bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The place and role of physical activity in the treatment of obesity
Authors: Lazar-Ivkovic Tatjana
Published: March 2009

treatment of obesity should primarily include diet and physical activity. Increased physical activity increases energy consumption with beneficial effects on the cardiovascular and metabolic-endocrine systems. It is of utmost importance to point out that simultaneous changes in physical activity and diet decrease both the total body fat mass and the viscelar fat. At the same tune, protein body structure is maintained and subsequent follow-up of patients showed better results in respect of maintaining the achieved results. In children and adolescents it is possible to achieve weight loss only by increasing physical activity. Physical activity should be performed three times a week and if metabolic effects are to be achieved, each training should last up to an hour. Highly recommendable are: swimming, cycling and hiking, whereas team sports provide better socialization of obese people. .
Renal colic: Radiological approach
Authors: Nikolic Olivera , Vucaj-Cirilovic Viktorija , Petrovic Kosta , Govorcin Mira , Stojanovic Sanja , Till Viktor
Published: March 2009

Acute flank pain is commonly caused by urolithiasis. This paper discusses advantages and disadvantages of procedures used for evaluation of acute flank pain. In our institution, the diagnostic algorithm includes ultrasonography and plain film radiog?raphy, and unenhanced spiral CT in equivocal cases. .
Effects of various doses of ovine corticotrophin–releasing hormone on plasma and saliva cortisol concentrations in horses
Authors: Reijerkerk Erica P. R. , Visser E. Kathalijne , van Reenen Cornelis G. , van der Kolk Johannes H.
Published: March 2009

Objective—To compare the effects of IV administration of various doses of ovine corticotrophin–releasing hormone (oCRH) on plasma and saliva cortisol concentrations in healthy horses and determine whether an oCRH challenge test protocol is valid for use in adult horses.

Animals—24 healthy Warmblood horses.

Procedures—Each horse received oCRH in saline (0.9% NaCl) via IV administration at a dose of 0 (control treatment), 0.01, 0.1, or 1.0 Mg/kg (6 horses/group). Jugular blood and saliva samples were collected simultaneously 15 minutes before and immediately prior to injection (baseline); data from these samples were pooled to provide basal values. Subsequently, 14 postinjection blood and saliva samples were both collected within a 210-minute period. Cortisol concentrations in all samples were assessed via a solid-phase radioimmunoassay.

Results—All doses of oCRH induced significant increases from baseline in both plasma and salivary cortisol concentrations. Compared with the smaller doses of oCRH, the 1.0 Mg/kg dose of oCRH induced significantly greater plasma cortisol concentrations. A relationship (r = 0.518) between basal cortisol concentrations in plasma and saliva was detected.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—For use as a CRH challenge test in adult horses, a protocol involving IV administration of a dose of at least 0.01 Mg of oCRH/kg and postinjection collection of blood samples from 10 to 180 minutes and saliva samples from 20 to 50 minutes for assessment of plasma and saliva cortisol concentrations should be sufficient. Application of such a test might be helpful to detect states of chronic activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis at the hypothalamic level.
Evaluation of cytologic and biochemical variables in blood, plasma, and peritoneal fluid from calves before and after umbilical herniorrhaphy
Authors: Peiró Juliana R. , Lucato Beatriz , Mendes Luiz C. N. , Ciarlini Paulo C. , Feitosa Francisco L. F. , Bonello Fábio L. , Maemura Silvana M. , Soares Gisele T. , Santana Aureo E. , Perri Silvia H. V.
Published: March 2009

Objective—To establish reference intervals for cytologic and biochemical variables in peritoneal fluid, whole blood, and plasma in calves with congenital umbilical hernias (CUHs) before and after herniorrhaphy and to assess whether those variables in calves with CUHs were altered, compared with findings in clinically normal calves.

Animals—20 Holstein calves with or without a CUH.

Procedures—10 calves with CUHs underwent herniorrhaphy. Blood and peritoneal fluid samples from all 20 calves were collected for cytologic and biochemical analyses on days 0 (before surgery), 1, 3, 5, 7, and 15. Data from the 2 groups were compared.

Results—Reference intervals for the variables of interest were established for each group. Before surgery, calves with CUHs had significantly greater plasma total protein concentration and creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase activities and peritoneal fluid specific gravity values, compared with values for calves without CUHs. At various time points after surgery, peritoneal fluid total protein concentration; fibrinogen concentration; nucleated cell, polymorphonuclear cell, and lymphocyte counts; specific gravity; and lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and CK activities in calves with CUHs were significantly different from values in calves without CUHs. Some plasma and blood variables (eg, total protein concentration, neutrophil count, and CK activity) were significantly different between the 2 groups.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Values of certain cytologic and biochemical variables in peritoneal fluid, blood, and plasma were different between calves with and without CUHs. Thus, determination of reference intervals for these variables is important for interpreting diagnostic test results in calves with CUHs.
Validating the Use of Report-Derived Lund-MacKay Scores
Authors: Thwin May , Weitzel Erik Kent , McMains Kevin Christopher , Athanasiadis Theodore , Psaltis Alkis , Field John , Wormald Peter-John
Published: March 2009

Background

The Lund-MacKay score (LMS) is the standard for communicating radiological extent of chronic rhinosinusitis in research. However, retrospective analyses are often hindered by a substantial lack of radiological data. Calculating LMS from radiologists’ reports may overcome this but has not been formally validated.

