bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human U937 monocyte behavior and protein expression on various formulations of three‐dimensional fibrin clots
Authors: Mana Miyeko , Cole Marietta , Cox Steve , Tawil Bill
Published: January 2007

Fibrin sealant products such as Tisseel®(Baxter Healthcare Corporation) are used in hemostasis and tissue sealing. Tisseel®consists of two components, a fibrinogen‐containing component and thrombin, which when mixed together form a fibrin clot. There is an interest in delivering monocytes to the wound because they are known to play an important role in the wound‐healing process. Therefore, we were interested in finding the best fibrin formulation for delivering monocytes by examining monocyte behavior on 3D‐fibrin clots. Using standard adhesion and proliferation assays, we found that monocytes differentially adhere, proliferate, and cluster on and within the 3D‐fibrin clots depending on the final fibrinogen and thrombin concentration. Moreover, using a Boyden chamber assay, we found that monocytes migrated through the 3D‐fibrin clots in 1–2 days. Furthermore, the protein expression in monocytes seeded on 3D‐fibrin clots for various time points varied depending on the fibrinogen and thrombin concentrations in the final 3D‐fibrin clots. The above data suggest that various formulations of fibrin sealant Tisseel®present a good surface for monocyte adhesion, proliferation and migration in vitro and potentially during the wound‐healing process in vivo. Moreover, because the monocytes proliferated well and clustered in the 3D fibrin, Tisseel®could be a good delivery vehicle for delivering monocytes into chronic wounds to overcome a healing deficiency.
Pharmacological Effects of AVE 0991, a Nonpeptide Angiotensin‐(1–7) Receptor Agonist
Authors: Santos Robson A. S. , Ferreira Anderson J.
Published: January 2007

In the last 20 years, our understanding of the physiopathology of the renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) has expanded dramatically. Basic and clinical studies showed that this system includes several other components in addition to renin, angiotensin (Ang) II, an‐giotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE), and Ang II receptors. One of the most interesting new members of RAS is the heptapeptide Ang‐(1–7). Many in vitro and in vivo studies have proven that this peptide plays several beneficial effects in the cardiovascular system, which are often opposite to the effects elicited by the main component of the RAS, Ang II. In addition, the recent discovery of the main enzyme involved in the Ang‐(1–7) production, ACE2 and the description of the Ang‐(1–7) receptor Mas reinforced the biological relevance of this peptide. These findings raised the possibility to develop new drugs based on the ACE2‐Ang‐(1–7)‐Mas axis and directed to cardiovascular and ‐related diseases. The development of AVE 0991, a nonpeptide Ang‐(1–7) receptor Mas agonist, represents an important step for exploration of the effects of Ang‐(1–7) and testing of its potential as a cardiovascular drug. Among advantages of this compound in comparison with Ang‐(1–7) is the fact that it is orally active and is expected to be resistant to proteolytic enzymes, circumventing an important problem associated with the use of peptides. This article briefly reviews in vitro and in vivo cardiovascular and renal effects of AVE 0991. Moreover, we are pointing to the evidence that ACE2‐Ang‐(1–7)‐Mas axis may represent a putative target for the development of new cardiovascular drugs.
Plasma Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Concentration during the Perinatal Period
Authors: Vida Gabriella , Sulyok Endre , Ertl Tibor , Martens-Lobenhoffer Jens , Bode-Böger Stefanie M.
Published: January 2007

Experimental and clinical evidence has been accumulated to indicate that elevated plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels can be regarded as a marker of endothelial dysfunction that mediates cardiovascular morbidity by impairing NO-dependent vascular reactions; therefore, it may have a role in the cardiopulmonary adaptation of the neonate. The present study was undertaken to investigate the perinatal NO metabolism by measuring L-arginine, the NO synthase substrate, ADMA, the endogenous inhibitor of NO synthase, and symmetrical dimethylarginine (SDMA), the biologically inactive L-arginine metabolite in umbilical venous and arterial plasma and in peripheral plasma of the neonate. Measurements were done in ten healthy pregnant women at term delivery and in their newborn infants on the second day of life by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method. It was demonstrated that cord blood L-arginine, ADMA, and SDMA levels were markedly elevated with a moderate, but consistent veno-arterial difference suggesting that they are mainly generated by the placental endothelium. L-Arginine and ADMA levels were found to fall significantly (p < 0.001) by the second postnatal day, whereas SDMA remained unaltered. This finding indicates accelerated enzymatic ADMA elimination and reduction in the inhibition of NO-synthase activity. It is concluded that ADMA may play a role in the control of feto-placental circulation and the circulatory adaptation of the neonate.
Right-Sided Diaphragmatic Eventration: A Rare Cause of Non-Immune Hydrops Fetalis
Authors: Zankl A. , Osterheld M.-C. , Vial Y. , Beurret N. , Meuli R. , Meagher-Villemure K. , Roth-Kleiner M.
Published: January 2007

