bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Four‐drug pain regimen for head and neck cancers
Authors: Carrol Edward N. , Fine Edward , Ruff Robert L. , Stepnick David
Published: October 2006

Twenty patients with end‐stage head and neck cancer, unresponsive to either acetaminophen with codeine or oxycodone hydrochloride, were placed on a four‐drug analgesic regimen consisting of methadone hydrochloride, Trilisate® or acetaminophen, a tricyclic antidepressant, and, in most cases, hydroxyzine. All drugs could be delivered through a feeding tube, making this regimen appropriate for dysphagic patients. The efficacy of this nonparenteral regimen was assessed by structured pretreatment and post‐treatment interviews that addressed pain intensity, activity, and sleep levels. All of the patients showed improvement in their pain levels and 16 of the 20 had a >50% improvement in all of their pain ratings (P<.01) that persisted until death (2 to 10 months later). Excellent results and ease of administration make this regimen a good choice for analgesia in terminal patients.
Papillary thyroid carcinoma: Correlations between prognosis, age, and clinicopathological and histomorphological findings
Authors: Godballe Christian , Asschenfeldt Pia , Sørensen Jens Ahm , Sørensen Mogens Worsøe , Jørgensen Karsten
Published: October 2006

The age influence on the prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma was analyzed in a group of 67 patients. A marked decline in cause‐specific survival was found for patients older than 60 years of age at the time of diagnosis. In order to find a tumor‐biological explanation of the prognostic difference between patients below and above 60 years of age, several clinicopathological and histomorphological features were analyzed. Tumors from patients older than 60 years of age showed significantly more mitotic activity and nuclear polymorphism, fewer psammoma bodies, and more frequent extrathyroidal invasion and distant metastases. The results indicate that 60 years of age the time of diagnosis may be the “prognostic break‐point” for papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Human papillomavirus and normal nasal mucosa: Detection of human papillomavirus dna in normal nasal mucosa biopsies by polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization
Authors: Buchwald Christian , Franzmann Maria‐Benedicte , Jacobsen Grete Krag , Lindeberg Henning
Published: October 2006

To determine a possible etiological role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in sinonasal papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas, it is necessary to investigate normal nasal mucosa of healthy persons for the presence of HPV. The material in the present study consists of 21 biopsies taken from the inferior concha of 21 otherwise healthy persons who underwent surgery for nose fractures or nasoseptal deviations. In addition, five inferior conchae were obtained from persons who had died of non‐neoplastic diseases. HPV was not detected in any of these specimens, either by polymerase chain reaction or by in situ hybridization. Histologic evaluation showed that squamous metaplasia was a common finding in the biopsies. The presence of HPV in sinonasal papillomas and carcinomas may indicate that HPV is an etiological factor in these lesions.
Removal of copper from a metal–complex dye by oxidative pretreatment and ion exchange
Authors: Kanzelmeyer Timothy J. , Adams Craig D.
Published: October 2006

The recovery of copper from solution containing Direct Blue 80 (C.I. 24315), a common metal‐complex dye, was examined using ion exchange preceded by oxidative pretreatment using ozone (O3) alone and in combination with hydrogen peroxide. The minimum ozone dosages were 0.1 and 0.2 mg O3)/mg dye for maximum total and breakthrough capacities, respectively. Ion exchange was performed using a strong acid cation‐exchange resin. The optimal ion‐exchange pH levels were 2 and from 3 to 4 for maximum total and breakthrough capacities, respectively. The data suggest that the released copper existed in dynamic equilibrium with both the exchange resin and oxidation byproducts of the organic dye molecule. Ozonation, followed by ion exchange, may be a viable method of removing copper from textile wastewaters containing copper‐complex dyes. Because only minimal organic carbon is exchanged onto the ion‐exchange resin, the integrated chemical oxidation and ion‐exchange process has significant potential as a means to recycle or recover copper from textile wastewaters.
Parity and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Nicholson Wanda K. , Asao Keiko , Brancati Frederick , Coresh Josef , Pankow James S. , Powe Neil R.
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVE—While high parity is hypothesized to be associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, few studies have examined this association in diverse racial samples or geographical areas. Our objectives were to estimate the magnitude of association between parity and diabetes and to determine if higher parity is predictive of future risk of diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—This was a population-based, prospective cohort study of 7,024 Caucasian and African-American women from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, a prospective epidemiological study of men and women aged 45–64 years, with 9 years of follow-up. Incident diabetes was defined by the 1997 American Diabetes Association diagnostic criteria. Parity was defined as the number of live births (no live births [nulliparity], one to two live births, three to four live births, and five or more live births [grandmultiparity]). Parity and risk of diabetes was estimated for 754 incident cases of diabetes with Cox proportional hazard regression models, adjusting for sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors and inflammatory markers.

RESULTS—Incidence rates were highest among women with five or more live births (23/1,000 person-years [95% CI 20.3–26.7]) and lowest among women with one to two live births (11/1,000 person-years [9.6–12.5]). Adjustment indicated that much of the risk was due to sociodemographic factors and higher obesity, but after adjustment for all covariates, grandmultiparity (five or more) was still associated with a 27% increased risk for diabetes (hazard ratio 1.27 [95% CI 1.02–1.57]).

