bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organized Household Production and the Emergence of the Sangha
Authors: Tyagi Jaya
Published: March 2008

This article attempts to trace social transformations that can be detected through the comparative study of early textual representations—Brahmanical and Buddhist. A comparative study of the early Grhyasutras (800 BCE–400 BCE) with some of the earliest portions of the Vinaya texts (400–200 BCE) is interesting as one can pinpoint shifts and changes within these texts which show that seemingly innocuous social transitions in matters related to production, reproduction and social interdependence at the micro level of the household and community, not only reflect larger trends at the level of the state and society but also have overarching social implications. The Grhyasutras have an emerging consciousness of the household as a social unit and the brahmanical compilers are anxious about how organization of production and reproduction within the household is to be regulated as they understand that the householder is crucial for creating social order. The Vinaya texts, rather than being anxious about household production, are familiar with it and seek to channelize this production to a larger, more elaborate, complex social organization, the sangha, which, although deriving its sustenance from resources generated from households, seeks to carve an identity for itself by being the very antithesis of the household—a community of bhikkus stripped of kinship bonds, not partaking in production or reproduction activities but bound with a common ideology. The social implications of these representations are discussed in this article.
Teneurin-1 is expressed in interconnected regions of the developing brain and is processed in vivo
Authors: Kenzelmann Daniela , Chiquet-Ehrismann Ruth , Leachman Nathaniel T , Tucker Richard P
Published: March 2008

Background

Teneurins are a unique family of transmembrane proteins conserved from C. elegans and D. melanogaster to mammals. In vertebrates there are four paralogs (teneurin-1 to -4), all of which are expressed prominently in the developing central nervous system.

Results

Analysis of teneurin-1 expression in the developing chick brain by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry defined a unique, distinct expression pattern in interconnected regions of the brain. Moreover we found complementary patterns of teneurin-1 and-2 expression in many parts of the brain, including the retina, optic tectum, olfactory bulb, and cerebellum as well as in brain nuclei involved in processing of sensory information. Based on these expression patterns, we suspect a role for teneurins in neuronal connectivity.

In contrast to the cell-surface staining of the antibody against the extracellular domain, an antibody recognizing the intracellular domain revealed nuclear staining in subpopulations of neurons and in undifferentiated mesenchyme. Western blot analysis of brain lysates showed the presence of N-terminal fragments of teneurin-1 containing the intracellular domain indicating that proteolytic processing occurs. Finally, the teneurin-1 intracellular domain was found to contain a nuclear localization signal, which is required for nuclear localization in transfected cells.

Conclusion

Teneurin-1 and -2 are expressed by distinct interconnected populations of neurons in the developing central nervous system. Our data support the hypothesis that teneurins can be proteolytically processed leading to the release of the intracellular domain and its translocation to the nucleus.
Circulating plasma factors induce tubular and glomerular alterations in septic burns patients
Authors: Mariano Filippo , Cantaluppi Vincenzo , Stella Maurizio , Romanazzi Giuseppe Mauriello , Assenzio Barbara , Cairo Monica , Biancone Luigi , Triolo Giorgio , Ranieri VMarco , Camussi Giovanni
Published: March 2008

Background

Severe burn is a systemic illness often complicated by sepsis. Kidney is one of the organs invariably affected, and proteinuria is a constant clinical finding. We studied the relationships between proteinuria and patient outcome, severity of renal dysfunction and systemic inflammatory state in burns patients who developed sepsis-associated acute renal failure (ARF). We then tested the hypothesis that plasma in these patients induces apoptosis and functional alterations that could account for proteinuria and severity of renal dysfunction in tubular cells and podocytes.

Methods

We studied the correlation between proteinuria and indexes of systemic inflammation or renal function prospectively in 19 severe burns patients with septic shock and ARF, and we evaluated the effect of plasma on apoptosis, polarity and functional alterations in cultured human tubular cells and podocytes. As controls, we collected plasma from 10 burns patients with septic shock but without ARF, 10 burns patients with septic shock and ARF, 10 non-burns patients with septic shock without ARF, 10 chronic uremic patients and 10 healthy volunteers.

Results

Septic burns patients with ARF presented a severe proteinuria that correlated to outcome, glomerular (creatinine/urea clearance) and tubular (fractional excretion of sodium and potassium) functional impairment and systemic inflammation (white blood cell (WBC) and platelet counts). Plasma from these patients induced a pro-apoptotic effect in tubular cells and podocytes that correlated with the extent of proteinuria. Plasma-induced apoptosis was significantly higher in septic severe burns patients with ARF with respect to those without ARF or with septic shock without burns. Moreover, plasma from septic burns patients induced an alteration of polarity in tubular cells, as well as reduced expression of the tight junction protein ZO-1 and of the endocytic receptor megalin. In podocytes, plasma from septic burns patients increased permeability to albumin and decreased the expression of the slit diaphragm protein nephrin.

