bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High‐efficiency red‐phosphorescent organic light‐emitting diode with the organic structure of 2‐TNATA/Bebq2:SFC‐411/SFC‐137
Authors: Jang Ji Geun , Kim Won Ki
Published: December 2009

Abstract— High‐efficiency and simple‐structured red‐emitting phosphorescent devices based on the hole‐injection layer of 4,4′,4″‐tris(2‐naphthylphenyl‐phenylamino)‐triphenylamine [2‐TNATA] and the emissive layer of bis(10‐hydroxybenzo[h] quinolinato)beryllium complex [Bebq2] doped with SFC‐411 (proprietary red phosphorescent dye) have been researched. The fabricated devices are divided into three types depending on whether or not the hole‐transport layer of N,N′‐bis(1 ‐naphthyl)‐N, N'‐diphenyl‐1,1′‐biphenyl‐4,4′‐diamine [NPB] or the electron‐transport layer of SFC‐137 (proprietary electron transporting material) is included. Among the experimental devices, the best electroluminescent characteristics were obtained for the device with an emission structure of 2‐TNATA/Bebq2:SFC‐411/SFC‐137. In this device, current density and luminance were found to be 200 mA/cm2 and 15,000 cd/m2 at an applied voltage of 7 V, respectively. Current efficiencies were 15 and 11.6 cd/A under a luminance of 500 and 5000 cd/m2. The peak wavelength in the electroluminescent spectral distribution and color coordinates on the Commission Internationale de I'Eclairage (CIE) chart were 628 nm and (0.67, 0.33), respectively.
Silver-Russell Syndrome and Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome Phenotypes Associated with 11p Duplication in a Single Family
Authors: Cardarelli Laura , Sparago Angela , De Crescenzo Agostina , Nalesso Elisa , Zavan Barbara , Cubellis Maria Vittoria , Selicorni Angelo , Cavicchioli Paola , Pozzan Giovanni Battista , Petrella Marilena , Riccio Andrea
Published: December 2009

Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic phenomenon resulting in differential expression of maternal and paternal alleles of a subset of genes. In the mouse, mutation of imprinted genes often results in contrasting phenotypes, depending on parental origin. The overgrowth-associated Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) and the growth restriction-associated Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) have been linked with a variety of epigenetic and genetic defects affecting a cluster of imprinted genes at chromosome 11p15.5. Paternally derived and maternally derived 11p15.5 duplications represent infrequent findings in BWS and SRS, respectively. Here, we report a case in which a 6.5 Mb duplication of 11p15.4-pter resulted in SRS and BWS phenotypes in a child and her mother, respectively. Molecular analyses demonstrated that the duplication involved the maternal chromosome 11p15 in the child and the paternal chromosome 11p15 in the mother. This observation provides a direct demonstration that SRS and BWS represent specular images, both at the clinical and molecular levels.
Patient Simulation: A Literary Synthesis of Assessment Tools in Anesthesiology
Authors: Edler Alice A. , Fanning Ruth G. , Chen Michael. I. , Claure Rebecca , Almazan Dondee , Struyk Brain , Seiden Samuel C.
Published: December 2009

High-fidelity patient simulation (HFPS) has been hypothesized as a modality for assessing competency of knowledge and skill in patient simulation, but uniform methods for HFPS performance assessment (PA) have not yet been completely achieved. Anesthesiology as a field founded the HFPS discipline and also leads in its PA. This project reviews the types, quality, and designated purpose of HFPS PA tools in anesthesiology. We used the systematic review method and systematically reviewed anesthesiology literature referenced in PubMed to assess the quality and reliability of available PA tools in HFPS. Of 412 articles identified, 50 met our inclusion criteria. Seventy seven percent of studies have been published since 2000; more recent studies demonstrated higher quality. Investigators reported a variety of test construction and validation methods. The most commonly reported test construction methods included ?占퐉odified Delphi Techniques??for item selection, reliability measurement using inter-rater agreement, and intra-class correlations between test items or subtests. Modern test theory, in particular generalizability theory, was used in nine (18%) of studies. Test score validity has been addressed in multiple investigations and shown a significant improvement in reporting accuracy. However the assessment of predicative has been low across the majority of studies. Usability and practicality of testing occasions and tools was only anecdotally reported. To more completely comply with the gold standards for PA design, both shared experience of experts and recognition of test construction standards, including reliability and validity measurements, instrument piloting, rater training, and explicit identification of the purpose and proposed use of the assessment tool, are required.
IL-15 Prevents Apoptosis, Reverses Innate and Adaptive Immune Dysfunction, and Improves Survival in Sepsis
Authors: Inoue Shigeaki , Unsinger Jacqueline , Davis Christopher G. , Muenzer Jared T. , Ferguson Thomas A. , Chang Katherine , Osborne Dale F. , Clark Andrew T. , Coopersmith Craig M. , McDunn Jonathan E. , Hotchkiss Richard S.
Published: December 2009