We report 2 cases of non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) in which autopsy findings revealed an association with right-sided congenital diaphragmatic eventration (CDE). Both patients born at 30 weeks of gestation presented with severe generalized skin oedema, pleural effusions and ascites. They both died shortly after birth of cardiorespiratory insufficiency due to lung hypoplasia and low output heart failure. The right thoracic cavity was filled with the membranous but intact right diaphragm covering the herniated visceral organs including parts of the liver, small bowel and colon surrounded by voluminous ascites. In similar fashion to the situation seen in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), the displaced visceral organs led to impaired lung growth resulting in important lung hypoplasia and obstructed venous return. Extravascular liquid accumulation was probably further aggravated by hypoproteinaemia secondary to liver dysfunction resulting from the venous congestion and cardiac failure. In summary, CDE is a rare condition resulting from impaired ingrowth of muscle fibres into the diaphragm during the first trimester. Prenatal differentiation of CDE from CDH is a real challenge. The association of CDE and NIHF has not been previously described.
Use of a Maximum Entropy Method as a Regularization Technique during the Retrieval of Trace Gas Profiles from Limb Sounding Measurements
Authors: Steinwagner J. , Schwarz G. , Hilgers S.
Published: January 2007

The retrieval of trace gas profiles from radiance measurements of limb sounding instruments represents an inverse problem: vertical profiles of mixing ratios have to be extracted from sequences of horizontally measured radiances recorded by a spectrometer. Typically, these retrievals are plagued by random noise and systematic errors, necessitating the use of regularization techniques during inversion calculations. In the following, the use of selected maximum entropy operators as a regularization tool is discussed and their performance with conventional optimal estimation and Tikhonov-type regularization techniques is compared. The main gain with the proposed maximum entropy operators is that no a priori knowledge is needed; a reasonable initial guess profile is fully sufficient. The approach is verified by using simulated data of the Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) instrument, an infrared Fourier transform spectrometer flown on the European Envisat mission.
The value of health care – a matter of discussion in Germany
Authors: Porzsolt Franz , Ackermann Moritz , Amelung Volker
Published: January 2007

Background

Interest in assessing the value of health-care services in Germany has considerably increased since the foundation of the Institut für Qualität und Wirtschaftlichkeit im Gesundheitswesen, IQWiG (Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care). The practical application of value assessment illustrates how problematic the process can be. In all decisions made for the provision of health care, data concerning the measurable dimensions (quantity and quality of efficacy and effectiveness, validity of the results and costs) flow into a complex and not yet standardized decision-making process concerning public financing. Some of these decisions are based on data of uncertain validity, unknown reproducibility and unclear appropriateness.

Discussion

In this paper we describe the theoretical aspects of value from psychological and economic viewpoints and discuss national and international approaches. Methodic details and difficulties in assessing the value of health-care services are analysed. A definition of the intangible value of health-care services will be proposed which contains only three factors: the absolute risk reduction (usually a measure of efficacy), the validity of the scientific papers examined and the type of the expected effectiveness (prevention of death and disability, restitution of well-being). The intangible value describes the additional benefit when comparing two possible actions, like treatment or observation only.

Conclusion

The description of intangible value from the viewpoint of different stakeholders is a useful measure for subsequent steps (not discussed here) – the evaluation of costs and of patient benefit. A standardised, transparent, fair and democratic evaluation is essential for the definition of a basic benefit package.
Cooperative learning in third graders' jigsaw groups for mathematics and science with and without questioning training
Authors: Souvignier Elmar. , Kronenberger Julia.
Published: January 2007

Background. There is much support for using cooperative methods, since important instructional aspects, such as elaboration of new information, can easily be realized by methods like ‘jigsaw’. However, the impact of providing students with additional help like a questioning training and potential limitations of the method concerning the (minimum) age of the students have rarely been investigated.

Aims. The study investigated the effects of cooperative methods at elementary school level. Three conditions of instruction were compared: jigsaw, jigsaw with a supplementary questioning training and teacher‐guided instruction.

Sample. Nine third grade classes from three schools with 208 students participated in the study. In each school, all the three instructional conditions were realized in three different classes.

Method. All classes studied three units on geometry and one unit on astronomy using the assigned instructional method. Each learning unit comprised six lessons. For each unit, an achievement test was administered as pre‐test, post‐test and delayed test.

Results. In the math units, no differences between the three conditions could be detected. In the astronomy unit, students benefited more from teacher‐guided instruction. Differential analyses revealed that ‘experts’ learned more than students in teacher‐guided instruction, whereas ‘novices’ were outperformed by the students in the control classes.

Conclusions. Even third graders used the jigsaw method with satisfactory learning results. The modest impact of the questioning training and the low learning gains of the cooperative classes in the astronomy unit as well as high discrepancies between learning outcomes of experts and novices show that explicit instruction of explaining skills in combination with well‐structured material are key issues in using the jigsaw method with younger students.
Transmission electron microscopy investigation of interfacial reactions between SrFeO3 thin films and silicon substrates
Authors: Wang Dashan , Tunney James J. , Du Xiaomei , Post Michael L. , Gauvin Raynald
Published: January 2007

