bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification and spatial distribution of glycine receptor subunits in human sperm
Authors: Kumar Priyadarsini , Meizel Stanley
Published: July 2008

The human sperm surface glycine receptor (GLR) plays a role in an important fertilization event, the sperm acrosome reaction. Here, by western blot analysis, we report the presence of GLRA1, GLRA2, GLRA3, and GLRB subunits in human sperm. Immunolocalization studies showed that the GLRA1 and GLRA2 subunits are present in the equatorial region, the GLRA3 subunit in the flagellar principal piece, and the GLRB subunit in the acrosomal region of sperm. This first demonstration of isoforms of the sperm GLRA subunit and of a differential spatial distribution of the α and β subunits on the surface of mammalian sperm suggests the possibility that human sperm GLRs have more than one function.
Linkage Disequilibrium and Persistence of Phase in Holstein–Friesian, Jersey and Angus Cattle
Authors: de Roos A P W , Hayes B J , Spelman R J , Goddard M E
Published: July 2008

When a genetic marker and a quantitative trait locus (QTL) are in linkage disequilibrium (LD) in one population, they may not be in LD in another population or their LD phase may be reversed. The objectives of this study were to compare the extent of LD and the persistence of LD phase across multiple cattle populations. LD measures r and r2 were calculated for syntenic marker pairs using genomewide single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) that were genotyped in Dutch and Australian Holstein–Friesian (HF) bulls, Australian Angus cattle, and New Zealand Friesian and Jersey cows. Average r2 was ∼0.35, 0.25, 0.22, 0.14, and 0.06 at marker distances 10, 20, 40, 100, and 1000 kb, respectively, which indicates that genomic selection within cattle breeds with r2 ≥ 0.20 between adjacent markers would require ∼50,000 SNPs. The correlation of r values between populations for the same marker pairs was close to 1 for pairs of very close markers (<10 kb) and decreased with increasing marker distance and the extent of divergence between the populations. To find markers that are in LD with QTL across diverged breeds, such as HF, Jersey, and Angus, would require ∼300,000 markers.
Chromosomal Rearrangement Inferred From Comparisons of 12 Drosophila Genomes
Authors: Bhutkar Arjun , Schaeffer Stephen W , Russo Susan M , Xu Mu , Smith Temple F , Gelbart William M
Published: July 2008

The availability of 12 complete genomes of various species of genus Drosophila provides a unique opportunity to analyze genome-scale chromosomal rearrangements among a group of closely related species. This article reports on the comparison of gene order between these 12 species and on the fixed rearrangement events that disrupt gene order. Three major themes are addressed: the conservation of syntenic blocks across species, the disruption of syntenic blocks (via chromosomal inversion events) and its relationship to the phylogenetic distribution of these species, and the rate of rearrangement events over evolutionary time. Comparison of syntenic blocks across this large genomic data set confirms that genetic elements are largely (95%) localized to the same Muller element across genus Drosophila species and paracentric inversions serve as the dominant mechanism for shuffling the order of genes along a chromosome. Gene-order scrambling between species is in accordance with the estimated evolutionary distances between them and we find it to approximate a linear process over time (linear to exponential with alternate divergence time estimates). We find the distribution of synteny segment sizes to be biased by a large number of small segments with comparatively fewer large segments. Our results provide estimated chromosomal evolution rates across this set of species on the basis of whole-genome synteny analysis, which are found to be higher than those previously reported. Identification of conserved syntenic blocks across these genomes suggests a large number of conserved blocks with varying levels of embryonic expression correlation in Drosophila melanogaster. On the other hand, an analysis of the disruption of syntenic blocks between species allowed the identification of fixed inversion breakpoints and estimates of breakpoint reuse and lineage-specific breakpoint event segregation.
Dissection of the Genetic Architecture of Body Weight in Chicken Reveals the Impact of Epistasis on Domestication Traits
Authors: Le Rouzic Arnaud , Álvarez-Castro José M , Carlborg Örjan
Published: July 2008

In this contribution, we study the genetic mechanisms leading to differences in the observed growth patterns of domesticated White Leghorn chickens and their wild ancestor the red jungle fowl. An epistatic QTL analysis for several body-weight measures from hatch to adulthood confirms earlier findings that polymorphisms at >15 loci contribute to body-weight determination in an F2 intercross between these populations and that many loci are involved in complex genetic interactions. Here, we use a new genetic model to decompose the genetic effects of this multilocus epistatic genetic network. The results show how the functional modeling of genetic effects provides new insights into how genetic interactions in a large set of loci jointly contribute to phenotypic expression. By exploring the functional effects of QTL alleles, we show that some alleles can display temporal shifts in the expression of genetic effects due to their dependencies on the genetic background. Our results demonstrate that the effects of many genes are dependent on genetic interactions with other loci and how their involvement in the domestication process relies on these interactions.
Molecular Evolution of thePi-taGene Resistant to Rice Blast in Wild Rice (Oryza rufipogon)
Authors: Huang Chun-Lin , Hwang Shih-Ying , Chiang Yu-Chung , Lin Tsan-Piao
Published: July 2008

