bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonic Destruction of Surfactants: Application to Industrial Wastewaters
Authors: Weavers Linda K. , Pee Gim Yang , Frim J. Aaron , Yang Limei , Rathman James F.
Published: October 2005

This research focused on the use of sonication to destroy surfactants and surface tension properties in industrial wastewaters that affect traditional water treatment processes. We have investigated the sonochemical destruction of surfactants and a chelating agent to understand the release of metals from surfactants during sonication. In addition, the effects of physical properties of surfactants and the effect of ultrasonic frequency were investigated to gain an understanding of the factors affecting degradation. Sonochemical degradation of surfactants was observed to be more effective than nonsurfactant compounds. In addition, as the concentration is increased, the degradation rate constant does not decrease as significantly as with nonsurfactant compounds in the near‐field acoustical processor reactor. The degradation of metal complexes is not as effective as in the absence of the metal. However, this is likely an artifact of the model complexing agent used. Surfactant metal complexes are expected to be faster, as they will accumulate at the hot bubble interface, significantly increasing ligand exchange kinetics and thus degradation of the complex.
Fifteen Years of Offgas Transfer Efficiency Measurements on Fine‐Pore Aerators: Key Role of Sludge Age and Normalized Air Flux
Authors: Rosso D. , Iranpour R. , Stenstrom M. K.
Published: October 2005

Fine‐pore diffusers, often called fine‐bubble diffusers, have nearly replaced coarse bubble diffusers in municipal wastewater treatment over the past 20 years. The rapid increases in energy costs, which began in the 1970s, created financial incentives to upgrade to this more expensive and maintenance‐intensive method of aeration. Fine‐pore diffusers have the added benefit of reducing volatile organic compound stripping and reduced aeration heat loss. This paper summarizes 15 years of oxygen transfer efficiency measurements using the offgas technique. Efficiencies are shown for different types of diffusers at various tank geometries (depth, diffuser size, and number), airflow rates, and mean cell retention times (MCRT or sludge age). By normalizing the airflow rates per unit of depth and diffusing area, efficiencies measured in different plants can be compared. The results show that aeration efficiencies are logarithmically related to the ratio between MCRT and the normalized air flux, with transfer rates suppressed by low MCRT or high normalized air flux systems. There is no evidence for different α factors among the different types of fine‐bubble diffuser types.
Evaluation of Ceramic and Membrane Diffusers under Operating Conditions with the Dynamic Offgas Method
Authors: Libra J. A. , Sahlmann C. , Schuchardt A. , Handschag J. , Wiesmann U. , Gnirss R.
Published: October 2005

The aeration systems of two full‐scale, activated‐sludge basins were compared during a period of three years, under the same operating conditions, using dynamic offgas testing. Only the material of the diffuser was different (membrane versus ceramic‐tube diffusers). The investigation has shown that, although the membrane diffusers have higher initial standard‐oxygen‐transfer efficiency (αSOTE) and standard‐aeration efficiency (αSAE), these decreased over time, while the αSAE of the ceramic diffusers started lower, but increased slightly over the whole period.    A cost comparison makes clear how important it is to evaluate the aeration system under process conditions. The operating costs were the dominant factor (∼10× higher than capital costs), and operating costs were approximately 20% higher for membrane versus ceramic diffusers. The poor performance of the membrane‐tube diffusers under process conditions could be explained on the basis of the actual αAE values in the basin, not the standardized values.
Factors Affecting Oxygen‐Transfer Rates in Headspace‐Gas Respirometers
Authors: Moon Hyung‐Mo , Young James C.
Published: October 2005

Satisfactory measures of the biological‐oxygen‐uptake rate in headspace‐gas respirometers can only be achieved if the rate of oxygen transfer from the headspace gas to liquid is greater than the rate of oxygen uptake by microorganisms. In the authors' study, factors potentially affecting oxygen‐transfer limitations in headspace‐gas respirometers were evaluated quantitatively. Tests were conducted to measure maximum‐oxygen‐uptake rates by operating a respirometer under various test conditions. Analysis of respirometric data indicated that limiting oxygen‐transfer rates were related to mixing intensity, length of magnetic stirring bar, volume of sample, and oxygen content in the headspace gas. A multivariable model was developed to describe the overall contribution of these factors to the limiting oxygen‐transfer rate. This model should be useful for estimating maximum‐oxygen‐transfer rates for essentially all headspace‐gas respirometers.
Gamma Irradiation of Municipal Sludge for Safe Disposal and Agricultural Use
Authors: Gautam Satyendra , Shah Mahesh R. , Sabharwal Sunil , Sharma Arun
Published: October 2005

Gamma radiation was found to be an effective tool for hygienization of municipal wastewater sludge. The sludge received from the primary settling tank of a municipal wastewater treatment plant was gamma irradiated using a cobalt‐60 source in a sludge hygienization research irradiator. The process parameters were adjusted to effectively eliminate coliform bacteria in the sludge and to prevent their regrowth. Irradiated sludge was found to be free of fecal coliform and could be directly disposed after drying in a landfill or used as manure. It could also be used as a medium for growth of Rhizobium sp for obtaining a bio‐fertilizer.
Insights to False Positive Total Cyanide Measurements in Wastewater Plant Effluents
Authors: Weinberg Howard S. , Cook Steven J. , Singer Philip C.
Published: October 2005

