bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel route for the preparation of hybrid zwitterionic membranes containing both sulfonic and carboxylic acid groups
Authors: Liu Junsheng , Xu Tongwen , Fu Yanxun
Published: November 2007

A novel route for the preparation of hybrid zwitterionic membranes containing both sulfonic and carboxylic acid groups is reported. Based on this synthetic methodology, a series of membranes were synthesized via sol–gel reaction, zwitterionization process, and the oxidization of the SH group. FTIR spectra confirmed the corresponding reactions. The properties of these prepared membranes were characterized by ion‐exchange capacity (IEC), water content, and pure water flux, etc. The anion‐exchange capacity (AIEC), total cation‐exchange capacity (CIECtotal), and the CIEC of the sulfonic groups (CIECsulf) of the membranes coated for 1–3 times were in the range of 0.017–0.12, 0.1–0.53, and 0.029–0.14 mmol g−1, respectively. The measurement of water content showed that it was independent of pH values whether for the membranes coated once or twice. Pure water flux revealed a downward trend with the increased coating times. The surface SEM images of the produced membranes exhibited that these membranes' textures could be affected highly by the curing temperature, and excessively higher curing temperature would lead the membranes to brittle and chasm. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
The photosensitive properties of polysiloxane acrylate resin containing tertiary amine groups
Authors: Sun Fang , Jiang Sheng‐ling , Du Hong‐guang
Published: November 2007

The photosensitive properties of a novel oligomer, di (N,N‐diacrylolyl)‐α, ω‐diaminopolysiloxane (ANS) with tertiary amine groups and acryloyl groups in its molecular structure were investigated using FTIR and gel yield method. It was noted that the ANS system showed a notable photosensitive property and its photosensitivity in air could be up to16.3 mJ/cm2. The UV‐curing behavior of the ANS was studied by electron spin resonance (ESR). The results showed that amino‐alkyl radicals can be formed by excited BP abstracting hydrogen at a‐carbon bonded with nitrogen in the ANS molecule under UV irradiation, which can mitigate the oxygen inhibition in radical polymerization. It is proven that tertiary amine groups introduced into ANS could boost photosensitivity of the photopolymerization system. The oligomer ANS may find application in photopolymerization to improve the properties of UV‐curing coating materials. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Inkjet printing effects of pigment inks on silk fabrics surface‐modified with O2 plasma
Authors: Fang Kuanjun , Wang Shaohua , Wang Chaoxia , Tian Anli
Published: November 2007

Without any preprocessing, silk fabric has lower ability to hold on water due to the smooth morphology of silk fibers. Therefore, patterns directly printed with pigment inks have poor color yields and easily bleed. Plasma surface‐treatment of silk fabric was carried out in an oxygen atmosphere under different experimental conditions. The samples were printed with magenta pigment ink after treatment. The results showed that the optimum treatment conditions we obtained were exposure time of 10 min at a working pressure of 50 Pa and a working power around 80 W. At such conditions, surface‐modified silk fabrics could obtain the effects of features with enhanced color yields and excellent pattern sharpness. Atomic force microscope images indicated that low‐temperature oxygen plasma initiated modifications to the surface of silk fiber with more grooves. Dynamic contact angle analysis showed that the hydrophilicity of silk fiber was remarkably improved after pretreatment with plasma. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Synthesis and characterization of novel polyimides derived from 2‐amino‐5‐(4‐aminophenyl)‐thiazole
Authors: Zhao Xin , Li Yan‐Feng , Shao Yu , Ma Tao , Gong Chen‐Liang , Huang Cong‐Shu
Published: November 2007

A new kind of aromatic unsymmetrical diamine monomer containing thiazole ring, 2‐amino‐5‐(4‐aminophenyl)‐thiazole (AAPT), was synthesized. A series of novel polyimides were prepared by polycondensation of AAPT with various aromatic dianhydrides by one‐step polyimidation process. The synthesized polyimides had inherent viscosity values of 0.36–0.69 dL/g and were easily dissolved in highly dipolar solvents. Meanwhile, strong and flexible polyimide films were obtained, which have good thermal and thermo‐oxidative stability with the glass transition temperatures (Tg) of 276.7–346.1°C, the temperature at 5% weight loss of 451–492°C in nitrogen and 422–440°C in air, as well as have outstanding mechanical properties with the tensile strengths of 94–122 MPa, elongations at breakage of 5–18%. These films also had dielectric constants of 3.12–3.38 at 10 MHz. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Isothermal crystallization of high density polyethylene and nanoscale calcium carbonate composites
Authors: Huang Jiann‐Wen
Published: November 2007

High density polyethylene (HDPE) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) nanocomposites with maleic anhydride grafted HDPE (manPE) as a compatibilizer were prepared via compounding in a twin‐screw extruder. The CaCO3 are well dispersed in the HDPE matrix from the observation of transmission electron microscope. The isothermal crystallization kinetics was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and simulated by Avrami and Tobin models. The nucleation constants and fold surface free energy were estimated from Lauritzen–Hoffman relation. The results indicate that both manPE and well‐dispersed CaCO3 particles would act as nuclei to induce heterogeneous nucleation and enhance crystallization rate. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Determination of Solvent‐Trapped Products Obtained by Photolysis of Aryl Azides in 2,2,2‐Trifluoroethanol
Authors: Sydnes Magne O. , Doi Issei , Ohishi Ayako , Kuse Masaki , Isobe Minoru
Published: November 2007

A series of nonfluorinated and fluorinated aryl azides with varied functionality patterns were irradiated in 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol with either a high‐pressure or a low‐pressure mercury lamp. Interestingly, one of the major products in these reactions was the result of the recombination of anilino and alkyl radicals to form the corresponding hemiaminal compounds. The structure of the recombination products was assigned unambiguously after proton/deuterium exchange experiments followed by MS and MS/MS analysis.
Metastases to soft tissue
Authors: Plaza Jose Antonio , Perez‐Montiel Delia , Mayerson Joel , Morrison Carl , Suster Saul
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND.

