bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determining Optimal Transport Routes of Inland Waterway Container Ships
Authors: Maraš Vladislav
Published: November 2008

The transport routes of chartered container ships or tows in inland waterway transport are investigated in this paper. The optimal values of parameters that influence the efficient utilization of these ships or tows or business success of a container shipping company with available container ships of this kind in its fleet are also determined. These parameters include size of container ship on a certain route, number of containers loaded or unloaded at each port on a route, ship speed, realized revenues, costs and profit, and others. The proposed model helps in evaluating whether an inland waterway container ship or tow should be chartered or not. The optimal values of all parameters, based on the developed mixed-integer linear programming model, are determined by using LINGO, specialized software for mathematical programming.
Scheduling of Waterway Projects with Complex Interrelations
Authors: Wang Shiaau-Lir , Schonfeld Paul
Published: November 2008

A model is developed for selecting and scheduling interrelated waterway projects. It considers multiple alternatives, which may be implemented at different times, for each lock site, subject to budget constraints. This large combinatorial problem is analyzed with a simulation-based optimization model, in which simulation is used to evaluate alternative project schedules. A genetic algorithm is developed to solve the problem efficiently, subject to constraints on project multiplicity and precedence.
Transportation Demand and Volume Sensitivity
Authors: Train Kenneth , Wilson Wesley W.
Published: November 2008

Transportation demands typically involve a mode and a volume decision. This paper focuses on the volume decision and the adjustments of volume to changes in rates, transit times, and reliability. Demanders are confronted with a change in each of these attributes and state whether their volumes would change and if they would change, by how much. The model is estimated with Heckman's procedure. In the first stage, the probability of whether an adjustment occurs is estimated as a function of firm attributes, and in the second stage, the level of adjustment is estimated. The data consist of a recent (2006) survey of grain shippers in the Upper Mississippi and Illinois River Valleys. The results suggest that whether an adjustment occurs is affected by storage capacity and rail-car loading capacity. The magnitude of the adjustment, given that it occurs, is driven by the magnitude of the change in rates, time, and reliability. The estimates imply moderate elasticities with respect to rate changes and smaller elasticities with respect to time and reliability. To capture the effects of spatial competition among elevators, two different types of rate changes were considered. These are rate changes that apply only to the shipper and not its competitors and rate changes that apply to both the shipper and its competitors. As expected, the former tends to have a larger effect than the latter.
Synthesis with Nitriles: Synthesis of Some New Mercaptopyridazine, Mercaptopyridazino[1,6-a]quinazoline and Thiophene Derivatives
Authors: Al-Sheikh Mariam  A.
Published: November 2008

2-(1-(4-Bromophenyl)-2-thiocyanatoethylidene)malononitrile (3) undergoes azo coupling with diazotized aromatic amines to afford arylhydrazone derivatives, which are readily cyclized to afford the corresponding 3(2H)-pyridazinimine derivatives upon reflux in aqueous NaOH. Under similar condition an o-cyanoarylhydrazone derivative was cyclized into 6H-pyridazino[1,6-a]quinazolin-6-imine, which in turn was easily transformed into 6H-pyridazino[1,6-a]quinazolin-6-one on reflux in ethanolic/HCl. Compound 3 afforded substituted 5-acetylthiophene derivatives upon reflux in AcOH/HCl mixtures.
A Novel Vehicle Classification Using Embedded Strain Gauge Sensors
Authors: Zhang Wenbin , Wang Qi , Suo Chunguang
Published: November 2008

This paper presents a new vehicle classification and develops a traffic monitoring detector to provide reliable vehicle classification to aid traffic management systems. The basic principle of this approach is based on measuring the dynamic strain caused by vehicles across pavement to obtain the corresponding vehicle parameters – wheelbase and number of axles – to then accurately classify the vehicle. A system prototype with five embedded strain sensors was developed to validate the accuracy and effectiveness of the classification method. According to the special arrangement of the sensors and the different time a vehicle arrived at the sensors one can estimate the vehicle’s speed accurately, corresponding to the estimated vehicle wheelbase and number of axles. Because of measurement errors and vehicle characteristics, there is a lot of overlap between vehicle wheelbase patterns. Therefore, directly setting up a fixed threshold for vehicle classification often leads to low-accuracy results. Using the machine learning pattern recognition method to deal with this problem is believed as one of the most effective tools. In this study, support vector machines (SVMs) were used to integrate the classification features extracted from the strain sensors to automatically classify vehicles into five types, ranging from small vehicles to combination trucks, along the lines of the Federal Highway Administration vehicle classification guide. Test bench and field experiments will be introduced in this paper. Two support vector machines classification algorithms (one-against-all, one-against-one) are used to classify single sensor data and multiple sensor combination data. Comparison of the two classification method results shows that the classification accuracy is very close using single data or multiple data. Our results indicate that using multiclass SVM-based fusion multiple sensor data significantly improves the results of a single sensor data, which is trained on the whole multisensor data set.
Usage of Underground Space for 3D Cadastre Purposes and Related Problems in Turkey
Authors: Aydin Cevdet  C.
Published: November 2008