CONCLUSIONS—Grandmultiparity is predictive of future risk of diabetes after adjustment for confounders.
Durability of Insulin Pump Use in Pediatric Patients With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Wood Jamie R. , Moreland Elaine C. , Volkening Lisa K. , Svoren Britta M. , Butler Deborah A. , Laffel Lori M.B.
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVE—To examine longitudinal outcomes, rate of and reasons for discontinuation, and predictors of insulin pump success in a cohort of youth initiating pump therapy.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We followed a cohort of youth with type 1 diabetes (n = 161) starting the pump between 1998 and 2001 and recorded natural history of treatment.

RESULTS—At pump start, patients (71% female) had a mean age of 14.1 ± 3.7 years, diabetes duration of 7.1 ± 4.0 years, daily blood glucose monitoring (BGM) frequency of 4.0 ± 1.2, a daily insulin dose of 1.0 ± 0.3 units/kg, and an HbA1c (A1C) of 8.4 ± 1.4%. After 1 year, mean daily BGM frequency was 4.5 ± 1.7, daily insulin dose was 0.8 ± 0.2 units/kg, and A1C was 8.1 ± 1.3% (all baseline versus 1-year data, P < 0.01). As of 2005, 29 patients (18%) had resumed injection therapy at a mean age of 17.0 ± 2.9 years after a mean duration of pump use of 2.1 ± 1.3 years. BGM frequency at baseline and at 1 year was significantly lower in the patients who resumed injection therapy (P < 0.02). In addition, patients who remained on the pump had lower A1C than those who resumed injection therapy at both 1 year (P = 0.04) and at the most recent clinic visit (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS—After an average of 3.8 years, >80% of pediatric patients maintained pump therapy with preservation of baseline A1C. Patients discontinuing the pump were less adherent and did not achieve equivalent glycemic benefit compared with continued users; these patients require ongoing support aimed at improving adherence and outcomes.
A randomized clinical trial of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with refractory epilepsy
Authors: Fregni Felipe , Otachi Patricia T.M. , Do Valle Angela , Boggio Paulo S. , Thut Gregor , Rigonatti Sergio P. , Pascual‐Leone Alvaro , Valente Kette D.
Published: October 2006

Objective

To study the antiepileptic effects of rTMS in patients with refractory epilepsy and malformations of cortical development in a randomized, double‐blind, sham‐controlled trial.

Methods

Twenty‐one patients with malformations of cortical development and refractory epilepsy underwent five consecutive sessions of low‐frequency rTMS, either sham or active (1Hz, 1,200 pulses), focally targeting the malformations of cortical development. The number of epileptiform discharges in the electroencephalogram and the number of clinical seizures were measured before (baseline), immediately after, as well as 30 and 60 days after rTMS treatment.

Results

rTMS significantly decreased the number of seizures in the active compared with sham rTMS group (p < 0.0001), and this effect lasted for at least 2 months. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in the number of epileptiform discharges immediately after (p = 0.01) and at week 4 (p = 0.03) in the active rTMS group only. There were few mild adverse effects equally distributed in both groups. The preliminary cognitive evaluation suggests improvement in some aspects of cognition in the active rTMS group only.

Interpretation

Noninvasive brain stimulation for epilepsy may be an alternative treatment for pharmaco‐resistant patients with clearly identifiable seizure foci in the cortical convexity and who are not eligible for surgical treatment. Ann Neurol 2006;60:447–455
Polyurethane doped with low‐concentration erbium
Authors: Ciobanu C. , Stoica E. , Cascaval C. N. , Rosu D. , Rosu L. , State M. , Emandi A. , Nemes I. , Petrescu F.
Published: October 2006

Polyurethane (PU) with lactate structures in its conformation can be used as a biological and biodegradable polymer. Polyurethane lactate (PUL) was doped with small quantities of an erbium (Er3+) complex, which hindered the NN group. 2,2′‐Dihydroxyazobenzene was used as a ligand for the Er3+ complex. PUL in the presence of the used Er3+ complex caused water from the complex to be replaced by the polar structures from the polymer. These structures acted as crystallization germs for the structuration of the PU matrix. As a consequence, both the mechanical and thermal properties of the polymer were improved. The sample with the highest mechanical properties contained only 0.064 μmol of Er3+ complex/g of sample. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 659–669, 2007
Phase characterization and mechanical and flame‐retarding properties of nano‐CaSO4/polypropylene and nano‐Ca3(PO4)2/polypropylene composites
Authors: Mishra S. , Mukherji Arindam
Published: October 2006

An in situ deposition approach was used for the synthesis of nano‐CaSO4 and nano‐Ca3(PO4)2. The nanosize particles were confirmed with an X‐ray diffraction technique. Composites of polypropylene (PP) with 0.1–0.5 wt % nano‐ or commercial CaSO4 or nano‐Ca3(PO4)2 were prepared. The transition from the α phase to the β phase was observed for 0.1–0.3 wt % nano‐CaSO4/PP and nano‐Ca3(PO4)2/PP composites. This was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared. A differential scanning calorimetry analysis was carried out to determine the thermal behavior of the nanocomposites with increasing amounts of the nano‐CaSO4 and nano‐Ca3(PO4)2 fillers. Increases in the tensile strength and Young's modulus were observed up to certain loading and were followed by a decrease in the tensile strength. A continuous decrease in the elongation at break (%) was also observed for commercial CaSO4 and larger nano‐Ca3(PO4)2. A decrease in the mechanical properties after a certain loading might have been due to the agglomeration and phase transition of PP in the composites. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 670–680, 2007
Synthesis of highly selective copolymer membranes and their application for the dehydration of tetrahydrofuran by pervaporation
Authors: Ray Sagar , Ray Samit Kumar
Published: October 2006

