bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a battery support system for the prolonged activity of mobile robots
Authors: Saito Yasuo , Asai Kouhei , Choi Yongwoon , Iyota Taketoshi , Watanabe Kazuhiro , Kubota Yuzuru
Published: February 2011

The majority of traditional power supply solutions for prolonged activity in mobile robots have involved work robots returning to a charge station to charge or exchange batteries. These methods have problems, such as interruption of the task and process and limitation of the robot's activity range. As a new approach of solving these problems, we have developed a battery support system that includes a robot dedicated to delivering fresh batteries. The battery support system is made up of a work robot, a support robot, a battery charge station, and a server PC to manage the entire system. The work robot in the system monitors its own battery power and location continuously while performing tasks assigned by the server PC. If the battery power falls below a certain threshold, the server PC commands the support robot to help the work robot. After the support robot approaches and docks with the work robot, the two robots exchange batteries using the attached battery exchange mechanism. In the present paper, the details of each mechanism of the system and the performance of the battery support system integrated with practical mechanics are described, and experimental results are presented. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 94(3): 60–71, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10284
Impedance characteristics analysis of the non‐contact magnetic type position sensor
Authors: Yang Seung‐ho , Hirata Katsuhiro , Ota Tomohiro , Mitsutake Yoshio , Kawase Yoshihiro
Published: February 2011

The mechanical contact‐type potentiometer that has been conventionally used as a position sensor is known to have the problems of contact reliability and lifetime. Therefore, we have developed a noncontact linear position sensor using impedance change based on displacement. In this paper, we evaluate the AC magnetization characteristics of the core material used for such a sensor, and investigate how to use the complex magnetic permeability in three‐dimensional finite element analysis. In addition, the impedance characteristics of the noncontact magnetic position sensor are calculated using the measured complex magnetic permeability of the core. The validity of our method is verified by comparing the measurements of the prototype to calculated values. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 94(3): 33–40, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10302
Detection and Extraction of Waveform Shapes for Local Signals Using Characteristic Waveform Template
Authors: Takayama Jun‐Ya , Ohyama Shinji , Kobayashi Akira
Published: February 2011

Since local signals appear time‐locally and their waveforms are steep, conventional signal processing methods are generally inadequate to detect them. In this paper, by focusing on amplitude distribution forms of an observed signal, a simple signal processing method is proposed to detect the local signals and extract their waveform shapes simultaneously. Concretely, a characteristic waveform template which consists of representative data series of a simplified target local signal is newly introduced, and a certain event regulated with it is adopted. The local signals can be detected by evaluating whether the amplitude distribution forms of observed signals are associated with the event, and substitution of conditional events for associated events improves detection performance. In addition, the proposed method has been extended to extract waveform shapes by introducing an enhanced waveform template, and automatic detection and extraction of waveform shapes can be performed simultaneously. The proposed method is applied to simulation signal data, and its effectiveness is confirmed by detection performance and extracted waveform shapes for the local signals. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 175(3): 37–47, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21074
Synthesis of the Azocino[cd]indole Framework through Pd‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Acetylene Hydroarylation
Authors: Peshkov Vsevolod A. , Van Hove Sofie , Donets Pavel A. , Pereshivko Olga P. , Van Hecke Kristof , Van Meervelt Luc , Van der Eycken Erik V.
Published: February 2011

The regio‐ and stereoselective construction of the azocino[cd]indole core was achieved by applying a Pd‐catalyzed intramolecular acetylene hydroarylation protocol. The applicability of a similar strategy for the synthesis of the azepino[b]indole framework is demonstrated.
Amperometric Tyrosinase Biosensor Based on Carbon Nanotube‐Doped Sol‐Gel‐Derived Zinc Oxide–Nafion Composite Films
Authors: Lee Joong Min , Xu Guang‐Ri , Kim Byung Kun , Choi Han Nim , Lee Won‐Yong
Published: February 2011

A highly sensitive amperometric tyrosinase biosensor has been developed based on mesoporous composite films of carbon nanotube (CNT)–ZnO–Nafion composite film encapsulating tyrosinase on a glassy carbon electrode. Due to the mesoporous nature (diameter: 3.17 nm) of the composite film, the biosensor exhibits very fast response time of 2 s. The present biosensor shows an excellent sensitivity of 766 mA/M and a detection limit of 4.7×10−8 M (S/N=3) for phenol. The biosensor retains 88 % of its initial activity after 2 weeks of storage in 50 mM phosphate buffer at pH 7.0. The present biosensor exhibits good recovery for the spiked phenol in an industrial waste water sample.
Nanogold Spacing of Stacked Graphene Nanofibers for Supercapacitors
Authors: Scott Claire L. , Pumera Martin
Published: February 2011