IL-15 is a pluripotent antiapoptotic cytokine that signals to cells of both the innate and adaptive immune system and is regarded as a highly promising immunomodulatory agent in cancer therapy. Sepsis is a lethal condition in which apoptosis-induced depletion of immune cells and subsequent immunosuppression are thought to contribute to morbidity and mortality. This study tested the ability of IL-15 to block apoptosis, prevent immunosuppression, and improve survival in sepsis. Mice were made septic using cecal ligation and puncture or Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia. The experiments comprised a 2 × 2 full factorial design with surgical sepsis versus sham and IL-15 versus vehicle. In addition to survival studies, splenic cellularity, canonical markers of activation and proliferation, intracellular pro- and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family protein expression, and markers of immune cell apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry. Cytokine production was examined both in plasma of treated mice and splenocytes that were stimulated ex vivo. IL-15 blocked sepsis-induced apoptosis of NK cells, dendritic cells, and CD8 T cells. IL-15 also decreased sepsis-induced gut epithelial apoptosis. IL-15 therapy increased the abundance of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 while decreasing proapoptotic Bim and PUMA. IL-15 increased both circulating IFN-γ, as well as the percentage of NK cells that produced IFN-γ. Finally, IL-15 increased survival in both cecal ligation and puncture and P. aeruginosa pneumonia. In conclusion, IL-15 prevents two immunopathologic hallmarks of sepsis, namely, apoptosis and immunosuppression, and improves survival in two different models of sepsis. IL-15 represents a potentially novel therapy of this highly lethal disorder.
IL-8 Dictates Glycosaminoglycan Binding and Stability of IL-18 in Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Reeves Emer P. , Williamson Michael , Byrne Barry , Bergin David A. , Smith Stephen G. J. , Greally Peter , O’Kennedy Richard , O’Neill Shane J. , McElvaney Noel G.
Published: December 2009

Dysregulation of airway inflammation contributes to lung disease in cystic fibrosis (CF). Inflammation is mediated by inflammatory cytokines, including IL-8, which illustrates an increase in biological half-life and proinflammatory activity when bound to glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). The aim of this project was to compare IL-8 and IL-18 for their relative stability, activity, and interaction with GAGs, including chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, and heparan sulfate, present in high quantities in the lungs of patients with CF. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected from patients with CF (n = 28), non-CF controls (n = 14), and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 12). Increased levels of IL-8 and reduced concentrations of IL-18 were detected in bronchial samples obtained from CF individuals. The low level of IL-18 was not a defect in IL-18 production, as the pro- and mature forms of the molecule were expressed and produced by CF epithelial cells and monocytes. There was, however, a marked competition between IL-8 and IL-18 for binding to GAGs. A pronounced loss of IL-18 binding capacity occurred in the presence of IL-8, which displaced IL-18 from these anionic-matrices, rendering the cytokine susceptible to proteolytic degradation by neutrophil elastase. As a biological consequence of IL-18 degradation, reduced levels of IL-2 were secreted by Jurkat T lymphocytes. In conclusion, a novel mechanism has been identified highlighting the potential of IL-8 to determine the fate of other inflammatory molecules, such as IL-18, within the inflammatory milieu of the CF lung.
Cutting Edge: Bortezomib-Treated Tumors Sensitized to NK Cell Apoptosis Paradoxically Acquire Resistance to Antigen-Specific T Cells
Authors: Lundqvist Andreas , Su Su , Rao Sheila , Childs Richard
Published: December 2009

Bortezomib augments caspase-8 activity, rendering tumors susceptible to NK cell lysis. We hypothesized this effect would likewise sensitize tumors to Ag-specific CTLs. Instead, bortezomib-treated tumors that acquired sensitivity to NK cells simultaneously became resistant to killing by Ag-specific CTLs. Reduction in CTL killing persisted for days, was not due to changes in tumor expression of MHC class I, and was overcome by pulsing tumors with peptides recognized by tumor-reactive CTLs. Tumor-outgrowth experiments showed tumors grew faster in SCID mice when cocultures of tumor-reactive CTLs and bortezomib-treated tumors were injected compared with untreated tumors (tumor doubling time 3.1 and 10.6 d, respectively; p < 0.01), whereas tumors grew slower in mice receiving cocultures of NK cells and bortezomib-treated tumors compared with untreated tumors (11.8 d and 5.0 d, respectively; p < 0.01). These findings demonstrate bortezomib-treated tumors sensitized to NK cell apoptosis paradoxically acquire resistance to CTLs as a consequence of bortezomib altering proteasomal processing and presentation of tumor Ags.
Mutually Aposyndetic Decomposition of Homogeneous Continua
Authors: Prajs Janusz R.
Published: December 2009

A new decomposition, the mutually aposyndetic decomposition of homogeneous continua into closed, homogeneous sets is introduced. This decomposition is respected by homeomorphisms and topologically unique. Its quotient is a mutually aposyndetic homogeneous continuum, and in all known examples, as well as in some general cases, the members of the decomposition are semiindecomposable continua. As applications, we show that hereditarily decomposable homogeneous continua and path connected homogeneous continua are mutually aposyndetic. A class of new examples of homogeneous continua is defined. The mutually aposyndetic decomposition of each of these continua is non-trivial and different from Jones’ aposyndetic decomposition.
A Highly Diastereoselective Tertiary Amine‐Catalyzed Cascade Michael–Michael–Henry Reaction between Nitromethane, Activated Alkenes and α,β‐Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds
Authors: Zhang Bo , Cai Lingchao , Song Haibin , Wang Zhihong , He Zhengjie
Published: December 2009

A new tertiary amine‐catalyzed cascade Michael–Michael–Henry reaction between nitromethane, a doubly activated alkene and an α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compound is described, which provides a convenient and efficient synthesis for densely functionalized cyclohexanes and some bicyclic compounds in moderate to excellent yields with high diastereoselectivity.
Fluid‐particle drag in inertial polydisperse gas–solid suspensions
Authors: Holloway William , Yin Xiaolong , Sundaresan Sankaran
Published: December 2009