Conclusion

Plasma from burns patients with sepsis-associated ARF contains factors that affect the function and survival of tubular cells and podocytes. These factors are likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of acute tubular injury and proteinuria, which is a negative prognostic factor and an index of renal involvement in the systemic inflammatory reaction.
Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering on Ordered Gold Nanodot Arrays Prepared from Anodic Porous Alumina Mask
Authors: Kondo Toshiaki , Matsumoto Futoshi , Nishio Kazuyuki , Masuda Hideki
Published: March 2008

We show surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) on an ordered array of Au nanodots prepared from a highly ordered anodic porous alumina mask. The intensity of SERS signals is strongly dependent on the height of the Au dots, indicating the existence of optimum geometrical structures for SERS. The fabrication process of the nanodot array described in the present study enables easy preparation of SERS substrates.
A Solid-state 17O NMR Study of β-Glycine: High Sensitivity of 17O NMR Parameters to Hydrogen-bonding Interactions
Authors: Yamada Kazuhiko , Shimizu Tadashi , Yamazaki Toshio , Sato Akira
Published: March 2008

We will present a solid-state 17O NMR study of β-glycine and demonstrate that 17O NMR parameters are highly sensitive to the local molecular structures, in particular, hydrogen-bond environments, indicating that, potentially, solid-state 17O NMR is a powerful tool for investigating the polymorphs of drugs.
Research Note—How Does Personality Matter? Relating the Five-Factor Model to Technology Acceptance and Use
Authors: Devaraj Sarv , Easley Robert F. , Crant J. Michael
Published: March 2008

The five-factor model (FFM) of personality has been used to great effect in management and psychology research to predict attitudes, cognitions, and behaviors, but has largely been ignored in the IS field. We demonstrate the potential utility of incorporating this model into IS research by using the FFM personality factors in the context of technology acceptance. We propose a dispositional perspective to understanding user attitudes and beliefs, and examine the effect of user personality—captured using the FFM's big five factors—on both the perceived usefulness of and subjective norms toward the acceptance and use of technology. Using logged usage data from 180 new users of a collaborative technology, we found general support for our hypotheses that the FFM personality dimensions can be useful predictors of users' attitudes and beliefs. We also found strong support for the relationships between intention to use and system use.
Total synthesis of complex heterocyclic natural products
Authors: Nicolaou K. C. , Chen Jason S.
Published: March 2008

Total synthesis campaigns toward complex heterocyclic natural products are a prime source of inspiration for the design and execution of complex cascade sequences, powerful reactions, and efficient synthetic strategies. We highlight selected examples of such innovations in the course of our total syntheses of diazonamide A, azaspiracid-1, thiostrepton, 2,2'-epi-cytoskyrin A and rugulosin, abyssomycin C, platensimycin, and uncialamycin.
Use of sultines in the asymmetric synthesis of polypropionate antibiotics
Authors: Vogel Pierre , Turks Maris , Bouchez Laure , Craita Cotinica , Murcia M. Carmen , Fonquerne Freddy , Didier Charles , Huang Xiaogen , Flowers Christopher
Published: March 2008

At low temperature and in the presence of an acid catalyst, SO2 adds to 1,3-dienes equilibrating with the corresponding 3,6-dihydro-1,2-oxathiin-2-oxides (sultines). These compounds are unstable above -60 °C and equilibrate with the more stable 2,5-dihydrothiophene 1,1-dioxides (sulfolenes). The hetero-Diels-Alder additions of SO2 are suprafacial and follow the Alder endo rule. The sultines derived from 1-oxy-substituted and 1,3-dioxy-disubstituted 1,3-dienes cannot be observed at -100 °C but are believed to be formed faster than the corresponding sulfolenes. In the presence of acid catalysts, the 6-oxy-substituted sultines equilibrate with zwitterionic species that react with electron-rich alkenes such as enoxysilanes and allylsilanes, generating β,γ-unsaturated silyl sulfinates that can be desilylated and desulfinylated to generate polypropionate fragments containing up to three contiguous stereogenic centers and an (E)-alkene unit. Alternatively, the silyl sulfinates can be reacted with electrophiles to generate polyfunctional sulfones (one-pot, four-component synthesis of sulfones), or oxidized into sulfonyl chlorides and reacted with amines, then realizing a one-pot, four-component synthesis of polyfunctional sulfonamides. Using enantiomerically enriched dienes such as 1-[(R)- or 1-(S)-phenylethyloxy]-2-methyl-(E,E)-penta-1,3-dien-3-yl isobutyrate, derived from inexpensive (R)- or (S)-1-phenylethanol, enantiomerically enriched stereotriads are obtained in one-pot operations. The latter are ready for further chain elongation. This has permitted the development of expeditious total asymmetric syntheses of important natural products of biological interest such as the baconipyrones, rifamycin S, and apoptolidin A.
Family Work in Oncology: Trusting the Narrative
Authors: Cotroneo Angela
Published: March 2008

The author describes her work with a dying patient, work that extends from the patient to his wife and adult offspring, and has transformative benefits for the family.
Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients With Congenital Portosystemic Venous Shunt: A Previously Unrecognized Association
Authors: Ohno Takuro , Muneuchi Jun , Ihara Kenji , Yuge Tetsuji , Kanaya Yoshiaki , Yamaki Shigeo , Hara Toshiro
Published: March 2008

BACKGROUND. Pulmonary arterial hypertension has been reported to be observed in association with acquired portal hypertension. However, the contribution of congenital anomalies occurring in the portal system to the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension remains to be elucidated.

METHODS. Nine patients with congenital portosystemic venous shunt were studied from January 1990 through September 2005.

RESULTS. Patent ductus venosus was detected in 5 patients, including 3 patients with an absence of the portal vein. The presence of either a gastrorenal or splenorenal shunt was evident in another 4 patients. Six patients had a history of hypergalactosemia with normal enzyme activities, as seen during neonatal screening. Six (66.7%) of the 9 patients were identified to have clinically significant pulmonary arterial hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure: 34–79 mm Hg; pulmonary vascular resistances: 5.12–38.07 U). The median age at the onset of pulmonary arterial hypertension was 12 years and 3 months. Histologic studies of lung specimens, which were available in 4 of the 9 patients with congenital portosystemic venous shunt, showed small arterial microthrombotic lesions in 3 patients. This characteristic finding was recognized even in the congenital portosystemic venous shunt patients without PAH.

