bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation of poly(vinyl chloride) at low temperature by a photochemical method
Authors: Manson John A. , Iobst Stanley A. , Acosta Rodrigo
Published: June 2004

A convenient method has been developed for the polymerization of vinyl chloride at low temperatures (to at least −75°C) by using a tungsten–iodine rather than an ultraviolet lamp, and uranyl nitrate as sensitizer. The use of predominantly visible light minimizes degradation reactions sometimes encountered with ultraviolet light. Measurements of the fraction of racemic (or syndiotactic) diads and per cent crystallinity confirm that the products resemble polymers prepared by other techniques, such as polymerization initiated by a boron alkyl. It is concluded, therefore, that the method can provide a useful alternate to the more common, organometallic system. Measurements of torsional modulus as a function of temperature were also made. As the temperature of polymerization is lowered, the fraction of racemic diads and the per cent crystallinity are increased. The higher the per cent crystallinity, the higher the glass temperature, the broader the glass transition, and the higher the modulus in the rubbery state. Thus, the increased stereoregularity permits the development of a higher level of crystallinity which, in turn, restricts the mobility of the polymer chains.
Ionic organic/inorganic materials. II. New linear and crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide)‐based ionomers by quaternization with chloroalkyl‐functionalized siloxanes
Authors: Cazacu Maria , Ghimici Luminita , Dragan Ecaterina Stela
Published: June 2004

Siloxane‐modified cationic polyelectrolytes were synthesized through the quaternization reaction of a poly(ethylene glycol)‐based polymer containing tertiary amine groups in the chain with chloroalkyl‐functionalized siloxanes. Linear or crosslinked structures were obtained, depending on the functionality of the siloxane: a chloroalkyl‐monofunctionalized or ‐polyfunctionalized siloxane was used. The reaction occurred in solution with n‐propanol as a solvent and NaI as a catalyst. All products were characterized with elemental analysis and IR and 1H NMR spectrometry. Viscometric measurements of the linear polymer in dilute aqueous solutions revealed typical polyelectrolyte behavior. The swelling capacities in various solvents of the crosslinked structures were determined. The thermal stability of the crosslinked cationic structures obtained with a polyfunctional siloxane as a quaternization agent was much higher than that of the parent polymer. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3720–3728, 2004
Relation of sweat chloride concentration to severity of lung disease in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Davis Pamela B. , Schluchter Mark D. , Konstan Michael W.
Published: June 2004

In cystic fibrosis (CF), sweat chloride concentration has been proposed as an index of CFTR function for testing systemic drugs designed to activate mutant CFTR. This suggestion arises from the assumption that greater residual CFTR function should lead to a lower sweat chloride concentration, as well as protection against severe lung disease. This logic gives rise to the hypothesis that the lower the sweat chloride concentration, the less severe the lung disease. In order to test this hypothesis, we studied 230 patients homozygous for the ΔF508 allele, and 34 patients with at least one allele associated with pancreatic sufficiency, born since January 1, 1955, who have pulmonary function data and sweat chloride concentrations recorded in our CF center database, and no culture positive for B. cepacia. We calculated a severity index for pulmonary disease, using an approach which takes into account all available pulmonary function data as well as the patient's current age and survival status. Patients with alleles associated with pancreatic sufficiency had significantly better survival (P = 0.0083), lower sweat chloride concentration (81.4 ± 23.8 vs. 103.2 ± 14.2 mEq/l, P < 0.0001), slower rate of decline of FEV1 % predicted (−0.75 ± 0.34 vs. −2.34 ± 0.17% predicted per year), and a better severity index than patients homozygous for the ΔF508 allele (median 73rd percentile vs. median 55th percentile, P = 0.0004). However, the sweat chloride concentration did not correlate with the severity index, either in the population as a whole, or in the population of patients with alleles associated with pancreatic sufficiency, who are thought to have some residual CFTR function. These data suggest that, by itself, sweat chloride concentration does not necessarily predict a milder pulmonary course in patients with cystic fibrosis. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Urban air pollution and asthma in children
Authors: Migliaretti Giuseppe , Cavallo Franco
Published: June 2004

This study investigated the relationship between atmospheric pollution and emergency hospital admission for asthma among children resident in Turin in the period 1997–1999, using a case‐control design. On the basis of the primary diagnosis, pediatric patients (< 15 years old) resident in Turin and admitted for asthma were defined as cases (n1 = 1,060); age‐matched patients admitted for causes other than respiratory diseases or heart diseases were defined as controls (n2 = 25,523). Nitrogen dioxide (NO2 in μg/m3) and total suspended particulates (TSP in μg/m3) were considered as indicators of urban air pollution; sex and age of patient, seasonality, temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and day of admission were considered as principal confounders. Statistical analyses were performed using simple and multiple logistic regression models; the association between emergency admission for asthma and exposure was shown as percentage of risk modification for a 10 μg/m3 increment of exposure to each pollutant and relative 95% confidence interval. The number of emergency admissions for respiratory causes rose significantly with increased exposure to each pollutant: 2.8% (95% CI, 0.7–4.9%) and 1.8% (95% CI, 0.3–3.2) for a 10 μg/m3 increment of exposure to NO2 and TSP, respectively. A significant association was found between increased number of hospital emergency admissions for respiratory causes and exposure to principal urban pollutants in Turin. The study confirms the results reported for other Italian and European cities, using a case‐control design. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Celiac disease and pulmonary hemosiderosis in a patient with chronic granulomatous disease
Authors: Hartl Dominik , Belohradsky Bernd H. , Griese Matthias , Nicolai Thomas , Krauss‐Etschmann Susanne , Roos Dirk , Wintergerst Uwe
Published: June 2004