Methods

Twenty South Australian and 20 Texan patients with varying degrees of sinus disease were randomly chosen to undergo analysis. CT-derived LMSs were calculated directly by two expert rhinologists at each institution and compared with scores derived solely from accompanying radiology reports by two blinded reviewers.

Results

The total LMS obtained via the expert rhinologists correlated very highly with that obtained from radiology reports (Spearman rank correlation, 0.75-0.88; p < 0.001). However, when individual sinuses were specifically analyzed, the correlation was highly variable.

Conclusion

The results show that in both South Australian and Texan tertiary rhinology centers, radiologists’ reports can be reliably used to calculate the total LMS.
Chitin Stimulates Expression of Acidic Mammalian Chitinase and Eotaxin-3 by Human Sinonasal Epithelial Cells in Vitro
Authors: Lalaker Ashley , Nkrumah Louis , Lee Won-Kyung , Ramanathan Murugappan , Lane Andrew P.
Published: March 2009

Background

Sinonasal epithelial cells participate in host defense by initiating innate immune mechanisms against potential pathogens. Antimicrobial innate mechanisms have been shown to involve Th1-like inflammatory responses. Although epithelial cells can also be induced by Th2 cytokines to express proeosinophilic mediators, no environmental agents have been identified that promote this effect.

Methods

Human sinonasal epithelial cells from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNPs) and controls were harvested and grown in primary culture. Cell cultures were exposed to a range of concentrations of chitin for 24 hours, and mRNA for acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase), eotaxin-3, and thymic stromal-derived lymphopoietin (TSLP) were assessed. Other cultures were exposed to interleukin 4 (IL- 4) alone and in combination with dust-mite antigen (DMA) for 36 hours. Extracted mRNA and cell culture supernatant were analyzed for expression of AMCase and eotaxin-3.

Results

Chitin induced a dose-dependent expression of AMCase and eotaxin-3 mRNA but not TSLP. Patients with recalcitrant CRSwNPs showed lower baseline expression of AMCase when compared with treatment-responsive CRSwNP and less induction of AMCase expression by chitin. DMA did not directly induce expression of AMCase or eotaxin-3. Expression of eotaxin-3 was stimulated by IL-4 and further enhanced with the addition of DMA. Levels of AMCase were not significantly affected by either IL-4 or DMA exposure. In some cases, the combination of IL-4 and DMA was able to induce AMCase expression in cell cultures not producing AMCase at baseline.

Conclusion

The abundant biopolymer chitin appears to be recognized by a yet uncharacterized receptor on sinonasal epithelial cells. Chitin stimulates production of AMCase and eotaxin-3, two pro-Th2 effector proteins. This finding suggests the existence of a novel innate immune pathway for local defense against chitin-containing organisms in the sinonasal tract. Dysregulation of this function could precipitate or exacerbate Th2 inflammation, potentially acting as an underlying factor in recalcitrant CRSwNP.
Down-Regulation of gp130 in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Lin Yung-Song , Lin Li-Ching , Huang Mei-Hui , Huang Ai-Ju , Huang Yu-Tzu
Published: March 2009

Background

The purpose of this study was to explore the expression and biological functions of glycoprotein 130 (gp130) in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). A prospective study was performed.

Methods

Ten patients with NPC and 10 patients with nasopharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia (LH) were enrolled in this study. The transcripts of IL-27 receptors (gp130 and WSX-1) in the biopsy specimens derived from NPC were compared with that from LH by using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cell lines including EBV−, Burkitt-like lymphoma (BJAB) cells, human adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and lymphoblastoid cell lines were used to provide evidence of the biological function of gp130. In addition, killing assay for natural killer (NK) cells was performed in the presence of gp130.

Results

There was significantly stronger expression of gp130 on the LH specimens than on the NPC specimens. The levels of gp130 mRNA were reduced in the EBV-transformed cells. The cytotoxicity ratio against gp130-deficient B cells was diminished compared with gp130-existent B cells.

Conclusion

The expression of gp130 is down-regulated in patients with NPC. We presume that EBV controls the functions of NK cells through regulation of gp130 cytokine receptor.
Optical spectral signatures of liquids by means of fiber optic technology for product and quality parameter identification
Authors: Mignani A. G. , Ciaccheri L. , Mencaglia A. A. , Díaz-Herrera N. , García-Allende P. B. , Ottevaere H. , Thienpont H. , Attilio C. , Cimato A. , Francalanci S. , Paccagnini A. , Pavone F. S.
Published: March 2009

Absorption spectroscopy in the wide 200–1700 nm spectral range is carried out by means of optical fiber instrumentation to achieve a digital mapping of liquids for the prediction of important quality parameters. Extra virgin olive oils from Italy and lubricant oils from turbines with different degrees of degradation were considered as ’case studies’. The spectral data were processed by means of multivariate analysis so as to obtain a correlation to quality parameters. In practice, the wide range absorption spectra were considered as an optical signature of the liquids from which to extract product quality information. The optical signatures of extra virgin olive oils were used to predict the content of the most important fatty acids. The optical signatures of lubricant oils were used to predict the concentration of the most important parameters for indicating the oil’s degree of degradation, such as TAN, JOAP anti-wear index, and water content.
Imaging the coupling of terahertz radiation to a high electron mobility transistor in the near-field
Authors: Ortolani M. , Di Gaspare A. , Giovine E. , Evangelisti F. , Foglietti V. , Doria A. , Gallerano G. P. , Giovenale E. , Messina G. , Spassovsky I. , Lanzieri C. , Peroni M. , Cetronio A.
Published: March 2009

