bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survival of hydrogen sulfide oxidizing bacteria on corroded concrete surfaces of sewer systems
Authors: Jensen H. S. , Nielsen A. H. , Hvitved-Jacobsen T. , Vollertsen J.
Published: June 2008

The activity of hydrogen sulfide oxidizing bacteria within corroded concrete from a sewer manhole was investigated. The bacteria were exposed to hydrogen sulfide starvation for up till 18 months, upon which their hydrogen sulfide oxidizing activity was measured. It was tested whether the observed reduction in biological activity was caused by a biological lag phase or by decay of the bacteria. The results showed that the bacterial activity declined with approximately 40% pr. month during the first two months of hydrogen sulfide starvation. After 2–3 months of starvation, the activity stabilized. Even after 6 months of starvation, exposure to hydrogen sulfide for 6 hours a day on three successive days could restore the bacteriological activity to about 80% of the initial activity. After 12 months of starvation, the activity could, however, not be restored, and after 18 months the biological activity approached zero. The long-term survival aspect of concrete corroding bacteria has implications for predicting hydrogen sulfide corrosion in sewer systems subject to irregular hydrogen sulfide loadings, e.g. as they occur in temperate climates where hydrogen sulfide often is a summer-problem only.
Talonavicular Joint Approach to the Talar Body: A Cadaver Study
Authors: Kose Kamil Cagri , Cebesoy Oguz , Ergan Volkan , Maralcan Gokhan , Altinel Levent , Songur Ahmet , Kuru Ilhami
Published: June 2008

Background: Lesions of the talar dome or tumors within the talar body may require an open approach with medial or lateral malleolar osteotomies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility and feasibility of a new minimally invasive approach without osteotomy, using the talonavicular joint (TJ) as the entry portal for lesions of the talar body. Materials and Methods: Nine cadaveric feet were used for this study. Using the TJ and a 5-mm skin incision we aimed to reach the superolateral, superomedial, inferolateral and inferomedial corners of the talar body under fluoroscopy. A 2-mm Kirshner wire and a 4-mm cannulated drill bit were used to reach the desired target area and an angled curette was used for curettage after reaching the target. The proximity of vascular structures to the entry portal was noted. The talar and navicular joint surfaces were checked for any damage. The articular areas of the talar heads and the defect areas were measured. Results: All 4 targets and even the posterior talus could be reached by this approach. The nearest neurovascular structures were the saphenous vein and the saphenous nerve. The navicular cartilage was not damaged in any specimen. The talar defect area corresponded to only 3.3% of the talar head cartilaginous area. Conclusion: The TJ approach can be used to reach lesions in all regions of the talar body without the need for an osteotomy. A mini-incision may be used to retract the saphenous nerve and vein. Damage to the talar head cartilage is minimal with this approach which requires no special equipments. Clinical Relevance: This study shows that talar dome lesions can be reached with a minimally invasive method.
Clinical Tips: Retrograde Drilling Of Talar Osteochondral Defects
Authors: Kennedy John G. , Suero Eduardo Manuel , O'Loughlin Padhraig F. , Brief Andrew , Bohne Walther H.O.
Published: June 2008

Contemporary methods of bone grafting osteochondral defects, in which the remaining overlying cartilage is relatively well preserved, have inherent problems. The bony defects are often saucer-shaped and the cylindrical graft may not fill the void, leaving areas of cartilage with no underlying scaffold and obviating early weight bearing. Furthermore, to obtain a proper fill of the defect, tamping of the graft can cause excessive pressure and disruption of the overlying cartilage.

In an effort to address these concerns, the authors propose the use of a biological viscous paste of calcium sulfate that hardens within 5 minutes when injected in a retrograde fashion into the talus. This confers a mechanical advantage of complete cystic fill of the cyst which allows early weight bearing. Calcium sulfate acts as an osteoconductive material that incorporates into host bone within 8 weeks. Donor site morbidity is eliminated using this system.
SHE CAN BE PUT TO WORK: JOAN RIVIERE AS TRANSLATOR BETWEEN FREUD AND JONES
Authors: Bakman Nina
Published: June 2008

Die Psychoanalytikerin Joan Riviere (1883–1962), aus gutem Hause stammend, war eine der ersten Übersetzerinnen Freuds in Grossbritannien. Nach einer mißglückten Analyse bei Ernest Jones wurde sie 1922 Freuds Patientin. Freud erkannte ihre Begabung und beauftragte sie mit Übersetzungen seiner Arbeiten. Über ihren Kopf hinweg verhandelte er mit Jones über ihre Position als Translation Editor des International Journal und setzte ihre Ernennung gegen dessen Widerstand durch. An einigen Beispielen wird die besondere Qualität von Rivieres Freud-Übersetzungen aufgezeigt.