We report on a patient with the hitherto undescribed combination of chronic granulomatous disease, pulmonary hemosiderosis, and celiac disease. The hemosiderosis resolved with a gluten‐free diet and glucocorticosteroid pulse therapy, but the restrictive lung function pattern remained unchanged. Lung function improved markedly by immunosuppression with daily glucocorticosteroid and azathioprine treatment. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 38:344–348. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PHOX2B gene mutation in a patient with late‐onset central hypoventilation
Authors: Trang Ha , Laudier Béatrice , Trochet Delphine , Munnich Arnold , Lyonnet Stanislas , Gaultier Claude , Amiel Jeanne
Published: June 2004

Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome, which is related to abnormal autonomic control of breathing and typically manifests at birth, was recently associated with PHOX2B gene mutations. In contrast, central hypoventilation with later onset constitutes a poorly defined group of unknown etiology. Here, we report on the identification of a de novo heterozygous PHOX2B mutation in a patient with central hypoventilation manifesting in childhood. This finding suggests that some of these cases may be genetically determined and allelic to congenital central hypoventilation syndrome. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 38:349–351. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Snoring and atopic disease: A strong association
Authors: Chng Seo Yi , Goh Daniel Yam Thiam , Wang Xiao Shan , Tan Teng Nging , Ong Natalie Bee Hwa
Published: June 2004

The prevalence and factors associated with snoring and habitual snoring in Asian children are largely unknown. Our objectives were to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with snoring and habitual snoring in preschool and primary school children in Singapore. A self‐response questionnaire on snoring was administered to parents of children aged 4–7 years in randomly selected preschools and primary schools in Singapore. The overall response rate was 91.3% (nt = 11,114). Snoring and habitual snoring were reported in 28.1% and in 6.0% of the children, respectively. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, snoring was significantly associated with male gender, race, atopy (asthma, allergic rhinitis, or atopic dermatitis), maternal atopy (allergic rhinitis or atopic dermatitis), maternal smoking, and breastfeeding. Habitual snoring was significantly associated with obesity (odds ratio (OR), 3.75; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.67–8.42), allergic rhinitis (OR, 2.90; 95% CI, 2.06–4.08), atopic dermatitis (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.28–2.54), maternal smoking (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.09–4.53), and breastfeeding (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.11–1.98). Atopy was the strongest risk factor for habitual snoring, and the effect was cumulative. The odds ratio of a child with all three atopic diseases (asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis) to have habitual snoring was 7.45 (95% CI, 3.48–15.97). In conclusion, snoring and habitual snoring are common in Asian children. Atopy is strongly associated with snoring and habitual snoring. We suggest that children who are significantly atopic receive additional attention during screening for snoring, habitual snoring, and other features of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Smoking habits in adolescents with mild to moderate asthma
Authors: Zimlichman Eyal , Mandel Dror , Mimouni Francis B. , Shochat Tzippora , Grotto Itamar , Kreiss Yitshak
Published: June 2004

To study the impact of mild to moderate asthma on smoking habits in adolescents. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that asthma does not prevent adolescents from smoking. A research questionnaire, filled by a systematic sample of military personnel upon enrolment to service in the Israeli Defense Force (IDF), was analyzed. Conscripts were asked to voluntarily fill (after obtaining a signed informed consent) a research questionnaire about their medical history, and several health related topics including smoking. This database was matched with the military medical profile of the soldier, which includes the patient asthma status. Overall, 38,047 young adults were included in this study. There was a significant increase in the rate of mild to moderate asthma, from the mid‐1980's to date. During the 1980's and early 1990's, asthmatics smoked significantly less frequently (20–22%) than non‐asthmatics (25–27%). In the mid‐ to late‐1990's, the smoking rates increased relatively more in asthmatics, to the point that in the last 8 years of this study, they were found to be almost identical in both groups, at a rate of approximately 30%. The presence of asthma is not a powerful motivating agent to prevent from smoking. It is likely that smoking asthmatic teenagers are at risk for suboptimal lung growth, and as young adults, they will become at greater risk of lung function deterioration. We suggest that primary care physicians, caring for asthma in children, adolescents, and young adults, should explain the particular risks generated by tobacco smoking. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simultaneous treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis
Authors: Camargos Paulo A.M. , Rodrigues Mary E.S.M. , Lasmar Laura M.L.B.F.
Published: June 2004

Asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) form a well‐recognized comorbidity. This study aims at assessing the efficacy of nasally inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) in their simultaneous treatment. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 78 allergic rhinitis and asthma patients aged 5–17 years. Seventy‐five individuals completed the study. During 8 weeks, 38 subjects received BDP‐CFC aerosol (≥ 500 mcg/day) exclusively via nasal inhalation through a facemask attached to a plastic valved spacer. The control group (37 patients) received 200 mcg/day of aqueous intranasal beclomethasone plus oral inhalation of BDP‐CFC (≥ 500 mcg/day) through a mouthpiece connected to the same spacer. Primary outcomes analyzed in order to assess the response to treatment were clinical scoring for allergic rhinitis and measurements of nasal inspiratory peak flow (NIPF). AR clinical scoring and NIPF did not differ in the two groups at admission or at nearly all follow‐up visits. Nasal inhalation of beclomethasone dipropionate provides AR symptom relief while maintaining control of asthma by delivering it to the lungs. Therefore, this therapeutic strategy might be considered for patients suffering from this comorbidity, especially in low‐resource countries, since it is less expensive than the conventional treatment. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Efficacy of lufenuron as chemosterilant against Ceratitis capitata in field trials
Authors: Navarro‐Llopis Vicente , Sanchis‐Cabanes Juan , Ayala Ildefonso , Casaña‐Giner Victor , Primo‐Yúfera Eduardo
Published: June 2004

Two field trials in citrus orchards in Turis (Valencia, Spain) and Denia (Alicante, Spain) were performed in order to test the sterilant effect of the insect growth regulator lufenuron against wild medfly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) populations. Two application methods for lufenuron were tested: spraying, in spots, an emulsion of lufenuron in a protein bait, and hanging delta traps that contained a proteinaceous gel with lufenuron (solid bait). The sterilant effect was measured as medfly population reduction, reduction of fruit damage in treated fields, and the number of eggs hatching in punctured fruits. In order to assess the efficacy of lufenuron treatments, we recorded results obtained from two different zones in both trial fields: an outer zone, close to untreated fields, and an inner zone, in the centre of lufenuron treated fields. We observed a minimum sterilant effect in the outer zone and a maximum sterilant effect in the inner one. The maximum sterilant effect was in the inner zone, where a reduction of medfly population of 80.4% in the sprayed field and a reduction of 77.6% in the solid bait field was observed. In addition, the greater the distance from the untreated zones of the treated orchard (inwards), the lower the fruit damage and medfly population level. In this inner zone, fruit punctured by medfly developed significantly fewer larvae (38.8%) than punctured fruits from the outer zone (68.6%). In addition, we recorded the decline in the activity of the lufenuron treatments with time. Lufenuron activity persisted in field for at least 2 weeks with spray applications, and for 3 months with bait gels. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Molecular characterization and inheritance of resistance to ACCase‐inhibiting herbicides in Lolium rigidum
Authors: Tal Avi , Rubin Baruch
Published: June 2004

The molecular basis and mode of inheritance of resistance to ACCase‐inhibiting herbicides were investigated in a biotype of Lolium rigidum Gaud that has been discovered in Israel. Dose‐response experiments at the whole‐plant level have revealed that the resistant biotype was more resistant (6.3‐ to 40‐fold) than the susceptible wild‐type to ACCase‐inhibiting herbicides. A 276‐bp genomic DNA encoding the carboxyltransferase domain within the chloroplastic ACCase from resistant and susceptible biotypes were amplified by PCR and analyzed. Sequence comparison revealed that a single isoleucine‐to‐leucine substitution differentiated ACCases from susceptible and resistant biotypes (corresponds to residue 1769 of wheat ACCase, Acc No AF029895). A PCR amplification of specific alleles (PASA) method was developed to detect the allele composition leading to isoleucine–leucine mutation. ACCase extracted from homozygote resistant, heterozygote and homozygote susceptible plants showed IC50 values of 25.8, 5.6 and 0.6 µM, respectively, suggesting that alteration in the ACCase is governed by a co‐dominant gene. The inheritance studies confirmed that the resistance of L rigidum to ACCase‐inhibiting herbicides is governed by a single, nuclear and co‐dominant gene. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Juvenogens as potential agents in termite control: laboratory screening
Authors: Hrdý Ivan , Kuldová Jelena , Wimmer Zdeněk
Published: June 2004

Preliminary screening tests of eight juvenogens, fatty acid esters of two parent juvenoid alcohols, showed high juvenilizing effect in the termite Prorhinotermes simplex (Hagen). This effect is manifested by differentiation of termite workers into pre‐soldiers, soldiers and/or soldier‐intercastes (‘soldiers’). Juvenogen 9 was tested with five other termite species: Zootermopsis angusticollis Hagen, Kalotermes flavicollis F, Cryptotermes declivis Tsai & Chen, Reticulitermes santonensis de Feytaud, and R flaviceps Oshima, and showed promising efficacy in force‐feeding (FF) as well as in choice bioassays. In the economically important subterranean termites R santonensis and R flaviceps, after application of 0.5 mg ml−1 in FF experiments ca 57 and 73%, respectively, of workers changed into soldiers. In Zootermopsis angusticollis application of 0.05 mg ml−1 caused differentiation in 62% soldiers, and 57% soldiers differentiated after topical application of 1 µg of the tested compound per termite. Differentiation of excessive soldiers induced by a juvenile hormone‐mimicking compound may cause disruption of the social structure and ultimately the death of the colony. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Fenpyroximate resistance in Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae): cross‐resistance and biochemical resistance mechanisms
Authors: Kim Young‐Joon , Lee Si‐Hyeock , Lee Si‐Woo , Ahn Young‐Joon
Published: June 2004

