bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soviet Car Rallies of the 1920s and 1930s and the Road to Socialism
Authors: Siegelbaum Lewis H.
Published: February 2007

Rallying, which originated in France soon after the birth of the automobile, has remained a popular sport in Europe and elsewhere, serving to showcase developments in automotive technology and the skillfulness of professional drivers. These, in addition to demonstrating the variety of road conditions and peoples within the country and choosing the most appropriate vehicle to import, were the main objectives of the all-Russian (1923) and all-Union (1925) rallies(avtoprobegy).But in 1929, hard on the heels of the agreement with Ford to build a car factory in Nizhnii Novgorod, Nikolai Osinskii, president of the Society for Cooperation in the Development of Automobilism and Road Improvement (Avtodor), undertook a journey that inaugurated a new kind of avtoprobeg. Expeditionary rather than sporting, it drew on and reinforced a discursively constructed geography of the Soviet Union, relying on two “moving metaphors“ central to Bolshevik discourse: the storming of fortresses and the road to socialism. The avtoprobegy of the 1930s lent themselves to narratives of adventure and accomplishment not only for the rallyists themselves but also for the peoples through whose lands they traveled. This was especially true of the most publicized road trip in Soviet history—the Moscow-Kara Kum rally of 1933.
Patronage and Public Culture in the Russian Free Economic Society, 1765-1796
Authors: Leckey Colum
Published: February 2007

Founded in 1765, the St. Petersburg Free Economic Society was one of imperial Russia's first and most prestigious public associations. Historians have long recognized the society's significance for the empire's agrarian history, but only recently have scholars begun to pay attention to its contributions to Russian public culture. Focusing on the society's daily activities and public practices under Catherine II, this article argues that the organization's dependence on royal and elite protection transformed it into a patronage network that mirrored the hierarchies found in state service. Despite its egalitarian rhetoric, courtiers such as Fedor Angal't wielded the greatest influence by virtue of their elite status while rank-and-file members like Andrei Nartov assumed responsibility for the organization's dayto- day operations. The lived experience of the society underscores the persistence of traditional power relationships in the empire's nascent public culture and illuminates the survival tactics devised by the first generation of Russia's educated public.
The Impossible Peasant Voice in Russian Culture: Stylization and Mimicry
Authors: Ogden J. Alexander
Published: February 2007

Unlike the English term “stylization,” Russian stilizatsiia figures prominently in literary theory. Emerging out of debates around Vsevolod Meierkhol'd's theatrical innovations and subsequently elaborated by “Silver Age” writers (Valerii Briusov, Viacheslav Ivanov, Mikhail Kuzmin), formalists (Iurii Tynianov, Boris Eikhenbaum, Viktor Gofman), and Mikhail Bakhtin, the Russian concept must be distinguished from cognate terms in other languages—something missing from both Russian and non-Russian discussions. In Russian, stilizatsiia is invoked in two distinct senses: as a critical value judgment (dismissing works considered artificial or “lifeless”) , and as a complex and well-developed strategy of borrowing another's style (thus a sense related to parody and skaz). Works accepted as representing the “voice of the people” have often been exempted from analysis as stilizatsiia; J. Alexander Ogden argues, however, that “peasant poets” (Nikolai Kliuev, Aleksei Kol'tsov, Robert Burns) can best be understood precisely as stylizers in the sense elaborated by Bakhtin and others.
Lipid Peroxidation, Antioxidant Level, and Alpha Naphthyl Acetate Esterase Activity of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes in the Mallard, Muscovy and Pekin Ducks
Authors: Karaca T. , Cemek M. , Kanter M.
Published: February 2007

The aim of this study was to determine blood levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), ceruloplasmin and vitamin C, and the percentages of peripheral blood Tlymphocytes using the alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) method on Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Muscovy (Cairina moschata) and Pekin (Anas domestica) ducks. Blood samples were obtained from 8 adult ducks of each breed. The serum levels observed in Mallard, Muscovy and Pekin ducks respectively were 0.8, 1.07 and 1.3 nmol MDA per ml; 77.4, 66.9 and 78.7 mg GSH per 100 ml; 23.9, 26.1 and 24.1 mg ceruloplasmin per 100 ml; and 0.50, 0.52 and 0.70 mg vitamin C per 100 ml. The percentage of the ANAE (+) lymphocytes was 57.9%, 54.8% and 55.1% in Mallard, Muscovy and Pekin ducks, respectively. In this study, blood levels of lipid peroxidation and nonenzymatic antioxidants in the Mallard, Muscovy and Pekin ducks were determined.
Color Tuning and Highly Efficient Blue Emitters of Finite Diphenylamino‐Containing Oligo(arylenevinylene) Derivatives Using Fluoro Substituents
Authors: Li H.‐C. , Lin Y.‐P. , Chou P.‐T. , Cheng Y.‐M. , Liu R.‐S.
Published: February 2007