Graphene exhibits great potential for energy storage devices in electrochemical supercapacitors as it is a light‐weight, inexpensive material. However, as graphene nanomaterials are prone to stacking and therefore blocking electroactive sites, its real capacity is low. Recently, there has been a significant interest in quasi 1D structures of carbon nanofibers with radially oriented graphene sheets, called stacked graphene nanofibers graphite nanofibers or nanoribbons. Such nanofibers exhibit an unparalleled amount of edge sites on their surface. In this study, we use gold nanoparticles as nanospacers for separating stacked graphene nanofibers. We investigate the dependence of the capacitance of stacked graphene nanofiber/nanogold nanocomposites upon the size of gold nanoparticles (2–150 nm) and the amount of gold nanospacers in the composite. It was found that properly sized gold nanoparticles (of 40 nm) used as nanospacers of both 45 nm and 90 nm diameter stacked graphene nanofibers can increase the capacitance of nanofibers by three times.
Systemic low‐molecular weight drug delivery to pre‐selected neuronal regions
Authors: Campbell Matthew , Humphries Marian M. , Kiang Anna‐Sophia , Nguyen Anh T. H. , Gobbo Oliviero L. , Tam Lawrence C. S. , Suzuki Mayu , Hanrahan Finnian , Ozaki Ema , Farrar G.‐Jane , Kenna Paul F. , Humphries Peter
Published: February 2011

We describe a procedure for controlled, periodic, reversible modulation of selected regions of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) or the inner‐blood–retina barrier (iBRB) based on incorporation into an AAV‐2/9 vector of a doxycycline‐inducible gene encoding shRNA targeting claudin‐5, one of 30 or so proteins constituting the BBB and iBRB. The vector may be introduced stereotaxically into pre‐selected regions of the brain or into the retina, rendering these regions permeable to low‐molecular weight compounds up to approximately 1 kDa for the period of time during which the inducing agent, doxycycline, is administered in drinking water, but excluding potentially toxic higher molecular weight materials. We report on the use of barrier modulation in tandem with systemic drug therapy to prevent retinal degeneration and to suppress laser‐induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV), the latter being the hallmark pathology associated with the exudative, or wet, form of age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). These observations constitute the basis of a minimally invasive systemic therapeutic modality for retinal diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa and AMD, where, in early stage disease, the iBRB is intact and impervious to systemically administered drugs.

→See accompanying Closeup by John J. Rossi DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/emmm.201100132
A dynamic multimedia environmental and bioaccumulation model for brominated flame retardants in Lake Huron and Lake Erie, USA
Authors: Lim Dong-Hee , Lastoskie Christian M
Published: February 2011

Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) may pose a worldwide pollution problem because of their persistence, long-range transport capability, and predisposition to bioaccumulate. The ubiquitous presence of PBBs and PBDEs has heightened interest in determination of their fate. We report results for a fugacity-based dynamic environmental and bioaccumulation model of the fate of hexabromobiphenyl (hexaBB) discharged into the Saginaw Bay region of Lake Huron, USA. We calculated transient fugacity profiles of hexaBB in Lake Huron and Lake Erie water and sediment during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The hexaBB concentrations in the environmental compartments were used as inputs for a dynamic bioaccumulation model of Lake Huron and Lake Erie aquatic biota. The model results indicate that the sediment compartments of Lakes Huron and Erie serve as reservoirs for the accumulation and slow transfer of hexaBB to the food web constituents of these lakes. We present bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) and compare the predicted hexaBB concentrations in lake trout from the bioaccumulation model with measurements during the period 1980 to 2000. An uncertainty analysis for this model suggests that errors associated with input parameter uncertainty can be reduced by refining estimates of the sediment degradation half-life of hexaBB. The corroborated PBB model has carryover application for modeling the fate of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) contaminants in the Great Lakes. By fitting model outputs to field measurement data using the transformed least square fit method, we report estimations of 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) emission rates into the Lake Huron and Lake Erie watershed areas. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011; 30:1018–1025. © 2011 SETAC
Nickel toxicity in embryos and larvae of the South American toad: Effects on cell differentiation, morphogenesis, and oxygen consumption
Authors: Sztrum Abelardo Andrés , D'Eramo José Luis , Herkovits Jorge
Published: February 2011

Nickel, a widely distributed heavy metal in the biosphere, produces systemic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic effects. The objectives of the present study are to report the acute, short-term chronic, and chronic toxicity of Ni in Rhinella arenarum embryos as well as the stage-dependent susceptibility to this heavy metal, including oxygen consumption, teratogenesis, and adverse effects on cell differentiation processes. The stages evaluated were blastula (S.7), gastrula (S.11), tail bud (S.17), fin circulation (S.22), and complete operculum (S.25), in this last case by means of toxicity profile curves. Nickel increases its adverse effects gradually, with a maximum value after 96 h. The 50% lethal concentrations (LC50s) for 96, 168, and 240 h at S.25 were 1.14, 0.60, and 0.48 mg Ni2+/L, respectively; S.11 and S.22 were the least and most susceptible to Ni with, LC50s 96 h of 6.12 and 0.19 mg Ni2+/L, respectively. A reduction of approximately 25% in oxygen consumption anticipates lethal effects from S.17 onward. The main teratogenic effects were retarded growth and development, extremely severe axis incurvations, persistent yolk plug, asymmetry, microcephaly and mouth and gill agenesia, and limited neuromuscular activity. Ciliated cells were not functional. The possibility of associating the remarkable stage-dependent susceptibility to Ni with environmental changes during the evolutionary process is also considered. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011; 30:1146–1152. © 2011 SETAC
Inhibition of pyrene biotransformation by piperonyl butoxide and identification of two pyrene derivatives in Lumbriculus variegatus (Oligochaeta)
Authors: Carrasco Navarro Víctor , Brozinski Jenny-Maria , Leppänen Matti T , Honkanen Jani O , Kronberg Leif , Kukkonen Jussi V.K
Published: February 2011