A field colony of the Two‐spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Koch), resistant to fenpyroximate was further selected with fenpyroximate 5SC for 20 generations at a selection pressure of 30–50% mortality (designated as FR‐20 strain). Resistance and cross‐resistance levels of the FR‐20 strain to 18 acaricides were determined using a spray method. The FR‐20 strain was extremely resistant to fenpyroximate [resistance ratio (RR) 252]. The strain exhibited extremely strong positive cross‐resistance to acrinathrin (RR 196), and high levels of resistance to benzoximate (RR 55) and propargite (RR 64). Moderate levels of cross‐resistance (RR 11–40) to abamectin, fenbutatin oxide, fenpropathrin, pyridaben, pyridaben + bifenthrin and tebufenpyrad were observed. The FR‐20 strain showed low levels of resistance (RR < 10) to azocyclotin, bromopropylate, chlorfenapyr, chlorfenapyr + bifenthrin, chlorfenapyr + pyridaben, dicofol, fenazaquin and milbemectin. Synergist experiments with different metabolic inhibitors revealed that piperonyl butoxide had the greatest effect on the efficacy of fenpyroximate, followed by iprobenfos and triphenyl phosphate. In a comparative assay with detoxifying enzymes, the FR‐20 strain showed 2.5‐fold higher activity in p‐nitroanisole‐O‐demethylation, and 2.5‐ and 2.2‐fold higher activities in α‐ and β‐naphthyl acetate hydrolysis, respectively. These results suggested that enhanced activities of both mixed‐function oxidases and esterases likely contribute to the fenpyroximate resistance of the FR‐20 strain of T urticae. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Growth and pathogenicity of isolates of the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae against the parasitic mite, Psoroptes ovis: effects of temperature and formulation
Authors: Brooks Alexandra J , de Muro M Aquino , Burree E , Moore D , Taylor MA , Wall R
Published: June 2004

Psoroptes mites (Acari: Psoroptidae) are important ectoparasites of mammals, and are of particular economic significance as the agents of mange in sheep. To be effective against mites, putative fungal biocontrol agents must be able to operate at the relatively high temperatures and humidities found at the sheep skin surface. To consider this, the growth rates of different isolates of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) were compared and the pathogenicity of these isolates against Psoroptes derived from rabbits (Psoroptes ovis Hering, syn P cuniculi) were evaluated at temperatures between 28 °C and 40 °C, and when formulated in either Tween 80 or silicone oil. For this study four multi‐conidia, arthropod‐derived, isolates of M anisopliae were used: from the USA, France, Denmark and Brazil. One single‐conidia culture derived from the US isolate was also included in the investigation. Fungal growth was higher at the lower temperatures and none of the isolates grew at 40 °C. The growth of the US and single‐conidia isolate declined markedly with temperature. In contrast, the Danish, French and Brazilian isolates grew almost as well at 32 °C and 35 °C as at 28 °C and 30 °C. The French and Brazilian isolates showed some growth at 37.5 °C but the Danish and US isolates did not. The number of fatal infections which resulted from exposure of mites to the fungal isolates was also strongly influenced by temperature. At 30 °C all isolates gave between 70 and 90% infection. The number of infections declined with increasing temperature and no infections were seen at 40 °C. However, the French and Danish isolates of M anisopliae gave higher numbers of infections than the other isolates at elevated temperatures. When formulated in silicone oil, significantly higher levels of infection were obtained than when formulated in Tween 80, even at the relatively high temperature of 37.5 °C. It is suggested that high‐temperature adapted isolates of M anisopliae formulated in silicone oil offer good candidates as control agents under the conditions found at the sheep skin surface. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Improving the persistence of a formulation of the avian repellent cinnamamide, for the protection of autumn‐sown oilseed rape
Authors: Cotterill Jane V , Nadian Allan K , Cowan David P
Published: June 2004

