bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The differences between hard and soft skills and their relative impact on training transfer
Authors: Laker Dennis R. , Powell Jimmy L.
Published: March 2011

Most research and conceptualizing of training transfer assumes that the content of the training is irrelevant in whether or not or to what extent transfer is successful. The singular perspective that all training is the same when it comes to issues of training transfer is misguided. This is especially true for the types of training that have been traditionally referred to as hard‐skills (technical) and soft‐skills (intrapersonal and interpersonal) training. It is hypothesized that this singular perspective of making no differentiation between hard and soft skills can actually hinder training transfer. It is the contention of this article that this perspective masks significant differences between these two forms of training and the extent to which each transfers to the job. Anecdotal evidence has emphasized that soft‐skills training is significantly less likely to transfer from training to the job than hard‐skills training. Soft‐skills training, rather than hard‐skills training, has primarily been discussed in the HRD literature. This is easily reflected in reviews of the training‐transfer literature. Consequently, from this perspective, the work on training transfer has almost been exclusively based upon soft‐skills training. This focus on soft skills may be warranted by the specific difficulty in transferring soft skills (intrapersonal and interpersonal) rather than hard skills (technical). This lack of soft‐skill transfer results in an extremely costly waste of time, energy, and money. This article discusses differences that are hypothesized to exist between hard‐ (technical) and soft‐ (intrapersonal and interpersonal) skills training that we believe impact the degree of training transfer achieved. It is our belief that differentiating between hard and soft skills may add greatly to our understanding of training transfer and additional ways of its facilitation. This article also contends that development of a more robust and comprehensive model of training transfer must consider training content.
The Work Cognition Inventory: Initial evidence of construct validity
Authors: Nimon Kim , Zigarmi Drea , Houson Dobie , Witt David , Diehl Jim
Published: March 2011

Contemporary literature lacks a comprehensive set of constructs that provides for understanding both the organizational and job factors that influence employee work passion. Through a detailed analysis of literature, this research identifies eight constructs that form the basis for the appraisal of an employee's work experience with the use of both a job and an organizational focus. This article reports on the development and validation of a new instrument (Work Cognition Inventory) that measures the identified constructs. Data from three studies provide initial evidence of construct validity, discriminant validity, and convergent validity. Implications for the human resource development practitioner and future research are discussed.
Trends of stomach cancer mortality in Eastern Asia in 1950–2004: comparative study of Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore using age, period and cohort analysis
Authors: Tanaka Masahiro , Ma Enbo , Tanaka Hideo , Ioka Akiko , Nakahara Toshitaka , Takahashi Hideto
Published: March 2011

To characterize the temporal trends of stomach cancer mortality in Eastern Asia and to better interpret the causes of the trends, we performed age, period and cohort analysis (APC analysis) on the mortality rates in Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore during 1950–2004, as well as the rates in the US as a control population. For the APC analysis, Holford's approach was used to avoid the identification problem. Age‐standardized mortality rates (ASMR) decreased consistently in all four areas during the observation period in both males and females. Japan had the highest ASMR in both sexes, followed by Singapore, Hong Kong and the US, but the differences in ASMR among the four areas diminished with time. The results of APC analysis suggested that the decreasing mortality rates in Eastern Asia were caused by the combination of decreasing cohort effect since the end of the 1800s and decreasing period effect from the 1950s. The US showed similar results, but its decreases in the period and cohort effect preceded those of Eastern Asia. Possible causes for the decrease in the cohort effect include improvement in the socioeconomic conditions during childhood and a decrease in the prevalence of H. pylori infection, while possible causes for the decrease in the period effect include a decrease in dietary salt intake and improvements in cancer detection and treatment. These findings may help us to predict future changes in the mortality rates of stomach cancer.
DNA methylation‐mediated silencing of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug‐activated gene (NAG‐1/GDF15) in glioma cell lines
Authors: Kadowaki Mitsutoshi , Yoshioka Hiroki , Kamitani Hideki , Watanabe Takashi , Wade Paul A. , Eling Thomas E.
Published: March 2011

Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug‐activated gene, NAG‐1, a transforming growth factor‐β member, is involved in tumor progression and development. The association between NAG‐1 expression and development and progression of glioma has not been well defined. Glioblastoma cell lines have lower basal expression of NAG‐1 than other gliomas and normal astrocytes. Most primary human gliomas have very low levels of NAG‐1 expression. NAG‐1 basal expression appeared to inversely correlate with tumor grade in glioma. Aberrant promoter hypermethylation is a common mechanism for silencing of tumor suppressor genes in cancer cells. In glioblastoma cell lines, NAG‐1 expression was increased by the demethylating agent, 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine. To investigate whether the NAG‐1 gene was silenced by hypermethylation in glioblastoma, we examined DNA methylation status using genomic bisulfite sequencing. The NAG‐1 promoter was densely methylated in several glioblastoma cell lines as well as in primary oligodendroglioma tumor samples, which have low basal expression of NAG‐1. DNA methylation at two specific sites (−53 and +55 CpG sites) in the NAG‐1 promoter was strongly associated with low NAG‐1 expression. The methylation of the NAG‐1 promoter at the −53 site blocks Egr‐1 binding and thereby suppresses Nag‐1 induction. Treatment of cells with low basal NAG‐1 expression with NAG‐1 inducer also did not increase NAG‐1. Incubation with a demethylation chemical increased Nag‐1 basal expression and subsequent incubation with a NAG‐1 inducer increased NAG‐1 expression. We concluded from these data that methylation of specific promoter sequences causes transcriptional silencing of the NAG‐1 locus in glioma and may ultimately contribute to tumor progression.
Promoter methylation and expression of MGMT and the DNA mismatch repair genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 in paired primary and recurrent glioblastomas
Authors: Felsberg Jörg , Thon Niklas , Eigenbrod Sabina , Hentschel Bettina , Sabel Michael C. , Westphal Manfred , Schackert Gabriele , Kreth Friedrich Wilhelm , Pietsch Torsten , Löffler Markus , Weller Michael , Reifenberger Guido , Tonn Jörg C. ,   for the German Glioma Network
Published: March 2011