Many publicly owned treatment works in North America are exceeding permitted limits for total cyanide in their wastewater treatment effluents. A recently introduced rapid, segmented, flow‐injection analysis procedure using UV digestion and amperometric detection of the membrane‐separated cyanide was used to investigate the various scenarios by which elevated cyanide levels might be present in wastewater treatment plant effluent. A number of significant interferences can produce false positive bias during sample analysis with the traditional acid distillation technique, but are minimized or absent with the new analytical method. However, increased levels of cyanide were found in some chlorinated wastewaters compared to the levels before chlorination, suggesting a fast reaction mechanism associated with the disinfectant and some precursor in the wastewater. In particular, the contact of chlorine with nitrite in the presence of a carbon precursor appears to contribute to cyanide formation during wastewater treatment and sample handling. This paper explores the scenarios under which cyanide can form during wastewater treatment as well as those in which a false bias for total cyanide can be obtained during sample processing and provides guidance for appropriate sample handling, screening, and processing to ensure valid analytical results.
An Evaluation of the Urban Stormwater Pollutant Removal Efficiency of Catch Basin Inserts
Authors: Morgan Robert A. , Edwards Findlay G. , Brye Kristofor R. , Burian Stephen J.
Published: October 2005

In a storm sewer system, the catch basin is the interface between surface runoff and the sewer. Responding to the need to improve the quality of stormwater from urban areas and transportation facilities, and spurred by Phase I and II Stormwater Rules from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, several companies market catch basin inserts as best management practices for urban water quality management. However, little data have been collected under controlled tests that indicate the pollutant removal efficiency of these inserts when the inflow is near what can be expected to occur in the field. A stormwater simulator was constructed to test inserts under controlled and replicable conditions. The inserts were tested for removal efficiency of total suspended solids (TSS) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) at an inflow rate of 757 to 814 L/min, with influent pollutant concentrations of 225 mg/L TSS and 30 mg/L TPH. These conditions are similar to stormwater runoff from small commercial sites in the southeastern United States. Results from the tests indicate that at the test flowrate and pollutant concentration, average TSS removal efficiencies ranged from 11 to 42% and, for TPH, the removal efficiency ranged from 10 to 19%. Water Environ. Res.,
2‐Chlorobenzoate Biodegradation by Recombinant Burkholderia cepacia under Hypoxic Conditions in a Membrane Bioreactor
Authors: Urgun‐Demirtas Meltem , Stark Benjamin , Pagilla Krishna
Published: October 2005

The feasibility of applying bacterial hemoglobin technology to degrade 2‐chlorobenzoate (2‐CBA) through co‐metabolism under hypoxic conditions in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) process has been studied in the laboratory. 2‐chlorobenzoate removal and chloride release rates in the MBR system varied from 99 to 78% and 98 to 73%, respectively, depending on the operation conditions. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies were more than 90% at food‐to‐microorganism ratios ranging from 0.32 to 0.62 g/g/d, and the observed yield was 0.13 to 0.20 g biomass/g COD. The bacterial cell‐floc size‐distribution analysis showed that there is a significant change in bacterial floc size due to high shear stress during operation of the MBR. To characterize growth kinetics of Burkholderia cepacia strain dinitrotoluene, a mathematical model that describes co‐metabolic oxidation of 2‐CBA in an MBR has been developed.
Three‐Dimensional, Quantitative‐Structure‐Property‐Relationship Study of Aqueous Solubility for Phenylsulfonyl Carboxylates Using Comparative‐Molecular‐Field Analysis and Comparative‐Molecular‐Similarity‐Indices Analysis
Authors: Liu Xinhui , Yang Zhifeng , Wang Liansheng
Published: October 2005

With both the comparative‐molecular‐field analysis (CoMFA) and the comparative‐molecular‐similarity‐indices analysis (CoMSIA), the paper describes two five‐component, three‐dimensional, quantitative‐structure‐property‐relationship (3D‐QSPR) models for the aqueous solubility logS W (S W, mol·L‐1) of 52 phenylsulfonyl carboxylates. Two models yield the leave‐one‐out cross‐validated correlation coefficient q 2 values 0.851 and 0.821, and the conventional correlation coefficient r 2 values 0.963 and 0.929, respectively. The achievement of high q 2 and r 2 values of the CoMFA model indicates the significance of correlation of steric and electrostatic fields with the aqueous solubility. The key features in the CoMFA contour maps are critical to trace the important properties and gain insight to the solvation mechanism of tested compounds. The quality of CoMSIA model is slightly lower than that of CoMFA in terms of q 2 and r 2 values. Not requiring molecular superposition, CoMSIA may be faster than CoMFA in data processing.
Scale‐Up Considerations for a Hollow‐Fiber‐Membrane Bioreactor Treating Trichloroethylene‐Contaminated Water
Authors: Pressman Jonathan G. , Georgiou George , Speitel Gerald E.
Published: October 2005