Metastatic tumors presenting as soft tissue masses are relatively rare and can be the source of diagnostic confusion both clinically and pathologically. The authors' experience was reviewed at a large academic medical center over a 30‐year period (1971–2000) with metastases to soft tissue.

METHODS.

The tumors in the study included mainly lesions involving skeletal muscle or skeletal muscle and subcutaneous tissue of the upper and lower limbs, trunk, shoulders, and buttocks. Direct extension from tumors originating in bone or adjacent organs, tumors involving the skin or areas known to contain abundant lymph nodes (ie, axilla, groin), and hematopoietic malignancies were excluded.

RESULTS.

One hundred and eighteen cases were identified; 60 patients were women and 58 were men. The age range was 20 to 87 years (median of 53.5 years). The primary tumor was located in the skin (19 patients), lung (13 patients), breast (13 patients), kidney (12 patients), colon and rectum (12 patients), uterus (8 patients), ovary (5 patients), head and neck (tongue, pharynx, larynx, nasal cavity, and mandible) (5 patients), esophagus (2 patients), stomach (2 patients), cervix (2 patients), small bowel (2 patients), bone (2 patients), adrenal gland (1 patient), eye (1 patient), testis (1 patient), urinary bladder (1 patient), and salivary gland (1 patient). In 27% (32 of 118 cases) of cases, the soft tissue metastasis was the initial manifestation of the disease. In 13.5% (16 of 118 cases) of cases the primary site of origin could not be identified. The sites of metastasis included the abdominal wall (25 patients), back, including scapular region (20 patients), thigh (17 patients), chest wall (15 patients), arm (15 patients), shoulder (11 patients), buttock (5 patients), perineum (3 patients), leg (2 patients), foot (1 patient), umbilical area (1 patient), ankle (1 patient), scalp (1 patient), and elbow (1 patient). The histologic classification of the tumors included carcinoma (83 patients), malignant melanoma (20 patients), sarcoma and carcinosarcoma (9 patients), malignant mixed Mullerian tumor (2 patients), seminoma (1 patient), malignant teratoma (1 patient), malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor (1 patient), and neuroblastoma (1 patient). Many of the tumors displayed histologic features that created difficulties for diagnosis and could be easily mistaken on routine histopathologic examination for a variety of primary soft‐tissue sarcomas. Routine use of immunohistochemical stains aided in their proper recognition.

CONCLUSIONS.

Metastases are not an infrequent finding in soft tissue and they may represent the initial manifestation of the disease. Use of a basic panel of immunohistochemical stains is recommended for defining the cell type and arriving at the correct diagnosis. Cancer 2008. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Do adjuvant aromatase inhibitors increase the cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer
Authors: Cuppone Federica , Bria Emilio , Verma Sunil , Pritchard Kathleen I. , Gandhi Sonal , Carlini Paolo , Milella Michele , Nisticò Cecilia , Terzoli Edmondo , Cognetti Francesco , Giannarelli Diana
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND.

Despite the advantages from using aromatase inhibitors (AIs) compared with tamoxifen for early breast cancer, an unexpectedly greater number of grade 3 and 4 cardiovascular events (CVAE) (as defined by National Cancer Institute of Canada‐Common Toxicity Criteria [version 2.0] was demonstrated.

METHODS.

Phase 3 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing AI with tamoxifen in early breast cancer were considered eligible for this review. The event‐based risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were derived, and a test of heterogeneity was applied. Finally, absolute differences (ADs) in event rates and the number of patients needed to harm 1 patient (NNH) were determined.

RESULTS.

Seven eligible RCTs (19,818 patients) reported CVAE results. When considering all RCTs, the AD of the primary endpoint (CVAE) between the 2 arms (0.52%), tamoxifen versus AI, was statistically significant (RR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.07–1.60; P = .007). This translated into an NNH value of 189 patients; when only third‐generation AIs were considered, the difference (0.57%) remained significant (RR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.09–1.63; P = .0038). Thromboembolic events were significantly more frequent in the tamoxifen arm, regardless of the strategy adopted (RR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.42–0.65; P < .0001), without significant heterogeneity (P = .21). An AD of 1.17% and an NNH value of 85 patients were observed.

CONCLUSIONS.

