION: These results indicate that this kind of effluent is suitable for irrigation of olive genotypes grown for oil purposes. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Thienyl analogues of acyclic monoterpene alcohols and their biological activity
Authors: Bonikowski Radosław , Sikora Magdalena , Kula Józef , Kunicka Alina
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND: Thienyl analogues of linalool, geraniol, nerol and citronellol were synthesised and their sensory and anti‐ microbial activities were investigated.

RESULTS: The thienyl analogues of linalool, geraniol, nerol and citronellol, in which the isobutenyl moiety was replaced by a thiophene substituent, were synthesised from commercially available 2‐ and 3‐methylthiophenes and 2‐ and 3‐thiophenecarboxaldehydes. The olfactory properties of the new compounds were generally of the corresponding parent terpene type; however, their relative volatility determined by the headspace gas chromatography method was lower by a factor of 34–42 compared with the parent alcohols. Antimicrobial activity against Aspergillus niger and Penicillium expansum of some thienyl analogues of linalool was 1.5–3 times higher than that of linalool, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.2–0.1 µL mL−1.

CONCLUSION: Replacement of the isobutenyl moiety in acyclic monoterpene alcohols by a thienyl substituent results in the formation of new terpene analogues, some of which are interesting for perfumery and cosmetology because of their odour quality, tenacity and antimicrobial action. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparison between monolithic and particle‐packed platinum C18 columns in HPLC determination of acidic and basic test mixtures
Authors: Atia Noha N. , York Peter , Clark Brian J.
Published: July 2009

Herein we report the results of a comparative study on the performance of Monolithic RP‐18e and Platinum C18 3 μm columns for isocratic separation of acidic and basic test compounds. The inter‐ and intraday precision of different practical parameters including number of theoretical plates (N), capacity factor (K′), tailing factor (T0.05), and resolution (Rs) were determined for both columns. Two different production batches were used for each column and batch to batch reproducibility of both columns was evaluated. The column backpressure drop over flow rate range 0.5–2 mL/min at the monolithic columns was two‐ to three‐times lower than that on the platinum column without loss of the column efficiency. The plate heights were used to estimate the columns efficiency using Van Deemter plots. Both types of columns were able to separate the tested compounds well with sufficient resolution and peak symmetry but they differ in the analysis time and column backpressure, significantly. Monolithic column was more convenient as it enables the analytical run under low backpressure at shorter time with sufficient separation efficiency.
Purification of large plasmids with methacrylate monolithic columns
Authors: Krajnc Nika Lendero , Smrekar Franci , Černe Jasmina , Raspor Peter , Modic Martina , Krgovič Danijela , Štrancar Aleš , Podgornik Aleš
Published: July 2009

The rapid evolution of gene therapy and DNA vaccines results in an increasing interest in producing large quantities of pharmaceutical grade plasmid DNA. Most current clinical trials involve plasmids of 10 kb or smaller in size, however, future requirements for multigene vectors including extensive control regions may require the production of larger plasmids, e. g., 20 kb and bigger. The objective of this study was to examine certain process conditions for purification of large plasmids with the size of up to 93 kb. Since there is a lack of knowledge about production and purification of bigger plasmid DNA, cell lysis and storage conditions were investigated. The impact of chromatographic system and methacrylate monolithic column on the degradation of plasmid molecules under nonbinding conditions at different flow rates was studied. Furthermore, capacity measurements varying salt concentration in loading buffer were performed and the capacities up to 13 mg of plasmid per mL of the monolithic column were obtained. The capacity flow independence in the range from 130 to 370 cm/h was observed. Using high resolution monolithic column the separation of linear and supercoiled isoforms of large plasmids was obtained. Last but not least, since the baseline separation of RNA and pDNA was achieved, the one step purification on larger CIM DEAE 8 mL tube monolithic column was performed and the fractions were analyzed by CIM analytical monolithic columns.
Molecular resonance vs. coblation tonsillectomy in children
Authors: D'Eredità Riccardo , Bozzola Loredana
Published: July 2009

Background:

Quantum molecular resonance coagulation is an innovative technology that uses molecular resonance to cut and coagulate precisely, cleanly, and hemostatically at low tissue temperature levels. This technology offers a new possibility for tonsillectomy.