Modern cities have been trying to meet their needs for space by using not only surface structures but also by considering subsurface space use. It is also anticipated that without planning of underground spaces for supporting surface city life in the years and generations to come, there will be serious and unavoidable problems with growing populations. The current Turkish cadastral system, including land right registrations, has been trying to meet users’ needs in all aspects since 1924. Today Turkey’s national cadastre services are carried out by the General Directorate of Land Titles and Cadastre (TKGM). The Cadastre Law, Number 3402, was approved in 1985 to eliminate problems by gathering all existing cadastral regulations under one law and also to produce 3D cadastral bases to include underground spaces and determine their legal status in Turkey. Although the mandate for 3D cadastre works is described and explained by the laws, until now the bases have been created in 2D and the reality is that legal gaps and deficiencies presently exist in them. In this study, the usage of underground spaces for the current cadastral system in Turkey was briefly evaluated, the concept of 3D cadastral data is examined and the need for using subsurface and 3D cadastre in addition to the traditional 2D register system, related problems and registration are mentioned with specific examples, but without focusing on a specific model.
Quantifying Cutting and Wearing Behaviors of TiN- and CrNCoated AISI 1070 Steel
Authors: Cakan Ahmet , Ozkaner Vedat , Yildirim Mustafa M.
Published: November 2008

Hard coatings such as titanium nitride (TiN) and chromium nitride (CrN) are widely used in cutting and forming tools against wear and corrosion. In the present study, hard coating films were deposited onto AISI 1070 steels by a cathodic arc evaporation plating (CAVP) technique. These samples were subjected to wear in a conventional lathe for investigating the tribological behaviour of coating structure, and prenitrided subsurface composition was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), line scan analyses and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The wear properties of TiN- and CrNcoated samples were determined using an on-line monitoring system. The results show that TiN-coated samples demonstrate higher wear resistance than CrN-coated samples.
Classification Metrics for Improved Atmospheric Correction of Multispectral VNIR Imagery
Authors: Richter Rudolf
Published: November 2008

Multispectral visible/near-infrared (VNIR) earth observation satellites, e.g., Ikonos, Quickbird, ALOS AVNIR-2, and DMC, usually acquire imagery in a few (3 – 5) spectral bands. Atmospheric correction is a challenging task for these images because the standard methods require at least one shortwave infrared band (around 1.6 or 2.2 µm) or hyperspectral instruments to derive the aerosol optical thickness. New classification metrics for defining cloud, cloud over water, haze, water, and saturation are presented to achieve improvements for an automatic processing system. The background is an ESA contract for the development of a prototype atmospheric processor for the optical payload AVNIR-2 on the ALOS platform.
Mesoscale Near-Surface Wind Speed Variability Mapping with Synthetic Aperture Radar
Authors: Young George , Sikora Todd , Winstead Nathaniel
Published: November 2008

Operationally-significant wind speed variability is often observed within synthetic aperture radar-derived wind speed (SDWS) images of the sea surface. This paper is meant as a first step towards automated distinguishing of meteorological phenomena responsible for such variability. In doing so, the research presented in this paper tests feature extraction and pixel aggregation techniques focused on mesoscale variability of SDWS. A sample of twenty eight SDWS images possessing varying degrees of near-surface wind speed variability were selected to serve as case studies. Gaussian high- and low-pass, local entropy, and local standard deviation filters performed well for the feature extraction portion of the research while principle component analysis of the filtered data performed well for the pixel aggregation. The findings suggest recommendations for future research.
Controles de la fracturación en Tablate (Lecrín, Provincia de Granada, Cadena Bética)
Authors: Sanz de Galdeano C.
Published: November 2008

La formación de las fracturas del área de Tablate (situada en el tránsito de la cuenca de Granada al corredor de las Alpujarras) fue controlada por el levantamiento de Sierra Nevada ocurrido a partir del Mioceno superior. En consecuencia, la dirección de extensión se acerca a la que se produjo al sur de Sierra Nevada y las características de los elipsoides de paleoesfuerzos son congruentes con el levantamiento. Por otra parte, existen dos controles locales en el desarrollo de las fracturas menores: hay una neta influencia de la litología, particularmente en el paso de niveles formados por sedimentos detríticos finos a otros gruesos y, además, cambios locales del esfuerzo producen un diferente grado de fracturación.
Aggressive and prosocial children's emotion attributions and moral reasoning
Authors: Malti Tina , Gasser Luciano , Buchmann Marlis
Published: November 2008

Aggressive and prosocial children's emotion attributions and moral reasoning were investigated. Participants were 235 kindergarten children (M=6.2 years) and 136 elementary‐school children (M=7.6 years) who were selected as aggressive or prosocial based on (kindergarten) teacher ratings. The children were asked to evaluate hypothetical rule violations, attribute emotions they would feel in the role of the victimizer, and justify their responses. Compared with younger prosocial children, younger aggressive children attributed fewer negative emotions and were more likely to provide sanction‐oriented justifications when evaluating rule violations negatively. Furthermore, age‐, gender‐ and context‐effects in moral development occurred. The context‐effects included both effects of transgression type (i.e., prosocial morality vs. fairness) on emotion attributions and moral reasoning and the effects of the context of moral evaluation and emotion attribution on moral reasoning. Findings are discussed in terms of the role of emotion attributions and moral reasoning as antecedents of children's aggressive and prosocial behavior. Aggr. Behav. 35:90–102, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Robust control of depth of anesthesia
Authors: Dumont Guy A. , Martinez Arturo , Ansermino J. Mark
Published: November 2008