According to the results from this meta‐analysis, the risk of grade 3 and 4 CVAEs in patients who were receiving AIs was higher compared with the risk in patients who were receiving tamoxifen, and the difference reached statistical significance. However, the AD was relatively low, and from 160 to 180 patients had to be treated to produce 1 event. Cancer 2008. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Irrational orientation relationship derived from rational orientation relationships using EBSD data
Authors: Nolze G.
Published: November 2007

The determination of the orientation relationship (OR) between α ‐Fe matrix (bcc) and γ ‐Fe precipitates (fcc) is discussed using orientation data collected by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The comparatively low accuracy of EBSD is compensated by the high number of measurements what allows a general statement regarding to the mean OR existing in a sample. The representation and discussion is realized on a part of the Bain zone in a {001} pole figure. A discussion of some selected rational OR which are commonly used for the phase boundary characterization between α and γ shows that the pole figures describing a transformation from γ → α are different to those for α → γ. A technique is proposed based on at least three misorientation angles between the experimental OR to the rational OR's as reference. For the misorientation angle distribution a refinement is applied to extract the mean values. They are used to detect the mean OR, what is also possible for only a few or even a single precipitate if the number of measurements describing the phase boundary is sufficiently high. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Crystal structure and phase transition in the compound [C6H5CH2NH(CH3)2]TlCl4
Authors: Abdi M. , Hadrich A. , Zouari F.
Published: November 2007

The N‐N dimethyl benzylammonium tetrachlorothallate (III) [C6H5CH2NH(CH3)2]TlCl4 crystallizes in the monoclinic system P21/n at room temperature with the following unit cell dimensions: a = 7.725(3) Å, b = 14.080(5) Å, c = 13.697(4) Å, β = 91.2(2)° with Z = 4. The structure shows a layer arrangement perpendicular to the b axis: planes of [TlCl4]‐ tetrahedra alternate with planes of [C6H5CH2NH(CH3)2]+ cations. The cohesion of the atomic arrangement is ensured by hydrogen bonds N‐H…Cl. Differential scanning calorimetric and optical birefringence measurements reveals a phase transition at T = 339K. Raman spectroscopic study and dielectric measurements were performed to discuss the mechanism of the phase transition. (© 2007 WILEY ‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Recent advances in the application of capillary electromigration methods for food analysis
Authors: García‐Cañas Virginia , Cifuentes Alejandro
Published: November 2007

This review covers the application of capillary electromigration methods to analyze foods and food components, including amino acids, biogenic amines, peptides, proteins, DNAs, carbohydrates, phenols, polyphenols, pigments, toxins, pesticides, vitamins, additives, small organic and inorganic ions, chiral compounds, and other compounds in foods, as well as those applications of CE for monitoring food interactions and food processing. The use of microchips as well as other foreseen trends in food analysis by CE are discussed. Papers that were published during the period June 2005–March 2007 are included following the previous review by Cifuentes (Electrophoresis 2006, 27, 283–303).
Determination of amino acids by micellar EKC: Recent advances in method development and novel applications to different matrices
Authors: Iadarola Paolo , Ferrari Fabio , Fumagalli Marco , Viglio Simona
Published: November 2007

The extensive use of CE for the analysis of amino acids has been well documented in a series of research articles and reviews. Aim of this report is to address the attention of the reader on the recent advances of micellar electrokinetic chromatography for the separation and determination of these analytes. Enhancements in selectivity of this technique through the use of pseudostationary phases containing mixed micelles, polymers, and chiral selectors are presented. Selected applications concerning separation and quantitation of even minute amounts of amino acids in: (i) biological fluids; (ii) microdialysates; (iii) plant cells; (iv) food stuff; and (v) pharmaceutical formulations have also been covered. Advantages of MEKC over other techniques for the amino acid analysis have been underlined.
Post‐exposure prophylaxis with a maraviroc‐containing regimen after occupational exposure to a multi‐resistant HIV‐infected source person
Authors: Méchai Frédéric , Quertainmont Yann , Sahali Sabrinel , Delfraissy Jean‐François , Ghosn Jade
Published: November 2007

We report the case of a health care worker who received a post‐exposure prophylaxis including an investigational drug, maraviroc, after a needle stick percutaneous injury to an HIV‐infected patient with late‐stage disease and harboring a multi‐drug resistant virus. Post‐exposure prophylaxis including maraviroc was pursued for a total of 28 days, with a weekly clinical and biological evaluation. Post‐exposure prophylaxis was well tolerated, with no increase in liver function tests. The health care worker remained HIV‐negative after a 6‐month follow‐up. J. Med. Virol. 80:9–10, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of TGF‐β1 codon 25 (G915C) polymorphism with hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Pereira Fernanda Albuquerque , da Silva Naize Nara Pinheiro , Rodart Itatiana Ferreira , Carmo Theomira Mauadie Azevedo , Lemaire Denise Carneiro , Reis Mitermayer Galvão
Published: November 2007

Cytokines play a key role in the regulation of immune responses. In hepatitis C virus infection (HCV), the production of abnormal cytokine levels appears to contribute to the progression of the disease, viral persistence, and affects response to therapy. Cytokine genes are polymorphic at specific sites, and certain polymorphisms located within coding/regulatory regions have been shown to affect the overall expression and secretion of cytokines. The aim of the present study was to identify potential markers of cytokines genes associated with the susceptibility to HCV infection. The cohort was composed of 128 individuals infected by HCV and 94 healthy controls. Genotyping was carried out by PCR‐SSP. The distributions of the following polymorphisms were compared in these groups: TNF‐α (−308G/A [rs1800629]), TGF‐β1 (codon 10 T/C [rs1982073], codon 25 G/C [rs1800471]), IL‐10 (−1082 A/G [rs 1800896]; −819T/C [rs1800871]; −592A/C [rs 1800872]), IL‐6 (−174G/C [rs1800795]), and IFN‐γ (+874T/A [rs2430561]). This study demonstrated a statistically significant difference in the frequency of TGF‐β1 codon 25 polymorphism between healthy subjects and those infected with HCV. No associations were observed between polymorphisms of TNF‐α, IFN‐γ, IL‐10, TGF‐β1 codon 10, and IL‐6 and HCV infection. These findings suggest that TGF‐β1 codon 25 polymorphism could be a host genetic factor associated with susceptibility to HCV infection. J. Med. Virol. 80:58–64, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection of unusual rotavirus genotypes G8P[8] and G12P[6] in South Korea
Authors: Le Van Phan , Kim Ji‐Yeon , Cho Sung‐Lim , Nam Sun‐Woo , Lim Inseok , Lee Hee‐Joong , Kim Kijeong , Chung Sang‐In , Song Wonkeun , Lee Kyu Man , Rhee Moon‐Soo , Lee Jung‐Sook , Kim Wonyong
Published: November 2007