In a previous pilot field trial on autumn‐sown oilseed rape (Brassica napus L), a suspension concentrate formulation of the avian repellent cinnamamide, using Acronal 4D (50 g litre−1) as the sticker, was shown to reduce damage by woodpigeons (Columba palumbus L). However, the persistence of cinnamamide on rape leaves was poor. This paper describes the development of a weather‐resistant formulation by the inclusion of a more effective sticker. In vitro studies were used to investigate wash‐off of cinnamamide, which was identified as being the major mechanism of loss in the field. Rainfastness of cinnamamide was assessed by washing deposits on glass slides and rape leaves using a ‘rain‐washing machine’. A number of stickers were evaluated and the effect of sticker concentration, ageing of deposits, freezing and intermittent washing on rain‐fastness was investigated. None of the candidate stickers showed increased rainfastness compared to Acronal 4D. However, two of the stickers, Crovol T40 G and Emoleo L1, when combined with Acronal 4D in small amounts, did reduce wash‐off compared with Acronal 4D alone. Freezing led to an increase in wash‐off of cinnamamide, but inclusion of Emoleo L1 with Acronal 4D reduced this effect. Increasing the concentration of the sticker was also shown to improve the rainfastness; doubling the concentration of Acronal from 50 to 100 g litre−1 halved the wash‐off of cinnamamide. © Crown copyright 2004. Reproduced with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published for SCI by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrated pest management approach for a new pest, Lacanobia subjuncta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in Washington apple orchards
Authors: Doerr Michael D , Brunner Jay F , Schrader Lawrence E
Published: June 2004

Bioassays of Lacanobia subjuncta (Grote and Robinson) larvae established baseline LC50 values and identified the potential of reduced‐risk, organophosphate replacement and naturally derived insecticides (eg chloronicotinyls, spinosyns, oxadiazines, insect growth regulators, microbial insecticides and particle films) to control this pest. The toxicities of these products were compared with those of organophosphate, carbamate, chlorinated cyclodiene and synthetic pyrethroid insecticides used in the management of lepidopteran pests in Washington apple orchards. Field trials were conducted comparing candidate insecticides to conventional alternatives. Several new insecticides (eg spinosad, methoxyfenozide, indoxacarb and an aluminosilicate particle film) proved to be effective for the management of L subjuncta. We summarize the goals and challenges of developing an integrated pest management program for new and resurgent pests as insecticide tools continue to change, and propose a hypothesis for the sudden increase in pest status of L subjuncta based on organophosphate tolerances. The role of novel insecticides with unique modes of action in resistance management and the encouragement of biological control are also discussed. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Delphastus catalinae and Coleomegilla maculata lengi (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) as biological control agents of the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)
Authors: Lucas Éric , Labrecque Claude , Coderre Daniel
Published: June 2004

Predation efficacy and compatibility of the predatory lady beetles Coleomegilla maculata lengi Timberlake and Delphastus catalinae (Horn) against the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) were studied in laboratory on glabrous fuchsia (Fuchsia hybrida Voss cv Lena Corolla) and pubescent poinsettia plants (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd ex Klotzch cv Dark Red Annette Hegg). On glabrous plants (fuchsia), fourth‐instar and adults of C maculata were the most efficient, both against whitefly eggs and pupae. On pubescent plants (poinsettia), the larger stages of C maculata were negatively affected and less efficient than adults of D catalinae. The presence of plant structure did not affect the voracity of either predator species. Finally, the simultaneous use of both predator species generated inter‐specific competition. These results provide recommendations for biological control of whitefly in horticultural greenhouses. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Mechanisms of cuticular uptake of xenobiotics into living plants: 1. Influence of xenobiotic dose on the uptake of three model compounds applied in the absence and presence of surfactants into Chenopodium album, Hedera helix and Stephanotis floribunda leaves
Authors: Forster W Alison , Zabkiewicz Jerzy A , Riederer Markus
Published: June 2004

This study determined the uptake of three model compounds, applied in the presence and absence of surfactants, into the leaves of three plant species (Chenopodium album L, Hedera helix L and Stephanotis floribunda Brongn). The results with 2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose, 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and epoxiconazole in the presence of surfactants (the polyethylene glycol monododecyl ethers C12EO3, C12EO6, C12EO10 and a trisiloxane ethoxylate with mean EO of 7.5, all used at one equimolar concentration and therefore different percentage concentrations) illustrate that the initial dose (nmol mm−2) of xenobiotic applied to plant foliage is a strong positive determinant of uptake. This held true for all the xenobiotics studied over a wide concentration range in the presence of these surfactants. Uptake on a unit area basis (nmol mm−2) could be related to the initial dose of xenobiotic applied per unit area (ID) by an equation of the form: Uptake = a [ID]b at time t = 24 h. ID is given by the mass of xenobiotic applied, M divided by the droplet spread area, A. Total mass uptake is then calculated from an equation of the form: Total Uptake = a [ID]b·A. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Trimodal random‐field distribution of a mixed spin Ising model
Authors: Liang Ya‐Qiu , Wei Guo‐Zhu , Song Guo‐Li
Published: June 2004

A mixed spin Ising system consisting of spin‐1/2 and spin‐3/2 with a random field is studied theoretically by the use of effective field theory with correlations (EFT). The phase diagrams and thermal behaviors of magnetization are investigated numerically for a square lattice (z = 4) when the random field is bimodally and trimodally distributed. The results show that tricritical points exist when the external random fields H and the values of p are not too large. Re‐entrant phenomena can be seen for appropriate ranges of p and random fields H. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Extending Wertheim's perturbation theory to high‐density molecular solids
Authors: Singh V. K. , Khanna K. N.
Published: June 2004