We used AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors as room-temperature direct detectors of radiation at 0.15 THz from a free electron laser, hence 5 times higher than their cutoff frequency of 30 GHz. By near-field active mapping we investigated the antenna-like coupling of the radiation to the transistor channel. We formulate a model for the detection based on self-mixing in the transistor channel. The noise equivalent power is found in the range of 10−7 W/Hz0.5 without any optimization of the device responsivity. Present day AlGaN/GaN fabrication technology may provide operation at higher frequency, integration of amplifiers for improved responsivity and fast switches for multiplexing, which make the detector here described the basic element of a monolithic terahertz focal plane array.
The “power of silence”
Authors: Kościańska Agnieszka
Published: March 2009

This article looks at various models of women's agency in Poland in the context of religion. Based on fieldwork among members of two feminized religious milieus—a new religious movement the Brahma Kumaris and an informal Catholic fundamentalist group—this article discusses the role of silence in ritual and everyday life as a form of agency. From the perspective of feminist discourse, particularly Western liberal feminism, silence is often interpreted as a lack of power. Drawing on informants' experiences, under Polish gender regimes, particularly as they relate to the organization of public and private spheres, silence is shown to be a fundamental component of agency. The analysis of silence displays the complexity of religious issues in Poland and serves as a critique of assumptions about religious homogeneity and the pervasiveness of religious authority in Poland.
Konzepte, Instrumente und Herausforderungen bei der Förderung der Biodiversität im Wald | Concepts, instruments and challenges for the conservation of biodiversity in the forest
Authors: Bollmann Kurt , Bergamini Ariel , Senn-Irlet Beatrice , Nobis Michael , Duelli Peter , Scheidegger Christoph
Published: March 2009

According to the forest law, the conservation of biological diversity is an integral part of the multifunctional forestry in Switzerland. To date, biodiversity conservation has mainly been addressed by sustainable and partly nature-close forest practices and the conservation of rare biotopes and single threatened species. Some studies show that this generally integrative approach cannot guarantee the persistence of the 32 000 known species, their genes and habitats in Switzerland. The deficits of highest concern are the low percentage of forest reserves, old-growth stands and deadwood, the dominance of uniform and dense stands and the high proportion of unstructured, linear forest edges. The total area of primary forests and nature forest reserves as well as special forest reserves that are managed in favour of a conservation target is below five percent. Besides, old-growth stands are missing more or less in forests dedicated for timber production. Here, we describe the major concepts and instruments (segregation, integration) for biodiversity conservation in forests. In a further step, we discuss the main challenges for this task by considering the accelerated demand for wood as renewable resource, the ongoing climate change and the increasing number of invasive species. We conclude that a strategy that links both, integrative and segregative instruments and measures and combines them with species conservation projects will be the best option to address ongoing problems of biodiversity conservation in forests. In addition, there is a need to scientifically identify the gaps in the network of forest reserves so as to complement the spectrum of protected forest habitats and their various organismic groups.
Grunwald-Winstein Analysis - Isopropyl Chloroformate Solvolysis Revisited
Authors: D’Souza Malcolm J. , Reed Darneisha N. , Erdman Kevin J. , Kyong Jin Burm , Kevill Dennis N.
Published: March 2009

Specific rates of solvolysis at 25 °C for isopropyl chloroformate (1) in 24 solvents of widely varying nucleophilicity and ionizing power, plus literature values for studies in water and formic acid, are reported. Previously published solvolytic rate constants at 40.0 °C are supplemented with two additional values in the highly ionizing fluoroalcohols. These rates are now are analyzed using the one and two-term Grunwald-Winstein Equations. In the more ionizing solvents including ten fluoroalcohols negligible sensitivities towards changes in solvent nucleophilicity (l) and very low sensitivities towards changes in solvent ionizing power (m) values are obtained, evocative to those previously observed for 1-adamantyl and 2-adamantyl chloroformates 2 and 3. These observations are rationalized in terms of a dominant solvolysis-decomposition with loss of the CO2 molecule. In nine of the more nucleophilic pure alchohols and aqueous solutions an association-dissociation mechanism is believed to be operative. Deficiencies in the acid production indicate 2-33% isopropyl chloride formation, with the higher values in less nucleophilic solvents.
Insights from Coarse-Grained Gō Models for Protein Folding and Dynamics
Authors: Hills Ronald D. , Brooks Charles L.
Published: March 2009