Using the freshwater annelid Lumbriculus variegatus (Oligochaeta), the presence of cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes was investigated by analyzing metabolites of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pyrene in treatments with and without the CYP inhibitor piperonyl butoxide (PBO). The results show a low biotransformation capability of L. variegatus (7% of total pyrene body burden as metabolites at 168 h). Addition of PBO resulted in a significant reduction of metabolites, suggesting the presence of a CYP in L. variegatus. Besides 1-hydroxypyrene, three peaks representing unknown metabolites were detected in LC-FLD (liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection) chromatograms of L. variegatus. Deconjugations showed that sulfonation and glucosidation are involved in the formation of these unknowns. Further studies with the time of flight mass analyzer provided the identification of the glucose-sulfate conjugate of 1-hydroxypyrene. The same metabolites were detected in the solvent-nonextractable fraction by incubation of the tissue residues with proteinase K, suggesting that part of these metabolites are bound to proteins. Overall, the slow biotransformation of pyrene by L. variegatus (involving CYP) supports the use of this species in standard bioaccumulation tests; however, the tissue-bound metabolite fraction described in the current study deserves further investigation for its toxicity and availability to upper trophic levels through diet. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011; 30:1069–1078. © 2011 SETAC
Complex evaluation of ecotoxicity and genotoxicity of antimicrobials oxytetracycline and flumequine used in aquaculture
Authors: Zounková Radka , Klimešová Zdeňka , Nepejchalová Leona , Hilscherová Klára , Bláha Luděk
Published: February 2011

Ecotoxicity and genotoxicity of widely used veterinary antimicrobials oxytetracycline and flumequine was studied with six model organisms (Vibrio fischeri, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, Lemna minor, Daphnia magna, Escherichia coli). Overall median effective concentration (EC50) values ranged from 0.22 mg/L to 86 mg/L. Pseudomonas putida was the most sensitive organism (EC50 values for 16-h growth inhibition were 0.22 and 0.82 mg/L for oxytetracycline and flumequine, respectively), followed by duckweed Lemna minor (7-d growth inhibition, EC50 2.1 and 3.0 mg/L) and green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (4-d growth inhibition, EC50 3.1 and 2.6 mg/L). The least sensitive organism was Daphnia magna (48-h immobilization, lowest-observed-effect concentration [LOEC] of oxytetracycline of 400 mg/L). Oxytetracycline showed limited genotoxicity (SOS-chromotest with Escherichia coli, minimal genotoxic concentration of 500 mg/L), and flumequine was genotoxic at 0.25 mg/L. Based on the reported measured concentrations (MECs) and predicted no-effect concentrations (PNECs), oxytetracycline may be concluded to be of ecotoxicological concern (calculated risk quotient = 8), whereas flumequine seems to represent lower risk. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011; 30:1184–1189. © 2011 SETAC
Chesapeake Bay watershed pesticide use declines but toxicity increases
Authors: Hartwell S. Ian
Published: February 2011

Large areas of the Chesapeake Bay, USA, watershed are in agricultural land use, but there is no baywide program to track application rates of current-use pesticides in any of the watershed jurisdictions. Watershed studies demonstrate that several pesticides are present in surface and groundwater throughout the region. Between 1985 and 2004, the Maryland Department of Agriculture conducted surveys to estimate pesticide application within the state. Application rates of the dominant insecticides and herbicides were compiled over the survey period. Toxicity of the pesticides was tabulated, and the toxic units (TU) of applied active ingredients were calculated for several animal and plant species. The total mass of pesticides being applied to the watershed declined during the survey period. Due to increasing potency of the chemicals, however, total TUs applied have remained static or have significantly increased depending on the species of bioassay test organism used to assess toxicity. Applying estimates of pesticide transport into rivers in the Mississippi River basin show that significant quantities of pesticides may be entering Chesapeake Bay. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011; 30:1223–1231. © 2011 SETAC
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by integration of cement plants, power plants, and CO2 capture systems
Authors: Romeo Luis M. , Catalina David , Lisbona Pilar , Lara Yolanda , Martínez Ana
Published: February 2011

Cement plants and power plants are two of the most significant sources of greenhouse gases emissions. Many CO2 reduction options have been proposed in literature for both sectors. They are mainly focused on CO2 capture in power plants, but, in the short‐term, industrial processes are going to play an important role in achieving this objective.

In particular, one of the disadvantages in cement plants is that CO2 has two sources: fuel combustion and lime calcination. For this reason, proposed solutions could partially reduce a limited quantity of emissions. The sector is forced to use CO2 capture systems for further reductions. Preliminary results about the implementation of post‐combustion and oxyfuel combustion systems for CO2 capture show low energetic penalties and important emissions reduction. Nevertheless, a detailed analysis, not only of CO2 emissions, but of raw materials and its disposal, primary energy and waste energy, could give optimum results from an environmental, energetic, and economic perspective.