This paper presents a systematic procedure to design both robust PID controllers and robust controllers based on fractional calculus (based on Commande Robuste d'Ordre Non Entier, or CRONE methodology) to regulate the hypnotic state of anesthesia with the intravenous administration of propofol. The objective of the controllers is to provide an adequate drug administration regimen for propofol to avoid under or over dosing of the patients. The controllers are designed to compensate for the patients inherent drug–response variability (uncertainty), to achieve good output disturbance rejection, and to attain good set point response. The performance of the controllers is assessed by calculating typical time domain measures and using the median PE, median absolute PE, divergence, and wobble. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanostructured Biomaterials for Regeneration
Authors: Wei Guobao , Ma Peter X.
Published: November 2008

Biomaterials play a pivotal role in regenerative medicine, which aims to regenerate and replace lost/dysfunctional tissues or organs. Biomaterials (scaffolds) serve as temporary 3D substrates to guide neo tissue formation and organization. It is often beneficial for a scaffolding material to mimic the characteristics of extracellular matrix (ECM) at the nanometer scale and to induce certain natural developmental or/and wound healing processes for tissue regeneration applications. This article reviews the fabrication and modification technologies for nanofibrous, nanocomposite, and nanostructured drug‐delivering scaffolds. ECM‐mimicking nanostructured biomaterials have been shown to actively regulate cellular responses including attachment, proliferation, differentiation, and matrix deposition. Nanoscaled drug delivery systems can be successfully incorporated into a porous 3D scaffold to enhance the tissue regeneration capacity. In conclusion, nanostructured biomateials are a very exciting and rapidly expanding research area, and are providing new enabling technologies for regenerative medicine.
Optimization of the mechanical properties of a hydrotreating catalyst in the impregnating and drying processes
Authors: Wu Dongfang , Zhou Jiancheng , Li Yongdan
Published: November 2008

The Taguchi method, a powerful tool to the optimization for quality, is used to improve the mechanical properties of a PCoMo/Al2O3 hydrotreating catalyst in the impregnating and drying processes. An orthogonal array is selected to analyze the effects of the process factors, i.e., impregnating temperature, impregnating time, drying temperature, and drying time. Through this study, not only can the main process factors that affect the mean strength and the Weibull modulus be found, but also the optimal factor levels can be obtained. Results show that the drying temperature is the most significant process factor affecting both the mean strength and the Weibull modulus. It has been shown that the mean strength, Weibull modulus, and mechanical reliability of the hydrotreating catalyst can be improved significantly with the optimization of the impregnating and drying process factors. Experimental results are also provided to confirm the effectiveness of the Taguchi method. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Granular mixing and segregation in a horizontal rotating drum: A simulation study on the impact of rotational speed and fill level
Authors: Arntz M. M. H. D. , den Otter W. K. , Briels W. J. , Bussmann P. J. T. , Beeftink H. H. , Boom R. M.
Published: November 2008

The rich phase behavior of granular beds of bidisperse hard spherical particles in a rotating horizontal drum is studied by Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations. Several flow regimes and various forms of radial segregation, as well as mixing, are observed by systematically varying the operational parameters of the drum, i.e. fill level and angular velocity, over a wide range. Steady states after several dozen revolutions are summarized in two bed behavior diagrams, showing strong correlations between flow regime and segregation pattern. An entropy method quantifies the overall degree of mixing, while density and velocity plots are used to analyze the local properties of the granular bed. The percolation mechanism may provide a qualitative explanation for the distinct segregation processes, and for the transient mixing in nonradially segregated beds. Initially blockwise segregated beds are found to mix before radial segregation sets in. High fill fractions (>65%) show the most intense segregation. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Altered cytokine profiles in patients with Chuvash polycythemia
Authors: Niu Xiaomei , Miasnikova Galina Y. , Sergueeva Adelina I. , Polyakova Lydia A. , Okhotin Daniel J. , Tuktanov Nikolai V. , Nouraie Mehdi , Ammosova Tatiana , Nekhai Sergei , Gordeuk Victor R.
Published: November 2008

Chuvash polycythemia results from a homozygous 598C>T mutation in exon 3 of the von Hippel‐Lindau (VHL) gene. This disrupts the normoxia pathway for degrading hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)‐1α and HIF‐2α causing altered expression of HIF‐1 and HIF‐2 inducible genes. As hypoxia induces expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, we hypothesized that there might be an elevation of Th1 cytokines in the setting of Chuvash polycythemia. We analyzed plasma concentrations of Th1 (interleukins‐2 and 12, interferon‐γ, granulocyte‐monocyte colony‐stimulating factor, tumor necrosis factor‐α) and Th2 cytokines (interleukins‐4, 5, 10, and 13) using the Bio‐Plex multiplex suspension array system in 34 VHL598C>T homozygotes and 32 VHL wild‐type participants from Chuvashia. Concentrations of all the Th1 and Th2 cytokines measured were elevated in the VHL598C>T homozygotes compared with the control wild‐type participants, but the ratios of Th1 to Th2 cytokines did not differ by genotype. In parallel, peripheral blood concentrations of CD4 positive T‐helper cells and CD4/CD8 ratio were lower in the VHL598C>T homozygotes. In conclusion, the up‐regulated hypoxic response in Chuvash polycythemia is associated with increased plasma products of both the Th1 and Th2 pathways, but the balance between the two pathways seems to be preserved. Am. J. Hematol., 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serum BLyS levels increase after rituximab as initial therapy in patients with follicular grade 1 non‐Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Ansell Stephen M. , Novak Anne J. , Ziesmer Steven , Price‐Troska Tammy , LaPlant Betsy , Dillon Stacey R. , Witzig Thomas E.
Published: November 2008

