bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early diagnosis of Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome triggered by a life‐threatening event: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: van Dooren M.F. , Brooks A.S. , Hoogeboom A.J.M. , van den Hoonaard T.L. , de Klein J.E.M.M. , Wouters C.H. , Tibboel D.
Published: April 2004

Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS, OMIM 194190) is a chromosomal disorder characterized by retarded mental and physical growth, microcephaly, Greek helmet appearance of the facies, seizures/epilepsy. Closure defects of lip or palate, and cardiac septum defects occur in 30–50% of cases. Its cause is a deletion in the short arm of chromosome 4. We present a male patient, born after 37 weeks gestation, as the fourth pregnancy of non‐consanguineous healthy parents, with unilateral cleft lip and palate, hypertelorism, a right‐sided ear tag, and mild epispadias. At age 10 weeks he developed acute respiratory distress and acute bowel obstruction requiring emergency laparotomy. This revealed a left‐sided posterolateral diaphragmatic defect, type Bochdalek, with incarceration of the small intestines necessitating major bowel resection. Clinical genetic investigation suggested a chromosome anomaly, but regular karyotyping was normal. However, FISH analysis showed a microdeletion in the short arm of chromosome 4 (4p‐), consistent with WHS. A combination of this syndrome with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) has been rarely described. CDH can present either as an isolated defect at birth, or with multiple congenital abnormalities, or as part of a defined syndrome or chromosomal disorder. Therefore CDH, although not common in WHS, can lead to its diagnosis relatively early in life. We strongly recommend a clinical genetic evaluation of each CDH patient with facial anomalies taking into consideration 4p‐ deletion syndrome. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evidence for linkage between regulatory enzymes in glycolysis and schizophrenia in a multiplex sample
Authors: Stone William S. , Faraone Stephen V. , Su Jessica , Tarbox Sarah I. , Van Eerdewegh Paul , Tsuang Ming T.
Published: April 2004

Observations of impaired glucose regulation in schizophrenia are long‐standing, although their pathological and etiological significance is uncertain. One approach to the issue that minimizes environmental variables (e.g., medication and diet) is to determine whether genes related to glucose regulation show genetic linkage to schizophrenia. We examined the potential role of glucose metabolism in schizophrenia through a genome scan of affection status in schizophrenia and an empirical method for deriving P‐values. Data were utilized from the NIMH Genetics Initiative for Schizophrenia dataset, which comprises a total sample consisting of 71 pedigrees containing 218 nuclear families and 987 individuals. A genome scan with 459 markers spaced at an average of 10 cM intervals was conducted using the linkage analysis program Genehunter separately for European‐ and African‐American groups. Enzymes that regulate glycolysis were identified and the genes regulating these enzymes were located through the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) website. The focus in this study was on genes located near previously reported schizophrenia susceptibility regions. The genome‐wide significance of these genes to schizophrenia was assessed using permutation testing. When results were adjusted for multiple testing within and across ethnic groups, 6‐phosphofructo‐2‐kinase/fructose‐2,6‐bisphosphatase 2 (PFKFB2; chromosome 1q32.2) achieved genome‐wide significance (P = 0.04). In addition, hexokinase 3 (HK3; chromosome 5q35.3) was also suggestive of linkage (P = 0.09). For the European‐American sample, PFKFB2 (1q32.2), hexokinase 3 (HK3; 5q35.3), and pyruvate kinase 3 (PK3; chromosome 15q23) achieved significance at the 0.05 level. None of the genes showed significance in the African‐American sample. Our results provide further support for the view that genes that regulate glucose metabolism may also influence susceptibility to schizophrenia. More generally, they support the view that relationships between glucose dysregulation and schizophrenia are inherent to the disorder, and are not merely epiphenomena related to medication or other treatment factors. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Integrated physical map of the human essential tremor gene region (ETM2) on chromosome 2p24.3‐p24.2
Authors: Higgins Joseph. J. , Lombardi Roni Q. , Pucilowska Joanna , Ruszczyk Melanie U.
Published: April 2004

A gene for autosomal dominant familial essential tremor maps to a 9.1 cM interval flanked by loci D2S224 and D2S405 (ETM2) on human chromosome 2p24.3‐p24.2. The recombinatorial boundaries of the interval were refined on a radiation hybrid map to a 123 cR minimal critical region (MCR) between D2S224 and D2S2221. High‐throughput non‐isotopic screening of bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) was used to assemble a physical map of the region. A scaffold BAC map of 31 overlapping clones was ordered by their sequence tagged site (STS) content using PCR and Southern blotting. A complementary 3.9 Mb integrated physical map of the human ETM2 region was constructed by identifying GenBank contigs that contained seven BAC DNA sequences and common STSs. Thirty‐three transcripts including five known genes (MATN3, LAPTM4A, SDC1, PUM2, and APOB) were identified in the MCR and ordered on an integrated contig by PCR and virtual mapping. This physical map will provide a template for genomic sequencing and the identification of a gene for essential tremor. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The influence of relevance levels on the effectiveness of interactive information retrieval
Authors: Vakkari Pertti , Sormunen Eero
Published: April 2004