Objectives:

To compare molecular resonance (MRT) with coblation (CAT) devices for pediatric tonsillectomy.

Study Design:

Prospective, two‐group, randomized trial in a tertiary care pediatric institution. One hundred fifty‐seven children for whom tonsillectomy was indicated were randomly assigned to receive MRT (n = 79) or CAT (n = 78). Main outcome measures included intraoperative time, blood loss, postoperative pain, and weight loss. Histopathologic examination was performed on all excised tonsils. Patients, parents, and pathologist were blinded to surgical modality.

Results:

Histopathologic evaluation revealed significantly reduced thermal injury with MRT than with CAT (43 microns vs. 126, respectively, P < .001), and was statistically associated with reduced muscular, blood vessel, and nerve fiber damage. No intraoperative blood loss was observed in patients following MRT. Statistically significant reduced pain scores were related to the MRT (P < .002). In addition, the MRT method showed a quick return to normal diet with even weight gain during the 10‐day postoperative period. One child in the CAT group experienced delayed bleeding and required readmission.

Conclusions:

Molecular resonance for pediatric tonsillectomy resulted in significantly reduced histopathologic thermal injury and lower pain scores compared with coblation. Further studies are advised to support these data. Laryngoscope, 2009
Does annual temperature influence the prevalence of otolaryngologic respiratory diseases?
Authors: Bhattacharyya Neil
Published: July 2009

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Determine if increasing annual temperature is associated with an increase in the prevalence of otolaryngologic respiratory diseases.

Study Design:

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods:

Patients and disease variables were extracted from the National Health Interview Survey for the calendar years 1998 to 2006 adult sample. Corresponding average annual temperature statistics were obtained from the National Climatic Data Center. The disease prevalences of hay fever, sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, and jaw/face pain (control group) were determined and tabulated according to mean annual temperature and compared graphically. Regression analysis for disease prevalence according to mean annual temperature was conducted.

Results:

A total of 851,584 adults were sampled with a mean age of 35.7 years and a male:female ratio of 0.93:1. The overall disease prevalences for the disease conditions across all years of the study were (±95% confidence interval): hay fever (9.2% ± 0.1%), sinusitis (15.0% ± 0.2%), chronic bronchitis (4.5% ± 0.1%) and pain in jaw/front of ear (4.5% ± 0.1%). Regression analysis did not find a significant relationship between average annual temperature and the prevalence of disease for hay fever, jaw pain, or chronic bronchitis. A statistically significant but small regression coefficient (0.004) was noted for an increasing prevalence of sinusitis with increasing annual temperature (P = .031).

Conclusions:

Changes in mean annual temperature did not influence the prevalence of hay fever but did influence the prevalence of sinusitis over a 9‐year period. Given the strong prevalence of hay fever and sinusitis, the effect of global warming on the otolaryngologic disease deserves continued epidemiologic surveillance. Laryngoscope, 2009
On‐chip single photon sources using planar photonic crystals and single quantum dots
Authors: Yao P. , Manga Rao V.S.C. , Hughes S.
Published: July 2009

We review the basic light‐matter interactions and optical properties of chip‐based single photon sources, that are enabled by integrating single quantum dots with planar photonic crystals. A theoretical framework is presented that allows one to connect to a wide range of quantum light propagation effects in a physically intuitive and straightforward way. We focus on the important mechanisms of enhanced spontaneous emission, and efficient photon extraction, using all‐integrated photonic crystal components including waveguides, cavities, quantum dots and output couplers. The limitations, challenges, and exciting prospects of developing on‐chip quantum light sources using integrated photonic crystal structures are discussed.
Novel UV‐Absorbing Nitrones: Synthesis and 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition onto Poly(urethane)s
Authors: Bietz Jens , Ritter Helmut
Published: July 2009