Five hundred four fecal specimens, collected between 2004 and 2006 from young children with acute diarrhea, were screened for rotavirus by ELISA with VP6‐specific antibody. Of these samples, 394 (78.2%) were confirmed as group A rotavirus and they underwent G‐ and P typing using a combination of ELISA, RT‐PCR, and sequence analysis methods. The dominant circulating G serotype was G1 (35.6%) followed by G3 (26.4%), G4 (14.7%), and G2 (11.9%). There was a low prevalence of G9 (1.0%) and of unusual G type rotavirus, in particular, G12 (0.5%) and G8 (0.3%). Of the P genotype rotavirus in circulation, P[8] (53.0%) was most common followed by P[6] (15.5%), P[4] (15.2%), and P[9] (2.3%). Determination of G‐ and P type combinations revealed that G1P[8] strains were most prevalent (25.4%), amid G3P[8] (16.8%), G2P[4] (6.3%), and G4P[6] (6.1%) strains. Unusual or rare combinations such as G2P[6], G2P[8], G3P[4], G2P[9], G1P[9], G3P[9], G12P[6], G1P[4], G3P[6], and G8P[8] were also found. Owing to the recent emergence of G8 and G12 rotavirus, the findings from this study are important since they provide new information concerning the local and global spread of rotavirus genotypes. J. Med. Virol. 80:175–182, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A community‐derived outbreak of adenovirus type 3 in children in Taiwan between 2004 and 2005
Authors: Chang Sui‐Yuan , Lee Chun‐Nan , Lin Pi‐Han , Huang Hsueh‐Hung , Chang Luan‐Yin , Ko Wilson , Chang Shu‐Fang , Lee Ping‐Ing , Huang Li‐Min , Kao Chuan‐Liang
Published: November 2007

An outbreak of respiratory adenovirus infection in children was observed in northern Taiwan between November 2004 and February 2005. Using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) to determine the serotype(s) of 172 adenovirus isolates in the outbreak period, we found that adenovirus type 3 (Ad3) was the predominant type (87.2%), followed by Ad2 (6.4%), Ad1 (4.1%), Ad7 (1.2%), Ad4 (0.6%), and Ad5 (0.6%). The genotype of Ad3 was analyzed for 15 isolates from the outbreak period by RFLP of the full‐length genome. All these isolates belonged to genotype Ad3a2. Compared with the Ad3‐infected patients in the baseline period, a significantly higher proportion of Ad3‐infected patients in the outbreak period had severe infections (58.0% vs. 40.2%, P = 0.01), which included bronchopneumonia (28.7%), exudative tonsillitis (24.1%), and tonsillitis (16.1%). Moreover, patients with severe infections were significantly younger than those without (4.10 vs. 8.15 years, P < 0.001). In summary, our study demonstrated that Ad3 was the predominant serotype responsible for the respiratory adenovirus outbreak in northern Taiwan during 2004–2005 and was associated with severe infections in the outbreak period. J. Med. Virol. 80:102–112, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Frequency and clinical significance of human β‐herpesviruses in cervical samples from Italian women
Authors: Broccolo Francesco , Cassina G. , Chiari S. , Garcia‐Parra R. , Villa A. , Leone B.E. , Brenna A. , Locatelli G. , Mangioni C. , Cocuzza C.E.
Published: November 2007

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are necessary, but not sufficient, for the development of cervical cancer (CC). Human β‐herpesviruses (β‐HHVs) have been suggested as possible cofactors in the oncogenesis of CC. In this cross‐sectional study, the prevalence and possible association of cytomegalovirus (CMV), HHV‐6 and ‐7 with HPV presence was investigated by quantitative real‐time PCR assays in cervical samples obtained from 208 italian women. The two most common high‐risk HPV types found were 31 and 16. Overall, the positive rates for CMV, HHV‐6 and HHV‐7 were 66%, 25%, and 6%, respectively. In particular, the prevalence of CMV was found to be extremely high irrespective of either the cytological category or HPV positivity. The prevalence of HHV‐6 DNA was significantly higher in high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) respect to normal women (P < 0.017); by contrast, the prevalence HHV‐7 DNA was generally low and not associated with SIL. Copresence of CMV and HHV‐6 DNA was found to be significantly higher in patients with SIL respect to normal women (P < 0.05). No correlation was demonstrated between the viral load of all three β‐HHVs and the different cytological stages or with the HPV presence. A few patients with severe disease however showed very high viral loads which for HHV‐6 may be indicative of viral integration. In conclusion, this study suggests that CMV and HHV‐7 alone are probably not implicated in the oncogenesis of CC whilst HHV‐6 alone or together with CMV may contribute to the development of CC. J. Med. Virol. 80:147–153, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of diatomaceous earth on the performance and blood variables of broiler chicks during experimental aflatoxicosis
Authors: Modirsanei Mehrdad , Mansoori Behzad , Khosravi Ali Reza , Kiaei Mohammad Mehdi , Khazraeinia Parvaneh , Farkhoy Mohsen , Masoumi Zahra
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND: Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a type of tectosilicate found in large quantities in Iran. It is possible that this compound can absorb mycotoxins. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of DE on experimental aflatoxicosis in broilers from 1 to 42 days of age. In four treatments of four replicates, 160 one‐day‐old Hubbard male chicks were subjected to two levels of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) (0 and 1.0 mg kg−1) and DE (0 and 30 mg kg−1)