Scale‐up of a hollow‐fiber‐membrane (HFM) bioreactor treating trichloroethylene‐ (TCE‐) contaminated water via co‐metabolism with the methanotroph Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b PP358 was investigated through cost comparisons, bioreactor experiments, and mathematical modeling. Cost comparisons, based on a hypothetical treatment scenario of 568‐L/min (150‐gpm) flowrate with an influent TCE concentration of 100 μg/L, resulted in a configuration of treatment trains with two HFM modules in series and an overall annual cost of $0.36/m3 treated. Biological experiments were conducted with short lumen and shell residence times, 0.16 and 0.40 min, respectively, as a result of the cost comparisons. A new variable, specific transformation, was defined for characterizing the co‐metabolic transformation in continuous‐flow systems, and values as large as 38.5 μg TCE/mg total suspended solids were sustainable for TCE treatment. Using mathematical modeling, HFM bioreactor system design was investigated, resulting in a five‐step system design strategy to facilitate sizing of the unit processes.
Continuous Monitoring of Conventional Parameters to Assess Receiving Water Quality in Support of Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement Plans
Authors: Irvine K. N. , McCorkhill G. , Caruso J.
Published: October 2005

As part of its long‐term control plan for combined sewer overflow (CSO) abatement, the city of Buffalo, New York, maintained a network of Hydrolab Datasondes (Hydrolab‐Hach Company, Loveland, Colorado) to assess receiving water‐quality effects by continuously logging dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, conductivity, and turbidity. Although the effect of individual CSOs could be visualized, turbidity levels entering the Buffalo River from the upper watershed often were greater than from CSO discharges. Turbidity data showed that the Buffalo River was a net‐sediment sink. Low dissolved oxygen levels were observed in the summer during dry weather, baseflow, and watershed‐wide storms and CSO events. Some CSOs did not produce dissolved oxygen sags in the receiving waters, but others did. This information, together with the sampling done for organic and inorganic contaminants, can aid the decisionmaking process when prioritizing outfalls for abatement work and provides a baseline against which receiving water‐quality improvements can be measured.
Phosphorus Release in Aerobic Sludge Digestion
Authors: Ju Lu‐Kwang , Shah Hemant K. , Porteous Jim
Published: October 2005

The objectives of this study are to examine the phosphorus release in aerobic sludge digestion and to better understand its governing mechanisms. In this study, phosphorus release was examined using the secondary sludge from both conventional and biological nutrient removal processes. The experiments were carried out at room temperature (22 ± 2°C), with or without automatic control of pH (4.5 to 7.8), and under three aeration schemes: fully aerobic (dissolved oxygen [DO] at 3 to 4 mg/L), low DO (0.2 to 0.8 mg/L), and cyclic (with alternate on/off aeration). The released phosphorus concentrations were 20 to 80 mg/L for the conventional sludge and 60 to 130 mg/L for the biophosphorus sludge. Higher phosphorus release also occurred at low pH (<6.0). As for the effect of DO, fully aerobic digestion caused higher phosphorus release than the low‐DO and cyclic operations. For better understanding, the solid phosphorus in sludge was conceptually categorized into three forms: inorganic phosphorus precipitates, organic cellular phosphorus, and polyphosphate (poly‐P) in polyphosphate‐accumulating organisms. Dissolution of inorganic phosphorus precipitates is controlled by physical and chemical conditions, with pH being the most important in this study. Lowering the pH to 4 to 6 clearly promoted the release of inorganic phosphorus. Polyphosphate hydrolysis, on the other hand, was found to be regulated biologically (sensitive to occurrence of anaerobic conditions) and was insignificant in the glutaraldehyde‐fixed sludge. Phosphorus release from organic phosphorus should correlate with the volatile solid (VS) digestion, which lyses the cells and frees the phosphorus covalently bonded with the organic matters. The amounts of phosphorus released per unit VS digested (ΔP/ΔVS) were therefore calculated for experiments with long periods of constant pH (to minimize interferences from dissolution/precipitation of inorganic phosphorus). The results suggested that some poly‐P was hydrolyzed and released accompanying the aerobic VS digestion, but at rates far lower than those under anaerobic conditions.
A parametric investigation of gas‐particle flow in a vertical duct
Authors: Liu Xue , Glasser Benjamin J.
Published: October 2005

The impact of physical and process parameters on flow of gas and particles in a vertical duct has been examined. Steady‐state solutions were sought to equations of continuity and motion with closures from kinetic theory and the variations of the solutions with changes in parameters were computed using a bifurcation/continuation approach. When the particles are assumed elastic, we find that the segregation of particles transits from the center to the walls with an increase in the bed width or solids load. The origin of this transition arises from the contribution of the gas‐particle slip term on the pseudothermal energy transport. When the particles are inelastic, we find particles always segregate to the center of the channel, irrespective of the bed width or solids load. As we track the variation of the average solids fraction with a number of parameters, multiple steady‐state solutions can be observed. Recent interest in using fluidized beds on Mars or the Moon for local production of oxygen has prompted us to examine the effect of gravity on steady fully developed flows in gas‐particle fluidized beds. When the average gas velocity is held constant, the flow profiles are found to be insensitive to the magnitude of gravity if the gas flow rate is high and particles always move upward in the bed. The physical mechanism leading to this insensitivity can be traced to the automatic compensation of the gas‐particle drag force to the body force. However, when the gas flow rate is low, particles move downward in the region close to the walls with high gravity, whereas this downflow is not observed under low gravity. Finally, the effects of two dimensionless numbers are investigated. It is found that the flow behaviors are not sensitive to the variation of the Reynolds number when this number is high because of a relatively small value of the gas viscous term. With an increase in the Froude number, the gas and particle velocities decrease as well as the granular temperature. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
Synthesis and structures of stiba choline bromide, [Me3SbCH2CH2OH]Br and (Me3SbCH2COO)8 (NaBr)7(MeOH)9(H2O), a supramolecular derivative of stiba betaine
Authors: Balázs Lucia , Breunig Hans J. , Lork Enno , Raţ Ciprian I.
Published: October 2005