Acrylonitrile was copolymerized with 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) at three different copolymer compositions by emulsion polymerization to produce polyacrylonitrile–2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (PANHEMA) copolymer membranes containing increasing amounts of HEMA from PANHEMA‐1 to PANHEMA‐3. The dehydration of tetrahydrofuran (THF) over a concentration range of 0–14 wt % water in the feed was studied by pervaporation with these three copolymer membranes. The permeate water flux and separation factor for water was measured over the same concentration range at 30, 40, and 50°C. Among the copolymer membranes, PANHEMA‐1 exhibited a reasonable water flux (34.9 g m−2 h−1) with a very high water selectivity (264), whereas PANHEMA‐3 showed a higher water flux (52 g m−2 h−1) but a lower water selectivity (176.5) for highly concentrated THF (0.56 wt % water in the feed) at 30°C. The permeation factors of water for all of the membranes were much greater than unity, which signified a strong positive coupling effect of THF on water permeation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 728–737, 2007
Gelatinized starch/biodegradable polyester blends: Processing, morphology, and properties
Authors: Dean Katherine , Yu Long , Bateman Stuart , Wu Dong Yang
Published: October 2006

Blends of polycaprolactone (PCL)/gelatinized starch and polybutylene succinate adipate/gelatinized starch have been prepared in various ratios and their phase morphology and thermal/mechanical properties have been analyzed. For both the PCL/plasticized starch and polybutylene succinate adipate/plasticized starch blends the resistance to impact increased with increasing polyester content, and the tensile modulus reached a maximum at around 80 wt % polyester content. In blends containing up to 70 wt % polyester (as observed by scanning electron microscopy) a hierarchical dispersion of the gelatinized starch phase was observed (distinct domain sizes of those less than 5 μm and those greater than 15 μm) and in the blends containing 70–90 wt % polyester a more singular dispersed phase of gelatinized starch was observed within the polyester matrix. Dynamical mechanical analysis results showed some phase mixing was present in the PCL/gelatinized starch blends noted by the appearance of an additional tan δ peak located between the glass transition temperatures of the respective components and broadening of the low temperature transition corresponding to the Tg of the polyester (possibly the result of a starch‐rich polyester phase) with some overlap with the low temperature β transition of the gelatinized starch itself. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 802–811, 2007
Synthesis and characterization of polyimide‐γ‐Fe2O3 nanocomposites
Authors: Vijayanand H. V. , Arunkumar L. , Gurubasawaraj P. M. , Sharma P. M. Veeresha , Basavaraja S. , Saleem A. , Venkataraman A. , Ghanwat Anil , Maldar N. N.
Published: October 2006

Novel polyimide‐γ‐Fe2O3 hybrid nanocomposite films (PI/γ‐Fe2O3) has been developed from the poly(amic acid) salt of oxydianiline with different weight percentages (5, 10, 15 wt %) of γ‐Fe2O3 using tetrahydrofuran (THF) and N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc) as aprotic solvents. The prepared polyimide‐γ‐Fe2O3 nanocomposite films were characterized for their structure, morphology, and thermal behavior employing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron micrograph (SEM), transmission electron micrograph (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), 13C‐NMR, and thermal analysis (TGA/DSC) techniques. These studies showed the homogenous dispersion of γ‐Fe2O3 in the polyimide matrix with an increase in the thermal stability of the composite films on γ‐Fe2O3 loadings. Magnetization measurements (magnetic hysteresis traces) have shown very high values of coercive force indicating their possible use in memory devices and in other related applications. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 834–840, 2007
Studies on cellulosic ethanol production for sustainable supply of liquid fuel in China
Authors: Yinbo Qu , Zhu Mingtian , Liu Kai , Bao Xiaoming , Lin Jianqiang
Published: October 2006

As the biggest developing country, China faces a serious challenge in satisfying its need for huge amounts of energy resources, especially for liquid fuel. The Chinese government has recently started a bioethanol project, and has produced about 1 million tons of ethanol fuel from corn and wheat in 2005. As it has the largest population in the world and limited lands for food production, cellulosic ethanol would be a more suitable choice for China. Many research projects in China on biodegradation and biotransformation of lignocellulosics have been carried out. Furthermore, understanding the biodegradation mechanism of lignocellulosics and developing practical processes for ethanol production have been ongoing. After more than 30 years of research, several pilot scale facilities have been set up, and lots of experience has been acquired. However, the calculated production cost of cellulosic ethanol is still higher than that of corn ethanol. To overcome this problem, the biorefinery conception has been introduced into research on lignocellulosics transformation. A corncob biorefinery process has been developed in Shandong University. By combining the cellulase and ethanol production with a xylose‐related products production, the total production cost can be reduced. A scale of 50 000‐ton/year cellulosic ethanol biorefinery is being planned to be built at Yucheng.
Gene cloning and characterization of a novel α‐amylase from alkaliphilic Alkalimonas amylolytica
Authors: Wang Nan , Zhang Yunhua , Wang Quanhui , Liu Jun , Wang Honglei , Xue Yanfen , Ma Yanhe
Published: October 2006