The combination/integration by industrial symbiosis of a power plant, a cement plant and a CO2 capture system is proposed in this work. Calcium‐looping is chosen as the most suitable CO2 capture option for this application. The re‐use of waste CaO coming from CO2 capture in the cement plant, and the utilization of waste energy from a clinker cooling and capture system to produce additional power are the main advantages of this proposal. Process flow diagrams and heat and mass balances are calculated and presented in this work. Results show a low value of the CO2 avoided cost, 12.4 €/t, that is smaller than in any other combination of power plant with capture system or cement plant plus capture system, making this proposal economically very attractive. Moreover, an important amount of CO2 emissions is avoided ‐ 94% ‐ due to the energetic efficiency augmentation, the reduction of raw and decarbonizated materials, and the CO2 capture system. © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
CO2 mineral sequestration: developments toward large‐scale application
Authors: Zevenhoven Ron , Fagerlund Johan , Songok Joel Kibiwot
Published: February 2011

The years ahead will show whether CO2 mineral sequestration can be developed to a unit scale of the order of 1 Mt/a CO2 storage around the year 2020, offering additional large‐scale carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) capacity besides underground CO2 sequestration. Motivated by the slow deployment of large‐scale underground storage of CO2 or simply the availability of large amounts of suitable minerals, progress on mineral sequestration is being steadily made and reported by an increasing number of research teams and projects worldwide. Other well‐documented advantages of the method are that it offers leakage‐free CO2 fixation that does not require post‐storage monitoring and an overwhelmingly large capacity is offered by mineral resources available worldwide, besides the feature that the chemical conversion releases significant amounts of heat. As recognized more recently, it also offers the possibility to operate with a CO2‐containing gas directly, removing the expensive CO2 separation step from the CCS process chain. Moreover, the solid products can be used in applications ranging from land reclamation to iron‐ and steelmaking. With the technology overview given in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on CCS (2005) as a reference point, the method is reviewed and its capacity, weaknesses, and strengths are re‐assessed. The state‐of‐the‐art after twenty years of R&D work as reflected by ongoing development work inside and outside laboratories is summarized, illustrating the future prospects of CO2 mineralization within a portfolio of CCS technologies under development worldwide. Current developments include an increasing number of patents and patent applications and a trend toward scale‐up and demonstration. © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
On carbon footprints and growing energy use
Authors: Oldenburg Curtis M.
Published: February 2011

Could fractional reductions in the carbon footprint of a growing organization lead to a corresponding real reduction in atmospheric CO2 emissions in the next ten years? Curtis M. Oldenburg, Editor‐in‐Chief, considers his own organization's carbon footprint and answers this critical question?. © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Kin relationship of caregivers and people with dementia: stress and response to intervention
Authors: Kim Kyungmin , Zarit Steven H. , Femia Elia E. , Savla Jyoti
Published: February 2011

Objective

This study examined the effects of kin relationship on response to use of adult day services (ADS) on feelings of overload, depressive symptoms, and positive affect for family caregivers of people with dementia.

Methods

The sample consisted of 341 participants drawn from two studies of ADS. The studies used a quasi‐experimental design, comparing family caregivers enrolling their care receiver with dementia in an ADS program to a control group not using ADS. Using multilevel model analysis, we examined the main and interaction effects of kin relationship (wife vs. daughters/daughters‐in‐law), intervention (ADS vs. non‐ADS users), and time (baseline, 3 months, and 12 months) on overload, depressive symptoms, and positive affect.

Results

Kin relationship affected the response to intervention but in a somewhat different way for each outcome measure. For depressive symptoms, both wives and daughters using ADS had lower scores over time compared to controls. Both wives and daughters using ADS had lower feelings of overload over time, but daughters had a greater decline and wives' scores on this measure dropped only to the level found among controls. For positive affect, wives using ADS showed a considerable decline over time.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that kin relationship is an important moderator of caregivers' response to intervention and warrant more attention both in the design and evaluation of interventions with family caregivers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A model to correct for short‐run inefficiencies in economic evaluations in healthcare
Authors: Van de Wetering Gijs , Woertman Willem H. , Adang Eddy M. M.
Published: February 2011

Important assumptions that underlie cost‐effectiveness analysis (CEA) are that production technologies are convex and that production processes always perform at constant returns to scale. However, in the short run these assumptions are likely to be violated. Therefore, CEAs might overestimate cost‐effectiveness in the short run. To come up with a more precise cost‐effectiveness outcome, we present a model that is able to correct the long‐run incremental net benefit (INB) for short‐run inefficiencies. This provides decision makers with a more realistic view of the expected efficiency gains. This model starts by determining the initial efficiency losses inflicted by inflexible resources. Then the model is made dynamic in order to adjust the efficiency losses by allowing for refilling and writing off freed capacity. Finally, the model calculates the length of the short‐run time frame in which such efficiency losses exist, and a correction term with which the usual long‐run INB should be adjusted to account for short‐run inefficiencies. The model is applied to two cases: dialysis and digitizing a radiography department. The dialysis case shows moderate short‐run efficiency losses while in the radiography case short‐run efficiency losses are sufficiently large to cause a switch in cost‐effectiveness from favorable to inefficient in the short run. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does retirement trigger ill health?
Authors: Behncke Stefanie
Published: February 2011

