bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of absolute configuration of secondary alcohols using lipase‐catalyzed kinetic resolutions
Authors: Jing Qing , Kazlauskas Romas J.
Published: February 2008

Lipases show high enantioselectivity toward a wide range of secondary alcohols. An empirical rule based on the relative sizes of the substituents predicts which enantiomer reacts faster. X‐ray structures of lipases provide a molecular basis for this empirical rule: their alcohol‐binding pocket contains large hydrophobic pocket open to solvent and another smaller pocket. This predictable enantiopreference of lipases allows the determination of the absolute configuration of secondary alcohols using lipase‐catalyzed kinetic resolution. Researchers have used this relative method to determine the configuration of ∼50 secondary alcohols either as the only method or in combination with other methods. Chirality, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Survival of patients with adult medulloblastoma
Authors: Lai Rose
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND.

Adult medulloblastoma accounts for less than 1% of adult intracranial tumors. Previous survival studies have been inconclusive because of small sample sizes and patient ascertainment bias.

METHODS.

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 17 registries database, released April 2007, was used to assess survival rates and prognostic factors in this disease. SEER*Stat was used to calculate observed and relative 2‐, 5‐, 10‐, 15‐, and 20‐year survival and Cox Proportion Hazard Regression modeling was used to evaluate prognostic variables.

RESULTS.

Four hundred fifty‐four patients with adult medulloblastoma were diagnosed from 1973–2004 in the 17 regions covered by SEER. The 2‐, 5‐, and 10‐year relative survival rates were 79.9, 64.9, and 52.1%, respectively. The overall median survival was 127 months (10.6 years). The survival of this disease has improved in the last 3 decades. The median survival of those diagnosed ≤1980 and from 1981–1990 were 39 (3.3 years) and 127 months (10.6 years), respectively, and has not been reached for those diagnosed from 1991–2000 and after 2000. In multivariable regression modeling, diagnoses after the 1980s, age of diagnosis before 20, gross total resection, and radiation were favorable prognostic factors, whereas large cell histology was associated with poor survival.

CONCLUSIONS.

This is the largest and most representative survival study to date, but further assessments are needed to evaluate the potential of using molecular genetic markers, together with clinical and histopathologic variables, in predicting survival. This may have to take place in the context of a large consortium. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Translocation renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Geller James I. , Argani Pedram , Adeniran Adebowale , Hampton Edith , De Marzo Angelo , Hicks Jessica , Collins Margaret H.
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND.

Pediatric renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is clinically distinct from adult RCC.1 Characterization of the unique biological and clinical features of pediatric RCC are required.

METHODS.

A retrospective review and biological analysis of all RCC cases presenting to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) in the last 30 years was undertaken. Cases were classified according to the recent World Heath Organization morphologic classification and according to TFE3/TFEB status. A literature review of pediatric TFE+ cases was performed.

RESULTS.

Eleven cases of RCC with clinical data were identified in our institutional review as follows: 6 clear cell, 2 papillary, 2 translocation, and 1 sarcomatoid. Upon reanalysis, 1 papillary and 1 sarcomatoid were confirmed, 1 case was “unclassified”, and 8 of 11 (72.7%) had features consistent with translocation morphology. Of these 8, all demonstrated immunoreactivity for TFE3 (7 patients) or TFEB (1 patient) protein. In 3 cases, cytogenetics was available, each demonstrating confirmatory MiTF/TFE translocations. Seven of 8 TFE+ RCC patients presented with TNM Stage III/IV disease. Literature analysis confirmed a significant increase in advanced stage presentation in pediatric TFE+ RCC compared with TFE− RCC. Fourteen of fifteen (93.3%) patients with TFE+ stage III/IV RCC due to lymph node spread (N+ M0) remain disease free with a median and mean follow‐up of 4.4 and 6.3 years, respectively (range, 0.3‐15.5).

CONCLUSIONS.

Translocation morphology RCC is the predominant form of pediatric RCC, associated with an advanced stage at presentation. Patients with TFE+ N+ M0 RCC maintain a favorable short‐term prognosis after surgery alone. Young RCC patients should be screened for translocation morphology, and the screening information should be considered when debating adjuvant therapy. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Significant clinical benefit of first‐line palliative chemotherapy in advanced soft‐tissue sarcoma
Authors: Karavasilis Vasilios , Seddon Beatrice M. , Ashley Susan , Al‐Muderis Omar , Fisher Cyril , Judson Ian
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND.

The efficacy of palliative chemotherapy was investigated in a large group of patients with advanced soft‐tissue sarcomas (STS) treated on routine palliative protocols.

METHODS.

Patients with STS who had first‐line chemotherapy for advanced and/or metastatic disease between 1991 and 2005 were identified from the Royal Marsden Hospital's sarcoma database. Patients with Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, desmoplastic small round cell tumor, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors were excluded from the study.

RESULTS.

In all, 488 patients (242 male, 246 female) fulfilled the study criteria. The median age was 49 years and the majority (83%) received chemotherapy for metastatic disease. The most common histologic subtypes were leiomyosarcoma (35%) synovial sarcoma (13%), liposarcoma (10%), and malignant fibrous histiocytoma (10%). In all, 61% received single‐agent chemotherapy, usually doxorubicin. An objective response was reported in 33% of patients (53% in those with synovial sarcoma); 22% had stable disease and 45% derived ‘clinical benefit’ (objective responses + stable disease for ≥6 months). Median duration of response was 9 months and median posttreatment overall survival (OS) was 12 months. In multivariate analysis, age <40 years, liposarcoma, and synovial histology were found to be positive, and bone involvement to be negative, independent prognostic factors. Patients treated with combination chemotherapy experienced longer OS than those treated with a single agent.