New fluoro derivatives of Ph2N‐containing (Ph: phenyl) oligo(arylenevinylene) derivatives are prepared by using double Heck‐coupling reactions or Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reactions. These oligomers are highly fluorescent (fluorescence quantum yields Φ = 0.93–0.68) with emissions in a broad wavelength region (448–579 nm), depending on the position of the fluoro substituents. The highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO–LUMO) energy levels of these oligomers are characterized by electrochemistry and UV spectroscopy. The effects of the fluoro substituents on the energy levels are rationalized with HOMO–LUMO simulations. In a classical organic light emitting diode (OLED), one representative (5a) shows a remarkable external quantum efficiency value (ηext = 4.87 %) at J = 20 mA cm–2; the maximum brightness at 10.2 V is 22 506 cd m–2 (λ = 458 nm; Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates x = 0.14, y = 0.14) with a full width at half‐maximum of 54 nm, demonstrating the superiority of these fluoro‐containing oligomers in OLED devices.
Preparation, characterization and catalytic oxidation properties of bis‐quaternary ammonium peroxotungstates and peroxomolybdates complexes
Authors: Shi Xianying , Wei Junfa
Published: February 2007

Several novel kinds of bis‐quaternary ammonium peroxotungstates and peroxomolybdates, such as PhCH2N(CH2CH2)3NCH2Ph[W2O3(O2)4], PhCH2N(CH2CH2)3NCH2Ph [Mo2O3(O2)4], [PhCH2(CH3)2NCH2]2[W2O3(O2)4] and [PhCH2(CH3)2NCH2]2[Mo2O3(O2)4], have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and Raman spectroscopy. Their catalytic properties in mild oxidation of benzyl alcohol and ring‐substituted benzyl alcohols were investigated with aqueous 30% H2O2 under halide‐ and organic solvent‐free conditions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tumor necrosis factor α acceleration of inflammatory responses by down‐regulating heme oxygenase 1 in human peripheral monocytes
Authors: Kirino Yohei , Takeno Mitsuhiro , Murakami Shuji , Kobayashi Masayoshi , Kobayashi Hideo , Miura Kenji , Ideguchi Haruko , Ohno Shigeru , Ueda Atsuhisa , Ishigatsubo Yoshiaki
Published: February 2007

Objective

To examine the interaction between heme oxygenase 1 (HO‐1), a stress‐induced antiinflammatory protein, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) in human peripheral blood monocytes.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from healthy donors or from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving the anti–tumor necrosis factor α (anti‐TNFα) monoclonal antibody infliximab. CD14+ cells were isolated by magnetic cell sorting, cultured with TNFα or auranofin, and transfected with a plasmid encoding HO‐1 or an HO‐1–specific small interfering RNA vector. Protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were examined by immunoblotting and real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Cytokine levels in culture supernatants were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. HO‐1 gene transcription was evaluated using a luciferase reporter gene assay. Actinomycin D and cycloheximide were used to monitor the stability of mRNA and protein.

Results

HO‐1 is constitutively expressed by CD14+ PBMCs from healthy donors. TNFα suppressed HO‐1 expression by accelerating the decay of mRNA without affecting gene transcription or protein stability. Forced expression or selective knock‐down of the HO‐1 gene expression resulted in down‐regulation or up‐regulation, respectively, of proinflammatory cytokine synthesis by monocytes. Treatment with infliximab significantly increased HO‐1 mRNA levels and reduced TNFα synthesis by PBMCs from RA patients.

Conclusion

TNFα accelerated inflammatory responses by down‐regulating HO‐1 expression in human monocytes. TNF antagonists may block this TNF‐dependent suppression of HO‐1 expression, resulting in an amelioration of inflammation.
Metabolic fluxes in the liver of rats bearing the Walker‐256 tumour: influence of the circulating levels of substrates and fatty acids
Authors: da Veiga Renata P. , da Silva Mário H. R. Alves , Teodoro Graziele R. , Yamamoto Nair Seiko , Constantin Jorgete , Bracht Adelar
Published: February 2007

Studies on fatty acid and amino acid metabolism in the liver of Walker‐256 tumour‐bearing rats have revealed several changes. Comparisons, however, have been based on experiments performed with non‐physiological, frequently unrealistic, substrate concentrations. The aim of the present work was to examine the influence of physiological substrate concentrations on gluconeogenesis, ketogenesis and related parameters. Isolated livers were perfused and substrates were infused at concentrations that were reported to occur in healthy and tumour‐bearing rats. Ketogenesis and the mitochondrial NADH/NAD+ ratio were smaller in the tumour‐bearing condition at low (0.2 mM) and high (0.8 mM) oleate concentrations. In the absence of oleate, gluconeogenesis from alanine (0.7 mM) and gluconeogenesis plus the associated changes in oxygen uptake due to lactate/pyruvate (2/0.2 and 6/0.3 mM) were smaller in livers of tumour‐bearing rats. However, the response of gluconeogenesis from lactate/pyruvate in livers of tumour‐bearing rats to 0.8 mM oleate was more pronounced so that a trend towards normalization was apparent at high substrate and oleate concentrations. Gluconeogenesis from 0.7 mM alanine was not significantly changed by oleate in the tumour‐bearing state; in the control condition, stimulation occurred at 0.2 mM oleate and inhibition at 0.8 mM oleate. This diminution almost equalized the hepatic alanine‐dependent gluconeogenesis of both control and tumour‐bearing rats. Ureogenesis was smaller in the tumour‐bearing state and was not affected by oleate. It was concluded that the high concentrations of fatty acids and lactate/pyruvate, which predominate in rats bearing the Walker‐256 tumour, could be effective in normalizing the gluconeogenic response of livers from tumour‐bearing rats. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recanalization of chronic total peripheral arterial occlusions using optical coherent reflectometry with guided radiofrequency energy: A single center experience
Authors: Kirvaitis Romas J. , Parr Luke , Kelly Lisa M. , Reese Amber , Kamineni Raghunandan , Heuser Richard R.
Published: February 2007

