bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, characterization, and application of amylopectin‐graft‐poly(AM‐co‐AMPS)
Authors: Adhikary P. , Krishnamoorthi S.
Published: April 2012

A series of graft copolymers poly(acrylamide‐co‐2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid) [Ap‐g‐p(AM‐co‐AMPS)] have been synthesized by graft copolymerization of amylopectin (Ap) with acrylamide (AM) and 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS). The copolymerization has been carried out by solution polymerization technique and using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as initiator. The characterization of graft copolymer has been carried out by elemental analysis fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of reaction conditions on graft copolymerization and the use of the copolymer as flocculating agent in kaolin suspension have been investigated. Experiments have shown that graft copolymer with higher grafting level, higher intrinsic viscosity, and higher anionic degree can be obtained by changing the method of addition of monomers and by controlling the ratio of AMPS and AM. The flocculation performances have been investigated through jar test method, and it has been observed that the graft copolymer with molar ratio of 2 : 1 of AM and AMPS shows best performance in flocculating kaolin suspension. Metal ion sorption study with Cu2+ has shown that the graft copolymer absorbs Cu2+ efficiently. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Relationship between dielectric behaviors and conversion of MMA during polymerization process
Authors: Lisheng Zhong , Bo Hu , Jingxuan Wu , Junwei Zhao , Guang Ouyang , Qinxue Yu
Published: April 2012

Poly(methyl methacrylate), which is prepared by polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), is widely used in the fabrication of polymer optical fiber and devices. In this article, a dielectric measurement method was proposed to monitor the polymerization process. The measurement result is compared with that obtained by the traditional Abbe's refractometer method. By monitoring the dielectric behaviors of polymerization system, the correlation between dielectric properties of reacting bulk and conversion of MMA was established. The influence of reactive temperature, reactive time, conversion rate of prepolymerization, and oxygen environment was discussed. It was shown that the gel effect occurred at 2 h at the reactive temperature of 50°C when the conversion of prepolymer was about 24% with the absence of oxygen. The conversion rate obtained by Abbe's refractometer method was larger than that measured by dielectric method in the reaction metaphase. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Films of native and modified starch reinforced with fiber: Influence of some extrusion variables using response surface methodology
Authors: Galicia‐García T. , Martínez‐Bustos F. , Jiménez‐Arévalo O. A. , Arencón D. , Gámez‐Pérez J. , Martínez A. B.
Published: April 2012

Corn starch (native and phosphorylated) and potato films containing glycerol as plasticizer, and bagasse sugar cane as fiber, were produced by extrusion‐calendering process, and characterized for the mechanical properties (tensile stress at rupture σr, elongation at break εb, and Young's modulusE), water disintegration index (WDI), water absorption capacity (WAC), and luminosity. The evaluated processing variables were: feed moisture, fiber content, and type of starch. The response surface methodology was applied to analyze, and the model of significance was justified by a variance analysis (F‐test). The inclusion of fiber provides a mechanical reinforcement to the starch matrix favoring the elongation at break (εb) in thickness films (280–350 μm). Samples formulated with potato starch within the values of feed moisture 18.25, 20.5, and 5 wt % of fiber content, showed an increment in values of tensile stress at rupture (3.80–4.4 MPa) and Young's modulus (78.47–68.04 MPa). Corn starch films with high fiber content (10%) and low feed moisture (18.25%) values showed a decrement in elongation at break (12.93%). WAC and WDI were low with minimum and intermediate levels of feed moisture and fiber content (0–5%). Luminosity values were an indicative that do not exist degradation in film materials due to condition extrusion process used. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
DECREASED JH BIOSYNTHESIS IS RELATED TO PRECOCIOUS METAMORPHOSIS IN RECESSIVE TRIMOLTER (rt) MUTANTS OF THE SILKWORM, Bombyx mori
Authors: Gu Shi‐Hong , Tsai Wen‐Hsien
Published: April 2012

In recessive trimolter (rt) mutants of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, that have four larval instars rather than five larval instars of normal B. mori, a decrease after a small increase in the hemolymph ecdysteroid titer during the early stages of the last (fourth) larval instar appeared to be a prerequisite for larvae to undergo precocious metamorphosis. The present study was carried out to investigate the possible mechanism underlying this decrease in the ecdysteroid titer. It was found that juvenile hormone (JH) biosynthetic activity of the corpora allata (CA) increased during the first day of the last larval instar, but its absolute JH biosynthesis activity was relatively lower compared to that of normal fourth‐instar larvae in tetramolters. This lowered JH biosynthetic activity appeared to be related to a decrease in prothoracic gland ecdysteroidogenesis during the second day of the last instar, because hydroprene application prevented this decrease in prothoracic gland ecdysteroidogenesis, leading to the induction of a supernumerary larval molt. The in vitro incubation of prothoracic glands with hydroprene showed that hydroprene did not directly exert its action on prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) release. Further study showed that the application of hydroprene enhanced the competency of the glands to respond to PTTH. From these results, it was supposed that the lowered JH biosynthesis of the CA during the first day of last instar in rt mutants was related to decreased ecdysteroidogenesis in the prothoracic glands during the second day, thus playing a role in leading to precocious metamorphosis.
A probabilistic approach to calculate capacity of signalized intersections with a red light camera
Authors: Jha Manoj K. , Weldegiorgis Yohannes
Published: April 2012