RESULTS: Body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and productive efficiency index were adversely affected in the chicks treated with AFB1. Weight of heart was significantly decreased (20.3%) by AFB1 (P < 0.05). Serum total protein, albumin, and the activity of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were decreased by AFB1. DE significantly (P < 0.05) increased body weight gain (9.51%), feed intake (7.44%), and improved feed conversion ratio (2.08%) as well as productive efficiency index (5.48%) in the birds that subjected to AFB1 DE also increased serum albumin (22.6%), and the activity of serum LDH (44.4%).

CONCLUSION: DE might be beneficial in reducing toxic effects of AFB1 in broilers. It is possible to include DE as an alternative to other mycotoxin binders at levels of 30 mg kg−1 in the diets on offer to broilers between the ages of 1 and 42 days. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Position, leverage and opportunity: a typology of strategic logics linking resources with competitive advantage
Authors: Bingham Christopher B. , Eisenhardt Kathleen M.
Published: November 2007

The resource‐based view's (RBVs) contribution toward understanding competitive advantage remains unfulfilled. A reason is the confounding of the concept of resources with RBVs strategic logic. We disentangle these by developing a typology of strategic logics (i.e., leverage, position, and opportunity) that specify alternative theoretical pathways linking resources with competitive advantage. We clarify their market assumptions, relevant performance objectives, and managerial challenges. Besides introducing the logic of opportunity, we indicate the central insight that competitive advantage stems from the linkages among resources, not just their attributes. Thus, while VRIN resources may be useful for creating advantage, they may be neither necessary nor sufficient for competitive advantage to ensue. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensing of diurnal and semi‐diurnal variability in the water vapour content in the tropics using GPS measurements
Authors: Pramualsakdikul Surat , Haas Rüdiger , Elgered Gunnar , Scherneck Hans‐Georg
Published: November 2007

The diurnal and semi‐diurnal variability of the integrated precipitable water vapour (IPWV) was studied by using Global Positioning System (GPS) data (1998–2004) from 14 International GNSS Service (IGS) stations located between latitudes 20°S and 20°N, and longitudes 70° –170°E. The phases and amplitudes of the IPWV are compared to the corresponding estimates from two numerical weather models (NWMs). Results reveal that there are diurnal amplitudes of more than 0.4 mm for most sites, except sites on small islands in the ocean. The maximum diurnal amplitude is 3 mm at Bakosurtanal, Indonesia. The estimated semi‐diurnal signals are in general small. The maximum of the IPWV typically occurs between 1200 and 2400 local solar time. The results suggest that GPS data are useful for high‐temporal‐resolution studies of IPWV. The accuracy of the estimated diurnal amplitudes is limited by the use of a simple model for the mean temperature of the wet refractivity, and the accuracy of the estimated semi‐diurnal amplitudes is likely to be improved by a higher temporal resolution of the ground pressure data at the GPS sites. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
A time series analysis on the seasonality of air temperature anomalies
Authors: Wakaura Masatsugu , Ogata Yosihiko
Published: November 2007

Surface air temperature anomalies relative to seasonal variations are of great concern from a long‐term forecasting perspective. This article is concerned with marginally normalized time series in which the original data of the temperatures are standardized using the mean values and variances of the estimated deterministic seasonal cycles. A particular parametric form of a non‐stationary auto‐regressive (AR) model to quantify the anomalies is considered, by applying it to the normalized data. This model fits substantially better than an ordinary AR model for normalized datasets of the surface air temperature obtained from almost all of the stations in Japan, and exhibits a significant seasonal structure in their auto‐correlation. The model is applied to high‐pass filtered data to investigate the relation between the seasonal structure and a high‐frequency variability in anomalies, which helps in determining the climatic influence on anomalies of surface air temperature in Japan. Furthermore, an illustrative example in the pricing of weather derivatives to achieve better performance of the non‐stationary model than that of the ordinary AR model is presented. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
The economic value of weather forecasts for decision‐making problems in the profit/loss situation
Authors: Lee Ki‐Kwang , Lee Joong‐Woo
Published: November 2007