Background: A forward‐looking, fiberoptic guided device (Safe‐Cross™ System, Intraluminal Therapeutics, Carlsbad, CA) has been used with guided radiofrequency energy to open chronic total occlusions (CTOs). This report describes the use of optical coherent reflectometry (OCR) system to assess safety and efficacy of opening CTOs in native peripheral arteries in the lower extremities: iliac, femoral, and popliteal. Methods: 18 CTOs in native peripheral arteries in 17 patients were treated with OCR after failed attempts with conventional wires (minimum 10 min of fluoroscopic time). When the CTO was crossed, routine angioplasty with or without stent was performed. Efficacy was defined as achievement of distal lumen position. Safety was defined as device success without perforation, dissection (≥Grade C), or distal embolization. The mean patient age was 72 years with 8 females and 10 males. Lesion characteristics included a mean vessel diameter of 5.8 mm and a mean lesion length of 22.4 cm. Ankle‐brachial indices was ≤0.8 in all patients. Results: The OCR system was successful in crossing 100% of the CTOs in patients that failed conventional wire crossing, whereas clinical success occurred in 94% of these patients. Complications consisted of a single dissection ≥Grade C. No perforations or distal embolization occurred. Conclusions: The Safe‐Cross OCR System is both efficacious and safe in the treatment of CTOs that failed crossing with conventional wires and indirect visualization of the intraluminal position by using OCR technology appears to minimize vessel trauma, dissection, perforation, and distal embolization. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Irradiation‐induced telomerase activity and the risk of lung cancer
Authors: Chen Meng , Gu Jian , Xing Jinliang , Spitz Margaret R. , Wu Xifeng
Published: February 2007

BACKGROUND.

Telomerase activity is undetectable in most normal somatic cells, but is up‐regulated by various mechanisms during tumorigenesis. Telomerase activation enables cells to overcome replicative senescence and maintain telomere stability during cell proliferation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between irradiation‐induced telomerase activity and the risk of lung cancer.

METHODS.

A case‐control design was used that measured the baseline and γ‐radiation‐induced telomerase activity in cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes from 44 lung cancer patients and 44 healthy controls. The associations between γ‐radiation‐inducible telomerase activity and the risk of lung cancer were then analyzed.

RESULTS.

The baseline telomerase activity was lower in cases than in controls (0.956 vs 1.222, P = .126). After γ‐radiation the telomerase activity in cases experienced a significant increase over baseline (1.480 vs 0.956, P < .001); the telomerase activity in controls also increased, but on a smaller scale (1.485 vs 1.222, P = .0025). The relative γ‐radiation‐induced telomerase activity, defined as the ratio of the net increase of telomerase activity (γ‐radiation induced minus baseline) to the baseline telomerase activity, was significantly higher in cases than in controls (0.730 vs 0.224, P = .0003). When dichotomized, the subjects at the 75th percentile of the relative γ‐radiation‐induced telomerase activity in controls, a higher ratio was associated with a significantly increased lung cancer risk (odds ratio [OR], 4.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37, 16.21). Moreover, a dose response was observed between the relative γ‐radiation‐induced telomerase activity and lung cancer risk. Compared with individuals with the lowest tertile of the relative γ‐radiation‐induced telomerase activity, individuals with the second and the highest tertiles of the relative telomerase activity exhibited significantly elevated risks of lung cancer, with adjusted ORs of 12.58 (95% CI: 1.08, 146.86) and 31.08 (95% CI: 2.71, 356.81), respectively (P for trend <.001).

CONCLUSIONS.

The pilot‐case control study suggested that the γ‐radiation‐induced telomerase activation is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing lung cancer. Larger case‐control studies and prospective studies are needed to confirm the findings. Cancer 2007 © 2007 American Cancer Society.
The self‐care agency in dialyzed patients
Authors: Unsar Serap , Erol Ozgul , Mollaoglu Mukadder
Published: February 2007

Background.

The number of patients with end‐stage renal disease is increasing steadily. The aim of the present study was to evaluate self‐care agency and to determine the factors affecting patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

Methods and Materials.

This cross‐sectional study was based in the Turkish city of Edirne. The sample comprised 77 patients on maintenance HD and 15 patients on maintenance CAPD. Data were collected through a self‐report questionnaire and the Exercise of Self‐Care Agency Scale, which was developed by Kearney and Fleischer.

Results.