In this paper, we focus on the effect of graded relevance on the results of interactive information retrieval (IR) experiments based on assigned search tasks in a test collection. A group of 26 subjects searched for four Text REtrieval Conference (TREC) topics using automatic and interactive query expansion based on relevance feedback. The TREC‐ and user‐suggested pools of relevant documents were reassessed on a four‐level relevance scale. The results show that the users could identify nearly all highly relevant documents and about half of the marginal ones. Users also selected a fair number of irrelevant documents for query expansion. The findings suggest that the effectiveness of query expansion is closely related to the searchers' success in retrieving and identifying highly relevant documents for feedback. The implications of the results on interpreting the findings of past experiments with liberal relevance thresholds are also discussed.
Anatomical basis for functional treatment of dorsolateral dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint
Authors: Lutz M. , Fritz D. , Arora R. , Kathrein A. , Gabl M. , Pechlaner S. , Del Frari B. , Poisel S.
Published: April 2004

Dorsolateral dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint is a common injury to the hand. Closed reduction of the dislocation anatomically realigns the avulsed ligaments; thus patients may be managed non‐operatively. Standard treatment involves placement of a dorsal splint to prevent hyperextension and lateral stresses. This allows early active motion of the PIP joint while preventing a flexion contracture. In this fresh cadaver study, the PIP joint in 24 fingers was dorsolaterally dislocated. Four digits had to be excluded from the investigation due to a fracture dislocation with a bony fragment of >40% of the articular surface of the middle phalanx. After closed reduction, seven digits were further studied using the cryosection technique described by Kathrein et al. (1996, Clin. Anat. 9:227–231) to demonstrate the position of the avulsed palmar plate. In another 13 joints, the torn ligaments were examined by gross dissection. In 10° of finger flexion, the avulsed palmar plate lay at its previous attachment to the base of the middle phalanx. The collateral ligament, ruptured at its attachment to the side of the head of the proximal phalanx, returned to its original position and was not interposed in the joint. The split between the collateral ligament and the accessory collateral ligament was also closed. Our data suggest that the ligamentous structures of the PIP joint, namely the palmar plate and collateral ligaments, typically return to their anatomic positions upon simple closed reduction of dorsolateral dislocations in fresh cadavers. Clin. Anat. 17:303–307, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Endoscopic study of the morphology of Vieussens valve
Authors: Zawadzki M. , Pietrasik A. , Pietrasik K. , Marchel M. , Ciszek B.
Published: April 2004

Vieussens valve (Vv) is the ostial valve of the great cardiac vein located near the beginning of the coronary sinus. Knowledge of its anatomy is important for several trans‐sinus cardiologic procedures. The frequency of its presence is reported to vary from 65–87%. We documented the post mortem morphology of Vieussens valve in 50 unfixed, intact human coronary sinuses using endoscopy. We believe this is the first study of the anatomy of the coronary sinus and the adjacent venous ostia to employ this technique. Vieussens valve was observed in 78% of specimens. Special attention was given to the shape of the valve leaflets. Five morphological types of Vv were distinguished: single leaflet, flat (16%); single leaflet, concave (20%); double leaflet, flat (8%); double leaflet, concave (32%); and triple leaflet, concave (2%). We found post mortem endoscopy of the coronary sinus to be a good and reliable method of visualizing Vieussens valve. Clin. Anat. 17:318–321, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fludarabine‐containing chemotherapy as frontline treatment of nongastrointestinal mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma
Authors: Zinzani Pier Luigi , Stefoni Vittorio , Musuraca Gerardo , Tani Monica , Alinari Lapo , Gabriele Annalisa , Marchi Enrica , Pileri Stefano , Baccarani Michele
Published: April 2004

BACKGROUND

Mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a specific clinicopathologic entity with gastric and nongastrointestinal site involvement. The authors reported the clinical outcome of patients with Stage IE nongastrointestinal MALT lymphoma treated with a frontline fludarabine‐containing regimen or with a regimen containing cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CVP).

METHODS

Between 1998 and 2001, 31 patients with Stage IE disease were referred to the Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology and Medical Oncology at the University of Bologna (Bologna, Italy). Presenting sites included periorbital soft tissue (n = 8), lung (n = 5), skin (n = 5), salivary glands (n = 5), lacrimal glands (n = 5), and thyroid (n = 3). Twenty patients were treated with fludarabine and mitoxantrone (FM), and 11 were treated with the CVP regimen. The median follow‐up was 3 years.

RESULTS

All patients achieved complete responses (CR). Four patients, all treated with CVP, experienced disease recurrence and then achieved a second CR after FM salvage treatment. No tumor recurrence was observed in patients with thyroid, lacrimal gland, or pulmonary lymphoma. The projected 5‐year overall survival and disease‐free survival rates were 100% and 85%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The fludarabine‐containing FM regimen provided a relatively effective frontline (or salvage) treatment option for patients with nongastrointestinal Stage IE MALT lymphoma and probably was superior to CVP in terms of efficacy. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
The clinical significance of large cells in bone marrow in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Ma Yupo , Mansour Adnan , Bekele B. Nebiyou , Zhou Xian , Keating Michael J. , O'Brien Susan , Giles Francis J. , Albitar Maher
Published: April 2004

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that transforms to Richter syndrome (RS) frequently show atypical lymphocytes in bone marrow; however, a diagnosis of RS requires confirmation of the presence of sheets of large cells in bone marrow or lymph nodes.