CONCLUSIONS.

Palliative chemotherapy may be beneficial in approximately half of patients with advanced STS. Synovial sarcoma and liposarcoma subtypes have a better prognosis. However, the overall poor outcome of these patients indicates the need to continue the search for more effective agents. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Non‐stationary plane problem of the successive origination of stress concentrators in a loaded body. Finite deformations and their superposition
Authors: Levin V. A. , Vershinin A. V.
Published: February 2008

The first (for the given class of problems) results of solving non‐stationary plane problems of non‐simultaneous origination of holes and inclusions in a preliminary loaded solid with initial finite strains are presented and discussed. It is taken into account that the origination of a hole or an inclusion produces additional finite deformations (at least, at the vicinity of the hole) superimposed ‘physically’ on the finite initial ones. The problem is solved using the theory of repeated superposition of large deformations. It is supposed that the shape of stress concentrators is given at the moment of their origination.

Calculations were made with the use of the specialized computer package ‘Superposition’ based on finite‐element method. Stress fields are presented at different times. The change of maximal stresses in time is also presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inner metric geometry of complex algebraic surfaces with isolated singularities
Authors: Birbrair Lev , Fernandes Alexandre
Published: February 2008

We produce examples of complex algebraic surfaces with isolated singularities such that these singularities are not metrically conical, i.e., the germs of the surfaces near singular points are not bi‐Lipschitz equivalent, with respect to the inner metric, to cones. The technique used to prove the nonexistence of the metric conical structure is related to a development of metric homology. The class of the examples is rather large and includes some Kleinian singularities. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Druckfestigkeit von Mauer‐ und Putzmörtel – Gestaltsfaktoren zur Korrelation unterschiedlicher Prüfkörper‐Geometrien
Authors: Siech Hans Joachim
Published: February 2008

Zur Ermittlung der Druckfestigkeit von Mörtel und Betonen ist in den einschlägigen Prüfnormen u. a. die Größe der Prüfkörper geregelt. Normen legen gleichermaßen deren idealisierte Lagerungsbedingungen und ‐dauer und den Prüfzeitpunkt fest.

Für die Baustoffentwicklung, wie auch für gutachtliche Einschätzungen ist es oft wichtig, den Ist – Zustand (die Erhärtung betreffend) des Baustoffs am Objekt (Mörtel in den Fugen, Putz u.ä.) einschätzen zu können. Das entnommene Prüfgut, prüfbar aufbereitet, weicht meistens gravierend von den normbezogenen Prüfkörpergeometrien im Labor ab.

Ziel ist es daher, reale und labormaßstäbliche Prüfkörpergeometrien zu korrelieren.

Die Erfassung der Gestaltsfaktoren ist die Grundlage dieser Korrelations‐möglichkeiten. Sie sind nicht an den Baustoff Mörtel und/oder Beton gebunden, sondern auch für andere Stoffgruppen anwendbar. Sie nehmen allein Bezug auf die miteinander zu vergleichenden Prüfkörpergeometrien.

Mehrere Beispiele zeigen die Abhängigkeit sowie die Handhabung dieser Gestaltsfaktoren.
Nichttragende innere Trennwände in massiver Bauweise – Hinweise für Planung und Ausführung
Authors: Schröder Olaf
Published: February 2008

“Nichttragende Innenwände? Was soll denn dabei schief gehen, die tragen doch nichts!” Diese Aussage bekommt ein Fachberater sowohl von Planern als auch von Bauausführenden leider viel zu oft zu hören. Die Anzahl der am Bau Beteiligten, die dieses neuralgische Thema vernachlässigen, ist hoch. Die logischen Konsequenzen sind durchaus vermeidbare Baumängel oder Bauschäden, wobei auch deren Ursachen häufig nicht erkannt werden. Allzu oft werden Risse auf Feuchtedehnung der Baustoffe zurückgeführt, obwohl die Rissbilder eindeutig auf andere Ursachen hinweisen. Um den am Bau Beteiligten Hinweise zur Vermeidung solcher Schäden zu geben, stellt dieser Beitrag einige konstruktive Details vor und gibt praktische Hinweise für die Ausführung. Es wird aufgezeigt, dass die Vorteile der massiven Bauweise durchaus auch für nichttragende Innenwände genutzt werden sollten, wenn gewisse Randbedingungen eingehalten werden. Die Vorteile sprechen für sich: hoher Schallschutz, Brandschutz, guter Befestigungsgrund, guter Wärmespeicher.
Zur Verputzbarkeit von perlitgefüllten hochwärmedämmenden Ziegeln
Authors: Schubert Peter
Published: February 2008