Epigenetic silencing of the O6‐methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene promoter is associated with prolonged survival in glioblastoma patients treated with temozolomide (TMZ). We investigated whether glioblastoma recurrence is associated with changes in the promoter methylation status and the expression of MGMT and the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 in pairs of primary and recurrent glioblastomas of 80 patients, including 64 patients treated with radiotherapy and TMZ after the first operation. Among the primary tumors, the MGMT promoter was methylated in 31 patients and unmethylated in 49 patients. In 71 patients (89%), the MGMT promoter methylation status of the primary tumor was retained at recurrence. MGMT promoter methylation, but not MGMT protein expression, was associated with longer progression‐free survival, overall survival and postrecurrence survival (PRS). Moreover, PRS was increased under salvage chemotherapy. Investigation of primary and recurrent glioblastomas of 43 patients did not identify promoter methylation in any of the four MMR genes. However, recurrent glioblastomas demonstrated significantly lower MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 protein expression as detected by immunohistochemistry. In conclusion, reduced expression of MMR proteins, but not changes in MGMT promoter methylation, is characteristic of glioblastomas recurring after the current standards of care.
Cervical screening participation and risk among Swedish‐born and immigrant women in Sweden
Authors: Azerkan Fatima , Sparén Pär , Sandin Sven , Tillgren Per , Faxelid Elisabeth , Zendehdel Kazem
Published: March 2011

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide, although cervical screening has reduced the incidence in many high‐income countries. Low screening uptake among immigrant women may reflect differences in risk of cervical cancer. We investigated the degree of participation in cervical screening among immigrant and Swedish‐born women and their concurrent risk of cervical cancer based on individual information on Pap smears taken both from organized and opportunistic screening. Mean degree of participation in cervical screening was estimated for women between 23 and 60 years from 1993 to 2005, stratified by birth region and age at migration. In Poisson regression models, we estimated relative risks (RRs), incidence rates and incidence rate ratios of cervical cancer for women adhering or not to the cervical screening program. We also assessed effect of adherence to screening on the risk of cervical cancer among immigrant groups compared to Swedish‐born women. The degree of participation was 62% and 49% among Swedish‐born and immigrant women, respectively, with large variations between immigrant groups. Participation was lowest among those immigrating at older ages. Swedish‐born and immigrant women who where nonadherent to the cervical screening program had a fivefold excess risk of cervical cancer compared to adherent women. After adjustment for screening adherence, excess RRs of cervical cancer were statistically significant only for women from Norway and the Baltic States. Participation to screening is lower among immigrant than Swedish‐born women, and adherence to the recommended screening intervals strongly prevents cervical cancer.
The effect of methylmercury exposure on early central nervous system development in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo
Authors: Hassan S. A. , Moussa E. A. , Abbott L. C.
Published: March 2011

Much attention is focused on environmental contamination by heavy metals. The heavy metal mercury is found worldwide and is ranked number 3 on the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act substance list. We examined the effect of low‐level methylmercury exposure on central nervous system development of wild‐type zebrafish embryos (ZFEs) of the AB strain because methylmercury is the most common form of mercury to which humans are exposed in the environment. ZFEs were exposed to nine different concentrations of methylmercury [0 (negative control), 5, 10, 50, 80, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 parts per billion (μg l−1)] starting at 6 h post‐fertilization, which is the time the neural tube is first beginning to form. ZFEs were exposed to 2% ethanol as positive controls (100% embryonic death). ZFEs were assessed at 30, 54, 72 and 96 h post‐fertilization for changes in embryonic development, mortality, time of hatching and morphological deformities. No abnormalities were observed in ZFEs exposed to 5 μg l−1 methylmercury. The time of hatching from the chorion was delayed in ZFEs exposed to methylmercury concentrations of 50 μg l−1 or higher. Significantly more ZFEs exposed to 0, 5 or 10 μg l−1 methylmercury successfully completed hatching compared with ZFEs exposed to 50 μg l−1 or higher methylmercury. ZFEs exposed to more than 200 μg l−1 methylmercury exhibited 100% embryonic mortality. The rate of cell proliferation within the neural tube was significantly decreased in embryos exposed to 10, 50 and 80 μg l−1 methylmercury and there were no differences between these doses. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pathologic calcification of adult vascular smooth muscle cells differs on their crest or mesodermal embryonic origin
Authors: Leroux-Berger Margot , Queguiner Isabelle , Maciel Thiago T , Ho Andrew , Relaix Frédéric , Kempf Hervé
Published: March 2011