This paper investigates the effects of retirement on various health outcomes. Data stem from the first three waves of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). With these informative data, non‐parametric matching and instrumental variable (IV) methods are applied to identify causal effects. It is found that retirement significantly increases the risk of being diagnosed with a chronic condition. In particular, it raises the risk of a severe cardiovascular disease and cancer. This is also reflected in increased risk factors (e.g. BMI, cholesterol, blood pressure) and increased problems in physical activities. Furthermore, retirement worsens self‐assessed health and an underlying health stock. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bisphosphonates, specific inhibitors of osteoclast function and a class of drugs for osteoporosis therapy
Authors: Li Baojie , Ling Chau Jenny Fung , Wang Xueying , Leong Wai Fook
Published: February 2011

Osteoporosis is a result of the disruption of bone homeostasis that is carried out by bone‐forming osteoblasts and bone‐degrading osteoclasts. The most common treatment of osteoporosis is N‐containing bisphosphonates, a class of non‐hydrolyzable pyrophosphate analogs. They have strong affinity to Ca2+ of hydroxyapatite with high specificity and can only be liberated from the bone in an acidic environment. These properties bestow them unique pharmacokinetic features including specific and strong retention at bone resorption surface, uptaken specifically by osteoclasts, quick excretion of non‐retained free bisphosphonates, long half‐life, and recyclability. Such properties underlie the drugs' high efficacy, minor side effects, and intermittent dosing regimens. Further studies show that bisphosphonates inhibit farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, a critical enzyme required for synthesis of isoprenyl and geranylgeranyl, and inhibit prenylation and geranylgeranylation of small G‐proteins such as Rac and Rho. This leads to defective actin ring formation at the sealed zone, a subcellular structure essential for bone resorption, and a decrease in bone resorption. Bisphosphonates are also used to treat Paget's disease of bone, osteolytic bone metastases, and hypercalcemia. Moreover, these properties also make N‐BPs a good candidate as a bone‐seeking agent. Here we update our understanding of this remarkable class of anti‐resorption drugs. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 1229–1242, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A comparison of the behavior of functional/basis set combinations for hydrogen‐bonding in the water dimer with emphasis on basis set superposition error
Authors: Plumley Joshua A. , Dannenberg J. J.
Published: February 2011

We evaluate the performance of ten functionals (B3LYP, M05, M05‐2X, M06, M06‐2X, B2PLYP, B2PLYPD, X3LYP, B97D, and MPWB1K) in combination with 16 basis sets ranging in complexity from 6‐31G(d) to aug‐cc‐pV5Z for the calculation of the H‐bonded water dimer with the goal of defining which combinations of functionals and basis sets provide a combination of economy and accuracy for H‐bonded systems. We have compared the results to the best non‐density functional theory (non‐DFT) molecular orbital (MO) calculations and to experimental results. Several of the smaller basis sets lead to qualitatively incorrect geometries when optimized on a normal potential energy surface (PES). This problem disappears when the optimization is performed on a counterpoise (CP) corrected PES. The calculated interaction energies (ΔEs) with the largest basis sets vary from −4.42 (B97D) to −5.19 (B2PLYPD) kcal/mol for the different functionals. Small basis sets generally predict stronger interactions than the large ones. We found that, because of error compensation, the smaller basis sets gave the best results (in comparison to experimental and high‐level non‐DFT MO calculations) when combined with a functional that predicts a weak interaction with the largest basis set. As many applications are complex systems and require economical calculations, we suggest the following functional/basis set combinations in order of increasing complexity and cost: (1) D95(d,p) with B3LYP, B97D, M06, or MPWB1k; (2) 6‐311G(d,p) with B3LYP; (3) D95++(d,p) with B3LYP, B97D, or MPWB1K; (4) 6‐311++G(d,p) with B3LYP or B97D; and (5) aug‐cc‐pVDZ with M05‐2X, M06‐2X, or X3LYP. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Franck–Condon simulation of the photoelectron spectrum of AsCl2 and the photodetachment spectrum of AsCl employing UCCSD(T)‐F12a potential energy functions: IE and EA of AsCl2
Authors: Mok Daniel K. W. , Lee Edmond P. F. , Chau Foo‐Tim , Dyke John M.
Published: February 2011