Rice blast disease resistance to the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe grisea is triggered by a physical interaction between the protein products of the host R (resistance) gene, Pi-ta, and the pathogen Avr (avirulence) gene, AVR-pita. The genotype variation and resistant/susceptible phenotype at the Pi-ta locus of wild rice (Oryza rufipogon), the ancestor of cultivated rice (O. sativa), was surveyed in 36 locations worldwide to study the molecular evolution and functional adaptation of the Pi-ta gene. The low nucleotide polymorphism of the Pi-ta gene of O. rufipogon was similar to that of O. sativa, but greatly differed from what has been reported for other O. rufipogon genes. The haplotypes can be subdivided into two divergent haplogroups named H1 and H2. H1 is derived from H2, with nearly no variation and at a low frequency. H2 is common and is the ancestral form. The leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain has a high πnon/πsyn ratio, and the low polymorphism of the Pi-ta gene might have primarily been caused by recurrent selective sweep and constraint by other putative physiological functions. Meanwhile, we provide data to show that the amino acid Ala-918 of H1 in the LRR domain has a close relationship with the resistant phenotype. H1 might have recently arisen during rice domestication and may be associated with the scenario of a blast pathogen–host shift from Italian millet to rice.
Identity-by-Descent Estimation and Mapping of Qualitative Traits in Large, Complex Pedigrees
Authors: Abney Mark
Published: July 2008

Computing identity-by-descent sharing between individuals connected through a large, complex pedigree is a computationally demanding task that often cannot be done using exact methods. What I present here is a rapid computational method for estimating, in large complex pedigrees, the probability that pairs of alleles are IBD given the single-point genotype data at that marker for all individuals. The method can be used on pedigrees of essentially arbitrary size and complexity without the need to divide the individuals into separate subpedigrees. I apply the method to do qualitative trait linkage mapping using the nonparametric sharing statistic Spairs. The validity of the method is demonstrated via simulation studies on a 13-generation 3028-person pedigree with 700 genotyped individuals. An analysis of an asthma data set of individuals in this pedigree finds four loci with P-values <10−3 that were not detected in prior analyses. The mapping method is fast and can complete analyses of ∼150 affected individuals within this pedigree for thousands of markers in a matter of hours.
A Key Transcription Cofactor on the Nascent Sex Chromosomes of European Tree Frogs (Hyla arborea)
Authors: Niculita-Hirzel H , Stöck M , Perrin N
Published: July 2008

We show that MED15, a key component of the transcription complex Mediator, lies within the nonrecombining segment of nascent sex chromosomes in the male-heterogametic Hyla arborea. Both X and Y alleles are expressed during embryonic development and differ by three frame-preserving indels (eight amino acids in total) within their glutamine-rich central part. These changes have the potential to affect the conformation of the Mediator complex and to activate genes in a sex-specific way and might thus represent the first steps toward the acquisition of a male-specific function. Alternatively, they might result from an ancestral neutral polymorphism, with different alleles picked by chance on the X and Y chromosomes when MED15 was trapped in the nonrecombining segment.
Fish Assemblages in Shallow, Nearshore Habitats of the Bering Sea
Authors: Thedinga John F. , Johnson Scott W. , Neff A. Darcie , Lindeberg Mandy R.
Published: July 2008

The Bering Sea provides over one‐half of U.S. fishery production, yet knowledge of the use of its shallow (<5 m), nearshore (<20 m from shore) waters by fish is limited. In June 2005, we sampled shallow, nearshore waters of the Bering Sea at three Aleutian islands with a beach seine to estimate the relative abundance and species distribution of fish. Three habitat types were sampled: Nonvegetated sand substrate, vegetated cobble substrate, and vegetated bedrock substrate. A total of 70 sites were seined on Akutan, Akun, and Unalaska islands. The total estimated catch was 83,910 fish representing 33 taxa. Five species comprised 98% of the total catch. Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus was the most abundant species; approximately 35,000 of these fish were captured, and they occurred in 60% of all seine hauls. The next most abundant fish were young‐of‐the‐year (age‐0) gadids (primarily walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma), age‐0 pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, age‐0 Pacific sandfish Trichodon trichodon, and snake prickleback Lumpenus sagitta. Fish were unequally distributed among habitats. The estimated mean catch per seine haul was 1,171 fish in sand sites, 1,647 fish in cobble sites, and 79 fish in bedrock sites. Most Pacific sand lances (98%) were captured in sand sites, whereas most gadids (97%), pink salmon (80%), Pacific sandfish (96%), and snake pricklebacks (99%) were caught in cobble sites. Sand and cobble nearshore habitats in the Bering Sea provide important habitat for many fish species in summer, especially forage fish.
Pain characterization in institutionalized elderly patients
Authors: Reis Luciana Araújo dos , Torres Gilson de Vasconcelos , Reis Luana Araújo dos
Published: July 2008

The aim of the present study was to identify the prevalence and characteristics of pain chronic in relation to qualitative aspects and location in elderly (65 the 104 old) institutionalized in Jequié, Bahia, Brazil. This is a descriptive exploratory study with a transversal design and quantitative approach. The instrument used consisted of: data identification; mini-mental examination; pain-related aspects; and the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Half of the subjects were women, with a pain prevalence of 73.3%, 30% of whom had experienced pain for 1 to 5 years, 25% for more than 5 years, 28.3% did not cite pain duration and 16.6% reported having had pain for less than 1 year. With respect to quantification of pain, the most cited was moderate (25.7%). Many of the elderly were in the age group of 60 to 69 years, most painful complaint lodged mild and moderate, and places most affected were, knees and lumbar spine.
Influência de sistemas de produção sobre a ocorrência de inimigos naturais de afídeos em pomares de pessegueiros em Araucária-PR
Authors: Schuber Joselia Maria , Monteiro Lino Bittencourt , Poltronieri Alex Sandro , Cardoso Nerio Aparecido , May de Mio Louise Larissa
Published: July 2008