Exploring the landscape of large scale conformational changes such as protein folding at atomistic detail poses a considerable computational challenge. Coarse-grained representations of the peptide chain have therefore been developed and over the last decade have proved extremely valuable. These include topology-based Gō models, which constitute a smooth and funnel-like approximation to the folding landscape. We review the many variations of the Gō model that have been employed to yield insight into folding mechanisms. Their success has been interpreted as a consequence of the dominant role of the native topology in folding. The role of local contact density in determining protein dynamics is also discussed and is used to explain the ability of Gō-like models to capture sequence effects in folding and elucidate conformational transitions.
A Novel Cost‐Effective Thiourea Bifunctional Organocatalyst for Highly Enantioselective Alcoholysis of meso‐Cyclic Anhydrides: Enhanced Enantioselectivity by Configuration Inversion
Authors: Wang Su‐Xi , Chen Fen‐Er
Published: March 2009

magnified image

A novel inexpensive thiourea bifunctional organocatalyst which can promote the highly enantioselective (up to 95% ee) alcoholysis of meso‐cyclic anhydrides has been developed. Computational studies on the catalytic process as well as a synthetic application of this new catalyst are also presented.
Turiner Stereochemie: Eligio Peruccas Enantioselektivität und Primo Levis Asymmetrie
Authors: Kahr Bart , Bing Yonghong , Kaminsky Werner , Viterbo Davide
Published: March 2009

Ehre, wem Ehre gebührt: Eligio Perucca (siehe Photo) beobachtete 1919 in Turin als Erster die enantioselektive Adsorption eines Racemats an der Oberfläche eines chiralen Kristalls (NaClO3). Allerdings blieb dieser Meilenstein der Chiroptik und enantioselektiven Chemie unbeachtet. Perucca galt bisher als Feigling, weil er es 1941 aufgrund der Rassengesetze abgelehnt hatte, den jungen Stereochemiker Primo Levi zu betreuen – tatsächlich aber bezog Perucca dem faschistischen Regime gegenüber eine ablehnende Haltung.

magnified image
Activation of Hemiaminal Ethers by Chiral Brønsted Acids for Facile Access to Enantioselective Two‐Carbon Homologation Using Enecarbamates
Authors: Terada Masahiro , Machioka Kyoko , Sorimachi Keiichi
Published: March 2009

Chirale Phosphorsäurederivate wurden als Katalysatoren in der Titelreaktion mit aromatischen und aliphatischen Halbaminalethern eingesetzt. Die Produkte entstanden mit guten bis sehr guten Enantioselektivitäten (siehe Schema; Boc=tert‐Butoxycarbonyl, G=aromatischer Substituent). Auf diese Weise gelangt man leicht zu hoch enantiomerenangereicherten 1,3‐Diamin‐Derivaten.

magnified image
Polyketide‐Chain Branching by an Enzymatic Michael Addition
Authors: Kusebauch Björn , Busch Benjamin , Scherlach Kirstin , Roth Martin , Hertweck Christian
Published: March 2009

Ein neuer „Zweig“ für Polyketidsynthasen wurde im Biosyntheseweg zum antimitotischen Rhizoxin‐Komplexes im endofungalen Bakterium Burkholderia rhizoxinica entdeckt. Gentechnische Manipulationen und die Strukturaufklärung der Biosynthesezwischenstufen ergaben, dass eine ungewöhnliche konjugierte Addition eines Acetyl‐Bausteins an eine Acryloyl‐Vorstufe eine komplexe Polyketidkette an der β‐Position verzweigt (siehe Schema).

magnified image
Turinese Stereochemistry: Eligio Perucca's Enantioselectivity and Primo Levi's Asymmetry
Authors: Kahr Bart , Bing Yonghong , Kaminsky Werner , Viterbo Davide
Published: March 2009

A reputation restored: Eligio Perucca (see photo) first observed the enantioselective adsorption of a racemic mixture to a chiral crystal (NaClO3) in Turin in 1919. However, this milestone in enantioselective chemistry and chiroptics went unnoticed. Identified previously as a coward who refused in 1941 to supervise the research of the budding stereochemist Primo Levi because of the race laws, Perucca was opposed to the fascist regime.

magnified image
Fluid flow in an impacting symmetrical tee junction: I single‐phase flow and experimental
Authors: Doherty A. P. , Murphy A. , Spedding P. L.
Published: March 2009

Experiments were conducted on single‐phase fluid flow in a horizontal 90° symmetrical impacting tee junction of 0.026 m i.d. The impacting geometry was chosen because, unlike the combining tee, the pressure loss of the system was not amenable to modelling. Various methods of presentation of the junction pressure drop were attempted and a simple dimensionless model suggested based on the inlet Reynolds number and the equivalent length parameter le/d. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Zuverlässigkeit von Mauerwerk aus großformatigen Steinen
Authors: Glowienka Simon
Published: March 2009

Mit der Umstellung der nationalen Normen auf das europäische Normenwerk stellt sich in vielen Bereichen die Frage nach der Größe der benötigten Teil sicherheitsfaktoren. Während für Stahlbeton und Stahltragwerke in der Vergangenheit umfangreiche Untersuchungen der Zuverlässigkeit durchgeführt wurden, um eine fundierte Festlegung der Teil sicherheitsfaktoren zu ermöglichen, fehlen für moderne Mauerwerkskonstruktionen derartige Untersuchungen weitestgehend, was auch die ungewöhnliche große Streubreite der zur Bemessung empfohlenen Teil sicherheitsfaktoren im internationalen Vergleich belegt. In diesem Beitrag wird die Zuverlässigkeit von unbewehrten, druckbeanspruchten Mauerwerkswänden aus großformatigen Steinen analysiert, da insbesondere für diese Bauweise entsprechende Zuverlässigkeitsanalysen bislang fehlen. Ein Vorschlag für optimierte Teil sicherheitsfaktoren wird unterbreitet.
Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Direct Arylations of N‐Aryl 1,2,3‐Triazoles with Aryl Chlorides as Electrophiles
Authors: Ackermann Lutz , Born Robert , Vicente Rubén
Published: March 2009