A gene encoding an extracellular α‐amylase (AmyA) was cloned from the alkaliphilic bacterium Alkalimonas amylolytica by enzymatic activity screening in Escherichia coli DH5α. The gene amyA consists of 1764 base pairs and was predicted to encode a 587‐amino acid protein encompassing a 31‐amino acid signal peptide. In addition, a 459‐amino acid catalytic domain and a 97‐amino acid starch‐binding domain (SBD) were found. The SBD showed little similarity to other known SBDs; instead, it contains conserved amino acids typically belonging to the carbohydrate‐binding module (CBM) family 20. AmyA could act on both granular and gelatinized starch. The catalytic domain of the enzyme showed little similarity to other known α‐amylases. Rather, AmyA contains four characteristic conserved regions of glycoside hydrolase family 13. The recombinant enzyme was a liquefying enzyme with the highest activity at 50°C and pH 9.5. The enzyme displayed a unique endo‐product profile and action pattern on soluble starch to yield a series of malto‐oligosaccharides ranging from maltose to maltoheptaose. The activity of the enzyme was enhanced by Co2+, but not affected by 5 mM EDTA. Taken together, AmyA from A. amylolytica has potential to be used in paper, textile, detergent and other industries where starch needs to be degraded in an alkaline environment.
Cathodic Electrografting of Versatile Ligands on Si(100) as a Low‐Impact Approach for Establishing a SiC Bond: A Surface‐Coordination Study of Substituted 2,2′‐Bipyridines with CuI Ions
Authors: Aurora Annalisa , Cattaruzza Fabrizio , Coluzza Carlo , Della Volpe Claudio , Di Santo Giovanni , Flamini Alberto , Mangano Carlo , Morpurgo Simone , Pallavicini Piersandro , Zanoni Robertino
Published: October 2006

Three distinct wet chemistry recipes were applied to hydrogen‐terminated n‐ and p‐Si(100) surfaces in a comparative study of the covalent grafting of two differently substituted 2,2′‐bipyridines. The applied reactions require the use of heat, or visible light under a controlled atmosphere, or a suitable potential in an electrochemical cell. In this last case, hydrogen‐terminated silicon is the working electrode in a cathodic electrografting (CEG) reaction, in which it is kept under reduction conditions. The resulting SiC bound hybrids were characterized by a combination of AFM, dynamic contact‐angle, and XPS analysis, with the help of theoretical calculations. The three distinct approaches were found to be suitable for obtaining ligand‐functionalized Si surfaces. CEG resulted in the most satisfactory anchoring procedure, because of its better correlation between high coverage and preservation of the Si surface from both oxidation and contamination. The corresponding Si–bipyridine hybrid was reacted in a solution of CH3CN containing CuI ions coordinatively bound to the anchored ligands, as evidenced from the XPS binding‐energy shift of the N atom donor functions. The reaction gave a 1:2 Cu–bipyridine surface complex, in which two ligands couple to a single CuI ion. The surface complex was characterized by the Cu Auger parameter and Cu/N XPS atomic‐ratio values coincident with those for pure, unsupported CuI complex with the same 2,2′‐bipyridine. Further support for such a specific metal–ligand interaction at the functionalized Si surface came from the distinct values of Cu2p binding energy and the Cu Auger parameter, which were obtained for the species resulting from CuI ion uptake on hydrogen‐terminated Si(100).
Cover Picture: Stereoselective Glycosylations Using (R)‐ or (S)‐(Ethoxycarbonyl)benzyl Chiral Auxiliaries at C‐2 of Glycopyranosyl Donors (Eur. J. Org. Chem. 22/2006)
Authors: Kim Jin‐Hwan , Yang Hai , Khot Vishal , Whitfield Dennis , Boons Geert‐Jan
Published: October 2006

The cover picture shows the proposed mechanistic pathway for the stereoselective glycosylation based on Density Functional Theory calculations of the model compound. The protected sugar that has a chiral protecting group that is derived from mandelic acid and is attached to O‐2 after activation to an oxacarbenium ion species can form energetically favorable 6‐membered‐ring dioxolenium ions. The favored dioxolenium ion has the phenyl substituent in an equatorial position in both cases, allowing for the chirality of the protecting group to be transferred to the stereochemistry of the synthetically isolated glycoside. Details are discussed in the article by D. Whitfield, G.‐J. Boons et al. on p. 5007 ff.
Prediction of fire classification for wood based products. A multivariate statistical approach based on the cone calorimeter
Authors: Steen‐Hansen Anne , Kristoffersen Bjarne
Published: October 2006

Wood has long traditions as a building material, and is often used in construction elements, and as interior and exterior surfaces in the Nordic countries. In most applications, there are reaction to fire requirements to products used as surfaces, e.g. in escape routes and larger public spaces. Most wood products will therefore have to be treated with fire retardant (FR) agents to fulfil the strict requirements to properties connected to heat release and flame spread. Unfortunately, FR agents usually also increase the smoke production, as they cause a more incomplete combustion of the wood. The wood product manufacturers seek to find the optimal amount of FR additives where both heat release and smoke production in the classifying test are within the requirements given in the building regulations. This paper describes models for prediction of the European reaction to fire classes of wood products. The models are based on multivariate statistical analysis, and use test results from the cone calorimeter test as input. The presented models are, with very good precision, able to predict which Euroclass and additional smoke class a wood based product would obtain if it were to be tested in the single burning item test. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reconstruction of an arson hospital fire
Authors: Hertzberg Tommy , Blomqvist Per , Tuovinen Heimo
Published: October 2006

An arson fire in a Swedish psychiatric detention clinic led to the death of two patients and injuries to many more. Rescue personnel were quick to go into the building on fire but had difficulties finding their way due to a very heavy smoke. The reconstruction made, indicates that a too easily ignitable mattress provided heat and radiation enough to ignite a PVC flooring material that then became the main source for fire and smoke. Analysis of soot from the fire site and measurements during the reconstruction show that the fire smoke contained large amounts of irritants that might have had an impact on the tragic outcome. In fact, comparing the toxicity of smoke gases produced during the reconstruction, based on different ‘toxicity indicators’, suggests that irritants in the fire smoke were as dangerous as or even more dangerous than the common asphyxiate type of gases present, CO and HCN.