The SrFeO3/SiO2/Si thin film system has been studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The thin films of SrFeO3 were grown by pulsed laser deposition onto silicon substrates with a SiO2 buffer layer at room temperature (RT) and 700 °C and subjected to annealing for various periods of time at temperature T = 700 °C. Transmission electron microscopy characterization showed that the microstructure of the film deposited at room temperature contained crystalline and amorphous layers. Silicon diffusion into SrFeO3 films occurred at the SiO2 interface for the samples deposited at 700 °C and for those films annealed at 700 °C. The silicon diffusion-induced interfacial reactions resulted in the phase transformations and the growth of complex crystalline and amorphous phases. The principal compositions of these phases were Sr(Fe,Si)12O19, SrOx and amorphous [Sr-Fe-O-Si].
Statistical properties of polarized radio continuum emission and effects of data processing
Authors: Mizeva I. , Reich W. , Frick P. , Beck R. , Sokoloff D.
Published: January 2007

Polarized intensity and polarization angles are calculated from Stokes parametersQandUin a nonlinear way. The statistical properties of polarized emission hold information about the structure of magnetic fields in a large range of scales, but the contributions of different stages of data processing to the statistical properties should first be understood. We use 1.4 GHz polarization data from the Effelsberg 100‐m telescope of emission in the Galactic plane, near the plane and far out of the plane. We analyze the probability distribution function and the wavelet spectrum of the original maps in Stokes parametersQ,Uand correspondingPI. Then we apply absolute calibration (i.e. adding the large‐scale emission to the maps inQandU), subtraction of polarized sources and subtraction of the positive bias inPIdue to noise (“denoising”). We show how each procedure affects the statistical properties of the data. We find a complex behavior of the statistical properties for the different regions analyzed which depends largely on the intensity level of polarized emission. Absolute calibration changes the morphology of the polarized structures. The statistical properties change in a complex way: Compact sources in the field flatten the wavelet spectrum over a substantial range. Adding large‐scale emission does not change the spectral slopes inQandUat small scales, but changes thePIspectrum in a complex way. “Denoising” significantly changes the p.d.f. ofPIand raises the entire spectrum. The final spectra are flat in the Galactic plane due to magnetic structures in the ISM, but steeper at high Galactic latitude and in the anticenter. For a reliable study of the statistical properties of magnetic fields and turbulence in the ISM based on radio polarization observations, absolute calibration and source subtraction are required. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Inventor perseverance after being told to quit: the role of cognitive biases
Authors: Åstebro Thomas , Jeffrey Scott A. , Adomdza Gordon K.
Published: January 2007

We find that approximately one third (29%) of independent inventors continue to spend money and 51% continue to spend time on projects after receiving highly diagnostic advice to cease effort. Using survey data from actual inventors, this paper studies the role of overconfidence, optimism, and the sunk‐cost bias in these decisions. We find that inventors are more overconfident and optimistic than the general population. We also find that optimism and past expenditures increased perseverance after being told to quit, while overconfidence in judgment ability had no effect. After being told to quit, optimists spend 166% more than pessimists and those having already spent, for example, $10 000 spend another $10 000. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
9‐Fluorenylphosphines for the Pd‐Catalyzed Sonogashira, Suzuki, and Buchwald–Hartwig Coupling Reactions in Organic Solvents and Water
Authors: Fleckenstein Christoph A. , Plenio Herbert
Published: January 2007

The lithiation/alkylation of fluorene leads to various 9‐alkyl‐fluorenes (alkyl=Me, Et, iPr, ‐Pr, ‐C18H25) in >95 % yields, for which lithiation and reaction with R2PCl (R=Cy, iPr, tBu) generates 9‐alkyl, 9‐PR2‐fluorenes which constitute electron‐rich and bulky phosphine ligands. The in‐situ‐formed palladium–phosphine complexes ([Na2PdCl4], phosphonium salt, base, substrates) were tested in the Sonogashira, Suzuki, and Buchwald–Hartwig reactions of aryl chlorides and aryl bromides in organic solvents. The Sonogashira coupling of aryl chlorides at 100–120 °C leads to >90 % yields with 1 mol % of Pd catalyst. The Suzuki coupling of aryl chlorides typically requires 0.05 mol % of Pd catalyst at 100 °C in dioxane for quantitative product formation. To carry out “green” cross‐coupling reactions in water, 9‐ethylfluorenyldicyclohexylphosphine was reacted in sulphuric acid to generate the respective 2‐sulfonated phosphonium salt. The Suzuki coupling of activated aryl chlorides by using this water‐soluble catalyst requires only 0.01 mol % of Pd catalyst, while a wide range of aryl chlorides can be quantitatively converted into the respective coupling products by using 0.1–0.5 mol % of catalyst in pure water at 100 °C. Difficult substrate combinations, such as naphthylboronic acid or 3‐pyridylboronic acid and aryl chlorides are coupled at 100 °C by using 0.1–0.5 mol % of catalyst in pure water to obtain the respective N‐heterocycles in quantitative yields. The copper‐free aqueous Sonogashira coupling of aryl bromides generates the respective tolane derivatives in >95 % yield.
Some aspects of floor spectra of 1DOF nonlinear primary structures
Authors: Politopoulos Ioannis , Feau Cyril
Published: January 2007