The currently most reliable theoretical estimates of the adiabatic ionization energies (AIE0) from the X̃2B1 state of AsCl2 to the X̃1A1 and ã3B1 states of AsCl, and the electron affinity (EA0) of AsCl2, including ΔZPE corrections, are calculated as 8.687(11), 11.320(23), and 1.845(12) eV, respectively (estimated uncertainties based on basis‐set effects at the RCCSD(T) level). State‐of‐the‐art ab initio calculations, which include RCCSD(T), CASSCF/MRCI, and explicitly correlated RHF/UCCSD(T)‐F12x (x = a or b) calculations with basis sets of up to quintuple‐zeta quality, have been carried out on the X̃2B1 state of AsCl2, the X̃1A1, ã3B1, and Ã1B1 states of AsCl, and the X̃1A1 state of AsCl. Relativistic, core correlation and complete basis‐set (CBS) effects have been considered. In addition, computed UCCSD(T)‐F12a potential energy functions of relevant electronic states of AsCl2, AsCl, and AsCl were used to calculate Franck–Condon factors, which were then used to simulate the valence photoelectron spectrum of AsCl2 and the photodetachment spectrum of AsCl, both yet to be recorded. Lastly, we have also computed the AIE and EA values for NCl2, PCl2, and AsCl2 at the G4 level and for SbCl2 at the RCCSD(T)/CBS level. The trends in the AIE and EA values of the group V pnictogen dichlorides, PnCl2, where Pn = N, P, As, and Sb, were examined. The AIE and EA of PCl2 were found to be smaller than those of AsCl2, contrary to the order expected from the IE values of P and As. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Intracellular efficacy of tumor‐targeting group I intron‐based trans‐splicing ribozyme
Authors: Kwon Byung‐Su , Jeong Jin Sook , Won You Sub , Lee Chang Ho , Yoon Kyung‐Sik , Hyung Jung Min , Kim In‐Hoo , Lee Seong‐Wook
Published: February 2011

Background

Group I intron‐based trans‐splicing ribozyme, which can specifically reprogram human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) RNA, could be a useful tool for tumor‐targeted gene therapy. In the present study, the therapeutic feasibility of this ribozyme was investigated by analyzing trans‐splicing efficacy in vivo as well as in cells.

Methods

We assessed transgene activation, degree of ribozyme expression, targeted hTERT mRNA level, or the level of trans‐splicing products in hTERT(+) cells or in human tumor nodules xenografted in animals after ribozyme administration.

Results

The activity and efficacy of the trans‐splicing ribozyme in cells was dependent on the amount of endogenous hTERT mRNA and/or the accumulation of ribozyme RNA in cells. Intracellular activity of the ribozyme reached a plateau when no more targetable substrate mRNA was available or the ribozyme RNA level was fully saturated. In addition, the efficacy of ribozyme in xenografted tumor tissues was dependent on the dose of the delivered ribozyme‐encoding adenoviral vector, indicating the potential of the ribozyme expression level as a determining factor for the in vivo efficacy of the trans‐splicing ribozyme. On the basis of these results, we enhanced the intracellular ribozyme activity by increasing the ribozyme expression level transcriptionally and/or post‐transcriptionally.

Conclusions

We analyzed ribozyme efficacy and determined the most influential factors of its trans‐splicing reaction in mammalian cell lines as well as in vivo. The present study could provide insights into the optimization of the trans‐splicing ribozyme‐based RNA replacement approach to cancer treatment. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of 5‐aryl and 5‐amidocamptothecins
Authors: Meruva Suresh Babu , Raghunadh A. , Anil Kumar N. , Syam Kumar U. K. , Vasu Dev R. , Dubey P. K.
Published: February 2011

A variety of 5‐aryl‐(20S)‐camptothecin derivatives were synthesized by the reaction of 5‐hydroxy‐(20S)‐camptothecin with aromatic hydrocarbons under Friedel‐Craft reaction conditions in moderate to good yield as diastereomeric pairs. The methodology was then extended for the synthesis of 5‐amido‐(20S)‐camptothecin derivatives by reacting 5‐hydroxy‐(20S)‐camptothecin with alkyl and aryl nitriles under Ritter type reaction conditions. The reaction is presumed to proceed through an iminium ion intermediate under Friedel Craft and Ritter type reaction condition, which is further trapped by nucleophile present in the reaction medium. J. Heterocyclic Chem., 00, 00 (2011).
Synthesis of three selectively deuterated propylene oxides
Authors: Otley Kate D. , Saccomano Benjamin W. , McKee Silas A. , Nizialek Gregory A. , Hamilton David S. , Sherrow Leighanne K. , Jones Camille Y. , Rosenstein Ian J.
Published: February 2011

Three different selectively deuterated propylene oxides have been synthesized for use in quasi‐elastic neutron scattering studies of the dynamics of propylene oxide within clathrate hydrate cages. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of deuterium‐labelled paclitaxel and its hydroxyl metabolite
Authors: Tian Lei , Wu Keying , Tao Jie , Chen Liqin
Published: February 2011

This paper describes the synthesis of deuterium‐labelled paclitaxel and its hydroxyl metabolite. Paclitaxel labelled with 2H was obtained in four steps using the commercially available [2H5]benzoic chloride as the stable labelled reagent with a 40% overall yield. The hydroxyl metabolite labelled with 2H was prepared starting from deuterium‐labelled paclitaxel in six steps with a 42% overall yield based on unrecovered starting material. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Myelin oligodendrocyte‐specific protein is expressed in Müller cells of myelinated vertebrate retinas
Authors: Quesada Adela , Aguilera Yolanda , Caparrós Rosalía , Prada Francisco A. , Santano Concepción , López‐López Rosario , Prada Carmen
Published: February 2011