CONCLUSIONS. This study demonstrated thromboembolic pulmonary arterial hypertension to be a crucial complication in congenital portosystemic venous shunt, and this pathologic state may be latently present in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension of unknown etiology.
Autismo e ensino de habilidades acadêmicas: adição e subtração
Authors: Gomes Camila Graciella Santos
Published: March 2008

O ensino de habilidades acadêmicas para pessoas com autismo tem recebido pouca atenção de estudos, provavelmente porque os comprometimentos clássicos do transtorno relacionados à comunicação, interação social e comportamentos são vistos como prioritários no desenvolvimento de pesquisas. Porém, o desenvolvimento de tecnologias para o ensino de habilidades acadêmicas que atinjam esse público é fundamental, principalmente na realidade brasileira em que, com o advento da filosofia de inclusão escolar, a educação de pessoas com necessidades educacionais especiais, incluindo autistas, passou a ser direcionada para a escola regular. Assim, crianças com autismo estão cada vez mais expostas aos conteúdos acadêmicos nas salas de aula regulares e estratégias de ensino adequadas às suas necessidades são fundamentais para a entrada, permanência e progresso destas pessoas na escola. Assim, este trabalho descreve o ensino de habilidades de adição e subtração para uma adolescente com autismo e utilizou procedimentos adaptados com base em descrições sobre o quadro de autismo, princípios de aprendizagem da análise experimental do comportamento, técnicas de ensino e observação direta do repertório da participante. Para as tarefas acadêmicas foram utilizados estímulos visuais - gráficos e uso das mãos - que indicavam relações visualmente óbvias para explicar à participante como as operações aritméticas deveriam ser realizadas. Gradualmente, aumentou-se a complexidade das operações ensinadas, à medida que ia aumentando o número de acertos dela nas tarefas. Esses procedimentos foram realizados no decorrer de nove sessões. Os erros e acertos foram computados e serviram para representação gráfica. Os resultados demonstram a aprendizagem gradativa das habilidades ensinadas à medida que a intervenção ocorreu.
Esquizofrenia refratária
Authors: Elkis Helio , Meltzer Herbert Y
Published: March 2008

OBJETIVO: O propósito deste artigo é o de revisar vários aspectos da esquizofrenia refratária levando em conta questões relacionadas à definição, aspectos clínicos, correlatos psicobiológicos, tratamentos farmacológicos e não farmacológicos, assim como preditores de resposta terapêutica. MÉTODO: Pesquisa no Medline, assim como artigos dos autores. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÕES: Pelo menos um terço dos pacientes com esquizofrenia são refratários a tratamento com antipsicóticos e as evidências apontam a clozapina em monoterapia como a principal opção nesses casos. A politerapia com antipsicóticos não tem apoio em evidências. Ensaios clínicos recentes mostraram que a potencialização da clozapina com outros antipsicóticos não é superior ao placebo.
Evolução do ensino da contabilidade no Brasil: uma análise histórica
Authors: Peleias Ivam Ricardo , Silva Glauco Peres da , Segreti João Bosco , Chirotto Amanda Russo
Published: March 2008

A pesquisa histórica permite identificar, resgatar e analisar marcos relevantes da evolução da sociedade, no mundo e no Brasil. Um marco importante é o impacto das ocorrências econômicas, políticas e sociais no ensino, pois tais mudanças demandam profissionais mais bem preparados. Em função do exposto, este trabalho apresenta o resultado de pesquisa realizada nas áreas de Contabilidade e Economia, sobre a evolução do ensino de Contabilidade no Brasil, e o impacto que alguns eventos econômicos, políticos e sociais tiveram nessa evolução. A pesquisa é histórica, documental, bibliográfica e descritiva. Foi analisada a legislação nacional sobre o ensino comercial e contábil promulgada no Brasil, do século XIX até os dias atuais. Foram identificadas ocorrências relevantes no cenário nacional, a partir da chegada da Família Real, em 1808, e os efeitos que esse fato e outros que se sucederam tiveram sobre a regulamentação do ensino da Contabilidade no Brasil. Os resultados obtidos permitiram identificar como algumas ocorrências econômicas, políticas e sociais afetaram o ensino contábil e a forma como a legislação analisada evoluiu até os dias atuais.
Quem está pagando juros sobre capital próprio no Brasil?
Authors: Santos Ariovaldo dos
Published: March 2008

A partir da promulgação da Lei 9.249/95, foi a criada possibilidade de as empresas remunerarem seus acionistas através do pagamento de "Juros Sobre o Capital Próprio - JSCP". Tal lei permite que os pagamentos efetuados a esse título sejam considerados como despesas dedutíveis no cálculo do imposto de renda e da contribuição social incidentes sobre os lucros das empresas. Essa inovação fiscal veio acompanhada de duas outras importantes novidades: a) redução da alíquota básica e dos adicionais de imposto de renda incidentes sobre os lucros das empresas; b) eliminação dos efeitos da inflação nas demonstrações contábeis. A pesquisa realizada é inédita no Brasil e proporcionou a possibilidade de se conhecer qual foi a atitude das empresas no que se refere à utilização da legislação relativa aos JSCP, além de buscar respostas para as seguintes questões: a) as empresas estão pagando aos seus sócios/acionistas juros sobre o capital próprio? b) quem está pagando mais JSCP: indústria, comércio ou serviços? c) as empresas nacionais pagam mais JSCP do que as estrangeiras? d) e as companhias abertas pagaram mais JSCP do que as fechadas? Foram avaliadas as publicações de aproximadamente 3.000 empresas que atuam em todas as áreas do território nacional e que estejam enquadradas dentro das seguintes características: a) tenham divulgado as demonstrações contábeis através dos meios de comunicação; b) estejam classificadas dentro das atividades de prestação de serviços, excluindo-se o setor financeiro, comercial e industrial; c) adotem como forma de tributação o lucro real, uma vez que, regra geral, aquelas que se utilizam de outras formas de tributação não podem se valer da prerrogativa de considerar como despesas operacionais os valores pagos a título de JSCP. O resultado demonstrou que 40% das empresas pesquisadas têm utilizado a alternativa do pagamento ou crédito aos seus sócios e acionistas na forma de JSCP. Também ficou evidenciado que a distribuição entre as empresas industriais, comerciais e prestadoras de serviços é bastante equilibrada. Outra constatação importante está relacionada ao acréscimo de empresas estatais que passaram a pagar aos seus acionistas os JSCP.
Empreendedorismo, inovação e redes: uma nova abordagem
Authors: Vale Gláucia Vasconcelos , Wilkinson John , Amâncio Robson
Published: March 2008