In this article, we extend the low Reynolds number fluid‐particle drag relation proposed by Yin and Sundaresan for polydisperse systems to include the effect of moderate fluid inertia. The proposed model captures the fluid‐particle drag results obtained from lattice‐Boltzmann simulations of bidisperse and ternary suspensions at particle mixture Reynolds numbers ranging from 0 ≤ Remix ≤ 40, over a particle volume fraction range of 0.2 ≤ ϕ ≤ 0.4, volume fraction ratios of 1 ≤ ϕi/ϕj ≤ 3, and particle diameter ratios of 1 ≤ di/dj ≤ 2.5. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Additive‐Multiplicative Regression Models for Spatio‐Temporal Epidemics
Authors: Höhle Michael
Published: December 2009

An extension of the stochastic susceptible–infectious–recovered (SIR) model is proposed in order to accommodate a regression context for modelling infectious disease data. The proposal is based on a multivariate counting process specified by conditional intensities, which contain an additive epidemic component and a multiplicative endemic component. This allows the analysis of endemic infectious diseases by quantifying risk factors for infection by external sources in addition to infective contacts. Inference can be performed by considering the full likelihood of the stochastic process with additional parameter restrictions to ensure non‐negative conditional intensities. Simulation from the model can be performed by Ogata's modified thinning algorithm. As an illustrative example, we analyse data provided by the Federal Research Centre for Virus Diseases of Animals, Wusterhausen, Germany, on the incidence of the classical swine fever virus in Germany during 1993–2004.
Decrease of adenosine deaminase activity and increase of the lipid peroxidation after acute methotrexate treatment in young rats: protective effects of grape seed extract
Authors: Pinheiro F. V. , Pimentel V. C. , De Bona K. S. , Scola G. , Salvador M. , Funchal C. , Moretto M. B.
Published: December 2009

The methotrexate (MTX) is an anti‐folate used to treat cancer and some inflammatory diseases. The efficacy of MTX is often limited by its severe toxicity. The present study was undertaken to determine whether Grape seed (Cabernet Sauvignon) extract (GSE) could ameliorate the MTX‐induced oxidative injury and the effect on adenosine deaminase activity (ADA) in rats. The rats were pretreated with 50 mg/kg of GSE, i.p., prior to MTX administration (10 mg/kg, i.p.) with a second dose given 4 h and a third dose 16 h after MTX administration. Biochemical parameters were investigated 48 h after the last MTX administration. The administration of MTX increased thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) levels in hippocampus, kidney and liver, whereas induced a significant decreased in the ADA activity in the cerebral cortex, kidney and liver tissues. MTX administration significantly increased the activity of ALT(alanine aminotransferase) and urea levels and decreased uric acid levels in the serum. Urinary uric acid levels decreased in the MTX group when compared to those of the control group. The GSE along with MTX‐administration significantly reversed these parameters toward to near normal. These results indicated that GSE could reduce hepatic and nephritic damage induced by MTX‐treatment in young rats therefore having free radical scavenging. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A diagonal measure and a local distance matrix to display relations between objects and variables
Authors: Tóth Gergely , Szepesváry Pál
Published: December 2009

Proper permutation of data matrix rows and columns may result in plots showing striking information on the objects and variables under investigation. To control the permutation first, a diagonal matrix measure D was defined expressing the size relations of the matrix elements. D is essentially the absolute norm of a matrix where the matrix elements are weighted by their distance to the matrix diagonal. Changing the order of rows and columns increases or decreases D. Monte Carlo technique was used to achieve maximum D in the case of the object distance matrix or even minimal D in the case of the variable correlation matrix to get similar objects or variables close together. Secondly, a local distance matrix was defined, where an element reflects the distances of neighboring objects in a limited subspace of the variables. Due to the maximization of D in the local distance matrix by row and column changes of the original data matrix, the similar objects were arranged close to each other and simultaneously the variables responsible for their similarity were collected close to the diagonal part defined by these objects. This combination of the diagonal measure and the local distance matrix seems to be an efficient tool in the exploration of hidden similarities of a data matrix. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sandwich Compounds of Transition Metals with Cyclopolyenes and Isolobal Boron Analogues
Authors: Gribanova Tatyana N. , Starikov Andrey G. , Minyaev Ruslan M. , Minkin Vladimir I. , Siebert Matthew R. , Tantillo Dean J.
Published: December 2009

A series of sandwich compounds of transition metals (M=Ni, Fe, Cr) with cyclic hydrocarbon (M(CH)n) and borane (M(BH2)n), ligands (including mixed hydrocarbon/borane sandwiches) has been studied using density functional theory (B3LYP/6‐311+G(df,p)). Multicenter bonding between the central metal atom and basal cycloborane rings provides stabilization to planar cycloborane species. Large negative NICS values allude to aromatic character in the cycloboranes similar to the analogous cyclic hydrocarbons. The ability of cycloborane sandwiches to stabilize attached carbocations, radicals and carbanions is also assessed.
A Singularity Model for Chemical Reactivity
Authors: Menger Fredric M. , Karaman Rafik
Published: December 2009

This article proposes a model for chemical reactivity that involves singularities (“catastrophes”) in the timing of bond‐making and bond‐breaking events. The common stapler is a good mechanical analogy: As hand‐pressure is increased on the machine, the staple hardly changes its configuration until the staple suddenly bends. This is viewed as a singularity or catastrophe, defined classically as an abrupt change resulting from a smooth increase or decrease in external conditions (pressure in the case of a stapler, distance in the case of reactivity). Although experimental observations are provided to support the singularity effect, the model remains a heterodox notion at the present time.
Cervical cancer incidence among 6 Asian ethnic groups in the United States, 1996 through 2004
Authors: Wang Sophia S. , Carreon J. Daniel , Gomez Scarlett L. , Devesa Susan S.
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND:

Cervical cancer incidence was evaluated by histologic type, age at diagnosis, and disease stage for 6 Asian ethnic groups residing in the United States.