The retina of nonmammalian vertebrates has a loose myelin that enwraps the large axons of the ganglion cells in all areas, whereas that of mammals lacks myelin, with some exceptions, such as the rabbit retina, which shows compact myelin restricted to the myelinated streak. Electron microscopy studies in chicken retina showed processes of Müller cells (MCs) and oligodendrocytes enwrapping ganglion cell axons. How each of these cells contributes to chicken retina myelination and whether the MC of other myelinated retinas is involved in myelination remain unknown. By immunohistochemistry, with a monoclonal antibody against myelin oligodendrocyte‐specific protein (MOSP), we show that MOSP is intensely expressed in the MC and the optic‐fiber layer (OFL) in myelinated but not in unmyelinated retinas. By immunocytochemistry with isolated MCs from the chick and rabbit retinas, we show that MOSP is concentrated in the innermost domain of the vitread processes. By immunoblotting, we show that protein extracts from myelinated retinas, but not those from unmyelinated retinas, presented a single band labelled with anti‐MOSP of molecular weight similar to that of brain MOSP. In addition, we show that the MC of the embryonic chicken retina starts to express MOSP just before myelination starts. Our results agree with those of electron microscopy studies showing myelin in chick retina formed by MC processes and with those of immunohistochemistry studies in rabbit and human retinas showing expression of other myelin molecules in the MC. Altogether, our results suggest that the MC in myelinated retinas might contribute MOSP to myelin. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gadd45a protects against cell death in dorsal root ganglion neurons following peripheral nerve injury
Authors: Lin Chung‐Ren , Yang Chien‐Hui , Huang Chiu‐En , Wu Chih‐Hsien , Chen Yi‐Shen , Sheen‐Chen Shyr‐Ming , Huang Hui‐Wen , Chen Kuan‐Hung
Published: February 2011

A significant loss of neurons in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) has been reported in animal models of peripheral nerve injury. Neonatal sensory neurons are more susceptible than adult neurons to axotomy‐ or nerve growth factor (NGF) withdrawal‐induced cell death. To develop therapies for preventing irreversible sensory cell loss, it is essential to understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for DRG cell death and survival. Here we describe how the expression of the growth arrest‐ and DNA damage‐inducible gene 45α (GADD45A) is correlated with neuronal survival after axotomy in vivo and after NGF withdrawal in vitro. GADD45A expression is low at birth and does not change significantly after spinal nerve ligation (SNL). In contrast, GADD45A is robustly up‐regulated in the adult rat DRG 24 hr after SNL, and this up‐regulation persists as long as the injured fibers are prevented from regenerating. In vitro delivery of GADD45A protects neonatal rat DRG neurons from NGF withdrawal‐induced cytochrome c release and cell death. In addition, in vivo knockdown of GADD45A expression in adult injured DRG by small hairpin RNA increased cell death. Our results indicate that GADD45A protects neuronal cells from SNL‐induced cell death. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Biodegradable Polymeric Nanoparticles as Templates for Biomimetic Mineralization of Calcium Phosphate
Authors: Ethirajan Anitha , Musyanovych Anna , Chuvilin Andrey , Landfester Katharina
Published: February 2011

Biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles are employed as templates for the biomimetic mineralization of CaP in the aqueous phase. Particles in the sub‐µm range were prepared by a combination of solvent evaporation and miniemulsion techniques. The synthesized particles were subjected to degradation via random saponification. The anionic functional groups produced as a consequence of degradation due to production (ultrasonication step) and post treatment (hydrolysis) steps are used for the CaP mineralization. The composite particles were studied using HRSEM, TEM, and XRD. These polymer/CaP composite nanoparticles have a great potential to be used as a regenerative filler or as a scaffold for nucleation and growth of new bone material.

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An Access Route to Polyferrocenes via Modular Conjugation
Authors: Lang Christiane , Voll Dominik , Inglis Andrew J. , Dingenouts Nico , Goldmann Anja S. , Barner Leonie , Barner‐Kowollik Christopher
Published: February 2011

The application of copper‐catalyzed azide/alkyne cycloaddition to monomers containing a ferrocene unit leads to polyferrocenes with ferrocene in the backbone. Catalyst performance and kinetic studies of a model system comprising 1,1'‐bis(azidoethyl)ferrocene and propargyl ether revealed the usage of CuI and DBU as the catalyst in DMF at 50 °C as efficient reaction conditions for the synthesis. The resulting polymers display molecular weight‐averages up to $\overline {M} _{{\rm n}} $ = 10 000 and $\overline {M} _{{\rm w}} $ = 33 000. The polyaddition of monomers both containing ferrocene units led to polyferrocenes with $\overline {M} _{{\rm n}} $ between 4 000 and 11 000 ($\overline {M} _{{\rm w}} $ up to 78 000). The present study thus provides a pathway to polyferrocenes based on modular ligation chemistry.

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An analytic network process‐based approach for location problems: the case of a new waste incinerator plant in the Province of Torino (Italy)
Authors: Bottero Marta , Ferretti Valentina
Published: February 2011

Starting from the topicality of the issues related to the location of undesirable facilities and on the basis of a brief review of the types of models that are currently being used in the Municipal Solid Waste Management context, the present paper proposes a multicriteria approach that is able to support decision makers in the choice of the best location for a waste incinerator plant in the Province of Torino (Italy). Three alternative sites have been compared through the use of the Analytic Network Process (ANP) method. The application allows the dependence relationships among the aspects and criteria to be assessed and the relative importance of all the elements that play an influence on the final choice to be elicitated.