Uma das vertentes da atual literatura sobre empreendedorismo, vislumbra o empreendedor como um criador de redes. Destoando da concepção dominante do empreendedor como um ator atomizado e individualista, traz interessantes desdobramentos, tanto no plano teórico quanto da observação empírica. Apresenta, no entanto, algumas limitações, particularmente no tratamento do tema em um mundo caracterizado por um vertiginoso processo de transformação, onde a inovação representa a mola mestra. O presente artigo aborda essa problemática e mostra como é possível superar as limitações teóricas, por meio de uma associação com a literatura neo-schumpeteriana mais recente, centrada na temática da inovação. Demonstra que a união entre essas duas abordagens pode trazer relevantes contribuições para uma melhor compreensão do fenômeno do empreendedorismo e seu impacto na sociedade pós-industrial.
A new species of Astyanax (Characiformes: Characidae) from the rapids of the lower rio Xingu, Brazil
Authors: Lima Flávio C.T. , Zuanon Jansen
Published: March 2008

Astyanax dnophos, new species, is described from the lower rio Xingu, Pará, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from its purported congeners by the presence of a broad longitudinal, midlateral dark stripe that extends from the snout to the caudal peduncle. Astyanax dnophos dwells on shadowed, rocky shelters on rapids, and it is apparently one of the few species of Characidae outside Serrasalminae reported to be rheophilic.
A new species of Hyphessobrycon (Teleostei: Characidae) from the upper rio Tocantins drainage, with bony hooks on fins
Authors: Bertaco Vinicius A. , Malabarba Luiz R.
Published: March 2008

A new species of characid, Hyphessobrycon hamatus, is described from the upper rio Tocantins, Goiás, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all other Hyphessobrycon species by the presence of bony hooks on dorsal, anal, pelvic, and pectoral fins of males, the two black humeral spots, the 4 or 5 teeth in the inner series of the premaxilla, a maxilla with 2-3 teeth, the iii-v, 16-18 anal-fin rays, and a lateral line with 10-32 perforated scales and 33-35 scales in a longitudinal series.
Groups definable in ordered vector spaces over ordered division rings
Authors: Eleftheriou Pantelis E. , Starchenko Sergei
Published: March 2008

Let M = 〈M, +, <, 0, {λ}λЄD〉 be an ordered vector space over an ordered division ring D, and G = 〈G, ⊕, eG〉 an n-dimensional group definable in M. We show that if G is definably compact and definably connected with respect to the t-topology, then it is definably isomorphic to a ‘definable quotient group’ U/L, for some convex V-definable subgroup U of 〈Mn, +〉 and a lattice L of rank n. As two consequences, we derive Pillay's conjecture for a saturated M as above and we show that the o-minimal fundamental group of G is isomorphic to L.
Fondements de la logique positive
Authors: Yaacov Itaï Ben , Poizat Et Bruno
Published: March 2008

We revisit the foundations of positive model theory, introducing h-inductive sentences. These allow a considerably simplified presentation of positive model theory, as well as a characterisation of Hausdorffcats by an amalgamation property of their h-inductive theory.
On the complexity of alpha conversion
Authors: Statman Rick
Published: March 2008

We consider three problems concerning alpha conversion of closed terms (combinators).

(1) Given a combinator M find the an alpha convert of M with a smallest number of distinct variables.

(2) Given two alpha convertible combinators M and N find a shortest alpha conversion of M to N.

(3) Given two alpha convertible combinators M and N find an alpha conversion of M to N which uses the smallest number of variables possible along the way.

We obtain the following results.

(1) There is a polynomial time algorithm for solving problem (1). It is reducible to vertex coloring of chordal graphs.

(2) Problem (2) is co-NP complete (in recognition form). The general feedback vertex set problem for digraphs is reducible to problem (2).

(3) At most one variable besides those occurring in both M and N is necessary. This appears to be the folklore but the proof is not familiar. A polynomial time algorithm for the alpha conversion of M to N using at most one extra variable is given.