A pressão da sociedade tem forçado a adoção de sistemas de produção de frutas mais sustentáveis e de menor impacto ambiental. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a influência dos sistemas de produção de Boas Práticas Agrícolas (BPA) e Convencional (PC) sobre a diversidade de inimigos naturais de afídeos presentes em seis pomares de pessegueiros no município de Araucária-PR, de julho de 2005 a setembro de 2006. O levantamento do número de inimigos naturais foi realizado por meio de cinco métodos de amostragens: visual em plantas de pessegueiros e em plantas invasoras; armadilhas Möericke; funil e adesivas. No sistema BPA, foram coletados mais espécimes de inimigos naturais (53%), em relação aos pomares PCs (46%), havendo a ocorrência, em ambos, de predadores das famílias Syrphidae, Coccinellidae e Chrysopidae e parasitóides da ordem Hymenoptera. Do total de inimigos naturais coletados, verificou-se a ocorrência de maior quantidade de predadores de afídeos.
Efeito de diferentes soluções de enema sobre os parâmetros clínicos de eqüinos
Authors: Melo U.P. , Palhares M.S. , Ferreira C. , Evaristo I.G.B. , Leme F.O.P. , Serakides R. , Silva Filho J.M.
Published: July 2008

Avaliou-se o efeito de diferentes soluções de enema sobre os parâmetros clínicos de eqüinos hígidos. Foram utilizados 15 eqüinos adultos, distribuídos em três grupos de cinco animais cada: grupo 1 - tratados com água de torneira mais sabão neutro; grupo 2 - tratados com solução isotônica e grupo 3 - tratados com água de torneira mais vaselina. O efeito das soluções de enema sobre os parâmetros clínicos variou em função do tipo de solução infundida. A solução com menor efeito sobre os parâmetros clínicos foi a isotônica. A solução de água de torneira e sabão neutro desencadeou um aumento da temperatura retal e edema da mucosa retal. Embora as três soluções tenham se mostrado efetivas em hidratar e amolecer as fezes, a solução de água com sabão foi a que apresentou o melhor efeito.
Intoxicação experimental com extratos de Mascagnia rigida (Malpighiaceae) em camundongos
Authors: Melo M.M. , Verçosa Júnior D. , Pinto M.C.L. , Silveira J.B. , Ferraz V. , Ecco R. , Paes P.R.O.
Published: July 2008

Foi realizado o fracionamento químico do extrato aquoso da Mascagnia rigida Griseb., uma importante planta tóxica no Brasil, para se obter cinco substratos ricos em diferentes grupos químicos - alcalóides, flavanóides, taninos, saponinas e açúcares, ácidos orgânicos e aminoácidos -, e investigar a toxicidade dessas frações, exceto a última, em 75 camundongos. Os animais, distribuídos aleatoriamente em cinco grupos, receberam: grupo I - alcalóides; grupo II - flavanóides; grupo III - taninos; grupo IV - saponinas e grupo V - placebo, este último funcionando como controle negativo. Todos os grupos, com exceção do grupo-controle, redistribuídos em três subgrupos, A, B e C, com cinco animais cada, receberam, respectivamente, 9g/kg, 18g/kg e 27g/kg de cada substrato. As frações foram fornecidas via oral, diariamente, por sete dias; no sétimo dia, foi coletado sangue para o estudo do perfil sangüíneo e dosagem de enzimas musculares. As frações de alcalóides e taninos foram capazes de causar alteração no perfil enzimático-muscular, com aumento significativo da enzima miocárdica. Observou-se, também, aumento significativo na porcentagem da CK-MB após a administração das frações de saponinas e taninos, comprovando a ação tóxica da M. rigida sobre a fibra muscular cardíaca.
Distribuição do metal mercúrio em atum (Thunnus albacares) e pescada bicuda (Cynoscion microlepidotus) capturados no litoral do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
Authors: Medeiros R.J. , Mársico E.T. , São Clemente S.C. , Ferreira M.S.
Published: July 2008

O presente estudo verificou a cinética mercurial em órgãos, tecido muscular e conteúdo estomacal de duas espécies de peixes marinhos predadores, identificando os locais de maior acumulação desse metal. Para o processo analítico, foi utilizada a técnica de espectrofotometria de absorção atômica por arraste de vapor a frio. A distribuição de Hg nas porções analisadas apresenta ampla dispersão. Para o atum, a variação foi de 0,004 µg.g-1 no fígado, nas brânquias e baço, e 0,172µg.g-1 no tecido muscular. Para a pescada bicuda, a variação foi entre 0,013µg.g-1 nas brânquias a 0,250µg.g-1 no tecido muscular. Este último demonstrou ser, nas duas espécies, a porção de maior concentração do metal, atum = 0,080±0,050µg.g-1 e pescada bicuda = 0,187±0,030µg.g-1. Os locais de menor concentração na pescada foram as brânquias 0,029±0,031µg.g-1, e no atum os olhos (0,013±0,008µg.g-1).
Stress in Salminus brasiliensis fingerlings due to different densities and times of transportation
Authors: Adamante W.B. , Nuñer A.P.O. , Barcellos L.J.G. , Soso A.B. , Finco J.A.
Published: July 2008