The maximum score in the Kearney and Fleischer scale is 140, which indicates the highest degree of self care. The overall self‐care agency mean score of the participants in this study was 113±18.33 (range, 48–137). No significant difference was found between the HD and CAPD groups. Variables such as sex, health perception, no complications during dialysis therapy, and maintaining a suitable diet were significantly related to self‐care agency. Male patients had a higher overall self‐care agency mean score than did women. Patients who maintained a suitable diet, who did not have complications during dialysis therapy, who perceived their health as “good,”; and whose families were not affected negatively by dialysis therapy had higher overall self‐care agency mean scores than the others.

Conclusions.

The overall self‐care agency mean score of the dialyzed patients was found to be moderate in level. Compliance programs may help patients and families cope with dialysis‐related problems. Patients should be given support in handling self‐care capabilities.
A Square‐Planar Nickel(II) Monoradical Complex with a Bis(salicylidene) diamine Ligand (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 5/2007)
Authors: Benisvy Laurent , Kannappan Ramu , Song Yu‐Fei , Milikisyants Sergey , Huber Martina , Mutikainen Ilpo , Turpeinen Urho , Gamez Patrick , Bernasconi Leonardo , Baerends Event Jan , Hartl František , Reedijk Jan
Published: February 2007

The cover picture shows the result of the electrochemical oxidation of a square‐planar nickel(II) complex. The oxidation state of the metal remains largely unchanged, and the phenoxy ligand is oxidized to the depicted radical cation. Details are discussed in the Short Communication by J. Reedijk et al. on p. 637 ff.
Development and assessment of scoring functions for protein identification using PMF data
Authors: Song Zhao , Chen Luonan , Ganapathy Ashwin , Wan Xiu‐Feng , Brechenmacher Laurent , Tao Nengbing , Emerich David , Stacey Gary , Xu Dong
Published: February 2007

PMF is one of the major methods for protein identification using the MS technology. It is faster and cheaper than MS/MS. Although PMF does not differentiate trypsin‐digested peptides of identical mass, which makes it less informative than MS/MS, current computational methods for PMF have the potential to improve its detection accuracy by better use of the information content in PMF spectra. We developed a number of new probability‐based scoring functions for PMF protein identification based on the MOWSE algorithm. We considered a detailed distribution of matching masses in a protein database and peak intensity, as well as the likelihood of peptide matches to be close to each other in a protein sequence. Our computational methods are assessed and compared with other methods using PMF data of 52 gel spots of known protein standards. The comparison shows that our new scoring schemes have higher or comparable accuracies for protein identification in comparison to the existing methods. Our software is freely available upon request. The scoring functions can be easily incorporated into other proteomics software packages.
A simple system for staining protein and nucleic acid electrophoresis gels
Authors: Raymer Dorian M. , Smith Douglas E.
Published: February 2007

Researchers in molecular biology spend a significant amount of time tending to the staining and destaining of electrophoresis gels. Here we describe a simple system, costing ∼$100 and taking ∼1 h to assemble, that automates standard nucleic acid and protein gel staining protocols. Staining is done in a tray or, with DNA gels, in the electrophoresis chamber itself following automatic detection of the voltage drop. Miniature pumps controlled by a microcontroller chip exchange the necessary solutions at programmed time intervals. We demonstrate efficient and highly reproducible ethidium bromide and methylene blue staining of DNA in agarose gels and Coomassie blue and silver staining of proteins in polyacrylamide gels.
Motivation to change in eating disorders: clinical and therapeutic implications
Authors: Casasnovas C. , Fernández‐Aranda F. , Granero R. , Krug I. , Jiménez‐Murcia S. , Bulik C. M. , Vallejo‐Ruiloba J.
Published: February 2007

Objectives

The aim of this study was to understand the clinical impact of the motivational stage of change on the psychopathology and symptomatology of anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN) and eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS).

Method

The participants were 218 eating disorder (ED) patients (58 AN, 95 BN and 65 EDNOS), consecutively admitted to our hospital. All patients fulfilled DSM‐IV criteria for these disorders.

Assessment

Assessment measures included the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI), Bulimic Investigation Test Edinburgh (BITE), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), four analogue scales of motivational stage, as well as a number of other clinical and psychopathological indices.

Results

Our results indicated higher motivation for change in BN than in AN and EDNOS patients (p < 0.05). For all groups, motivation to change was predicted by chronological age (p < 0.05). However, a longer duration of illness was only predictive of the motivational levels in EDNOS (p < 0.05) patients.

Conclusions

Compared to BN, AN and EDNOS patients are most resistant to change and the younger these patients are, the less likely they are to be motivated to change their disturbed eating behaviour. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Enhancement of water storage capacity in wetland rice fields through deepwater management practice
Authors: Chang Yu‐Chuan , Kan Chun‐E. , Chen Ching‐Tien , Kuo Sheng‐Feng
Published: February 2007

Paddy field storage of rainfall by bunds is like a rainwater cistern system during the rainy season. Deepwater management practice in paddy fields might be good for rice production and water storage capacity at the same time. The study was conducted in an experiment testing two water management treatments with six rice variety treatments using two lysimeter experiments.