Another suggestion from the reported work is that the importance of flooring material for enclosure fire development might be overlooked. The reconstruction clearly demonstrates that the tragic fire would not have happened if the requirements for the flooring material had been the same as for the walls and ceiling materials. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Manganese(II) and iron(II) derivatives of tris{(diphenylphosphino)dimethylsilyl}methane: Synthesis and properties
Authors: Gupta Sushil K. , Kelkar Anoop
Published: October 2006

Treatment of anhydrous MCl2 (M = Mn, Fe) with (Ph2PMe2Si)3CH in toluene at elevated temperature resulted in the isolation of colorless (MnCl2{(Ph2PMe2Si)3CH}) (1) and light yellow (FeCl2{(Ph2PMe2Si)3CH}) (2) in high yield. These paramagnetic complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic moment, conductivity measurements, TGA, cyclic voltammetry, mass spectrometry, with IR, electronic, ESR and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The data suggest that complexes 1 and 2 have trigonal bipyramidal geometry around the metal atom with tridentate coordination of the ligand. The thermal stability of the Fe(II) complex 2 is greater than that of the Mn(II) compound 1. Electrochemical studies of complex 1 and 2 using cyclic voltammetry indicate a quasi‐reversible reduction (E1/2 = ca. −1.08 V (1)) and an irreversible cathodic reduction (Epc, ca. −1.55 V (2)) to Mn(0) and to Fe(0), respectively. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 17:692–698, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20238
Dynamics of evapotranspiration from a riparian pond complex in the Western Boreal Forest, Alberta, Canada
Authors: Petrone R. M. , Silins U. , Devito K. J.
Published: October 2006

The relative contributions to total actual evapotranspiration (AET) from pond and riparian areas in a pond‐wetland complex in the Western Boreal Plain (WBP) of northern Alberta are measured using the Bowen ratio energy balance technique. Measurements show that a pond typical of the WBP evaporates at a rate more than twice that of the adjacent riparian peatland. Relating the actual to potential evapotranspiration over both surfaces yields Priestley–Taylor α coefficients of 0·69 and 1·11 for the peatland and pond respectively. Further results demonstrate that the sheltering and turbulent influences of the adjacent forested areas must be considered in the processes governing the permanence of WBP ponds. That is, forestry practices may inadvertently enhance the evaporative losses from the ponds, over and above the controls exerted by the regional climate. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is Palaeospondylus gunni a fossil larval lungfish? Insights from Neoceratodus forsteri development
Authors: Joss Jean , Johanson Zerina
Published: October 2006

The enigmatic Devonian fossil Palaeospondylus gunni was identified as a larval form, metamorphosing into the lungfish Dipterus valenciennesi. Morphological features used to identify P. gunni as a larval lungfish include enlarged cranial ribs, rudimentary limb girdles, and absence of teeth. However, this combination of features does not characterize the extant lungfish Neoceratodus forsteri, even at very young stages, nor early stages of Devonian and younger fossil lungfish. Absence of teeth is problematic because early ontogenetic stages of fossil and living lungfish possess full dentitions including marginal teeth. Also problematic are cranial ribs as a defining character of lungfish, as these also occur in certain actinopterygians.

It is argued that Neoceratodus is an obligate neotene (reproductively mature larva), with the implication that metamorphosis was a feature of the ontogeny of early lungfish. Pedomorphic characters have been recognized in Neoceratodus and other post‐Devonian lungfish, including large cells and correspondingly large genome size; these latter characters correlate with neoteny in salamanders. Small cells preserved in fossil bone suggest that Devonian lungfish had a smaller genome than post‐Devonian lungfish, implying that they were not neotenic. As fossil lungfish cell sizes (and genomes) increased in the late Paleozoic, the diversity of lungfish morphologies decreased, so that taxa like Sagenodus and Conchopoma show morphological similarity to Neoceratodus, marking a point in phylogeny at which metamorphosis was potentially lost. Since ancestral larval characters are retained in neotenic adults, we predict that Devonian larvae should resemble these post‐Devonian taxa, a prediction which Palaeospondylus does not fulfill. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 306B, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Physical activity modulates nerve plasticity and stimulates repair after achilles tendon rupture
Authors: Bring Daniel K‐I. , Kreicbergs Andris , Renstrom Per A.F.H. , Ackermann Paul W.
Published: October 2006