The decision‐making process was developed through the identification of 31 environmental and socio‐economic indicators that were grouped into clusters and organized in four subnetworks according to the Benefits, Opportunities, Costs and Risks (BOCR) model in order to compare the three alternatives by means of a holistic approach and to better highlight the tradeoffs between the aspects involved in the decision.

The aim of this work is to analyse the contribution that the ANP technique offers in sustainability assessment of undesirable facilities, paying particular attention to the use of quantitative indicators in the evaluation process.

The strengths and weaknesses of the ANP approach, combined with the use of measurable and verifiable indicators, are also discussed and three different sensitivity analyses have been performed in order to test the robustness of the proposed model and the stability of the results, exploring also rank reversal thresholds.

The main findings of the present work have proved that the use of quantitative indicators as nodes of the ANP–BOCR structure significantly improves the internal coherence of the model and makes the decision process more traceable and reliable. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photoreceptor degeneration changes magnetic resonance imaging features in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Wang Qing , Song Sheng‐Kwei , Zhang Huiying , Berkowitz Bruce A. , Chen Shiming , Wickline Samuel A. , Chen Junjie
Published: February 2011

Retinal degeneration‐1 (rd1) mice are animal models of retinitis pigmentosa, a blinding disease caused by photoreceptor cell degeneration. This study aims to determine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes in retinas of 1‐ and 3‐month‐old rd1 mice. Apparent diffusion coefficient in retina was measured using diffusion MRI. The blood‐retinal barrier leakage was evaluated using gadolinium‐diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid‐enhanced T1‐weighted MRI before and after systemic gadolinium‐diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid injection. Photoreceptor degeneration in rd1 retina was apparent by decreased retinal thickness and loss of water diffusion anisotropy in both 1‐ and 3‐month‐old rd1 mice. Furthermore, statistically significant increase of mean retinal apparent diffusion coefficient and gadolinium‐diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid‐enhanced T1‐weighted MRI signals were observed in 3‐month‐old rd1 mice comparing with age‐matched wild‐type mice. Together, these data suggest that MRI parameter changes can signature common pathological changes in photoreceptor‐degenerated eyes, particularly blood‐retinal barrier leakage‐induced retinal edema. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Isolation and transcriptome analysis of adult zebrafish cells enriched for skeletal muscle progenitors
Authors: Alexander Matthew S. , Kawahara Genri , Kho Alvin T. , Howell Melanie H. , Pusack Timothy J. , Myers Jennifer A. , Montanaro Federica , Zon Leonard I. , Guyon Jeffrey R. , Kunkel Louis M.
Published: February 2011

Introduction: Over the past 10 years, the use of zebrafish for scientific research in the area of muscle development has increased dramatically. Although several protocols exist for the isolation of adult myoblast progenitors from larger fish, no standardized protocol exists for the isolation of myogenic progenitors from adult zebrafish muscle. Methods: Using a variant of a mammalian myoblast isolation protocol, zebrafish muscle progenitors have been isolated from the total dorsal myotome. These zebrafish myoblast progenitors can be cultured for several passages and then differentiated into multinucleated, mature myotubes. Results: Transcriptome analysis of these cells during myogenic differentiation revealed a strong downregulation of pluripotency genes, while, conversely, showing an upregulation of myogenic signaling and structural genes. Conclusions: Together these studies provide a simple, yet detailed method for the isolation and culture of myogenic progenitors from adult zebrafish, while further promoting their therapeutic potential for the study of muscle disease and drug screening. Muscle Nerve, 2011
What's different about nonprofit and voluntary sector marketing? A research agenda
Authors: Paton Rob
Published: February 2011

What is the role of this journal? This paper addresses the controversies over what constitutes marketing in nonprofit and voluntary organisations, and over the nature and significance of the differences between marketing in not‐for‐profit and for‐profit contexts. It delineates the field in terms of its objectives and programmes, and locates it within the broader discipline of marketing, in terms of the sorts of exchanges that are sought with external parties. It then considers the sorts of reflections and research that will contribute to the development of this area of professional practice.
Advanced techniques of donor recognition
Authors: Gaffny Thomas
Published: February 2011

This paper examines the issue of ‘donor recognition’ in fundraising, and how recent technological advances have given charitable organisations new strategic tools in which to recognise and protect their donor base.

In providing real‐life examples of how American charities are using new donor recognition techniques, this paper seeks to provide specific options of how any charity can maximise the net income potential of every donor on its file.
The key factors for success in corporate fundraising
Authors: Elischer Tony
Published: February 2011

From the author's basic model on how charities should approach companies, ‘The Company as a Resource’, this paper offers a further and more detailed framework to encompass the major factors that must be identified, considered and developed to ensure success towards the year 2000 in the field of corporate fundraising. By breaking down the general environment and relating key success factors to different elements he offers practical advice and guidance for developing this area.
The key elements of a good market relationship between a nonprofit organisation's service recipients and its funders
Authors: Brinckerhoff Peter
Published: February 2011

There are many conflicts that a nonprofit organisation has to endure, but one of the most painful occurs when a funder and a service recipient want fundamentally different outcomes from the nonprofit organisation. This article shows some examples of organisations that have weathered successfully this type of situation and provides specific suggestions for managers to apply to prevent and solve such problems.