UV‐absorbing nitrones based on 4‐hydroxybenzophenone and stilbene were synthesized by condensation of derivatives of benzaldehyde with N‐methylhydroxylamine hydrochloride and could be characterized by IR, NMR, UV‐Vis spectroscopy and MS‐EI spectrometry. The ability of the synthesized compounds to undergo 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition was observed by treatment of an unsaturated, soluble, oligo(urethane) with the new nitrones. The conversion could be determined by IR and NMR spectroscopy and GPC measurements. Additionally the conversion of the nitrones with fumaric acid diethyl ester, as a model compound, could be verified and analyzed by UV and NMR spectroscopy.

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Lokale Hochverformung zur Erzeugung von ultrafeinkörnigen Zonen
Authors: Neugebauer R. , Putz M. , Bergmann M.
Published: July 2009

Die Verfahren der Severe Plastic Deformation sind geeignet, Halbzeuge mit einer über den gesamten Querschnitt homogenen ultrafeinkörnigen Mikrostruktur herzustellen. Eine Alternative ist die Einstellung von ultrafeinkörnigen Zonen bzw. eines Gradienten der Korngröße. Durch Betrachtung von Verfahren zur Herstellung ultrafeinkörniger Werkstoffe und des Walkeffektes bei zyklischer Umformung, wird auf eine Eignung inkrementeller Massivumformverfahren geschlossen. Das Bohrungsdrücken wird hinsichtlich der Ausbildung ultrafeinkörniger Zonen untersucht. In Versuchen wird die Feinkörnung in den zyklisch verformten Bauteilregionen untersucht.
Experimentelle und phänomenologische Beschreibung des mechanischen Verhaltens der Aluminiumlegierung EN AW‐7075 nach großer plastischer Vorverformung
Authors: Shutov A. , Hockauf K. , Halle T. , Kreißig R. , Meyer L.W.
Published: July 2009

Der Schwerpunkt der Untersuchungen liegt in der Ermittlung der mechanischen Eigenschaften der Aluminiumlegierung EN AW‐7075 nach mehrmaligem Ecapieren. Zunächst wurde eine Reihe von einachsigen Experimenten bei monotoner und zyklischer Belastung durchgeführt. Die experimentellen Ergebnisse dienen als Basis für die Identifikation der Parameter eines Materialmodells der finiten Viskoplastizität.
Innovative Lösungsansätze für das Fügen von AMCs
Authors: Wielage B. , Hoyer I. , Weis S. , Grund Th.
Published: July 2009

Der Einsatz von Aluminiummatrix‐Verbundwerkstoffen (AMC) in Strukturbauteilen erfordert geeignete Fügetechnologien. Ein wichtiger Aspekt dabei ist die Erhaltung des eingestellten Eigenschaftsprofils der Verbundwerkstoffe während des Fügeprozesses. Besonders kritisch ist die thermische Belastung des Grundwerkstoffs in Folge des prozessbedingten Wärmeeintrags. Um diesen gering zu halten, sind niedrigschmelzende Lote und angepasste Fügeverfahren notwendig.

Durch die Kombination eines Ultraschall‐ und Induktions‐Prozesses bieten sich mehrere Vorteile. Zum einen wird durch die Ultraschalleinleitung eine Zerrüttung der Oberflächenoxide und damit eine Benetzung der Fügeflächen ohne die Verwendung von Flussmitteln erreicht. Zum anderen sind durch eine lokale induktive Erwärmung sehr kurze Fügezeiten realisierbar, so dass der Wärmeeintag in die zu fügenden Grundwerkstoffe auf ein Mindestmaß reduziert werden kann. Eine wichtige Rolle für die erreichbaren Verbindungsfestigkeiten spielt dabei die Applikationsform der Lote. Ausgewählte Versuchsergebnisse zeigen die Vor‐ und Nachteile verschiedener Varianten.
Reliable H∞ filter design for a class of discrete‐time nonlinear systems with time‐varying delay
Authors: Guo Xiang‐Gui , Yang Guang‐Hong
Published: July 2009