METHODS

In this study, the authors evaluated the clinical significance of scattered large cells in bone marrow. They assessed the possibility of predicting transformation to RS in bone marrow smears by counting the percentages of prolymphocytes and large cells in 78 patients with CLL and 29 patients with lymph node biopsy‐confirmed RS.

RESULTS

The percentage of large cells was found to be correlated with decreasing survival in a continuous fashion (P= 0.006). It is interesting to note that patients who had > 7% large cells in the bone marrow and elevated β2‐microglobulin (β2‐M) levels (> 5 mg/L) had a survival duration identical to that of patients with RS, and these factors together were a strong predictor of RS (P< 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with CLL who had bone marrow that contained > 7% large cells and who had β2‐M levels > 5 mg/L had a disease that was similar to RS, and the combination of large cells and β2‐M can be used as a surrogate marker for RS. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Carcinosarcoma of the ovary
Authors: Brown Ewan , Stewart Moira , Rye Tzyvia , Al‐Nafussi Awatif , Williams Alistair R. W. , Bradburn Michael , Smyth John , Gabra Hani
Published: April 2004

BACKGROUND

A review of clinicopathologic features and outcome in women with carcinosarcoma of the ovary (also known as malignant mixed mesodermal tumor [MMMT]) compared with a group of women with serous adenocarcinoma (SAC) of the ovary was conducted.

METHODS

Between 1984 and 2002, 1568 patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma and 70 patients with ovarian carcinosarcoma underwent treatment at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre. Analysis was performed on 65 patients with MMMT, and 746 patients with SAC were selected as a group for comparison. Baseline variables were recorded prospectively and response to chemotherapy and progression‐free and cause‐specific survival between the groups were compared.

RESULTS

Patients with carcinosarcoma had a mean age of 66.6 years, which is significantly older than those with SAC (62.0 years) (P < 0.001). The objective response rate to platinum‐based chemotherapy was found to be significantly lower in patients with carcinosarcoma (25% vs. 60%; P = 0.02). Cause‐specific survival in the carcinosarcoma group was poor and significantly shorter than that observed in the SAC group (median survival of 8.2 months vs. 20.7 months; P < 0.0001). Progression‐free survival in patients with carcinosarcoma also was found to be significantly shorter compared with patients with SAC (median progression‐free survival of 6.4 months vs. 12.1 months; P < 0.001). Achieving optimal debulking at the time of initial surgery was found to be a highly significant factor in patients with carcinosarcoma with regard to determining outcome (median survival of 14.8 months for patients with optimally debulked International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Stage III disease vs. 3.1 months for patients with suboptimally/nondebulked Stage III disease; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Ovarian carcinosarcoma is a distinct entity with a poor prognosis. Patients with carcinosarcoma differ from those with SAC with regard to having an older mean age of onset, an inferior response to platinum‐based chemotherapy, and worse progression‐free and cause‐specific survival. The extent of benefit from chemotherapy is unclear. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Expression of milk fat globule epidermal growth factor 8 in immature dendritic cells for engulfment of apoptotic cells
Authors: Miyasaka Kay , Hanayama Rikinari , Tanaka Masato , Nagata Shigekazu
Published: April 2004

Milk fat globule epidermal growth factor 8 (MFG‐E8) is a protein that stimulates the engulfment of apoptotic cells by phagocytes. Here, we show that mouse immature dendritic cells (DC) generated in vitro by culturing bone marrow progenitors in the presence of granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), and Langerhans cells present in the skins, expressed MFG‐E8. Bone marrow‐derived macrophages generated by M‐CSF did not express MFG‐E8. MFG‐E8 expressed in immature DC was found to be secreted as exosomes. The expression of MFG‐E8 was significantly suppressed when the immature DC were induced to mature by treating them with lipopolysaccharides. This expression of MFG‐E8 was well correlated with the ability of the cells to engulf apoptotic cells. That is,immature DC phagocytosed apoptotic cells more efficiently than did mature DC or bone marrow‐derived macrophages. The ability of immature DC to engulf apoptotic cells was severely reduced when the immature DC were prepared from MFG‐E8‐deficient mice. These results indicated that MFG‐E8 plays an essential role in the engulfment of apoptotic cells by bone marrow‐derived immature DC.
Promoted oxidation of phenol in aqueous solution using molecular oxygen at mild conditions
Authors: Vogel Frédéaric , Harf Julien , Hug Andreas , Von Rohr Philipp Rudolf
Published: April 2004

Wet oxidation with molecular oxygen at mild conditions (temperature < 200°C, pressure ⩽ 2 MPa) is an economically attractive pretreatment step for non‐biodegradable aqueous waste streams. In order to overcome the low reactivity of molecular oxygen towards organic molecules at these mild process conditions, an initiator was used in combination with ferrous ions in the acidic range. The promoted oxidation of phenol in aqueous solution was investigated in a 4 liters stirred autoclave. It was possible to degrade the phenol at temperatures as low as 100°C without observing an induction time. The remaining solution contained mainly acetic and formic acid and was well biodegradable.