The psychoanalyst Joan Riviere (1883–1962), who came from an established family, was one of the first to translate Freud in Britain. After a failed analysis with Ernest Jones, she became Freud's patient in 1922. Freud recognized her talent and entrusted her with translations of his works. Over her head, he negotiated her position as Translation Editor of the International Journal with Jones and secured her nomination against his resistance. Some examples are given to demonstrate the special quality of Riviere's translations of Freud's writings.
MELANIE KLEIN AND COUNTERTRANSFERENCE: A NOTE ON SOME ARCHIVAL MATERIAL
Authors: Hinshelwood R.D.
Published: June 2008

Five pages of notes were found in the Melanie Klein Archives at the Wellcome Library that concern her views on countertransference in 1953. Because of the paucity of references to countertransference in Klein's published writings these Notes fill in our knowledge. Her views were provoked by the work her students were doing in their experimental analyses of schizophrenic patients. Apocryphal stories suggest that Klein remained aligned with Freud's view of countertransference as simply interference. The Notes confirm that, whilst there is some truth in that, she did have a more sophisticated and nuanced view of the unconscious relations between analyst and analysand.
Sigmund Freud and the History of Anna O. Reopening A Closed Case by Richard A. Skues (Basingstoke and New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2006); reviewed by Albrecht Hirschmüller
Authors: HIRSCHMULLER ALBRECHT
Published: June 2008

‘Anna O.’, Breuer's patient in the Studies in Hysteria, the ‘primal work of psychoanalysis’ (Grubrich-Simitis), features to this day in every history of psychoanalysis and every introductory seminar to medical psychology. This case history revealed for the first time how hysterical symptoms in speech could be traced back to their source and eliminated by bringing their unconscious affective content to consciousness and ‘abreacting’ it. Since Jones it has been known that the published case history left out the fact that the patient was not completely cured by Breuer's treatment and was treated for several more years in sanatoria, and that nevertheless in later years she led a full and productive life as a Jewish social worker. In 1972 Ellenberger revealed details of her life after Breuer's treatment and of a stay in Binswanger's clinic, and her case history for 1882 in Kreuzlingen was published in my dissertation in 1978.
Jewish Philosophy and Psychoanalysis: Narrating the Interhuman by Michael Oppenheim (Oxford: Lexington Books, 2006); xi + 259 pp; reviewed by Stephen Frosh
Authors: FROSH STEPHEN
Published: June 2008

There are questions about what it means to do ‘Jewish philosophy’ from a post-religious perspective, and what it means to do ‘psychoanalysis’ from a post-Jewish one. Of psychoanalysis’ Jewish roots, there can be little doubt: not only were the great Founder and most of the little founders of the movement Jewish, but there are traditionally Jewish components of its whole stance, its Weltanschauung. Textual analysis characterized by interpretive flamboyance accompanied by an utterly rigid, even obsessive focus on the detail of each word, letter or gap; a critical space on the social margins; a tendency towards self-reflection and admission of, even enjoyment in, one's own neurotic impulses – these are the terms of the Freudian encounter, and they have trickled down through the movement's history, sometimes stronger, sometimes less so. That psychoanalysis was the paradigmatic ‘Jewish science’ scorned by the Nazis should not be taken to mean that it was not actually ‘Jewish’ in important ways, and that its peculiarly subversive, disruptive analysis of psyche and society did not have some important Jewish sources ( Frosh 2005 ).
Myelodysplastic syndromes associated with interstitial deletion of chromosome 5q: Clinicopathologic correlations and new insights from the prelenalidomide era
Authors: Holtan Shernan G. , Santana‐Davila Rafael , DeWald Gordon W. , Khetterling Rhett P. , Knudson Ryan A. , Hoyer James D. , Chen Dong , Hanson Curtis A. , Porrata Luis , Tefferi Ayalew , Steensma David P.
Published: June 2008

To better estimate prognosis for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) associated with clonal interstitial deletions of the long arm of chromosome 5 (del(5q)), we reviewed the medical records of 130 adults with del(5q) MDS seen at our institution over a 15‐year period. Overall median survival of this cohort was 9.5 months, shorter than reported in earlier series. The least favorable outcomes are associated with complex cytogenetics, lack of any normal metaphases, normocytic rather than macrocytic erythrocyte indices, and low baseline lymphocyte counts. Lymphopenia but not neutropenia at the time of diagnosis appears to be a new adverse prognostic indicator. Cytogenetic breakpoints defined by G‐banded karyotyping correlate poorly with particular disease features. Surprisingly, survival of patients with treatment‐related MDS was equivalent to that of de novo MDS with del(5q) in this series. Morphologic features associated with del(5q) are diverse. Most patients with del(5q) MDS do not meet criteria for WHO‐defined 5q‐syndrome, and the presence of del(5q) does not appear to modify the clinical phenotype otherwise risk‐stratified by the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS). Additional important prognostic factors not taken into account by the IPSS include the baseline erythrocyte indices, lymphocyte count, and clonal burden. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Show me the money: A proposal for distributing unclaimed settlement funds
Authors: Stamato Linda , Jaffe Sanford M.
Published: June 2008

How do judges distribute unclaimed settlement money? The surprising answer is “pretty much however they want.” Linda Stamato and Sanford M. Jaffe, of New Brunswick, N.J., propose setting up independent federal circuit court panels to assist with judges' charitable inclinations.
A multi‐agent control scheme for a supply chain model
Authors: Boccadoro Mauro , Martinelli Francesco , Valigi Paolo
Published: June 2008