The results revealed that deepwater management significantly affected rice production. On the other hand, deepwater management increased the effective rainfall (70 mm) and percolation (225 mm). The runoff coefficient under deepwater management decreased from 0.67 to 0.53. It was reasonable to conclude that the deepwater management provided more water storage capacity during the growing season. Finally, water productivity results point out that even though the volume of input water under deepwater management had increased, deepwater management still can generate higher water productivity.

It looks as if it is pointless to save water during the rainy season. On the contrary, if excess water is available in rivers, it should be delivered in timely fashion to the wetland rice fields to increase effective rainfall and the excess saved by maintaining adequate percolation to replenish groundwater, without having to follow strict water conservation measures. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
QT prolongation in guinea pigs for preliminary screening of torsadogenicity of drugs and drug‐candidates. II
Authors: Testai L. , Breschi M. C. , Martinotti E. , Calderone V.
Published: February 2007

Experimental approaches on anaesthetised guinea pigs have been shown recently to be satisfactorily predictive of the torsadogenic risk of drugs. This work aimed at obtaining additional data, for a further understanding of the reliability and/or the limits of this model.

Clonidine (non‐torsadogenic in humans) induced a lengthening of the ECG parameter of RR in anaesthetised guinea pigs, without any corresponding increase of QT (corrected by the algorithms of Bazett and Fridericia). Thus, ‘QT correct’ prolonging effects produced by drugs torsadogenic in humans, on the guinea pig model are primarily due to inhibition of cardiac repolarisation. The corresponding RR prolongation is a consequence (not the cause) of this primary effect.

Astemizole, haloperidol and terfenadine, torsadogenic in humans, produced in Langendorff perfused guinea pig hearts a prolongation of the QT interval. Chlorprotixene (non‐torsadogenic) did not produce any significant effect on QT. These results are fully consistent with previous observations in anaesthetised guinea pigs. In Langendorff perfused hearts, pentobarbital does not affect cardiac repolarisation and does not potentiate the QT‐prolonging effect of astemizole.

Together with the findings reported by many authors, these data suggest that ECG recording in anaesthetised guinea pigs is a reliable model for cardiac safety studies evaluating the influence of drugs on the repolarisation process. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression of the 1B isoforms of divalent metal transporter (DMT1) is regulated by interaction of NF‐Y with a CCAAT‐box element near the transcription start site
Authors: Paradkar Prasad N. , Roth Jerome A.
Published: February 2007

The 1B isoforms of the divalent metal transporter (DMT1) have recently been shown to be regulated transcriptionally via NF‐κB but whether other regulatory elements are present on this promoter, however, have not been determined. Accordingly, studies were performed to delineate a minimal promoter region responsible for basal expression of these isoforms of DMT1. Promoter analysis has established that the 1B promoter is a TATA‐less promoter containing a common CCAAT‐box element conserved in mouse, rat, and human. Using luciferase reporter assays, it was found that mutation of this sequence leads to more than 95% reduction in the basal activity in mouse P19 cells. Using EMSA and ChIP assay, it was confirmed that NF‐YA protein subunit can bind specifically to this site. Transfecting these cells with a dominant negative (DN) form of NF‐YA leads to ∼60% decrease in luciferase activity and ∼65% decrease in 1B form of mRNA. To determine the location of the CCAAT‐box in relation to the transcription start site, 5′ RACE was performed. Results of these studies reveal that the CCAAT‐box resides at position −6 to −2 upstream from the transcriptional start site. These data demonstrate that binding of NF‐Y to this CCAAT‐box domain is responsible for the basal regulation of 1B isoforms of DMT1 mRNA. J. Cell. Physiol. 211: 183–188, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
3D analysis of SEM images of corrosion casting using adaptive stereo matching
Authors: Manelli A. , Sangiorgi S. , Binaghi E. , Raspanti M.
Published: February 2007

The corrosion casting method represents one of the most widely used technique to study the 3D microvascularization of many tissues, both in their normal and pathological conditions. For a long time this technique was used only to perform a qualitative evaluation of the images obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A quantitative evaluation of vascular parameters (e.g., interbranching and intervascular distances, angle measurements, lengths and diameters) was lacking, mainly because of the difficulties found in the measurement performed on 2D SEM images. Then, some authors reported a quantitative method based on the analyses of stereo‐pair images that allowed precise morphometric measurements. To visualize the specimens in 3D, it was necessary to use red–green glasses. In this article we describe a new approach by which we can automatically obtain a 3D reconstruction of vascular cast specimen's surface directly from stereo‐images. Moreover, we developed a software that performed micrometric measurements on the 3D construct generated from the stereo‐pictures. In conclusion, implementing together these two softwares and applying them to corrosion casting samples made it possible to render in 3D the surface of corrosion cast as well as make quantitative measurementson the corrosion casts. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of injection volume change on gas chromatographic sensitivity determined with two contrasting calibration approaches for volatile organic compounds
Authors: Kim Ki‐Hyun , Nguyen Hang Thi
Published: February 2007

