bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pro‐oxidant effects of phenothiazine and phenoxazine on erythrocytes in the presence of peroxyl radical
Authors: Li Guo‐Xiang , Tang You‐Zhi , Liu Zai‐Qun
Published: August 2009

Phenothiazine (PtzNH) and phenoxazine (PozNH) can protect human erythrocytes against hemolysis induced by 2,2′‐azobis(2‐amidinopropane hydrochloride) (AAPH), a peroxyl radical supplier. However, an antioxidant may be a pro‐oxidant to accelerate the oxidation in the presence of radicals. The aim of this work is to assess whether PtzNH and PozNH have the potential to be pro‐oxidants in AAPH‐induced hemolysis of human erythrocytes. It has been found that high concentrations of PtzNH and PozNH employed were able to initiate hemolysis even in the absence of AAPH. In the presence of AAPH, the period of PtzNH and PozNH to lag hemolysis (tlag) decreased with the increase in the concentrations of PtzNH and PozNH, implicating that high concentration of PtzNH and PozNH accelerated hemolysis. So, PtzNH and PozNH played pro‐oxidants' role in this case. Furthermore, high concentrations of AAPH employed made the pro‐oxidant effect of PtzNH more remarkable. On the contrary, PozNH played a pro‐oxidant role if only low concentration of AAPH was employed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 23:280–286, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20290
Multiplicity of n‐heptane oxidation pathways catalyzed by cytochrome P450
Authors: Szutowski Mirosław M. , Rakoto Joseph S.
Published: August 2009

Modeling, mutagenesis, and kinetic studies have demonstrated that the substrate‐binding site of cytochrome P450 is composed of multiple interactive regions that are capable of simultaneously binding two or more xenobiotics. Substrate molecules can interact with each other after docking. Thus, substrates can compete for the activated oxygen–ferrous complex or alter the spatial orientation of other molecules. Cytochrome P450 is a unique enzyme that produces n‐heptane metabolites of different oxidation states. Metabolism of n‐heptane was investigated with rat liver microsomes and a reconstituted rat liver system. Ethanol, n‐propanol, and n‐butanol molecules interacted with the n‐heptane molecule and resulted in cytochrome P450 spectral changes as well as alterations in the n‐heptane metabolic profile. The observed modifications in the biotransformation of n‐heptane indicated that there are three distinct pathways for oxidation of n‐heptane to heptanols, heptanones, and one‐side oxygen‐oriented heptanediones. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 23:287–294, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20291
Vaginal birth after cesarean checklist: An evidence‐based approach to improving care during VBAC trials
Authors: Veltman Larry
Published: August 2009

Several medical organizations and specialty societies, as part of their approach to patient safety, have recommended that checklists be introduced and followed in certain high‐risk healthcare situations. There is now evidence that following these kinds of checklists leads to improved outcomes. This article recommends a checklist that can be completed for each patient when she is admitted for a trial of labor after a previous cesarean delivery (VBAC). The elements of the checklist will help confirm the preparedness of the organization, compliance with national standards, and the consent of the patient for the VBAC trial.
Identification of vestibuloocular projection neurons in the developing chicken medial vestibular nucleus
Authors: Gottesman‐Davis Adria , Peusner Kenna D.
Published: August 2009

Biocytin was injected into the oculomotor, trochlear, or abducens nucleus on one side using isolated chicken brainstem preparations or brain slices to identify the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) neurons projecting to these targets. Oculomotor nucleus injections produced retrogradely labeled neurons in the contralateral ventrolateral MVN (MVNVL), with few labeled neurons in the ipsilateral MVNVL and rarely in the dorsomedial MVN on either side. Labeled MVNVL neurons were identified as stellate (95%) and elongate (5%) cells. Trochlear nucleus injections produced a similar pattern of MVN neuron labeling. Abducens nucleus injections resulted in retrogradely labeled stellate (87%) and elongate (13%) neurons in the MVNVL, which had smaller cell bodies than those projecting to the oculomotor nucleus. Anteroposteriorly, labeled MVNVL neurons were coextensive with the tangential nucleus, with neurons projecting to the oculomotor nucleus distributed lateral to and intermixed with the more medially situated neurons projecting to the abducens nucleus. The fundamental pattern of vestibuloocular projecting neurons was similar at both embryonic ages studied, E16 and E13. In contrast to the case in mammals, where most vestibuloocular projection neurons reside within the MVN, most retrogradely labeled neurons in these chicken preparations were found within the ventrolateral vestibular, descending vestibular, and tangential nuclei. The morphological identification and mapping of vestibuloocular projection neurons in the chicken MVN described here represents the first step in a systematic evaluation of the relationship between avian vestibuloocular neuron structure and function. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impacts of land use land cover on temperature trends over the continental United States: assessment using the North American Regional Reanalysis
Authors: Fall Souleymane , Niyogi Dev , Gluhovsky Alexander , Pielke Roger A. , Kalnay Eugenia , Rochon Gilbert
Published: August 2009

We investigate the sensitivity of surface temperature trends to land use land cover change (LULC) over the conterminous United States (CONUS) using the observation minus reanalysis (OMR) approach. We estimated the OMR trends for the 1979–2003 period from the US Historical Climate Network (USHCN), and the NCEP‐NCAR North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR). We used a new mean square differences (MSDs)‐based assessment for the comparisons between temperature anomalies from observations and interpolated reanalysis data. Trends of monthly mean temperature anomalies show a strong agreement, especially between adjusted USHCN and NARR (r = 0.9 on average) and demonstrate that NARR captures the climate variability at different time scales. OMR trend results suggest that, unlike findings from studies based on the global reanalysis (NCEP/NCAR reanalysis), NARR often has a larger warming trend than adjusted observations (on average, 0.28 and 0.27 °C/decade respectively).