In recent years, red light cameras (RLCs) have been installed at many signalized intersections. The main reason behind installing RLCs is to reduce intersection‐related accidents caused because of a driver's behavior to cross the intersection when the signal turns red. By nature, if the driver is aware of the presence of RLC his or her driving behavior is bound to change. This behavioral change, however, may be intentional or unintentional. This may influence the utilization of yellow intervals resulting in a possible increase in dilemma zone, which in turn, may reduce the service capacity of the intersection. To accurately capture this capacity reduction, we present a probabilistic approach to modify the saturation flow rate formula in the Highway Capacity Manual that is currently used to calculate the capacity of signalized intersections. We introduce a new factor in the saturation flow rate calculation called red light reduction factor, to account for the capacity reduction owing to RLCs. Using field data from Baltimore, Maryland, we establish a relationship for the red light reduction factor. We then show that capacity of RLC‐equipped intersections is generally lower than that without RLCs. Although the percentage reduction in capacity of a single intersection may not seem significant, the cumulative impact of such reduction in a heavily traveled road network may be quite significant, resulting in significant loss in travel time. In future works, the systemwide capacity reduction owing to the presence of RLCs can be studied in congested transportation networks. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of soft tissue thickness over the posterior border of the vertebral body and disc space on cage placement during posterior lumbar interbody fusion: A cadaveric study
Authors: Yang Jae Hyuk , Kasat Niraj Sharad , Whang Jin Ho , Kim Min Keun , Min Kyueng‐Whan , Hong Jae Young , Modi Hitesh N. , Suh Seung Woo
Published: April 2012

In the present study, we investigated whether there is a difference between visual depth (VD) and radiological image depth (RD) of cages (i.e., structural interbody support devices) placed in disc spaces during posterior lumbar interbody fusion and whether soft tissues covering the posterior border of the vertebral body and associated disc space are the cause of any observed differences. Using digital calipers, cages were inserted at a depth of 5 mm from the soft tissues covering the posterior border of the vertebral body and disc space under direct vision; this depth was defined as VD. After insertion, RD was measured in triplicate. The reliability of RD measurements was evaluated using an intraclass coefficient test. To identify the cause of differences between VD and RD, the thicknesses of soft tissues were measured microscopically. A total of 40 lumbar intervertebral disc spaces with cages were evaluated. The mean RD of cages was 3.12 mm, while the mean difference between the VD and RD of cages (DVRD) was 1.91 mm. On histological examination, the mean thickness of the soft tissue was 2.02 mm. Comparative analysis between histological values and DVRD showed no statistical difference (P = 1.14, 1.55, 0.06). There was a significant difference between VD and RD during cage placement, and soft tissue structure appeared to be responsible for the DVRD of inserted cages. Therefore, cages should be inserted deeper to account for differences between visual and radiological image depths. Clin. Anat. 25:1066–1073, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Release of the glucose‐regulated protein 94 by baby hamster kidney cells
Authors: Evdokimovskaya Yulia , Skarga Yuri , Vrublevskaya Veronika , Morenkov Oleg
Published: April 2012

Glucose‐regulated protein 94 (grp94) is a major component of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen of eukaryotic cells. We showed that grp94 is released from baby hamster kidney (BHK‐21) cells into a serum‐free medium. The exit of grp94 into the medium was not related to the protein discharge due to cell death and was independent of de novo protein synthesis. The treatment of cells with brefeldin A and monensin, the inhibitors of the classical pathway of protein secretion, did not decrease the extracellular level of grp94, indicating that the discharge of grp94 from cells does not occur through the ER/Golgi–dependent pathway. Exosomes, membrane vesicles secreted by several cell types, were not involved in the release of grp94 from cells. Methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin, a substance that disrupts the lipid raft organization, considerably reduced the extracellular level of grp94, indicating that lipid rafts are involved in the liberation of grp94 from BHK‐21 cells. The results suggest that BHK‐21 cells release grp94 into the serum‐free medium via the nonclassical secretory pathway in which lipid rafts play an important role. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental and Computational Investigations of the Deactivation of H‐ZSM‐5 Zeolite by Coking in the Conversion of Ethanol into Hydrocarbons
Authors: Däumer Daniel , Räuchle Konstantin , Reschetilowski Wladimir
Published: April 2012

The catalytic conversion of ethanol into hydrocarbons on a H‐ZSM‐5 zeolite with a molar Si/Al ratio of 12 was investigated under different reaction conditions (WHSV, carrier flow). During catalyst‐deactivation, the selectivity changed towards C2 products. These results indicated that the deactivation neither correlated with the total amount of deposits nor with the structural damage of the zeolite. Under the assumption that a pore‐blockage caused the change in selectivity, characterization of the catalyst sample (TPAD, IR spectroscopy), the formed deposits (TGA, DSC), and also the regeneration process were performed. The experimental results were discussed in terms of the nature of the deposits (i.e., aromatic compounds, substituted aromatic compounds, or olefins) and correlated with quantum chemical calculations at the ONIOM(B3LYP/6‐31G(d):PM6) level of theory with a purely siliceous model to consider the effect of pore‐blockage in an inert SiO2 MFI network.
History, philosophy and mathematical basis of the latent variable approach – from a peculiarity in psychology to a general method for analysis of multivariate data
Authors: Kvalheim Olav M.
Published: April 2012