The stress in dorado fingerlings (Salminus brasiliensis) caused by transportation at densities of 5, 10, and 15g/l after 4, 8, and 12h was evaluated by the concentration of tissue cortisol measured by ELISA. The conditions of transportation were simulated on an orbital table shaker with horizontal movements, inside 15 litres plastic bags filled with 4 litres of water and pure oxygen. Cortisol concentrations increased in all densities after 4h of transportation converging to a common concentration at the end of the tested times. Electrical conductivity of water increased with density and transportation time. The transportation caused stress on fish, but the increase on density and in times of transportation did not cause mortality to fingerlings. The transportation of S. brasiliensis fingerlings can be done without mortality or apparent injuries to animals until the maximum analyzed density of 15g/l and up to 12h.
O amor nos tempos de Narciso
Authors: Rios Izabel Cristina
Published: July 2008

O presente artigo discute a dificuldade do encontro amoroso nos tempos atuais. Parte da leitura psicanalítica sobre as origens dos modos de amar na fase do desenvolvimento psicossexual chamada narcisismo primário, na qual o eu e o outro se constroem dentro de um contexto cultural. Ao longo da vida, a identidade continua sendo modelada pela interação do eu com o mundo em que vive. Do estudo de alguns aspectos do mundo atual, desenvolve a idéia de que a cultura contemporânea apresenta valores e modelos que não sustentam as relações intersubjetivas porque estimulam o modo narcísico de subjetivação. Valores como individualismo, consumismo, culto ao corpo e à imagem, produzem comportamentos que revelam a supremacia do eu. No mundo atual, cada um está voltado para si mesmo, e o outro, como alguém diferente do eu, não é desejável. Essa posição subjetiva impede o autêntico encontro amoroso e sua sobrevivência.
Cana-de-açúcar tratada com óxido de cálcio fornecida com diferentes níveis de concentrado para novilhas de corte em confinamento
Authors: Moraes Kamila Andreatta Kling de , Valadares Filho Sebastião de Campos , Moraes Eduardo Henrique Bevitori Kling de , Leão Maria Ignez , Valadares Rilene Ferreira Diniz , Pereira Odilon Gomes , Soléro Bárbara Pena
Published: July 2008

Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho, a digestibilidade aparente total; a eficiência síntese microbiana e o balanço de nitrogênio (BN) de novilhas de corte em confinamento alimentadas com dietas à base de cana-de-açúcar tratada ou não com óxido de cálcio (CaO, 1%) e diversos níveis de concentrado (NC). Utilizaram-se 24 animais, com 177,0 kg PC médio inicial e 8-12 meses de idade, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2 × 3, cana-de-açúcar in natura e cana-de-açúcar tratada ou não com 1,0% CaO e três NC (0,0; 0,5 e 1,0% PC). Não houve interação volumoso × nível de NC para o consumo dos nutrientes. Com exceção da FDN, a dieta à base de cana-de-açúcar tratada com CaO prejudicou o consumo dos nutrientes (em kg/dia e em % PC). Apenas o consumo de FDN não foi afetado pelo nível de NC. O consumo dos demais nutrientes apresentou comportamento linear positivo com o aumento do NC. Não foram observados efeitos do tratamento da cana-de-açúcar com CaO e da interação volumoso × NC sobre a digestibilidade dos nutrientes, que, com exceção da FDN, aumentou de acordo com o NC das dietas. O fluxo de N microbiano e os teores de N uréico no soro foram menores nos animais que consumiram cana-de-açúcar tratada com CaO. A eficiência de síntese microbiana, cujo valor médio foi de 12,10 gPBmic/kg NDT, não foi influenciada pela cana-de-açúcar tratada com CaO nem pelo NC. A cana-de-açúcar tratada com CaO reduziu o ganho médio diário, que aumentou conforme o NC. A cana-de-açúcar tratada com 1% CaO e fornecida após 24 horas de armazenamento prejudica o consumo da maioria dos nutrientes, o que piora o desempenho animal, enquanto o oferecimento de concentrado no nível de até 1,0% PC melhora o desempenho animal.
A New Palladium-Based Catalyst for Methanol Steam Reforming in a Miniature Fuel Cell Power Source
Authors: Ilinich Oleg , Liu Ye , Castellano Christopher , Koermer Gerald , Moini Ahmad , Farrauto Robert
Published: July 2008

A novel palladium-based catalyst has been developed for use in a miniature fuel cell power source for portable applications, incorporating a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell. Hydrogen, which is the fuel for the cell, is produced in a ceramic microreactor via the catalytic
reaction of methanol steam reforming: CH3OH + H2O → 3H2 + CO2. The need for a new catalyst in this application is driven by the limitations of traditional particulate catalysts based on copper oxide, zinc oxide and alumina (Cu-Zn-Al catalysts),
which have low thermal stability and high sensitivity towards air and condensing steam. These features result in a declining activity and mechanical integrity of Cu-Zn-Al catalysts under the frequent start-stop conditions typical of the operational mode of the miniature power source. The new
Pd-based catalyst has activity and selectivity similar to those of Cu-Zn-Al catalysts, but is more durable and stable under the duty cycle conditions of a portable power source. In the microreformer, the catalyst is washcoated directly on the walls of the steam reforming section, providing
favourable conditions for efficient heat transfer between the heat-generating catalytic combustion section of the microreformer and its heat-consuming steam reforming section.
Chronic toxicity of the synthetic hormone 17α-Ethinylestradiol toChironomus tentansandHyalella azteca
Authors: Dussault Éve B , Balakrishnan Vimal K , Solomon Keith R , Sibley Paul K
Published: July 2008