Serum B‐lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) levels are elevated in a subset of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients, particularly those with a family history of B‐cell malignancies or a polymorphism in the BLyS gene. BLyS promotes growth of malignant B‐cells and increased serum BLyS levels are associated with a poor clinical outcome. In this study, BLyS levels were measured before and after 4 weekly doses of rituximab in 30 patients with previously untreated follicular Grade 1 NHL. A significant increase was seen in the serum levels of BLyS (P = 0.0001) after rituximab therapy. The increase was independent of genetic variability in the BLyS gene. Am. J. Hematol., 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genome‐wide association scan of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Neale Benjamin M. , Lasky‐Su Jessica , Anney Richard , Franke Barbara , Zhou Kaixin , Maller Julian B. , Vasquez Alejandro Arias , Asherson Philip , Chen Wai , Banaschewski Tobias , Buitelaar Jan , Ebstein Richard , Gill Michael , Miranda Ana , Oades Robert D. , Roeyers Herbert , Rothenberger Aribert , Sergeant Joseph , Steinhausen Hans Christoph , Sonuga‐Barke Edmund , Mulas Fernando , Taylor Eric , Laird Nan , Lange Christoph , Daly Mark , Faraone Stephen V.
Published: November 2008

Results of behavioral genetic and molecular genetic studies have converged to suggest that genes substantially contribute to the development of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a common disorder with an onset in childhood. Yet, despite numerous linkage and candidate gene studies, strongly consistent and replicable association has eluded detection. To search for ADHD susceptibility genes, we genotyped approximately 600,000 SNPs in 958 ADHD affected family trios. After cleaning the data, we analyzed 438,784 SNPs in 2,803 individuals comprising 909 complete trios using ADHD diagnosis as phenotype. We present the initial TDT findings as well as considerations for cleaning family‐based TDT data. None of the SNP association tests achieved genome‐wide significance, indicating that larger samples may be required to identify risk loci for ADHD. We additionally identify a systemic bias in family‐based association, and suggest that variable missing genotype rates may be the source of this bias. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Familial dyskinesia and facial myokymia (FDFM): Follow‐up of a large family and linkage to chromosome 3p21‐3q21
Authors: Raskind Wendy H. , Matsushita Mark , Peter Beate , Biberston Jeffrey , Wolff John , Lipe Hillary , Burbank Ruben , Bird Thomas D.
Published: November 2008

We previously reported a five‐generation family manifesting an autosomal dominant disorder of facial myokymia and dystonic/choreic movements (FDFM). The dyskinetic episodes are initially paroxysmal but may become constant. With increasing age they may lessen or even disappear. The previous study excluded nine candidate genes chosen for their association with myokymia or chorea and two regions containing single or clustered ion channel genes. We now report identification by whole genome linkage analysis of a broad region on chromosome 3p21‐3q21 that segregates with the disease in all 10 affected members in three generations who participated in the study. GENEHUNTER‐MODSCORE Version 2.0.1 provided a maximum multipoint LOD score of 3.099. No other disorders primarily characterized by myokymia, dystonia, or chorea are known to map to this region. Identification of additional families with FDFM may narrow the critical region and facilitate the choice of candidate genes for further analysis. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genome‐widely significant evidence of linkage of schizophrenia to chromosomes 2p24.3 and 6q27 in an SNP‐Based analysis of Korean families
Authors: Hong Kyung Sue , Won Hong‐Hee , Cho Eun‐Young , Jeun Hyun Ok , Cho Sang‐Seon , Lee Yu‐Sang , Park Dong Yeon , Jang Yong Lee , Choi Kyeong‐Sook , Lee Dongsoo , Kim Min‐Ji , Kim Seonwoo , Han Wou Sang , Kim Jong‐Won
Published: November 2008

The present study reports the results of a genome‐wide SNP linkage scan for schizophrenia in the Korean population. Fifty‐six multiplex schizophrenia families were analyzed. Clinical evaluations on all subjects were consistently performed by raters in a single research team. Multipoint non‐parametric linkage analysis was performed, and empirical simulations were generated to determine genome‐wide significance. The authors found genome‐widely significant evidence of linkage for schizophrenia to chromosomes 2p24.3 (NPL Z = 3.18) and 6q27 (NPL Z = 2.90). Six other chromosomal regions, that is, 3q24, 13q12.3, 18q22.3, 20p12.2, 4p14, and 1p36.12, yielded NPL Z scores of above 2.0 for either broad or narrow phenotype classes. Although linkage to these loci has not received prominent attention in studies on Caucasian families, multiple overlaps were observed between our loci (on 2p, 3q, and 13q) and linkage peaks generated from extended families in various isolated populations. Fine mappings and the detection of candidate genes within these regions are warranted. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Numerical computation of the fiber diameter of melt blown nonwovens produced by the inset die
Authors: Chen Ting , Zhang Chong , Chen Xia , Li Liqing
Published: November 2008