This paper is concerned with the reliable H∞ filtering problem against sensor failures for a class of discrete‐time systems with simultaneous sector‐bounded nonlinearities and time‐varying delay. The purpose of the paper is to design a filter such that the filtering error systems are asymptotically stable and meet the prescribed H∞ norm constraint in normal case as well as in sensor failure case. Sufficient delay‐dependent conditions for the existence of such a filter are obtained by using appropriate Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional and linear matrix inequality techniques. Moreover, we adopt the slack variable method to realize the decoupling between the Lyapunov matrix and the system dynamic matrices, which makes us enable to adopt different Lyapunov matrices for the normal and the sensor failure cases, respectively. Numerical examples are also provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of governance on education inequality: Evidence from Bangladesh
Authors: Al‐Samarrai Samer
Published: July 2009

Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in increasing education access in the last 20 years. However, substantial inequalities in educational attainment remain even though equity in education is a central government objective. The article argues that weaknesses in education sector governance are crucial to understanding these persistent inequalities. At the level of the budget, anti‐poor biases in allocation decisions are shown to be the result of the budget's role in political management and the lack of effective accountability mechanisms. The spearhead of government attempts to address education inequality at the primary level has been the conditional cash transfer programme for poor children. The article shows that the programme has failed to target the poor and suggests that this has been due to the weaknesses and contradictions in the governance of the programme. Strengthening the links between policy and implementation through improvements in the governance of the sector are crucial if inequality is to be addressed and national education goals achieved. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Joint sector reviews—M&E experiments in an era of changing aid modalities: Experiences from JSRs in the education sectors of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger
Authors: Holvoet Nathalie , Inberg Liesbeth
Published: July 2009

Aid policy and practice have been thoroughly shaken up over the past few years. One of the reform areas relates to monitoring and evaluation (M&E). In short, aid recipients are asked to elaborate result‐oriented frameworks while donors are expected to harmonise and align their policies and frameworks. This article examines the extent to which joint sector reviews (JSRs) could take the M&E reform agenda forward. JSRs are M&E exercises at the sector level which have the potential to satisfy the M&E needs of various stakeholders while, at the same time, also contributing to the M&E reform agenda. They are increasingly utilised on the ground, yet, so far, there do not exist any systematic stocktakings and/or analyses of them. Our own analysis of a sample of JSRs from the education sectors of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger indicate that JSRs score highly on harmonisation, coordination, leadership and broad‐based participation, but poorly on alignment. They generally prioritise accountability over learning needs and largely neglect accountability and learning at the level of the sector institutional apparatus. In this article, findings from the field are contrasted with insights from evaluation theory and practice so as to provide suggestions for on the ground JSR improvements. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Successful treatment with daclizumab of refractory anaplastic lymphoma
Authors: Costa Vítor , Oliva Teresa , Norton Lucília
Published: July 2009

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a relatively rare and highly malignant form of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) which accounts for 10–15% of these childhood lymphomas. Current treatment protocols for ALCL in children consist of a short course of high intensity polychemotherapy. Here we describe an 8‐year‐old female with relapsed ALCL who achieved good response with anti‐CD25 monoclonal antibody daclizumab. Daclizumab appears to offer a safe treatment option, but further research needs to be conducted in order to define its role in children with ALCL who do not respond to intensive chemotherapy. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;53:1130–1131. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Surface Modification with Pressure Pulse Plasmas
Authors: Holländer Andreas , Kröpke Stefan
Published: July 2009

In plasma treatments, the process gas is usually fed into the chamber in a more or less continuous way. The pulsing of the process gas can provide new opportunities. Some of them are explored in this paper. The interrupted or alternating process gas flux can help in mixing the sample in an activation treatment of a polyethylene powder. If the pores are not too small, a pressure pulse can help to improve the oxidation inside a porous polyolefin material. A plasma polymerization of ethene or allylamine can be more efficient if the timing of a plasma power pulse and the monomer pulse is optimized. Radicals are formed in the surface during the plasma pulse and these radicals initiate a polymerization of the monomer at a higher pressure.