This article presents a method to estimate the economic value of forecasts for profit‐oriented enterprise decision‐making problems related to the levels of preparations for goods or services. The sales of goods or services in the study are supposed to be influenced and predicted by meteorological variables. Value is calculated in terms of monetary profit (or benefit) returned from the user's decision under the specific payoff structure, which is represented by a profit/loss ratio model. The decision is determined as a function of the user's subjective reliability of forecasts and forecast probability. The resulting value score (VS) curve shows the scaled economic values relative to the value of a perfect forecast, specified by a function of the profit/loss ratios for different decision makers. The proposed evaluation method, based on the profit/loss ratio model and the VS, is illustrated using hypothetical sets of forecasts, and later verified by applying site‐specific probability and deterministic forecasts, each of which is generated from the Korea and China Meteorological Administrations (KMA and CMA). The application results show that decision makers with high subjective reliability of forecasts can receive great benefits from a given forecast, and there are ranges of profit/loss ratios in which each of the forecast sources used for the evaluation is preferred. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Brominated flame retardants in US food
Authors: Schecter Arnold , Harris T. Robert , Shah Nirav , Musumba Alice , Päpke Olaf
Published: November 2007

We and others recently began studying brominated flame retardant levels in various matrices in the US including human milk and other food. This paper reviews the food studies. In our studies, ten to thirteen polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners were measured, usually including BDE 209. All US women's milk samples were contaminated with PBDEs from 6 to 419 ng/g, lipid, orders of magnitude higher than levels reported in European studies, and are the highest reported worldwide. We compared our market basket studies of meat, fish and dairy products with other US food studies of meat and fish. US studies showed somewhat higher levels of PBDEs than reported elsewhere. Fish were most highly contaminated (median 616 pg/g), then meat (median190 pg/g) and dairy products (median 32.2 pg/g). However, unlike some European countries where fish predominates, dietary intake of PBDEs in the US is mostly from meat, then fish and then dairy products. Broiling can decrease the amount of PBDEs per serving. We also measured levels of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), another brominated flame retardant, in human milk. The levels are lower than PBDEs, 0.16–1.2 ng/g, similar to European levels, unlike PBDEs where US levels are much higher than European levels.
Tumor necrosis factor‐α antagonists and neuropathy
Authors: Stübgen Joerg‐Patrick
Published: November 2007

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α plays an important role in many aspects of immune system development, immune‐response regulation, and T‐cell–mediated tissue injury. The evidence that TNF‐α, released by autoreactive T cells and macrophages, may contribute to the pathogenesis of immune‐mediated demyelinating neuropathies is reviewed. TNF‐α antagonists (infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab) are indicated for the treatment of advanced inflammatory rheumatic and bowel disease, but these drugs can induce a range of autoimmune diseases that also attack the central and peripheral nervous systems. Case histories and series report on the association between anti–TNF‐α treatment and various disorders of peripheral nerve such as Guillain–Barré syndrome, Miller Fisher syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block, mononeuropathy multiplex, and axonal sensorimotor polyneuropathies. The proposed pathogeneses of TNF‐α–associated neuropathies include both a T‐cell and humoral immune attack against peripheral nerve myelin, vasculitis‐induced nerve ischemia, and inhibition of signaling support for axons. Most neuropathies improve over a period of months by withdrawal of the TNF‐α antagonist, with or without additional immune‐modulating treatment. Preliminary observations suggest that TNF‐α antagonists may be useful as an antigen‐nonspecific treatment approach to immune‐mediated neuropathies in patients with a poor response to, or intolerance of, standard therapies, but further studies are required. Muscle Nerve, 2007
Effects of high‐intensity focused ultrasound on nerve conduction
Authors: Foley Jessica L. , Little James W. , Vaezy Shahram
Published: November 2007

The effects of various exposures (intensity, duration) of high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) on sciatic nerve conduction were investigated in vivo in rats. The objective was to identify HIFU exposures that produce biological effects ranging from partial to complete conduction block, indicating potential use of HIFU as an alternative to current clinical methods of inducing nerve conduction block. In the study, 26 nerves were exposed and treated with 5‐s applications of 5.7‐MHZ HIFU with acoustic intensities of 390, 2,255, 3,310, and 7,890 W/cm2 (spatial peak, temporal peak). Compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs), in response to electrical stimulation of the nerve proximal to the HIFU site, were recorded from the plantar foot muscles immediately before and after HIFU treatment and 2 and 4 h after treatment. Furthermore, a preliminary long‐term investigation was performed on 27 nerves with the same four sets of HIFU parameters. CMAPs were measured at the survival endpoint for each animal (7 or 28 days after treatment). For nerves treated with the three lower exposures, CMAPs decreased initially within 4 h or 7 days after HIFU treatment and then recovered to their baseline level at 28 days after treatment. For the highest exposure, however, CMAPs remained absent even 28 days after treatment. These exposure‐dependent effects of HIFU on nerve function suggest its future potential as a novel treatment for severe spasticity and pain. Muscle Nerve, 2007
A model of capillary cohesion for numerical simulations of 3D polydisperse granular media
Authors: Richefeu V. , El Youssoufi M. S. , Peyroux R. , Radjaï F.
Published: November 2007

We present a 3D discrete‐element approach for numerical investigation of wet granular media. This approach relies on the basic laws of contact and Coulomb friction enriched by a capillary force law between particles. We show that the latter can be expressed as a simple explicit function of the gap and volume of the liquid bridge connecting a pair of spherical particles. The length scales involved in this expression are analyzed by comparing with direct integration of the Laplace–Young equation. We illustrate and validate this approach by application to direct shear and simple compression loadings. The shear and compression strengths obtained from simulations reproduce well the experimental measurements under similar material and boundary conditions. Our findings clearly show that the number density of liquid bonds in the bulk is a decisive parameter for the overall cohesion of wet granular materials. A homogeneous distribution of the liquid within the bridge debonding distance, even at low volume contents, leads to the highest cohesion. The latter is independent of the liquid content as far as the liquid remains in the pendular state and the number density of liquid bonds remains constant. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomics of the aqueous humor in healthy New Zealand rabbits
Authors: Stastna Miroslava , Behrens Ashley , Noguera Guillermo , Herretes Samantha , McDonnell Peter , Van Eyk Jennifer E.
Published: November 2007