In a rat model of tendon rupture using semiquantitative methodology, healing was assessed according to the diameter of newly organized collagen and the occurrence of the sensory neuropeptides (SP, CGRP) in relation to different levels of physical activity. Normally, innervation of the Achilles tendon is confined to the paratenon. After rupture new nerve fibers grow into the tendon proper, but disappear after healing. In a first experiment to establish peak tissue and nerve regeneration after rupture, tendon tissues from freely moving rats were collected consecutively over 16 weeks. A peak increase in organized collagen and nerve ingrowth was observed between week 2 to 4 post rupture. Therefore, in a second experiment week 4 was chosen to assess the effect of physical activity on tendon healing in three groups of rats, that is, wheel running, plaster treated, and freely moving (controls). In the wheel‐running group, the diameter of newly organized collagen was 94% ( p = 0.001) greater than that in the plaster‐treated group and 48% ( p = 0.02) greater than that in the controls. Inversely, the neuronal occurrence of CGRP in the tendon proper was 57% ( p = 0.02) lower in the wheel‐running group than that in the plaster‐treated group and 53% ( p = 0.02) lower than that in the controls, suggesting an earlier neuronal in‐growth and disappearance in the more active group. Physical activity speeds up tendon healing, which may prove to be linked to accelerated neuronal plasticity. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25:164–172, 2007
Novel Dynamic Viscoelastic Measurements of Polyurethane Copolymer Melts and Their Implication to Tack Results
Authors: Florez Sonia , Muñoz María Eugenia , Santamaría Anton
Published: October 2006

Summary: A series of polyurethane multiblock copolymers with different proportions of hard segments (urethane) to soft segments (polyadipate of hexane‐1,6‐diol), are investigated. Dynamic viscoelastic functions of homogeneous melts in the terminal zone are determined. For the first time, entanglement modulus values of such copolymers are reported, which allows estimation of the packing length. These parameters do not vary with changing the hard‐to‐soft segment ratio, a result that is explained by a compensating effect of the chain architecture. For samples of similar molecular weight, the relaxation time of the terminal zone increases as the hard‐to‐soft segment ratio augments. The adhesives obtained from PUR solutions show a correlation between the elastic modulus and the debonding stress‐strain curves in tack experiments.

The storage modulus of the adhesives as a function of frequency at 70 °C.

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The storage modulus of the adhesives as a function of frequency at 70 °C.
Physico‐Mechanical Properties, Odor and VOC Emission of Bio‐Flour‐Filled Poly(propylene) Bio‐Composites with Different Volcanic Pozzolan Contents
Authors: Kim Hee‐Soo , Kim Sumin , Kim Hyun‐Joong , Kim Hak‐Gyeom
Published: October 2006

Summary: This study investigated the physico‐mechanical properties, odor and VOC emission of bio‐flour filled PP bio‐composites with different pozzolan contents. On increasing the pozzolan content, the tensile and flexural strengths of the bio‐composites were not significantly changed, whereas the impact strength and water absorption increased slightly and the odor intensity decreased due to the absorption of thermal degradation gases of PP and bio‐flour at the pore surface of the pozzolan. The VOC emission of the bio‐composites, analyzed by GC‐MSD, was mainly due to PP oxidation and the thermal degradation of bio‐flour during the extrusion process at high manufacturing temperatures. With increased pozzolan content, other organic compounds of the bio‐composites were not significantly changed, but the toluene emission of the bio‐composites was decreased. SEM and SEM/EDX mapping techniques were employed to investigate the porous form and the pozzolan distribution in the bio‐composites. From these results, we concluded that the addition of pozzolan in the bio‐composites was an effective method for reducing their odor and VOC emission without any reduction in mechanical properties.

SEM micrograph of pozzolan (10 000×).

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SEM micrograph of pozzolan (10 000×).
Unexpected Crosslinking During Acetoacetoxy Group Protection on Waterborne Crosslinkable Latexes
Authors: González Iñigo , Arzamendi Gurutze , Asua José M. , Leiza José R.
Published: October 2006

Summary: The microstructure of the polymer synthesized by seeded semicontinuous emulsion copolymerization of AAEMA was investigated. It was found that the neutralization of the latexes with ammonia to protect acetoacetoxy functionality against hydrolysis during storage had a remarkable effect on the gel content. A base catalyzed Michael addition reaction between acetoacetoxy groups and terminal double bond (TDB) is proposed as responsible for the chain precrosslinking observed. The presence of TDB in the latexes was demonstrated by means of 1H NMR. Moreover, the chain precrosslinking affected the subsequent crosslinking reaction of the latex with diamines hindering chain interdiffusion and yielding poorer mechanical properties.

Michael addition between AcAc functional groups and TDB, and final gel content of the MMA/BA/MAA latexes with different amounts of AAEMA.

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Michael addition between AcAc functional groups and TDB, and final gel content of the MMA/BA/MAA latexes with different amounts of AAEMA.
Back Cover: Macromol. Mater. Eng. 10/2006
Authors: Lim Sang Kyoo , Lee Soo‐Keun , Hwang Sung‐Ho , Kim Hoyoung
Published: October 2006

Back Cover: The picture on the cover shows the schematic representation of a simple preparation method for organic‐inorganic composite nanofibers containing functional noble metal nanoparticles. TEM images shows that the surface of TiO2 in the composite nanofibers has been decorated with Ag nanoparticles (diameter ca. 2 nm) with the type of polka dot. Ag nanoparticles embedded on composite nanofibers would show an enhanced stability and functionality. Further details can be found in the article by S. K. Lim,* S.‐K. Lee, S.‐H. Hwang, and H.‐Y. Kim on page 1265.
Unusual clinical, laboratory, and muscle histopathological findings in a family with myotonic dystrophy type 2
Authors: Toth Cory , Dunham Chris , Suchowersky Oksana , Parboosingh Jillian , Brownell Keith
Published: October 2006

Myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) is a multisystem degenerative disorder with distinctive clinical and electrophysiological features. Recently, genetic confirmation has become available with the identification of the molecular defect, an expansion of a CCTG repeat located in intron 1 of the zinc finger protein 9 (ZNF9) gene. We present two first‐degree relatives with an athletic clinical phenotype, pathological evidence of subsarcolemmal vacuolation, and molecular genetic confirmation of DM2. When found in the proper clinical context, athleticism and pathological subsarcolemmal vacuoles should not dissuade the clinician from the possible diagnosis of DM2. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Water‐soluble polymer materials as complexing reagents for the separation of metal ions using membrane filtration
Authors: Rivas Bernabé L. , Pooley S. Amalia , Pereira Eduardo , Montoya Erika , Cid Rocío , Geckeler Kurt E.
Published: October 2006

The commercial, water‐soluble poly(sodium anetole sulfonate) (PAnS), poly(sodium vinylsulfonate) (PVS), and poly(sodium 4‐styrene sulfonate) (PStyS) were investigated as metal ion binding reagents using the liquid‐phase‐polymer‐based retention (LPR) technique. The retention profiles of the following metal ions: Co(II), Ni(II), Ca(II), Mg(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), Cr(III), and Cu(II) were obtained by the LPR technique at pH 3, 5, and 7, and by changing the filtration factor Z from 0 to 10. As the pH increased, the affinity towards the metal ions increased slightly. By increasing the filtration factor Z, the affinity for the metal ions did not decrease significantly. This means that the ligand–metal interaction was strong, and it is not possible to break it by washing with water at the same pH of the filtration cell. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystal structure of human dual specificity phosphatase, JNK stimulatory phosphatase‐1, at 1.5 Å resolution
Authors: Yokota Takehiro , Nara Yukinori , Kashima Akiko , Matsubara Keiko , Misawa Satoru , Kato Ryohei , Sugio Shigetoshi
Published: October 2006

Human JNK stimulatory phosphatase‐1 (JSP‐1) is a novel member of dual specificity phosphatases. A C‐terminus truncated JSP‐1 was expressed in Escherichia coli and was crystallized using the sitting‐drop vapor diffusion method. Thin‐plate crystals obtained at 278 K belong to a monoclinic space group, C2, with unit‐cell parameters a = 84.0 Å, b = 49.3 Å, c = 47.3 Å, and β = 119.5°, and diffract up to 1.5 Å resolution at 100 K. The structure of JSP‐1 has a single compact (α/β) domain, which consists of six α‐helices and five β‐strands, and shows a conserved structural scaffold in regard to both DSPs and PTPs. A cleft formed by a PTP‐loop at the active site is very shallow, and is occupied by one sulfonate compound, MES, at the bottom. In the binary complex structure of JSP‐1 with MES, the conformations of three important segments in regard to the catalytic mechanism are not similar to those in PTP1B. JSP‐1 has no loop corresponding to the Lys120‐loop of PTP1B, and tryptophan residue corresponding to the substrate‐stacking in PTP1B is substituted by alanine residue in JSP‐1. Proteins 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reactivity of Biologically Important NSAID Compounds with Superoxide (O2.−), nitric oxide (.NO) and Cyclooxygenase Inhibition
Authors: Pérez Carmen , Sánchez Juan , Mármol Federico , Puig‐Parellada Pere , Pouplana Ramon
Published: October 2006

In the present study, we investigated the free radical‐scavenging effects of eight Nonsteroidal Anti‐Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) using a Superoxide (O2.−) and Nitric Oxide (.NO) generating system in vitro. Indomethacine showed higher scavenging activity against O2.−, it being more potent than ibuprofen and nimesulide at the same concentration. Diclofenac showed a more relevant effect on the .NO scavenging activity than against O2.−. Comparison of the activities of eight compounds showed that the aryl‐acetic compounds have higher scavenging activities than the diarylheterocyclic ones. We have also found that the O2 scavenging activity correlates with the Next‐Highest‐Occupied π‐Orbital (NHOMO) levels and the Next‐Lowest‐Unoccupied π‐Orbital (NLUMO)‐NHOMO gaps correlate with Cyclooxygenase‐1 (COX‐1) inhibitory activity. These results suggest that both NHOMO and NHOMO‐NLUMO gap energies can be of predictive value in the search for new candidate anti‐inflammatory drugs.
Theoretical study of spectroscopic constants and molecular properties of rare‐gas diatomic cations
Authors: Bera N. C. , Bhattacharyya I. , Das A. K.
Published: October 2006

Ab initio and density functional methods are applied to study the spectroscopic constants and molecular properties of the diatomic cations He, Ne, Ar, HeNe+, and HeAr+. Among these cations, HeAr+ is found to be weakly bound and its spectroscopic constants are calculated using the Lennard‐Jones potential. The other molecules that are strongly bound obey Morse potential, and their spectroscopic constants are calculated accordingly. The calculated spectroscopic constants agree very well with the theoretical and experimental values wherever available. Most of the spectroscopic constants and molecular properties are reported for the first time. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Theoretical study of the Si2NO potential energy surface
Authors: Yu Guang‐Tao , Huang Xu‐Ri , Ding Yi‐Hong , Chen Wei , Sun Chia‐Chung
Published: October 2006