OMR trends were found to be sensitive to land cover types. We analysed decadal OMR trends as a function of land types using the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and new National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 1992–2001 Retrofit Land Cover Change. The magnitude of OMR trends obtained from the NLDC is larger than the one derived from the ‘static’ AVHRR. Moreover, land use conversion often results in more warming than cooling.

Overall, our results confirm the robustness of the OMR method for detecting non‐climatic changes at the station level, evaluating the impacts of adjustments performed on raw observations, and most importantly, providing a quantitative estimate of additional warming trends associated with LULC changes at local and regional scales. As most of the warming trends that we identify can be explained on the basis of LULC changes, we suggest that in addition to considering the greenhouse gases–driven radiative forcings, multi‐decadal and longer climate models simulations must further include LULC changes. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Changes in inhibitory activity and secondary conformation of soybean trypsin inhibitors induced by tea polyphenol complexation
Authors: Huang Huihua , Zhao Mouming , Ren Qilong , Yang Yiwen
Published: August 2009

BACKGROUND: Tea polyphenol (TP) is a new food additive for antioxidant application, while soybean is an important resource for food and feed processing. It is therefore of rational and practical significance to investigate the influence of TP on soybean trypsin inhibitors (TIs). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of TP on the inhibitory activity of Kunitz (KTI) and Bowman–Birk (BBTI) TIs and to reveal the relationship between the inhibitory activity and conformation of KTI and BBTI by measurement of circular dichroism (CD) spectra.

RESULTS: KTI and BBTI were found to be partially deactivated by TP. BBTI exhibited stronger resistance than KTI to TP deactivation. The unchanged KM value of trypsin for benzoyl‐DL‐arginine‐p‐nitroanilide hydrolysis indicated that KTI and BBTI inhibited trypsin in a non‐competitive pattern when complexed with TP. As the TP/TI ratio was increased and the inhibitory activity of KTI and BBTI decreased, the conformation of KTI and BBTI showed relevant changes and the major CD negative bands shifted progressively towards the near‐UV region.

CONCLUSION: These results show the deactivation effects of TP on KTI and BBTI and reveal preliminarily the relationship between the inhibitory activity and secondary structure of KTI and BBTI. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
ATP13A2 variants in early‐onset Parkinson's disease patients and controls
Authors: Djarmati Ana , Hagenah Johann , Reetz Kathrin , Winkler Susen , Behrens Maria Isabel , Pawlack Heike , Lohmann Katja , Ramirez Alfredo , Tadić Vera , Brüggemann Norbert , Berg Daniela , Siebner Hartwig R. , Lang Anthony E. , Pramstaller Peter P. , Binkofski Ferdinand , Kostić Vladimir S. , Volkmann Jens , Gasser Thomas , Klein Christine
Published: August 2009

Four genes responsible for recessively inherited forms of Parkinson's disease (PD) have been identified, including the recently discovered ATP13A2 (PARK9) gene. Our objective was to investigate the role of this gene in a large cohort of PD patients and controls. We extensively screened all 29 exons of the ATP13A2 coding region in 112 patients with early‐onset PD (EOPD; <40 years) of mostly European ethnic origin and of 55 controls. We identified four carriers (3.6%) of novel single heterozygous ATP13A2 missense changes that were absent in controls. Interestingly, the carrier of one of these variants also harbored two mutations in the Parkin gene. None of the carriers had atypical features previously described in patients with two mutated ATP13A2 alleles (Kufor–Rakeb syndrome). Our data suggest that two mutated ATP13A2 alleles are not a common cause of PD. Although heterozygous variants are present in a considerable number of patients, they are—based on this relatively small sample—not significantly more frequent in patients compared to controls. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Fatigue‐related changes in fascicle–tendon geometry over repeated contractions: Difference between synergist muscles
Authors: Mitsukawa Naotoshi , Sugisaki Norihide , Kanehisa Hiroaki , Fukunaga Tetsuo , Kawakami Yasuo
Published: August 2009

Fatigue‐induced changes in force production of synergist muscles were evaluated through observation of fascicle‐tendon geometry and electromyography (EMG). Seven subjects performed 60 maximal isometric plantar flexions intermittently. No statistically significant intermuscle difference was observed in the decrease of mean EMG amplitudes or mean power frequency for the medial gastrocnemius (MG) and soleus (SOL) muscles. The tendon elongation of MG significantly decreased after the 19th contraction, and MG fascicle length increased after the 29th contraction, while SOL fascicle and tendon length did not change except for the last contraction. The declines in torques were highly correlated with the increase of MG fascicle length and decrease in tendon elongation in each subject, while no consistent relationship was found for SOL. These results suggest that changes in force‐production of MG and SOL over repeated contractions differ, which is reflected in fascicle–tendon geometry. Muscle Nerve 40: 395–401, 2009
Assessment of satellite cell number and activity status in human skeletal muscle biopsies
Authors: Mackey Abigail L. , Kjaer Michael , Charifi Nadia , Henriksson Jan , Bojsen‐Moller Jens , Holm Lars , Kadi Fawzi
Published: August 2009