Vascular calcifications can occur in the elderly and in patients suffering from various diseases. Interestingly, depending on the pathology, different regions of the arterial system can be affected. Embryonic observations have clearly indicated that vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) origin is notably heterogeneous. For instance, in the aorta, VSMCs colonizing the aortic arch region derive from cardiac neural crest cells, whereas those populating the descending aorta derive from the mesoderm. We examined here whether the embryonic origin of aortic VSMCs would correlate with their ability to mineralize. Under hyperphosphatemic conditions that induce vascular calcifications, we performed ex vivo aortic explant cultures as well as in vitro VSMC cultures from wild-type mice. Our data showed that VSMC embryonic origin affects their ability to mineralize. Indeed, the aortic arch media made up of VSMCs of neural crest origin calcifies significantly earlier than the descending aorta composed of VSMCs, which are mesoderm-derived. Similar results were obtained with cultured VSMCs harvested from both aortic regions. We also demonstrated that in a mouse model deficient in matrix Gla protein, a potent calcification inhibitor, developing extensive and spontaneous medial calcifications of the aorta, lesions initiate in the aortic arch. Subsequently, calcifications progress outside the aortic arch region and ultimately spread all over the entire arterial tree, including the descending aorta. Altogether, our results support an unsuspected correlation between VSMCs of embryonic origin and the timing of appearance of calcifications. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
GPRC6A mediates responses to osteocalcin in β-cells in vitro and pancreas in vivo
Authors: Pi Min , Wu Yunpeng , Quarles L Darryl
Published: March 2011

A bone-pancreas endocrine loop has been identified recently that involves insulin secreted from β-cells in the pancreas stimulating insulin receptors in osteoblasts, leading to osteoblastic differentiation and increased secretion of osteocalcin (Ocn), a bone-derived hormone that regulates insulin secretion in β-cells. The identity of the Ocn-sensing receptor in β-cells is a missing component of this endocrine loop. The abnormalities in glucose homeostasis in Gprc6a null mice suggests that this pertussis toxin–sensitive G protein–coupled receptor is a candidate for mediating the effects of Ocn on insulin secretion in the pancreas. In support of this possibility, we found that transfection of non-Gprc6a-expressing HEK-293 cells with a full-length Gprc6a cDNA imparted a dose-dependent response to Ocn (5 to 60 ng/mL), as measured by PKD1 and ERK phosphorylation. In addition, Gprc6a is highly expressed in mouse pancreatic tissue and in the mouse TC-6 pancreatic β-cell line. Ocn also stimulated ERK activity in TC-6 pancreatic β-cells. Finally, intraperitoneal injection of Ocn stimulated ERK activity in the pancreas and increased serum insulin levels in wild-type mice, but these responses were markedly attenuated in Gprc6a−/− mice. These findings suggest that GPRC6A is a candidate for mediating the response to Ocn in the bone-pancreas endocrine loop regulating insulin signaling. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Structural, electronic, bonding, and elastic properties of NH3BH3: A density functional study
Authors: Lingam Ch. Bheema , Babu K. Ramesh , Tewari Surya P. , Vaitheeswaran G.
Published: March 2011

The structural, electronic, bonding, and elastic properties of the low‐temperature orthorhombic phase of NH3BH3 are studied by means of first‐principles total energy calculations based on the pseudopotential method. The calculated structural parameters of NH3BH3 are found to be in good agreement with the experimental values. From the band structure calculations, the compound is found to be an indirect bandgap insulator with the bandgap of 5.65 eV (5.90 eV) with LDA(GGA) along the Γ‐Z direction. The Mulliken bond population and the charge density distributions are used to analyze the chemical bonding in NH3BH3. The study reveals that B–H bonds are more covalent than N–H bonds. The elastic constants are predicted for ambient as well as pressures up to 6 GPa, from which theoretical values of all the related mechanical properties such as bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, and anisotropy factors are calculated. It is found that NH3BH3 is mechanically stable at ambient and also external pressures up to 6 GPa. As pressure increases all the calculated elastic moduli of NH3BH3 increase, indicating that the compound becomes more stiffer and hard under pressure. From the ratio of shear modulus to bulk modulus (G/B), we conclude NH3BH3 to be ductile in nature, and the ductility increases with pressure. The present results confirm the experimentally observed less plastic nature of the low‐temperature phase of NH3BH3. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Positive and negative cognitive style correlates of the vulnerability to hypomania
Authors: Dempsey Robert C. , Gooding Patricia A. , Jones Steven H.
Published: March 2011

Specific forms of ruminative cognitive styles and self‐appraisals have been implicated in the development of bipolar symptomatology. This study investigated the associations between measures of positive and negative forms of appraisals and rumination with vulnerability to hypomania, and also investigated the conceptual overlap between these measures in terms of the responses to emotional experiences captured. Hypomania vulnerability was predicted by measures of positive cognitive styles, whilst current depressive symptoms were explained by scores on measures of negative cognitive styles in an analogue sample of 353 participants. A principal components analysis conducted upon the rumination and appraisal measures yielded three components representing positive and negative cognitive styles, and a normalizing of symptoms component. The implications of these results are discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 67:673–690, 2011.
Diffusion of benzene and toluene into aqueous nitric acid‐sulphuric acid mixtures
Authors: Hanson Carl , Ismail Hamed A. M.
Published: March 2011