In this study, the effects of injection volume change on gas chromatographic detection properties have been evaluated using gas‐phase standards containing three aromatic volatile organic compounds (VOC): benzene, toluene, and xylene (commonly called BTX). To examine such effects on GC sensitivity, a series of calibration data sets were obtained using standards of three concentration values (3, 6, and 10 ppm) at each of five selected injection volumes (20 to 1000 μL). The results were initially examined in terms of the fixed standard volume (FSV) approach to allow the direct comparison of calibration patterns between different injection volumes. Identical data sets were then re‐organized so that the calibration data could also be compared across variable injection volumes for a given standard concentration (at all three concentrations), i. e. by the fixed standard concentration (FSC) approach. The results of our comparative analysis between the FSV and the FSC approaches indicate that the calibration patterns of VOC are highly sensitive to changes in injection volume or injection‐related conditions. It is thus suggested that the former approach is more reasonable for reducing uncertainties associated with the GC‐based quantification of atmospheric pollutants.
Direct Synthesis of Pyridyl Disulfide‐Terminated Polymers by RAFT Polymerization
Authors: Liu Jingquan , Bulmus Volga , Barner‐Kowollik Christopher , Stenzel Martina H. , Davis Thomas P.
Published: February 2007

A trithiocarbonate RAFT agent was modified with a pyridyl disulfide group and used in the direct synthesis of endgroup pyridyl disulfide‐functionalized homo‐ and amphiphilic block copolymers of oligo(ethyleneglycol) acrylate (PEG‐A) and butyl acrylate (BA). Both the homo‐ and copolymerizations were found to be well controlled via the RAFT mechanism. The NMR analysis indicated that both the homopolymers of PEG‐A and the amphiphilic diblock copolymers of PEG‐A and BA possessed pyridyl disulfide terminal groups. A UV‐Vis absorption test revealed that the pyridyl disulfide endgroup of the polymer could be efficiently used to couple thiol‐bearing molecules to the polymer without the need for any post‐polymerization modification. This communication presents the first efficient direct synthesis of thiol‐reactive endgroup‐functionalized well‐defined polymers via the RAFT technique.

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Enhancement of Electrochromic Contrast by Tethering Conjugated Polymer Chains onto Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Nanocages
Authors: Xiong Shanxin , Xiao Yang , Ma Jan , Zhang Liying , Lu Xuehong
Published: February 2007

Copolymerization of aniline with octa(aminophenyl) silsesquioxane (OAPS) was performed, which resulted in polyaniline‐tethered, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS‐PANI), with star‐like molecular geometry. The spectro‐electrochemical studies show that the electrochromic contrast of POSS‐PANI is much higher than that of polyaniline (PANI). The great improvement can be attributed to the more accessible doping sites and the facile ion movement during the redox switching, brought by the loose packing of the PANI chains. This was evidenced by a drastic increase in ionic conductivity, a decrease in the electrical conductivity, and a decrease in the crystallinity and crystal size, with the increase of the OAPS concentration in the POSS‐PANI.

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Determination of the genetic status of cleavage‐stage human embryos by microsatellite marker analysis following multiple displacement amplification
Authors: Renwick Pamela J. , Lewis Cathryn M. , Abbs Stephen , Ogilvie Caroline Mackie
Published: February 2007

Objectives

To analyse genotype information from cleavage‐stage human embryos and assess the chromosomal status and feasibility of performing aneuploidy screening by microsatellite analysis.

Methods

DNA from 49 blastomeres from eight cleavage‐stage human embryos was amplified using multiple displacement amplification, then tested for panels of 64 polymorphic microsatellite markers on seven different chromosomes, and for two non‐polymorphic sequences on the X and Y chromosomes.

Results

There was an overall allele drop out (ADO) rate of 28%. Novel alleles in single cells were seen in 0.3% of amplifications, interpreted as either somatic microsatellite mutation events or ‘slippage’ of the MDA ϕ 29 polymerase. Three‐allele results for a single marker in a single cell were found in 0.07% of amplifications, interpreted as ‘slippage’ of the MDA ϕ 29 polymerase. One apparent segmental duplication was found. Only one embryo with no normal cells was found, probably arising from the chaotic cleavage division following a triploid conception. Six embryos were mosaic, of which four had only one abnormal cell.

Conclusions

Abnormalities in human embryos may be present in only a single cell, leading to potentially false abnormal results at pre‐implantation genetic diagnosis. ADO associated with MDA reduces the efficacy of this approach for detection of aneuploidy. Statistical analysis showed that, for ADO of 28%, seven informative markers would be required to give 95% confidence of detecting trisomic embryos. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Normal and abnormal diameter pulse waveforms in the fetal inferior vena cava
Authors: Mori Akira , Uchida Noa , Inomo Akifumi , Ishiguro Yoko , Atsuko Togo , Mikio Mikami
Published: February 2007

Objectives

To study the diameter pulse waveforms (DPWs) recorded noninvasively from the fetal inferior vena cava (IVC) in human fetuses.

Methods

We studied 90 normal fetuses (20 to 40 weeks), ten fetuses with abnormalities of cardiac structure, and seven fetuses with arrhythmia. A paired ultrasonic phase‐locked echo tracking system was used to follow the movement of diametrically opposite points of the IVC.