Um schädliche, bis in den Putzgrund reichende Risse im Putz zu vermeiden, müssen Putzgrund und Putz entsprechend aufeinander abgestimmt sein. Das bedeutet, der Putzgrund muss (deutlich) steifer, fester als der Putz sein bzw. der Putz muss gegenüber dem Putzgrund (deutlich) weicher sein. Bei besonders wärmedämmendem Leichtmauerwerk mit grundsätzlich geringerer Steifigkeit, Festigkeit werden deshalb seit vielen Jahren an diesen Putzgrund angepasste Putze – Leichtputze, Ultraleichtputze – verwendet. Bei hochwärmedämmendem Leichtziegelmauerwerk ist im Wesentlichen der putznahe Außensteg für die Putzgrundeigenschaften bestimmend. Je dicker und fester dieser Außensteg ist, desto sicherer werden schädliche Putzrisse vermieden. Perlitgefüllte hochwärmedämmende POROTON‐Ziegel tragen dem mit einer Außenstegdicke von mind. 15 mm in besonderem Maße Rechnung. Die Risssicherheit kann mit Näherungsansätzen beurteilt werden. Dazu enthält der Beitrag Beispiele.
Song retuning with tutor model by adult zebra finches
Authors: Funabiki Yasuko , Funabiki Kazuo
Published: February 2008

Songbirds first memorize a tutor song in youth and develop their own song after the remembered model. As birds sexually mature, their song becomes crystallized and refractory to further tutoring. Here, we show that the song syllables of adult zebra finches gradually drift from their once crystallized forms, when individual birds are kept in auditory isolation or in company of cage mates singing different song syllables. Furthermore, when birds with drifted syllables are tutored with the same model again, they amend the fine structure of their syllables towards the model. In contrast, retutoring does not affect syllable sequences that differ from those of the original tutor. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 2008
The integration of song environment by catecholaminergic systems innervating the auditory telencephalon of adult female European starlings
Authors: Sockman Keith W. , Salvante Katrina G.
Published: February 2008

Mate choice is among the most consequential decisions a sexually reproducing organism can make. In many songbird species, females make mate‐choice decisions based, in part, on variation between males in songs that reflect their quality. Importantly, females may adjust their choice relative to the prevalence of high quality songs. In European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), females prefer males that primarily sing long songs over those that primarily sing short songs, and sensitivity of the auditory telencephalon to song length depends on the prevalence of long songs in the environment. Several lines of evidence suggest a role for noradrenergic innervation of the auditory telencephalon in mediating this neuro‐ and behavioral plasticity. To simulate variation in quality of the song environment, we exposed adult female starlings to 1 week of either long or short songs and then quantified several monoamines and their metabolites in the caudomedial mesopallium and caudomedial nidopallium (NCM) using high performance liquid chromatography. We also used immunocytochemistry to assess these areas for immunoreactive dopamine‐β‐hydroxylase (DBH‐ir), the enzyme that synthesizes norepinephrine. We found that long songs elevated levels of the principal norepinephrine metabolite, the principal dopamine metabolite, and the probability of DBH‐ir in the NCM compared to short songs. Song environment did not appear to influence norepinephrine or dopamine levels. Thus, the quality of the song environment regulates the local secretion of catecholamines, particularly norepinephrine, in the female auditory telencephalon. This may form a basis for plasticity in forebrain sensitivity and mate‐choice behavior based on the prevalence of high‐quality males. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 2008
A role for CK2 upon interkinetic nuclear migration in the cell cycle of retinal progenitor cells
Authors: Carneiro Ana Carolina Dudenhoeffer , Fragel‐Madeira Lucianne , Silva‐Neto Mario Alberto , Linden Rafael
Published: February 2008

In developing retina, the nucleus of the elongated neuroepithelial cells undergoes interkinetic nuclear migration (INM), that is it migrates back and forth across the proliferative layer during the cell cycle. S‐phase occurs at the basal side, while M‐phase occurs at the apical margin of the retinal progenitors. G1 and G2‐phases occur along the nuclear migration pathway. We tested whether this feature of the retinal cell cycle is controlled by CK2, which, among its many substrates, phosphorylates both molecular motors and cytoskeletal components. Double immunolabeling showed that CK2 is contained in BrdU‐labeled retinal progenitors. INM was examined after pulse labeling the retina of newborn rats with BrdU, by plotting nuclear movement from basal to apical sides of the retinal progenitors during G2. The CK2 specific inhibitor 4,5,6,7‐tetrabromobenzotriazole inhibited the activity of rat retinal CK2, and blocked nuclear movement proper in a dose‐dependent way. No apoptosis was detected, and total numbers of BrdU‐labeled nuclei remained constant following treatment. Immunohistochemistry showed that, following inhibition of CK2, the tubulin cytoskeleton is disorganized, with reduced acetylated and increased tyrosinated tubulin. This indicates a reduction in stable microtubules, with accumulation of free tubulin dimers. The results show that CK2 activity is required for INM in retinal progenitor cells. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 2008
Differentiation of inner ear stem cells to functional sensory neurons
Authors: Martinez‐Monedero Rodrigo , Yi Eunyoung , Oshima Kazuo , Glowatzki Elisabeth , Edge Albert S.B.
Published: February 2008