Diffusion coefficients of toluene and benzene into aqueous mixtures of nitric and sulphuric acids have been measured at 30°C by use of a laminar jet technique. Equations are presented which correlate the data in terms of the acid concentrations and permit extrapolation to acid mixtures of interest for industrial mononitration reactions. The results show the expected dependence on viscosity of the acid phase and are in agreement with values predicted by the Wilke and Chang correlation.
Model studies on mixtures of particles
Authors: Scully D. B.
Published: March 2011

The proportional standard deviation for a number of binary mixtures has been calculated. The mixtures are taken to have a basic cubic structure, each cube containing particles of one kind only. As the cubes contain progressively increasing numbers of particles, the mixture becomes less well mixed and the proportional standard deviation increases to a limiting value.
Studies on the electrosynthesis of organic compounds: II. Reducibility of some Schiff's bases on lead and copper cathodes
Authors: Osman Abdel Megid , El‐Cheikh Fathallah , Khalill Zarif H. , Khodair Ahmed I.
Published: March 2011

The electrochemical reducibility of some Schiff's bases was studied on copper and lead cathodes. The effects of different substituents and the nature of the cathode material on the reduction efficiency of these compounds were investigated. The products of reduction were found to catalyse the reduction process itself leading to an increase of reducibility (reduction efficiency) with time.
Polyol surfactants derived from moringa seed oil for potential use in the pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Sengupta Anupam , Basu Saumyapriya P.
Published: March 2011

Two polyol surfactants ((a) a crude product of 60% monoglyceride content and (b) a homogeneous sorbitan ester) have been prepared by alcoholysis from the not well known edible Moringa concanensis seed oil. These products constituted mainly oleic acid, which will be suitable for utilisation in the pharmaceutical industry. The optimum conditions of glycerolysis of the moringa seed oil have also been found.
Energetics of fungal growth: The effect of growth‐limiting substrate on respiration of Penicillium chrysogenum
Authors: Mason Hugh R. S. , Righelato Renton C.
Published: March 2011

In sucrose‐limited culture of Penicillium chrysogenum the growth yields, corrected for maintenance, for sucrose and oxygen, at dilution rates below 0.05 h−1, were 86 g dry biomass/mol hexose and 39 g dry biomass/mol O2. Similar yields have been observed with other moulds and with yeasts. In oxygen‐limited culture the yield from oxygen was two to three times higher and the yield from sucrose about 10% higher than in sucrose‐limited culture. In phosphate‐limited cultures the respiration rate was unaffected by oxygen concentrations between 0.06 and 0.18 bar and by the concentration of sucrose in the medium between 0.1 m and 0.3 m. The excess of sucrose over the growth requirement was metabolised to organic acids, predominantly malate and gluconate. The results suggest that, in the presence of excess oxygen, the respiration rate is controlled by the biosynthetic demand for energy.
Selection of strains of Penicillium chrysogenum with reduced penicillin yields in continuous cultures
Authors: Righelato Renton C.
Published: March 2011

In sucrose‐limited chemostat cultures of high‐yielding strains of Penicillium chrysogenum the ability to produce penicillin was progressively lost. Subcultures from the chemostats on to agar showed a progressive increase in the proportion of non‐conidiating colonies, designated the D‐phenotype, which produced low yields of penicillin in shake‐flask tests. When the growth‐limiting substrate was ammonia, phosphate or sulphate, production of penicillin was maintained and the D‐phenotype did not appear. However, when a mutant with the D‐phenotype was inoculated into an ammonia‐limited culture of the parent strain, it quickly displaced the parent. The mutant had a yield constant for ammonia 44% higher than had the parent. The conclusion reached is that growth‐limitation by the carbon source is necessary for the occurrence of the mutation or for the initial stages of selection.
Long‐chain alkyl phthalic acids and their derivatives
Authors: Carson Phillip A. , Lapper Mark
Published: March 2011

The synthesis of alkyl phthalic acids by the oxidation of alkyl ortho‐xylenes is described. The evaluation of their derivatives as detergent actives (surfactants), builders (water softeners), fabric‐softeners and as PVC plasticisers is discussed. A brief mention is made of some aspects of their biodegradation.
Isolation of fatty acids from an egyptian petroleum
Authors: Khodair Ahmed I. , Abdel‐Wahab Aboel‐Magd A.
Published: March 2011

A mixture of straight‐chain fatty acids (from C7 to C19) was isolated from an Egyptian petroleum via extractive crystallisation with urea. Although the total acidic content in Egyptian petroleum is low, the fatty acids constitute at least 32% of the total acids. n‐Pentadecanoic and n‐nonadecanoic acids were isolated for the first time from petroleum acids by a sequence involving fractional distillation of the methyl esters, extractive crystallisation with urea and recrystallisation of amide derivatives.
Synthesis and study of dyeing properties of some new silicon‐containing anthraquinone dyes
Authors: Metwally Saoud A. M.
Published: March 2011

Silicon‐containing dyes based on the 2‐methylanthraquinone chromophore have been prepared by interaction of γ‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane with 2‐(substituted methyl) anthraquinones. These dyes are amorphous glass‐like solids and their possible applications, particularly to glass fibres, have been examined.
Thermal decomposition and pore structure of pure and doped stannic oxide gel
Authors: Mikhail Raouf Sh. , Selim Suzy A. , Zeidan Farouk I.
Published: March 2011