Ring ring ring: Ruthenium‐catalyzed direct arylations of N‐aryl 1,2,3‐triazoles with chlorides as arylating reagents proceed efficiently with an in situ generated complex derived from phosphane PCy3 in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP) as solvent.

magnified image
Carbon–Silicon Bond Activation by [Pd(ItBu)2] – the Molecular Structures of [Pd(Me3Si)(ItBu)(μ‐I)]2 and [Pd(CH2ItBu)I2]
Authors: Esposito Oriana , Roberts Deborah E. , Cloke F. Geoffrey N. , Caddick Stephen , Green Jennifer C. , Hazari Nilay , Hitchcock Peter B.
Published: March 2009

The reaction of Me3SiCH2I with [Pd(ItBu)2] (ItBu = 1,3‐di‐tert‐butyl‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene) results, not in simple oxidative addition, but in carbon–silicon bond activation and formation of [Pd(Me3Si)(ItBu)(μ‐I)]2 (2) and [Pd(CH2ItBu)I2] (3). The zwitterionic nature of the latter has been confirmed by DFT studies, and a possible mechanism for the formation of these two unexpected products is presented. Complex 2 has also been synthesised independently by the direct oxidative addition of Me3SiI to [Pd(ItBu)2].(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Synthesis of exo‐3‐Amino‐7‐azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes as a Class of Malarial Aspartic Protease Inhibitors: Exploration of Two Binding Pockets
Authors: Zürcher Martina , Hof Fraser , Barandun Luzi , Schütz Andri , Schweizer W. Bernd , Meyer Solange , Bur Daniel , Diederich François
Published: March 2009

The increasing prevalence of drug‐resistant strains of malaria‐causing Plasmodium parasites necessitates the development of therapeutic agents that inhibit new biochemical targets. We herein describe the design, synthesis, and in vitro evaluation of a class of inhibitors that target the malarial aspartic proteases known as the plasmepsins. The title compounds feature a 7‐azanorbornane skeleton that bears an exo‐amino function, which was designed to interact with the catalytic dyad of aspartic proteases while providing vectors for the attachment of binding elements that target the flap and S1/S3 binding pockets at the enzyme active site. Their synthesis takes advantage of a solvent‐free and highly diastereoselective conjugate addition of amines to bicyclic vinyl sulfones. Structural optimization based on a little‐known conformational preference of aryl sulfones produced the most potent inhibitors of this new class. In vitro assays demonstrate that the title compounds are capable of potent (IC50 ≥ 10 nM) inhibition of plasmepsins, while remaining relatively weak inhibitors of the closely related human enzymes cathepsins D and E. The ideal occupation of the flap pocket is crucial for both potency and selectivity over the human proteases. Differently functionalized compounds were synthesized to gain new insights into the molecular recognition properties of this cavity. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Effect of underground cavities on surface earthquake ground motion under SH wave propagation
Authors: Smerzini C. , Avilés J. , Paolucci R. , Sánchez‐Sesma F. J.
Published: March 2009

A theoretical approach is presented to study the antiplane seismic response of underground structures, subjected to the incidence of both plane and cylindrical waves. The structure is assumed to be a circular inclusion embedded in a homogenous, isotropic and linear visco‐elastic halfspace. The inclusion may consist either of a cavity, with or without a ring‐shaped boundary, or it may be filled in with a linear‐elastic material, without loss of generality. The analytical solution is obtained using expansions of wave functions in terms of Bessel and Hankel functions, relying on the technique of images and the use of Graf's addition theorem to enforce the boundary conditions.

The effects of underground cavities on surface earthquake ground motion are studied as a function of the size of the cavity, its embedment depth, the frequency content of the excitation, the incidence angle and the distance from the axis of symmetry of the cavity itself. A simple application of Rayleigh's method allows us to verify that the ground surface response is dominated by the fundamental vibration mode of the portion of soil between the cavity and ground surface itself, in the frequency range of interest for engineering purposes. A simple relationship to estimate the fundamental natural frequency as a function of the embedment depth of the cavity is given. Finally, amplification factors on response spectra are obtained, to provide a practical insight into the effect of an underground cavity on surface ground motion during real earthquakes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Where is the literature in evaluation on managing studies, evaluators, and evaluation units?
Authors: Compton Donald W.
Published: March 2009

On the basis of a multistage exploration of evaluation texts, electronic searches, and nominations from the field and from managing social science, the author concludes there is little research literature on managing evaluation studies, evaluators and other workers, and evaluation units. The discussion explores what this limited literature tells us about managing evaluation. Although these findings are consistent with an earlier literature review (St. Pierre, 1983), here the reasons for the paucity are explored. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Managing studies versus managing for evaluation capacity building
Authors: Compton Donald W.
Published: March 2009