The oxidative behavior of the oxygen/phenol system could be explained using the well‐known autoxidation mechanism for aliphatic molecules. 4‐hydroperoxy‐phenol is suggested as a key intermediate. Measured products are p‐benzoquinone, hydroquinone, catechol, maleic, oxalic, pyruvic, formic, and acetic acid. Dinners could also be identified in sample extracts. A global pathway including all identified products is presented.
Application of electrotechnology for removal and prevention of reverse osmosis biofouling
Authors: Romo Rodrigo F. V. , Pitts M. Michael
Published: April 2004

One of the major factors limiting the use of membrane separation systems is membrane fouling [2]. Membrane fouling places a large economic restriction on membrane systems operation; it can lead to reduced performance, higher energy consumption, and eventually, failure to meet the regulatory standards by the deterioration of the product stream.

Successful results from the application of electrotechnology have been obtained in removal and prevention of redevelopment of biofouling from operating reverse osmosis equipment (RO). Field observations are supported by Robbis device laboratory studies.
Composite fouling ‐ inorganic and biological: A review
Authors: Sheikholeslami R.
Published: April 2004

Recent research on fouling in desalination systems, cooling towers, ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) heat exchangers, salinity power plants (SPP), etc. where composite inorganic and biological fouling may be present is reviewed. Crystallization or precipitation fouling is the most studied type of fouling. Other types of fouling are studied in various degrees of detail in isolation. In practical industrial applications, usually several types of fouling occur simultaneously, not in isolation. However, not much attention has been paid to the relative significance and the interactive effects of these processes when they occur simultaneously. This is specifically the case for composite inorganic and biological fouling. In general, there is complete lack of attention to the presence, mechanism, modeling and mitigation of composite fouling.
Moisture in biofilters
Authors: Bohn Hinrich L. , Bohn Karl H.
Published: April 2004

Water availability is a major determinant of pollutant degradation rates by microbes in biofilters. Water content is an indirect index of availability because much water in organic biofilter media is bound too tightly in the particles to be available for microbial metabolism. Available water is primarily in the contacts between particles. The relationship of water availability to moisture content depends on the size and shape of the particles and the composition of the medium. Expressing water content on a volumetric basis avoids the confusion of wet weight vs. dry weight basis and rationalizes the differences between organic and inorganic media.

Water availability is expressed by water activity or by water potential, but is harder to measure than water content. Water activities of 0.999 to 0.97, or water potentials of −0.2 to −3 bars (−10 to −300 kPa), support high microbial degradation rates in biofilters. Mo i s t u re availability decreases exponentially with moisture content, so keeping biofilter beds moist is important. Maintaining proper moisture content is easier in hydrophilic (inorganic) media. Hydrophobic (organic) media are difficult to re wet to the same condition as prior to drying.
LCA and total cost assessment
Authors: Beaver Earl
Published: April 2004

Projects related to Total Cost Assessment and Life Cycle Analysis have been underway for four years within the American Institute of Chemical Engineer's (AIChE) Center for Waste Reduction Technologies (CWRT). The effort has culminated in a fully automated Total Cost Assessment tool called TCAceTM.
SO2 Retention over polyarylamide‐based activated carbon fibers
Authors: Muñiz J. , Marbán G. , Fuertes A.B.
Published: April 2004

The researchers analyze SO2 retention performance of polyarylamide‐based ACFs. Commercial Nomex® and Kevlar® fibers, as well as fiber rejects from the fabrication of Nomex were used as precursors of activated carbon fibers. Low‐density composites produced by agglomeration of carbonized Nomex rejects with phenolic resin were also activated and analyzed. The SO2 retention experiments were carried out both at ambient temperature conditions and at 100°C. A model flue gas, with a composition of 1000–3000 ppmv SO2 and variable amounts of oxygen and water (N2 to balance) was used for the SO2 retention experiments. The SO2 retention capacity of carbonized polyarylamide fibers is very low. Activation of the carbonized fibers considerably enhances the performance of these materials. The basic character of the ACFs seems to contribute greatly to the high performance of the fibers towards SO2 retention. Nomex and Kevlar‐derived ACFs showed a similar SO2 retention capacity. ACFs derived from carbonization and activation of fiber rejects present a similar SO2 removal performance to that of ACFs derived from the commercial materials. The activated fiber composites showed a similar retention capacity to that of the loose ACFs, but a lower utilization degree. The SO2 retention capacity of the polyarylamide‐derived ACFs is comparable to that of commercial PAN‐derived ACFs, but the utilization degree is much higher. The SO2 retention performance of the fibers diminishes at some extent after several adsorption‐thermal regeneration cycles.
Separation methods for environmental technologies
Authors: Sikdar Subhas K. , Burckle John , Rogut Jan
Published: April 2004

Much of the environmental damage in air, soil, sediment, surface and groundwater can be repaired, and further damage prevented through the use of efficient separation technologies. Such technologies should typically achieve higher degrees of species separation. Environmental contamination requires remediation separation technologies especially suited for very low concentrations. This paper highlights the separation and recovery of volatile organic compounds and toxic metal species. Conventional separation technologies are currently inefficient and costly. In this paper, the scope of separation science and technologies in environmental areas will be outlined, and several promising emerging ideas in the areas of sorption and membranes are discussed. The authors view high surface area membrane‐based sorption as a common approach that shows significant promise for tackling these difficult problems by improving technical capability, operability, and process economics.
Noble metal‐based catalysts for total oxidation of chlorinated hydrocarbons
Authors: Toledo José M. , Corella José , Sanz Alvaro
Published: April 2004