Melt blowing is used commercially as a one‐step process for converting polymer resin directly into a nonwoven mat of microfibers. The inset die is often used to produce polymeric fibers in the melt blowing process. The air jet flow field model for the dual slot inset die is established. The flow field model is solved by using the finite difference method. The numerical computation results of the air velocity distribution coincide with the experimental data. Then the air drawing model of polymers in the melt blowing process established in our previous research is solved with the aid of simulation results of the air jet flow field. The final fiber diameter of the nonwoven fabrics predicted by the air drawing model of polymers tallies with the experimental data. The results show the great potential of this research for the computer assisted design of melt blowing technology and equipment. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Evaluation of flexible postconsumed polyurethane foams modified by polystyrene grafting as sorbent material for oil spills
Authors: A. Tanobe V. O. , Sydenstricker T. H. D. , Amico S. C. , Vargas J. V. C. , Zawadzki S. F.
Published: November 2008

This work studies the possibility of reusing flexible postconsumed polyurethane foams modified by grafting with polystyrene as a sorbent material for the mitigation of oil spills. Different foams were evaluated via crude oil sorption and retention experiments, density, and morphological analyses. The foams with the best performance were chemically modified by grafting with polystyrene under different conditions (initiator concentration, styrene volume, and reaction time) in a system initiated by oxi‐reduction of Ce(IV) from an amoniacal ceric nitrate solution. A three‐level factorial design was used to study the influence of the variables. The foams were characterized via spectroscopy (XPS/ESCA and infrared) and water and oil sorption. Foam modification via grafting with polystyrene showed to be a viable alternative to increase its oil sorption ability. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Anionic copolymerization of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A with Meldrum's acid derivatives initiated by 4‐(N,N‐dimethylamino) pyridine
Authors: González Lidia , Ramis Xavier , Salla Josep Maria , Mantecón Ana , Serra Angels
Published: November 2008

The anionic copolymerization of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A with 2,2,5,5‐tetramethyl‐4,6‐dioxo‐1,3‐dioxane or 6,6‐dimethyl‐(4,8‐dioxaspiro[2.5]octane‐5,7‐dione) with 4‐(N,N‐dimethylamino) pyridine as an initiator to form thermosets was studied with differential scanning calorimetry, and the kinetics were evaluated with isoconversional procedures. The evolution during the curing process of the epoxide, lactone, and linear ester bands was evaluated with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the attenuated total reflection mode to clarify the reactions taking place. The shrinkage during curing, thermomechanical properties, and thermal degradability of the materials obtained by copolymerization with the different derivatives of Meldrum's acid were evaluated and related to the chemical structure of the final network. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Cloning, characterization and expression of two glutathione S‐transferase cDNAs in the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana
Authors: Huang Yufen , Krell Peter J. , Ladd Tim , Feng Qili , Zheng Sichun
Published: November 2008

Two Choristoneura fumiferana glutathione S‐transferase cDNAs (CfGSTs4 and CfGSTd5) were cloned from a cDNA library constructed using mRNA from the midgut cell line, CF‐203. These cDNAs encoded two structurally different proteins with a predicted molecular mass of 23 and 24 kDa, respectively. Amino acid sequence analysis indicates that CfGSTs4 and CfGSTd5 contained Sigma and Delta GST domain, respectively. CfGSTs4 cDNA was expressed as a recombinant protein with the same molecular mass as predicted. Semi‐quantitative reverse‐transcription PCR analyses indicated that both of these genes were expressed in the epidermis, fat body, and midgut of the 6th instar larvae, as well as CF‐203 cells. CfGSTs4 was highly and almost constantly expressed in all tissues during the 6th instar stage. There were higher levels of CfGSTs4 protein in the midgut and fat body than in the epidermis. CfGSTd5 was expressed in the fat body when the insects underwent pupal molting and was constantly expressed in the epidermis and midgut during 6th instar development. CfGSTs4 expression was not affected by ecdysone agonist tebufenozide (RH5992), whereas CfGSTd5 expression was slightly suppressed by the compound. Arch Insect Biochem Physiol. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the Japanese fireflies Luciola lateralis and Luciola cruciata
Authors: Ohtsuki Hajime , Yokoyama Jun , Ohba Nobuyoshi , Ohmiya Yoshihiro , Kawata Masakado
Published: November 2008

Species‐specific flash patterns in firefly species are important for the investigation of the evolution of Lampyridae. Since nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is one of the key enzymes controlling flash patterns, we determined the cDNA sequences of NOS in the Japanese fireflies Luciola lateralis and L. cruciata. The identity of the NOS sequences was very high between these 2 species. Firefly NOS also exhibited a high identity with those of other insect species, and the cofactor‐binding domains were particularly well conserved. Many negatively selected sites were detected throughout the NOS sequences; however, no positive selection was detected. The phylogenetic relationship of insect NOS was different from that of the general classification system, although the lineages corresponded to the major recognized taxonomic groups. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interaction of proteins involved in ecdysone and juvenile hormone signal transduction
Authors: Bitra Kavita , Palli Subba Reddy
Published: November 2008