Inner ear stem cells can be isolated by neurosphere formation from the vestibular organs and the cochlea. The cells are pluripotent, with the potential to become hair cells and neurons, the cochlear cell types whose loss causes deafness. Here we describe the control of cell fate decisions that determine the phenotype adopted by these progenitors, and we determine whether differentiation to sensory neurons is preferred over other types of neurons. Differentiation of progenitor cells recapitulated developmental pathways of embryonic sensory neurons. Based on marker expression, retinoic acid increased the yield of neurons and the percentage of sensory neurons obtained and caused a sharp increase in Pax2, a key transcription factor of cranial placodes. Markers of embryonic auditory and other sensory neurons, GATA3, Brn3a, and islet1, could be detected after 3 days of differentiation of the cells, and markers of the sensory phenotype, peripherin, calretinin, TrkC, and TrkB were expressed after 10 days. The differentiated cells had tetrodotoxin‐sensitive sodium currents and fired action potentials, and recordings revealed functional AMPA type‐glutamate receptors, further indicating that these cells had developed neuronal features. Neurons differentiated from these stem cells grew processes to hair cells in vitro. Development of functional activity in cells with the markers of sensory neurons suggested that the inner ear stem cells might have the capacity to replace cells lost due to neural degeneration. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 2008
Refinement of dendritic and synaptic networks in the rodent anterior cingulate and orbitofrontal cortex: Critical impact of early and late social experience
Authors: Bock Jörg , Murmu Reena Prity , Ferdman Neta , Leshem Micah , Braun Katharina
Published: February 2008

The process of weaning programs the neurobehavioral development and therefore provides a critical formative period for adult behavior. However, the neural substrates underlying these behavioral changes are largely unknown. To test the hypothesis that during childhood neuronal networks in the prefrontal cortex are reorganized in response to the timing and extent of social interactions, we analyzed the length, ramification, and spine density of apical and basal dendrites of layer II/III pyramidal neurons in four groups of male rats. (1) Early weaning at postnatal day (PND) 21 + postweaning social rearing (EWS), (2) late weaning at PND 30 + postweaning social rearing (LWS), (3) early weaning + postweaning social isolation (EWI), (4) late weaning + postweaning social isolation (LWI). Compared with late weaned animals, the early weaned animals displayed elevated spine densities on apical and basal dendrites only in the anterior cingulate (ACd), but not in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), irrespective of the postweaning housing conditions. For dendritic length and complexity an interaction between the factors weaning and postweaning rearing conditions was observed. In the ACd the EWI animals had longer and more complex apical dendrites compared with all other groups, whereas in the OFC the EWI animals displayed a significant reduction of apical dendritic length and complexity compared with the EWS group. Taken together, our findings show that the timing as well as the amount of social contact with family members significantly affects the refinement of prefrontal cortical synaptic networks, which are essential for emotional and cognitive behavior. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 2008
Structure and Properties of 4‐Amino Derivatives of 5‐Oxoproline
Authors: Krasnov Victor P. , Nizova Irina A. , Vigorov Alexey Yu. , Matveeva Tatyana V. , Levit Galina L. , Slepukhin Pavel A. , Ezhikova Marina A. , Kodess Mikhail I.
Published: February 2008

On the basis of the results obtained from NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray analysis and chemical transformations, it was established that acidic hydrolysis of (2S,4S)‐4‐arylaminoglutamates results in the formation of lactams in which ring closure occurs with the participation of the γ‐amino and α‐COOH groups; but isomeric lactams resulting from the participation of the α‐amino and γ‐COOH groups are not formed. Isomeric lactams, that is, (2S,4S)‐4‐arylamino‐5‐oxoprolines, can be easily converted in acidic medium into more stable 4‐amino‐1‐aryl‐5‐oxoprolines. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Mirtazapine augmentation in depressed patients with sexual dysfunction due to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Authors: Ozmenler Nahit Kamil , Karlidere Tunay , Bozkurt Ali , Yetkin Sinan , Doruk Ali , Sutcigil Levent , Cansever Adnan , Uzun Ozcan , Ozgen Fuat , Ozsahin Aytekin
Published: February 2008

Objective

To evaluate the effect of mirtazapine augmentation in patients with sexual dysfunction induced by current selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment.

Methods

Forty‐nine outpatients in remission from major depressive disorder with SSRI treatment and experiencing treatment‐emergent sexual dysfunction were invited to participate and 33 (25 women and 8 men) were included in this 8‐week open‐label study. All patients continued her/his current SSRI treatment (dosages unchanged) and started on mirtazapine augmentation of 15 mg/day during the first week and 30 mg/day throughout the rest of the study. The Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM‐D), the psychotropic‐related sexual dysfunction questionnaire (PRSexDQ), and the Golombok and Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) were given to all patients at baseline and at each follow‐up (end of the first, second, fourth, sixth, and eight weeks).

Results

Mirtazapine augmentation led to significant reductions in HAM‐D, PRSexDQ, and GRISS scores throughout the study especially after week 4 and 48.5% of patients (n = 16) reported that they had no overall sexual dysfunction at the end of the study.

Conclusions

Mirtazapine augmentation is a good choice for the treatment of SSRI‐induced sexual dysfunction, and the results are typically seen later after 4–8 weeks. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reply to comment on ‘C.‐P. Tung, N.‐M. Hong, C.‐H. Chen, and Y.‐C. Tan. 2004. Regional daily baseflow prediction. Hydrological Processes 18: 2147–2164’
Authors: Hong Nien‐ming , Chen Chu‐hui , Tung Ching‐pin , Tan Yi‐chi
Published: February 2008