In this paper the influence of the nonlinear behaviour of the primary structure on floor spectra is investigated by means of simple models. The general trends of floor spectra for different types of nonlinear behaviour of one degree of freedom (1DOF) primary structure are shown and we point out their common futures and their differences. A special attention is given to the cases of elastoplastic and nonlinear elastic behaviours and methods to determine an equivalent linear oscillator are proposed. The properties (frequency and damping) of this equivalent linear oscillator are quite different from the properties of equivalent linear oscillators commonly considered in practice. In particular, in the case of elastoplastic behaviour, there is no frequency shift and damping is smaller than assumed by other methods commonly used. In the case of nonlinear elastic behaviour, the concept of an equivalent frequency which is a random variable is used. Finally, a design floor spectrum of primary structures, exhibiting energy dissipating nonlinear behaviour is proposed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The evolving role of engineers: towards sustainable development of the built environment
Authors: Cruickshank Heather J. , Fenner Richard. A.
Published: January 2007

Sustainable development requires consideration of the requirements of systems that interact in a complex way. Consideration of these systems, with regard to the provision of infrastructure for the built environment serving an increasingly urbanised world, requires engineers to embrace a range of additional skills beyond the engineering science they have traditionally relied upon to solve engineering problems. This will require changes to the way in which engineering education prepares students for professional practice. This paper draws on field research and recommends expanding the solution space open to engineers. To facilitate this broader decision‐making requirement, it provides a framework to assist engineers in arriving at a suitable solution. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On generalized Hilbert transforms and their interaction with the Radon transform in Clifford analysis
Authors: Brackx Fred , De Knock Bram , De Schepper Hennie
Published: January 2007

The present paper deals with the interaction between the multidimensional Hilbert transform and the Radon transform in Clifford analysis, both transforms being protagonists in multidimensional signal analysis theory. In an attempt to complete the picture, we consider in particular the action of the Radon transform on two types of generalized Hilbert operators, which have been constructed in the context of some well‐established families of Clifford distributions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immunosenescence of ageing
Authors: Gruver AL , Hudson LL , Sempowski GD
Published: January 2007

Ageing is a complex process that negatively impacts the development of the immune system and its ability to function. The mechanisms that underlie these age‐related defects are broad and range from defects in the haematopoietic bone marrow to defects in peripheral lymphocyte migration, maturation and function. The thymus is a central lymphoid organ responsible for production of naïve T cells, which play a vital role in mediating both cellular and humoral immunity. Chronic involution of the thymus gland is thought to be one of the major contributing factors to loss of immune function with increasing age. It has recently been demonstrated that thymic atrophy is mediated by a shift from a stimulatory to a suppressive cytokine microenvironment. In this review we present an overview of the morphological, cellular and biochemical changes that have been implicated in the decline of thymic and peripheral immune function with ageing. We conclude with the clinical implications of age‐associated immunosenescence to vaccine development for tumours and infectious disease. A fundamental understanding of the complex mechanisms by which ageing attenuates immune function will enable translational research teams to develop new therapies and vaccines specifically aimed at overcoming these defects in immunological function in the aged. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of density functional theory methods for the electronic interactions between indole and substituted benzene: Applications to horseradish peroxidase
Authors: Van Sickle Karina , Culberson Lori Marie , Holzmacher Jeremy Levin , Cafiero Mauricio
Published: January 2007

In an effort to evaluate and design fast, accurate density functional theory (DFT) methods for calculating electrostatic and dispersion interactions between proteins and ligands, we have set up a model system examining interactions between mono‐substituted benzene and indole in seven different stable conformations. We first optimized the geometries of the monomers at the B3LYP/6‐31G level, and then scanned the potential curves with MP2, HF, B3LYP, SVWN, and HCTH407 [all at the 6‐311++G(d,p) level] to find the optimum separation. We used the approximate counterpoise method to calculate the basis set superposition error‐corrected interaction energies at the optimum geometries. We then applied these methods to the interactions between aromatic active site residues of horseradish peroxidase C with indole‐3‐propionic acid at two different binding sites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Zum Reaktionsverhalten des polycyclischen Oligoalumosiloxans [Ph2SiO]8[AlO(OH)]4 gegenüber Hexamethyldisilazan
Authors: Veith Michael , Rammo Andreas , Huch Volker , Biegler Julia
Published: January 2007

The Reaction Behaviour of the Polycylic Oligoalumosiloxane [Ph2SiO]8[AlO(OH)]4 towards Hexamethyldisilazane

The reaction of the oligoalumosiloxane [Ph2SiO]8[AlO(OH)]4 (1) with hexamethyldisilazane leads to the triple ionic [Ph2SiO]8[AlO2]2[AlO(O‐SiMe3)]2[NH4·THF]2·2 THF (2) and in the presence of pyridine to [Ph2SiO]8[AlO1.5]4·2py·1.5 C7H8 (3). Apart from the usual characterization techniques (NMR and IR spectroscopy) the molecular structures of 2 and 3 have been determined by single‐X‐ray diffraction analyses. Both alumosiloxanes 2 and 3 present new types of molecular structures with a central four membered Al2O2‐ring, on which the further aluminium atoms are attached via oxygen atoms. This leads to an Al4‐lozenge, which is centered in subtriangles by oxygen atoms.
The metropolitan commissioners of sewers and the law, 1812–1847
Authors: HANLEY JAMES G.
Published: January 2007