Catalytic total oxidation of selected chlorinated hydrocarbons utilizing several noble metal (Pt, Pd, Ru)‐based catalysts was studied. Chlorinated hydrocarbons used were trichloroethylene, dichloromethane, and chlorobenzene, alone or mixed with other hydrocarbons, such as toluene. Catalysts tested were both commercially available, manufactured by Degussa AG, Süd‐Chemie AG, Kataleuna GmbH, Chimet, Johnson Matthey, Prototech Co., etc., and new ones developed by Universities of Leiden in The Netherlands, Budapest in Hungary, and Wroclaw in Poland. Both forms of catalyst, sphere (particulate) and monolith, were used. Selection of the best catalyst(s) was made based on its activity, selectivity, and life. Apparent energies of activation for the reactions on these catalysts, using an empirical firstorder reaction rate, are also given.
Case history: Catalytic system abates VOCs and NOx
Authors: Ciccolella Donald E. , Otchy Thomas G.
Published: April 2004

The standard technologies of Catalytic Oxidation and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) are uniquely applied in a hybrid catalytic system that simultaneously destroys Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) to fit the special circumstances of an extruded plastic foam manufacturing application.

VOCs and NOx a re byproducts of extruded plastic foam manufacturing, generated in the curing ovens. For years, catalytic oxidation systems have been successfully used for the abatement of oven exhaust, containing VOC, NOx, nitrogen‐bearing compounds, and ammonia in varying ratios. In this application, because of the presence of ammonia in the manufacturing process, this single, skid‐mounted system uses a unique control scheme to achieve performance, while eliminating the need for ammonia injection and associated NOx analyzers, considered the standard for most SCR systems.

System design features, function, and performance objectives will be explained in the context of the application. Catalyst requirements and selection will be detailed. Measure demission data will also be presented.
Commercial test of a slurry jet FGD system
Authors: He Suhao , Xiang Guangming , Li Dingkai , Li Yan , Yao Qiang , Xu Xuchang
Published: April 2004

A flue gas desulfurization (FGD) system that treats discharges from three industrial boilers using a slurry jet technique, was tested at the Shenyang Fertilizer Factory in Shenyang in Northeast China. At the design conditions, the FGD system had a desulfurization efficiency greater than 93%, and a calcium utilization efficiency of approximately 93% with S(IV) fraction oxidized to S(VI) in excess of 98%. The influence of the main operating parameters are also analyzed in this paper. The system has a high desulfurization efficiency at varying inlet SO2 concentrations and gas flow rates, and a low cost for industrial use, especially for small‐ and medium‐size industrial boilers in China.
Control of carbon disulfide emissions from viscose processes
Authors: Enneking Joseph C.
Published: April 2004

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a proposed rule for control of hazardous air pollutants from cellulose manufacturing operations. Both the hydrogen sulfide and carbon disulfide emissions must be controlled.

An activated carbon‐based process has been developed which effectively removes both of these hazardous compounds with high efficiency. An impregnated activated carbon is used to remove hydrogen sulfide by converting it to sulfur on the interior surface of the activated carbon. The resulting waste is minimal and can be land filled at relatively low cost. A unique type of activated carbon is used to remove the carbon disulfide from the air stream, and periodic regeneration of the carbon, using hot inert gas, recovers the carbon disulfide for reuse. This type of system has operated for several years with no safety problems associated with the low auto‐ignition temperature of carbon disulfide.

Extensive laboratory tests have been conducted to optimize this process and the results are presented. A large system has been designed and installed, and typical operating information is provided. Capital costs for systems of various sizes and configurations are given.
Electrochemical treatment and reuse of nickel plating rinse waters
Authors: Bolger Paul T. , Szlag David C.
Published: April 2004

The treatment and disposal of nickel‐contaminated rinse waters places an additional cost‐burden on a metal plating facility. Increasing the resource productivity within an electrolytic nickel plating process by creating a recycle loop for the “waste” components of the rinse water can reduce disposal and raw material costs. In this study, an electrowinning cell, fitted with an anion exchange membrane, was used to recover valuable components from a simulated electrolytic nickel plating rinse water by a combination of electrodeposition and electrodialysis. The anion exchange membrane in the cell permitted a dual electrode function. Nickel metal was recovered from the rinse water at the cathode and a sulfuric/hydrochloric acid mixture was generated at the anode (which can be used in the pickling baths to clean metal parts). The boric acid in the rinse water could not be recovered by anion exchange due to its high acid dissociation constant. The cell worked effectively in both a batch and a continuous feed mode. The research demonstrated that this type of electrochemical cell could feasibly replace the traditional ion exchange process for treating rinse waters, and eliminate regeneration chemicals/waste while producing useful process materials.
Development and experimental validation of a conceptual model for biotrickling filtration of H2S
Authors: Kim Seongyup , Deshusses Marc A.
Published: April 2004