The surface properties of a stannic oxide gel and its thermal dehydration products obtained both in vacuo and in the presence of air in the temperature range 100–600°C have been examined by N2 adsorption. Phase and structural changes have been followed by differential thermal analysis and X‐ray diffractometry. Complete pore structure analysis showed that samples dehydrated at or below 250°C were microporous. Above 250°C the pores were found to widen with increase of temperature, the widening occurring concurrently with the crystallisation process. Doping with cations of lower valency (Li+ and Al3+) than the host cation (Sn4+) had little effect on the pore structure and specific surface area for the low temperature samples (≤250°), whereas at higher temperatures, e.g. 600°C, it increased the specific area remarkably. The dope ions produce oxygen vacancies and hinder or retard sintering in SnO2.
Thermal decomposition of uranium peroxide hydrates
Authors: Sato Taichi
Published: March 2011

The thermal decomposition of uranium peroxide hydrates, UO4·4H2O and UO4·2H2O, has been investigated by thermal analyses, X‐ray diffraction study and infrared spectroscopy. As a result, it is concluded that the thermal decomposition of uranium peroxide hydrates proceeds in the following sequence:

magnified image

where 3 ≤ x ≤ 3.5.
Analysis of immobilised multi‐enzyme reaction systems with Michaelis‐Menten kinetics
Authors: Ramachandran P. A. , Krishna R. , Panchal C. B.
Published: March 2011

The consecutive sequence of reactions S → P1 → P2 taking place inside a permeable spherical particle is analysed for the case in which the enzyme‐catalysed steps in the reaction follow Michaelis‐Menten type kinetics. The case in which each step in the reaction is inhibited by its product is also considered. The theoretical analysis takes into account both interparticle and intraparticle diffusional limitations and utilises an orthogonal collocation technique to obtain the effectiveness factor and selectivity of the reaction sequence. The orthogonal collocation method is found to be both convenient and simple and the analysis should prove useful in the design of immobilised multi‐enzyme reactors.
Some cultural conditions for the production of puromycin by Streptomyces alboniger
Authors: Shaheen Ahmed B. , Abou‐Zeid Abou‐Zeid A. , El‐Diwany Ahmed I.
Published: March 2011

A simple synthetic medium was used in the fermentative production of puromycin to investigate the efficiencies of certain ingredients in stimulating the organism for higher yield. Addition of certain amino acids, especially L‐histidine, L‐glutamic acid, L‐proline, L‐aspartic acid, DL‐methionine, L‐leucine, β‐alanine, L‐isoleucine, DL‐alanine, L‐tyrosine and L‐glycine, increased the antibiotic yield compared with the control. Lactic acid was more suitable for antibiotic production than the other organic acids used, i.e. maleic, acetic, malic, tartaric and fumaric acids. Addition of certain vitamins, namely cobalamin (vitamin B12), nicotinic acid, vitamin B1 and folic acid, did not markedly increase the antibiotic yield. Certain trace elements, such as zinc, copper, iron, manganese and cobalt, played an important role in the biosynthesis of puromycin by Streptomyces alboniger NRRL B‐2403. The optimum concentrations of these trace elements were 0.2000, 0.0020, 0.0005, 0.3000, and 0.0050 g/litre respectively. The optimum concentration of K2HPO4 favouring biosynthesis of puromycin was 1.5 g/litre. The amino acids formed in the microbial cells of Streptomyces alboniger NRRL B‐2403 during the production of puromycin in the synthetic medium were determined quantitatively. Generally, all the amino acids recorded appeared in the microbial cells.
Study of some sulphur‐group solvents for aromatics extraction by gas chromatography
Authors: Rawat Bachan S. , Gulati Indar B. , Mallik Kanai Lal
Published: March 2011

Nineteen organosulphur solvents have been studied by gas chromatography as potential solvents for the extraction of aromatics. The activity coefficients of nine typical hydrocarbon solutes have been determined in these solvents at three temperatures. From the activity coefficient data, the selectivities of all the solvents have been calculated for benzene with respect to each of the other hydrocarbons in order to screen them for extraction studies. Solvent losses in the g.c. column were also studied.
Kinetics of the reaction of hafnium tetrachloride vapour with solid sodium chloride
Authors: Majumdar Sibnath , Ray Hemshanker S. , Kapur Prakash C.
Published: March 2011

The kinetics of the reaction of hafnium tetrachloride vapour with solid sodium chloride spheres to form sodium hexachlorohafnate have been studied as a function of pressure, temperature and sphere size. The course of the reaction was followed by weight gain measurements in an all‐glass closed system using a quartz spring. Various kinetic models for gas‐solid reactions were tested against the experimental data. Only the Carter‐Valensi kinetic model gave a consistently good fit. Possible reaction mechanisms are discussed in the light of the pressure and temperature dependence of the specific rate constant in the Carter‐Valensi model and in the inert marker experiments.
Impurity deposition from an evaporated solvent and its effect on steel oxidation
Authors: Emsley Alan M. , Hill Malcolm P.
Published: March 2011