METHODS:

Incidence rates were estimated for cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma by age and stage for 6 Asian ethnic groups—Asian Indian/Pakistani, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese—in 5 US cancer registry areas during 1996 through 2004. For comparison, rates among non‐Hispanic whites, non‐Hispanic blacks, and Hispanics were also calculated.

RESULTS:

During 1996 through 2004, Vietnamese women had the highest (18.9 per 100,000) and Asian Indian/Pakistani women had the lowest (4.5) incidence of cervical cancer; this pattern was consistent by histologic type. Vietnamese women also had the highest incidence for localized (7.3) and regional (5.7) SCC and for localized (2.4) adenocarcinoma. Contrary to the plateau of SCC incidence apparent among white women by age 45 years, SCC rates continued to rise with age among Chinese, Filipina, Korean, and Vietnamese women.

CONCLUSIONS:

There exists large variation in invasive cervical cancer incidence patterns among Asian ethnic groups in the United States and in comparison with rates for blacks, Hispanics, and whites. Early detection and prevention strategies for cervical cancer among Asians require targeted strategies by ethnic group. Cancer 2010. Published 2010 by the American Cancer Society.
Angiogenesis and vascular targeting in Ewing sarcoma
Authors: DuBois Steven G. , Marina Neyssa , Glade‐Bender Julia
Published: December 2009

Ewing sarcoma is the second most common type of bone cancer in children and young adults. In recent years, the mechanisms by which these tumors develop and maintain their vascular supply have been elucidated. Additional work has demonstrated that inhibition of angiogenic pathways or disruption of established vasculature can attenuate the growth of Ewing sarcoma mouse xenografts. Early clinical data suggest that these results also may extend to patients with Ewing sarcoma who are treated with antiangiogenic or antivascular therapies. For the current review, the authors summarized the available data supporting this approach. Cancer 2010. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Automatic performance analysis with periscope
Authors: Gerndt M. , Ott M.
Published: December 2009

Performance analysis is essential to fully exploit the potential of high‐performance computers. With the imminence of petascale systems which will consist of ten thousands or even hundred thousands of processor cores, this task will increase in complexity. Hence, tools are required that automatically detect the performance bottlenecks and thus ease the performance analysis of an application. On large‐scale systems, collecting information about performance‐relevant events of an application can easily produce a huge amount of data whose analysis is very challenging. Aggregating the performance data during runtime and conducting the search for performance properties online allows users to distill essential performance bottlenecks without overwhelming the user with an uncontrollable load of data. In this paper we present the recent developments on Periscope, a highly scalable tool for the automatic distributed online search for the performance properties of large‐scale applications on high‐end computers. It allows for both detection of the performance bottlenecks limiting the scalability on parallel systems as well as pinpointing the issues concerning the single‐node performance of an application. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Excited‐State Dynamics of Metal String Complex Ni3(dpa)4X2 from Femtosecond Transient Absorption Spectra
Authors: Cheng Chao‐Han , Hung Ruei‐Ding , Wang Wen‐Zhen , Peng Shie‐Ming , Chen I‐Chia
Published: December 2009

The excited‐state dynamics of Ni3(dpa)4X2, in which dpa is the ligand di(2‐pyridyl)amido and X=NCS or Cl, are investigated by transient absorption spectroscopy. The ππ* and dd states are excited upon irradiation at wavelengths of 330 and 600 nm, respectively. Similar transient spectra are observed under the experimental temporal resolution. The transient species also show weak absorption. It is proposed that a low‐lying metal‐centered dd state is accessed immediately after excitation. Analyses of the experimental kinetic traces reveal a rapid conversion from a ligand‐centered ππ* state to a metal‐centered dd state in 0.1–0.4 ps. Vibrational cooling occurs with a time coefficient of 3.0–15.9 ps. From the spectral shift observed in the transient spectra relative to the steady‐state spectra, the dd state is assigned as B1/B2(Nit). This dd state eventually converts to the electronic ground state, in about 100 ps for the isothiocyanate complex and 200 ps for the chloride. In this trimetal string complex, relaxation to the ground electronic surface after excitation is therefore rapid.
Baulicher Brandschutz mit Kalksandsteinwänden
Authors: Meyer Günter , González Antonio Caballero , Claessens Arthur , Misiewicz Lech , Overmeire Elly Van
Published: December 2009

Die europäischen Produkt‐ und Prüfnormen – oft gescholten, weil abweichend vom bisher Bekannten·– haben einen nicht zu unterschätzenden Nutzen: Sie stellen europaweit gleiche Bewertungsgrundsätze dar. Dies trifft vor allem für die europäischen Prüfnormen zu. Neue Prüfnormen bedeuten jedoch auch neue, von dem bisherigen Prüfverfahren abweichende Ergebnisse. Dies darf allerdings nicht dazu führen, dass bisherige Ergebnisse und Erkenntnisse (historische Daten) ihre Gültigkeit verlieren. Dass letzteres einen beträchtlichen volkswirtschaftlichen Schaden darstellen würde, zeigt sich besonders deutlich an den durchgeführten Brandversuchen: Allein in Deutschland wurden von der Mauerwerks‐Industrie in den letzten 60 Jahren geschätzt weit über eine Million € für Brandversuche aufgewendet!