A dynamic model that describes the behavior of high‐performance hydrogen sulfide (H2S)‐degrading biotrickling filters for odor control was developed. The model attempts to accurately describe pollutant mass transfer in the biotrickling filter, i.e., external mass transfer resistances, and both direct gas‐biofilm and gas‐liquid‐biofilm mass transfer were considered. In order to calibrate the model, an innovative differential biotrickling filter was constructed in which the effect of air velocity on the removal of H2S could be studied. Model outputs were compared with experimental data to determine the sensitivity of the system to selected parameters. At low H2S concentration, diffusion of H2S within the biofilm, and biofilm thickness were the major governing factors among nine considered model parameters. At higher H2S concentrations and lower air flow rates, external mass transfer played a very important role. This new finding, confirmed experimentally, has important implications, as it proves that the performance limit of H2S degrading biotrickling filters has not yet been reached.
Recovery of zinc from waste material using hydro metallurgical processes
Authors: Kurama Haldun , Göktepe F.
Published: April 2004

A lead‐zinc ore deposit in Balikesir/Balya, Turkey, was mined and abandoned almost 70 years ego. Nearly 1,000,000 tons of flotation tailings and 300,000 tons of slag, which contain considerable amounts of zinc remain. In this study, an assessment of the technical feasibility of an acidic leach process for the recovery of zinc from slag was considered. The slag contained approximately 29% Fe, 13% Zn, 3% Pb and 2% S. Preliminary leach tests showed that it was not possible to achieve a selective and efficient extraction of Zn from the slag using low concentrations of H2SO4 and low temperatures. This result can be attributed to the proportions of zinc present as oxide and ferrite (Zn Fe2O4). This slag composition has a significant effect on treatment options because the oxide is soluble to a varying degree in most leachants, whereas ferrites tend to be insoluble. In order to increase the recovery using extraction, leaching tests were performed in two stages. Slag was first subjected to leaching, and residue was contacted with a hot and more concentrated sulfuric acid solution in order to dissolve the ferrite. The dissolved iron was then recovered from solution by ammonium jarosite precipitation. The optimum conditions to leach the slag were determined: 1.85 N and 4.07 N H2SO4 at 1/10 solids ratio, at a temperature of 55° C and 95° C in the first and second stages, respectively. Results show that the 77.45% Zn extraction could be achieved by atmospheric leaching. Compared to other processes, such as pressure leaching, ammonia, and NaOH leaching, pressure leaching had the highest extraction efficiency of 87% Zn and 80% Fe, but may have extremely high investment and operation costs.
Structural and functional healing of critical‐size segmental bone defects by transduced muscle‐derived cells expressing BMP4
Authors: Shen Hsain‐Chung , Peng Hairong , Usas Arvydas , Gearhart Brian , Fu Freddie H. , Huard Johnny
Published: April 2004

Background

Our previous studies have shown that muscle‐derived cells, including a population of muscle stem cells, transduced with a retroviral vector expressing bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) can improve the healing of critical‐size calvarial defects. However, we did not evaluate the functionality of the healed bone. The purpose of this study was to determine whether primary muscle‐derived cells transduced with retroBMP4 can heal a long bone defect both structurally and functionally.

Methods

Primary muscle‐derived cells were genetically engineered to express BMP4 and were implanted into 7‐mm femoral defects created in syngeneic rats. Muscle‐derived cells transduced with retroLacZ were used in the control group. Bone healing was monitored by radiography, histology, and biomechanical testing at designated time points.

Results

Most of the defects treated with muscle‐derived cells expressing BMP4 formed bridging callous by 6 weeks after surgery, and exhibited radiographically evident union at 12 weeks after cell implantation. Histological analysis at 12 weeks revealed that the medullary canal of the femur was restored and the cortex was remodeled between the proximal and distal ends of each BMP4‐treated defect. In contrast, the defects treated with muscle‐derived cells expressing β‐galactosidase displayed nonunion at all tested time points. An evaluation of the maximum torque‐to‐failure in the treatment group indicated that the healed bones possessed 77 ± 28% of the strength of the contralateral intact femora. Torsional stiffness and energy‐to‐failure were not significantly different between the treated and intact limbs.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that primary muscle‐derived cells transduced with retroBMP4 can elicit both structural and functional healing of critical‐size segmental long bone defects created in rats. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The infant mouse as a in vivo model for the detection and study of DNA damage–induced changes in the liver
Authors: Reynolds Randall , Witherspoon Sam , Fox Tony
Published: April 2004