This work reviews some of the major developments in the latent variable (LV) approach to exploratory and predictive modeling. Furthermore, it explores the nature and various aspects of the LV methodology and its role in science and technology. The immense potential of the LV approach to the analysis of complex systems is proven through its application in almost all branches of empirical science together with its proven usefulness to solve industrial problems. From its birth in psychology more than 100 years ago, the approach has become the method of choice for analyzing multivariate data. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Post‐Synthetic Modification of Zr‐Metal–Organic Frameworks through Cycloaddition Reactions
Authors: Roy Pascal , Schaate Andreas , Behrens Peter , Godt Adelheid
Published: April 2012

Cycloaddition reactions are highly attractive for post‐synthetic modification of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). We report herein on cycloaddition reactions with PIZOF(R1,R2)s, which are porous interpenetrated Zr‐based MOFs with Zr6O4(OH)4(CO2)12 as the nodes and the dicarboxylates −O2C[PE‐P(R1,R2)‐EP]CO2− (P: phenylene, E: ethynylene; R1, R2: side chains at the central phenylene unit) as the linkers. 1,3‐Dipolar cycloaddition between the pendant ethyne moieties of PIZOF(OMe,OCH2CCH) and 4‐methylbenzyl azide resulted in 98 % conversion of the ethyne groups. Reactions of PIZOF(OMe,O(CH2)3furan) with maleimide, N‐methylmaleimide, and N‐phenylmaleimide converted 98, 99, and 89 % of the furan moieties into the Diels–Alder adducts. However, no reaction occurred with maleic anhydride. High‐resolution 1H NMR spectra were crucial in determining the conversion and identifying the reaction products. Of all the reagents (NaOD/D2O, D2SO4, Bu4NF, CsF, CsF/DCl, and KHF2) tested for the disassembly of the PIZOFs in [D6]DMSO, the combination of CsF and DCl was found to be the best. The disassembly at room temperature was fast (5–15 min), and after the addition of K2CO3 the 1H NMR data were identical to those of the diacids (=protonated linkers) dissolved in pure DMSO. This allowed for simple structure elucidation through data comparison. CsF/DCl dissolves not only PIZOFs but also the hydrolytically very stable UiO‐66.
Rapid Preparation of Multifunctional Surfaces for Orthogonal Ligation by Microcontact Chemistry
Authors: Wendeln Christian , Rinnen Stefan , Schulz Christian , Kaufmann Tobias , Arlinghaus Heinrich F. , Ravoo Bart Jan
Published: April 2012

Microcontact chemistry has been applied to patterned glass and silicon substrates by successive reaction of unprotected and monoprotected heterobifunctional linkers with alkene‐terminated self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) to produce bi‐, tri‐, and tetrafunctional surfaces. Photochemical microcontact printing of an azide thiol linker followed by immobilization of an acid thiol linker on an undecenyl‐terminated SAM results in a well‐defined, micropatterned surface with terminal azide, acid, and alkene groups. Biologically relevant molecules (biotin, carbohydrates) have been selectively attached to the surface by means of orthogonal ligation chemistry, and the resulting microarrays display selective binding to fluorescently labeled proteins. An orthogonally addressable, tetrafunctional surface (azide, acid, alkene, and amine) can be prepared by an additional printing step of a tert‐butyloxycarbonyl (Boc)‐protected alkyne amine linker on the azide structures by using the copper(I)‐catalyzed azide–alkyne Huisgen cycloaddition and subsequent removal of the protective group.
Selectively Deposited Noble Metal Nanoparticles on Fe3O4/Graphene Composites: Stable, Recyclable, and Magnetically Separable Catalysts
Authors: Li Xiyan , Wang Xiao , Song Shuyan , Liu Dapeng , Zhang Hongjie
Published: April 2012

A simple, efficient, and general approach was developed to selectively deposit noble metal (Pt, Pd, or PtPd) nanoparticles 3–5 nm in size on magnetite/graphene composites. The biomolecule L‐lysine with two kinds of functional groups (NH2 and COOH) played the key role of connecter between noble metals and Fe3O4/graphene composites. These composites were characterized by TEM, XRD, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results indicated that the noble metals are mostly dispersed on the magnetite surfaces of the composites. The as‐obtained composites are ideal recyclable catalysts for liquid‐phase reactions owing to their stability and efficient magnetic separation. Among these catalysts, the PtPd‐based composites exhibited the highest activity and resistance to poisoning during the catalytic reduction of 4‐nitrophenol to 4‐aminophenol by NaBH4. Such hybrid catalysts obtained by this simple, efficient method are expected to find use in industrial applications, where separation and recycling are critically required to reduce cost and waste production.
Pairwise interaction enthalpies of enantiomers of β‐amino alcohols in DMSO + H2O mixtures at 298.15 K
Authors: Liang Hongyu , Hu Xingen , Fang Guoyong , Shao Shuang , Guo Aidi , Guo Zheng
Published: April 2012