The recession analysis introduced by Brutsaert and Nieber (1977) has been applied in many studies. Tung et al. (2004) stated that using time‐averaged flows to estimate coefficients for recession equations may result in bias. The reasons include improper time interval to estimate averaged flows and the coefficient a in the recession analysis depends on the initial water table. The latter implies that the coefficient a may be different for different recession events. Rupp and Woods (2008) commented that the bias can be made negligible by using time intervals that are appropriate to the time rate of change in discharge. However, the bias of estimating coefficient a can still be expected if flows from different recession events are used on a log‐log plot. It desires attention even if appropriate time interval is considered. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distribution and characteristics of soil thickness and effects upon water storage in forested areas of Cambodia
Authors: Ohnuki Yasuhiro , Kimhean Chansopheaktra , Shinomiya Yoshiki , Toriyama Jumpei
Published: February 2008

Soil layers play an important role in hydrological processes, particularly in forested basins. For example, thick soil layers can store rainwater temporarily and drain it gradually. In the Mekong River Basin, especially in Cambodia, evergreen and deciduous forests are widely distributed. However, we have no data on soil conditions such as thickness and hardness that affect water storage capacity in forested areas. To clarify the water storage role of forest soils in the lower reaches of the Mekong River Basin, we investigated the distribution of soil thickness using a handy dynamic cone penetrometer in three Cambodian provinces: Kampong Thom, Kratie, and Mondul Kiri. Soil thickness was greater than 8 m in a deciduous forest in Kampong Thom. In some evergreen forests, apparent soil thickness varied from the rainy to dry seasons because of specific grain size distributions; for example, the soils were rock hard in the dry season and soft in the rainy season. In Kratie, deciduous forests prevailed and soil thickness was shallow at less than 3 m. In Mondul Kiri, forests were mainly formed on a basaltic plateau, and soil thickness was greater than 7 m. Soil thickness and hardness differed among the soil types in these three provinces, as did water storage capacity. The maximum water storage capacity was 1350 mm in an evergreen forest distributed on Acrisols in Kampong Thom. In contrast, the minimum water storage capacity was 225 mm in a deciduous forest distributed on Leptosols in Mondul Kiri. We constructed a soil thickness map for the study area in Kampong Thom that was mainly covered with evergreen forest; the distribution of soil thickness was related to elevation, with soil thickness increasing 0·13 m per 1 m increase in elevation, except in a deciduous mixed swamp forest area. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evapotranspiration during the late rainy season and middle of the dry season in the watershed of an evergreen forest area, central Cambodia
Authors: Nobuhiro Tatsuhiko , Shimizu Akira , Kabeya Naoki , Tamai Koji , Ito Eriko , Araki Makoto , Kubota Tayoko , Tsuboyama Yoshio , Chann Sophal
Published: February 2008

In this study, we measured evapotranspiration in an evergreen broadleaf forest watershed in the Kampong Thom Province of central Cambodia with the aid of a 60‐m high meteorological observation tower. The main vegetation species at the study site were Myristica iners and Vatica odorata. The mean tree height in the upper crown layer at the study site was 27·2 m, and the maximum tree height was 45·1 m. A heat balance method, which incorporated the Bowen ratio, was used to calculate the energy balance above the forest canopy; this value was subsequently used for the calculation of evapotranspiration. All the equipment necessary for the measurement of meteorological variables was installed in the observation tower. Data were collected during two distinct sampling periods: October 2003, in the late rainy season, and March 2004, in the middle of the dry season. Daily variations in evapotranspiration were strongly correlated with the measured amount of net radiation above the canopy layer. On the basis of our measurements, the mean evapotranspiration levels of the forest watershed during the late rainy season and the middle of the dry season were 4·3 and 4·6 mm/day, respectively. No significant differences in soil moisture were observed between the middle of the dry season and the late rainy season, probably due to the shallow depth of the water table. The results of this study suggest that the high levels of evapotranspiration recorded during the middle of the dry season reflect the presence of sufficient soil moisture (derived from the shallow water table) and a high vapour‐pressure deficit. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decadal fluctuations in the consumption of irrigation water during the rainy season, Lower Mekong River
Authors: Somura Hiroaki , Yoshida Koshi , Tanji Hajime
Published: February 2008

The importance of proper water management means that the consumption of irrigation water should be estimated even in areas where data are scarce. The Mekong River, particularly the lower part, is one area where irrigation water has received little research attention. Studies that seek to estimate the use of irrigation water in this area are restricted by a lack of hydrological data; consequently, alternative methods are required to obtain these data. One solution is the use of model simulations. The main difference between our approach and existing irrigation‐water estimation models is that we consider agricultural data in estimating the use of irrigation water, especially that used for rice production, as these data are relatively easy to collect. As a result, rice production during the rainy season in the target area was computed for 10 years with errors of less than 30%. The average values of calculated and observed rice yields per hectare were 1·3 and 1·7 t/ha in Thailand, 2·5 and 2·7 t/ha in Lao PDR, and 1·2 and 1·3 t/ha in Cambodia, respectively. In addition, we clarified decadal fluctuations in horizontal supplied (HS) water and irrigation water. The average values of HS water supplied to the paddy fields during the simulation period were approximately 17·2 km3/rainy season in Thailand (388 mm), 0·81 km3/rainy season in Lao PDR (245 mm), and 4·4 km3/rainy season in Cambodia (322 mm). Comparisons with HS water (7·4 km3/rainy season) and the existing requirements for irrigation water revealed that the simulation yielded acceptable values, thus verifying the reproducibility of the model results. Finally, we calculated the average water balances during the growth period for rice. The highest amount of irrigation water per unit irrigated area during the rainy season was used in Lao PDR, though the volume of irrigation water was greatest in Thailand. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Endocrine and morphological correlates of reproduction in the draughtboard shark Cephaloscyllium laticeps (Elasmobranchii: Scyliorhinidae)
Authors: Awruch Cynthia A. , Pankhurst Ned W. , Frusher Stewart D. , Stevens John D.
Published: February 2008