The chronic toxicity of the synthetic hormone 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) was investigated in two benthic invertebrates, the midge Chironomus tentans and the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca, in life-cycle water-only assays. In C. tentans, a 50% decrease in emergence was observed at a concentration of 1.5 mg/L; emergence was a more sensitive endpoint than survival, growth, or biomass. Reproduction was not significantly affected by EE2 exposure until a concentration of 3.1 mg/L, where emergence, and therefore reproduction, did not occur. In contrast, reproduction was the most sensitive endpoint in H. azteca (50% decrease in reproduction observed at a concentration of 0.36 mg/L). The sensitivity of the F1 generation to EE2 was also investigated with H. azteca, but was not different from the F0 generation. The data from the present study were combined with those from previous 10-d toxicity assays, to derive acute to chronic toxicity ratios (ACRs) for EE2. The ACRs calculated for EE2 were 13 for C. tentans and 16 for H. azteca, indicating that the application factors currently used in ecological risk assessment for the derivation of chronic toxicity are protective and conservative for these organisms. The results of the present study suggest that chronic toxicity was not mediated by disruption of endocrine pathways. Using a hazard quotient approach, the risk associated with sublethal exposure to EE2 was << 1 for H. azteca and C. tentans, indicating that adverse effects are not expected, and that environmental exposure to EE2 likely poses a low risk to benthic invertebrates.
Neighborhood Psychosocial Hazards and Cardiovascular Disease: The Baltimore Memory Study
Authors: Augustin Toms , Glass Thomas A. , James Bryan D. , Schwartz Brian S.
Published: July 2008

Objectives. We examined associations between cardiovascular disease and neighborhood psychosocial hazards, such as violent crime, abandoned buildings, and signs of incivility, to evaluate whether features of place are associated with older adult health.

Methods. We analyzed first-visit data from the Baltimore Memory Study of randomly selected residents aged 50 to 70 years (n=1140) of 65 contiguous neighborhoods in Baltimore, Maryland. We looked for associations between self-reports of history of selected cardiovascular diseases and scores on the 12-item neighborhood psychosocial hazards scale.

Results. After adjustment for established individual risk factors for cardiovascular disease, residents in neighborhoods with scores in the highest quartile of the psychosocial hazards scale had more than 4 times higher odds of a history of myocardial infarction and more than 3 times higher odds of myocardial infarction, stroke, transient ischemic attack, or intermittent claudication compared with residents living in neighborhoods scoring in the lowest quartile.

Conclusions. Neighborhood psychosocial hazards were significantly associated with self-reported cardiovascular disease after adjustment for individual-level risk factors. This is consistent with the hypothesis that environmental stress plays a role in the etiology of cardiovascular disease.
Tea Polyphenols and Their Roles in Cancer Prevention and Chemotherapy
Authors: Chen Di , Dou Q. Ping
Published: July 2008

Many plant-derived, dietary polyphenols have been studied for their chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic properties against human cancers, including green tea polyphenols, genistein (found in soy), apigenin (celery, parsley), luteolin (broccoli), quercetin (onions), kaempferol (broccoli, grapefruits), curcumin (turmeric), etc. The more we understand their involved molecular mechanisms and cellular targets, the better we could utilize these “natural gifts” for the prevention and treatment of human cancer. Furthermore, better understanding of their structure-activity relationships will guide synthesis of analog compounds with improved bio-availability, stability, potency and specificity. This review focuses on green tea polyphenols and seeks to summarize several reported biological effects of tea polyphenols in human cancer systems, highlight the molecular targets and pathways identified, and discuss the role of tea polyphenols in the prevention and treatment of human cancer. The review also briefly describes several other dietary polyphenols and their biological effects on cancer prevention and chemotherapy.
Intramolecular Dipole Coupling and Depolarization in Self‐Assembled Monolayers
Authors: Sushko Maria L. , Shluger Alexander L.
Published: July 2008

Quantum mechanical and classical atomistic computational methods are used to simulate the chain‐length dependence of depolarization effects in S(CH2)n−1CH3 and S(CH2)n−1COOH self‐assembled monolayers on gold (111) surface. These calculations show that due to weak cooperative effects, the electrostatic properties of alkanethiol monolayers are well described by the gas phase dipole moments of the molecules. However, depolarization in monolayers with the molecules carrying head‐ and tail‐group dipoles, such as COOH‐terminated monolayers, strongly depends on the degree of intramolecular dipole coupling. Thus the electrostatic properties of self‐assembled monolayers can be engineered by changing the length of the aliphatic spacer between the polar groups. The transition from strong to weak coupling regime was found to be accompanied by the change in the sign of the asymptotic value of electrostatic potential above the surface of the monolayers and hence in the sign of the metal work function change. Therefore, the use of weakly polarizable spacers between the polar groups inside the molecules forming the SAM is beneficial for accessing a wider range of work‐function changes.
Gold Nanoparticle–Colloidal Carbon Nanosphere Hybrid Material: Preparation, Characterization, and Application for an Amplified Electrochemical Immunoassay
Authors: Cui Rongjing , Liu Chang , Shen Jianming , Gao Di , Zhu Jun‐Jie , Chen Hong‐Yuan
Published: July 2008