Results

The four component (A, X, V, Y) waves of the DPW were identified. In the normal group, there was an increase in the depth of X and Y nadirs. The abnormal group was divided into two subgroups. In 12 fetuses (five pulmonary stenosis, seven arrhythmia) there was a high pulsatile pattern with deep nadir from the A peak to X trough so that the pulsatility of the waveform appeared increased. The cause of the high pulsatility was due to a marked change of intraatrial pressure. In five fetuses with tricuspid regurgitation, this change was shallow and the pulsatility appeared reduced. Clinical outcome was significantly worse in the low pulsatile subgroup.

Conclusion

The low pulsatility waveform may indicate depressed myocardial function. Measuring the DPW provides a simple method for obtaining important information about fetal cardiac performance. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tailor‐made unsaturated poly(ester‐ amide) network that contains monomeric lactate sequences
Authors: Xiao Congming , He Yueying
Published: February 2007

A novel unsaturated poly(ester‐amide) network (UPEAN) that contains isolated CC double bonds, monomeric lactate sequences, rigid benzyl side‐groups, amide groups and crosslinking points has been designed and synthesized. The structure of the intermediate and UPEAN was verified with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Pores in UPEAN generated in situ were examined with scanning electron microscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis shows that UPEAN is amorphous and its glass transition temperature is around 34 °C. It is found that UPEAN exhibits thermosensitive shape‐recovery characteristics. The maximum percentage weight loss of UPEAN is 10 and 42% after immersing the samples in active sludge at ambient temperature for 146 days and in 0.1 mol L−1 phosphate‐buffer saline at 37 °C for 103 days, respectively, which suggests that UPEAN is degradable. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Airway hyperresponsiveness and acute chest syndrome in children with sickle cell anemia
Authors: Sylvester Karl P. , Patey Richard A. , Rafferty Gerrard F. , Rees David , Thein Swee Lay , Greenough Anne
Published: February 2007

To determine the occurrence and magnitude of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) who had or had not had acute chest syndrome (ACS) episodes. A subsidiary aim was to determine whether cold air and exercise challenge testing gave similar results in children with SCA. AHR would be greater in SCA children who had had an ACS episode compared to those who had not. Prospective observational study. Forty‐two SCA children (median age of 11.5 [range 6.1–16.8] years); 12 children had been previously hospitalized for an ACS episode. AHR was assessed by the change in forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) to a cold air challenge and in a subset of the children to an exercise challenge. A positive result to either challenge was deemed to have occurred if the FEV1 fell by at least 10% from the pre‐challenge baseline. The magnitude of change in FEV1 following the cold air challenge was similar in children who had or had not had an ACS episode. Six children had a positive response to the cold air challenge (AHR); none had had an ACS hospitalization. Similar proportions of children responded to the cold air and exercise challenge and the magnitude of response to the two tests was similar. Some children, however, responded only to a cold air challenge and others only to an exercise challenge. SCA children who had had an ACS hospitalization episode compared to those who had not were not more likely to respond to a cold air challenge. Importantly, if AHR is to be correctly diagnosed, some SCA children will require to undergo both cold air and exercise challenge testing. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2007; 42:272–276. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunotherapy of patients with hormone‐refractory prostate carcinoma pre‐treated with interferon‐gamma and vaccinated with autologous PSA‐peptide loaded dendritic cells—A pilot study
Authors: Hildenbrand B. , Sauer B. , Kalis O. , Stoll C. , Freudenberg M.A. , Niedermann G. , Giesler J.M. , Jüttner E. , Peters J.H. , Häring B. , Leo R. , Unger C. , Azemar M.
Published: February 2007

PURPOSE

We conducted a pilot trial to assess the feasibility and tolerability of a prime/boost vaccine strategy using interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) and autologous dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with HLA‐A2‐specific prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) peptides (PSA‐1 [141–150]; PSA‐2 [146–156]; PSA‐3 [154–163]) for the treatment of 12 patients with hormone refractory prostate carcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients were vaccinated four times with intracutaneously injected PSA‐peptide loaded DCs after subcutaneous administration of IFN‐γ 2 hr before DC administration (50 µg/m2 body surface). Objectives were safety, clinical benefit, clinical and biochemical response, quality of life, and immunological parameters.

RESULTS

The vaccination was well tolerated without any vaccination‐associated adverse events. One partial and one mixed responder were identified, four patients showed stable diseases. Two patients had a decrease and four a slow‐down velocity slope in the PSA serum level. All responders showed a positive DTH‐response, but only two a slight increase in PSA‐peptide specific T‐lymphocytes.

CONCLUSION

The immunotherapy with IFN‐γ and PSA‐peptide loaded DCs was feasible and well tolerated. The observed responses imply a potential antitumor activity. Prostate 67: 500–508, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
What risk should public accept from chemical process facilities?
Authors: Meyer Ernst , Andreassen Gøran , Wei Cindy , Shaw Stephen
Published: February 2007

Major incidents in chemical process plants such as Bhopal have raised the questions of facility, safety, and security by stakeholders and interest groups. How will the facility be perceived as safe given the possible consequences? No one denies that there have been improvements in process safety since Bhopal and many safety regulations have come into effect. The public may still question whether it is safe to live or work near a chemical plant today.