The antimony analogue of choline bromide, [Me3SbCH2CH2OH]Br (1), is formed by the reaction of Me3Sb with BrCH2CH2OH. Crystals of (Me3SbCH2COO)8(NaBr)7(MeOH)9(H2O) (2) are obtained from [Me3SbCH2COOH]Br and Na2CO3 in methanol. Crystals of 1 contain stibonium cations with intramolecular coordination of the ethanolic group. The structure of 2 features supramolecular units where the carboxylic groups of stiba betaine molecules are in bridging positions between sodium ions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discrimination of normal, inflammatory, premalignant, and malignant oral tissue: A Raman spectroscopy study
Authors: Malini R. , Venkatakrishna K. , Kurien J. , M. Pai Keerthilatha , Rao Lakshmi , Kartha V. B. , Krishna C. Murali
Published: October 2005

Optical spectroscopy methods are fast emerging as potential alternatives for early diagnosis of cancer. A Raman spectroscopy method for discrimination of normal and malignant oral tissues has been developed by us earlier. It is necessary to evaluate and establish the validity of the approach before it can be routinely used. In the present study, our Raman spectroscopy investigations are extended further to evaluate the efficacy of the technique to discriminate between normal, inflammatory, premalignant, and malignant conditions in oral tissue. Spectral profiles of normal, malignant, premalignant, and inflammatory conditions show pronounced differences between one another. Spectra of normal tissues can be attributed mainly to lipids whereas pathological tissue spectra are dominated by proteins. Principal components analysis (PCA) of the spectral data sets belonging to the four different categories showed that scores of factors differentiated between normal and all pathological conditions but gave only poor discrimination among the three pathological states. PCA combined with multiparameter limit tests allow match/mismatch criteria to be applied to test samples when pathologically certified calibration sets are available in each class. It is shown that by this method all the four tissue types could be discriminated and diagnosed correctly. The biochemical differences between normal and pathological conditions of oral tissue are also discussed from spectral differences of the different classes of spectra. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 81: 179–193, 2006

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Postoperative delirium in elderly patients after major abdominal surgery
Authors: Olin K , Eriksdotter-Jönhagen M , Jansson A , Herrington M K , Kristiansson M , Permert J
Published: October 2005

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients undergoing major abdominal surgery and to identify factors associated with delirium in this population.

Methods

Data were collected prospectively from 51 patients aged 65 years or more. Delirium was diagnosed by the Confusion Assessment Method and from the medical records. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to identify cognitive impairment.

Results

POD occurred in 26 of 51 patients. Delirium lasted for 1–2 days in 14 patients (short POD group) and 3 days or more in 12 patients (long POD group). The latter patients had significantly greater intraoperative blood loss and intravenous fluid infusion, a higher rate of postoperative complications, a lower MMSE score on postoperative day 4 and a longer hospital stay than patients without POD. Patients in the short POD group were significantly older than those in the long POD group and those who did not develop delirium.

Conclusion

Approximately half of the elderly patients in this study developed POD. Bleeding was found to be an important risk factor for delirium.
Endoscopic ultrasonography for evaluation of pancreatic tumours in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1
Authors: Hellman P , Hennings J , Åkerström G , Skogseid B
Published: October 2005

Background

Pancreatic tumours are common in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), and close surveillance is needed to detect pancreatic lesions at an early stage. Conventional radiology is inefficient in verifying the small tumours indicated by biochemical screening. During the past decade, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has evolved as a sensitive method for the detection of small pancreatic lesions.

Methods

EUS was evaluated in 25 patients with MEN1, two of whom had symptoms due to hormonal secretion. Twenty-two patients had biochemical signs of pancreatic tumours, and in five patients lesions were located by either computed tomography (two) or transabdominal ultrasonography (three).

Results

EUS visualized pancreatic tumours in the five patients in whom lesions were detected by the other methods and in a further nine patients. Eight of these 14 patients had surgery, and tumours were confirmed histopathologically. No lesion was detected in any of the 11 patients with no tumour detected by EUS.