Ecdysteroids and juvenile hormones (JH) regulate a variety of developmental, physiological, behavioral, and metabolic processes. Ecdysteroids function through a heterodimeric complex of two nuclear receptors, ecdysone receptor (EcR) and ultraspiracle (USP). An 85 kDa protein identified in Drosophila melanogaster methoprene‐tolerant (Met) mutant binds to JH III with high affinity, and the mutant flies are resistant to juvenile hormone analog (JHA), methoprene. Reporter assays using the yeast two‐hybrid system were performed in order to study the molecular interactions between EcR, USP and Met. As expected, EcR fused to the B42 activation domain and USP fused to the LexA DNA binding domain interacted with each other and supported induction of the reporter gene in the presence of stable ecdysteroid analog, RG‐102240 or steroids, muristerone A and ponasterone A. The USP:USP homodimers supported expression of the reporter gene in the absence of ligand, and there was no significant increase in the reporter activity after addition of a JHA, methoprene. Similarly, Met:Met homodimers as well as Met:EcR and Met:USP heterodimers induced reporter activity in the absence of ligand and addition of ecdysteroid or JH analogs did not increase the reporter activity regulated by either homodimers or heterodimers of Met protein. Two‐hybrid assays in insect cells and in vitro pull‐down assays confirmed the interaction of Met with EcR and USP. These data suggest that the proteins that are involved in signal transduction of ecdysteroids (EcR and USP) and juvenile hormones (Met) interact to mediate cross‐talk between these two important hormones. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of a novel bursicon‐regulated transcriptional regulator, md13379, in the house fly Musca domestica
Authors: An Shiheng , Wang Songjie , Stanley David , Song Qisheng
Published: November 2008

Bursicon is a neuropeptide that regulates cuticle sclerotization (hardening and tanning) and wing expansion in insects via a G‐protein coupled receptor. The hormone consists of α and β subunits. In the present study, we cloned bursicon α and β genes in the house fly Musca domestica using 3' and 5' RACE and expressed the recombinant bursicon (rbursicon) heterodimer in mammalian 293 cells and insect HighfiveTM cells. The rbursicon displayed a strong bursicon activity in the neck‐ligated house fly assay. Using rbursicon, we identified and cloned a novel bursicon‐regulated gene in M. domestica encoding a transcriptional regulator homologous to ataxin‐7‐like3 in human, CG13379 in Drosophila and sgf11 in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We named the gene md13379. Both ataxin‐7‐like3 and sgf11 are a novel subunit of the SAGA (Spt‐Ada‐Gcn5‐Acetyltransferase) complex that is involved in regulation of gene transcription. Real‐time PCR analysis of temporal response profile revealed that the level of md13379 transcript was up‐regulated by 6.6 fold 1 h after rbursicon injection, which correlates well with the cuticle sclerotization process observed in the rbursicon‐injected flies. The composite data suggest that md13379 plays a role in regulating the expression of bursicon‐regulated genes involved in the cuticle sclerotization process. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polymerization of α‐Hydroxy Acids by Ribosomes
Authors: Ohta Atsushi , Murakami Hiroshi , Suga Hiroaki
Published: November 2008

Over 30 years ago, Fahnestock and Rich reported intriguing data showing the capability of the ribosome to polymerize phenyllactic acid. Although the polymerization was initiated and terminated randomly on polyuridic acids, the given data convincingly suggested that the generated polymer was composed of an approximately 7:3 mixture of phenyllactic acid and phenylalanine. Despite the fact that Fahnestock’s conclusion was very likely correct, there have been no reports to follow up the ribosome‐catalyzed polymerization of α‐hydroxy acids until very recently. At the end of 2007, we reported messenger RNA (mRNA)‐directed polyester synthesis by using the new emerging method of genetic‐code reprogramming in which α‐hydroxy acids with various kinds of side‐chains are assigned to arbitrarily chosen codons. In this work, we have achieved the ribosomal synthesis of polyesters with the sequence composition and length in a fully controlled manner according to the sequence of mRNA. This Concept article describes the background of the method development and its application to the synthesis of polyesters.
Application of multi‐block methods in cement production
Authors: Svinning Ketil , Høskuldsson Agnar
Published: November 2008

Compressive strength at 1 day of Portland cement as a function of the microstructure of cement was statistically modelled by application of multi‐block regression method. The observation X‐matrix was partitioned into four blocks, the first block representing the mineralogy, the second particle size distribution and the two last blocks the superficial microstructure analysed by differential thermo gravimetric analysis. The multi‐block method is used to identify the role of each part. The score vectors of each block can be analysed separately or together with score vectors of other blocks. Stepwise regression is used to find minimum number of variables of each block. The multi‐block method proved useful in determining the modelling strength of each data block and finding minimum number of variables within each data block. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chiral ureas with two electronegative substituents at 1‐N: An unusual case of coexisting pyramidal and almost planar 1‐N atoms in the same crystal
Authors: Shishkin Oleg V. , Shtamburg Vasiliy G. , Zubatyuk Roman I. , Olefir Dmitriy A. , Tsygankov Alexander V. , Prosyanik Alexander V. , Mazepa Alexander V. , Kostyanovsky Remir G.
Published: November 2008