Europaweit gleiche Prüfnormen bieten die Chance zur Lastenteilung. Dies hat die europäische Kalksandsteinindustrie bereits 2006 erkannt. Damals fanden sich die in der ehemaligen Struktur des europäischen Kalksandsteinverbands (ECSPA) besonders engagierten Mitglieder (Belgien, Deutschland, Niederlande und Polen) zusammen und beschlossen, die Fragestellungen, die sich aus den neuen Brandprüf‐ und Bemessungsnormen ergaben, gemeinsam anzugehen. Dieser Beschluss war letztlich ein wichtiges Argument, um den europäischen Verband neu auszurichten und noch stärker auf das vereinte Lösen gemeinsamer Fragestellungen zu fokussieren.

Der nachfolgende Beitrag stellt die ersten Ergebnisse des ersten gemeinsamen ECSPA‐Forschungsvorhabens “Fire Resistance of Calcium Silicate Masonry Walls” vor, in dem es primär darum ging, die bisher bekannte Leistungsfähigkeit von Kalksandsteinwänden im Brandfall auch unter den neuen Randbedingungen (neue Prüfnorm und Bemessungslasten) mindestens zu überprüfen. Gleichzeitig sollte das Vorhaben durch parallel zu den geplanten Prüfungen betriebene numerische Untersuchungen begleitet werden, um die Anzahl der notwendigen Untersuchungen/Prüfungen zu begrenzen und eine Anknüpfung an den historischen Kenntnisstand zu erlauben.
Knicken von Mauerwerkspfeilern bei gerissener Zugzone und nichtlinearem Spannungs‐Dehnungs‐Verlauf
Authors: Führer Wilfried
Published: December 2009

Im Jahr 1971 hatte der Autor seine Dissertation “Die Stabilität von Wänden aus Mauerwerk” [2] vorgelegt und darin unter anderem das Knicken des elastischen Mauerwerkpfeilers bei gerissener Zugzone mittels einer neuen Differentialgleichung exakt gelöst.

Professor Mann hatte diesen Beitrag Ende der siebziger Jahre aufgegriffen und auf den vorgekrümmten elastischen Stab bei gerissener Zugzone erweitert und neu berechnet. Seine Veröffentlichung erschien als Dauerbeitrag im Mauerwerk‐Kalender “Grundlagen für die Bemessung nach DIN 1053 Teil 2 (Entwurf)” [1] bzw. “Grundlagen der vereinfachten und der genaueren Bemessung von Mauerwerk nach DIN 1053‐1” in den Jahren 1981 bis 2001, worin er korrekt auch immer die Dissertation des Verfassers in der Literaturliste aufführte.

Der Autor möchte in diesem Beitrag am Berührungspunkt der beiden Arbeiten anknüpfen und das Anliegen durch eine neuerliche Erweiterung der Aufgabenstellung fortführen. Statt des linearen Spannungs‐Dehnungs‐Verhaltens wird ein gekrümmtes zugrunde gelegt und dafür wieder eine geschlossene Lösung mittels der Differentialgleichung aus der Arbeit von Mann präsentiert.

In Hochachtung vor der Person und der wissenschaftlichen Leistung Prof. Mann s lehnt sich der Autor so eng wie möglich an seinen Lösungsweg an, zumal sein Ansatz weit über den eigenen hinausging.

Der Verfasser ist sich dessen bewusst, dass die Mauerwerks‐Forschung in den vergangenen 30 Jahren auf diesem Gebiet viele neue Erkenntnisse erworben hat. Leider kann der Autor in seinem Beitrag die ganze Entwicklung weder berücksichtigen noch würdigen, zumal er in all den Jahren auf anderen Gebieten forschend tätig war. Er knüpft daher ausschließlich am damaligen Berührungspunkt an und zitiert nur die beiden Arbeiten.
Mauerwerkssanierung mit dem Spiralankersystem – Konzept, Wirkprinzip und maßgebende Materialeigenschaften
Authors: Neubert Michael
Published: December 2009

Nach kurzen Ausführungen zur Entwicklung des Spiralankersystems im deutschsprachigen Raum werden grundsätzliche Aufgabe, Wirkprinzip und maßgebende Materialeigenschaften des Ruberstein® Spiralankersystems bei der Sanierung gerissener Mauerwerkskonstruktionen erläutert. Abschließend wird ein Bemessungskonzept vorgestellt, welches die Ermittlung der für eine Risssanierung erforderlichen Spiralankermenge auf der Grundlage einer Rissbreitenbeschränkung sowie der im Mauerwerk dauerhaft auftretenden Zwangzugbeanspruchungen infolge Temperaturdehnungen ermöglicht.
The Effect of Ligand Architecture on the Structure and Properties of Nickel and Copper Complexes of Amide‐Based Macrocycles
Authors: Sharma Savita K. , Hundal Geeta , Gupta Rajeev
Published: December 2009

The present work demonstrates the influence of electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing substituents on the structural, chemical and redox properties of nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes in a set of 12‐membered macrocyclic ligands. Four macrocyclic ligands, H2LH, H2LCl, H2LMe, and H2LOMe, in their doubly deprotonated form, have been used to synthesize the NiII and CuII complexes. The crystallographic studies reveal that whereas the nickel ion is in an N4 square‐planar environment, the CuII complexes have a square‐pyramidal geometry with an N4 basal plane and the Oamide atom in the apical position. Furthermore, the Cu–Namide bonds are shorter than the Ni–Namide bonds. The NiII and CuII complexes are capable of undergoing one‐ and two‐electron oxidations that are most likely metal‐ and ligand‐centered. The electrochemical results indicate that theNiIII/II potentials are more positive than the CuIII/II potentials. Electron‐donating substituents on the ring shift the redox‐potential value towards less positive values and better stabilize a higher oxidation state of the metal ion. The NiIII and CuIII species were generated in solution both electrochemically as well as chemically and are shown to have rich spectroscopic features. The absorption and anisotropic EPR spectra of the nickel complexes suggest that the NiIII species is in a square‐planar geometry. The spectroscopic data for the nickel(III) and copper(III) species bearing an OMe group on the ligand suggest a metal complex with a semiquinone‐type ligand‐based radical.
Carbonate‐Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis of Nanoporous CuO Microstructures and Their Application in Catalysis
Authors: Zhou Min , Gao Yan'an , Wang Baoxiang , Rozynek Zbigniew , Fossum Jon Otto
Published: December 2009