There is a tradeoff between solutions to problem (2) and problem (3) which we do not fully understand.
Relational structures constructible by quantifier free definable operations
Authors: Shelah Saharon , Doron Mor
Published: March 2008

We consider the notion of bounded m-ary patch-width defined in [9], and its very close relative m-constructibility defined below. We show that the notions of m-constructibility all coincide for m ≥ 3, while 1-constructibility is a weaker notion. The same holds for bounded m-ary patch-width. The case m = 2 is left open.
The ground axiom
Authors: Reitz Jonas
Published: March 2008

A new axiom is proposed, the Ground Axiom, asserting that the universe is not a nontrivial set forcing extension of any inner model. The Ground Axiom is first-order expressible, and any model of ZFC has a class forcing extension which satisfies it. The Ground Axiom is independent of many well-known set-theoretic assertions including the Generalized Continuum Hypothesis, the assertion V=HOD that every set is ordinal definable, and the existence of measurable and supercompact cardinals. The related Bedrock Axiom, asserting that the universe is a set forcing extension of a model satisfying the Ground Axiom, is also first-order expressible, and its negation is consistent.
The pseudocompactness of [0.1] is equivalent to the uniform continuity theorem
Authors: Bridges Douglas , Diener Hannes
Published: March 2008

We prove constructively that, in order to derive the uniform continuity theorem for pointwise continuous mappings from a compact metric space into a metric space, it is necessary and sufficient to prove any of a number of equivalent conditions, such as that every pointwise continuous mapping of [0, 1] into ℝ is bounded. The proofs are analytic, making no use of, for example, fan-theoretic ideas.
Bounding nonsplitting enumeration degrees
Authors: Kent Thomas F. , Sorbi Andrea
Published: March 2008

We show that every nonzero enumeration degree bounds a nonsplitting nonzero enumeration degree.
Index sets for classes of high rank structures
Authors: Calvert W. , Fokina E. , Goncharov S. S. , Knight J. F. , Kudinov O. , Morozov A. S. , Puzarenko V.
Published: March 2008

This paper calculates, in a precise way. the complexity of the index sets for three classes of computable structures: the class of structures of Scott rank , the class , of structures of Scott rank , and the class K of all structures of non-computable Scott rank. We show that I(K) is m-complete is m-complete relative to Kleene's and is m-complete relative to .
Heavy Metal Concentration in Tannery Solid Wastes Used as Poultry Feed and The Ecotoxicological Consequences
Authors: Hossain AMM Maruf , Monir Tasbee , Ul-Haque AM Rezwan , Kazi M Azizul Islam , Islam M Shahidul , Elahi Syed Fazle
Published: March 2008

In Bangladesh, the tannery solid wastes are converted to protein-concentrate to be used as poultry feed, fish feed, and in production of organic fertilizers. Over the last several years it is a common phenomenon in the largest tanning area of the country, the Hazaribagh tannery area at the south-east part of Dhaka city. One of the major concerns of these activities is the heavy metals, especially chromium, used in the tanning processes. A total of 18 samples were collected to study the heavy metal status of protein-concentrate production in the tanning area at various stages from the source to the final product, and to compare this with the imported ones. The various types of solid waste processing for protein-concentrate production were covered in sampling, and along with the heavy metal status these processes were studied comprehensively. The maximum chromium content of the solid waste was found to be 3.2 %. The final products sampled at two different places contained as high as 2.49 % and 1.94 % chromium. Cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury contents of all samples were also determined. The detected maximum and minimum concentrations of these elements were found to be: 3.888 ppm and 0.991 ppm for cadmium, 30.114 ppm and 7.577 ppm for lead, 2.212 ppm and 0.099 ppm for arsenic, and 13.916 ppm and 0.166 ppm for mercury.

Key words: Heavy metal, Food chain, Ecotoxicology, poultry feed.

Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 42(4), 397-416, 2007
Comparative Studies of Pulping of Jute Fiber, Jute Cutting and Jute Caddis
Authors: Jahan M Sarwar , Al-Maruf A , Quaiyyum MA
Published: March 2008

Comparative studies of retted jute fiber, jute cuttings and jute caddis were carried out in producing dissolving and paper grade pulp. Fiber length of jute fiber was longer than jute cutting and caddis. Klason lignin content was lower and α-cellulose content higher in jute fiber than cuttings and caddis. Extractives content in caddis was higher than jute fiber and cuttings. Pulping of these raw materials was done in soda-anthraquinone process. Higher pulp yield and lower kappa number was observed in jute fiber than that of jute cuttings and caddis. Jute fiber pulp showed better papermaking properties than jute cuttings and caddis. The tear index of these raw materials was similar to softwood. The bleachability of jute fiber pulp was also better than that of cuttings and caddis. These three raw materials were also evaluated in producing dissolving pulp by prehydrolysed kraft process. Pulp yield and bleachability was higher and kappa number lower for jute fiber than jute cuttings and caddis, but α-cellulose, S10 and S18 values and viscosity were almost similar in these three raw materials.

Keywords: Jute fiber, Jute cuttings, Jute caddis, Paper grade pulp, Dissolving pulp

Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 42(4), 425-434, 2007
Studies on Cyanex-272 Complexes of Mg (II), Ca (II) and Fe (III)
Authors: Islam M Badrul , Haque M Zahurul , Islam N Shamsul
Published: March 2008

Certain complex compounds were synthesized by the interaction of Mg(II), Ca(II) and Fe(III) halides with the solvent extracting reagent, Cyanex-272 i.e. bis (2,4,4- trimethylpentyl) phosphinic acid as ligand. All the prepared complexes have been characterized on the basis of their molar masses, conductivity, magnetic measurements and infrared and electronic spectral studies. The other physico-chemical properties e.g. colour, decomposition temperature have also been ascertained.