Conclusion

EUS is a more sensitive technique for the detection and localization of potentially malignant lesions in patients with MEN1 than computed tomography or transabdominal ultrasonography.
Study of the Growth of Capped ZnO Nanocrystals: A Route to Rational Synthesis
Authors: Viswanatha Ranjani , Sarma D. D.
Published: October 2005

We report the study of complex and unexpected dependencies of nanocrystal size as well as nanocrystal‐size distribution on various reaction parameters in the synthesis of ZnO nanocrystals using poly(vinyl pyrollidone) (PVP) as a capping agent. This method establishes a qualitatively different growth mechanism to the anticipated Ostwald ripening behavior. The study of size‐distribution kinetics and an understanding of the observed non‐monotonic behaviors provides a route to rational synthesis. We used a simple, but accurate, approach to estimate the size‐distribution function of nanocrystals from the UV‐absorption spectrum. Our results demonstrate the accuracy and generality of this approach, and we also illustrate its application to various semiconducting nanocrystals, such as ZnO, ZnS, and CdSe, over a wide size range (1.8–5.3 nm).
Non‐Covalent Polyvalent Ligands by Self‐Assembly of Small Glycodendrimers: A Novel Concept for the Inhibition of Polyvalent Carbohydrate–Protein Interactions In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Thoma Gebhard , Streiff Markus B. , Katopodis Andreas G. , Duthaler Rudolf O. , Voelcker Nicolas H. , Ehrhardt Claus , Masson Christophe
Published: October 2005

Polyvalent carbohydrate–protein interactions occur frequently in biology, particularly in recognition events on cellular membranes. Collectively, they can be much stronger than corresponding monovalent interactions, rendering it difficult to control them with individual small molecules. Artificial macromolecules have been used as polyvalent ligands to inhibit polyvalent processes; however, both reproducible synthesis and appropriate characterization of such complex entities is demanding. Herein, we present an alternative concept avoiding conventional macromolecules. Small glycodendrimers which fulfill single molecule entity criteria self‐assemble to form non‐covalent nanoparticles. These particles—not the individual molecules—function as polyvalent ligands, efficiently inhibiting polyvalent processes both in vitro and in vivo. The synthesis and characterization of these glycodendrimers is described in detail. Furthermore, we report on the characterization of the non‐covalent nanoparticles formed and on their biological evaluation.
On a vector potential formulation for 3D electromechanical finite element analysis
Authors: Semenov A. S. , Kessler H. , Liskowsky A. , Balke H.
Published: October 2005

A vector potential for the electric induction is applied to static three‐dimensional fully coupled electromechanical problems. A Coulomb gauge condition imposed on the electric vector potential improves the convergence behaviour of nonlinear problems, and in combination with a discrete set of Dirichlet boundary conditions, it can enforce unique vector potential solutions. Based on a spectral analysis of the stiffness matrix, the Coulomb gauge is compared with other gauge conditions. A penalized version of the weak vector potential formulation with Coulomb gauge is proposed and tested on some numerical examples in electrostatics, piezoelectricity and ferroelectricity. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The fast Gauss transform for non‐local integral FE models
Authors: Benvenuti E. , Tralli A.
Published: October 2005

Originally developed for fast solving multi‐particle problems, the fast Gauss transform (FGT) is here applied to non‐local finite element models of integral type (FEFGT). The focus is on problems requiring fine geometry discretization, as in the case of solutions that exhibit high gradients or boundary layers. As shown by one‐ and two‐dimensional examples, the FEFGT algorithm combines the robustness of the finite element method with the outstanding computational efficiency of the FGT. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mirror exposure for the treatment of body image disturbance
Authors: Delinsky Sherrie Selwyn , Wilson G. Terence
Published: October 2005

Objective

Body image disturbance is a risk factor for the development and persistence of eating disorders. Limitations of current treatments for body image disturbance prompted the development of a mirror exposure (ME) treatment.

Method

ME involves deliberate, planned, and systematic exposure to body image. The approach is nonjudgmental, holistic in focus, and mindful of present emotional experience. Complementary behavioral assignments aim to reduce avoidance and excessive checking. The current study evaluated the effectiveness of ME therapy (in a three‐session format) compared with a nondirective (ND) therapy for 45 women with extreme weight and shape concerns.

Results

ME resulted in significant improvements at termination and follow‐up in body checking and avoidance, weight and shape concerns, body dissatisfaction, dieting, depression, and self‐esteem. As hypothesized, ME was significantly better than ND on many of the outcome measures.

Conclusion

ME is an effective treatment for body image disturbance and should be evaluated in the context of treatments for eating disorders. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Caffeine intake in eating disorders
Authors: Striegel‐Moore Ruth H. , Franko Debra L. , Thompson Douglas , Barton Bruce , Schreiber George B. , Daniels Stephen R.
Published: October 2005

Objective

The current study compares caffeine consumption in females with an eating disorder and females without an eating disorder.

Method

Caffeine intake in three diagnostic groups (10 females with anorexia nervosa, 27 females with bulimia nervosa, and 42 females with binge eating disorder [BED]) was compared with caffeine intake in three comparison groups (n = 659 each). Data were obtained from a longitudinal study of Black and White girls. Three‐day food records were examined for the years before the onset of the eating disorder, the onset year, and the years after the onset of the eating disorder. Data from the same years were used for the comparison groups.

Results

Caffeine intake increased over time between ages 9 and 19 years across all groups and this trend was not moderated by diagnostic status. For anorexia nervosa, relative to the non‐eating disorder group, the proportional intake of caffeine from soda increased significantly before onset to onset to after onset and ingestion of chocolate‐containing foods decreased sharply over time.