The primary aim of our study was to validate the assessment of myonuclear and satellite cell number in biopsies from human skeletal muscle. We found that 25 type I and 25 type II fibers are sufficient to estimate the mean number of myonuclei per fiber. In contrast, the assessment of satellite cells improved when more fibers were included. Second, we report that small differences in counting satellite cells using CD56 and Pax7 antibodies can be attributed to the different staining profiles. Third, we provide support for the use of Ki67 in evaluating the proportion of active satellite cells. We observed very few (up to 1.3%) active satellite cells in healthy adult skeletal muscle at rest, but they increased significantly (up to 7‐fold) following muscle activity. This study provides valuable tools to assess the behavior of satellite cells, both in pathological conditions and in response to physiological stimuli. Muscle Nerve 40: 455–465, 2009
Jitter recordings with concentric needle electrodes
Authors: Stålberg Erik V. , Sanders Donald B.
Published: August 2009

Neuromuscular jitter is generally recorded with a single fiber (SF) electromyography (EMG) electrode. Due to concern about using reusable needle electrodes, an acceptable alternative for the SF electrode has been sought. This is a review of the issues involved in using disposable concentric needle (CN) electrodes to measure jitter. Signals recorded with CN electrodes frequently represent the summation of many single fiber action potentials, which will decrease the apparent jitter. The influence of these artifacts on the final result also depends on the analysis method. Reference values obtained with CN electrodes correlate with SF EMG values, but they are a few microseconds lower. Overall results show that the CN method is a good alternative to SFEMG and will facilitate the use of jitter analysis. The results must be interpreted with caution, particularly in borderline cases, but they may be acceptable for clinical use when SF electrodes cannot be used. Muscle Nerve 40: 331–339, 2009
Glutamine preserves skeletal muscle force during an inflammatory insult
Authors: Meador Benjamin M. , Huey Kimberly A.
Published: August 2009

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that acute glutamine (GLN) supplementation can counteract skeletal muscle contractile dysfunction occurring in response to inflammation by elevating muscle heat shock protein (Hsp) expression and reducing inflammatory cytokines. Mice received 5 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concurrently with 1 g/kg GLN or vehicle treatments. Plantarflexor isometric force production was measured at 2 hours post‐injection. Blood and gastrocnemius muscles were collected, and serum and muscle tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and muscle Hsp70 and Hsp25 were quantified. Saline/LPS treatment was associated with a 33% reduction in maximal force and elevated serum TNF‐α and IL‐6. GLN completely prevented this force decrement with LPS. GLN was found to reduce muscle Hsp70 and IL‐6, but only in the presence of LPS. GLN supplementation provides an effective, novel, clinically applicable means of preserving muscle force during acute inflammation. These data indicate that force preservation is not dependent on reductions in serum cytokines or muscle TNF‐α, or elevated Hsp levels. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Cardiac pathology exceeds skeletal muscle pathology in two cases of limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy type 2I
Authors: Margeta Marta , Connolly Anne M. , Winder Thomas L. , Pestronk Alan , Moore Steven A.
Published: August 2009

Limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy type 2I (LGMD‐2I) is caused by mutations in the fukutin‐related protein gene (FKRP) that lead to abnormal glycosylation of α‐dystroglycan in skeletal muscle. Heart involvement in LGMD‐2I is common, but little is known about a underlying cardiac pathology. Herein we describe two patients with LGMD‐2I (homozygous FKRP mutation c.826C>A, p.Leu276Ile) who developed severe congestive heart failure that required cardiac transplantation. The dystrophic pathology and impairment of α‐dystroglycan glycosylation were severe in the heart but mild in skeletal muscle, underscoring the lack of correlation between cardiac and skeletal muscle involvement in some LGMD‐2I patients. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Tailoring the structural properties of PVDF and P(VDF‐TrFE) by using natural polymers as additives
Authors: Simoes R.D. , Rodriguez‐Perez M.A. , De Saja J.A. , Constantino C.J.L.
Published: August 2009

The poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, and its copolymer poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene), P(VDF‐TrFE), are of great scientific and technological interest due to their ferro, pyro, and piezelectrical properties besides chemical and thermal stability. Recently, their biocompatibility has been shown as well. Therefore, considering all this potentiality, self‐standing films of PVDF and P(VDF‐TrFE) containing corn starch and latex of natural rubber as additives were produced by compressing/annealing forming blends. This process allows one to discard the necessity of using solvents to dissolve either PVDF or P(VDF‐TrFE), which are toxic to human. The films were structurally characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction, density, melt flow index, hardness, and thermal conductivity. The results showed that the polymers do not interact chemically with the additives leading to the formation of blends as physical mixtures where the additives are well dispersed within the blends at micrometer level. However, it was observed that the adhesion of the starch is better in the case of blends with P(VDF‐TrFE). Besides, the crystalline structures of the α‐PVDF and ferroelectric P(VDF‐TrFE) are kept in the blends. The density, hardness, melt flow index, and thermal conductivity values of the blends followed what should be expected from physical mixtures. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
The effects of triethylenetetramine grafting of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes on its dispersion, filler‐matrix interfacial interaction and the thermal properties of epoxy nanocomposites
Authors: Yang Kai , Gu Mingyuan
Published: August 2009