There are several physiological roles postulated for aqueous humor, a liquid located in the anterior and posterior chamber of the eye, such as maintenance of the intraocular pressure, provision of nutrients, and removal of metabolic waste from neighboring tissues and provision of an immune response and protection during inflammation and infection. To link these function to specific or classes of proteins, identification of the aqueous humor proteome is essential. Aqueous humor obtained from healthy New Zealand white rabbits was analyzed using three synergistic protein separation methods: 1‐D gel electrophoresis, 2‐DE, and 1‐DLC (RPLC) prior to protein identification by MS. As each of these separation methods separates intact proteins based on different physical properties (pIs, molecular weights, hydrophobicity, solubility, etc.) the proteome coverage is expanded. This was confirmed, since overlap between all three separation technologies was only about 8.2% with many proteins found uniquely by a single method. Although the most dominant protein presented in normal aqueous humor is albumin, by using this extensive separation/MS strategy, additional proteins were identified in total amount of 98 nonredundant proteins (plus an additional ten proteins for consideration). This expands the current protein identifications by approximately 65%. The aqueous humor proteome comprises a specific selection of cellular and plasma based proteins and can almost exclusively be divided into four functional groups: cell–cell interactions/wound healing, proteases and protease inhibitors, antioxidant protection, and antibacterial/anti‐inflammatory proteins.
Darifenacin: first M3 receptor antagonist for overactive bladder
Authors: Chaplin Steve , Chapple Christopher
Published: November 2007

Darifenacin (Emselex) is the first antimuscarinic agent to target the M3 receptor that is associated with detrusor muscle contraction. In our New products review Steve Chaplin presents the clinical data relating to its efficacy and adverse effects, and Professor Christopher Chapple comments on its place in the treatment of overactive bladder. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Interface Ltd
Current approaches to the management of epilepsy
Authors: Desurkar Archana , Williams Ruth
Published: November 2007

Our series Prescribing in children gives practical advice for successful management of childhood problems in general practice. Here, the authors discuss current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy in children. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Interface Ltd
Differences in fecal particle size between free‐ranging and captive individuals of two browser species
Authors: Hummel Jürgen , Fritz Julia , Kienzle Ellen , Medici E. Patricia , Lang Stefanie , Zimmermann Waltraut , Streich W. Jürgen , Clauss Marcus
Published: November 2007

Data from captive animals indicated that browsing (BR) ruminants have larger fecal particles—indicative of lesser chewing efficiency—than grazers (GR). To answer whether this reflects fundamental differences between the animal groups, or different reactions of basically similar organisms to diets fed in captivity, we compared mean fecal particle size (MPS) in a GR and a BR ruminant (aurox Bos primigenius taurus, giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis) and a GR and a BR hindgut fermenter (Przewalski's horse Equus ferus przewalskii, lowland tapir Tapirus terrestris), both from captivity and from the wild. As would be expected owing to a proportion of finely ground, pelleted feeds in captive diets, MPS was smaller in captive than free‐ranging GR. In contrast, MPS was drastically higher in captive than in free‐ranging BR of either digestion type. Thus, the difference in MPS between GR and BR was much more pronounced among captive than free‐ranging animals. The results indicate that BR teeth have adapted to their natural diet so that in the wild, they achieve a particle size reduction similar to that of GR. However, although GR teeth seem equally adapted to food ingested in captivity, the BR teeth seem less well suited to efficiently chew captive diets. In the case of ruminants, less efficient particle size reduction could contribute to potential clinical problems like “rumen blockage” and bezoar formation. Comparisons of MPS between free‐ranging and captive animals might offer indications for the physical suitability of zoo diets. Zoo Biol 27:70–77, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Long‐term monitoring of social behavior in a grouping of six female tigers (Panthera tigris)
Authors: Miller Angela , Kuhar Christopher W.
Published: November 2007

Although literature on the reproduction of captive tigers is plentiful, there is little information on other social behaviors, particularly within large social groupings. Here we report on the long‐term monitoring of social behaviors in six female tigers (Panthera tigris). Over a period of 6 years, behavioral data were collected on spraying, vocalizations, non‐contact aggression, and contact aggression during outdoor observations, as well as nearest neighbors in the morning, as a proxy measure of affiliation. Regression analyses showed that non‐contact aggression and vocalizing were increasing, whereas spraying and social proximity were decreasing over the 6 years of the study. Paired t‐tests showed no seasonal differences in aggression, but animals had higher social proximity scores during the mornings of the colder winter months. Correlations showed that spraying was positively related to contact aggression whereas social proximity was negatively correlated with non‐contact aggression. In addition to documenting levels of contact and non‐contact aggression over time, this study showed these behaviors correlated with behaviors that were more easily scored (spraying and social proximity). Behavioral monitoring has played a key role in the management and husbandry of this large social grouping of female tigers. In addition to providing keepers with the opportunity to observe their animals in regularly scheduled sessions, behavioral monitoring has provided baseline information on social relationships in this grouping over time. If future research validates the relationship between aggression and spraying/social proximity, this can be a valuable tool for long‐term monitoring of groups of tigers. Zoo Biol 27:89–99, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Asymptotic analysis, in a thin multidomain, of minimizing maps with values in \( S^{2} \)
Authors: Gaudiello Antonio , Hadiji Rejeb
Published: November 2007