This study examined the endocrine and reproductive correlates of reproduction in 636 female and 468 male draughtboard sharks (Cephaloscyllium laticeps) captured from southeastern Australia. Females were oviparous and displayed a single external‐type ovary with a maximum follicle diameter of 35 mm. Vitellogenesis commenced at a follicle diameter of 10 mm. Females showed a constant overlap between follicular recruitment, ovarian growth, and egg laying. The male reproductive tract consisted of paired testes with spermatocysts undergoing diametric development. Plasma levels of the presumptive gonadal steroids, testosterone (T), 17β‐estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), and 11‐ketotestosterone (11‐KT; males only) were correlated with morphological developmental stages of the gonads. In females, E2 increased as the follicle developed before declining as the follicle reached maturity. T remained low during the first stages of ovarian growth and increased as the follicle reached maturity. P4 showed a peak just before ovulation. In males, T was the only hormone that varied with maturity, increasing in adults; E2 and P4 were present at low plasma concentrations in males and did not change with stage of gonadal development. 11‐KT was undetectable at all times. Endocrine changes in draughtboard sharks were consistent with hormonal correlates reported for other species and suggest roles for E2( in females) and T (in both sexes) in gametogenesis and P4 in maturational events in females. J. Exp. Zool. 309A:184–197, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Radiolabeling of a high potency cannabinoid subtype‐1 receptor ligand,N‐(4‐fluoro‐benzyl)‐4‐(3‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)‐indole‐1‐sulfonyl)benzamide (PipISB), with carbon‐11 or fluorine‐18
Authors: Donohue Sean R. , Halldin Christer , Schou Magnus , Hong Jinsoo , Phebus Lee , Chernet Eyassu , Hitchcock Stephen A. , Gardinier Kevin M. , Ruley Kevin M. , Krushinski Joseph H. , Schaus John , Pike Victor W.
Published: February 2008

PipISB [N‐(4‐fluoro‐benzyl)‐4‐(3‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)‐indole‐1‐sulfonyl)benzamide, 9] was identified as a selective high potency CB1receptor ligand. Here we describe the labeling of 9 with positron‐emitters to provide candidate radioligands for imaging brain CB1receptors with positron emission tomography (PET). The radiolabeling of 9 was achieved by two methods, method A with carbon‐11 and method B with fluorine‐18. In method A, [11C]9 was prepared in one step from [11C]carbon monoxide, itself prepared from cyclotron‐produced [11C]carbon dioxide. In method B, [18F]9 was prepared from cyclotron‐produced [18F]fluoride ion in a two‐stage, four‐step synthesis with [18F]4‐fluoro‐benzyl bromide as a labeling agent. The radiosynthesis time for method A was 44 min; decay‐corrected radiochemical yields (RCYs) from [11C]carbon monoxide ranged from 3.1 to 11.6% and specific radioactivities ranged from 21 to 67 GBq/µmol. The radiosynthesis time for method B was 115 min; RCYs from [18F]fluoride ion ranged from 1.5 to 5.6% and specific radioactivities ranged from 200 to 348 GBq/µmol. With these methods, [11C]9 and [18F]9 may be prepared in adequate activity and quality for future evaluation as PET radioligands. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sheep foraging behavior in response to interactions among alkaloids, tannins and saponins
Authors: Lyman Tiffanny D , Provenza Fredrick D , Villalba Juan J
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: A mixture of plant species adds biochemical diversity to pastures that may enhance productivity while decreasing reliance on herbicides and insecticides. All plants contain secondary metabolites (PSMs) that interact in plant communities in a variety of ways. Our objective was to determine if PSM diversity enhanced food intake when sheep were allowed to select from foods that varied in concentrations of tannins, saponins, and alkaloids. We hypothesized that intake of foods containing alkaloids would increase when sheep were offered supplemental foods with tannins and saponins. The alkaloid gramine is proteinaceous in nature, tannins bind to proteins in the gut, which enhances excretion of proteins, so we hypothesized tannins would bind to gramine and enhance its excretion from the body. The alkaloid ergotamine is steroidal, saponins have a high affinity for binding to lipid and steroidal compounds in the gut and then being excreted, so we hypothesized saponins would bind to ergotamine and enhance its excretion from the body.

RESULTS: We found that sheep fed either gramine or ergotamine in combination with tannin‐ or saponin‐containing foods had higher intakes of food than sheep offered only foods with gramine or ergotamine.