This study describes the influence of triethylenetetramine (TETA) grafting of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the dispersion state, interfacial interaction, and thermal properties of epoxy nanocomposites. MWCNTs were first treated by a 3:1 (v/v) mixture of concentrated H2SO4/HNO3, and then TETA grafting was performed. Chemically grafted MWCNT/bisphenol‐A glycidol ether epoxy resin/2‐ethyl‐4‐methylimidazole nanocomposites were prepared. TETA grafting could establish the connection of MWCNTs to the epoxy matrix and transform the smooth and nonreactive MWCNT surface into a hybrid material that possesses the characteristics of both MWCNTs and TETA, which facilitates homogeneous dispersion of MWCNTs and improves nanotube‐epoxy interfacial interaction. Therefore, the impact property, glass transition temperature, thermal stability, and thermal conductivity of epoxy nanocomposites are enhanced. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation of nano‐Ag particles and their modification on the mechanical and dielectric properties of epoxy resin
Authors: Liang Honglu , Yu Demei , Xie Yunchuan , Min Chao , Zhang Jing , Hu Guohe
Published: August 2009

Nano‐Ag particles stabilized by a hyperbranched polymer (HBP) template were prepared for modifying the epoxy resin. The effects of preparation condition on the size and size distribution of Ag colloidal particles were studied. The Ag@HBP particles were then compounded with the epoxy resin to obtain the Ag@HBP/epoxy composites and the mechanical and dielectric properties of these composites were investigated. Dynamic mechanical analysis results show that the composites have higher loss factors than does the unmodified epoxy resin, which indicate better dissipation of mechanical energy and hence better shock or impact resistance. Fracture morphology of the composite shows a toughness feature. From the dielectric test results, the breakdown strength and dielectric constant of the composites at room temperature are increased, which can be explained by the Coulomb block effect. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Prediction of the film thickness distribution and pattern change during film insert thermoforming
Authors: Kim Gugyong , Lee Kwango , Kang Sungsu
Published: August 2009

Various surface process methods have been developed to decorate plastic or metallic products. Film insert molding (FIM) is one of the methods that enhance the functional and/or aesthetic qualities of a product's surface. However, the drawbacks of FIM are that the thickness of the film can change, depending on the product configuration, and further, the pattern of the decorated film may change. Therefore, this article attempts to quantify the changes in the thickness and in the pattern of the decorated film during the FIM process. G'Sell's viscoelastic constitutive law was adopted to describe the rheological behavior of polymer film. A constant‐velocity uniaxial tensile test at high temperature, which is a new method proposed in this research, was used to obtain the rheological parameters. We also suggested a visual method for predicting pattern change, which was validated by comparing analytical results with those of real products. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation of carbon nanofibres through electrospinning and thermal treatment
Authors: Liu Cheng‐Kun , Lai Kan , Liu Wei , Yao Mu , Sun Run‐Jun
Published: August 2009

Electrospinning is a versatile process to obtain continuous carbon nanofibres at low cost. Thermoplastic and thermosetting polymer precursors are utilized to prepare electrospun carbon nanofibres, activated carbon nanofibres through chemical and/or physical activation and functionalized composite carbon nanofibres by surface coating or electrospinning a precursor solution tailored with nanomaterials. Many promising applications of electrospun carbon nanofibres can be expected if appropriate microstructural, mechanical and electrical properties become available. This article provides an in‐depth review of the research activities regarding several varieties and performance requirements of precursor nanofibres, polyacrylonitrile‐based carbon nanofibres and their functionalized products, and carbon nanofibres from other precursors. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Sulfonated Surfaces by Sulfur Dioxide Plasma Surface Treatment of Plasma Polymer Films
Authors: Siow Kim S. , Britcher Leanne , Kumar Sunil , Griesser Hans J.
Published: August 2009

The preparation of thin film coatings with sulfonate and sulfate groups by plasma techniques is not straightforward due to limited volatility of suitable process vapours. We report a combination of plasma polymerisation and plasma treatment, treating heptylamine (HA‐SO2) and 1,7‐octadiene (OD‐SO2) plasma polymers with sulfur dioxide plasma. HA‐SO2 and OD‐SO2 plasma polymer surfaces exhibited different compositions with the latter showing almost twice the amount of sulfur, as well as polysulfonate. Ageing of HA‐SO2 plasma polymer surfaces in air or saline solution led to the disappearance of oligomers containing sulfonate and sulfate. Angle‐dependent XPS analysis of HA‐SO2 plasma polymers suggested that sulfur containing groups reptated into the plasma polymer upon storage after preparation.