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An unusual case of traumatic pneumatocele in a nine‐year‐old girl: A bronchial tear with clear bronchial laceration
Authors: Van Hoorebeke Evelyn , Jorens Philippe G. , Wojciechowski Marek , Salgado Rodrigo , Desager Kristine , Van Schil Paul , Ramet José
Published: July 2009

Post‐traumatic pneumatoceles (traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts) after blunt thoracic trauma are not frequently observed. It is widely accepted that pneumatoceles are caused by compression of the lung resulting in bursting parenchyma, followed by decompression of the chest with negative intrathoracic pressure. We present a case of post‐traumatic pneumatocele in a nine‐year‐old girl who was crushed under the tailboard of a horse hamper. A multislice CT of the thorax clearly demonstrated a bronchial laceration pointing to bronchial disruption as an additional causative mechanism. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:826–828. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Using index of ventilation to assess response to treatment for acute pulmonary exacerbation in children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Robinson Paul D. , Cooper Peter , Van Asperen Peter , Fitzgerald Dominic , Selvadurai Hiran
Published: July 2009

Background

The use of alternative more sensitive measures has become a focus of research in CF. The utility of indexes of ventilation, Lung Clearance Index (LCI) and peak aerobic capacity (peak VO2), were studied as assessment tools in gauging response to intravenous (IV) therapy in acute pulmonary exacerbation, in comparison to the more commonly used index of forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1). The utility of a previously published clinical score was further explored.

Methods

Patients aged 8–18 years admitted for IV antibiotic treatment of a pulmonary exacerbation were recruited. Spirometry, plethysmography, multiple breath nitrogen washout, exercise testing, and Cystic Fibrosis Clinical Score (CFCS) were performed on admission and prior to discharge.

Results

Twenty‐eight patients were recruited, with a mean (range) age of 13.7 (8; 17) years, 16 female and 12 male. Mean (range) admission FEV1 was 61.4 (28; 92)% predicted, or z‐score −3.09 (−6.15; −0.52), FVC 83.0 (38; 120)% predicted, or z‐score −1.71 (−5.66; −1.17), and Shwachman–Kulczycki 68.9 (50; 90). FEV1 increased by 7.0% (P < 0.01) from admission to discharge. Mean (range) admission LCI, 10.10 (6.87; 14.83), decreased by 3.8% (P = 0.03). Mean (range) admission peak VO2 (ml/kg/min), 31.2 (23.4; 45.4), increased on discharge by 6.6% (P < 0.01). Proposed clinical thresholds, based on the available variability data, highlighted the heterogeneity of response in lung function tests. Mean (range) admission CFCS, 26.5 (19; 39), decreased to 19.9 (13; 31) on discharge, a 25.2% improvement (P < 0.01). CFCS demonstrated improvement in 27 of 28 patients. Changes in peak VO2 (r = −0.50, P = 0.02) and LCI (r = 0.48, P = 0.01) correlated with CFCS change.

Conclusions

In children with mild‐to‐moderate CF, whilst statistically significant improvement in both LCI and peak VO2 were seen, heterogeneity of response was evident. The most consistent improvement was seen in CFCS. Correlation of LCI and peak VO2 with change in clinical score (CFCS) was seen. The full clinical significance of these changes in LCI and peak VO2 needs to be evaluated further with additional variability data. The CFCS may be useful in the assessment of response to treatment in CF but requires formal validation. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:733–742. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inter‐observer agreement between physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists for respiratory clinical evaluation in bronchiolitis
Authors: Gajdos V. , Beydon N. , Bommenel L. , Pellegrino B. , de Pontual L. , Bailleux S. , Labrune P. , Bouyer J.
Published: July 2009