XRD studies of structure of N‐acetoxy‐N‐methoxyurea and N,N‐bis(methoxycarbonyl)‐N‐methoxyimide have revealed that in N‐methoxy‐N‐X‐ureas (X = OAc, Cl, OMe, N+C5H5) the additional shortening of NOMe bond took place, which arising from an nO(Me)‐σ*NX anomeric orbital interaction. XRD studies of N‐chloro‐N‐ethoxyurea crystal have revealed the presence of two kinds of anomeric nitrogen configuration in the ONCl group in the form of a pyramidal configuration and a planar configuration for same 1‐N nitrogen atom. XRD studies of N‐4‐chlorobenzoyloxy‐N‐ethoxyurea have revealed that the degree of pyramidality of the 1‐N nitrogen in N‐aroyloxy‐N‐alkoxyureas is tuned by orientation of benzoyl group with respect to the NO bond, which in turn depends of size of N‐alkoxy group. Chirality, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Abscheidung von Feinstaub an Pflanzen bei niedrigen Strömungsgeschwindigkeiten
Authors: Reznik G. , Schmidt E.
Published: November 2008

Pflanzen können einen Beitrag zur Abtrennung von Feinstaub aus der Umgebungsluft leisten, wenn diese an‐ respektive umströmt werden. Dieses Abscheidevermögen konnte an stadttypischen Pflanzen und deren Imitaten im Labor partikelgrößenselektiv quantifiziert werden. Insbesondere bei geringen Anströmgeschwindigkeiten bis zu 0,02 m/s scheint eine bestimmte Bewuchsdichte notwendig zu sein, um eine nennenswerte Abscheidung zu erreichen. Nadeln scheiden dabei, bezogen auf die Kollektoroberfläche, besser ab als Blätter.
Mechanische Beanspruchungen in Mehrphasenreaktoren
Authors: Stintzing A. , Pilz R. D. , Hempel D. C. , Krull R.
Published: November 2008

Fluidinduzierte mechanische Beanspruchungen auf schersensible Systeme wurden anhand eines nichtbiologischen Ton/Polymer‐Flockensystems in Blasensäulen, Airlift‐Schlaufenreaktoren und Rührkesselreaktoren untersucht. Mittels des Flockensystems konnten semi‐empirische Korrelationsgleichungen für die Beanspruchungen in Mehrphasenreaktoren aufgestellt werden.
Prevalence and clinical impact of anaplasia in childhood rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Qualman Stephen , Lynch James , Bridge Julia , Parham David , Teot Lisa , Meyer William , Pappo Alberto
Published: November 2008

BACKGROUND.

Anapalsia is rare in childhood rhabdomyosarcoma and has not been included in the International Classification of Rhabdomyosarcoma (ICR). A recent review of cases from the Soft Tissue Sarcoma Committee of the Children's Oncology Group (COG) suggests that anaplasia might be more common than previously reported and may impact clinical outcome.

METHODS.

The prevalence of anaplasia (focal or diffuse) was prospectively assessed in 546 eligible cases who were registered in an Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study Group (IRSG) or COG therapeutic trial from 1995 through 1998. The incidence of anaplasia in tumor samples and its impact in predicting clinical outcome was assessed.

RESULTS.

Overall, 71 (13%) of all samples analyzed had anaplasia. Anaplasia was more common in patients with tumors in favorable sites and was less commonly observed in younger patients and in those with stage II, III, or clinical group III disease. Regardless of its distribution (focal or diffuse), on univariate analysis the presence of anaplasia negatively influenced the failure‐free survival rate (63% vs 77% at 5 years) and overall survival (68% vs 82% at 5 years) rates in patients with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. This effect was most pronounced in children with intermediate‐risk tumors. Anaplasia did not affect outcome in patients with alveolar tumors.

CONCLUSIONS.

The incidence of anaplasia in patients with rhabdomyosarcoma is higher than previously described and may be of prognostic significance in children with intermediate‐risk embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Thin‐Film Metal Hydrides
Authors: Remhof Arndt , Borgschulte Andreas
Published: November 2008

The goal of the medieval alchemist, the chemical transformation of common metals into nobel metals, will forever be a dream. However, key characteristics of metals, such as their electronic band structure and, consequently, their electric, magnetic and optical properties, can be tailored by controlled hydrogen doping. Due to their morphology and well‐defined geometry with flat, coplanar surfaces/interfaces, novel phenomena may be observed in thin films. Prominent examples are the eye‐catching hydrogen switchable mirror effect, the visualization of solid‐state diffusion and the formation of complex surface morphologies. Thin films do not suffer as much from embrittlement and/or decrepitation as bulk materials, allowing the study of cyclic absorption and desorption. Therefore, thin‐metal hydride films are used as model systems to study metal–insulator transitions, for high throughput combinatorial research or they may be used as indicator layers to study hydrogen diffusion. They can be found in technological applications as hydrogen sensors, in electrochromic and thermochromic devices. In this review, we discuss the effect of hydrogen loading of thin niobium and yttrium films as archetypical examples of a transition metal and a rare earth metal, respectively. Our focus thereby lies on the hydrogen induced changes of the electronic structure and the morphology of the thin films, their optical properties, the visualization and the control of hydrogen diffusion and on the study of surface phenomena and catalysis.
Gold(I) Iodide Catalyzed Sonogashira Reactions
Authors: Li Pinhua , Wang Lei , Wang Min , You Feng
Published: November 2008