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Charge carrier dissociation and recombination in polymer solar cells
Authors: Deibel Carsten
Published: August 2009

In polymer:fullerene solar cells, the origin of the losses in the field‐dependent photocurrent is still controversially debated. We contribute to the ongoing discussion by performing photo‐induced charge extraction measurements on poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐2,5‐diyl):[6,6]‐phenyl‐C61butyric acid methyl ester solar cells in order to investigate the processes ruling charge carrier decay. Calculating the drift length of photogenerated charges, we find that polaron recombination is not limiting the photocurrent for annealed devices. Additionally, we applied Monte Carlo simulations on blends of conjugated polymer chain donors with acceptor molecules in order to gain insight into the polaron pair dissociation. The dissociation yield turns out to be rather high, with only a weak field dependence. With this complementary view on dissociation and recombination, we stress the importance of accounting for polaron pair dissociation, polaron recombination as well as charge extraction when considering the loss mechanisms in organic solar cells.
Excitons in conjugated polymers: Do we need a paradigma change?
Authors: Beenken Wichard J. D.
Published: August 2009

We have previously shown that both, polymer conformation and dynamics are crucial for the exciton transport in conjugated polymers. Thereby we found that the usual Förster‐type hopping transfer model – even if one applies the line‐dipole approximation – falls short in one crucial aspect: the nature of the sites the excitons are transferred between is still unclear. We found that the simple model of spectroscopic units defined as segments of the polymer chains separated by structural defects breaking the π‐conjugation is only justified for chemical defects like hydrogenated double bonds, or extreme gauche (90°) torsions between the monomers. Both defects are far too rare in a well‐prepared conjugated polymer to explain the mean spectroscopic‐unit length of typically 6–7 monomers. Meanwhile, also the concept of dynamical formation of the spectroscopic units, we had previously suggested, has also failed. Thus the question of a paradigma change concerning the exciton transport in conjugated polymers appears on the agenda.
A microstructural study of superconductive nanocrystalline diamond
Authors: Villar M. P. , Alegre Ma. P. , Araujo D. , Bustarret E. , Achatz P. , Saminadayar L. , Bauerle C. , Williams O. A.
Published: August 2009

A transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study of superconducting nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) continuous layers is reported. The high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HREM) and the diffraction contrast modes of observations are used to reveal the nanograins configuration. Three types of them are observed: first, close to the interface with the Si/SiO2 substrate, 10–20 nm‐sized diamond seeds resulting from the 5 nm size diamond powder deposition before growth that show some regrowth during CVD process, second a diamond overgrown layer, quasi‐epitaxially by coalesced larger NCD grains, and finally, up to the free surface, a thin disordered region composed of nanocrystallites smaller than 6 nm. This last layer was not nominally expected and is attributed to a renucleated‐like (RND) carbon layer embedding ultra NCD grains. Diffraction contrast observations confirm this HREM observed behavior.
Position‐sensitive radiation detectors made of single crystal CVD diamond
Authors: Pomorski M. , Ciobanu M. , Mer C. , Rebisz‐Pomorska M. , Tromson D. , Bergonzo P.
Published: August 2009

Based on a single crystal chemical vapour deposition (scCVD) diamond plate a position sensitive detector [position sensitive detection position sensitive detector (PSD)] has been fabricated. The ∼9 mm2 sensing area of the detector consists of a diamond‐like carbon (DLC) thin film, in the form of a plane‐pad resistive electrode layer deposited on the scCVD surface. The 1D position information is obtained from the resistive charge division between two collecting electrodes located at the extremities of the DLC sensing electrode. The detector properties have been tested using a 241Am α‐particles source. The timing characteristics of the device were probed using broad‐band (BB) electronics: the signal formation does not exceed 30 ns, thus detector operation with a negligible ballistic effect is possible at high rates approaching 107 particles/s. The linearity and position resolution of the device was measured using low‐noise charge‐sensitive (CS) electronics: the position resolution reaches 30 µm (σ), the deviation from linearity remain below 2% in the full range of the detector sensing area.
Simultaneous quantification of 2′,2′‐difluorodeoxycytidine and 2′,2′‐difluorodeoxyuridine nucleosides and nucleotides in white blood cells using porous graphitic carbon chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Jansen Robert S. , Rosing Hilde , Schellens Jan H. M. , Beijnen Jos H.
Published: August 2009

A novel assay for the simultaneous quantification of the widely used anticancer agent 2′,2′‐difluorodeoxycytidine (gemcitabine; dFdC), its deaminated metabolite 2′,2′‐difluorodeoxyuridine (dFdU) and their mono‐, di‐ and triphosphates (dFdCMP, dFdCDP, dFdCTP, dFdUMP, dFdUDP and dFdUTP) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is described. Separation of all eight compounds was achieved within 15 min using a porous graphitic carbon column (Hypercarb) with a gradient from 0 to 25 mM ammonium bicarbonate in acetonitrile/water (15:85, v/v). Calibration ranges in PBMC lysate from 4.29 to 429, 29.0 to 2900, 31.4 to 3140 and 36.9 to 3690 nM for dFdC, dFdCMP, dFdCDP and dFdCTP and from 42.1 to 4210, 25.4 to 2540, 43.2 to 4320 and 52.7 to 5270 nM for dFdU, dFdUMP, dFdUDP and dFdUTP, respectively, were validated. Accuracies were within 82.3–119% at the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) and the precisions were less than 20.0%. At the other tested levels accuracies were within 91.4–114% and precisions less than 14.9%. Mixtures of 13C,15N2‐labeled dFdC and dFdU nucleotides were synthesized and used as internal standards. Whole blood samples showed extensive ongoing dFdC metabolism when stored at room temperature, but not on ice‐water, which made the addition of enzyme inhibitors unnecessary. Stock solutions and samples were stable under all analytically relevant conditions. The method was successfully applied to clinical samples. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of aminothiols through surface‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry using mixed gold nanoparticles
Authors: Chiang Ni‐Chen , Chiang Cheng‐Kang , Lin Zong‐Hong , Chiu Tai‐Chia , Chang Huan‐Tsung
Published: August 2009