A rapid microwave‐hydrothermal method has been developed to prepare monodisperse colloidal carbon nanospheres from glucose solution, and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are successfully assembled on the surface of the colloidal carbon nanospheres by a self‐assembly approach. The resulting AuNP/colloidal carbon nanosphere hybrid material (AuNP/C) has been characterized and is expected to offer a promising template for biomolecule immobilization and biosensor fabrication because of its satisfactory chemical stability and the good biocompatibility of AuNPs. Herein, as an example, it is demonstrated that the as‐prepared AuNP/C hybrid material can be conjugated with horseradish peroxidase‐labeled antibody (HRP‐Ab2) to fabricate HRP‐Ab2‐AuNP/C bioconjugates, which can then be used as a label for the sensitive detection of protein. The amperometric immunosensor fabricated on a carbon nanotube‐modified glass carbon electrode was very effective for antibody immobilization. The approach provided a linear response range between 0.01 and 250 ng mL−1 with a detection limit of 5.6 pg mL−1. The developed assay method was versatile, offered enhanced performances, and could be easily extended to other protein detection as well as DNA analysis.
Synthesis of Hierarchically Structured Metal Oxides and their Application in Heavy Metal Ion Removal
Authors: Hu Jin‐Song , Zhong Liang‐Shu , Song Wei‐Guo , Wan Li‐Jun
Published: July 2008

Hierarchically structured metal oxides have two or more levels of structure. Their nanometer‐sized building blocks provide a high surface area, a high surface‐to‐bulk ratio, and surface functional groups that can interact with, e.g., heavy metal ions. Their overall micrometer‐sized structure provides desirable mechanical properties, such as robustness, facile species transportation, easy recovery, and regeneration. In combination these features are suitable for the removal of heavy metal ions from water. Several general synthesis routes for the fabrication of metal oxides with various morphologies and hierarchical structures are discussed including soft and hard template‐assisted routes. These routes are general, reliable, and environmentally friendly methods to prepare transition and rare earth metal oxides, including cobalt oxide, iron oxide, and ceria. As‐prepared hierarchically structured metal oxides show excellent adsorption capacities for AsV and CrVI ions in water.
Statistical‐based monitoring of multivariate non‐Gaussian systems
Authors: Liu Xueqin , Xie Lei , Kruger Uwe , Littler Tim , Wang Shuqing
Published: July 2008

The monitoring of multivariate systems that exhibit non‐Gaussian behavior is addressed. Existing work advocates the use of independent component analysis (ICA) to extract the underlying non‐Gaussian data structure. Since some of the source signals may be Gaussian, the use of principal component analysis (PCA) is proposed to capture the Gaussian and non‐Gaussian source signals. A subsequent application of ICA then allows the extraction of non‐Gaussian components from the retained principal components (PCs). A further contribution is the utilization of a support vector data description to determine a confidence limit for the non‐Gaussian components. Finally, a statistical test is developed for determining how many non‐Gaussian components are encapsulated within the retained PCs, and associated monitoring statistics are defined. The utility of the proposed scheme is demonstrated by a simulation example, and the analysis of recorded data from an industrial melter. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Fault detection in nonlinear continuous‐time systems with uncertain parameters
Authors: Lin Youdong , Stadtherr Mark A.
Published: July 2008

In model‐based fault diagnosis for dynamic systems with uncertain parameters, an envelope of all fault‐free behaviors can be determined from the model and used as a reference for detecting faults. We demonstrate here a method for generating an envelope that is rigorously guaranteed to be complete, but without significant overestimation. The method is based on an interval approach, but uses Taylor models to reduce the overestimation often associated with interval methods. To speed fault detection, a method that uses bounded‐error measurement data and a constraint propagation procedure is proposed for shrinking the envelope. Several fault detection scenarios involving nonlinear, continuous‐time systems are used to evaluate this approach. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Optimization of two‐dimensional flows with homogeneous and heterogeneously catalyzed gas‐phase reactions
Authors: Minh H. D. , Bock H. G. , Tischer S. , Deutschmann O.
Published: July 2008

Chemically reacting gaseous flows in catalytic monoliths are numerically investigated to mathematically optimize product yields by the variation of operating conditions and catalyst loading. The fluid dynamics of the single monolith channel is modeled by the two‐dimensional boundary layer equations (BLEs), a system of parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs) with highly nonlinear boundary conditions arising from the coupling of surface reactions with the reactive flow field inside the channel. The surface and gas‐phase chemical reactions are described by large elementary‐step reaction mechanisms. An optimal control problem is formulated with the wall temperature, the catalytic active surface area, and the inlet gas composition and flow parameters as control variables. The newly developed approach and numerical code are applied for the optimization of the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene over platinum at high temperatures and short contact times. The ethylene yield can be significantly increased by choosing the optimal operating conditions. Furthermore, the analysis of the behavior of the reactor at optimized conditions leads to a better understanding of the interaction of physics and chemistry in the catalytic monolith. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Design of a thermally balanced membrane reformer for hydrogen production
Authors: Simakov David S. A. , Sheintuch Moshe
Published: July 2008