This article explores the statutory limitations faced by the metropolitan commissioners of sewers. It is largely based on an analysis of judicial decisions in cases involving the commissioners and their taxation policy from 1812 to 1845. It argues that the commissioners pursued a potentially radical agenda for sewers financing and taxation, but that their agenda was resisted by ratepayers and thwarted by a generally though not completely hostile judiciary. This article thus contributes to the ongoing revaluation of the metropolitan commissioners of sewers and illustrates the constructed nature of statutory limitation.
Thrombotic microangiopathy after simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplantation
Authors: Rangel Érika B. , Gonzalez Adriano M. , Linhares Marcelo M. , Araújo Sérgio R.R. , Franco Marcello F. , De Sá João R. , Pestana José O.M. , Melaragno Cláudio S.
Published: January 2007

Abstract:  Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is rare after transplantation and is associated with a high incidence of kidney graft dysfunction. Between December 2000 and March 2006, 136 simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplantations were performed with an incidence of TMA of 5.1% (71.4% localized to kidney allograft). All cases were diagnosed during the first three months and were attributed to tacrolimus; 74% were women. Systemic TMA presented higher values of lactate dehydrogenase (2658 ± 659 U/L vs. 1331 ± 473 U/L, p = 0.04) and a greater decrease in hematocrit (45.8 ± 17.7% vs. 19.2 ± 6%, p = 0.02) than in localized TMA. Acute kidney rejection complicated almost 90% of the cases with 43% of kidney graft lost. Tacrolimus was switched to sirolimus and fresh‐frozen plasma was administered. Creatinine clearance after a mean follow‐up of two yr was 100.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 57.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 in patients with systemic and localized TMA, respectively. In conclusion, sirolimus is an alternative to TMA associated with tacrolimus.
In vitro migration and adhesion of fibroblasts from different phases of palatal wound healing
Authors: Van Beurden Hugo E. , Snoek Patricia A. M. , Von den Hoff Johannes W. , Torensma Ruurd , Maltha Jaap C. , Kuijpers‐Jagtman Anne M.
Published: January 2007

Cleft palate patients often show mid‐facial growth impairment after surgical closure of the defect. This is a consequence of palatal wound healing, and more specifically of wound contraction and scar tissue formation. Cells of the fibroblast lineage are responsible for these processes and they display different phenotypes in the course of the wound healing process. The aim of this study was to analyze the in vitro adhesion and migration of wound fibroblasts, isolated during the palatal wound healing process in the rat. Additionally, we analyzed the expression of β1 integrins and vinculin, the key players in adhesion and migration. Palatal fibroblasts from age‐matched controls were analyzed to measure the effects of normal aging. Palatal fibroblasts from unwounded tissue showed a low migratory behavior (<25 μm), a strong capability to adhere (>80%) and a low expression of β1 integrins and vinculin. In contrast, fibroblasts obtained from healing palatal wounds were highly migratory (>200 μm) coupled to a weak capability to adhere (<65%) and a high expression of vinculin and β1 integrins. These data show that the palatal wound healing process induces a change in fibroblast phenotype from “quiescent” to “activated,” which persists in vitro.
Mutual dependence of murine fetal cutaneous regeneration and peripheral nerve regeneration
Authors: Kishi Kazuo , Ohyama Kyoji , Satoh Hiroko , Kubota Yoshiaki , Tanaka Takara , Imanishi Nobuaki , Nakajima Hideo , Kawamura Kohki , Nakajima Tatsuo
Published: January 2007

Mammalian fetal cutaneous wounds made at certain developmental stages show complete regeneration. It is reported that wound healing in both adult and fetal skin is disrupted by denervation. Furthermore, fetal cutaneous regeneration has unique aspects such as epidermal wrinkle texture regeneration and dermal regeneration that depend on developmental stage. Therefore, we have examined the relationship of fetal cutaneous regeneration with denervation. We made cutaneous wounds on fetal mice at various developmental time points including embryonic days (E)13, E15, and E17, and compared the regenerating patterns of peripheral nerves in the skin. We found that when the fetuses are wounded at an early stage of development, peripheral nerves regenerate quicker than at later stages of development when peripheral nerve regeneration is delayed. Next, we denervated the intercostal nerves and made wounds at the denervated sites on E13 and E15. We found that epidermal wrinkling and dermal regeneration were disrupted by denervation. These findings indicate that components of fetal cutaneous regeneration and peripheral nerve regeneration are mutually dependent.
SELECTION AND PURIFICATION OF LIQUIDS REQUIRING LOW‐LEVEL SUSPENDED PARTICLES
Authors: Connelly Robert F.
Published: January 2007

Standards defining clean environments are becoming quite common. There is a need for similar documents setting forth guidelines for producing and handling clean liquids. Clean liquids are needed as cleaning media for sensitive surfaces and as functional fluids.

Certain properties of liquids complicate the control of particulate contamination. Whenever possible, liquids meeting the criteria of the Appendix should be selected. When liquids with limited stability must be employed, controls should be established to minimize contamination generation.