The present work describes the use of the infant (4‐wk‐old) mouse as an animal model for the study of DNA damage–induced G1 checkpoint response, changes in p53 protein levels, and multiple gene expression changes after DNA damage has been induced in the liver. Hepatocytes in the infant B6C3F1 mouse had a proliferation index that was 27 times greater than that of the 12‐wk‐old B6C3F1 mouse (57.4 vs. 2.1%, respectively). Eight hours after infant mice were exposed to the DNA damaging agents bleomycin (100 mg/kg, i.p.) or 10 Gy of whole body gamma irradiation, the G1/S ratio significantly increased from 21 (control) to 66 and 75, respectively, because of the induction of the G1/S checkpoint response. One hour after whole body irradiation of infant mice the levels of the p53 protein, phosphoserine 18‐p53 and phosphoserine 23‐p53 increased dramatically and tended to peak at 1 h in the liver, whereas the p21WAF1 protein increased more slowly and tended to peak at 2 h after irradiation. The mRNA expression of the p53‐response genes p21, murine double minute clone 2 (mdm2), and cyclin G was increased at 2 h after irradiation but was decreased by 8 h postirradiation, relative to the 2‐h time‐point. The expression of insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐1 (IGFBP‐1) and growth‐regulated oncogene 1 (GRO1) increased at 2 and 8 h postirradiation. This work characterizes various parameters in the infant mouse, thus validating the use of this model to study in vivo DNA damage–induced cell‐cycle–related changes. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Epigenetic and gene expression changes related to transgenerational carcinogenesis
Authors: Cheng Robert Y‐S. , Hockman Tyler , Crawford Erik , Anderson Lucy M. , Shiao Yih‐Horng
Published: April 2004

Transgenerational carcinogenesis refers to transmission of cancer risk to the untreated progeny of parents exposed to carcinogens before mating. Accumulated evidence suggests that the mechanism of this process is epigenetic, and might involve hormonal and gene expression changes in offspring. To begin to test this hypothesis, we utilized a mouse model (NIH Swiss) in which exposure of fathers to Cr(III) chloride 2 wk before mating can alter incidence of neoplastic and nonneoplastic changes in offspring tissues. Utilizing a MS‐RDA approach, we found that the sperm of these fathers had a significantly higher percentage of undermethylated copies of the 45S ribosomal RNA gene (rRNA); this finding was confirmed by bisulfite sequencing. Because gene methylation is a known mechanism of expression control in germ cells, and ribosomal RNA levels have been linked to cancer, these findings are consistent with the hypothesis. Secondly, we observed that offspring of Cr(III)‐treated fathers were significantly heavier than controls, and had higher levels of serum T3. Possible effects of T3 levels on gene expression in the offspring were examined by microarray analysis of cDNAs from liver. A total of 58 genes, including 25 named genes, had expression ratios that correlated significantly with serum T3 ratios at P ≤ 0.001. Some of these genes have potential roles in growth and/or tumor suppression. These results also support the hypothesis of an epigenetic and/or gene expression–based mechanism for transgenerational carcinogenesis. Published 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Highly informative proteome analysis by combining improved N‐terminal sulfonation for de novo peptide sequencing and online capillary reverse‐phase liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Lee Yong Ho , Kim Min‐Sik , Choie Woo‐Suk , Min Hye‐Ki , Lee Sang‐Won
Published: April 2004

Recently, various chemical modifications of peptides have been incorporated into mass spectrometric analyses of proteome samples, predominantly in conjunction with matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS), to facilitate de novo sequencing of peptides. In this work, we investigate systematically the utility of N‐terminal sulfonation of tryptic peptides by 4‐sulfophenyl isothiocyanate (SPITC) for proteome analysis by capillary reverse‐phase liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (cRPLC/MS/MS). The experimental conditions for the sulfonation were carefully adjusted so that SPITC reacts selectively with the N‐terminal amino groups, even in the presence of the ϵ‐amino groups of lysine residues. Mass spectrometric analyses of the modified peptides by cRPLC/MS/MS indicated that SPITC derivatization proceeded toward near completion under the experimental conditions employed here. The SPITC‐derivatized peptides underwent facile fragmentation, predominantly resulting in y‐series ions in the MS/MS spectra. Combining SPITC derivatization and cRPLC/MS/MS analyses facilitated the acquisition of sequence information for lysine‐terminated tryptic peptides as well as arginine‐terminated peptides without the need for additional peptide pretreatment, such as guanidination of lysine amino group. This process alleviated the biased detection of arginine‐terminated peptides that is often observed in MALDI MS experiments. We will discuss the utility of the technique as a viable method for proteome analyses and present examples of its application in analyzing samples having different levels of complexity.
The Phosphorylation Site Database: A guide to the serine‐, threonine‐, and/or tyrosine‐phosphorylated proteins in prokaryotic organisms
Authors: Wurgler‐Murphy Susannah M. , King Douglas M. , Kennelly Peter J.
Published: April 2004

The Phosphorylation Site Database [http://vigen.biochem.vt.edu/xpd/xpd.htm] provides ready access to information from the primary scientific literature concerning those proteins from prokaryotic organisms, i.e., the members of the domains Archaea and Bacteria, that have been reported to undergo covalent phosphorylation on the hydroxyl side chains of serine, threonine, and/or tyrosine residues. Where known, the sequence of the site(s) of phosphorylation and the functional consequences of phosphorylation also are included. Active links enable users to quickly access further information concerning the phosphoprotein of interest from PubMed, GenBank, SWISS‐PROT, and PIR.
On the hyperfine and magnetic properties of the alloy system Fe3−xMnxSi
Authors: Mahmood S. H. , Lehlooh A.‐F. , Saleh A. S. , Wagner F. E.
Published: April 2004

The results of a comprehensive Mössbauer study of the alloy system Fe3−xMnxSi are reported. The study covers a wide range of temperatures (4.2 K to 300 K), and a wide range of concentrations between x = 0 and x = 2.5. Alloys with x < 0.75 show ferromagnetic behavior up to RT, and the spectra were fitted with several sextets indicating several configurations around the Fe atoms at B and A, C sites. Alloys with x > 1.5 show antiferromagnetic ordering, and those with x > 2.0 develop new non‐cubic phases. In the concentration region 1.0 < x < 1.5 the alloys exhibit a complex magnetic behavior. Thus, the alloys were studied over a wide temperature range where transition from ferromagnetic ordering to paramagnetic phase is observed. The Curie Temperature (Tc) for the alloys in this concentration range is found to drop down sharply as x increases. The subspectrum characteristic of the B site disappears at x ∼ 1.3, indicating that the B site is completely filled with Mn at this concentration. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Numerical computation of cross‐coupled algebraic Riccati equations related toH2/H∞control problem for singularly perturbed systems
Authors: Mukaidani Hiroaki , Shimomura Tetsu , Xu Hua
Published: April 2004

In this paper, we present a numerical algorithm to the cross‐coupled algebraic Riccati equations(CARE) related toH2/H∞control problems for singularly perturbed systems (SPS) by means of Newton's method. The resulting algorithm can be widely used to solve Nash game problems and robust control problems because the CARE is solvable even if the quadratic term has an indefinite sign. We prove that the resulting iterative algorithm has the property of the quadratic convergence. Using the solution of the CARE, we construct the high‐order approximateH2/H∞controller. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On‐line estimation and path planning for multiple vehicles in an uncertain environment
Authors: Ousingsawat Jarurat , Campbell Mark E.
Published: April 2004

A unified approach to cooperative target tracking and path planning for multiple vehicles is presented. All vehicles, friendly and adversarial, are assumed to be aircraft. Unlike the typical target tracking problem that uses the linear state and nonlinear output dynamics, a set of aircraft nonlinear dynamics is used in this work. Target state information is estimated in order to integrate into a path planning framework. The objective is to fly from a start point to a goal in a highly dynamic, uncertain environment with multiple friendly and adversarial vehicles, without collision. The estimation architecture proposed is consistent with most path planning methods. Here, the path planning approach is based on evolutionary computation technique which is then combined with a nonlinear extended set membership filter in order to demonstrate a unified approach. A cooperative estimation approach among friendly vehicles is shown to improve speed and routing of the path. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthese und Eigenschaften von Sr3Mo1.5Zn0.5O7‐δ, einer Phase mit perowskitverwandter Schichtstruktur
Authors: Steiner Udo , Reichelt Werner , Schmidt Marcus , Schnelle Walter
Published: April 2004

Die neue Schicht‐Perowskit‐Phase Sr3Mo1.5Zn0.5O7‐δ wurde durch Festkörperreaktion unter Verwendung eines Zn/ZnO‐Sauerstoffpuffers dargestellt. Die Verfeinerung der Kristallstruktur erfolgte an Pulver‐Röntgenbeugungsdaten mit der Rietveld‐Methode. Die Verbindung kristallisiert tetragonal in der Raumgruppe I4/mmm (Nr. 139) mit den Gitterkonstanten a = 3.9631(3) Å, c = 20.583(1) Å. Das gemessene Sauerstoffdefizit δ ≈ 0.25 weist auf Vorliegen von gemischtvalentem Molybdän (Mo4+, Mo6+) hin.
The Mobilizing Effect of Majority–Minority Districts on Latino Turnout
Authors: BARRETO MATT A. , SEGURA GARY M. , WOODS NATHAN D.
Published: April 2004

We inquire whether residence in majority–minority districts raises or lowers turnout among Latinos. We argue that the logic suggesting that majority–minority districts suppress turnout is flawed and hypothesize that the net effect is empowering. Further, we suggest that residing in multiple overlapping majority–minority districts—for state assemblies, senates, and the U.S. House—further enhances turnout. We test our hypotheses using individual-level turnout data for voters in five Southern California counties. Examining three general elections from 1996 to 2000, we demonstrate that residing in a majority-Latino district ultimately has a positive effect on the propensity of Latino voters to turn out, an effect that increases with the number of Latino districts in which the voter resides and is consistent across the individual offices in which a voter might be descriptively represented. In contrast, the probability that non-Hispanic voters turn out decreases as they are subject to increasing layers of majority-Latino districting.
Enhancing the Validity and Cross-Cultural Comparability of Measurement in Survey Research
Authors: KING GARY , MURRAY CHRISTOPHER J. L. , SALOMON JOSHUA A. , TANDON AJAY
Published: April 2004

We address two long-standing survey research problems: measuring complicated concepts, such as political freedom and efficacy, that researchers define best with reference to examples; and what to do when respondents interpret identical questions in different ways. Scholars have long addressed these problems with approaches to reduce incomparability, such as writing more concrete questions—with uneven success. Our alternative is to measure directly response category incomparability and to correct for it. We measure incomparability via respondents' assessments, on the same scale as the self-assessments to be corrected, of hypothetical individuals described in short vignettes. Because the actual (but not necessarily reported) levels of the vignettes are invariant over respondents, variability in vignette answers reveals incomparability. Our corrections require either simple recodes or a statistical model designed to save survey administration costs. With analysis, simulations, and cross-national surveys, we show how response incomparability can drastically mislead survey researchers and how our approach can alleviate this problem.