Gold(I) iodide catalyzed Sonogashira reactions have been developed. Terminal alkynes reacted with aryl iodides and bromides smoothly in the presence of AuI (1 mol‐%) and dppf (1 mol‐%) in toluene to generate the corresponding cross‐coupling products in good to excellent yields. Furthermore, aromatic terminal alkynes could also react with 2‐iodoaniline to form substituted indoles in excellent yields through a coupling–cyclization reaction sequence under the present reaction conditions.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Single‐input divergent flow IEF for preparative analysis of proteins
Authors: Stastna Miroslava , Slais Karel
Published: November 2008

The instrument for continuous divergent flow IEF based on our principles set and outlined previously was further extended and tested. The separation and focusing area of a trapezoidal shape had a porous bed made from a nonwoven textile material with thickness decreasing from narrow input to wide output. A narrow end was used as a single input to continuously bring a single solution into separation space with a flow rate of 0.18 mL/min. Two pairs of electrodes were positioned close to both narrow and wide ends of the separation area with equilibrium state voltage of 75 V at the narrow input and 384 V at the wide output. Under dynamic equilibrium state, the zones of both pH gradient components and analytes were separated close to the input point and focused with increasing resolution while transporting through the separation space. The long‐term stability experiments had shown the suitability of the device for preparative analysis; the zones of pI markers, hemoglobin and cytochrome C remained focused and separated over 15 h with deviations from the mean focusing positions ranging from 1.26 to 3.96% of the bed output width.
A robust Cusum test for SETAR‐type nonlinearity in time series
Authors: Petruccelli Joseph D. , Onofrei Alina , Wilbur Jayson D.
Published: November 2008

As a part of an effective self‐exciting threshold autoregressive (SETAR) modeling methodology, it is important to identify processes exhibiting SETAR‐type nonlinearity. A number of tests of nonlinearity have been developed in the literature. However, it has recently been shown that all these tests perform poorly for SETAR‐type nonlinearity detection in the presence of additive outliers. In this paper, we develop an improved test for SETAR‐type nonlinearity in time series. The test is an outlier‐robust test based on the cumulative sums of ordered weighted residuals from generalized maximum likelihood fits. A Monte Carlo study confirms that the proposed test is competitive with existing tests for data from uncontaminated SETAR models and superior to them for SETAR data contaminated with additive outliers. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distribution of β‐dystroglycan immunopositive globules in the subventricular zone of rat brain
Authors: Adorjan Istvan , Kalman Mihaly
Published: November 2008

Present study demonstrates a novel localization of β‐dystroglycan in rat brain. Beside the meningeal surface and the cerebral vessels where β‐dystroglycan immunopositivity has been described, now immunopositive solid bodies were found at the basis of ependymocytes. Since they proved to be round in either coronal, sagittal, and horizontal section, revealing their globular shape, they received the term ‘globules.’ Double immunofluorescent labeling of GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) and β‐dystroglycan revealed that ‘globules’ are within the ‘cordon’ of subventricular astrocytes. The ‘globules’ were found throughout the ventricular system, except the ventral part and floor of the third ventricle. The latter one comprised the median eminence and extended caudally to the inframamillary recess. The area where the ‘globules’ were missing, corresponded to that where ependymocytes were replaced by GFAP‐immunopositive tanycytes. Utrophin and α‐dystrobrevin were co‐localized with dystroglycan, whereas α1‐syntrophin was detected along the borders of the ependymal cells. Comparing our results to former data, the ‘globules’ seem to be the anchoring places of the ‘fractons’ formed by laminin [Mercier et al. (2003) J Comp Neurol 455:324–340], which interconnect the vascular basal lamina and the ependymal layer. The ependymal localization of the ‘globules’ was proved by pre‐embedding electron microscopic immunohistochemistry. The ‘globules’ proved to be a labyrinthine structure, which seemed to be identical with the ‘basal membrane labyrinth’ described by Leonhardt [Leonhardt (1970) Z Zellforsch Mikrosk Anat 105:395–404]. The description of the β‐dystroglycan‐immunopositive ‘globules’ contributes to the better understanding of the structure of the subventricular zone where neurogenesis can occur during adulthood and provides an important link to the meningeo‐glial network. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of dietary caffeine on EEG, performance and mood when rested and sleep restricted
Authors: Keane Michael A. , James Jack E.
Published: November 2008

Rationale: Until recently, little account had been taken of the confounding effects of caffeine withdrawal and withdrawal reversal when examining the net effects of dietary caffeine. Objectives: By including a manipulation involving sleep restriction, the present study aimed to extend recent findings from research in which caffeine withdrawal and withdrawal reversal were controlled. The main aims of the study were to examine the net effects of caffeine, as well as its potential restorative effects following sleep restriction, on EEG, performance and mood. Method: A randomised cross‐over design was used in which 15 participants alternated weekly between ingesting placebo and caffeine (1.75 mg/kg) three times daily for four consecutive weeks following either usual sleep or sleep restriction. EEG activity was measured at 32 sites during eyes closed, eyes open and performance of a vigilance task. Results: Modest effects of caffeine were found in the delta and beta bandwidths, but no main effects of caffeine were observed in the theta or alpha bandwidths. Overall, the effects of caffeine on EEG activity were relatively few, weak and inconsistent, and no evidence was found of net restorative effects of caffeine for any outcome variables. Conclusions: The findings do not support the use of caffeine as a means for enhancing human function or as an antidote to the negative effects of sleep loss. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.