The dilution enthalpies of enantiomers of six β‐amino alcohols, namely (R)‐(−)‐2‐amino‐1‐propanol versus (S)‐(+)‐2‐amino‐1‐propanol, (R)‐(−)‐2‐amino‐1‐butanol versus (S)‐(+)‐2‐amino‐1‐butanol, and (R)‐(−)‐2‐amino‐1‐pentanol versus (S)‐(+)‐2‐amino‐1‐pentanol in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) + H2O mixtures (mass fractions of DMSO w = 0 to 0.3) have been determined respectively using an isothermal titration calorimeter (MicroCal ITC200, Northampton, MA, USA) at 298.15 K. According to the McMillan–Mayer theory, the corresponding homochiral enthalpic pairwise interaction coefficients (hXX) of the six amino alcohols have been calculated. It is found that across the whole studied composition range of mixed solvent, values of hXX for S‐enantiomer are almost universally higher than those of R‐enantiomer for each amino alcohol and that the variations of hXX depend largely on the composition of mixed solvent. The results were interpreted from the point of view of solute–solute interaction mediated by cosolvent DMSO, as well as competition equilibrium between hydrophobic–hydrophobic, hydrophilic–hydrophilic, and hydrophobic–hydrophilic interactions. Chirality 24:374–385, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bismuth Hexagons: Facile Mass Synthesis, Stability and Applications
Authors: Som Tirtha , Simo Anne , Fenger Robert , Troppenz Gerald V. , Bansen Roman , Pfänder Norbert , Emmerling Franziska , Rappich Jörg , Boeck Torsten , Rademann Klaus
Published: April 2012

A unique direct electrodeposition technique involving very high current densities, high voltages and high electrolyte concentrations is applied for highly selective mass synthesis of stable, isolable, surfactant‐free, single‐crystalline Bi hexagons on a Cu wire at room temperature. A formation mechanism of the hexagons is proposed. The morphology, phase purity, and crystallinity of the material are well characterized by FESEM, AFM, TEM, SAED, EDX, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy. The thermal stability of the material under intense electron beam and intense laser light irradiation is studied. The chemical stability of elemental Bi in nitric acid shows different dissolution rates for different morphologies. This effect enables a second way for the selective fabrication of Bi hexagons. Bi hexagons can be oxidized exclusively to α‐Bi2O3 hexagons. The Bi hexagons are found to be promising for thermoelectric applications. They are also catalytically active, inducing the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol to 4‐aminophenol. This electrodeposition methodology has also been demonstrated to be applicable for synthesis of bismuth‐based bimetallic hybrid composites for advanced applications.
Evaluation of flow cytometric assessment of myeloid nuclear differentiation antigen expression as a diagnostic marker for myelodysplastic syndromes in a series of 269 patients
Authors: Bellos Frauke , Alpermann Tamara , Gouberman Elena , Haferlach Claudia , Schnittger Susanne , Haferlach Torsten , Kern Wolfgang
Published: April 2012

Background:

Myeloid nuclear differentiation antigen (MNDA) is expressed in myelomonocytic cells with highest levels in mature granulocytes and monocytes. It is suggested to be expressed more weakly in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The analysis of MNDA therefore may improve diagnostic capabilities of multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) in MDS.

Methods:

We used MFC for detection of MNDA expression in 269 patients with suspected or known MDS, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), cytopenia of unknown cause or without malignancy (negative controls). Results were compared with the diagnoses revealed by cytomorphology (CM) and cytogenetics (CG).

Results:

Percentages of granulocytes and monocytes with diminished MNDA expression (dimG and dimM) were higher in patients with MDS (mean ± SD, 20% ± 20%, P < 0.001 and 31% ± 24%, P < 0.001) and AML (27% ± 27%, P = 0.007 and 45% ± 31%, P = 0.001) diagnosed by CM, vs. patients without MDS (8% ± 10% and 16% ± 11%), respectively. Significant differences were also found for mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of MNDA in monocytes which was lower in MDS (mean ± SD, 71 ± 36, P = 0.004) and AML (55 ± 39, P < 0.001) vs. no MDS samples (85 ± 28), respectively. Within patients with MDS, cases with cytogenetic aberrations showed a trend to higher %dimG (24% ± 18%, P = 0.083) compared with those without (16% ± 21%). Cut‐off values for %dimG (12%) and %dimM (22%) as well as for MFI in monocytes (72) were defined capable of discriminating between MDS and non‐MDS.

Conclusion:

MNDA expression in bone marrow cells can be assessed reliably by MFC and may facilitate evaluation of dyspoiesis when added to a standard MDS MFC panel. © 2012 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Toward new insights on the white blood cell differential by flow cytometry: A proof of concept study on the sepsis model
Authors: Roussel Mikael , Gros Antoine , Gacouin Arnaud , Le Meur Nolwenn , Le Tulzo Yves , Fest Thierry
Published: April 2012

Background:

We sought to evaluate, on a model of sepsis, the clinical relevance of new parameters obtained on a white blood cell (WBC) differential by flow cytometry, implemented in the routine workflow of our hematology laboratory.

Methods:

A WBC with differential by flow cytometry was done on 459 patients at admission in intensive care unit. They were retrospectively categorized in having (i) infection or not or (ii) a high gravity score (severe sepsis or septic shock) or not. We analyzed by hierarchical clustering, in a multidimensional manner, 50 parameters provided by the flow cytometric platform in place of the standard seven parameters for a standard differential.