Donald W. Compton, the first director of evaluation services at the National Home Office (Atlanta) of the American Cancer Society, tells the story of building the unit in conditions of high demand and a limited budget. Along the way, evaluation was brought to regional divisions and to local offices in part as a response to United Way and to his work organizing training. The strategy for unit development and for sustaining the work was the Collaborative Evaluation Fellows Project. This proved to be an effective strategy of building evaluation capacity (ECB), then a newly conceptualized model of evaluation managing. Compton tells about the work and draws lessons for managing ECB. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Managing evaluation in a federal public health setting
Authors: Schooley Michael W.
Published: March 2009

The author, a federal manager who leads development and maintenance of evaluation for specific public health programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tells the story of developing an evaluation unit in the Office on Smoking and Health. Lessons about managing evaluation, including his practices and related principles, are presented. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.*
The influence of peripheral ligand bulk on nitrogen activation by three‐coordinate molybdenum complexes—A theoretical study using the ONIOM method
Authors: Brookes Nigel J. , Graham David C. , Christian Gemma , Stranger Robert , Yates Brian F.
Published: March 2009

Electronic structure methods have been combined with the ONIOM approach to carry out a comprehensive study of the effect of ligand bulk on the activation of dinitrogen with three‐coordinate molybdenum complexes. Calculations were performed with both density functional and CCSD(T) methods. Our results show that not only is there expected destabilization of the intermediate on the pathway due to direct steric interactions of the bulky groups, but also there is significant electronic destabilization as the size of the ligand increases. This latter destabilization is due to the inability of the molecule to accommodate a rotated amide group bound to the molybdenum once the amide reaches a certain size. This destabilization also leads to a clear preference for the triplet intermediate (rather than the singlet intermediate) for bulky substituents which is in agreement with experiment. Overall, the calculated reaction profile for the bulky substituents shows a good correlation with the available experimental data. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2009
Reducing the bias and uncertainty of free energy estimates by using regression to fit thermodynamic integration data
Authors: Shyu Conrad , Ytreberg F. Marty
Published: March 2009

This report presents the application of polynomial regression for estimating free energy differences using thermodynamic integration data, i.e., slope of free energy with respect to the switching variable λ. We employ linear regression to construct a polynomial that optimally fits the thermodynamic integration data, and thus reduces the bias and uncertainty of the resulting free energy estimate. Two test systems with analytical solutions were used to verify the accuracy and precision of the approach. Our results suggest that use of regression with high degree of polynomials provides the most accurate free energy difference estimates, but often with slightly larger uncertainty, compared to commonly used quadrature techniques. High degree polynomials possess the flexibility to closely fit the thermodynamic integration data but are often sensitive to small changes in the data points. Thus, we also used Chebyshev nodes to guide in the selection of nonequidistant λ values for use in thermodynamic integration. We conclude that polynomial regression with nonequidistant λ values delivers the most accurate and precise free energy estimates for thermodynamic integration data for the systems considered here. Software and documentation is available athttp://www.phys.uidaho.edu/ytreberg/software. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009
Paracrine action of sFLT‐1 secreted by stably‐transfected Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and therapy using sFLT‐1 inhibits ascites tumor growth in vivo
Authors: Ramachandra Sunitha , D'Souza Saritha Sandra , Gururaj Anupama E. , Shaila Melkote S. , Salimath Bharathi P.
Published: March 2009

Background

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to play a major role in angiogenesis. A soluble form of Flt‐1, a VEGF receptor, is potentially useful as an antagonist of VEGF, and accumulating evidence suggests the applicability of sFlt‐1 in tumor suppression. In the present study, we have developed and tested strategies targeted specifically to VEGF for the treatment of ascites formation.

Methods

As an initial strategy, we produced recombinant sFLT‐1 in the baculovirus expression system and used it as a trap to sequester VEGF in the murine ascites carcinoma model. The effect of the treatment on the weight of the animal, cell number, ascites volume and proliferating endothelial cells was studied. The second strategy involved, producing Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) cells stably transfected with vectors carrying cDNA encoding truncated form of Flt‐1 and using these cells to inhibit ascites tumors in a nude mouse model.

Results

The sFLT‐1 produced by the baculovirus system showed potent anti‐angiogenic activity as assessed by rat cornea and tube formation assay. sFLT‐1 treatment resulted in reduced peritoneal angiogenesis with a concomitant decrease in tumor cell number, volume of ascites, amount of free VEGF and the number of invasive tumor cells as assayed by CD31 staining. EAT cells stably transfected with truncated form of Flt‐1 also effectively reduced the tumor burden in nude mice transplanted with these cells, and demonstrated a reduction in ascites formation and peritoneal angiogenesis.