We have demonstrated a facile carbonate‐assisted hydrothermal route for synthesis of well‐defined nanoporous copper oxide microstructures with high surface area. The nanoporous CuO microstructures were synthesised by adding sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3) to an aqueous solution of copper chloride (CuCl2) in the presence of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) at 300 °C. The introduction of NaHCO3 is critical for the successful synthesis of porous nanoarchitectures owing to the formation of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas during the synthesis process. The structure and morphology of CuO are very sensitive to the concentration of NaHCO3 and PVP, as well as to the molecular weight of PVP. The nanoporous CuO product shows higher catalytic activity than other types of CuO materials because of its porous structure. It is believed that this method will provide a simple and versatile approach to large‐scale production of CuO with high surface area by means of a facile hydrothermal route.
Syntheses, Crystal Structures and Mass Spectrometry of Mononuclear NiII Inclusion Product and Self‐Assembled [2 × 1+1 × 2] NiII3MII (M = Cu, Ni, Co, Fe or Mn) Cocrystals Derived from N,N′‐Ethylenebis(3‐ethoxysalicylaldimine)
Authors: Sarkar Sohini , Nayak Malabika , Fleck Michel , Dutta Supriya , Flörke Ulrich , Koner Rajesh , Mohanta Sasankasekhar
Published: December 2009

The syntheses, characterization and structures of a mononuclear nickel(II) compound [NiIIL1⊂(H2O)] (1) and [2 × 1+1 × 2] cocrystals [{NiIIL1MII(H2O)3}{NiIIL1}2](ClO4)2 [M = Cu (2), Ni (3), Co (4), Fe (5) and Mn (6)] derived from the hexadentate Schiff base compartmental ligand N,N′‐ethylenebis(3‐ethoxysalicylaldimine) (H2L1) have been described in this investigation. Compound 1 is an inclusion product in which the water molecule is encapsulated in the O4 compartment by forming bifurcated hydrogen bonds. Reactions of 1 with perchlorate salts of copper(II), nickel(II), cobalt(II), iron(II) and manganese(II) in open atmosphere produce compounds 2–6, which have similar structures. These compounds are [2 × 1+1 × 2] tetrametallic systems containing self‐assembled and cocrystallized one dinuclear [NiIIL1MII(H2O)3]2+ cation and two mononuclear [NiIIL1] moieties. Among three coordinated water molecules of the dinuclear cores in 2–6, two are encapsulated in the O4 cavity of two mononuclear [NiIIL1] moieties by forming bifurcated hydrogen bonds. Evidently, the formation of inclusion product 1 and dinuclear–mononuclear cocrystals 2–6 are related to the affinity of the O4 compartment to encapsulate a water molecule. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI+) spectra of compounds 1–6 have been recorded. The mass spectra of 2–6 reveal that not only the tetrametallic self‐assemblies are ruptured but also the second metal ion in the dinuclear core leaves the O4 cavity. For the NiII3CuII (2) and NiII3FeII (5) compounds, metal substitution takes place in solution, resulting in the formation of [CuIIL1Na]+ and [{CuIIL1}2Na]+ for 2 and [1 × 1+1 × 1] species [{NiIIL1}·{FeIIIL1}]+ for 5.
Hydrangea‐Like Meso‐/Macroporous ZnO‐CeO2 Binary Oxide Materials: Synthesis, Photocatalysis and CO Oxidation
Authors: Ma Tian‐Yi , Yuan Zhong‐Yong , Cao Jian‐Liang
Published: December 2009

A series of ZnO‐CeO2 binary oxides with a novel hydrangea‐like morphology and meso‐/macroporous hierarchical structure of high surface area (around 100 m2/g) were synthesized by a simple one‐pot hydrothermal process in the presence of triblock copolymer F127. Homogeneous mixing of wurtzite ZnO and cubic phase CeO2 and the coexistence of Ce3+ and Ce4+ on the surface of the synthesized ZnO‐CeO2 materials were confirmed. UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectra show that the absorption edges of the binary oxides shift remarkably to the visible range relative to those of pure ZnO and CeO2. Their photoactivities were tested by photodegradation of Rhodamine B under UV and visible light irradiation, and excellent photocatalytic performance for organic waste degradation was found in the synthesized hydrangea‐like meso‐/macroporous ZnO‐CeO2 materials. Furthermore, their application as heterogeneous catalysts for CO removal was evaluated, and the results indicate that the synthesized ZnO‐CeO2 materials exhibit efficient activity for removing CO by catalytic oxidation, demonstrating a promising potential in environmental remediation.
P2X7 receptors mediate ischemic damage to oligodendrocytes
Authors: Domercq Maria , Perez‐Samartin Alberto , Aparicio David , Alberdi Elena , Pampliega Olatz , Matute Carlos
Published: December 2009