Results:

Our approach allows to discriminate on the basis of a WBC differential (i) infected patients at admission based on a 16 parameter signature, with a concordance rate of 72.7% and a specificity of 79.9% and (ii) patients with high gravity score (septic shock or severe sepsis) at admission with a signature of eight parameters, with a concordance rate of 74.7% and a specificity of 75.9%.

Conclusions:

This study shows the clinical relevance of an extended WBC differential to obtain by a flow cytometer integrated into a routine hematology laboratory workflow. Development of such approach implicates the redefinition of the WBC differential by integrating new parameters. © 2012 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Performance of transmitted reference pulse cluster ultra‐wideband systems with forward error correction
Authors: Liang Zhonghua , Dong Xiaodai , Aaron Gulliver T. , Liao Xuewen
Published: April 2012

Recently, an improved transmitted reference (TR) signaling scheme, referred to as transmitted reference pulse cluster (TRPC), was proposed for low‐rate ultra‐wideband (UWB) communications. Compared with conventional TR, TRPC has a more compact and uniform spacing for the reference and data pulses and therefore addresses the implementation problems posed by the long delay line requirement, as well as provides better bit error rate (BER) performance. In this paper, a TRPC‐UWB system, which includes practical forward error correction (FEC) coding such as that specified in the IEEE 802.15.4a standard, as well as more powerful convolutional codes, is developed. A performance analysis, which highlights the importance of selecting appropriate FEC codes, is presented. Results show that with a suitable FEC code, the TRPC‐UWB system is a promising candidate for low‐rate wireless personal area networks. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anti‐Inflammatory and Antiproliferative Activities of Organic Fractions from the Mediterranean Brown Seaweed, Cystoseira Compressa
Authors: Mhadhebi Lamia , Dellai Afef , Clary‐Laroche Audrey , Said Rafik Ben , Robert Jacques , Bouraoui Abderrahman
Published: April 2012

Strategy, Management and Health Policy

Enabling Technology, Genomics, Proteomics
Preclinical Research
Preclinical Development Toxicology, Formulation Drug Delivery, Pharmacokinetics
Clinical Development Phases I‐III Regulatory, Quality, Manufacturing
Postmarketing Phase IV

The inability to cure many diseases, such as cancer and arthritis, has stimulated the need for the development of new drugs from natural sources. Of all natural sources, the marine environment is clearly the last great frontier for pharmaceutical and medical research. As part of our search for new anti‐inflammatory or anticancer potential drugs, organic fractions (chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol) from the Mediterranean brown seaweed, Cystoseira compressa were evaluated for in vivo anti‐inflammatory activity, using the carrageenan‐induced rat paw edema model and in vitro antiproliferative effect in three human cancer cell lines (A549, lung cell carcinoma; HCT15, colon cell carcinoma; and MCF7, breast adenocarcinoma), using an MTT assay. The chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions exhibited dose‐dependent anti‐inflammatory activity, comparable with the reference drug acetylsalicylic–lysine (300 mg/kg; i.p.). The percent inhibition of edema, 3 h after carrageenan injection ranged from 63 to 76% and 65 to 78%, respectively. The organic fractions (F‐CHCl3, F‐EtOAC, and F‐MeOH) also exhibited antiproliferative activity against the three human cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 78–82 μg/ml; 27–50 μg/ml and 110–130 μg/ml; respectively. Thus, the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of C. compressa evidenced an interesting anti‐inflammatory activity associated with significant antiproliferative activity, efficacies that correlated with their total phenol content. The purification and the determination of chemical structures of compounds of these active fractions are under investigation.
Scanning thin‐sheet laser imaging microscopy elucidates details on mouse ear development
Authors: Kopecky Benjamin , Johnson Shane , Schmitz Heather , Santi Peter , Fritzsch Bernd
Published: April 2012

Three‐dimensional development of a mouse inner ear from embryonic day 11.5 (top left) to postnatal day 15 (bottom right) using Thin‐Sheet Laser Imaging Microscopy followed by segmentation provides an added dimension to inner ear analysis. From Kopecky et al., Developmental Dynamics 241:465–480, 2012.
Understanding wetland plant dynamics in response to water table changes through ecohydrological modelling
Authors: Palanisamy Bakkiyalakshmi , Chui Ting Fong May
Published: April 2012

Vulnerability of wetland vegetation to water table changes is a widely studied topic in the field of ecology. Extreme flood or drought conditions imposed on wetlands cause disappearance of plants or shift in the vegetation regime. The recovery of such plant compositions is of particular importance when the wetland is subjected to frequent water table fluctuations resulting from land use changes and requires knowledge of mechanisms underlying evolution of plant growth to changing hydrologic conditions. We used a spatially varying, coupled groundwater–vegetation growth model to investigate the survival mechanism of wetland herbaceous plants. The plants were subjected to long‐term water table drainage because of land use changes that caused the disappearance of one of the species composition. In an effort to revive the disappeared species, hypothetical soil saturation was introduced onto the study domain through elevated water table level. Even though the system had returned to hydrologically favourable environment, the disappeared species was unable to recover, which in turn led to the evaluation of factors that determine the re‐emergence of the species through sensitivity analysis. The results of the sensitivity analysis showed that the disappeared species recovered during scenarios of reduced duration of drawdown, increased assimilation rates and increased competitiveness. The analysis also showed that the competitiveness of the plants, which was modelled by the classic Lotka–Volterra algorithm, supersedes any of the unfavourable plant growth characteristics. The results of this study demonstrated the ability of the groundwater–vegetation response model to facilitate an understanding of plant development and a hierarchy of important factors that promote their growth in altered hydrologic conditions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spherical tokamak generation and merging on UTST using ex‐vessel poloidal field coils only
Authors: Imazawa Ryota , Kamio Shuji , Hihara Ryuma , Abe Keita , Sakamura Morio , Cao Qinghong , Yamada Takuma , Inomoto Michiaki , Takase Yuichi , Ono Yasushi
Published: April 2012