We consider a thin multidomain of

\mathbb{R}^{3}

consisting of two vertical cylinders, one placed upon the other: the first one with given height and small cross section, the second one with small thickness and given cross section. The first part of this paper is devoted to analyze, in this thin multidomain, a “static Landau–Lifshitz equation”, when the volumes of the two cylinders vanish. We derive the limit problem, which decomposes into two uncoupled problems, well posed on the limit cylinders (with dimensions 1 and 2, respectively). We precise how the limit problem depends on limit of the ratio between the volumes of the two cylinders. In the second part of this paper, we study the asymptotic behavior of the two limit problems, when the exterior limit fields increase. We show that in some cases, contrary to the initial problem, the energies of the limit problems diverge and we find the order of these energies.

Nous considérons un multi-domaine mince de

\mathbb{R}^{3}

se composant de deux cylindres verticaux, superposés l'un sur l'autre : le premier possède une taille donnée et une petite section transversale, le second a une petite épaisseur et une section transversale donnée. La première partie de cet article est consacrée à analyser, dans ce multi-domaine, une équation stationnaire de type Landau–Lifshitz, quand les volumes des deux cylindres tendent vers 0. Nous montrons que le problème limite, se décompose en deux probèmes découplés, bien posés sur le domaine limite. Ensuite, nous précisons comment le problème limite dépend de la limite du rapport des volumes des deux cylindres. Dans la deuxième partie de cet article, nous étudions le comportement asymptotique des deux problèmes limites, quand les champs extérieurs limites augmentent. Nous prouvons que dans certains cas, contrairement au problème initial, les énergies des problèmes limites divergent et nous précisons l'ordre de ces énergies.
Isoperimetric profile and uniqueness for Neumann problems
Authors: Lucia Marcello
Published: November 2007

Given a connected compact Riemannian surface

(M,g)

,

f

an absolutely continuous function satisfying

f⩾f^{′} > 0

and a real parameter

α

, we deal with classical solutions of

\begin{cases}
−\mathrm{\Delta }_{g}u = f(u)−\alpha & \text{in }M, \\
\frac{\partial u}{\partial n} = 0 & \text{on }\partial M.
\end{cases}

We prove that any non-constant solution of the above problem satisfies

\int \limits_{M}f(u)⩾8\pi \inf \limits_{s \in (0,\mathrm{vol}(M))}\left\{\frac{I_{M}^{2}(s)}{I_{\mathbb{S}_{M}}^{2}(s)}\right\},

where

I_{M}

and

I_{\mathbb{S}_{M}}

denote respectively the isoperimetric profile of

M

and of the standard two-dimensional sphere having same measure than

M

(see Definition 2.1 below). This inequality is applied to derive new uniqueness results for mean field type equations. A similar result for linear problems is established and gives lower bounds for the first non-zero Neumann eigenvalue.

Étant donnée une surface Riemannienne compacte connexe

(M,g)

,

f

une fonction absolument continue satisfaisant

f⩾f^{′} > 0

et un paramètre réel

α

, nous considérons les solutions classiques du problème de Neumann décrit ci-dessus. Nous prouvons que toute solution non-constante vérifie

\int \limits_{M}f(u)⩾8\pi \inf \limits_{s \in (0,\mathrm{vol}(M))}\left\{\frac{I_{M}^{2}(s)}{I_{\mathbb{S}_{M}}^{2}(s)}\right\},

où

I_{M}

et

I_{\mathbb{S}_{M}}

dénotent respectivement les profils isopérimétriques de

M

et de la sphère canonique bi-dimensionelle ayant même mesure que

M

. Cette inégalité est appliquée pour dériver de nouveaux résultats d'unicité pour des équations du type champs moyen. Un résultat similaire est établi pour des problèmes linéaires et permet de dériver diverses bornes inférieures sur la première valeure propre non-nulle.
On questions of decay and existence for the viscous Camassa–Holm equations
Authors: Schonbek Maria E. , Bjorland Clayton
Published: November 2007

We consider the viscous

n

-dimensional Camassa–Holm equations, with

n = 2,3,4

in the whole space. We establish existence and regularity of the solutions and study the large time behavior of the solutions in several Sobolev spaces. We first show that if the data is only in

L^{2}

then the solution decays without a rate and that this is the best that can be expected for data in

L^{2}

. For solutions with data in

H^{m} \cap L^{1}

we obtain decay at an algebraic rate which is optimal in the sense that it coincides with the rate of the underlying linear part.

On considère les équations visqueuses de Camassa–Holm dans

\mathbb{R}^{n}

,

n = 2,3,4

. Nous établissons l'existence et la régularité des solutions. Nous étudions le comportement asymptotique des solutions dans plusieurs espaces de Sobolev quand le temps tend vers l'infini. On montre que si la donnée est seulement dans

L^{2}

la solution décroît vers zéro, mais la décroissance ne peut être uniforme. Pour les solutions avec donnée dans

L^{1} \cap H^{m}

on obtient une décroissance algébrique avec une vitesse qui est optimale dans le sens où elle coïncïde avec les solutions correspondant à l'équation linéaire.