We report a theoretical study of a two‐dimensional hard homonuclear dumbbell‐shaped molecular system with a high anisotropy parameter d* = 0.924 employing Wertheim's first‐order perturbation theory. The thermodynamic state of the molecular solid known as HB‐crystalline phase is discussed. The equation of state, free energy and fluid‐solid phase transition are reported. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The ferro–paraelectric phase transition of Pb0.6Ba0.4Nb2O6 investigated by Raman scattering
Authors: Lima‐Silva J. J. , Garcia D. , Mendes Filho J. , Eiras J. A. , Ayala A. P.
Published: June 2004

The temperature dependence of the vibrational modes of lead barium niobate (PbxBa1–xNb2O6), which belongs to the tungsten‐bronze family of oxygen octahedra ferroelectrics, were investigated for the first time using the Raman scattering technique. The investigated sample (x = 0.60) exhibits a ferro–paraelectric phase transition in the measured temperature range. Clear evidence of the structural transformation was observed in the temperature dependence of the phonon energy as well as in the linewidth and the integrated intensity of the Raman bands. The Raman bands assignment was discussed in terms of the vibrational modes of the oxygen octahedron. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Surface passivation in CdSe nanocrystal–polymer films revealed by ultrafast excitation relaxation dynamics
Authors: Kovalevskij V. , Gulbinas V. , Piskarskas A. , Hines M. A. , Scholes G. D.
Published: June 2004

The photoluminescence efficiencies and excitation relaxation dynamics in CdSe nanocrystals (NC) passivated with tri‐n‐octylphosphine oxide and embedded in two different polymer matrixes, poly(styrene) (PS) and poly(butylmethacrylate) (PBMA), are compared. Femtosecond pump‐probe absorption spectroscopy is used to clarify the influence of various transparent polymer matrixes on the electronic properties and excitation relaxation dynamics of quantum confined CdSe semiconductor nanocrystals of 5.0 nm diameter. The fluorescence intensity is reported to be ∼10 times higher for the NC‐PS sample compared to the NC‐PBMA film. This striking difference in fluorescence yield is shown to be related to markedly different rates of nonradiative excitation relaxation in the two samples, and is attributed directly to a role played by the polymer host. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Modified two‐sided normal tolerance intervals for batch acceptance of dose uniformity
Authors: Hauck Walter W. , Shaikh Reshama
Published: June 2004

We consider modified tolerance intervals for assessing content (dose) uniformity from one‐ and two‐stage designs. This work was motivated by a proposal from the International Pharmaceutical Aerosol Consortium on Regulation and Science (IPAC‐RS) to modify tolerance intervals to reduce their known conservatism away from the centre of the acceptance interval. IPAC‐RS's original proposal suffers from anti‐conservatism, but we find this is due to the choice of constants, not the form of the acceptance rule. We propose an alternative basis for choosing the constants in the acceptance rules and compare attained levels to those of other choices, including revised constants proposed by IPAC‐RS. These alternate choices of the constants lead to modified tolerance intervals that are either conservative at the sample sizes for which they were chosen or may have slight anti‐conservatism, within the limits of the simulations. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carry‐over in cross‐over trials in bioequivalence: theoretical concerns and empirical evidence
Authors: Senn Stephen , D'Angelo Giuseppina , Potvin Diane
Published: June 2004

There is now general agreement that pre‐testing for carry‐over in the AB/BA design is harmful and that efficient analysis of this design must proceed on the assumption that carry‐over has not affected the results to any appreciable degree. A general consensus has not been achieved in the case of higher‐order designs. Since particular forms of carry‐over can be estimated on a within‐patient basis and unbiased within‐patient treatment estimators are possible, some statisticians favour pre‐testing and some favour automatic adjustment for carry‐over. We present theoretical arguments that show that, just as in the AB/BA case, the strategy of pre‐testing is biased as a whole and also that the loss in terms of efficiency in adjusting is not negligible. We also present data from two large series of bioequivalence studies to provide empirical evidence that in this context carry‐over is either absent or rare. We conclude that adjusting or testing for carry‐over in bioequivalence studies is at worst harmful and at best pointless, and that this may also apply to other kinds of study. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of orientation and strength of external magnetic field on the time dependences of populations of atomic levels for Lamda systems
Authors: Karagodova Tamara Ya.
Published: June 2004

The theory of interaction of intense laser fields with multilevel atoms in external constant magnetic fields is applied to analysis of the dependences of the populations on time, on detuning of laser frequency, on magnetic field orientation, and strength for spontaneous decay on the levels of thermostat. Solving the Schrödinger equation for the “atom in magnetic field + radiation field” system in resonant approximation we have obtained the probability of the population of common level for a generalized Λ system (e.g., 6P1/2‐7S1/2‐6P3/2 levels of Tl atoms). The results of computer simulations permit the investigation of the peculiarities of coherent population trapping in such system. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004
Nature of O2, CO, and CN binding to hemoprotein models
Authors: Torrens F.
Published: June 2004