Care providers for children with bronchiolitis use various tools to evaluate respiratory status. The use of a single tool by different types of care provider requires a high level of inter‐observer agreement, an aspect rarely studied. This study, involving 82 physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists aimed to evaluate inter‐observer agreement for clinical evaluations in children hospitalized for a first episode of bronchiolitis. Respiratory evaluation included three frequently reported parameters of respiratory status: respiratory rate, retraction signs, and wheezing. The frequency of concordance for observers from the same and from different care provider groups was assessed using a weighted kappa statistic and considering all possible combinations of care providers. We also calculated inter‐provider agreement as a function of patient age, regardless of care provider type. Overall inter‐observer agreement for all provider pairs was 93.1%, with a weighted kappa statistic of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.66–0.78), indicating substantial agreement, with no difference as a function of pair composition. Inter‐observer agreements for the various age groups ranged from 87% to 93%, with kappa scores ranging from 0.62 to 0.78. We conclude that a simple clinical evaluation for respiratory status assessment has a high level of inter‐observer agreement within and between physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists. Thus, once the validity of this test has been confirmed in a large population sample, it should be possible to use this test to monitor children hospitalized with bronchiolitis and as an endpoint in clinical trials. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:754–762. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relations between depressive and anxious symptoms and quality of life in caregivers of children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Driscoll Kimberly A. , Montag‐Leifling Karen , Acton James D. , Modi Avani C.
Published: July 2009

Little is known about depressive and anxious symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in caregivers of children with cystic fibrosis (CF). The aims of this study were to: (1) assess rates of female and male caregiver depressive and anxious symptoms, and (2) evaluate relations between depressive and anxious symptoms, caregiver QOL, and health outcomes.

Patients and Methods

Eligible participants were caregivers of children with CF who completed three questionnaires assessing depressive and anxious symptoms and caregiver QOL during routine CF Clinic appointments.

Results

Rates of depressive and anxious symptoms were elevated in female and male caregivers of children with CF. Rates were higher for anxious (51% for females, 43% for males) than depressive symptoms (20–28% for females; 14–31% for males). Female caregiver depressive symptoms increased as child lung functioning decreased. As depressive and anxious symptoms increased, caregiver QOL decreased. In addition, female caregiver depressive and anxious symptoms were positively correlated with male caregiver anxious and depressive symptoms in a small subsample of couples. CF disease severity and caregiver depressive symptoms predicted caregiver QOL.

Conclusion

Rates of depressive and anxious symptoms are high among caregivers of children with CF. The results of this study highlight the need to screen for female and male caregiver depressive and anxious symptoms in the CF Clinic as CF Team members are well positioned to provided assistance around solving CF‐related challenges. In addition, alleviation of depressive and anxious symptoms could potentially lead to improvements in the psychological functioning and well‐being of caregivers of children with CF. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:784–792. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Congenital chylothorax: Clinical course and prognostic significance
Authors: Ergaz Zivanit , Bar‐Oz Benjamin , Yatsiv Ido , Arad Ilan
Published: July 2009

Objective

To determine the underlying etiology, associated malformations, clinical course, and prognostic significance of congenital chylothorax.

Study design

A retrospective analysis of 11 neonates admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit with congenital chylothorax between January 2000 and June 2008. The post‐discharge clinical and developmental course was evaluated by a telephone survey performed in July 2008.

Results

Antenatal diagnosis was established in 9 out of 11 infants by ultrasound examination; 5 had intrauterine pleural drainage. Eight infants had either structural or chromosomal abnormalities. The postnatal treatment included mechanical ventilation, drainage of pleural fluid and feeding with enriched medium chain triglyceride formula. Somatostatin was administered in one case. Six patients developed nosocomial infections. Two patients died after resolution of the chylothorax from deteriorating renal failure. Seven patients were traced for follow up and six of them achieved age appropriate developmental milestones.