Conclusions

The inhibition of peritoneal angiogenesis and tumor growth by sequestering VEGF with either sFlt‐1 gene expression by recombinant EAT cells or by direct sFLT‐1 protein therapy is shown to comprise a potential therapy. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetic parameters of monoclonal antibodies ESH2, ESH4, ESH5, and ESH8 on coagulation factor VIII and their influence on factor VIII activity
Authors: Egler C. , Albert T. , Brokemper O. , Zabe‐Kühn M. , Mayer G. , Oldenburg J. , Schwaab R.
Published: March 2009

The murine monoclonal antibodies ESH2, ESH4, ESH5, and ESH8 specifically bind and inhibit the procoagulant activity of human coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). They are frequently used as a model of inhibitors which are raised against injected FVIII in about 25% of hemophiliacs as a serious side effect of substitution therapy. However, binding kinetics of the interaction of these antibodies with FVIII and their influence on FVIII activity (inhibition) have not yet been examined systematically. For this, we examined association and dissociation of protein:antibody interaction using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and determined their ability to inhibit the FVIII activity in a one‐stage and a two‐stage assay. SPR‐analysis revealed that the equilibrium dissociation constants (KD) of ESH8 and ESH4 are low and in a similar range (ESH8: KD(ESH8) = 0.542 nM; ESH4: KD(ESH4) = 0.761 nM). A 5.7 times higher KD than for ESH4 was observed for ESH2 (4.33 nM), whereas ESH5 showed the highest KD of 28.8 nM. In accordance with the lowest KD, ESH8, and ESH4 reduced FVIII activity of normal human plasma almost completely in a one‐stage clot inhibition assay (ESH8: 91.9%; ESH4: 90.1%). However, ESH8 inhibited FVIII activity more efficiently as only 1.0 µg/ml ESH8 was sufficient to obtain maximum inhibition compared to up to 600 µg/ml of ESH4. Despite its attenuated KD, ESH2 inhibits FVIII:C still efficiently, reducing 61.3% of FVIII activity at a concentration of 9 µg/ml in the one‐stage clotting assay. However, a discrepancy of inhibitory efficiency was found depending on the method used to measure FVIII activity. These effects seem to be mainly caused by differences of activation time of FVIII during both FVIII activity assays. The systematic assessment of these results should support FVIII interaction studies, and can provide data to rationally test peptides/mimotopes to remove or neutralize inhibitors of FVIII activity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensitive determination of amide herbicides in environmental water samples by a combination of solid‐phase extraction and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction prior to GC–MS
Authors: Zhao Ru‐Song , Diao Chun‐Peng , Chen Qing‐Feng , Wang Xia
Published: March 2009

In this paper, solid‐phase extraction (SPE) in combination with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) has been developed as a sample pretreatment method with high enrichment factors for the sensitive determination of amide herbicides in water samples. In SPE–DLLME, amide herbicides were adsorbed quantitatively from a large volume of aqueous samples (100 mL) onto a multiwalled carbon nanotube adsorbent (100 mg). After elution of the target compounds from the adsorbent with acetone, the DLLME technique was performed on the resulting solution. Finally, the analytes in the extraction solvent were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Some important extraction parameters, such as flow rate of sample, breakthrough volume, sample pH, type and volume of the elution solvent, as well as salt addition, were studied and optimized in detail. Under optimum conditions, high enrichment factors ranging from 6593 to 7873 were achieved in less than 10 min. There was linearity over the range of 0.01–10 μg/L with relative standard deviations of 2.6–8.7%. The limits of detection ranged from 0.002 to 0.006 μg/L. The proposed method was used for the analysis of water samples, and satisfactory results were achieved.
Ordinary p‐Biharmonic Problems
Authors: Benedikt Jiří
Published: March 2009

The aim of this paper is to recall known results on boundary value problems for the quasilinear fourth order differential equation in one dimension

where p>1. The operator at the left‐hand side is often called a p‐biharmonic operator which reduces to u(4) for p = 2. It is a fourth order analogue of the well‐known p‐Laplacian. We discuss spectral properties of the corresponding eigenvalue problems, and existence and global bifurcation of solutions. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Time‐domain soil‐structure interaction analysis using the scaled boundary finite element method and rational stiffness approximations
Authors: Birk Carolin , Bochert Jana
Published: March 2009

The SBFEM is used to calculate dynamic stiffness matrices of unbounded media. Time–domain respresentations of the associated force–displacement relationship are obtained approximating the latter by rational functions. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The p‐version of the FEM for computational contact mechanics
Authors: Franke David , Düster Alexander , Rank Ernst
Published: March 2009

Contact analyses are being performed in various engineering applications. Here, like in most other fields, FE codes are based on low order elements using linear or quadratic shape functions. The intention of this paper is to show that finite elements with shape functions of high polynomial degree (p‐FEM) are a very attractive alternative to low order elements, even for computational contact mechanics. One of the advantages is the possibility to enhance the element formulation with the blending function method in order to accurately discretize the given geometry, which leads in combination with high convergence rates to very efficient computations. In order to solve the problem of frictionless contact, a penalty formulation is applied in this work. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A Piezoelectric Finite Shell Element for the Geometrically Nonlinear Analysis of Sensors
Authors: Schulz Katrin , Klinkel Sven , Wagner Werner
Published: March 2009