We have employed mixtures of two differently sized (average diameters: 3.5 and 14 nm) gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) as selective probes and matrices for the determination of aminothiols using surface‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI‐MS). When using 38 and 150 pM solutions of the 3.5‐ and 14‐nm Au NPs, respectively, as the probe and matrix, SALDI‐MS provided limits of detection (signal‐to‐noise ratio = 3) of 2, 20, and 44 nM for 1.0 mL solutions of glutathione (GSH), cysteine (Cys), and homocysteine, respectively. The signal intensities of these analytes varied by less than 20% for SALDI‐MS analyses recorded over 50 sample spots; in contrast, they varied by as much as 60% when using a conventional matrix (2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid). We validated the practicality of this approach – with its advantages of sensitivity, reproducibility, rapidity, and simplicity – through the analysis of GSH in MCF‐7 cell lysates and Cys in plasma. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Belowground fate of 15N injected into sweetgum trees (Liquidambar styraciflua) at the ORNL FACE Experiment
Authors: Garten Charles T. , Brice Deanne J.
Published: August 2009

Nitrogen (N) cycling can be an important constraint on forest ecosystem response to elevated atmospheric CO2. Our objective was to trace the movement of 15N, injected into tree sap, to labile and stable forms of soil organic matter derived partly from the turnover of tree roots under elevated (545 ppm) and ambient (394 ppm) atmospheric CO2 concentrations at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) FACE (Free‐Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment) Experiment. Twenty‐four sweetgum trees, divided equally between CO2 treatments, were injected with 3.2 g 15N‐ammonium sulfate (99 atom %), and soil samples were collected beneath the trees over a period of 89 weeks. For 16 cm deep soil samples collected beneath the study trees, there was 28% more fine root (less than or equal to 2 mm diameter) biomass under elevated CO2 (P = 0.001), but no significant treatment effect on the amounts of necromass, coarse root biomass, or on the N concentrations in tree roots and necromass. Nitrogen‐15 moved quickly into roots from the stem injection site and the 15N content of roots, necromass, and labile organic matter (i.e. particulate organic matter, POM) increased over time. At 89 weeks post‐injection, approximately 76% of the necromass 15N originated from fine root turnover. Nitrogen‐15 in POM had a relatively long turnover time (47 weeks) compared with 15N in roots (16 to 22 weeks). Over the 1.7 year period of the study, 15N moved from roots into slower cycling POM and the disparity in turnover times between root N and N in POM could impose progressive limitations on soil N availability with stand maturation irrespective of atmospheric CO2, especially if the release of N through the decomposition of POM is essential to sustain forest net primary production. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Minors in random regular graphs
Authors: Fountoulakis Nikolaos , Kühn Daniela , Osthus Deryk
Published: August 2009

We show that there is a constant c so that for fixed r ≥ 3 a.a.s. an r‐regular graph on n vertices contains a complete graph on $ c\sqrt{n} $ vertices as a minor. This confirms a conjecture of Markström (Ars Combinatoria 70 (2004) 289–295). Since any minor of an r‐regular graph on n vertices has at most rn/2 edges, our bound is clearly best possible up to the value of the constant c. As a corollary, we also obtain the likely order of magnitude of the largest complete minor in a random graph Gn,p during the phase transition (i.e., when pn → 1). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2009
Prenatal ultrasound exposure and children's school performance at age 15–16: follow‐up of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Stålberg K. , Axelsson O. , Haglund B. , Hultman C. M. , Lambe M. , Kieler H.
Published: August 2009

Objective

To evaluate the association between prenatal ultrasound exposure and school performance at 15–16 years of age.

Methods

The study population consisted of children born to women who participated in a randomized controlled trial on the second‐trimester ultrasound examination in Sweden from 1985 to 1987. Information about the children's grades when graduating from primary school and information on socioeconomic factors was obtained from Swedish nationwide registers. Comparisons were made using linear and logistic regression analyses according to randomization to ultrasound, ultrasound exposure in the second trimester and ultrasound exposure at any time during pregnancy. Boys and girls were analyzed separately.

Results

Of the 4756 singleton children from the randomized trial, we identified 4458 (94%) in the National School Register. There were no statistically significant differences in school performance for boys or girls according to randomization or exposure to ultrasound in the second trimester. Compared to those who were unexposed, boys exposed to ultrasound at least once at any time during fetal life had a tendency towards lower mean school grades in general (−4.39 points; 95% CI, −9.59 to 0.81 (max possible, 320) points) and in physical education (−0.45 points; 95% CI, −0.91 to 0.01 (max possible, 20) points), but the differences did not reach significance.