The design of an adequate filtration system requires the consideration of many more factors than merely the selection of the correct filter medium. Further, the way in which the system is used and serviced has a profound effect upon performance. Present practices for the storage and transfer of clean liquids leave much to be desired. Improved methods for the transfer of clean liquids have been described.
The Kuroshio Onshore Intrusion along the Shelf Break of the East China Sea: The Origin of the Tsushima Warm Current
Authors: Guo Xinyu , Miyazawa Yasumasa , Yamagata Toshio
Published: January 2007

A 1/18° nested ocean model is used to determine locations, volume transports, and temporal variations of Kuroshio onshore fluxes across the shelf break of the East China Sea (ECS). The Kuroshio onshore flux shows strong seasonality: maximum (∼3 Sv; 1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) in autumn and minimum (<0.5 Sv) in summer. Another short-term (∼17 days) variation due to Kuroshio meanders introduces large fluctuations in the onshore fluxes but its seasonal average almost vanishes. The Kuroshio onshore fluxes have two major sources, Kuroshio intrusion northeast of Taiwan and Kuroshio separation southwest of Kyushu; the former provides larger onshore flux than the latter. Therefore, in addition to the waters from the Taiwan Strait and the Kuroshio separation region southwest of Kyushu, the water due to the Kuroshio intrusion northeast of Taiwan is also a major source of the Tsushima Warm Current. A vorticity equation is used to separate the contribution of surface Ekman transport to the Kuroshio onshore fluxes in the ECS from that relating to density fields. For the total Kuroshio onshore flux across the entire shelf break, its seasonal variation is primarily controlled by the Ekman transport while the change in density field is secondary. For the Kuroshio onshore flux at a fixed location along the shelf break, its seasonal variation is primarily related to the change in density field and the Ekman transport is secondary. Furthermore, the role of the Taiwan Strait water and the Kuroshio water across the shelf break on material transport in the ECS is examined with passive tracer experiments. In summer, about half of the tracer in the Tsushima Strait originates in the Taiwan Strait, while the other half comes from the Kuroshio. From summer to winter, the ratio changes dramatically; the contribution from the Taiwan Strait decreases to 20% and that from the Kuroshio increases up to 80%. The tracer originating in the Kuroshio water dominates the bottom layer of the continental shelf in the ECS throughout the year.
The Role of Eddies in Determining the Structure and Response of the Wind-Driven Southern Hemisphere Overturning: Results from the Modeling Eddies in the Southern Ocean (MESO) Project
Authors: Hallberg Robert , Gnanadesikan Anand
Published: January 2007

The Modeling Eddies in the Southern Ocean (MESO) project uses numerical sensitivity studies to examine the role played by Southern Ocean winds and eddies in determining the density structure of the global ocean and the magnitude and structure of the global overturning circulation. A hemispheric isopycnal-coordinate ocean model (which avoids numerical diapycnal diffusion) with realistic geometry is run with idealized forcing at a range of resolutions from coarse (2°) to eddy-permitting (1/6°). A comparison of coarse resolutions with fine resolutions indicates that explicit eddies affect both the structure of the overturning and the response of the overturning to wind stress changes. While the presence of resolved eddies does not greatly affect the prevailing qualitative picture of the ocean circulation, it alters the overturning cells involving the Southern Ocean transformation of dense deep waters and light waters of subtropical origin into intermediate waters. With resolved eddies, the surface-to-intermediate water cell extends farther southward by hundreds of kilometers and the deep-to-intermediate cell draws on comparatively lighter deep waters. The overturning response to changes in the winds is also sensitive to the presence of eddies. In noneddying simulations, changing the Ekman transport produces comparable changes in the overturning, much of it involving transformation of deep waters and resembling the mean circulation. In the eddy-permitting simulations, a significant fraction of the Ekman transport changes are compensated by eddy-induced transport drawing from lighter waters than does the mean overturning. This significant difference calls into question the ability of coarse-resolution ocean models to accurately capture the impact of changes in the Southern Ocean on the global ocean circulation.
Comparing sequences without using alignments: application to HIV/SIV subtyping
Authors: Didier Gilles , Debomy Laurent , Pupin Maude , Zhang Ming , Grossmann Alexander , Devauchelle Claudine , Laprevotte Ivan
Published: January 2007

Background

In general, the construction of trees is based on sequence alignments. This procedure, however, leads to loss of informationwhen parts of sequence alignments (for instance ambiguous regions) are deleted before tree building. To overcome this difficulty, one of us previously introduced a new and rapid algorithm that calculates dissimilarity matrices between sequences without preliminary alignment.

Results

In this paper, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and SIV (Simian Immunodeficiency Virus) sequence data are used to evaluate this method. The program produces tree topologies that are identical to those obtained by a combination of standard methods detailed in the HIV Sequence Compendium. Manual alignment editing is not necessary at any stage. Furthermore, only one user-specified parameter is needed for constructing trees.