The reduction of the bullwhip effect on supply chain systems is generally achieved through the optimal choice of policies at the local level and also by setting some type of cooperation among the different agents of the system. Here, such constructive interaction is pursued by the introduction of a negotiation mechanism among neighboring sites, and according to revenues/costs directly related to the impact of the bullwhip effect on the performances of each site. The concept is demonstrated for a policy which is quite common in the supply chain literature. The results obtained show the convergence properties of the negotiation for particular disturbance signals, and give indications on how cooperating mechanisms can be devised on the basis of the proposed negotiation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Effects of swimming on the pharmacokinetics and glucose tolerance of metformin in insulin‐resistant rats
Authors: Chien Kuei‐Yu , Hsu Ku‐Fu , Lo Hsin‐I , Pan Ryh‐Nan , Kuo Chia‐Hua , Chen Fu‐An , Hsu Mei‐Chich
Published: June 2008

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of swimming on the pharmacokinetic and insulin sensitivity of metformin in insulin resistant rats. Rats with fructose‐induced insulin resistance were assigned into four groups: control group (C, n=8), metformin group (M, n=8), swimming group (S, n=8) and metformin with swimming group (MS, n=8). After 12 h of fasting, the S and MS group swam for 45 min, while the M and C groups were placed in 4 cm deep water for the same time period. The first blood samples were withdrawn from the tail 60 min after the four groups had left the water. An oral glucose loading was performed in all groups and metformin was administered to the M and MS groups after the first blood sample. Blood samples were collected at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 h. The results showed that the MS group increased the time to the maximum concentration, the time to half‐life concentration and enhanced insulin sensitivity. This study suggests that swimming before administration of metformin significantly improved insulin sensitivity and the rate of metformin absorption. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparison of the pharmacokinetics of antithrombin derived from human plasma and from transgenic goats and the prevention of sepsis in an animal model
Authors: Dickneite Gerhard
Published: June 2008

Antithrombin (AT) is the principal inhibitor of thrombin and other serine proteases of the coagulation cascade. AT has previously been prepared from human plasma (hpAT), and a transgenic variant from goat milk (tgAT) is now available. Two open‐label, parallel pharmacokinetic studies in rats (n=18) and rabbits (n=18) compared plasma concentrations of hpAT and tgAT following intravenous administration; the efficacy of the two preparations in prolonging survival from bacterial‐induced sepsis was compared in two open‐label, randomised, placebo‐controlled studies in rats (n=266). Maximum plasma concentrations were approximately dose‐proportional and were similar for both hpAT and tgAT. The elimination of tgAT was faster than hpAT, and the t1/2 of hpAT was longer than that of tgAT in both rats (0.85–1.92 h versus 0.17–0.73 h) and rabbits (19–38 h versus 1.5–2.2 h). Correspondingly, tgAT showed a lower area under the curve, mean residence time, pharmacokinetic response to dosing and a higher clearance rate. In a meta‐analysis of the efficacy studies, the overall hazard ratio for death was 1.36 (tgAT:hpAT; p=0.06; 95% CI 0.99–1.86). HpAT and tgAT have differing pharmacokinetic properties in pre‐clinical studies. Further research is necessary to establish whether this translates into efficacy differences in vivo and in the clinical therapy of sepsis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation of aminated core‐shell fluorescent nanoparticles and their application to the synchronous fluorescence determination of γ‐globulin
Authors: Gao Feng , Luo Fabao , Yin Jun , Wang Lun
Published: June 2008

Amino‐modified silica nanoparticles (FSNPs) doped with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) were synthesized by using an aqueous core of reverse‐micelle microemulsion as the nanoreactor in an easy one‐pot method. Due to the FITC conjugating with (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTS), the nanoparticles prevent the FITC from leaching from the silica matrix when immersed in aqueous solution. SEM, FTIR, fluorescence lifetime, a photobleaching experiment and synchronous fluorescence spectra were used to characterize the FSNPs. The synchronous fluorescence signal of FSNPs was enhanced when trace amounts of γ‐globulin (γ‐G) were added. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the enhanced fluorescence intensity (ΔF) was linear with the concentration of γ‐G (c) in the range 0.3–4.8 µg/mL, with a detection limit of 0.04 µg/mL. The proposed method is simple, sensitive for the determination of trace amounts of γ‐G and used to determine the content of γ‐G in synthetic samples with satisfactory results. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ground‐ and excited‐state proton transfer and antioxidant activity of 3‐hydroxyflavone in egg yolk phosphatidylcholine liposomes: absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic studies
Authors: Chaudhuri Sudip , Basu Kaushik , Sengupta Bidisa , Banerjee Anwesha , Sengupta Pradeep K.
Published: June 2008

Excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) and dual luminescence behaviour of 3‐hydroxyflavone (3‐HF) have been utilized to monitor its binding to liposomal membranes prepared from egg yolk phosphatydilcholine (EYPC). Additionally, absorption spectrophotometric assay has been performed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of 3‐HF against lipid peroxidation in this membrane system. When 3‐HF molecules are partitioned into EYPC liposomes, a weak long‐wavelength absorption band with λ ∼410 nm appears in addition to the principal absorption at ∼λ = 345 nm. Selective excitation of the 410 nm band produces the characteristic emission (λ∼460 nm) of the ground‐state anionic species, whereas excitation at the higher energy absorption band leads to dual emission with predominatly ESIPT tautomer fluorescence (λ = 528 nm). Both ESIPT tautomer and the anionic species exhibit fairly high fluorescence anisotropy (r) values (r = 0.122 and 0.180, respectively). Biexponential fluorescence decay kinetics are observed for the ESIPT tautomer as well as the ground‐state anionic forms, indicating heterogeneity in the microenvironments of the corresponding emitting species. Furthermore, we demonstrate that lipid peroxidation of EYPC liposomes is significantly inhibited upon 3‐HF binding, suggesting that 3‐HF can be potentially useful as an inhibitor of peroxidative damage of cell membranes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of mitochondrial DNA on human lifespan: A view from studies on centenarians
Authors: Salvioli Stefano , Capri Miriam , Santoro Aurelia , Raule Nicola , Sevini Federica , Lukas Stella , Lanzarini Catia , Monti Daniela , Passarino Giuseppe , Rose Giuseppina , De Benedictis Giovanna , Franceschi Claudio
Published: June 2008

The role of inherited and somatic mutations of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in aging and longevity is complex and highly controversial, owing to its peculiar genetics, including the phenomenon of heteroplasmy. Most of the data on mtDNA and longevity have been obtained on humans and particularly on centenarians, i. e., people who escaped or delayed the major age‐related pathologies and reached the extreme limit of human lifespan. In this review we summarize the most recent advances in this field that suggest a consistent role in human longevity of both germ‐line inherited and somatically acquired mutations. The particular case of the association with longevity of the somatic C150T mutation is extensively discussed, challenging the tenet that mtDNA mutations are basically detrimental. We also stress several limitations of our present knowledge, regarding the difficulty in extrapolating to humans the results obtained in animal models, owing to a variety of biological differences, including the very limited genetic variability of mtDNA in the strains used in laboratory experiments. The use of high‐throughput technologies and the extensive analysis, possibly at the single cell level, of different tissues and cell types derived from the same individual will help in disentangling the complexity of mtDNA in aging and longevity.
Female sexual dysfunction after ileal pouch–anal anastomosis
Authors: Ogilvie Jr J W , Goetz L , Baxter N N , Park J , Minami S , Madoff R D
Published: June 2008

Background

The aim was to measure female sexual function after total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch–anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis using a validated scoring system and to determine the impact of pouch function on sexual function.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was performed using a modified version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-m). Measures of pouch function, including the Faecal Incontinence Severity Index, were also evaluated.

Results

Of 166 women eligible for inclusion, 90 responded to the questionnaires and 83 of these reported sexual activity. The mean age of the 83 women was 38·4 years and the mean time since pouch formation was 6·2 years. Thirty-nine women (47·0 per cent) had an FSFI-m score of 26 or less, indicating sexual dysfunction. The association between sexual dysfunction and stool leakage interfering with the ability to enjoy sexual activity tended toward significance (P = 0·071), but other measures of pouch function were not associated with sexual dysfunction. Some 55–80 per cent of respondents perceived no change or improved performance in the six domains of sexual function.

Conclusion

Almost half of the respondents reported having sexual dysfunction. Although poor pouch function was not identified as an important predictor of sexual dysfunction in this series, larger studies may be required to identify associated prognostic factors clearly.
Evidence-based perioperative care is lost in translation
Authors: Hardman J , Carlson G L
Published: June 2008

A bedside failure
Surgical treatment of oesophageal perforation
Authors: Kiss J
Published: June 2008

Several options–but choose wisely
Espin actin‐cytoskeletal proteins are in rat type I spiral ganglion neurons and include splice‐isoforms with a functional nuclear localization signal
Authors: Sekerková Gabriella , Zheng Lili , Mugnaini Enrico , Bartles James R.
Published: June 2008

The espins are Ca2+‐resistant actin‐bundling proteins that are enriched in hair cell stereocilia and sensory cell microvilli. Here, we report a novel localization of espins to a large proportion of rat type I spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) and their projections to the cochlear nucleus (CN). Moreover, we show that a fraction of these espins is in the nucleus of SGNs owing to the presence of splice‐isoforms that contain a functional nuclear localization signal (NLS). Espin antibody labeled ∼83% of type I SGNs, and the labeling intensity increased dramatically during early postnatal development. Type II SGNs and vestibular ganglion neurons were unlabeled. In the CN, espin‐positive auditory nerve fibers showed a projection pattern typical of type I SGNs, with intense labeling in the nerve root region and posteroventral CN (PVCN). The anteroventral CN (AVCN) showed moderate labeling, whereas the dorsal CN showed weak labeling that was restricted to the deep layer. Espin‐positive synaptic terminals were enriched around nerve root neurons and octopus cells in the PVCN and were also found on globular bushy cells and multipolar neurons in the PVCN and AVCN. SGNs expressed multiple espin transcripts and proteins, including splice‐isoforms that contain a nonapeptide, which is rich in positively charged amino acids and creates a bipartite NLS. The nonapeptide was necessary to target espin isoforms to the nucleus and was sufficient to target an unrelated protein to the nucleus when joined with the upstream di‐arginine‐containing octapeptide. The presence of cytoplasmic and nuclear espins in SGNs suggests additional roles for espins in auditory neuroscience. J. Comp. Neurol. 509:661–676, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The specificity of priming effects over the first year of life
Authors: DeFrancisco Carolyn Rovee‐Collier Becky Sweeney
Published: June 2008