Conclusion

In general, routine ultrasound examination in the second trimester had no effect on overall school performance in teenagers. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
l‐Cysteine improves survival and growth of mesothelial cells after freezing
Authors: Bird Stephen D. , Walker Robert J. , Legge Michael
Published: August 2009

Enzymic isolation, cryopreservation and culture of cells places considerable demand on intracellular antioxidant thiol status. Thiol status is carefully regulated in the cell by the balance of reduced and oxidized thiol species, including glutathione (GSH/GSSG) and l‐cysteine (l‐Cys/l‐CySS disulphide). These play a pivotal role in redox signaling, cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation. Thiol depletion exposes cells to “thiol debt”, increasing their vulnerability to sustained pro‐oxidant attack and injury. This study focused on the ability of l‐Cys‐enriched medium to enhance survival and growth of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (hPMC) after prolonged storage at −196 °C. HPMC derived from human omentum suspended in freezing solution (90% foetal bovine serum, 10% dimethylsulfoxide) were cryopreserved at passage 1 for 6 years. Thawed cells cultured in medium M199 plus or minus l‐Cys (0.25 mmol/L) were subjected to morphological, growth, ultrastructural studies, RT‐PCR and cell signaling studies to assess cell function after cryopreservation. Viability of thawed cells was lower (85 ± 3%) than non‐frozen control cells (98 ± 2% viable). l‐Cys added to the cryopreservation fluid and the post‐thaw medium increased cell viability to 94 ± 2%. Cell growth plus l‐Cys was 2‐fold greater compared with the minus l‐Cys controls. The former had a cobblestone appearance. Ultrastructural studies showed lamellar bodies, indicative of surfactant production not evident in cells in minus l‐Cys, which were a fibroblastic appearance. l‐Cys treated hPMC constitutively expressed message for growth factors, TGFβ1, PDGF‐A, PDGF‐B and PDGFβ‐receptor. The functionality of the PDGFβ‐receptor was confirmed in fura‐2 loaded cells with release of intracellular calcium when challenged with exogenous PDGF‐BB. The addition of reduced thiols to culture media may have wider application in survival and enhance cell‐based therapies.
A failure of conflict to modulate dual-stream processing may underlie the formation and maintenance of delusions
Authors: Speechley W.J. , Murray C.B. , McKay R.M. , Munz M.T. , Ngan E.T.C.
Published: August 2009

Background

Dual-stream information processing proposes that reasoning is composed of two interacting processes: a fast, intuitive system (Stream 1) and a slower, more logical process (Stream 2). In non-patient controls, divergence of these streams may result in the experience of conflict, modulating decision-making towards Stream 2, and initiating a more thorough examination of the available evidence. In delusional schizophrenia patients, a failure of conflict to modulate decision-making towards Stream 2 may reduce the influence of contradictory evidence, resulting in a failure to correct erroneous beliefs.

Method

Delusional schizophrenia patients and non-patient controls completed a deductive reasoning task requiring logical validity judgments of two-part conditional statements. Half of the statements were characterized by a conflict between logical validity (Stream 2) and content believability (Stream 1).

Results

Patients were significantly worse than controls in determining the logical validity of both conflict and non-conflict conditional statements. This between groups difference was significantly greater for the conflict condition.

Conclusions

The results are consistent with the hypothesis that delusional schizophrenia patients fail to use conflict to modulate towards Stream 2 when the two streams of reasoning arrive at incompatible judgments. This finding provides encouraging preliminary support for the Dual-Stream Modulation Failure model of delusion formation and maintenance.
Experiments on the ectoparasitic deer ked that often attacks humans; preferences for body parts, colour and temperature
Authors: Kortet R. , Härkönen L. , Hokkanen P. , Härkönen S. , Kaitala A. , Kaunisto S. , Laaksonen S. , Kekäläinen J. , Ylönen H.
Published: August 2009

The deer ked (Lipoptena cervi) can fail in its host search. Host search fails when an individual deer ked irreversibly accepts a host unsuitable for its reproduction (e.g. a human) and drops its wings. In northern Europe, the main host of the deer ked is the moose (Alces alces). The deer ked is increasingly causing serious problems for humans (for example, causing deer ked dermatitis) and is considered a threat for the recreational use of forests. The adult deer ked flies in early and mid-autumn to search for a host. Our aims were: (i) to study whether there are ways to avoid deer ked attacks by wearing particular clothing, and (ii) to evaluate deer ked host choice. Using human targets, we explored the cues the deer ked uses for host selection. We studied which part of the host body deer keds target and if body colour and temperature affect their choice. In our experiments, deer keds landed more on dark and red clothing than on white clothing. Moreover, deer keds mostly attacked the upper body parts and preferred the back side of the body over the front side. Finally, deer keds preferred the warmest areas of the host.
An All-Consuming History? Recent Works on Consumer Culture in Modern Germany
Authors: Lerner Paul
Published: August 2009