Key words: Chanex-272

Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 42(4), 475-482, 2007
Extraction and Estimation of furfural from Decorative Plants Grown in Bangladesh
Authors: Sattar MA , Chakraborty AK , Al-Reza SM , Islam Md Shaharul
Published: March 2008

An investigation on some decorative plants widely grown in Bangladesh has been carried out. The plants Mimusops elengi, Madhuca indica, Hiptage benghalensis and Polyalthia longifolia have been analyzed for their furfural contents by colorimetric spectrophotometry after hydrolysis in 13 percent HCl and extraction with 50 % ethanol. The results revealed that the furfural concentration in these plants is in the range of 3.9-10.3 percent, indicating the potential of these plants as good source of pentosans and furfural. TLC and conventional chemical test further confirmed the presence of furfural in extracted solution.

Key words: Decorative plan, pentosans, furfural, TCL.

Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 42(4), 495-498, 2007
Hematologic iron analyte values as an indicator of hepatic hemosiderosis in callitrichidae
Authors: Smith Kristine M. , McAloose Denise , Torregrossa Ann‐Marie , Raphael Bonnie L. , Calle Paul P. , Moore Robert P. , James Stephanie B.
Published: March 2008

Hepatic hemosiderosis is one of the most common postmortem findings in captive callitrichid species. Noninvasive evaluation of hematologic iron analytes has been used to diagnose hepatic iron storage disease in humans, lemurs, and bats. This study evaluated the relationship between hematologic iron analyte values (iron, ferritin, total iron binding capacity, and percent transferrin saturation) and hepatic hemosiderosis in callitrichids at the Wildlife Conservation Society's Central Park and Bronx Zoos. Results revealed that both ferritin and percent transferrin saturation levels had strong positive correlations with hepatic iron concentration (P<0.001, r=0.77, n=20; P<0.001, r=0.85, n=10, respectively). Serum iron levels positively correlated with hepatic iron concentration (P=0.06, r=0.56, n=11), but this finding was not significant. Serum total iron binding capacity did not significantly correlate with hepatic iron concentration (P=0.47, r=0.25, n=10). Both ferritin and hepatic iron concentration positively correlated with severity of hepatic iron deposition on histology (P<0.05, r=0.49, n=21; P<0.001, r=0.67, n=21, respectively). This study suggests that ferritin, serum iron concentration, and percent transferrin saturation are convenient, noninvasive, antemortem methods for assessing severity of hemosiderosis in callitrichids. Am. J. Primatol. 70:629–633, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Organische Halbleiter für aus Lösung prozessierbare Feldeffekttransistoren
Authors: Allard Sybille , Forster Michael , Souharce Benjamin , Thiem Heiko , Scherf Ullrich
Published: March 2008

Die kostengünstige Fertigung flexibler elektronischer Bauelemente dürfte in Zukunft stark von der Entwicklung aus Lösung prozessierbarer, organischer Halbleitermaterialien profitieren. Besondere Aufmerksamkeit gilt dabei zurzeit löslichen Halbleitern für organische Feldeffekttransistoren (OFETs). Die bis vor einiger Zeit vorgenommene Trennung zwischen “kleinen Molekülen” und polymeren Materialien spielt mittlerweile keine Rolle mehr – entscheidend ist vielmehr die Verarbeitbarkeit der Materialien aus Lösung zu homogenen Halbleiterschichten mit optimalen elektronischen Eigenschaften (hohe Ladungsträgermobilität, geringe Schwellspannung, hohes An/Aus‐Verhältnis). Die Materialien der Wahl sind hier lösliche Oligoacene, lösliche Oligo‐ und Polythiophene oder entsprechende Copolymere sowie Oligo‐ und Polytriarylamine. Mikro‐ oder nanokristalline Materialien bieten dabei allgemein den Vorteil etwas höherer Ladungsträgermobilitäten; amorphe, glasartige Materialien könnten dies jedoch durch eine einfachere und besser reproduzierbare Verarbeitung wettmachen.
Gamma‐retroviral vectors enveloped with an antibody and an engineered fusogenic protein achieved antigen‐specific targeting
Authors: Yang Haiguang , Ziegler Leslie , Joo Kye‐Il , Cho Taehoon , Lei Yuning , Wang Pin
Published: March 2008

Development of methods to engineer gamma‐retroviral vectors capable of transducing target cells in a cell‐specific manner could impact the future of the clinical application of gene therapy as well as the understanding of the biology of transfer gene vectors. Two molecular events are critical for controlling the entry of gamma‐retroviral vectors to target cells: binding to cell‐surface receptors and the subsequent fusion of viral vector membrane and cellular membrane. In this report, we evaluated a method to incorporate a membrane‐bound antibody and a fusogenic molecule to provide binding and fusion functions respectively, into gamma‐retroviral vectors for targeted gene delivery. An anti‐CD20 antibody and a fusogenic protein derived from Sindbis virus glycoprotein could be efficiently co‐displayed on the surface of viral vectors. Vectors bearing anti‐CD20 antibody conferred their binding specificity to cells expressing CD20. Enhanced in vitro transduction towards CD20‐expressing cells was observed for gamma‐retroviral vectors displaying both an antibody and a fusogen. We found that the biological activity of the fusogen played an important role on the efficiency of such a targeting strategy and were able to engineer several mutant forms of the fusogen exhibiting elevated fusion function to improve the overall efficiency of targeted transduction. We devised an animal model to show that subcutaneous injection of such engineered vectors to the areas xenografted with target cells could achieve targeted gene delivery in vivo. Taken together, we demonstrated as proof‐of‐principle a flexible and modular two‐molecule strategy for engineering targeting gamma‐retroviral vectors. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 357–368. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A new technique for primary hepatocyte expansion in vitro
Authors: Cho Cheul H. , Berthiaume François , Tilles Arno W. , Yarmush Martin L.
Published: March 2008