Despite its significance for the enduring effect of early experience, the specificity of priming on infants' forgotten memories is unknown. This study determined the impact of cue and context changes on the initial priming and retrieval of the reactivated memory over the first postnatal year. Infants were operantly trained with a distinctive cue in a particular context. After forgetting, they were primed and tested for renewed retention with combinations of old and new cues and contexts. Priming was hyperspecific to the original cue and original context at all but 12 months, when the memory was reactivated in a novel context. At 9–12 months, the reactivated memory generalized to a novel cue or context. At younger ages, the reactivated memory generalized only after a very brief prime. These findings indicate that priming in early infancy is initially conservative, buffering against recovering memories in contexts that might no longer be appropriate. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 50: 486–501, 2008.
Calculation of distribution system voltage and power flow state using measured values
Authors: Tanomura Kenichi , Ogita Yoshihiro , Kaneshige Yumiko , Ishii Junji , Arai Junichi
Published: June 2008

This paper describes a techique of calculating voltage and power flow state of a distribution system using the information measured with two or more switches with sensors installed in a distribution system. In the proposed technique, a set of the power distribution section where two or more switches with a sensor are connected is defined as the large section, and the active power and reactive power consumption in the large section are calculated based on measurement information, voltage (RMS), current (RMS), and power factor. Using the simple distribution system model consisting of the large sections, the power consumption of the large section is calculated by the power flow calculation to separate power consumption and power distribution loss. It is distributed to the small sections that constitute the large section, and detailed power flow calculation is performed. Verification of the proposed technique and basic estimation of the calculation error were performed using the simple power distribution system model. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 164(4): 33–42, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20416
Autonomous decentralized voltage profile control of super‐distributed energy system using multi‐agent technology
Authors: Tsuji Takao , Hara Ryoichi , Oyama Tsutomu , Yasuda Keiichiro
Published: June 2008

A super‐distributed energy system is a future energy system in which a large part of its demand is fed by a huge number of distributed generators. At one time some nodes in the super‐distributed energy system behave as load, whereas at other times they behave as generator—the characteristic of each node depends on the customers' decision. In such situation, it is very difficult to regulate the voltage profile over the system due to the complexity of power flows. This paper proposes a novel control method of distributed generators that can achieve autonomous decentralized voltage profile regulation by using multi‐agent technology. The proposed multi‐agent system employs two types of agent: a control agent and a mobile agent. Control agents generate or consume reactive power to regulate the voltage profile of neighboring nodes and mobile agents transmit the information necessary for VQ‐control among the control agents. The proposed control method is tested through numerical simulations. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 164(4): 43–52, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20484
Theoretical investigation on skin effect factor of conductor in power cables
Authors: Suzuki Hiroshi , Kanaoka Mamoru
Published: June 2008

This paper describes a newly derived theoretical equation on the skin effect factor of power cables, and its application to large‐size OF and XLPE cables with segmental conductors, including insulated wires.

The skin effect factors calculated with the new equation were fit very well to measurements in a wide range of conductor sizes. In the new equation, the important factor which characterizes the skin effect of segmental conductors is the “equivalent conductivity ratio” v defined by the ratio of longitudinal conductivity in axial direction of conductor to conductivity of conductor wires.

Since the obtained ratio v in XLPE cable was three times greater than that in OF cable, the larger longitudinal eddy current passing from a wire to another increased the eddy current loss in conductor, which increased the conductor loss of XLPE cable. The new equation enables us to investigate quantitatively the dominant loss component affecting the skin effect factor.

Then, the skin effect factors and coefficients for OF and XLPE cables were investigated with the new equation. It was revealed that the best number of separation, in which the skin effect reached a minimum, existed in OF and XLPE cables with segmental conductors. In addition, it was confirmed that the skin effect coefficients ks1 calculated with the new equation were very consistent with those used in JCS. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 165(1): 18–34, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20576
Proposal of next‐generation three‐dimensional X‐ray lithography and its application to fabrication of a high‐luminescence optical waveguide for a liquid crystal backlight unit
Authors: Utsumi Yuichi , Kishimoto Takefumi , Hattori Tadashi , Minamitani Megumi
Published: June 2008

We have developed a new 3D X‐ray lithography system for LIGA processing using synchrotron radiation at the New SUBARU facility of the University of Hyogo. The X‐ray lithography system can utilize two different energy regions; one is a high‐energy region from 3 keV to 10 keV, and the other is a low‐energy region from 0.1 to 2 keV. Each energy region can be selected in accordance with the size and shape of the desired microstructures. It is demonstrated that a large‐area high‐luminance 7‐inch optical waveguide for the liquid crystal backlight unit was successfully fabricated with this X‐ray lithography method. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 165(1): 52–59, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience. wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20680
Basic characteristics of electric double layer capacitor mixing ketjen black as conductive filler
Authors: Tashima Daisuke , Kurosawatsu Kenji , Taniguchi Mitsufumi , Uota Masafumi , Otsubo Masahisa
Published: June 2008