Brain ischemia leading to stroke is a major cause of disability in developed countries. Therapeutic strategies have most commonly focused on protecting neurons from ischemic damage. However, ischemic damage to white matter causes oligodendrocyte death, myelin disruption, and axon dysfunction, and it is partially mediated by glutamate excitotoxicity. We have previously demonstrated that oligodendrocytes express ionotropic purinergic receptors. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of purinergic signaling in white matter ischemia. We show that, in addition to glutamate, enhanced ATP signaling during ischemia is also deleterious to oligodendrocytes and myelin, and impairs white matter function. Thus, ischemic oligodendrocytes in culture display an inward current and cytosolic Ca2+overload, which is partially mediated by P2X7 receptors. Indeed, oligodendrocytes release ATP after oxygen and glucose deprivation through the opening of pannexin hemichannels. Consistently, ischemia‐induced mitochondrial depolarization as well as oxidative stress culminating in cell death are partially reversed by P2X7 receptor antagonists, by the ATP degrading enzyme apyrase and by blockers of pannexin hemichannels. In turn, ischemic damage in isolated optic nerves, which share the properties of brain white matter, is greatly attenuated by all these drugs. Ultrastructural analysis and electrophysiological recordings demonstrated that P2X7 antagonists prevent ischemic damage to oligodendrocytes and myelin, and improved action potential recovery after ischemia. These data indicate that ATP released during ischemia and the subsequent activation of P2X7 receptor is critical to white matter demise during stroke and point to this receptor type as a therapeutic target to limit tissue damage in cerebrovascular diseases. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reliability and validity of the PHQ‐9 for screening late‐life depression in Chinese primary care
Authors: Chen Shulin , Chiu Helen , Xu Baihua , Ma Yan , Jin Tao , Wu Manhua , Conwell Yeates
Published: December 2009

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validation of the 9‐item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9) for late‐life depression in Chinese primary care.

Methods

In the primary care clinics (PCCs) of Hangzhou city, we recruited 364 older patients (aged ≥ 60) for the PHQ‐9 screening. Then 77 of them were further interviewed with Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID) for the diagnosis of major depression in late life. Statistic strategies for the feasibility, reliability, validity, and receiver operating characteristic curve were performed.

Results

The mean administration time was 7.5 min, and the Cronbach's α was 0.91. The optimal cut‐off score of PHQ‐9 ≥ 9 revealed a sensitivity of 0.86, specificity of 0.77, and positive likelihood ratio of 5.73. The area under the curve (AUC) in this study was 0.92 (SD = 0.02, 95% CI 0.88–0.96). The PHQ‐2 also revealed good sensitivity (0.84) and specificity (0.90) at the cut‐off point≥ 3.

Conclusions

The PHQ‐9 performs well and has acceptable psychometric properties for screening of patients with late‐life depression in Chinese primary care settings. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electro‐organic synthesis of new pyrimidine and uracil derivatives
Authors: Davarani Saied Saeed Hosseiny , Fumani Neda Sheijooni , Vahidi Siavash , Tabatabaei Mohammad‐Ali , Arvin‐Nezhad Hamid
Published: December 2009

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Electrochemical oxidations of catechols have been studied in the presence of 6‐amino pyrimidine derivatives as nucleophiles in aqueous solution using cyclic voltammetry. The efficient electro‐organic synthesis of products has been successfully performed at carbon rod electrodes in an undivided cell under controlled potential conditions in good yield and purity. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2010).
Hepatitis C virus core protein enhances Telomerase activity in Huh7 cells
Authors: Zhu Zhaowen , Wilson Anne T. , Gopalakrishna Kota , Brown Kyle E. , Luxon Bruce A. , Schmidt Warren N.
Published: December 2009

Hepatitis C is an oncogenic virus although the mechanisms responsible for this behavior are not clear. We studied the effects of hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein expression on Telomerase, an enzyme closely associated with cellular immortalization and neoplasia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of HCV core protein on the regulation of Telomerase activity in human hepatoma cells. Regulation and expression of human Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) was compared in Huh7 cells stably transfected with HCV core protein or cells expressing vector alone. Telomerase activity was measured using Quantitative Telomerase Detection (QTD) and telomere length was measured by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Transient transfection and luciferase assay were used to evaluate TERT promoter activity. Telomerase activity was increased twofold in Huh7 cells expressing HCV core protein compared to controls (P < 0.01). This was accompanied by a 1.4‐fold increase of TERT mRNA and 1.9‐fold increase in TERT protein (P < 0.01 in either case). Cellular fractionation and immunocytochemical studies showed increased localization of TERT in the nucleus of core‐expressing cells as compared to controls. FISH assay confirmed that telomeres of HCV core‐expressing Huh7 cells were relatively longer than those of control cells (0.22 + 0.05 vs. 0.12 + 0.03, P < 0.01). TERT promoter activity was enhanced about 30% in HCV core‐expressing Huh7 cells compared to control cells (P < 0.02). HCV core protein is associated with increased Telomerase activity in hepatoma cells. These findings suggest that enhancement of Telomerase activity by HCV core protein may contribute to the oncogenicity of HCV. J. Med. Virol. 82:239–248, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
HIV‐1 reverse transcriptase drug‐resistance mutations in chronically infected individuals receiving or naïve to HAART in Cameroon
Authors: Burda Sherri T. , Viswanath Ragupathy , Zhao Jiangqin , Kinge Thompson , Anyangwe Christopher , Tinyami Erick T. , Haldar Bijayesh , Powell Rebecca L.R. , Jarido Veronica , Hewlett Indira K. , Nyambi Phillipe N.
Published: December 2009