It is shown that the evaporation of an organic solvent from a solid surface can result in the concentration of dissolved or suspended impurities at specific sites. Concentric ring patterns of the contaminant, which remain on the surface when evaporation is complete, can be explained by analogy with the spreading of liquid films. Trace hydrocarbon impurities can be concentrated on mild steel surfaces in this way, giving similar ring patterns in the early stages of the oxidation reaction in high pressure carbon dioxide atmospheres. Excessive localised oxidation occurs leading to the early development of oxide nodules.
Infrared measurement of total fatty acids in blood serum
Authors: Quintard Bernadette , Desbals Pierrette , Quintard Pierre
Published: March 2011

Quantitative determination of total fatty acids in rabbit blood serum is achieved using the infrared absorption band, associated with the C=0 stretching vibration at 1713 cm−1 (5.84 μm). Different tests are described to show the validity of this method for a wide range of variation in total concentration and in individual percentages of any one fatty acid. The results are treated by statistical methods, and it is found that infrared analysis is five times more sensitive than methods described previously. This accurate technique, which can be applied to other serums has, for example, been applied to disclose a systematic error in the preparation of total fatty acid samples when nitrogen flushing is not used.
A kinetic study of the reaction between terephthalic acid and ethylene oxide at atmospheric pressure
Authors: Bhatia Subhash , Rao M. Gopala , Rao M. Someswara
Published: March 2011

The kinetics of the reaction of terephthalic acid with ethylene oxide, in n‐butanol solvent, catalysed by triethyl amine, were investigated in a semi‐batch reactor under atmospheric conditions. It was found that the reaction occurred in the liquid phase and that mass transfer effects were absent. The reaction was found to be pseudo‐zero order in terephthalic acid and first order in ethylene oxide and in catalyst concentration. The effects of reaction temperature, catalyst concentration, particle size of terephthalic acid, ethylene oxide flow rate, stirrer speed and terephthalic acid to ethylene oxide ratio were studied. Particle size of terephthalic acid, stirrer speed and flow rate of ethylene oxide did not affect the reaction rate. The Arrhenius activation energy of the reaction was found to be between 19.2 and 23.5 kcal/mol.
Copper complexes of some tetra‐ and pentapeptides containing polyfunctional amino acids
Authors: El‐Naggar Ahmed M. , Zaher Mahmoud R. , El‐Salam Abd‐Elmonem Abd
Published: March 2011

Copper complexes of some tetra‐ and pentapeptides [(I)‐(VI)] containing lysine and ornithine are spectrophotometrically examined. It is shown that all tetra‐ and pentapeptides form red or reddish violet copper complexes with λmax 515–540 nm, and copper‐peptide ratio 1:1. The results achieved confirmed that the N6‐amino group of the lysine residues or the N5‐amino group of the ornithine residues do not participate in complex formation of tetra‐ and pentapeptides even when lysine or ornithine form the N‐terminal amino acid in the peptide.
Sonographic appearance of the normal appendix in children
Authors: Ozel Alper , Orhan Umut Percem , Akdana Burhan , Disli Cagatay , Erturk Sukru Mehmet , Basak Muzaffer , Karpat Zeki
Published: March 2011

Purpose.

To determine the visualization rate of the appendix in children without appendicitis and investigate factors affecting it.

Methods.

Between January 2010 and April 2010, 205 consecutive children (103 boys and 102 girls; mean age: 9 years) without clinical signs of appendicitis were examined by ultrasound (US). The location of appendix was determined. The outer appendiceal diameter with and without compression was measured and the content of the lumen and mural vascularity on color Doppler was determined. The appendix diameter was correlated with age, weight, and height using Pearson correlation. For age, weight, and height, children with a visualized appendix were compared with those in whom the appendix was not visualized using Student's t test.

Results.

The appendix was visualized in 142 of 205 (69.3%) children. The mean diameters of the appendices without and with compression were 4.2 ± 0.9 mm and 3.5 ± 0.8 mm, respectively, with 53.5% of the appendices in the mid‐pelvic location. Appendiceal lumen was empty in 35.2% of children. Only one appendix showed mural vascularity on color Doppler. There was no correlation between the diameter (compressed or noncompressed) of the appendix and age, weight, or height. Mean ± SD age, weight, and height of the children with a visualized appendix (8.6 ± 0.3 years, 29.9 ± 0.9 kg, 127.7 ± 1.7 cm, respectively) were significantly lower than those in children with a nonvisualized appendix (9.8 ± 0.4 years, 36.0 ± 1.8 kg, 134.7 ± 2.5 cm, respectively) (p < 0.05 for all three parameters).

Conclusion.