Conclusion

The recovery from chylothorax and future prognosis were dependent on the underlying etiology. Chylothorax was often a secondary event, with apparently favorable clinical and developmental prognosis when the underlying or/and associated condition was treatable. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:806–811. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ex vivo [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO binding is unchanged in animal models displaying increased high‐affinity states of the D2receptor in vitro
Authors: McCormick Patrick N. , Kapur Shitij , Reckless Greg , Wilson Alan A.
Published: July 2009

Dopamine (DA) D2receptor supersensitivity has been linked to an increase in the density of the D2high‐affinity state as measured in vitro. The two‐ affinity‐state model of the D2receptor predicts that the ex vivo specific binding of [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO, an agonist radiotracer thought to bind selectively to the high‐affinity state in vivo, should be increased in animal models that display in vitro increases in the proportion of receptors in the D2high‐affinity state. Here, we test this hypotheses by comparing the ex vivo SBR of [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO with that of the antagonist radiotracer [3H]‐raclopride in three dopaminergically supersensitive rat models—AMPH‐sensitized rats, rats withdrawn from chronic ethanol, and unilaterally 6‐OHDA‐lesioned rats—using ex vivo dual‐radiotracer biodistribution studies. We find that in AMPH‐sensitized rats and rats withdrawn from chronic ethanol treatment, models that exhibited ∼4‐fold increases in the D2high‐affinity state in vitro, the SBRs of [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO and [3H]‐raclopride are unchanged relative to control rats. In unilaterally 6‐OHDA‐lesioned rats, we find that the increase in [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO SBR is no different than that observed for the antagonist radiotracer [3H]‐raclopride (54% ± 16% and 52% ± 14%, respectively). In addition, the effect of acute AMPH pretreatment (4 mg/kg, i.v.) on the SBRs of [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO and [3H]‐raclopride is equivalent in AMPH‐sensitized (−38% ± 12% and −36% ± 8%, respectively) and in control rats (−40% ± 11% and −38% ± 7%). These data emphasize a significant discrepancy between in vitro and in vivo measures of D2agonist binding, indicating that the two‐affinity‐state model of the D2receptor may not apply veridically to living systems. The potential implications of this discrepancy are discussed. Synapse 63:998–1009, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Deficits in substance P mRNA levels in the CeA are inversely associated with alcohol‐motivated responding
Authors: Yang Andrew Rong Song Tzeng , Yi Heon Soo , Mamczarz Jacek , June Harry L. , Hwang Bang H. , June Harry L.
Published: July 2009

In the present study, in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to determine the relationship between innate substance P (SP) levels and alcohol‐motivated behavior in alcohol‐preferring (P) and nonpreferring (NP) rat lines. In Experiment 1, in situ hybridization and quantitative autoradiography were used to detect and measure SP mRNA levels in discrete brain loci of the P and NP rats. The results indicated significantly lower SP mRNA levels in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) of P compared with those of NP rats. Experiment 2 evaluated the effects of SP, microinfused into the CeA, on alcohol (10%, v/v) and sucrose (2%, w/v) motivated responding in the P rat. The results revealed that, when infused into the CeA (1–8 μg), SP reduced alcohol responding by 48–85% of control levels, with no effects on sucrose responding. Neuroanatomical control infusions (1–8 μg) into the caudate putamen (CPu) also failed to significantly alter alcohol‐ or sucrose‐motivated behaviors. Given the selective reductions on alcohol (compared to sucrose) responding by direct intracranial infusion of SP, the data suggest that deficits in SP signaling within the CeA (an anxiety regulating locus) are inversely associated with alcohol‐motivated behaviors. Activation of SP receptors in the CeA may reduce anxiety‐like behavior in the P rat and contribute to reductions on alcohol responding. The SP system may be a suitable target for the development of drugs to reduce alcohol‐drinking behavior in humans. Synapse 63:972–981, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.