Conclusion

Caffeine consumption in young girls with eating disorders differs from girls with no eating disorders only for anorexia nervosa, but not for bulimia nervosa or BED. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Maternal cognitions, psychopathologic symptoms, and infant temperament as predictors of early infant feeding problems: A longitudinal study
Authors: Farrow Claire , Blissett Jackie
Published: October 2005

Objective

The current study examined the contribution of prenatal and postnatal maternal core beliefs, self‐esteem, psychopathologic symptoms, and postnatal infant temperament to the prediction of infant feeding difficulties.

Method

Ninety‐nine women completed questionnaires assessing their core beliefs, psychopathology, and self‐esteem during pregnancy and at 6 months postpartum. At 6 months, mothers also rated their infant's temperament and feeding, and were ob‐served feeding their infants.

Results

Maternal reports of child feeding difficulties were predicted by higher levels of emotional deprivation and entitlement core beliefs and lower levels of self‐sacrifice and enmeshment core beliefs during pregnancy. Postnatal social isolation core beliefs, lower maternal self‐esteem, and more difficult infant temperament added significantly to the variance explained by prenatal factors. Maternal core beliefs, self‐esteem, psychopathology, and infant temperament failed to significantly predict independent observations of child food refusal.

Conclusion

Maternal cognitions are implicated in the development of maternal reports of feeding difficulty. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Emotional overeating and its associations with eating disorder psychopathology among overweight patients with Binge eating disorder
Authors: Masheb Robin M. , Grilo Carlos M.
Published: October 2005

Objective

The current study examined emotional overeating in overweight patients with binge eating disorder (BED). A new measure—the Emotional Overeating Questionnaire (EOQ)—was developed to measure the frequency of overeating in response to emotions. The internal consistency, test‐retest reliability, and factor structure of this measure were examined, and its associations with eating disorder psychopathology, depression, and gender were explored.

Method

Two hundred twenty consecutive overweight (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25) treatment‐seeking BED patients (48 men and 172 women) were administered the EOQ, which assesses overeating frequency in response to six emotions (anxiety, sadness, loneliness, tiredness, anger, and happiness). A subset of patients (n = 83) completed the measure again approximately 1 week later. BMI was measured, and participants completed measures of eating disorder psychopathology.

Results

The EOQ was internally consistent (α =.85), its items were significantly and moderately correlated (range .32 to .70) with each other, and principal components analysis revealed one factor accounting for 58% of the variance. The EOQ items and total score were characterized by good test‐retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICCs] ranged from .62 to .73). Significant correlations were found between the emotional overeating items and total score, and binge frequency, eating disorder features, and depressive symptomatology. Emotional overeating was unrelated to BMI, and men and women reported similar rates of emotional overeating.

Conclusion

Emotional overeating was significantly associated with binge frequency, eating disorder features, and depression, but was not related to BMI or gender. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Copper(II) Complexes of Schiff‐Base and Reduced Schiff‐Base Ligands: Influence of Weakly Coordinating Sulfonate Groups on the Structure and Oxidation of 3,5‐DTBC
Authors: Sreenivasulu Bellam , Vetrichelvan Muthalagu , Zhao Fei , Gao Song , Vittal Jagadese J.
Published: October 2005

The copper(II) complexes of the Schiff‐base ligands H2Sams and H2Saes and the reduced Schiff‐base ligands H2Sam and H2Sae formed between salicylaldehyde and aminomethanesulfonic acid or 2‐aminoethanesulfonic acid (taurine) have been synthesized in moderate yields. The solid‐statestructures of the five dinuclear complexes, [Cu2(Sams)2(H2O)2](1), [Cu2(Sam)2(H2O)2]·H2O (2), [Cu2(Saes)2(H2O)2]·2H2O (3), [Cu2(Sae)2]·2H2O (4), and [Cu2(Sae)2(DMF)2]·2DMF (5), have been determined by X‐ray crystallography, showing that the CuII centers have distorted square‐pyramidal geometry. The Schiff‐base copper complexes 1 and 3 have hydrogen‐bonded 2D sheet structures while the reduced Schiff‐base complexes 4 and 5 display a 2D coordination network and a hydrogen‐bonded 2D structure respectively. All these complexes have been investigated for their catecholase activity and activity measurements have been compared with those of dinuclear copper(II) complexes of similar ligands obtained with carboxylate analogues of the corresponding sulfonicacids; these studies show that 4 has significantly higher activity. Further, a strong antiferromagnetic interaction between CuII ions in dimeric complexes 1 [J = –9.04(2) cm–1], 3 [J = –272(4) cm–1), and 4 [J = –237(4) cm–1] has been observed. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Isolation and Structure Determination of Aplidinones A–C from the Mediterranean Ascidian Aplidium conicum: A Successful Regiochemistry Assignment by Quantum Mechanical 13C NMR Chemical Shift Calculations
Authors: Aiello Anna , Fattorusso Ernesto , Luciano Paolo , Mangoni Alfonso , Menna Marialuisa
Published: October 2005

A chemical investigation of a Mediterranean ascidian, Aplidium conicum, has resulted in the isolation of the new metabolites aplidinone A (1), B (2), and C (3). The structures of aplidinones A–C were determined by interpretation of spectroscopic data, whereas the regiochemistry was determined by the comparison of experimental 13C NMR chemical shifts with those predicted by GIAO shielding calculations. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Cover Picture: Fluorine in Peptide Design and Protein Engineering (Eur. J. Org. Chem. 21/2005)
Authors: Jäckel Christian , Koksch Beate
Published: October 2005