The current application for many potential cell‐based treatments for liver failure is limited by the low availability of mature functional hepatocytes. Although adult hepatocytes have a remarkable ability to proliferate in vivo, attempts to proliferate adult hepatocytes in vitro have been less successful. In this study, we investigated the effect of coculture cell type on the proliferative response and the functional activities of hepatocytes. We show, for the first time, a robust proliferative response of primary adult rat hepatocytes when cocultured with mouse 3T3‐J2 fibroblasts. Hepatocytes cultured at low density on growth‐arrested 3T3‐J2 fibroblast feeder layers underwent significantly higher proliferation rates than when cultured on feeder layers made of four other cell types. Increasing colony size correlated with an increase in hepatocellular functions. The proliferating hepatocytes retained their morphologic, phenotypic, and functional characteristics. Using a cell patterning technique, we found that 3T3‐J2 fibroblasts stimulate DNA synthesis in hepatocytes by short‐range heterotypic cell–cell interactions. When hepatocytes that proliferated in cocultures were harvested and further subcultured either on 3T3‐J2 fibroblast feeders or in the collagen sandwich configuration, their behavior was similar to that of freshly isolated hepatocytes. We conclude that adult rat hepatocytes can proliferate in vitro in a coculture cell type‐dependent manner, and can be serially propagated by coculturing with 3T3‐J2 fibroblasts while maintaining their differentiated characteristics. Our results also suggest that one of the major reasons for the functional differences in hepatocyte cocultures may be due to the different proliferative responses of hepatocytes as a function of coculture cell type. This study provides new insights in the roles of coculture cell types and cell–cell interactions in the modulation of hepatic proliferation and function. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 345–356. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thiophene Polymer Semiconductors for Organic Thin‐Film Transistors
Authors: Ong Beng S. , Wu Yiliang , Li Yuning , Liu Ping , Pan Hualong
Published: March 2008

Printed organic thin‐film transistors (OTFTs) have received great interests as potentially low‐cost alternative to silicon technology for application in large‐area, flexible, and ultra‐low‐cost electronics. One of the critical materials for TFTs is semiconductor, which has a dominant impact on the transistor properties. We review here the structural studies and design of thiophene‐based polymer semiconductors with respect to solution processability, ambient stability, molecular self‐organization, and field‐effect transistor properties for OTFT applications. We show that through judicial monomer design, delicately controlled π‐conjugation, and strategically positioned pendant side‐chain distribution, novel solution‐processable thiophene polymer semiconductors with excellent self‐organization ability to form extended lamellar π‐stacking orders can be developed. OTFTs using semiconductors of this nature processed in ambient conditions have provided excellent field‐effect transistor properties.
Systematic Reactions of [Pt(PF3)4]
Authors: Drews Thomas , Rusch Dieter , Seidel Stefan , Willemsen Stefan , Seppelt Konrad
Published: March 2008

Tetrahedral [Pt(PF3)4] reacts with H+ to form trigonal bipyramidal [Pt(PF3)4H]+. This in turn looses PF3 to form square‐planar [Pt(PF3)3H]+. The complex [Pt(PF3)4] can be oxidized with AsF5 to form the square‐planar complex, [Pt(PF3)4]2+, which can be more conveniently obtained from PtF4 and PF3 in HF/SbF5 solution. [Pt(PF3)4]2+ reacts with F− in HF under cluster formation to [Pt4(PF3)8H]+.
Sterically and Polarity‐Controlled Reactions of tBuLi with PCH‐NR Heterocycles: Novel Heterocyclic P‐ and P,O‐Ligands and Preliminary Tests in Transition‐Metal Catalysis
Authors: Aluri Bhaskar R. , Kindermann Markus K. , Jones Peter G. , Heinicke Joachim
Published: March 2008

(1R)‐1,3‐Benzazaphospholes 1 a–c, PCH‐NR heterocycles of the indole type, react with tBuLi in two ways, depending on the steric demand of the N‐substituent and the polarity of the medium. The presence of small N‐alkyl groups induces CH‐deprotonation in the 2‐position to give hetaryllithium reagents 2 a and 2 b, whereas bulky N‐substituents and nonpolar solvents change the reactivity towards addition at the PC bond. The preferred regioselectivity is tert‐butylation at phosphorus, occurring with excellent diastereoselectivity for trans‐adducts 3 b and 3 c, but the inverse tert‐butylation at C2 to 5 b was also observed. N‐Neopentyl groups, with intermediate steric demand, give rise to formation of mixtures in ethers but allow switching either to selective CH lithiation in THF/KOtBu or to addition in pentane. Bulkier N‐adamantyl groups always cause preferred addition. Protonation, silylation, and carboxylation were used to convert the PCLi‐NR, (E)‐tBuP‐CHLi‐NR, and LiP‐CH(tBu)‐NR species into the corresponding σ2‐P or σ3‐P compounds 4 b and 6 a,b, 7 b,c, or 8 b–10 b with additional N and/or O donor sites. Slow diffusion‐controlled air oxidation of 10 b led to the meso‐diphosphine 11 b. Preferred η1‐P coordination was shown for an [Rh(cod)Cl] complex 12 b, and the potential of the new ligands 4 b and 7 b in catalysis was demonstrated by examples of Pd‐catalyzed CN coupling and Ni‐catalyzed ethylene oligomerization (TON>6300). Crystal structures of 6 b, 11 b, and 12 b are presented.
Inhibitors of Inducible NO Synthase Expression: Total Synthesis of (S)‐Curvularin and Its Ring Homologues
Authors: Elzner Stephan , Schmidt Denise , Schollmeyer Dieter , Erkel Gerhard , Anke Timm , Kleinert Hartmut , Förstermann Ulrich , Kunz Horst
Published: March 2008