In the majority of the children, the appendix can be visualized with US. Age, weight, and height affect the visualization rate of the normal appendix. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011
Sonographic appearance of a giant appendicular mucocele
Authors: Attarde Vinod , Patil Parag , Apte Abhang , Barhate Kishor , Gandhe Ashish , Sorte Satish , Hattangadi Namit
Published: March 2011

Mucocele of the appendix is a rare but well‐known entity. Accurate preoperative diagnosis of this surgically curable entity is very important to prevent intraoperative rupture. With multimodality approach using ultrasound and CT, it has been possible to preoperatively diagnose mucocele of the appendix. We describe the ultrasound and CT findings of a giant appendicular mucocele that led us to the correct preoperative diagnosis. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 2011;
Novel hybrid analysis method for via structure in microwave multilayer circuits
Authors: Tian Yu , Tong Ling , Li Hailiang
Published: March 2011

A novel hybrid analysis method including physical modeling approach is presented for the single complete via structure in this paper. The via structure can be decomposed into two types of different sub‐structures: the interior structure and the exterior structure. The characteristic of the interior structure consisting of the vertical via hole between reference planes is solved using the enhanced quasi‐static method which takes into account the effect of parallel plates. The characteristic of the exterior structure is solved by the improved matrix‐penciled fent method. Then the scattering parameters of the complete via structure can be obtained from the result of the exterior and the interior structure. In order to validate the correctness and the accuracy, the comparison results between the hybrid method and Ansoft's HFSS software are displayed for some microwave multilayer circuits with different layer numbers and different boundary conditions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A circuit model of an ultra wideband impulse radar system for breath‐activity monitoring
Authors: Pisa Stefano , Bernardi Paolo , Cavagnaro Marta , Pittella Erika , Piuzzi Emanuele
Published: March 2011

The aim of this work is to present a circuit model to analyze and design ultra wideband (UWB) radars for the remote monitoring of breath activity. The model includes the impulse signal source, the transceiver antenna, the transmission medium, and the human thorax. First of all, the proposed model has been validated by comparing its responses with those achieved both numerically, with a commercial electromagnetic modeling software, and experimentally, by means of a setup based on an indirect time domain reflectometry system. Then, the model has been used for analyzing the feasibility of a UWB radar operating in the 3–6‐GHz range with an effective isotropic radiated power lower than − 41.3 dBm/MHz, i.e. within the limits issued by the United States Federal Communications Commission for unlicensed UWB imaging systems. The model outlined the possibility of the considered UWB radar of monitoring the breath activity of a subject up to distances of about 10 m in open air. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trends in long daily rainfall series of Lombardia (northern Italy) affecting urban stormwater control
Authors: Todeschini S.
Published: March 2011

Analyses of six daily rainfall series (Milano, Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Mantova, and Sondrio) are used to assess trends in yearly precipitation behaviour (precipitation height and number of wet days; precipitation height and number of wet days for different classes of daily precipitation; precipitation height related to one wet day; number of dry days between wet days) over Lombardia, northern Italy. The time series analysis was performed with two non‐parametric rank based tests: the Mann Kendall test and Sen's estimator of slope. Also a new and advantageous procedure that combines a time series model and Bayesian statistics through the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method of Gibbs sampling is adopted to model trends. Globally, the different methods detect the same tendencies. The results point toward a significant decreasing trend in the annual number of wet days and an increasing tendency in the mean and maximum precipitation height related to one day, with a generalized increasing tendency for the number of dry days between wet days. These trends affect the rainfall runoff process and the pollutant dynamics on urban areas and in drainage systems and could provoke a significant efficacy reduction of existing urban quantity and quality control systems. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Intra‐seasonal variability over the northeastern highlands of Tanzania
Authors: Kijazi Agnes L. , Reason C. J. C.
Published: March 2011

The intra‐seasonal variability of rainfall over the northeastern Highlands (NEH) of Tanzania during the March, April, May (MAM) rainfall season and associated circulation anomalies have been studied for selected wet and dry years. Station rainfall data were used to extract the onset, peak, and cessation dates of the rainfall season and National Center for Atmospheric Research/National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP/NCAR) data were used to study the atmospheric circulation features associated with the intra‐seasonal variability. It was found that the anomalously wet MAM seasons over the NEH of Tanzania tend to result from an earlier onset of the rains and a late cessation and thus, a longer‐than‐average rainfall season, whereas, dry years were characterized by a shorter‐than‐average duration of the rains. The moisture flux plots indicate that the composite wet MAM seasons were associated with advection of moisture from both the Indian Ocean and the Congo Basin. For the dry MAM seasons, a cyclonic anomaly off the Somali coast leads to southerly moisture flux anomalies over Kenya and westerly anomalies over the Indian Ocean which, together with easterly moisture flux anomalies over the Congo Basin, act to divert and transport low‐level moisture away from Tanzania.

Lag correlations between time series of moisture over the Congo (0–8°S; 20–29°E) and MAM rainfall over the NEH indicated a phase locking of the two variables that occurred during the years with larger rainfall anomalies. A significant correlation was observed two months before the onset of the rainfall season in January that indicates that some predictability of the MAM seasonal rainfall total based on the Congo Basin zonal wind may exist. However, given the constraints of the available data and the regional atmospheric circulation, it is possible that additional predictors may be required when developing forecast models of the MAM seasonal rainfall. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Atmospheric circulations associated to the interannual variability of cumulonimbus cloud frequency in the southern part of Romania
Authors: Paraschivescu M. , Rambu N. , Stefan S.
Published: March 2011

Especially in summer time, Romania is affected by deep convections associated with severe weather phenomena (hail, wind gusts, flash floods, frequent thunder).

The interannual variability of the Cb (cumulonimbus) cloud frequency recorded at 20 weather stations from the southern part of Romania in the 1961–2007 interval was investigated in connection with the atmospheric circulation variability.

Using the Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) three types of atmospheric circulations have been identified that control about 60% of the interannual variability of the Cb cloud frequency.