Conclusion

The extensive tests on HIV/SIV subtyping showed that the virus classifications produced by our method are in good agreement with our best taxonomic knowledge, even in non-coding LTR (Long Terminal Repeat) regions that are not tractable by regular alignment methods due to frequent duplications/insertions/deletions. Our method, however, is not limited to the HIV/SIV subtyping. It provides an alternative tree construction without a time-consuming aligning procedure.
LEXICAL REPLACEMENT AND THE LIKE(S)
Authors: D'Arcy Alexandra
Published: January 2007

This article investigates the function of like when it occurs in numerically quantified contexts. The pragmatic literature espouses two distinct positions on this topic, though neither has yet been tested empirically. On the one hand, like is argued to be a genuine pragmatic particle, indistinguishable from other discourse uses of this lexeme. Alternatively, others argue that in numerical contexts like carries propositional content and in this respect, it functions adverbially. Quantitative analysis from a large corpus of contemporary English suggests the latter: like is an approximative adverb, alternating with the more traditional form about in the spoken vernacular. However, the perspective afforded by apparent time reveals rapid, ongoing change whereby the traditional adverb is in the process of being ousted. The pattern of change therefore suggests lexical replacement. Among older speakers the preferred form for approximation is about, while among younger speakers the form of choice is like. These results thus indicate that what has previously been treated as a single entity, discourse like, is in fact two distinct forms: like the adverb and like the particle.
CORRECTNESS, PLEASANTNESS, AND DEGREE OF DIFFERENCE RATINGS ACROSS REGIONS
Authors: Fridland Valerie , Bartlett Kathryn
Published: January 2007

This study replicates Dennis Preston's folk-dialectology research to determine how speakers from Memphis, Tennessee, view their speech and that of speakers from Northern and Western states on correctness and pleasantness dimensions and how regional and ethnic speech stereotypes affect their evaluations. Results suggest that Memphians consider each region significantly different from the others on language correctness scales and that Southern regions are less “correct” than other regions. However, no regions are rated significantly different for language pleasantness. Such a finding, which elevates regional pleasantness despite regional incorrectness, is not surprising given similar findings elsewhere but does contradict Memphians' behavior when listening to actual speech samples of Southern-shifted vowel tokens where they rate their own speech least educated and pleasant. Intra-Southern differences in ratings on these folk-dialectology tasks, those that appear to demark rural-versus-urban association, are explored as potentially underlying this contrast in behavior. In addition, while they show productively similar vowel systems in Memphis, differences in dialect perceptions between Southern African American and white raters are explored. Finally, to see how Western dialect experience affects participants' pleasantness and correctness ratings, the article also examines how state ratings differed for speakers from Reno, Nevada, compared to Memphians.
Effect of multiple reflows on mechanical strength of the interface formed between Sn–Zn–Bi solder and Au/Ni/Cu bond pad
Authors: Sharif Ahmed , Chan Y.C. , Zhong H.W.
Published: January 2007

In this work, the shear strengths and interfacial reactions of Sn–8Zn–3Bi and Sn–8Zn–1Bi (wt%) solders with Au/Ni/Cu ball grid array (BGA) pad metallization were systematically investigated after multiple reflows. The peak reflow temperature was fixed at 230 °C. After the shear test, fracture surfaces were investigated using a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer. Cross-sectional studies of the interfaces were also conducted to correlate with the fracture surfaces. Two failure modes, ball cut and pad lift, were assessed for the different solders and reflow cycles. It was found that the shearing forces of both the Sn–Zn–Bi solder joints tended to increase slightly with an increase in the number of reflow cycles due to augmentation of the shearing area. A layer-type spalling of the interfacial intermetallic compounds (IMCs) was observed very early in the liquid-state reaction for the solder alloys. The active nature of the Zn confirmed an instant reaction zone at the interface to maintain the bonding between the solder and the substrate.
Effect of strenuous exercise on urine concentrations of homovanillic acid, cortisol, and vanillylmandelic acid in sled dogs
Authors: Durocher Lawren L. , Hinchcliff Kenneth W. , Williamson Kathy K. , McKenzie Erica C. , Holbrook Todd C. , Willard Michael , Royer Chris M. , Davis Michael S.
Published: January 2007

Objective—To determine whether prolonged exercise by conditioned sled dogs affects urine concentrations of homovanillic acid (a metabolite of dopamine), vanillylmandelic acid (a metabolite of norepinephrine and epinephrine), and cortisol.

Animals—24 conditioned Alaskan sled dogs (2 to 8.5 years old) that were in training for a multiday endurance race.

Procedures—Voided urine samples were collected from 4 groups of dogs (randomly selected from 54 dogs) after no exercise (control group; n = 6 dogs), completion of a 160km run (group A; 3), completion of a 420-km run (group B; 7), and completion of a 560-km run (group C; 6). Urine cortisol concentrations were determined by use of an immunoassay technique; urine vanillylmandelic acid and homovanillic acid concentrations were measured via high-performance liquid chromatography.

Results—Compared with the control group, urine cortisol concentration in groups A, B, and C was significantly different (5.33 × 10−4 ± 2.62 × 10−4 μg/dL vs 1.04 × 10−4 ± 2.31 × 10−5 μg/dL, 8.88 × 10−4 ± 5.49 × 10−4 μg/dL, and 6.31 × 10−4 ± 5.09 × 10−4 μg/dL, respectively). Urine homovanillic acid concentration did not differ among the 4 groups. Vanillylmandelic acid was not detected in any urine samples.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that prolonged exercise by sled dogs did not affect urine homovanillic acid concentration but did increase urinary cortisol secretion, which is indicative of adrenocortical stimulation. The apparent lack of vanillylmandelic acid in voided urine samples requires further investigation.
Vortex tracking and mixing enhancement in stirred processes
Authors: Ducci A. , Yianneskis M.
Published: January 2007