The structures, spectroscopies, and stabilities of the doublet Si2NO radical are explored at the density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio levels. Seventeen isomers are located, connected by 26 interconversion transition states. At the CCSD(T)/6‐311+G(2df)//QCISD/6‐311G(d)+ZPVE level, three low‐lying isomers are predicted, that is, one bent species SiNSiO 3 (5.1 kcal/mol) containing the important SiN triple bonding and two four‐membered ring isomers including cyclic cSiNSiO 1 (0.0) with SiSi cross‐bonding with C2v symmetry and puckered cSiNSiO 1′ (11.9) with divalent carbene character. Three low‐lying isomers 1, 1′, and 3 have reasonable kinetic stabilities and might be observable either experimentally or astrophysically. The possible formation strategies of 1, 1′, and 3 in laboratory and in space are discussed in detail. The calculated vibrational frequencies and possible formation processes of 3 are consistent with recent experimental observations. In light of the fact that no cyclic nitrogen‐containing species have been detected in space, two cyclic isomers 1 and 1′ could be promising candidates. Furthermore, the bonding nature of three isomers 1, 1′, and 3 is analyzed. The calculated results are also compared with those of the analogue C2NO radical. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Health determinants in Canadian northern environmental impact assessment
Authors: Bronson Jackie , Noble Bram F.
Published: October 2006

The need to address the human health implications of northern development is well founded, and the role of health determinants in environmental impact assessment is increasingly recognised; however, there is limited understanding of the nature of health determinants and current practices in northern project assessment and decision making. This paper reports on a study of the nature and use of health determinants in Canadian northern environmental impact assessment, and discusses the key challenges to, and opportunities for, improved practice. Four themes emerged from this study. First, the consideration of health is limited to physical environments and the physical determinants of health, with limited attention to broader social and cultural health determinants. Second, when health is considered in northern project impact assessments such considerations rarely carry forward to post-project approval monitoring of health determinants and evaluation of health impact management programmes. Third, while there is general consensus that health determinants should be an integral part of northern impact assessment, there exist different expectations of the role of health determinants in project evaluation and decision making due in large part to different understandings and interpretations of health. Finally, a broader conceptualisation of health and health determinants in northern environmental impact assessment is required; one that takes into consideration northern cultures and knowledge systems, and is adaptive to local context, geography and life cycles.
Global convergence for two-pulse rest-to-rest learning for single-degree-of-freedom systems with stick-slip Coulomb friction
Authors: Driessen Brian J. , Sadegh Nader
Published: October 2006

In this paper, we consider the problem of rest-to-rest maneu-ver learning, via iterative learning control (ILC), for single-degree-of-freedom systems with stick-slip Coulomb friction and input bounds. The static coefficient of friction is allowed to be as large as three times the kinetic coefficient of friction. The input is restricted to be a two-pulse one. The desired input's first pulse magnitude is required to be five times the largest possible kinetic (sliding) friction force. The theory therefore allows the stiction force to be as large as the desired second input pulse. Under these conditions, we prove global convergence of a simple iterative learning controller. To the best of our knowledge, such a global-convergence proof has not been presented previously in the literature for the rest-to-rest problem with stick-slip Coulomb friction.
Event‐Based Prospective Memory for Poorly Attended Events
Authors: Cohen‐Servi Ayelet , Meiran Nachshon , Kessler Yoav
Published: October 2006

In the most frequently used paradigm for studying event‐based prospective memory (PM, Einstein & McDaniel, 1990 ), participants perform an ongoing task and are asked to perform an additional task when a particular stimulus (the PM cue) is presented. In this study three experiments examined how PM performance depends on stimulus selection, which is a major process involved in executive task control according to current theorizing. Participants made semantic judgments about a target word accompanied by two nontargets (distracters). The target was indicated by its spatial position (Experiment 1) or color (Experiment 2). The findings indicated that PM performance was much poorer when the PM cue was irrelevant to the ongoing task, in spite of the fact that nontargets were processed semantically as shown in Experiment 3.
Estimating the impact of small‐scale variability in satellite measurement validation
Authors: Sparling L. C. , Wei J. C. , Avallone L. M.
Published: October 2006

The necessity of validating satellite measurements of atmospheric chemical constituents with supplementary in situ measurements leads to problems with interpretation of the inevitable differences that arise because of measurement resolution or imperfect collocation, especially for highly heterogeneous fields. In this paper the contribution of small‐scale structure to measurement differences is estimated from high‐resolution aircraft measurements of atmospheric trace gases. The analysis uses the statistics of fractional differences in mixing ratio across a range of scales to estimate the contribution of real variability to differences in noncollocated measurements. The differences depend on the particular chemical tracer, location and season. We find a range of behavior: Differences of 50% across horizontal scales 100 km or less are fairly common for tropospheric water vapor under convective conditions, or carbon monoxide in regions influenced by biomass burning. Ozone varies by about 4–12% in the lower stratosphere and 15–25% in the upper/middle troposphere across scales of about 150 km. The effect of coarse satellite measurement resolution is also estimated by comparing point measurements to locally averaged measurements and is found to reduce the occurrence of large tracer differences. The choice of coincidence lengths should be based on both the scale‐dependent variability and a priori estimates of satellite accuracy if real variability is to remain small relative to satellite measurement uncertainties. For satellite instrument uncertainties of about 10%, coincidence lengths for ozone should be less than 50 km in the upper troposphere and less than 100 km in the lower stratosphere.