The most common first‐line, highly active anti‐retroviral therapy (HAART) received by individuals infected with HIV‐1 in Cameroon is the combination therapy Triomune, comprised of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) and one non‐NRTI (NNRTI). To examine the efficacy of these drugs in Cameroon, where diverse non‐B HIV‐1 subtypes and recombinant viruses predominate, the reverse transcriptase (RT) viral sequences in patient plasma were analyzed for the presence of mutations that confer drug resistance. Forty‐nine HIV‐1‐positive individuals were randomly selected from those receiving care in HIV/AIDS outpatient clinics in the South‐West and North‐West Regions of Cameroon. Among the 28 patients receiving HAART, 39% (11/28) had resistance to NRTIs, and 46% (13/28) to NNRTIs after a median of 12 months from the start of therapy. Among those with drug‐resistance mutations, there was a median of 14 months from the start of HAART, versus 9 months for those without; no difference was observed in the average viral load (10,997 copies/ml vs. 8,056 copies/ml). In contrast, drug‐naïve individuals had a significantly higher average viral load (27,929 copies/ml) than those receiving HAART (9,527 copies/ml). Strikingly, among the 21 drug‐naïve individuals, 24% harbored viruses with drug‐resistance mutations, suggesting that HIV‐1 drug‐resistant variants are being transmitted in Cameroon. Given the high frequency of resistance mutations among those on first‐line HAART, coupled with the high prevalence of HIV‐1 variants with drug‐resistance mutations among drug‐naïve individuals, this study emphasizes the need for extensive monitoring of resistance mutations and the introduction of a second‐line HAART strategy in Cameroon. J. Med. Virol. 82:187–196, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Occult hepatitis B infection in patients infected with HIV: Report of two cases of hepatitis B reactivation and prevalence in a hospital cohort
Authors: Bloquel B. , Jeulin H. , Burty C. , Letranchant L. , Rabaud C. , Venard V.
Published: December 2009

Patients co‐infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) are particularly at risk of hepatitis B reactivation. Two cases of patients infected with HIV with isolated anti‐HBc antibodies who had experienced an HBV reactivation are described. In the two cases HBV reactivation occurred after withdrawal of anti‐retroviral treatment with anti‐HBV activity from the patients' highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), in accordance with HIV genotypic resistance profiles. Consequently, plasma samples from 383 patients infected with HIV were tested to assess the prevalence of occult HBV infection in the Infectious Diseases Department Unit of Nancy Hospital by investigating serological patterns and HBV replication. Forty‐five percent (172/383) of patients had had previous contact with HBV. Isolated anti‐HBc antibodies were observed in 48 patients (48/383, 12%) and, among these, 2 were HBV‐DNA positive. Since 75% (288/383) of the patients were treated with HAART, including at least one drug active against HBV, occult HBV infection was perhaps unrecognized. In cases of HIV infection, all patients should be screened for HBV infection and the knowledge of HBV status as well as the monitoring of HBV viral load are essential in preventing HBV reactivation. Consideration should be given to the continuation of drugs with anti‐HBV activity in co‐infected patients receiving HAART, as cessation of therapy is associated with a risk of HBV reactivation. At least, close monitoring of the HBV viral load is warranted in such situations. J. Med. Virol. 82:206–212, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Taurine stimulates proliferation of mice embryonic cultured neural progenitor cells
Authors: Hernández‐Benítez Reyna , Pasantes‐Morales Herminia , Saldaña Ismael Torres , Ramos‐Mandujano Gerardo
Published: December 2009

Taurine is present in high levels in fetal brain which decrease in the adult, suggesting its role in brain development. In some regions of taurine deficient animals cells show defective migration and the presence of numerous mitotic figures, suggesting a delay in cell proliferation. To know more about the role of taurine in the developing brain cells, the present study investigated whether taurine is a factor involved in proliferation or/and viability of neural progenitor cells (NPC). NPC were obtained from 13.5‐days mice embryos mesencephalon, and cultured during 4–5 days to form neurospheres in the presence of EGF plus FGFb (EGF/FGF) or EGF alone. Mesencephalon taurine content (349 mmoles/kg protein) was lost in NPC and recovered after addition of 10 mM taurine to the culture. Neurospheres‐forming NPC were over 94% nestin‐positive. Taurine increased 38.6% and 43.2% the number of NPC formed in EGF/FGF or EGF conditions, respectively. In secondary neurospheres this increase was 24.6% and 62.1%, in EGF/FGF or EGF cultures respectively. Correspondingly neurospheres size was increased by taurine but neurospheres number was not enhanced. Taurine significantly increased the number of BrdU‐positive cells, without affecting cell viability, suggesting proliferation as the mechanism responsible for taurine action increasing NPC. Taurine seems unable to increase the number of β‐III‐tubulin‐positive cells differentiated from neurospheres after serum addition, and rather an increase in astrocytes was observed. These results point to taurine as a trophic factor contributing to optimize NPC proliferation. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Formation of Vesicular Morphologies via Polymerization Induced Self‐Assembly and Re‐Organization
Authors: Wan Wen‐Ming , Sun Xiao‐Li , Pan Cai‐Yuan
Published: December 2009

A facile and feasible strategy for the preparation of vesicular morphologies has been developed using reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The polymerization of styrene has been performed in a selected solvent, methanol, using S‐1‐dodecyl‐S‐(α,α′‐dimethyl‐α″‐acetic acid)trithiocarbonate (TC)‐terminated poly(4‐vinylpyridine) as chain transfer agent and stabilizer. Various morphologies including spherical vesicles, nanotubes, and compound vesicles with different shapes are obtained by changing the feed ratios and reaction conditions. The final nanostructural materials are formed through formation of the block copolymers, self‐assembly, and re‐organization of the morphology in a one‐pot polymerization. The latter two are induced by the propagation of PS blocks. The preparation of nanostructural materials can be performed at a concentration higher than 0.5 g · mL−1, thus this method offers a practical approach to prepare nanostructural materials on a large scale.

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