The precession of macroinstability (MI) vortices in stirred vessels has been investigated with vortex tracking methodologies, and utilized to enhance mixing performance. The techniques used are presented and employed to determine the instantaneous and average location, size and vorticity of the MI vortex for Re = 3,200 and 32,000 in 80 and 294 mm dia. vessels stirred by a Rushton impeller. Measurements of mixing time are performed in a 588 mm dia. vessel with surface insertion of a passive scalar tracer either inside or outside the precessing MI vortex. The data indicate that in‐vortex insertion can result in a mixing time reduction of 20%, and even possibly 30%. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J 2007
Testing alternative explanations of phantom decoy effects
Authors: Pettibone Jonathan C. , Wedell Douglas H.
Published: January 2007

Phantom decoys are alternatives that asymmetrically dominate a targeted alternative and yet lead to increased selection of the target when the decoy is declared to be unavailable. This effect is difficult to explain within most standard theoretical accounts of decoy effects. The current experiments tested between three explanations of this effect: (1) the relative advantage model based on loss aversion, (2) similarity substitution, and (3) range weighting. In Experiment 1, participants were presented trinary choice sets, with half of the sets containing a phantom decoy in one of five possible locations within the attribute space. Phantom decoy effects were robust across all decoy locations but one, and the pattern of effects most closely corresponded to predictions of the relative advantage model. Experiment 2 used a within‐subjects manipulation of the five phantom decoy locations. The overall pattern of effects most closely corresponded to predictions from the relative advantage model, as did the pattern for the group of participants who exhibited the strongest phantom decoy effects. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On a Possible Growth Mechanism for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Dications: C7H62++C2H2
Authors: Roithová Jana , Schröder Detlef
Published: January 2007

The mechanism of the bond‐forming reaction between C7H62+ and C2H2 to yield C9 entities has been investigated by density functional theory calculations with close comparison with experimental data. It is shown that the reaction produces the C9H62+ and C9H72+ dications with geometries most probably derived from the indene skeleton. In comparison, the formation of linear structures of dications is much more energy‐demanding and therefore appears improbable.
A Combined Computational and Experimental Approach for the Analysis of the Enantioselective Potential of a New Macrocyclic Receptor for N‐Protected α‐Amino Acids
Authors: Ragusa Andrea , Hayes Joseph M. , Light Mark E. , Kilburn Jeremy D.
Published: January 2007

A new macrocyclic receptor incorporating a thiourea moiety has been synthesised. Crystal structures of the macrocycle showed that the receptor has a rigid backbone but the thiourea moiety can orientate itself to bind to a DMSO solvent molecule. Force‐field (MMFFs) calculations were performed to model the macrocycle and its binding properties with respect to N‐protected amino acids, which were measured experimentally by NMR titration. Binding free energies were calculated by using the mode integration algorithm (MINTA) or free‐energy perturbation (FEP). Excellent qualitative agreement with experiment was obtained. To further exploit the accuracy of the free‐energy predictions for this system, the faster free‐energy algorithm MINTA was used as a prediction tool to test the binding affinity of the macrocycle towards a series of several other amino acid derivatives, which speeded up considerably the screening process and reduced laboratory costs.
Microporous Organic Materials from Hydrophobic Dipeptides
Authors: Görbitz Carl Henrik
Published: January 2007

In the last few years dipeptides with two hydrophobic residues (hydrophobic dipeptides) have emerged as an unexpected source of stable microporous organic materials. Supramolecular self‐assembly of the rather small building blocks is dictated by stringent demands on the hydrogen‐bond formation by the peptide main chains and the aggregation of hydrophobic entities in the side chains. A systematic survey of structures derived from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies has revealed the existence of two large classes of structures, differing in the dimensionality of the hydrogen‐bonding patterns in the crystals and the nature of the channels. The present review summarizes the structural properties of the microporous dipeptides and discusses their potential applications.
Automated laser scanning cytometry: A powerful tool for multi‐parameter analysis of drug‐induced apoptosis
Authors: Holme Andrea Lisa , Yadav Sanjiv Kumar , Pervaiz Shazib
Published: January 2007

Background:

Simultaneous analysis of multiple intracellular events is critical for assessing the effect of biological response modifiers, including the efficacy of chemotherapy. Here we used the automated laser scanning cytometry (LSC) for multi‐parameter analysis of drug‐induced tumor cell apoptosis.

Materials:

Using 2‐mercaptopyridine‐N‐oxide‐hydrate sodium salt, or the commonly used chemotherapeutic agents etoposide and camptothecin, we performed simultaneous analyses of apoptosis‐related morphological features as well as fluorescence‐based biochemical changes in a 96‐well format.

Results:

We demonstrate the scope of LSC as a platform for comparing multiple variables between different cell populations, distinguishing unique events at a single cell level within a sample population, and enabling simultaneous screenings in a single assay at multiple dosages and time‐points.

Conclusion:

These data underscore the power of LSC for simultaneous multi‐parameter analysis, which could have implications for screening or assessing the efficacy of drug responses in heterogeneous cell populations and at the single cell level. © 2007 International Society for Analytical Cytology.