In this study, ketjen black was used for polarized electrodes instead of conventionally employed acetylene black in order to improve the capacitance of an activated carbon‐based electric double layer capacitor (EDLC). Usually, ketjen black exhibits higher electronic conductivity compared to acetylene black, so that ketjen black could be considered as a conducting fiber. Moreover, N2 absorption‐desorption isotherm as well as TEM observation revealed that ketjen black used in this study has different types of pore structures compared to acetylene black. The capacitances of prepared EDLC were evaluated from discharge characteristics. It was found that the ketjen black containing EDLC showed fairly high capacitance compared to the one with acetylene black. In particular, an EDLC with 8 wt% ketjen black showed the highest capacitance among prepared samples. The specific capacitance of the best one was evaluated as 59.2 F/g. It was also found that the EDLC with 8 wt% ketjen black exhibited fairly stable capacitance at elevated temperatures based on the temperature dependence for capacitance in an EDLC with 10 wt% acetylene black and one with 8 wt% ketjen black. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 165(1): 1– 8, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience. wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20772
Parametric study of biodiesel production from used soybean oil
Authors: Allawzi Mamdouh , Kandah Munther Issa
Published: June 2008

Biodiesel, an alternative diesel fuel derived from vegetable oil, animal fat, or waste vegetable oil (WVO), is obtained by reacting the oil or fat with an alcohol (transesterification) in the presence of a basic catalyst to produce the corresponding mono‐alkyl esters. In this work, the effect of the catalyst KOH‐to‐WVO ratio, ethanol concentration, and time of reaction on the biodiesel yield were investigated. The transesterification reaction was performed at a constant temperature (35 °C) in order to minimize the cost of heating and ethanol evaporation. A 23 complete factorial design on biodiesel yield (Y) was performed using low and high levels of operating variables: KOH concentration (9–14 g/L), ethanol concentration (30–40 vol‐%) and time (30–40 min). The complete factorial model that can be used to fit the data was determined. The model shows that interactions exist among the parameters and that the parameters, or factors, do not operate independently on the response (biodiesel yield). The highest yield was obtained in the first 30 min of reaction time. The results indicate that the highest yield was 78.5 vol‐% using a KOH‐to‐WVO ratio of 12 g/L and 30 vol‐% ethanol. The ASTM tests indicate that the biodiesel properties are within the biodiesel standard limits.
Comparison of association methods for dense marker data
Authors: Bacanu Silviu‐Alin , Nelson Matthew R. , Ehm Margaret G.
Published: June 2008

While data sets based on dense genome scans are becoming increasingly common, there are many theoretical questions that remain unanswered. How can a large number of markers in high linkage disequilibrium (LD) and rare disease variants be simulated efficiently? How should markers in high LD be analyzed: individually or jointly? Are there fast and simple methods to adjust for correlation of tests? What is the power penalty for conservative Bonferroni adjustments? Assuming that association scans are adequately powered, we attempt to answer these questions. Performance of single‐point and multipoint tests, and their hybrids, is investigated using two simulation designs. The first simulation design uses theoretically derived LD patterns. The second design uses LD patterns based on real data. For the theoretical simulations we used polychoric correlation as a measure of LD to facilitate simulation of markers in LD and rare disease variants. Based on the simulation results of the two studies, we conclude that statistical tests assuming only additive genotype effects (i.e. Armitage and especially multipoint T2) should be used cautiously due to their suboptimal power in certain settings. A false discovery rate (FDR)‐adjusted combination of tests for additive, dominant and recessive effects had close to optimal power. However, the common genotypic χ2 test performed adequately and could be used in lieu of the FDR combination. While some hybrid methods yield (sometimes spectacularly) higher power they are computationally intensive. We also propose an “exact” method to adjust for multiple testing, which yields nominally higher power than the Bonferroni correction. Genet. Epidemiol. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morphine causes rapid increases in glial activation and neuronal injury in the striatum of inducible HIV‐1 tat transgenic mice
Authors: Bruce‐Keller Annadora J. , Turchan‐Cholewo Jadwiga , Smart Eric J. , Geurin Theresa , Chauhan Ashok , Reid Rollie , Xu Ruqiang , Nath Avindra , Knapp Pamela E. , Hauser Kurt F.
Published: June 2008

HIV encephalitis (HIVE) is accompanied by brain inflammation, leukocyte infiltration, and glial activation, and HIV patients who abuse opiates are more likely to develop HIVE. To better understand how opiates could alter HIV‐related brain inflammation, the expression of astrocyte (GFAP immunoreactivity) and macrophage/microglial (F4/80 or Mac1 immunoreactivity) markers in the striatum, and the percentage of 3‐nitrotyrosine (3‐NT) positive macrophages/microglia, was determined following a 2‐day exposure to morphine (5 mg/kg/day via time‐release, subcutaneous implant) and doxycycline in GFAP‐driven, doxycycline‐inducible HIV‐1 Tat transgenic mice. Data show that both morphine and Tat induction via doxycycline increased astrocyte activation, with significant additive increases achieved with combined morphine and doxycycline exposure. By contrast, combined Tat induction and morphine exposure, but neither manipulation alone, significantly increased the proportion of macrophages/microglia present in the striatum of transgenic mice, although morphine exposure was necessary to elevate 3‐NT co‐detection in Mac1‐positive macrophages/microglia. Finally, Tat induction increased the percentage of neurons expressing active caspase‐3, and this was even more significantly elevated by co‐administration of morphine. In spite of elevations in caspase‐3, neuronal TUNEL reactivity was unchanged in all groups, even after 10 days of Tat induction. Importantly, co‐administration of naltrexone completely antagonized the effects of morphine. These findings indicate that morphine rapidly and significantly increases the activation of astrocytes and macrophages/microglia in the brains of inducible Tat transgenic mice, supporting the theory that early inflammatory changes in glia could underlie the development of HIVE in opiate‐abusing AIDS patients. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Peripheral tolerance limits CNS accumulation of CD8 T cells specific for an antigen shared by tumor cells and normal astrocytes
Authors: Calzascia Thomas , Loh Jacelyn M. S. , Di Berardino‐Besson Wilma , Masson Frédérick , Guillaume Philippe , Burkhardt Karim , Herrera Pedro L. , Dietrich Pierre‐Yves , Walker Paul R.
Published: June 2008