The cover picture shows the specific interaction domains (yellow: hydrophobic core; red and blue: charged functional groups in amino acid side chains) of an α‐helical coiled coil peptide (in the background) and the influence of fluoroalkyl‐substituted amino acids on the stability of hydrophobic protein cores (in the foreground). Details are presented in the Microreview by C. Jäckel and B. Koksch on p. 4483 ff.
A pull‐based service replication protocol in mobile ad hoc networks
Authors: Derhab Abdelouahid , Badache Nadjib
Published: October 2005

The mobility of nodes in ad hoc networks can lead to frequent network partitioning. This partitioning disconnects many nodes from a centralised server. Being aware of a future partitioning can help to provide a continuous service availability for all mobile nodes. In this paper, we propose a service replication protocol consisting of three distributed algorithms. This protocol (i) predicts the occurrence of network partitioning, which allows to create service replicas in the future separate partitions and (ii) constructs a dynamic service replicas deployment scheme. Using linear‐time temporal logic, we show that each detection of network partitioning can be predicted before its occurrence. Our simulation results show that the proposed protocol guarantees service availability to all mobile nodes without incurring high cost. Copyright © 2005 AEIT.
Independent component analysis using successive interference cancellation for oversaturated data
Authors: Huovinen Toni , Ristaniemi Tapani
Published: October 2005

In this paper, advanced interference cancellation strategies are considered and applied in DS‐CDMA uplink receivers. Namely, we introduce a new successive interference cancellation (SIC) scheme in which blind source separation (BSS) techniques based on independent component analysis (ICA) are considered. Our main emphasis is on the oversaturated data in which situation easily arises for example in DS‐CDMA systems when the number of active connections/users is high compared to number of chips per bit being used, that is, a highly loaded system. Proposed receiver structures combine the main benefits of pure BSS/ICA and SIC methods: (i) inherent mitigation of various types of interference sources by BSS/ICA, (ii) robustness against parameter estimation errors due to BSS/ICA, (iii) greatly improved interference suppression capability due to novel combination of SIC ideology and ICA for oversaturated data. The last item in the list can also be seen as a way to somewhat circumvent the ‘more sources than sensors’—problem, which is a challenging problem in BSS area. Numerical experiments with DS‐CDMA uplink data are given to illustrate the achieved gains in capacity and bit‐error‐rate performance compared to conventional successive and parallel interference cancellation (PIC) schemes as well as more an advanced LMMSE‐PIC receiver and variants of BSS/ICA techniques alone. Copyright © 2005 AEIT.
Capacity of dual‐branch selection diversity receivers in correlative Weibull fading
Authors: Sagias Nikos C.
Published: October 2005

An analysis for the Shannon channel capacity of dual‐branch selection diversity receivers operating over correlative Weibull fading is presented under three adaptive policies: constant power with optimal rate adaptation, optimal power and rate adaptation and channel inversion with fixed rate. In this context, useful formulae for the average channel capacity with not necessarily identical fading statistics and arbitrary parameters for both the correlation coefficient and fading severity are derived in closed form. The analysis also includes the performance of single‐branch receivers where special cases of the expressions agree with known results. Illustrative numerical examples are also presented, demonstrating the effects of the correlation coefficient, fading severity and signal‐to‐noise ratio unbalance on the receiver's performance. Copyright © 2005 AEIT.
Health status and labour force participation: evidence from Australia
Authors: Cai Lixin , Kalb Guyonne
Published: October 2005

This paper examines the effect of health on labour force participation using the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. The potential endogeneity of health, especially self‐assessed health, in the labour force participation equation is addressed by estimating the health equation and the labour force participation equation simultaneously. Taking into account the correlation between the error terms in the two equations, the estimation is conducted separately for males aged 15–49, males aged 50–64, females aged 15–49 and females aged 50–60. The results indicate that better health increases the probability of labour force participation for all four groups. However, the effect is larger for the older groups and for women. As for the feedback effect, it is found that labour force participation has a significant positive impact on older females' health, and a significant negative effect on younger males' health. For younger females and older males, the impact of labour force participation on health is not significant. The null‐hypothesis of exogeneity of health to labour force participation is rejected for all groups. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A microeconometric analysis of Canadian health care utilization
Authors: Sarma Sisira , Simpson Wayne
Published: October 2005

Understanding health care utilization is important to design efficient and effective health systems. Toward this end, we develop a relatively simple and intutively appealing microeconometric framework to analyse health care utilization and illustrate its use with recent Canadian microdata. We find that health care utilization consists of distinct stochastic processes requiring the use of two stochastic regression models. In particular, the latent class modelling framework is the superior statistical framework if the data permit modelling unobserved heterogeneity and overdispersion. In many instances, results differ for the classes of high and low users of health care services. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A High-Fat Diet Impairs Liver Regeneration in C57BL/6 Mice Through Overexpression of the NF-κB Inhibitor, IκBα * #
Authors: DeAngelis Robert A. , Markiewski Maciej M. , Taub Rebecca , Lambris John D.
Published: October 2005