Parametrization of a molecular‐mechanics program to include terms specific for five‐ and six‐coordinate transition metal complexes results in computer‐simulated structures of hemo complexes. The principal new feature peculiar to five‐ and six‐coordination is a term that measures the effect of electron‐pair repulsion modified by the ligand electronegativity and takes into account the different structural possibilities. The work consists in the modification of program molecular mechanics for penta and hexacoordination. The model system takes into account the structural differences of the fixing center in the hemoglobin subunits. The customary proximal histidine is added. The macrocycle hemo IX is wholly considered in our model. The calculations show clearly that certain conformations are much more favorable that others for fixing O2. From the O2 binding in hemoglobin and myoglobin and in simple Fe porphyrin models, it is concluded that the bent O2 ligand is best viewed as bound superoxide, O. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004
Electrospray ionization mass spectrometric characterization and quantitation of xanthine derivatives using isotopically labelled analogues: an application for equine doping control analysis
Authors: Thevis Mario , Opfermann Georg , Krug Oliver , Schänzer Wilhelm
Published: June 2004

Isotope‐dilution mass spectrometry has been employed successfully in numerous fields of analytical chemistry enabling the establishment of fast and reliable procedures. In equine sports, xanthine derivatives such as caffeine and theobromine are prohibited, and doping control laboratories analyze horse urine specimens regarding these illicit performance‐enhancing drugs. Theobromine has to exceed a threshold level of 2 μg/mL, hence a robust and reliable quantitation is required. Stably deuterated theobromine and caffeine were synthesized by the reaction of xanthine or theobromine with iodomethane‐d3 in the presence of N‐methyl‐N‐trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide or potassium carbonate in acetonitrile, respectively. Both compounds were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, and a robust and fast assay for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of theobromine in equine urine samples was validated. Urine specimens were extracted by means of solid‐phase extraction cartridges, and concentrated extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography interfaced to a triple‐quadrupole mass spectrometer. In addition, the dissociation behavior of deuterated analogues to caffeine and theobromine allowed proposals for fragmentation routes of xanthine derivatives after atmospheric pressure ionization and collisionally activated dissociation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of flooding on δ15N, δ18O,1δ15N and2δ15N signatures of N2O released from estuarine soils—a laboratory experiment using tidal flooding chambers
Authors: Bol R. , Röckmann T. , Blackwell M. , Yamulki S.
Published: June 2004

The influence of flooding on N2O fluxes, denitrification rates, dual isotope (δ18O andδ15N) and isotopomer (1δ15N and2δ15N) ratios of emitted N2O from estuarine intertidal zones was examined in a laboratory study using tidal flooding incubation chambers. Five replicate soil cores were collected from two differently managed intertidal zones in the estuary of the River Torridge (North Devon, UK): (1) a natural salt marsh fringing the estuary, and (2) a managed retreat site, previous agricultural land to which flooding was restored in summer 2001. Gas samples from the incubated soil cores were collected from the tidal chamber headspaces over a range of flooding conditions, and analysed for theδ18O,δ15N,1δ15N and2δ15N values of the emitted N2O. Isotope signals did not differ between the two sites, and nitrate addition to the flooding water did not change the isotopic content of emitted N2O. Under non‐flooded conditions, the isotopic composition of the emitted N2O displayed a moderate variability inδ18O and2δ15N delta values that was expected for microbial activity associated with denitrification. However, under flooded conditions, half of the samples showed strong and simultaneous depletions in1δ15N andδ18O values, but not in2δ15N. Such an isotope signal has not been reported in the literature, and it could point towards an unidentified N2O production pathway. Its signature differed from denitrification, which was generally the N2O production pathway in the salt marsh and the managed retreat site. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mass spectrometric analysis of ceramide perturbations in brain and fibroblasts of mice and human patients with peroxisomal disorders
Authors: Pettus Benjamin J. , Baes Myriam , Busman Mark , Hannun Yusuf A. , Van Veldhoven Paul P.
Published: June 2004

In this study, the levels and composition of ceramides in brains of newborn mice lacking peroxisomes (Pex5−/−, Zellweger mice) were analyzed using normal‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC/APCI‐MS). Total ceramide compositions were found to be comparable to that of control animals. However, a minor ceramide species, containing hexacosanoic/hexacosenoic acid as the amide fatty acid, was 9‐fold increased. Also, in the sphingomyelin‐derived ceramides this species was elevated. Subsequent analysis of extracts from fibroblasts of Pex5−/− mice and mice with a defective peroxisomal β‐oxidation (lacking D‐specific multifunctional protein 2 (MFP2)), revealed, again, a similar rise in this particular ceramide. Further, this ceramide was elevated in human X‐ALD fibroblasts as well. Whether C26:1/0‐ceramide is linked to some of the pathology seen in Zellweger syndrome remains to be investigated. However, an increase in this sphingolipid can be considered as a diagnostic criterion for diseases caused by defects in peroxisome biogenesis or peroxisomal β‐oxidation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of variant forms of the neuroendocrine peptide galanin
Authors: Norberg Åke , Griffiths William J. , Hjelmqvist Lars , Jörnvall Hans , Rökaeus Åke
Published: June 2004