This paper discusses the risk that the public should accept under governmental leadership and guidance. Also discussed is how the chemical process industry should ensure risk acceptance criteria compliance and maintenance of compliance throughout the lifetime of a facility. Safety may be enforced by compliance with a pre‐defined set of risk acceptance criteria. These criteria may be absolute and tangible, but in some cases are more abstract. Different practices are seen among different countries, states, and regions as well as between different industry segments. This paper discusses the meaning of risk acceptance criteria and how exposed people and regulatory bodies should relate to the criteria. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2007
Wind and sea at coastal stations and the effects of the angle between wind and shore
Authors: Champion Donald L.
Published: February 2007

The normal relations between wind force and sea disturbance in the open sea are set out with some precision in the Admiralty Weather Manual, where it is given that the fetch in miles required to produce waves in accordance with the sea disturbance table is probably of the nature of W6/500 and that the minimum depth of water required is W3/10 fathoms, where W is the wind force on the Beaufort scale.

The complications which arise when waves near the coast, owing to variations of fetch, depth of water, tidal streams, river currents, etc., are such that that the formulá connecting sea disturbance and wind in the open sea are no longer applicable.

In this note, based on some 17,000 observations published from coastal stations in the Daily Weather Report and from ships in Hebridean seas during the three years September 1936 to 1939, an attempt has been made to ascertain the variations of sea disturbance relative to the angle between the wind and shore.
The problem of diffusion in the lower atmosphere
Authors: Sutton O. G.
Published: February 2007

An account is given of a theory of atmospheric diffusion developed at Porton during the years 1932–38 in connexion with the problems of chemical warfare. It is shown that the theory leads to formulæ of the correct functional form but these only give results of the correct absolute magnitude when “extreme” values are admitted for the gustiness factors.

With this proviso, the expressions developed are reliable for the calculation of atmospheric diffusion in the absence of very large gradients of temperature and provided that observations on the wind gradient are made above the layer in which the effects of surface roughness predominate. It is also shown that observations on the rate of evaporation from very small areas are not necessarily a reliable indication of the rate of removal of vapour from large areas, such as reservoirs and lakes.
Daily variation of the diurnal wave of pressure
Authors: Sellick N. P.
Published: February 2007

The diurnal and semi‐diurnal waves of barometric pressure are obtained for individual days. The diurnal wave, with a mean amplitude of from 0·6 to 0·8 mb., shows a standard departure from the mean of 0·25 mb., and, in consequence is sometimes absent. The semi‐diurnal wave, with a mean amplitude of 1·0 mb., shows a standard departure of only 0·1 mb., and the phase is very steady. The reality of these variations is supported by correlation between stations and with diurnal variations of temperature.
The criterion of turbulence in a fluid of variable density, with particular reference to conditions in the atmosphere
Authors: Calder K. L.
Published: February 2007

The energy equation of eddying motion in a fluid of variable density is derived by methods based on a treatment by Ertel, with particular reference to conditions in the atmosphere. The general form of the criterion for the growth or decay of turbulence is then deduced. The limitations inherent in the Richardson criterion of turbulence are examined and it is shown that the latter neglects terms which are potentially large. These represent respectively, the rate of dissipation of eddying energy into heat by molecular viscosity, the rate of working of the fluctuating gradients of static pressure on the eddying motion, and the eddy diffusion of eddying kinetic energy. Richardson's criterion also involves the assumption of a special functional form for the vertical heat flux due to turbulence, which may not be generally valid. If it is, however, the critical value of the Richardson number above which turbulence is damped out is probably less than unity, in contradiction to Richardson's analysis, but in agreement with a theoretical analysis by Schlichting, which has been shown to be in satisfactory agreement with laboratory experiments.
A portable indicating apparatus for the study of temperature and humidity profiles near the ground
Authors: Pasquill F.
Published: February 2007

A description is given of a portable distant‐indicating apparatus suitable for carrying out critical explorations of the vertical distribution of temperature and humidity near the ground. The apparatus is simple in construction in that considerable use is made of moulded plastic tubes of standard shapes and sizes. Essential instrumental characteristics and some details of manipulation and performance in the field are included.
A general survey of meteorology in agriculture and an account of the physics of irrigation control
Authors: Penman H. L.
Published: February 2007

Weather problems in farming fall into three groups. Statistical problems include the forecasting of weather for strategical and tactical use in planning farming operations, and the forecasting of crop yields from weather data. Biological problems arise in studies of growth and of the spread of disease, and demand a wider knowledge of techniques suitable for use in micro‐meteorology. Physical problems are largely transport problems in the building up of plant and animal environments.

A typical problem from the last group is the disposal of available solar energy, and it is shown that an energy balance sheet can be drawn up to leave evaporation as the only unknown under prescribed conditions that make the treatment directly applicable to control of irrigation operations. Such an application is described for an experiment on irrigation of sugar beet during the summer of 1948. Results were as' satisfactory as the weather of the growing season would permit, the application of a total of 2.6 in. of irrigation (based on weather data) giving a slightly better yield of sugar than a total of 4.7 in. applied whenever expert inspection of the crop decided that irrigation was necessary.