Hydrogen production by autothermal methane steam reforming in a catalytic fixed bed membrane reactor has been analyzed and simulated. The two‐compartment reactor indirectly couples the endothermic steam reforming with methane oxidation, while hydrogen is separated by a permselective Pd membrane. Simulations of the reactor, using published kinetics, map the acceptable domain of operation and the optimal set of operating parameters. The simulations exhibit slow‐moving thermal fronts and the steady‐state operation domains bounded by stationary fronts, separating domains of upstream and downstream‐moving fronts. Front velocity depends on thermal coupling and hydrogen separation. An analytical approximation for the thermal front velocity in a thermally balanced reactor has been developed. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Heritabilities of somatotype components in a population from rural Mozambique
Authors: Saranga Sílvio Pedro José , Prista António , Nhantumbo Leonardo , Beunen Gaston , Rocha Jorge , Williams‐Blangero Sarah , Maia José A.
Published: July 2008

There have been few genetic studies of normal variation in body size and composition conducted in Africa. In particular, the genetic determinants of somatotype remain to be established for an African population. (1) To estimate the heritabilities of aspects of somatotype and (2) to compare the quantitative genetic effects in an African population to those that have been assessed in European and American populations. The sample composed of 329 subjects (173 males and 156 females) aged 7–17 years, belonging to 132 families. The sibships in the sample ranged in size from two to seven individuals. All sampled individuals were residents of the Calanga region, an area located to the north of Maputo in Mozambique. Somatotype was assessed using the Heath‐Carter technique. Herit abilities were estimated using SAGE software. Moderate heritabilities were determined for each trait. Between 30 and 40% of the variation in each somatotype measure was attributable to genetic factors. The heritability of ectomorphy was 31%. Mesomorphy was similarly moderately heritable, with ∼30% of the variationattributable to genetic factors. The heritability of endomorph was higher in the Calanga population (h2 = 0.40). Quantitative genetic analyses of somatotype variation among siblings indicate that genetic factors significantly influence endomorphy, mesomorhpy, and ectomorphy. However, environmental factors also have significant effects on the variation in physique present in the population of Calanga. Lack of proper nutrition, housing, medical assistance, and primary health care, together with very demanding and sex‐specific daily chores may contribute to the environmental effects on these traits. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
National trends in silicosis mortality in the United States, 1981–2004
Authors: Bang Ki Moon , Attfield Michael D. , Wood John M. , Syamlal Girija
Published: July 2008

Background

This article describes trends in mortality with silicosis and identifies industries and occupations with elevated silicosis mortality.

Methods

A total of 6,326 deaths with silicosis for 1981–2004 were analyzed for trends and association with occupation and industry. Annual mortality rates were age‐adjusted to the U.S. Year 2000 population. A linear regression model was used for analyzing mortality trends. Proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) were based on 1,440 deaths with information on usual industry and occupation.

Results

Overall age‐adjusted mortality rates per million declined from 2.4 in 1981 to 0.7 in 2004. Industries having significantly elevated PMRs for silicosis included mining and quarrying. Occupations with elevated PMRs included those associated with metal and mineral processing.

Conclusions

The results suggest that considerable progress has been made towards elimination of this preventable disease. However, about 30 silicosis deaths per year have been recorded since 1995 among those of working age, warranting continued efforts to effectively limit workplace exposures. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:633–639, 2008. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Just in the wrong place…?: Geographic tools for occupational injury/illness surveillance
Authors: Neff Roni A. , Curriero Frank C. , Burke Thomas A.
Published: July 2008

Background

Geographic analysis is now integral to public health surveillance, but has been underused for occupational injury/illness.

Methods

Mapping and spatial statistics are used to examine national county‐level mean establishment Lost Workday Injury/Illness (LWDII) rates in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Data Initiative (ODI), 1997–2001. The following questions are explored: Does occupational injury/illness vary geographically at the county level?; Does variation remain after accounting for industry hazard?; Where are rates higher or lower than expected?

Results

The methods provide evidence of geographic variation in nonfatal occupational injury/illness rates, including after adjusting for industry hazard.

Conclusions

Geographic analyses can improve intervention targeting, suggest risk factors for investigation, and make the case for targeting resources to prevention in hard‐hit areas, as well as improving ongoing surveillance. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:680–690, 2008. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Postpartum recuperation in primiparous rhesus macaques and development of their infants
Authors: Mas‐Rivera Adaris , Bercovitch Fred B.
Published: July 2008

Female primates endure great costs during pregnancy and lactation. Some studies have been conducted on exploring these; however, information on how maternal condition before conception influences maternal postpartum recuperation and infant development are not well known, especially in primipares. This 2‐year investigation explored how maternal condition, maternal foraging time and alert time, and infants' time on nipple influenced postpartum recovery of primiparous rhesus macaques, as well as their infant's development during the first 3 months postpartum. The study was conducted on 11 female rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) living at the Caribbean Primate Research Center, Sabana Seca Field Station, Puerto Rico. Infant survivorship and development were not influenced by maternal age at first parturition or by the infants' time on the nipple. Infant development and maternal recovery were influenced by maternal condition before conception. Older primipares demonstrated greater postpartum recuperation. Maternal postpartum recuperation was not influenced by maternal feeding time or time the infant spent on the nipple. Maternal recuperation was negatively correlated with increased vigilance (alert time). Am. J. Primatol. 70:1047–1054, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Poly(lactic acid) properties as a consequence of poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) blending and acetyl tributyl citrate plasticization
Authors: Coltelli Maria‐Beatrice , Maggiore Irene Della , Bertoldo Monica , Signori Francesca , Bronco Simona , Ciardelli Francesco
Published: July 2008