We successfully generated two spherical tokamaks (ST) at two null points by using ex‐vessel poloidal field (PF) coils only and succeeded in merging them. This scheme is called a double null merging (DNM) scheme. First, two pairs of ex‐vessel PF coils generate two null points where the poloidal field is zero at the upper and lower regions inside the vacuum vessel. Then a poloidal flux swing generates two STs at two null points, because the distance to the wall along the magnetic field is long at the null points. Finally, the coil currents push two STs toward the mid‐plane and merge them into a single ST. Since a magnetic reconnection during merging transforms magnetic energy into thermal energy, this merged ST plasma is expected to have a high beta. It must be noted that the DNM scheme generates an ST without a center solenoid coil. The DNM scheme was demonstrated on the TS‐3/4 (Japan) and MAST (UKAEA). However, these devices have all PF coils inside the vacuum vessels, and the initial plasmas were generated around the PF coils, not the null points. Since internal coils are not feasible in a fusion reactor due to high neutron flux, it is important to demonstrate the DNM scheme by using ex‐vessel PF coils. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 179(4): 18–24, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21254
Lanthanide Loaded Zeolites, Clays, and Mesoporous Silica Materials as MRI Probes New Bisaqua Picolinate‐Based Gadolinium Complexes as MRI Contrast Agents with Substantial High‐Field Relaxivities Supramolecular Adducts of Negatively Charged Lanthanide(III) DOTP Chelates and Cyclodextrins Functionalized with Ammonium Groups: Mass Spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 12/2012)
Authors: Peters Joop A. , Mazzanti Marinella , Geraldes Carlos F. G. C. , Pierre Valérie C.
Published: April 2012

The front cover picture shows gives an impression on the breadth of coverage of this Cluster Issue on Metal‐Based Magnetic Resonance Imaging Probes. Superimposed on an angiographic MRI image are the zeolite cages for Gd3+ and the mode of action of this probe from the review by J. A. Peters and K. Djanashvili (top) and a depiction of the principle of magnetoluminescent contrast agents for dual MRI and luminescence imaging (V. C. Pierre et al., bottom right). Representative of papers on different approaches to optimize the efficacy of contrast agents are the PARACEST properties of the large Tm‐DOTP–cyclodextrin complex of C. F. G. C. Geraldes et al. (bottom left) and the high relaxivity associated with two bis(aqua) complexes of M. Mazzanti et al. (center left). We thank the authors for making their graphics available for use on the cover and Dr. Giorgio Gatti for the time‐consuming creation of this attractive picture.

magnified image
Seismic capacity of irregular unreinforced masonry walls with openings
Authors: Parisi Fulvio , Augenti Nicola
Published: April 2012

Masonry buildings are often characterized by geometric irregularities. In many cases, such buildings meet global regularity requirements provided by seismic codes, but they are composed by irregular walls with openings. The latter are masonry walls characterized by (i) openings of different sizes, (ii) openings misaligned in the horizontal and/or vertical direction, or (iii) a variable number of openings per story. An irregular layout of openings can induce not only a nonuniform distribution of gravity loads among masonry piers but also unfavorable damage localizations resulting in a premature collapse of the wall and hence a higher seismic vulnerability.

This paper is aimed at providing a simplified methodology to assess the effects of irregularities on the in‐plane seismic capacity of unreinforced masonry (URM) walls with openings. To this end, a macroelement method was developed and validated through experimental results available in the literature.

The proposed methodology was based on the quantification of wall irregularities by means of geometric indices and their effects on seismic capacity of URM walls with openings through both sensitivity and regression analyses. Sensitivity analysis was based on a high number of static pushover analyses and allowed to assess variations in key seismic capacity parameters. Regression analysis let to describe each capacity parameter under varying irregularity index, providing empirical models for seismic assessment of irregular URM walls with openings. The in‐plane seismic capacity was found to be significantly affected by wall irregularities, especially in the case of openings with different heights. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seismic assessment of concrete gravity dams using capacity estimation and damage indexes
Authors: Alembagheri Mohammad , Ghaemian Mohsen
Published: April 2012

A new concept to determine state of the damage in concrete gravity dams is introduced. The Pine Flat concrete gravity dam has been selected for the purpose of the analysis and its structural capacity, assuming no sliding plane and rigid foundation, has been estimated using the two well‐known methods: nonlinear static pushover (SPO) and incremental dynamic analysis (IDA). With the use of these two methods, performance and various limit states of the dam have been determined, and three damage indexes have been proposed on the basis of the comparison of seismic demands and the dam's capacity. It is concluded that the SPO and IDA can be effectively used to develop indexes for seismic performance evaluation and damage assessment of concrete gravity dams. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subclinical Bulimia Predicts Conduct Disorder in Middle Adolescent Girls
Authors: Viinamäki Anni , Marttunen Mauri , Fröjd Sari , Ruuska Jaana , Kaltiala‐Heino Riittakerttu
Published: April 2012