A geometrically nonlinear finite element formulation to analyze piezoelectric shell structures is presented. The formulation is based on the mixed field variational functional of Hu–Washizu. Within this variational principle the independent fields are displacements, electric potential, strains, electric field, stresses and dielectric displacements. The mixed formulation allows an interpolation of the strains and the electric field through the shell thickness, which is an essential advantage when using a three dimensional material law. It is remarked that no simplification regarding the constitutive relation is assumed. The normal zero stress condition and the normal zero dielectric displacement condition are enforced by the independent resultant stress and resultant dielectric displacement fields. The shell structure is modeled by a reference surface with a four node element. Each node possesses six mechanical degrees of freedom, three displacements and three rotations, and one electrical degree of freedom, which is the difference of the electric potential through the shell thickness. The developed mixed hybrid shell element fulfills the in–plane, bending and shear patch tests, which have been adopted for coupled field problems. A numerical investigation of a smart antenna demonstrates the applicability of the piezoelectric shell element under the consideration of geometrical nonlinearity. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
An asymmetric Mixed Finite Element for incompressible Elasticity based on a modified Least‐Squares Formulation
Authors: Schwarz Alexander , Schröder Jörg
Published: March 2009

The main goal of this work is to derive a mixed finite element for quasi incompressible elastic problems at small strains. Basis for the element formulation is a weak form resulting from a least–squares method, see e.g. Jiang [1]. Therefore, the L2‐norm minimization of the residuals of the given first order system of differential equations leads to a functional depending on displacements, strains and stresses. In this context an enrichment of the strain space is introduced and the respective weak form is derived. The proposed approach differs from a classical least–squares method in the elimination of the additional strains on element level. As a consequence the resulting matrices become asymmetric. This reduction results in a two field formulation related to displacements and stresses. The approximation of these unknows follows the same procedures as for a conventional least–squares method, see e.g. Cai & Starke [2] or Schwarz & Schröder [6]. At the end a numerical examples for quasi incompressible elasticity is presented. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
3D Numerical Analysis of Concrete Degradation at Macrostructure Level
Authors: Wawrzynek Andrzej , Pilśniak Jerzy
Published: March 2009

This work was intended as an attempt to assess the degradation of compressed concrete sample with regard to heterogeneity. The aim of this paper is to estimate of microdamages in heterogeneous materials as such as concrete. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Polyconvex Models for Arbitrary Anisotropic Materials
Authors: Ebbing V. , Schröder J. , Neff P.
Published: March 2009

In this work we provide polyconvex models for arbitrary anisotropic materials. The fundamental idea is the introduction of second–order, symmetric and positive definite structural tensors which are motivated by some basic crystallographic geometric relations. The deduced invariant functions automatically satisfy the polyconvexity condition and ensure the requirement of a stress free reference configuration. Restrictions coming along with the polyconvexity condition and the usage of second–order structural tensors will be pointed out. Furthermore the results of three representative fittings show the adaptability of the proposed models for the description of real anisotropic material behavior. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of initial pre‐compression of corrugated paperboard cushions on shock attenuation characteristics in repetitive impacts
Authors: Garcia‐Romeu‐Martinez M. A. , Sek M. A. , Cloquell‐Ballester V.A.
Published: March 2009

The use of paper as a cushioning material is motivated by its environmental advantage over polymeric materials such as expanded polystyrene. Various studies have been conducted to investigate the capability of corrugated paperboard (CPB) to act as cushioning materials for protective packaging. The studies have normally focused on performance of cushions and effects of climatic conditions on the shock attenuation in the first drop. However, no information is available to show that CPB can be engineered to produce a cushioning element with good shock attenuation in repetitive impacts. This study investigates the deterioration of the shock attenuation characteristics of CPB cushions in consecutive impacts. A series of cushion‐test style experiments on multilayer cushion pads made entirely from CPB were conducted. Each cushion was first subjected to 20 impacts, followed by simulated warehousing in a climatic chamber, and then the additional 15 impacts. The effect of initial pre‐compression strain introduced in the process of making cushion pads is discussed and demonstrated. The performance of cushions was judged not only by the maximum acceleration of shocks. Entire recorded shock pulses and calculated corresponding shock response spectra were analysed and are presented as 3D maps in order to reveal trends that occur when a cushion is subjected to multiple drops. The paper shows that the level of pre‐compression has an important effect on the degree of deterioration of cushion performance after multiple drops. As an example, the maximum acceleration for a pad pre‐compressed to 95% strain increased by less than 20% between the 1st and the 35th drop. In contrast, for 80% pre‐compression, the increase was 300%. It was found that the selection of optimum static stress should be made in conjunction with the expected number of impacts in order to optimize the cushion performance. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Confirmatory adaptive designs with Bayesian decision tools for a targeted therapy in oncology
Authors: Brannath Werner , Zuber Emmanuel , Branson Michael , Bretz Frank , Gallo Paul , Posch Martin , Racine‐Poon Amy
Published: March 2009

The ability to select a sensitive patient population may be crucial for the development of a targeted therapy. Identifying such a population with an acceptable level of confidence may lead to an inflation in development time and cost. We present an approach that allows to decrease these costs and to increase the reliability of the population selection. It is based on an actual adaptive phase II/III design and uses Bayesian decision tools to select the population of interest at an interim analysis. The primary endpoint is assumed to be the time to some event like e.g. progression. It is shown that the use of appropriately stratified logrank tests in the adaptive test procedure guarantees overall type I error control also when using information on patients that are censored at the adaptive interim analysis. The use of Bayesian decision tools for the population selection decision making is discussed. Simulations are presented to illustrate the operating characteristics of the study design relative to a more traditional development approach. Estimation of treatment effects is considered as well. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.