In a 2001 essay, the introduction to a special journal issue on consumption in twentieth-century Germany, historians Alon Confino and Rudy Koshar noted the relative lack of scholarship on consumption and consumerism in European, especially German, historiography, as compared to the explosion of interest in the topic among historians of the United States. For Confino and Koshar, this disjuncture appears all the more remarkable in view of the centrality of consumption and consumer goods to the political and ideological struggles of the German twentieth century and indeed the potential power of consumption, as a historiographic subject, for linking daily life and individual experience to the sweeping trajectories of the century's history. It turns out that Koshar and Confino did not have to wait very long for this gap to be filled; in the several years since that journal issue appeared, works on consumption in modern Germany have been coming out at a furious pace. In addition to several broad surveys of and edited collections on consumer society in the modern period, over the last few years there has been a wave of specialized studies of consumption and consumer goods in Nazi Germany, in the Federal Republic, and notably in the GDR. The problem of consumption has also been a key concern in recent works on Wilhelmine and Weimar cultural history, although historical studies of the period's consumer culture—or the institutions and mechanisms for its dissemination—remain fairly rare.
Internal Security in the Straits Settlements, 1826 – 1867
Authors: Turnbull (Rayner) C. M.
Published: August 2009

When Penang, Malacca and Singapore were united to form the Presidency of the Straits Settlements in 1826, the police forces in all three stations were small and inadequate. Until 1857 none of the Straits Settlements had a full-time Commissioner of Police, and the Resident Councillors presided over police work, in addition to their duties as head of the executive government and judge in the Recorder's court in their respective settlements.
Student Movements in Historical Perspective: The Asian Case
Authors: Altbach Philip G.
Published: August 2009

While student movements have only recently become internationally prominent, they have been active political and social forces in many nations for a fairly long period of time. The European nationalist movements of the 19th century had strong student support, and European revolutionary movements, including the German revolutions of 1848 and the Russian revolutionary movements, saw students in instrumental roles. In the developing areas as well students have played an important and sometimes crucial political role. Asian students have a particularly long and active history of political involvement. India, China, Burma, Indonesia, Pakistan, and other nations have all seen nationalist upsurges in the 19th and 20th centuries in which university students and Western-oriented intellectuals have been active. Many Asian nations, after achieving independence, have seen student and youth movements in opposition or as politically volatile elements in their societies. In a few nations, such as Turkey, South Korea, South Vietnam, and indirectly Indonesia, Pakistan, and Japan, students have caused governments to fall or political crises to take place.
Study of Entrepreneurialship in Developing Countries: The Development of One Chinese Concern in Indonesia
Authors: Panglaykim J. , Palmer I.
Published: August 2009

In the past many of us have been accustomed to visualizing developmental analysis as taking an inventory of physical resources, distributing them (or merely imagining them) in different fields of production, and then, according to preconceived ideas of technical coefficients, calculating future output. This might be termed the “skeleton” of economic theory. But the real meat of development lies in the efficiency of implementation of decisions, whether planned or laissez-faire. The efficiency of implementation depends on the quality of entrepreneurship; again, whether in publicly or privately owned establishments. This quality of entrepreneurship is determined by the attitude of management and labour leaders to supervision, morale and workers, breakdowns in machinery, commercial risks, and all uncertainties which cannot be effectively programmed. We believe it is taking an inadequate and misleading view of economic development to regard technical coefficients as reliable indicators of the fruitfulness of investments. For instance, a $10 million investment in steel in China might have quite a different impact on a range of economic indicators than the same investment in India.
The Erosion of Ideological Hegemony and Royal Power and the Rise of Postwar Malay Nationalism, 1945–46
Authors: Kheng Cheah Boon
Published: August 2009

The French Annales historians have made the study of popular mentalites into a fascinating and important field of historical research. This approach has yet to gain ground in Southeast Asian historical studies, especially in Malaysian history, with respect to the thinking of subject classes. If we take the Malay traditional ruling class and the Malay peasantry in Melaka and other states from the fifteenth to the nineteenth century, we know very little about the ideological hegemony which the former exercised over the latter, or what the thinking of the dominated class was like. One problem, of course, has been the lack of sources, but such a problem has not deterred the Annales historians from making their attempt.
Tan Cheng Lock and the Chinese Education Issue in Malaya
Authors: Ee Tan Liok
Published: August 2009

These memorable words were spoken by Tan Cheng Lock, a man who did not speak any Chinese himself, when addressing a meeting of representatives of Chinese School Committees and Chinese School Teachers' Associations on 9 November 1952. Speaking as president of the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA), Tan went on in his speech to promise that

At this critical juncture in the history of the growth and development of Chinese education and culture in Malaya … its cause has the full support of the Malayan Chinese Association.

Tan's speech, and the presence of three other MCA leaders at the meeting, were the first clear indications that the MCA was prepared to take a consolidated stand with other Chinese organizations, in particular the United Chinese School Teachers' Association (UCSTA), and the United Chinese Schools' Committees' Association (UCSCA), on the issue of Chinese education. The MCA's decision was greeted by a chorus of approval from the Chinese press which described the 9 November meeting as an unprecedented manifestation of Chinese unity and from leading shetuan, or Chinese social organizations, which expressed their full support for the meeting's stand on Chinese education.