This study investigates the comorbidity and longitudinal associations between self‐reported conduct disorder and subclinical bulimia in a community‐based sample of Finnish adolescents in a 2‐year prospective follow‐up study. There are 2070 adolescents who participated in the survey as ninth graders (mean age 15.5) and followed‐up 2 years later. The Youth Self‐Report Externalizing scale was used to measure conduct disorder and DSM‐IV‐based questionnaire to measure bulimia. Co‐occurrence of female conduct disorder and subclinical bulimia was found at ages 15 and 17. Subclinical bulimia among girls at age 15 was a risk factor for conduct disorder at age 17, but conduct disorder at age 15 was not predictive of subclinical bulimia at age 17. The pathway from bulimia to conduct disorder may be suggestive of an association with future borderline personality disorder among girls. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
DIVERGENOME: A Bioinformatics Platform to Assist Population Genetics and Genetic Epidemiology Studies
Authors: Magalhães Wagner C. S. , Rodrigues Maíra R. , Silva Donnys , Soares‐Souza Giordano , Iannini Márcia L. , Cerqueira Gustavo C. , Faria‐Campos Alessandra C. , Tarazona‐Santos Eduardo
Published: April 2012

Large‐scale genomics initiatives such as the HapMap project and the 1000‐genomes rely on powerful bioinformatics support to assist data production and analysis. Contrastingly, few bioinformatics platforms oriented to smaller research groups exist to store, handle, share, and integrate data from different sources, as well as to assist these scientists to perform their analyses efficiently. We developed such a bioinformatics platform, DIVERGENOME, to assist population genetics and genetic epidemiology studies performed by small‐ to medium‐sized research groups. The platform is composed of two integrated components, a relational database (DIVERGENOMEdb), and a set of tools to convert data formats as required by popular software in population genetics and genetic epidemiology (DIVERGENOMEtools). In DIVERGENOMEdb, information on genotypes, polymorphism, laboratory protocols, individuals, populations, and phenotypes is organized in projects. These can be queried according to permissions. Here, we validated DIVERGENOME through a use case regarding the analysis of SLC2A4 genetic diversity in human populations. DIVERGENOME, with its intuitive Web interface and automatic data loading capability, facilitates its use by individuals without bioinformatics background, allowing complex queries to be easily interrogated and straightforward data format conversions (not available in similar platforms). DIVERGENOME is open source, freely available, and can be accessed online (pggenetica.icb.ufmg.br/divergenome) or hosted locally. Genet. Epidemiol. 36:360–367, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fasting Glucose GWAS Candidate Region Analysis Across Ethnic Groups in the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)
Authors: Rasmussen‐Torvik Laura J. , Guo Xiuqing , Bowden Donald W. , Bertoni Alain G. , Sale Michele M. , Yao Jie , Bluemke David A. , Goodarzi Mark O. , Chen Y. Ida , Vaidya Dhananjay , Raffel Leslie J. , Papanicolaou George J. , Meigs James B. , Pankow James S.
Published: April 2012

Genetic variants associated with fasting glucose in European ancestry populations are increasingly well understood. However, the nature of the associations between these single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and fasting glucose in other racial and ethnic groups is unclear. We sought to examine regions previously identified to be associated with fasting glucose in Caucasian genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) across multiple ethnicities in the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Nondiabetic MESA participants with fasting glucose measured at the baseline exam and with GWAS genotyping were included; 2,349 Caucasians, 664 individuals of Chinese descent, 1,366 African Americans, and 1,171 Hispanics. Genotype data were generated from the Affymetrix 6.0 array and imputation in IMPUTE. Fasting glucose was regressed on SNP dosage data in each ethnic group adjusting for age, gender, MESA study center, and ethnic‐specific principal components. SNPs from the three gene regions with the strongest associations to fasting glucose in previous Caucasian GWAS (MTNR1B / GCK / G6PC2) were examined in depth. There was limited power to replicate associations in other ethnic groups due to smaller allele frequencies and limited sample size; SNP associations may also have differed across ethnic groups due to differing linkage disequilibrium patterns with causal variants. rs10830963 in MTNR1B and rs4607517 in GCK demonstrated consistent magnitude and direction of association with fasting glucose across ethnic groups, although the associations were often not nominally significant. In conclusion, certain SNPs in MTNR1B and GCK demonstrate consistent effects across four racial and ethnic groups, narrowing the putative region for these causal variants. Genet. Epidemiol. 36:384–391, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Two‐Platform Design for Next Generation Genome‐Wide Association Studies
Authors: Sampson Joshua N. , Jacobs Kevin , Wang Zhaoming , Yeager Meredith , Chanock Stephen , Chatterjee Nilanjan
Published: April 2012

Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have been successful in their search for common genetic variants associated with complex traits and diseases. With new advances in array technologies together with available genetic reference sets, the next generation of GWAS will extend the search for associations with uncommon SNPs (1% ⩽ MAF ⩽ 10%). Two possible approaches are genotyping all participants, a prohibitively expensive option for large GWAS, or using a combination of genotyping and imputation. Here, we consider a two platform method that genotypes all participants on a standard genotyping array, designed to identify common variants, and then supplements that data by genotyping only a small proportion of the participants on a platform that has higher coverage for uncommon SNPs. This subset of the study population is then included as part of the imputation reference set. To demonstrate the use of this two‐platform design, we evaluate its potential efficiency using a newly available dataset containing 756 individuals genotyped on both the Illumina Human OmniExpress and Omni2.5 Quad. Although genotyping all individuals on the denser array would be ideal, we find that genotyping only 100 individuals on this array, in combination with imputation, leads to only a modest loss of power for detecting associations. However, the loss of power due to imputation can be more substantial if the relative risks for rare variants are significantly larger than those previously observed for common variants. Genet. Epidemiol. 36:400–408, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Linear and curvilinear correlations of brain gray matter volume and density with age using voxel‐based morphometry with the Akaike information criterion in 291 healthy children
Authors: Taki Yasuyuki , Hashizume Hiroshi , Thyreau Benjamin , Sassa Yuko , Takeuchi Hikaru , Wu Kai , Kotozaki Yuka , Nouchi Rui , Asano Michiko , Asano Kohei , Fukuda Hiroshi , Kawashima Ryuta
Published: April 2012

We examined linear and curvilinear correlations of gray matter volume and density in cortical and subcortical gray matter with age using magnetic resonance images (MRI) in a large number of healthy children. We applied voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) and region‐of‐interest (ROI) analyses with the Akaike information criterion (AIC), which was used to determine the best‐fit model by selecting which predictor terms should be included. We collected data on brain structural MRI in 291 healthy children aged 5–18 years. Structural MRI data were segmented and normalized using a custom template by applying the diffeomorphic anatomical registration using exponentiated lie algebra (DARTEL) procedure. Next, we analyzed the correlations of gray matter volume and density with age in VBM with AIC by estimating linear, quadratic, and cubic polynomial functions. Several regions such as the prefrontal cortex, the precentral gyrus, and cerebellum showed significant linear or curvilinear correlations between gray matter volume and age on an increasing trajectory, and between gray matter density and age on a decreasing trajectory in VBM and ROI analyses with AIC. Because the trajectory of gray matter volume and density with age suggests the progress of brain maturation, our results may contribute to clarifying brain maturation in healthy children from the viewpoint of brain structure. Hum Brain Mapp, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rapid aerobic oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds with dioxygen using metallodeuteroporphyrin dimethyl esters as catalysts in the presence of isobutylaldehyde
Authors: Sun Chengguo , Hu Bingcheng , Liu Zuliang
Published: April 2012

A facile biomimetic method for rapid oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds using dioxygen as the primary oxidant catalyzed by metallodeuteroporphyrin dimethyl ester [M(DPDME)] in acetonitrile as the reaction solvent and isobutylaldehyde as cocatalyst has been investigated. Among the M(DPDME) catalysts, where M = Fe(III), Co(II), Mn(III), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II), cobalt porphyrin was found to be the most active and effective catalyst. The catalytic system was widely used in the oxidation of various alcohols and especially exhibited excellent activity for oxidation of aromatic alcohols under mild conditions. Moreover, M(DPDME) was prepared from an improved facile method by chemical modification of natural hemin and an alternative mechanism for the aerobic oxidation of alcohols has been proposed and discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 23:295–303, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/hc.21017
Hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis in human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus–coinfected patients
Authors: Macías Juan , Berenguer Juan , Japón Miguel A. , Girón-González José A. , Rivero Antonio , López-Cortés Luis F. , Moreno Ana , Márquez Manuel , Iribarren José A. , Ortega Enrique , Miralles Pilar , Merchante Nicolás , Pineda Juan A.
Published: April 2012

Hepatic steatosis (HS) is frequent in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) and metabolic alterations could induce HS. However, a protective effect of ART has been reported in a paired biopsy study. Thus, our aim was to examine the changes and predictors of HS progression among HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with sequential biopsies. We also evaluated the rates of steatohepatitis and factors associated thereof. HIV-infected patients with detectable serum HCV RNA, who underwent two biopsies, separated at least by 1 year, were included in this retrospective study. HS progression was defined as increase in one or more HS grades. The median (interquartile range) time between biopsies was 3.3 (2.0-5.2) years. Among 146 individuals, HS at baseline was observed in 86 (60%) patients and in 113 (77%) in the follow-up biopsy (

P

< 0.001). Progression of HS was observed in 60 (40%) patients. HS regressed in 11 (8%) patients. Factors associated with HS progression were changes in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) between biopsies (per 10 mg/dL increase; odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval; CI] = 1.4 [1.04-1.8];

P

= 0.024) and cumulative use of dideoxynucleoside analogs (per year; OR [95% CI] = 1.5 [1.2-1.8];

P

= 0.001). Persistent steatohepatitis or progression to steatohepatitis between biopsies was observed in 27 (18%) patients. Persistence of or progression to steatohepatitis was associated with progression ≥1 fibrosis stages between biopsies (OR [95% CI] = 2.4 [1.01-5.7];

P

= 0.047).

Conclusions

: HS progresses frequently and regression is rarely observed in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients, including in those on ART. Cumulative exposure to dideoxynucleoside analogs and increases in FPG are related with HS progression. Stetatohepatitis is frequently observed in these patients and is linked to fibrosis progression. (Hepatology 2012)