Galanin is a neuroendocrine peptide widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous systems and in endocrine tissues. Using radioimmunoassays, chromatographic separations, and tandem mass spectrometry, we have identified a series of five variant forms of galanin purified from porcine upper intestine. The modified variants include three β‐aspartyl‐shifted forms, an oxidized form containing Trp monooxide, and an N‐terminally truncated form. All were found to be C‐terminally amidated. At least the β‐aspartyl‐shifted forms could be of native occurrence. Mechanistic explanations of the mass spectrometric fragmentation patterns of the different forms are suggested. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Validation of a real‐time monitoring method for aniline in freshwater by high‐performance liquid chromatography on porous graphitic carbon/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Delépée Raphaël , Chaimbault Patrick , Antignac Jean‐Philippe , Lafosse Michel
Published: June 2004

Aniline is an anthropogenic organic compound widely used in polymer, rubber, pharmaceutical and dye industries but also used in biodegradability assays of chemical compounds as a positive biodegradation standard. By the two approaches, the rapid determination of aniline is necessary because of the high toxicity of aniline on hemoglobin. A high‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS) method for the determination of aniline in water is described here. This method, using benzylamine as internal standard, was validated. No time‐consuming sample preparation was needed. A rapid separation (7 min between two chromatographic runs) of aniline and benzylamine was performed on a Hypercarb porous graphitic carbon column using a gradient of methanol and 100 mM formic acid. The obtained limits of detection and quantification were 10 and 1 ng/mL, respectively. The response for aniline was quadratic. We show that this problem could be circumvented by showing that the [calculated concentration = f(introduced concentration)] function was linear. The linearity range was 10–1000 ng/mL. An example of an application consisting of an aniline 42‐day degradation kinetic in water was demonstrated. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correlations between air levels of hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA) and HHPA‐adducted albumin tryptic peptides in nasal lavage fluid from experimentally exposed volunteers
Authors: Kristiansson Monica H. , Lindh Christian H. , Jönsson Bo A. G.
Published: June 2004

Organic acid anhydrides (OAAs) are low molecular weight, reactive compounds extensively used in industry. Exposure to these compounds may lead to allergic symptoms such as rhinitis and asthma. It is important to develop better and more informative methods for assessment of exposure to OAAs. The aim of this study was to develop a method for analysis of specific hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA)‐adducted tryptic peptides of human serum albumin (HSA) in nasal lavage (NAL). Furthermore, these peptides were evaluated as biomarkers of exposure. The proteins in the NAL samples were reduced, alkylated and digested with trypsin and the obtained peptides were analyzed using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. The total amount of hydrolyzable HHPA in an HHPA‐HSA conjugate was used for calibration. A deuterium‐labeled HHPA‐HSA conjugate was used as internal standard. Five volunteers were exposed to 10, 40 and 80 μg/m3 of HHPA in an exposure chamber and NAL samples were collected before and after exposure. Acceptable precisions of the assay at 13–14% were found for three adducted peptides. The mean levels of these three peptides for the five subjects ranged between 5–22, 15–75 and 33–125 pmol/mL NAL for the exposures at 10, 40 and 80 μg/m3, respectively. High correlations between air levels and the measured peptides were found on an individual basis but there were large inter‐individual differences ranging between 63 and 110% for the three peptides. The large differences remained after protein adjustments. It was possible to detect exposures below 10 μg/m3 with the method. Thus, these adducted peptides may be used as biomarkers of exposure, which may better estimate the risk than previous biomarkers developed for OAAs. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Flexible XML‐based configuration of physical simulations
Authors: Sunderland R. M. , Damper R. I. , Crowder R. M.
Published: June 2004

The extensible markup language XML can be used to support the integration of several component programming environments to create a flexible physical simulation system. Data exchange via open‐standard‐based plain text files allows system components to be loosely‐coupled, rather than combined into an integrated development environment, so that the most appropriate tools can be used for each component and the system can be extended with minimal disruption. This paper details an example application using this technology to configure a simulation of robotic manipulation. Those parts of the system that require real‐time data exchange use simple UNIX socket‐based interactions, which are configured using shared XML setup files. The approach provides a reusable template for other, similar projects. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Object‐oriented processing of Java source code
Authors: Eichelberger Holger , Wolff von Gudenberg Jürgen
Published: June 2004

Code transformation and analysis tools provide support for software engineering tasks such as style checking, testing, calculating software metrics as well as reverse‐ and re‐engineering. In this paper we describe the architecture and the applications of JTransform, a general Java source code processing and transformation framework. It consists of a Java parser generating a configurable parse tree and various visitors (transformers, tree evaluators) which produce different kinds of outputs. While our framework is written in Java, the paper further opens an opportunity for a new generation of XML‐based source code tools. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Eight maxims for software inspectors
Authors: Kelly Diane , Shepard Terry
Published: June 2004

Software inspections are an intensely people‐centric activity. Even though this is routinely recognized in industry, much of the research focuses on inspection mechanics. During three years of inspection experiments, even though the main purpose of the experiments was to investigate the effectiveness of a particular technique, the inspectors involved provided broad comments on many other aspects of inspections. Their comments were collected and organized into themes. These themes are presented here as a set of maxims that cover all the topics that the inspectors felt were important as they endeavoured to do good inspections. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.