T cell mediated immunotherapies are proposed for many cancers including malignant astrocytoma. As such therapies become more potent, but not necessarily more tumor‐specific, the risk of collateral autoimmune damage to normal tissue increases. Tumors of the brain present significant challenges in this respect, as autoimmune destruction of brain tissue could have severe consequences. To investigate local immune reactivity toward a tumor‐associated antigen in the brain, transgenic mice were generated that express a defined antigen (CW3170–179) in astroglial cells. The resulting six transgenic mouse lines expressed the transgenic self‐antigen in cells of the gastrointestinal tract and CNS compartments, or in the CNS alone. By challenging transgenic mice with tumor cells that express CW3, self/tumor‐specific immune responses were visualized within a normal polyclonal T cell repertoire. A large expansion of the endogenous CW3170–179‐specific CD8 T cell population was observed in nontransgenic mice after both subcutaneous and intracerebral implantation of tumor cells. In contrast, CW3170–179‐specific immune responses were not observed in transgenic mice that exhibited extracerebral transgene expression. Importantly, in certain groups of mice in which transgene expression was restricted to the CNS, antigen‐specific immune responses occurred when tumor was implanted subcutaneously, but not intracerebrally. This local immune tolerance in the brain was induced via peripheral (extrathymic) rather than central (thymic) tolerance mechanisms. Thus, this study highlights the role of regional immune regulation in the prevention of autoimmunity in the brain, and the potential impact of these mechanisms for brain tumor immunotherapy. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Highly efficient and feeder‐free production of subculturable vascular endothelial cells from primate embryonic stem cells
Authors: Saeki Kumiko , Yogiashi Yoshiko , Nakahara Masako , Nakamura Naoko , Matsuyama Satoko , Koyanagi Akemi , Yagita Hideo , Koyanagi Makoto , Kondo Yasushi , Yuo Akira
Published: June 2008

The vascular endothelial cell (VEC) differentiation from primate embryonic stem (ES) cells has critical problems: low differentiation efficiencies (<2%) and/or subculture incapability. We report a novel feeder‐free culture method for high efficiency production of subculturable VECs from cynomolgus monkey ES cells. Spheres, which were generated from ES cells in the presence of cytokine cocktail, were cultured on gelatin‐coated plates. Cobblestone‐shaped cells spread out after a few days, which were followed by an emergence of a sac‐like structure containing hematopoietic cells. All adherent cells including sac walls cells and surrounding cobblestone cells expressed vascular endothelial cadherin (VE‐cadherin) at intercellular junctions. Subculture of these cells resulted in a generation of homogeneous spindle‐shaped population bearing cord‐forming activities and a uniform acetylated low density lipoprotein‐uptaking capacity with von Willbrand factor and endothelial nitric oxide synthetase expressions. They were freeze–thaw‐tolerable and subculturable up to eight passages. Co‐existence of pericytes or immature ES cells was ruled out. When introduced in a collagen sponge plug implanted intraperitoneally in mice, ES‐derived cells recruited into neovascularity. Although percentages of surface VE‐cadherin‐positive population varied from 20% to 80% as assessed by flow cytometry, the surface VE‐cadherin‐negative population showed intracellular VE‐cadherin expression and mature functions, as we call it as atypical VECs. When sorted, the surface VE‐cadherin‐positive population expanded as almost pure (>90%) VE‐cadherin/PECAM‐1‐positive VECs by 160‐fold after five passages. Thus, our system provides pure production of functional, subculturable and freeze–thaw‐tolerable VECs, including atypical VECs, from primate ES cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 217: 261–280, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ni(ll) biosorption by Rhizopus arrhizus Env 3: the study of important parameters in biomass biosorption
Authors: Tahir Arifa , Zahid Sidra
Published: June 2008

BACKGROUND: The removal of toxic metals from wastewaters by biosorption, based on the metal‐binding capacities of various biological materials, has attracted much interest. However, the success of this approach depends on economic feasibility, which can be obtained by optimisation of the environmental conditions. In this study, Ni(II) biosorption experiments were carried out using a preformed biomass of Rhizopus arrhizus. A pure culture of previously isolated R. arrhizus Env 3 was used for maximum biosorption of nickel metal from nickel‐electroplating industrial effluent.