CONCLUSION: These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that animals can neutralize the negative effects of alkaloids by ingesting tannins and saponins. Our results show that PSMs can complement one another to increase a herbivore's intake of unpalatable plant species, with the potential to maintain healthy animals and bio‐diverse landscapes. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Speciation of inorganic tellurium from seawater by ICP‐MS following magnetic SPE separation and preconcentration
Authors: Huang Chaozhang , Hu Bin
Published: February 2008

A new method was developed for the speciation of inorganic tellurium species in seawater by inductively coupled plasma‐MS (ICP‐MS) following selective magnetic SPE (MSPE) separation. Within the pH range of 2–9, tellurite (Te(IV)) could be quantitatively adsorbed on γ‐mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (γ‐MPTMS) modified silica‐coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), while the tellurate (Te(VI)) was not retained and remained in solution. Without filtration or centrifugation, these tellurite‐loaded MNPs could be separated easily from the aqueous solution by simply applying external magnetic field. The Te(IV) adsorbed on the MNPs could be recovered quantitatively using a solution containing 2 mol/L HCl and 0.03 mol/L K2Cr2O7. Te(VI) was reduced to Te(IV) by L‐cysteine prior to the determination of total tellurium, and its assay was based on subtracting Te(IV) from total tellurium. The parameters affecting the separation were investigated systematically and the optimal separation conditions were established. Under the optimal conditions, the LOD obtained for Te(IV) was 0.079 ng/L, while the precision was 7.0% (C = 10 ng/L, n = 7). The proposed method was successfully applied to the speciation of inorganic tellurium in seawater.
Determination of estrogens in wastewater using three‐phase hollow fiber‐mediated liquid‐phase microextraction followed by HPLC
Authors: Liu Meihua , Qiu Bin , Jin Xia , Zhang Lan , Chen Xi , Chen Guonan
Published: February 2008

Three‐phase hollow fiber‐mediated liquid‐phase microextraction followed by HPLC was used for the determination of three synthetic estrogens, namely diethylstilbestrol, dienestrol, and hexestrol, in wastewater. Extraction conditions including organic solvent, volume ratio between donor solution and acceptor phase, extraction time, stirring rate, donor phase and acceptor phase were optimized. The target compounds were extracted from a 10 mL aqueous sample at pH 1.5 (donor solution) through a 45 mm in length hollow polypropylene fiber that was immersed in 1‐octanol in advance, and then the hollow fiber was filled with 10 μL 0.5 mol/L sodium hydroxide solution (acceptor phase). After a 40 min extraction, the acceptor phase was directly injected into an HPLC system for detection. Under the optimized extraction conditions, a large enrichment factor (more than 300‐fold) was achieved for the three estrogens. The determination limit at an S/N of 3 ranged from 0.25 to 0.5 μg/L for the estrogens. The recovery ratio was more than 86% in the determination of these estrogens in wastewater.
Analysis of an antibody pharmaceutical, tocilizumab, by capillary electrophoresis using a carboxylated capillary
Authors: Taga Atsushi , Kita Soichiro , Nishiura Kaori , Hayashi Tomonori , Kinoshita Mitsuhiro , Sato Atsushi , Suzuki Kentaro , Kodama Shuji , Kakehi Kazuaki
Published: February 2008

Antibody pharmaceuticals are becoming more and more prevalent due to their excellent effectiveness in clinical medications, and are expected to allow tailor‐made medical treatment for rheumatic diseases, immunosuppression in cardiac transplantation, and cancer. Antibody‐type pharmaceuticals of immunoglobulin G (IgG) commonly have N‐glycosylated carbohydrate chains attached to heavy chains. The carbohydrate chains play important roles in the effectiveness of antibodies. Therefore evaluation of a glycosylated species is important in the first step of quality control of antibody pharmaceuticals. In the present work, we examined capillary electrophoresis with a newly developed, chemically modified capillary, the inner surface of which is modified with carboxyl groups, for evaluation of IgG molecular species which have carbohydrate chains; tocilizumab was used as a model. The analytical system developed in the present study is useful for determining the content of non‐glycosylated peptides. In the analysis of tocilizumab, the ratio of non‐glycosylated peptide was estimated to be 1.23% with a relative standard deviation of 3.05%. The method affords high reproducibility with simple operation, and analysis can be completed within 6 min.
Determination of mercury ion by MEKC with on‐column derivatisation and LIF detection
Authors: Ma Ling , Kang Jingwu
Published: February 2008

A simple and automatic method for the determination of mercury ion by MEKC with on‐column derivatisation and LIF detection is described in the present paper. In this method, solutions of a nonfluorescent rhodamine derivative and mercury ion were injected individually and mixed by applying a short voltage. Subsequently, the mercury ions reacted with the nonfluorescent rhodamine derivative to produce strongly fluorescent product. The resulting product was then removed by EOF and micelles towards the detection window and detected by LIF detector. The experimental conditions in terms of the concentration and injection volume ratios between mercury ion and derivatisation reagent, the mixing time and waiting time for the on‐column reaction were optimised. The optimal conditions were determined as follows: the concentration and injection volume ratios between mercury ion and derivatisation reagent were 1:20 and 10:1, respectively; the mixing time was 40 s under the applied voltage of 5 kV; the waiting time was proved unnecessary. The detection limit for mercury ion was 5×10–8 M, and the total analysis time was less than 10 min.
Surface‐plasmon‐based optical manipulation
Authors: Quidant R. , Girard C.
Published: February 2008

We review recent advances achieved in the field of integrated optical manipulations based on the control of surface plasmons. In particular, we describe how intense and confined optical force fields can be precisely engineered in the vicinity of transparent surfaces patterned with plasmonic metal structures. Recent progresses in the design of such devices is presented together with the latest experiments that have demonstrated efficient trapping of micro‐objects under reduced laser intensity compared with conventional optical tweezers. Finally, we review other proposals where the use of localized surface plasmons in coupled metal nanostructures opens new perspectives in scaling down the trapping volumes well below the diffraction limit for the manipulation of single nano‐objects.
Macromol. Chem. Phys. 4/2008
Authors: Ueno Takako , Furukawa Daisuke , Matsumoto Akikazu
Published: February 2008