Abstract

Despite the growing incidence of obesity, knowledge of how this condition, as well as associated steatosis, affects liver regeneration remains scarce. Many previous studies have used models of steatohepatitis or obesity induced by genetic alterations. In contrast, our studies on liver regeneration have focused on the effects of obesity resulting solely from high amounts of fat in the diet. This model more closely reflects the detrimental effects of dietary habits responsible for increased morbidity due to obesity and its complications in well-developed Western societies. Impairment of liver regeneration was observed after partial hepatectomy in mice fed a high-fat diet. Fatty livers were more susceptible to posthepatectomy damage and failure. The underlying molecular mechanism was associated with increased inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappa B alpha (IκBα) expression, which inhibited nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation and induction of its target genes, cyclin D1 and Bcl-xL, increasing sensitivity to apoptosis initiated by elevated tumor necrosis factor-alpha. In addition, since mice fed with a high-fat diet have higher leptin levels caused by increased adiposity, our work supports the hypothesis that the impairment of regeneration previously seen in genetically obese mice indeed results from liver steatosis rather than the disruption of leptin signaling.
In conclusion
, high fat in the diet impairs liver regeneration and predisposes steatotic livers to increased injury through IκBα overexpression and subsequent NF-κB inhibition. (Hepatology 2005.)
Gadd45β Is Induced Through a CAR-Dependent, TNF-Independent Pathway in Murine Liver Hyperplasia * #
Authors: Columbano Amedeo , Ledda-Columbano Giovanna M. , Pibiri Monica , Cossu Costanza , Menegazzi Marta , Moore David D. , Huang Wendong , Tian Jianmin , Locker Joseph
Published: October 2005

Abstract

We previously observed that Gadd45β/MyD118, a member of the Gadd45 family of inducible factors, showed the strongest immediate-early induction common to two distinctive proliferation responses of the liver: (1) regeneration induced by surgical partial hepatectomy and (2) hyperplasia induced by the primary mitogen TCPOBOP, a ligand of the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR). Gadd45β is known to be stimulated by nuclear factor (NF) κB, which is activated by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in the early response to partial hepatectomy. We therefore investigated whether TNFα and NFκB also stimulated Gadd45β as part of the response to CAR ligands, or whether activation occurred by an alternative pathway. TCPOBOP effects were characterized in three mouse genotypes: wild-type, TNFR1−/−, and TNFR1−/−TNFR2−/−. The results showed that TCPOBOP did not activate NFκB in any of the mice, but a strong induction of Gadd45β messenger RNA was observed in all three genotypes, where TCPOBOP also induced CyP2b10, a classical target gene of activated CAR, and cyclin D1, a proliferation linked gene. Thus, the absence of TNFR signaling and induction of NFκB did not impair CAR-mediated gene induction. Moreover, hepatocyte proliferation was strongly induced, and at significantly higher levels than wild type, in both TNFR1−/− and TNFR1−/−TNFR2−/− mice. Further studies evaluated TCPOBOP-induced gene expression in CAR−/− mice, by microarray expression profiling and Northern blot. The induced changes in gene expression, including the stimulation of Gadd45β, were almost completely abolished—hence all were mediated via CAR activation.
In conclusion
, in the liver, Gadd45β can be induced by a distinctive pathway that requires CAR and is independent of TNFα-NFκB. The greater induction of proliferation in TNFR-null mice suggests negative cross-talk between the CAR and TNFα-NFκB controls that regulate proliferation. (Hepatology 2005.)
Mannose-Binding Lectin in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection *
Authors: Chong Wai Po , To Yuk Fai , Ip Wai Kee , Yuen Man Fung , Poon Tung Ping , Wong Wilfred H.S. , Lai Ching Lung , Lau Yu Lung
Published: October 2005

Abstract

Mannose binding lectin (MBL) is a pattern-recognition molecule of the innate immune system. The roles of MBL and its gene (

mbl2

) polymorphisms, −221

X/Y

and codon 54

A/B

, in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection were investigated in this study. We recruited 320 nonprogressed hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers; 199 progressed HBsAg carriers with hepatocellular carcinoma or cirrhosis; 87 spontaneously recovered individuals who were HBsAg negative and anti-HBs and anti HBc positive; and 484 controls who were naïve to HBV. There was no significant difference between nonprogressed carriers, spontaneously recovered individuals, and controls in terms of serum MBL levels and

mbl2

polymorphisms distributions. However, the low MBL genotypes had a dose-dependent correlation with the cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in progressed carriers with odds ratios of 1.36 and 3.21 for the low and extremely low MBL genotypes, respectively (

P

= .01). The low-expression promoter haplotype

XA

(OR = 1.97) and the mutant haplotype

YB

(OR = 1.90) were also associated with the cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (

P

= .002). As expected, the lower serum MBL levels in progressed carriers as compared with nonprogressed carriers were due to an overrepresentation of low and extremely low MBL genotypes. Moreover, MBL could bind HBsAg in a dose- and calcium-dependent and mannan-inhibitable manner

in vitro

, suggesting that binding occurs via the carbohydrate recognition domains. This binding also enhanced C4 deposition.
In conclusion
, these results suggest that low MBL genotypes associate with the occurrence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in progressed HBsAg carriers, and MBL can bind HBsAg. (Hepatology 2005.)