RESULTS: Various environmental factors such as nickel concentration, pH, temperature, mycelial pellet weight, pretreatment of fungal biomass, dead and living fungal biomass and time course of biosorption by R. arrhizus Env 3 were optimised for maximum removal of nickel from the effluent. The maximum nickel removal rate of 618.5 mg g−1 was observed with living biomass at pH 8, temperature 35 °C, nickel concentration 500 mg L−1, pellet size 3 g wet weight and shaker velocity 150 rpm. Maximum nickel biosorption was obtained after 72 h.

CONCLUSION: Statistical analysis of different factors such as temperature, pH, mycelial pellet size, concentration of nickel in effluent and residual nickel level showed that all these factors had significant effects on the biosorption of nickel metal by R. arrhizus Env 3 from nickel‐electroplating industrial effluent. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Concomitant diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma and hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis C virus liver disease: A study of two cases
Authors: Lin Amy , Kadam Jaydeep S. , Bodenheimer Henry C. , Leonard John , Joyce Maureen A. , Lake‐Bakaar Gerond
Published: June 2008

Chronic hepatitis C virus HCV infection progresses through liver fibrosis and cirrhosis to hepatocellular carcinoma HCC. It appears to be causally related to B‐cell non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma since regression after antiviral therapy has been described. Two cases are described of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma and HCC arising simultaneously in two patients. The first patient did not have cirrhosis on liver biopsy. HCV had been undetectable in plasma following successful therapy with interferon and ribavirin treatment 7 years earlier. The second patient developed an aggressive form of hepatocellular carcinoma HCC within weeks of stopping treatment with interferon and ribavirin. Therapy had induced complete viral suppression for over 40 weeks. The two cases suggest that non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma and HCC can develop in the absence of detectable hepatitis C viremia and argues for continued surveillance even after sustained virological response to treatment. J. Med. Virol. 80:1350–1353, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A simple one‐step real‐time RT‐PCR for diagnosis of dengue virus infection
Authors: dos Santos Harryson Wings Godoy , Poloni Telma Regina Ramos Silva , Souza Kelly Paula , Muller Vanessa Danielle Menjon , Tremeschin Flávia , Nali Lívia Christensen , Fantinatti Leandro Ricardo , Amarilla Alberto Anastacio , Castro Helda Liz Alfonso , Nunes Marcio Roberto , Casseb Samir Mansour , Vasconcelos Pedro Fernando , Badra Soraya Jabur , Figueiredo Luiz Tadeu Moraes , Aquino Victor Hugo
Published: June 2008

Dengue is the most important arbovirus disease in tropical and sub‐tropical countries, and can be caused by infection with any of the four‐dengue virus (DENV) serotypes. Infection with DENV can lead to a broad clinical spectrum, ranging from sub‐clinical infection or an influenza‐like disease known as dengue fever (DF) to a severe, sometimes fatal, disease characterized by hemorrhage and plasma leakage that can lead to shock, known as dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS). The diagnosis of dengue is routinely accomplished by serologic assays, such as IgM and IgG ELISAs, as well as HI tests, analyzing serum samples obtained from patients with at least 7 days of symptoms onset. These tests cannot be used for diagnosis during the early symptomatic phase. In addition, antibodies against dengue are broad reactive with other flaviviruses. Therefore, a specific diagnostic method for acute DENV infection is of great interest. In that sense, the real‐time RT‐PCR has become an important tool that can be used for early and specific detection of dengue virus genome in human serum samples. This study describes a simple, specific, and sensitive real‐time RT‐PCR for early diagnosis of dengue virus infection. J. Med. Virol. 80:1426–1433, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of human metapneumovirus among hospitalized children younger than 1 year in Catalonia, Spain
Authors: Camps Marta , Ricart Sílvia , Dimova Veselka , Rovira Núria , Muñoz‐Almagro Carmen , Garcia Juan Jose , Pons‐Odena Martí , Marcos Mª Angeles , Pumarola Tomàs
Published: June 2008

Human metapneumovirus was discovered recently respiratory virus implicated in both upper and lower respiratory tract infection. In children, the clinical symptoms of human metapneumovirus are similar to those produced by respiratory syncytial virus, ranging from mild to severe diseases such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. The aim of the present study was to describe the prevalence of human metapneumovirus and other common respiratory viruses among admitted to hospital infants. From January 2006 to June 2006, 99 nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from hospitalized children younger than 12 months in order to study respiratory viruses. Human metapneumovirus detection was performed by cell culture and two RT‐PCR targeting on polymerase and fusion genes. The latter gene was used for phylogenetic analysis. In 67/99 children (67%) at least one viral pathogen was identified, the viruses detected most frequently were respiratory syncytial virus (35%), human metapneumovirus (25%) and rhinovirus (19%). The results obtained in this study, show that: (1) human metapneumovirus is one of the most important viruses among children less than 12 months; (2) children infected with human metapneumovirus were significantly older than those infected by respiratory syncytial virus; (3) human metapneumovirus was associated more frequently with pneumonia whereas respiratory syncytial virus was only detected in patients with bronchiolitis; (4) there was a clear epidemiological succession pattern with only a small overlap among the viruses detected most frequently; (5) all human metapneumovirus samples were clustered within sublineage A2. J. Med. Virol. 80:1452–1460, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.