The three types of identified circulations facilitate warm and moist air advection from the Mediterranean, and cold air advection from northern Europe towards the south of Romania, creating conditions for Cb clouds to occur. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Use of allogeneic scaffold‐free chondrocyte pellet in repair of osteochondral defect in a rabbit model
Authors: Cheuk Yau‐Chuk , Wong Margaret Wan‐Nar , Lee Kwong‐Man , Fu Sai‐Chuen
Published: March 2011

Cell‐based therapies are currently being used in treating osteochondral defect (OCD), but technical advances are needed to tackle the problems of scaffold and grafting technique. This study aimed to test the potential of allogeneic scaffold‐free bioengineered chondrocyte pellet (BCP) in treating OCD. BCP was fabricated from rabbit costal cartilage and implanted into 3 mm × 3 mm OCD in medial femoral condyle of 20 rabbits. Samples were harvested at 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks for histology, histological scoring and histomorphometric analysis. At treated side, cartilage score was significantly better at week 4 (p = 0.027), and cartilage thickness measured in histomorphometric analysis was significantly thicker at week 4 (p = 0.028) and week 16 (p = 0.028) compared to the empty controls. At treated side, bone score remained significantly lower from week 8 onwards (p = 0.024 at week 8, p = 0.02 at week 16) whereas bone area was significantly smaller from week 4 onwards compared to the empty controls (p = 0.028 at week 4, 8, 16). No immunorejection was observed throughout the experiment. The results demonstrated that the BCP enhanced cartilage repair at early stage. Press‐fitting of allogeneic BCP was a simple method for OCD repair without immunorejection. Further optimization of the treatment is required before clinical application. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29: 1343–1350, 2011
Novel quinazoline HMJ‐30 induces U‐2 OS human osteogenic sarcoma cell apoptosis through induction of oxidative stress and up‐regulation of ATM/p53 signaling pathway
Authors: Chiu Yu‐Jen , Hour Mann‐Jen , Lu Chi‐Cheng , Chung Jing‐Gung , Kuo Sheng‐Chu , Huang Wen‐Wen , Chen Hui‐Jye , Jin Yi‐An , Yang Jai‐Sing
Published: March 2011

Human osteogenic sarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor. Despite of the success of frontline therapy, about 40% of patients have disease progression and further therapy is palliative and toxic. In this study, we developed a novel quinazoline HMJ‐30 to investigate the cell growth inhibition and apoptotic responses in U‐2 OS human osteogenic sarcoma cells. Our results demonstrated that HMJ‐30 significantly reduced cell viabilities of U‐2 OS, HOS, and 143B cells in a dose‐dependent manner, but it exhibited low cytotoxicity in normal hFOB cells. HMJ‐30 induced DNA damage and apoptosis in U‐2 OS cells as revealed by morphologic changes, comet assay and DAPI staining. Immuno‐staining, colorimetric assays, and Western blotting analyses indicated that activities of caspase‐8, caspase‐9, and caspase‐3 and the levels of Bcl‐2 family‐related proteins (Bcl‐2, Mcl‐1, Bax, BAD, and t‐Bid) were altered in HMJ‐30‐treated U‐2 OS cells. Pretreatment of cells with caspase‐8, ‐9, and ‐3 specific inhibitors significantly reduced the cell growth inhibition. HMJ‐30‐induced apoptosis was mediated through both death‐receptor and mitochondria‐dependent apoptotic pathways in U‐2 OS cells. HMJ‐30 induced early phosphorylation of p53Ser18 was through the activation of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) in U‐2 OS cells. The cell growth inhibition by HMJ‐30 was substantially attenuated either by the pre‐incubation of U‐2 OS cells with N‐acetylcysteine (NAC, an antioxidant) and caffeine (an ATM kinase inhibitor) or by p53 knockdown via RNAi. In conclusion, ROS dependent‐ATM/p53 signaling pathway is involved in HMJ‐30‐induced apoptosis in U‐2 OS cells. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29: 1448–1456, 2011
Quantifying aggregate stability of a clay soil under annual forage crops
Authors: Yakupoglu Tugrul , Basaran Ugur , Ozdemir Nutullah , Acar Zeki
Published: March 2011

This study explored the influence of 10 annual forage legumes belonging to the Lathyrus and Vicia genera on wet aggregate stability (WAS) and dispersion ratio (DR) indices of a clay soil. Five Lathyrus and five Vicia species were sown in autumn. Seed‐to‐seed and row‐to‐row distance was maintained at 5 cm and 20 cm, respectively. The experiment was planned in a randomized block design with three replications. After 90 d following seed harvest, soil cores were collected from two depths (0–15, 15–30 cm) in each plot and WAS and DR were determined. Annual forage legumes increased WAS of the soil but decreased the DR index. The WAS and DR values were affected at level of p < 0.001 by genus, species, and soil depth. Values of WAS and DR of the control plots without plant on the average were found to be 44.5% and 9.3% for 0–15 cm, and 41.2% and 10.1% for 15–30 cm, respectively. For 0–15 cm depth, the highest WAS (77.7%) and the lowest DR (6.4%) values were found in L. sphaericus L. (wild) plots. For 15–30 cm depth, the highest WAS value (62.6%) was obtained in L. annuus L. (wild) plots and the lowest DR value (6.7%) was in L. sativus L. (Gurbuz‐2001) plots.