This study was aimed at the modulation of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) properties by the addition of both a low‐molecular‐weight plasticizer, acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC), and a biodegradable aliphatic–aromatic copolyester, poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT). PLA/PBAT, PLA/ATBC, and PLA/PBAT/ATBC mixtures with 10–35 wt % ATBC and/or PBAT were prepared in a discontinuous laboratory mixer, compression‐molded, and characterized by thermal, morphological, and mechanical tests to evaluate the effect of the concentration of either the plasticizer or copolyester on the final material flexibility. Materials with modulable properties, Young's modulus in the range 100–3000 MPa and elongation at break in the range 10–300%, were obtained. Moreover, thermal analysis showed a preferential solubilization of ATBC in the PBAT phase. Gas permeability tests were also performed to assess possible use in food packaging applications. The results are discussed with particular emphasis toward the effects of plasticization on physical blending in the determination of the phase morphology and final properties. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Thermal stability and ablation properties of silicone rubber composites
Authors: Kim Eung Soo , Kim Eun Jeong , Shim Jea Hun , Yoon Jin‐San
Published: July 2008

Effects of incorporation of clay and carbon fiber (CF) into a high temperature vulcanized (HTV) silicone rubber, i.e., poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) containing vinyl groups, on its thermal stability and ablation properties were explored through thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) and oxy‐acetylene torch tests. Natural clay, sodium montmorillonite (MMT), was modified with a silane compound bearing tetra sulfide (TS) groups to prepare MMTS4: the TS groups may react with the vinyl groups of HTV and enhance the interfacial interaction between the clay and HTV. MMTS4 layers were better dispersed than MMT layers in the respective composites with exfoliated/intercalated coexisting morphology. According to TGA results and to the insulation index, the HTV/MMTS4 composite was more thermally stable than HTV/MMT. However, addition of CF to the composites lowered their thermal stability, because of the high thermal conductivity of CF. The time elapsed for the composite specimen, loaded with a constant weight, to break off after the oxy‐acetylene flame bursts onto the surface of the specimen was employed as an index for an integrated assessment of the ablation properties, simultaneously taking into consideration the mechanical strength of the char and the rate of decomposition. The elapsed time increased in the order of: HTV < HTV/CF ≈ HTV/MMTS4 < HTV/CF/MMTS4 ≈ HTV/MMT < HTV/CF/MMT. This order was different from the increasing order of the thermal stability determined by TGA results and the insulation index. The decreased degree of crosslinking of the composites with MMTS4 compared with that of the composite with MMT may be unfavorable for the formation of a mechanically strong char and could lead to early rupture of the HTV/MMTS4 specimen. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Some stochastic comparisons of conditional coherent systems
Authors: Li Xiaohu , Zhang Zhengcheng
Published: July 2008

This paper investigates coherent systems with independent and identical components. Stochastic comparison on the residual life and the inactivity time of two systems with stochastically ordered signatures is conducted. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The susceptibility of mental accounting principles to evaluation mode effects
Authors: Chatterjee Subimal , Heath Timothy B. , Min Junhong
Published: July 2008

The present research shows that the predictions and outcomes of mental‐accounting tests depend on whether preferences are measured separately (one at a time) or jointly (comparatively). Across five studies, we show that joint evaluation weakens some decision biases (the theater ticket problem, the calculator and jacket problem), but exacerbates others (the basketball game problem). Joint evaluations serve as a check on whether people think the answers they give in separate evaluations make sense or require adjustment. We discuss how the findings impact (1) tests of mental accounting predictions (between vs. within subjects designs), and (2) the normative status of mental accounting. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tumorigenesis and neurodegeneration: two sides of the same coin?
Authors: Staropoli John F.
Published: July 2008

Dysregulation of genes that control cell‐cycle progression and DNA repair is a hallmark of tumorigenesis. It is becoming increasingly apparent, however, that these defects also contribute to degeneration of post‐mitotic neurons under certain conditions. The gene for ataxia‐telangiectasia mutated (ATM) is a prototype for this dual mechanism of action, with loss‐of‐function mutations causing not only selective degeneration of cerebellar neurons but also increased susceptibility to breast cancer and hematologic malignancy. Increased dosage of amyloid precursor protein in Down syndrome (trisomy 21) predisposes to dementia of Alzheimer type and may also contribute to acute leukemia and transient myeloproliferative disorder. The gene parkin, loss‐of‐function mutations in which account for about half of cases of early‐onset Parkinson disease, has been identified as a candidate tumor suppressor gene by several groups. Parkin is deleted or downregulated in several tumor types, and its re‐expression sensitizes derivative cell lines to inhibitors of cell‐cycle progression. The overlap of molecular pathways implicated in cancer and neurodegeneration challenges long‐held notions about differentiated cellular states and may open the door to novel therapeutic approaches to both groups of disorders. BioEssays 30:719–727, 2008. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.