(S)‐Curvularin and its 13‐, 14‐, and 16‐membered lactone homologues were synthesized through a uniform strategy in which a Kochi oxidative decarboxylation and ring‐closing metathesis reactions constitute the key processes. In the evaluation of the anti‐inflammatory effects of the synthesized compounds in assays using cells stably transfected with a human iNOS promoter–luciferase reporter gene construct, the 14‐ and 16‐membered homologues showed a slightly higher inhibitory effect towards iNOS promoter activity than curvularin itself. However, the larger ring homologues also exhibited higher cytotoxicity, manifest in downregulated eNOS promoter activity. In contrast, the di‐O‐acetyl and 4‐chloro derivatives of (S)‐curvularin showed higher inhibitory efficiency towards induction of the iNOS promoter and less negative effect on eNOS promoter activity than curvularin.
Density Functional Theory Studies of the Magnetostructural Correlations in the Cyano‐Bridged Mo2Ni and Mo2Ni3 Systems
Authors: Zhang Yi‐Quan , Luo Cheng‐Lin
Published: March 2008

A theoretical density functional study of the magnetostructural correlations in a series of cyano‐bridged MoNi systems is presented. Our calculations by two approaches with several local density approximations (LDAs) and generalized gradient approximations (GGAs) show that: (1) the influence of the next‐nearest‐neighbor MoMo interactions on the MoNi interactions can be omitted; (2) the MoNi interactions strengthen with an increase in the Ni–Nbrid–Cbrid angle in the range 135° to 175° for all the functionals; (3) increasing the number of exchange coupling interactions from one to two will decrease the ferromagnetic MoNi interactions, but the influence of further increasing the number of exchange coupling interactions from two to three or four on the MoNi interactions is very small, because the peripheral units do not surround the same central metal ion in the MoNi systems that we investigated. Kahn's theory was used to interpret the above results.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Facile Endoperoxypropellane Synthesis by Manganese(III) Acetate‐Mediated Aerobic Oxidation
Authors: Asahi Kentaro , Nishino Hiroshi
Published: March 2008

Manganese(III)‐catalyzed aerobic oxidation of combinations of 3‐(2‐oxoethyl)piperidine‐2,4‐diones and 1,1‐diarylethenes at room temperature produced structurally interesting trioxa‐aza[4.4.3]propellanes in good yields. Similar reactions using 2‐(2‐oxoethyl)cyclohexane‐1,3‐diones also produced the corresponding endoperoxy[4.4.3]propellanes. On the other hand, 3‐oxopropyl‐substituted cycloalkane‐1,3‐diones did not give the desired propellanes, 1,2‐dioxabicyclic propellane precursors were formed instead in excellent yields. The precursors could be converted into the corresponding propellanes in the presence of a Lewis acid. The mechanism for the formation of the propellanes is also described. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Synthesis of Enantiopure Aliphatic Acetylene Alcohols and Determination of Their Absolute Configurations by 1H NMR Anisotropy and/or X‐ray Crystallography
Authors: Sekiguchi Satoshi , Akagi Megumi , Naito Junpei , Yamamoto Yoko , Taji Hiromi , Kuwahara Shunsuke , Watanabe Masataka , Ozawa Yoshiki , Toriumi Koshiro , Harada Nobuyuki
Published: March 2008

The MαNP acid method has been applied to racemic aliphatic acetylene alcohols in order to simultaneously prepare enantiopure alcohols and to determine their absolute configurations by 1H NMR anisotropy. Racemic acetylene alcohols 6–8, 11, and 20 were esterified with MαNP acid (S)‐(+)‐1 to yield diastereomeric MαNP esters which were efficiently separated by HPLC on silica gel with separation factors α in the range 1.60–1.93. The 1H NMR anisotropy factors Δδ [= δ(2nd fr.) – δ(1st fr.)] were calculated from the data of the first‐ (22a–27a) and second‐eluted MαNP esters (22b–27b). The absolute configurations of the first‐eluted esters were determined from the distribution of Δδ values in the MαNP sector rule. In the case of MαNP ester 26b, the assigned absolute configuration was confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. The solvolysis of MαNP esters yielded enantiopure acetylene alcohols 5–8 with established absolute configurations. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Anthraquinones as Artificial DNA Building Blocks
Authors: Bouquin Nicolas , Malinovskii Vladimir L. , Häner Robert
Published: March 2008

Synthesis and properties of oligodeoxynucleotides containing anthraquinone‐derived building blocks with flexible linkers are described. Starting from the 1,4‐, 1,5‐, 1,8‐ and 2,6‐dihydroxyanthraquinone isomers, the corresponding phosphoramidites were prepared and incorporated into oligonucleotides. The site of linker attachment was found to be of critical importance for hybrid stability. Whereas the 2,6‐isomer led to a significant stabilization, all other isomers had a negative effect on the stability of the duplex. Spectroscopic studies showed that the anthraquinones behave as fluorescence quenchers. Models of anthraquinone‐modified double‐stranded hybrids are proposed. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
The Structure of the O‐Chain Polysaccharide from the Gram‐Negative Endophytic Bacterium Burkholderia phytofirmans Strain PsJN
Authors: Silipo Alba , Ierano Teresa , Lanzetta Rosa , Molinaro Antonio , Parrilli Michelangelo
Published: March 2008

The O‐chain polysaccharide of the lipopolysaccharide from the endophytic bacterium Burkholderia phytofirmans strain PsJN was characterized by means of a combined chemical degradation approach and NMR spectroscopic analyses. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)