Cover: The polymerization mechanism and kinetics for the thermally‐induced polymerization of muconic esters were investigated by IR spectroscopy using single crystals under temperature control. The polymerization occurred with shrinking of the crystal lattice, as depicted in the cover picture, and the phase transition of the monomer crystals to the polymer crystals. Further details can be found in the article by T. Ueno, D. Furukawa, and A. Matsumoto* on page 357.
Exact boundary controllability of unsteady supercritical flows in a tree‐like network of open canals
Authors: Gu Qilong
Published: February 2008

In this paper we establish the exact boundary controllability of unsteady supercritical flows in a tree‐like network of open canals with general topology. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mixed boundary value problem for some pairs of metaanalytic function and analytic function
Authors: Du Jinyuan , Wang Ying
Published: February 2008

In this article, some mixed boundary value problems (BVPs) on the unit circumference for some pairs of a metaanalytic function and an analytic function are discussed. Using the relationship between metaanalytic function and polyanalytic function, the expression of solution and the condition of solvability for the problem are obtained by reducing the problem to an equivalent system of a Haseman BVP for analytic function and a Hilbert BVP for analytic function. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of hydroxyapatite/poly(vinyl alcohol phosphate) nanocomposite and its characterization
Authors: Pramanik Nabakumar , Mohapatra Sasmita , Alam Sarfaraz , Pramanik Panchanan
Published: February 2008

Hydroxyapatite (HAp)/poly(vinyl alcohol phosphate) (PVAP) nanocomposite has been prepared using a solution‐based method varying HAp from 10 to 60% (w/w). X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared absorption spectra (FTIR), and thermal analysis have indicated the presence of bonding between HAp particles and PVAP matrix. Transmission electron microscope analysis shows the needle‐like crystals of HAp powder having a diameter of 6–10 nm and a length of 26–38 nm. The surface roughness and the homogeneous dispersion of HAp particles in the polymer matrix have been observed by scanning electron microscopy. Particle size distribution analysis shows the narrow distribution of hydrodynamic particles in the polymer matrix. The tensile stress–strain curves show the improvement in mechanical properties of the composites with increase in amount of HAp particles loading. The composites along with polymer are highly hemocompatible. The use of PVAP promotes the homogeneous distribution of particles on the polymer matrix along with strong particle–polymer interfacial bonding, which has supported the improvement in mechanical properties of the composites. The prepared HAp/PVAP composite with uniform microstructure would be effective to act as a potential biomaterial. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation of polystyrene/clay nanocomposite by suspension and emulsion polymerization
Authors: Yang Wei‐Ta , Ko Tzu‐Heng , Wang Shu‐Chun , Shih Ping‐I , Chang Ming‐Jen , Jiang George J.
Published: February 2008

Organophilic montmorillonite was prepared using ion‐exchange method between sodium ions in clay layers and four kind of quaternary ammonium salt. The montmorillonite has the largest d001‐spacing, as determined by X‐ray diffraction in modified by di(hydrogenated tallowalkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride. Polystyrene montmorillonite nanocomposites were obtained by suspension and emulsion polymerization of styrene in the dispersed organophilic montmorillonite. The d001‐spacing of clay was determined by X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The thermal stability of organophilic montmorillonite was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
The preparation of composites of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) with silica and its application in HPLC for separating naphthalene derivatives
Authors: Zhu Y. , Ni C.H. , Shao D. , Jiang X.
Published: February 2008

In this study thermosensitive composites were prepared through grafting copolymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) with [3‐(methacryloyloxy) propyl] trimethoxysilane (MOPT, a silicon coupling agent) coupled on the surface of ultrafine silica beads. The effects of some synthetic conditions such as stabilizers, solvents, initiator, feed ratio on the grafting yields were investigated. The structures of the composites were characterized by infrared spectra, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscope. The thermosensitive composite was used as a packing material in high performance liquid chromatography for separating naphthalene derivatives. The result indicated that satisfactory separation was achieved by controlling temperature of the column. As a comparison the packing material of silica‐MOPT has no this separating efficiency due to absence of thermosensitivety. The mechanism for the temperature‐controlled separation is attributed to polarity change of the poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) on silica surface when PNIPAM undergoes volume phase transition. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Modeling and analysis of thickness gradient and variations in vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding process
Authors: Li Jing , Zhang Chuck , Liang Richard , Wang Ben , Walsh Shawn
Published: February 2008

As vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) is being increasingly used in aerospace applications, the thickness gradient and variation issues are gaining more attention. Typically, thickness gradient and variations result from the infusion pressure gradient during the process and material variations. Pressure gradient is the driving force for resin flow and the main source of thickness variation. After infusion, an amount of pressure gradient is frozen into the preform, which primarily contributes to the thickness variation. This study investigates the mechanism of the thickness variation dynamic change during the infusion and relaxing/curing processes. A numerical model was developed to track the thickness change of the bagging film free surface. A time‐dependent permeability model as a function of compaction pressure was incorporated into an existing resin transfer molding (RTM) code for obtaining the initial conditions for relaxing/curing process. Control volume (CV) and volume of fluid (VOF) methods were combined to solve the free surface problem. Experiments were conducted to verify the simulation results. The proposed model was illustrated with a relatively complex part. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers