bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proton-proton correlations in dp and 16Op interactions
Authors: Glagolev Viktor , Martinská Gabriela , Mušinský Jan , Urbán Jozef , Olimov Khosim , Yuldashev Anvar
Published: August 2011

Correlations between two protons emitted in dp and 16Op collisions at momenta 3.3 GeV/c and 52.6 GeV/c, respectively, are presented. The experimental data have been obtained using the one metre hydrogen bubble chamber exposed to nuclear beams from the synchrophasotron, JINR, Dubna. Data show a clear interference effect as expected for identical fermions. A Gaussian parametrization is used to determine the size of the proton emission source. The root mean square radius of the proton source calculated from the correlation function has been found to be equal to (2.10−0.35+0.43) fm and (2.67−0.38+0.54) fm for d and 16O respectively. It agrees with the known radii of these nuclei.
Co doped ZnO semiconductor materials: structural, morphological and magnetic properties
Authors: Popa Adriana , Toloman Dana , Raita Oana , Biris Alexandru , Borodi Gheorghe , Mustafa Thikra , Watanabe Fumiya , Biris Alexandru , Darabont Alexandru , Giurgiu Liviu
Published: August 2011

Structural, morphological and magnetic properties of Zn1−xCoxO (x = 0.01 and 0.03) powdered materials are presented. XRD studies reveal a wurtzite-type structure, while the formation of a Co3O4 secondary phase was evidenced by Raman spectroscopy. A ferromagnetic behaviour with low Curie temperature was evidenced by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) investigation. We suggest that the origin of the ferromagnetism in Zn1−xCoxO powders is probably due to the presence of the mixed cation valence of Co ions via a double-exchange mechanism rather than the real doping effect.
Situations in traffic — how quickly they change
Authors: Krawczyk Małgorzata , Ruiz Cristina , Kułakowski Krzysztof
Published: August 2011

Spatio-temporal correlations of traffic intensity are analyzed employing data collected for the motorway M-30 around Madrid during one week in January 2009. We found that the lifetime of these correlations is the shortest in the evening between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. This lifetime represents a new indicator for the amount of attention that is demanded by drivers in given traffic conditions.
Polyamine-substituted epoxy-grafted silica for aqueous metal recovery
Authors: Hadioui Madjid , Mecherri Med , Šípoš Rastislav , Yvon Yan , Sharrock Patrick
Published: August 2011

Glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane (GPS) was used as a reactive silane to graft metal- complexing ligands onto silica gel in aqueous media under mild conditions. The synthesis entailed the reaction of GPS with silica gel, followed by grafting polyamine onto the epoxy functional group. GPS was added to silica gel in ethanol with 5 vol. % water and the mixture was air-dried for 24 h. Subsequently, excess amounts of polyamines: triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepentamine, and pentaethylenehexamine were individually added to the silanised silica, followed by solvent evaporation and ovendrying at 60°C. The ligand-grafted silica gel particles showed a rapid heavy metal uptake in batch or flow-through experiments with capacities reaching 0.1 mmol g−1 for copper, zinc, cadmium, or lead ions. Columns packed with the modified particles could be readily regenerated by acid-washing with only a small decrease in activity. The particles could be used for the colourimetric detection of heavy metal pollution or for pre-concentration for analytical purposes. Competition between Cu2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+ ions for the three synthesised silica showed that Cu2+ ions were adsorbed more strongly than the other metal ions. The general method developed can be applied to graft other molecules with terminal amino groups for other purposes.
Potassium sorbate release from poly(vinyl alcohol)-bacterial cellulose films
Authors: Jipa Iuliana , Stoica Anicuta , Stroescu Marta , Dobre Loredana-Mihaela , Dobre Tanase , Jinga Sorin , Tardei Christu
Published: August 2011

Active packaging materials are the subject of research because their performance exceeds that of traditional packaging. From this class, antimicrobial materials extend the shelf-life of products and reduce the risk of contamination by pathogens. In this paper, new composite materials with antimicrobial properties are obtained by using polyvinyl alcohol and bacterial cellulose powder. Potassium (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoate was used as the antimicrobial agent. The films thus obtained were characterised using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Mass transfer phenomena concerning the release of potassium (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoate were investigated. The results indicated that the new biocomposite films could be used as antimicrobial packaging materials.
CFD simulation of the laminar flow in stirred tanks generated by double helical ribbons and double helical screw ribbons impellers
Authors: Driss Zied , Karray Sarhan , Kchaou Hedi , Abid Mohamed
Published: August 2011

In this paper, the mixing performance of double helical ribbons and double helical screw ribbons impellers mounted on stirred tanks is numerical investigated. The computer simulations are conducted within a specific computational fluid dynamic (CFD) code, based on resolution of the Naviers-Stokes equations in the laminar flow with a finite volume discretization. The field velocity and the viscous dissipation rate are presented in different vessel planes. The global characteristics and the power consumption of these impellers are also studied. The numerical results showed that the velocity field is more active with the double helical screw ribbons impeller. In this case, the effectiveness of the viscous dissipation and the pumping flow has been obviously noted. Also, the pumping and the energy efficiency reach the highest values at the same Reynolds number. The good agreement between the numerical results and the experimental data quietly confirmed the analysed method.
The Religification of Pakistani-American Youth
Authors: Ghaffar-Kucher Ameena
Published: August 2011

This article describes a cultural production process called religification, in which religious affiliation, rather than race or ethnicity, has become the core category of identity for working-class Pakistani-American youth in the United States. In this dialectical process, triggered by political changes following the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Muslim identity is both thrust upon Pakistani-American youth by those who question their citizenship and embraced by the youth themselves. Specifically, the article examines the ways in which schools are sites where citizenship is both constructed and contested and the roles that peers, school personnel, families, and the youth themselves play in this construction/contestation of citizenship.
Phomopsins: an overview of phytopathological and chemical aspects, toxicity, analysis and occurrence
Authors: Battilani P. , Gualla A. , Dall'Asta C. , Pellacani C. , Galaverna G. , Giorni P. , Caglieri A. , Tagliaferri S. , Pietri A. , Dossena A. , Spadaro D. , Marchelli R. , Gullino M. , Costa L.
Published: August 2011

Phomopsis leptostromiformis, and its teleomorph Diaporthe toxica, is a lupin pathogen that causes stem blight in young
lupins and, as a saprophyte, has been detected on dead lupine material. Under favourable conditions, the fungus produces
phomopsins (PHOs), a family of macrocyclic hexapeptide mycotoxins capable of binding tubulin through the tripeptide side
chain. The toxic effects appear largely confined to the liver. In particular, the ingestion of PHO contaminated lupin stubble
has been linked to lupinosis, a debilitating disease of sheep (the most sensitive animal) characterised by disorientation,
blindness, lethargy, and eventually death. The chemical structures of PHO A, B and D have been identified. Analytical
methods to determine PHOs are mainly enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays or chromatographic separations, in
combination with ultraviolet and mass spectrometric detection. The data about the PHOs occurrence are limited to
Australia, restricted to lupin seed. Only one survey has been carried out on lupin seeds and flours from the Swiss market.
Not many strategies have been developed to limit lupin seed contamination. Efforts devoted to control lupinosis in
Australia focused on the development of cultivars resistant to Phomopsis infection. There are few examples in literature
of decontamination or detoxification of PHOs; moreover, they have been shown to be resistant to extensive processing,
including cooking. Australia and New Zealand are the only countries that included PHOs in their mycotoxin regulations,
with a limit of 5 µg/kg in lupin seeds and derived products. Phomopsins are poorly studied mycotoxins and risk assessment
on PHOs has not been done at the European level. The collection of all available scientific data was requested by EFSA
in a specific project and partners involved considered it of general interest preparing this review to highlight the limited
available information, which indicate that the assessment of potential risk related to PHOs is currently not feasible.
Tolerance Induced by Apoptotic Antigen-Coupled Leukocytes Is Induced by PD-L1+ and IL-10–Producing Splenic Macrophages and Maintained by T Regulatory Cells
Authors: Getts Daniel R. , Turley Danielle M. , Smith Cassandra E. , Harp Christopher T. , McCarthy Derrick , Feeney Emma M. , Getts Meghann Teague , Martin Aaron J. , Luo Xunrong , Terry Rachael L. , King Nicholas J. C. , Miller Stephen D.
Published: August 2011

Ag-specific tolerance is a highly desired therapy for immune-mediated diseases. Intravenous infusion of protein/peptide Ags linked to syngeneic splenic leukocytes with ethylene carbodiimide (Ag-coupled splenocytes [Ag-SP]) has been demonstrated to be a highly efficient method for inducing peripheral, Ag-specific T cell tolerance for treatment of autoimmune disease. However, little is understood about the mechanisms underlying this therapy. In this study, we show that apoptotic Ag-SP accumulate in the splenic marginal zone, where their uptake by F4/80+ macrophages induces production of IL-10, which upregulates the expression of the immunomodulatory costimulatory molecule PD-L1 that is essential for Ag-SP tolerance induction. Ag-SP infusion also induces T regulatory cells that are dispensable for tolerance induction but required for long-term tolerance maintenance. Collectively, these results indicate that Ag-SP tolerance recapitulates how tolerance is normally maintained in the hematopoietic compartment and highlight the interplay between the innate and adaptive immune systems in the induction of Ag-SP tolerance. To our knowledge, we show for the first time that tolerance results from the synergistic effects of two distinct mechanisms, PD-L1–dependent T cell-intrinsic unresponsiveness and the activation of T regulatory cells. These findings are particularly relevant as this tolerance protocol is currently being tested in a Phase I/IIa clinical trial in new-onset relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
Pulmonary Collectins Play Distinct Roles in Host Defense against Mycobacterium avium
Authors: Ariki Shigeru , Kojima Takashi , Gasa Shinsei , Saito Atsushi , Nishitani Chiaki , Takahashi Motoko , Shimizu Takeyuki , Kurimura Yuichiro , Sawada Norimasa , Fujii Nobuhiro , Kuroki Yoshio
Published: August 2011

Pulmonary collectins, surfactant protein A (SP-A) and surfactant protein D (SP-D), play important roles in the innate immunity of the lung. Mycobacterium avium is one of the well-known opportunistic pathogens that can replicate within macrophages. We examined the effects of pulmonary collectins in host defense against M. avium infection achieved via direct interaction between bacteria and collectins. Although both pulmonary collectins bound to M. avium in a Ca2+-dependent manner, these collectins revealed distinct ligand-binding specificity and biological activities. SP-A and SP-D bound to a methoxy group containing lipid and lipoarabinomannan, respectively. Binding of SP-D but not SP-A resulted in agglutination of M. avium. A chimeric protein with the carbohydrate recognition domain of SP-D, which chimera revealed a bouquet-like arrangement similar to SP-A, also agglutinated M. avium. The ligand specificity of the carbohydrate recognition domain of SP-D seems to be necessary for agglutination activity. The binding of SP-A strongly inhibited the growth of M. avium in culture media. Although pulmonary collectins did not increase membrane permeability of M. avium, they attenuated the metabolic rate of the bacteria. Observations under a scanning electron microscope revealed that SP-A almost completely covers bacterial surfaces, whereas SP-D binds to certain areas like scattered dots. These observations suggest that a distinct binding pattern of collectins correlates with the difference of their biological activities. Furthermore, the number of bacteria phagocytosed by macrophages was significantly increased in the presence of SP-D. These data indicate that pulmonary collectins play critical roles in host defense against M. avium.
Translation of HLA–HIV Associations to the Cellular Level: HIV Adapts To Inflate CD8 T Cell Responses against Nef and HLA-Adapted Variant Epitopes
Authors: Almeida Coral-Ann M. , Bronke Corine , Roberts Steven G. , McKinnon Elizabeth , Keane Niamh M. , Chopra Abha , Kadie Carl , Carlson Jonathan , Haas David W. , Riddler Sharon A. , Haubrich Richard , Heckerman David , Mallal Simon , John Mina
Published: August 2011

Strong statistical associations between polymorphisms in HIV-1 population sequences and carriage of HLA class I alleles have been widely used to identify possible sites of CD8 T cell immune selection in vivo. However, there have been few attempts to prospectively and systematically test these genetic hypotheses arising from population-based studies at a cellular, functional level. We assayed CD8 T cell epitope-specific IFN-γ responses in 290 individuals from the same cohort, which gave rise to 874 HLA–HIV associations in genetic analyses, taking into account autologous viral sequences and individual HLA genotypes. We found immunological evidence for 58% of 374 associations tested as sites of primary immune selection and identified up to 50 novel HIV-1 epitopes using this reverse-genomics approach. Many HLA-adapted epitopes elicited equivalent or higher-magnitude IFN-γ responses than did the nonadapted epitopes, particularly in Nef. At a population level, inclusion of all of the immunoreactive variant CD8 T cell epitopes in Gag, Pol, Nef, and Env suggested that HIV adaptation leads to an inflation of Nef-directed immune responses relative to other proteins. We concluded that HLA–HIV associations mark viral epitopes subject to CD8 T cell selection. These results can be used to guide functional studies of specific epitopes and escape mutations, as well as to test, train, and evaluate analytical models of viral escape and fitness. The inflation of Nef and HLA-adapted variant responses may have negative effects on natural and vaccine immunity against HIV and, therefore, has implications for diversity coverage approaches in HIV vaccine design.
P2X7 Is a Scavenger Receptor for Apoptotic Cells in the Absence of Its Ligand, Extracellular ATP
Authors: Gu Ben J. , Saunders Bernadette M. , Petrou Steven , Wiley James S.
Published: August 2011

Phagocytosis of apoptotic cells is essential during development and tissue remodeling. Our previous study has shown that the P2X7 receptor regulates phagocytosis of nonopsonized particles and bacteria. In this study, we demonstrate that P2X7 also mediates phagocytosis of apoptotic lymphocytes and neuronal cells by human monocyte-derived macrophages under serum-free conditions. ATP inhibited this process to a similar extent as observed with cytochalasin D. P2X7-transfected HEK-293 cells acquired the ability to phagocytose apoptotic lymphocytes. Injection of apoptotic thymocytes into the peritoneal cavity of wild-type mice resulted in their phagocytosis by macrophages, but injection of ATP prior to thymocytes markedly decreased this uptake. In contrast, ATP failed to inhibit phagocytosis of apoptotic thymocytes in vivo by P2X7-deficient peritoneal macrophages. The surface expression of P2X7 on phagocytes increased significantly during phagocytosis of either beads or apoptotic cells. A peptide screen library containing 24 biotin-conjugated peptides mimicking the extracellular domain of P2X7 was used to evaluate the binding profile to beads, bacteria, and apoptotic cells. One peptide showed binding to all particles and cell membrane lipids. Three other cysteine-containing peptides uniquely bound the surface of apoptotic cells but not viable cells, whereas substitution of alanine for cysteine abolished peptide binding. Several thiol-reactive compounds including N-acetyl-L-cysteine abolished phagocytosis of apoptotic SH-SY5Y cells by macrophages. These data suggest that the P2X7 receptor in its unactivated state acts like a scavenger receptor, and its extracellular disulphide bonds play an important role in direct recognition and engulfment of apoptotic cells.
Thermodynamics and transport properties of citral
Authors: Wörz Nicolai , Claus Peter , Lang Sebastian , Hampe Manfred J.
Published: August 2011

In this work, transport and thermodynamic properties of mixtures of n‐hexane with the aldehydes citral, citronellal and dihydrocitronellal, important to the fine chemicals industry, were determined experimentally and compared to theoretical predictions. Liquid binary diffusion coefficients were measured using the Taylor dispersion technique at various temperatures. The Wilke‐Chang correlation gave precise approximations. The second part of this work is concerned with the gas‐liquid phase equilibrium of citral/n‐hexane. The mixture is slightly nonideal and may be sufficiently described by applying the modified UNIFAC (Dortmund) group contribution method. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 58: 2557–2562, 2012
Furthering the link between the sarcomere and primary cardiomyopathies: Restrictive cardiomyopathy associated with multiple mutations in genes previously associated with hypertrophic or dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Caleshu Colleen , Sakhuja Rahul , Nussbaum Robert L. , Schiller Nelson B. , Ursell Philip C. , Eng Celeste , De Marco Teresa , McGlothlin Dana , Burchard Esteban González , Rame J. Eduardo
Published: August 2011

Mutations in genes that encode components of the sarcomere are well established as the cause of hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies. Sarcomere genes, however, are increasingly being associated with other cardiomyopathies. One phenotype more recently recognized as a disease of the sarcomere is restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM). We report on two patients with RCM associated with multiple mutations in sarcomere genes not previously associated with RCM. Patient 1 presented with NYHA Class III/IV heart failure at 22 years of age. She was diagnosed with RCM and advanced heart failure requiring heart transplantation. Sequencing of sarcomere genes revealed previously reported homozygous p.Glu143Lys mutations in MYL3, and a novel heterozygous p.Gly57Glu mutation in MYL2. The patient's mother is a double heterozygote for these mutations, with no evidence of cardiomyopathy. Patient 2 presented at 35 years of age with volume overload while hospitalized for oophorectomy. She was diagnosed with RCM and is being evaluated for heart transplantation. Sarcomere gene sequencing identified homozygous p.Asn279His mutations in TPM1. The patient's parents are consanguineous and confirmed heterozygotes. Her father was diagnosed with HCM at 42 years of age. This is the first report of mutations in TPM1, MYL3, and MYL2 associated with primary, non‐hypertrophied RCM. The association of more sarcomere genes with RCM provides further evidence that mutations in the various sarcomere genes can cause different cardiomyopathy phenotypes. These cases also contribute to the growing body of evidence that multiple mutations have an additive effect on the severity of cardiomyopathies. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Early factors associated with axonal loss after optic neuritis
Authors: Henderson Andrew P. D. , Altmann Daniel R. , Trip S. Anand , Miszkiel Katherine A. , Schlottmann Patricio G. , Jones Steve J. , Garway‐Heath David F. , Plant Gordon T. , Miller David H.
Published: August 2011

Objective:

Acute optic neuritis due to an inflammatory demyelinating lesion of the optic nerve is often seen in association with multiple sclerosis. Although functional recovery usually follows the acute episode of visual loss, persistent visual deficits are common and are probably due to axonal loss. The mechanisms of axonal loss and early features that predict it are not well defined. We investigated clinical, electrophysiological, and imaging measures at presentation and after 3 months as potential markers of axonal loss following optic neuritis.

Methods:

We followed 21 patients after their first attack of acute unilateral optic neuritis for up to 18 months. Axonal loss was inferred from optical coherence tomography measures of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness at least 6 months following the episode. Visual function, visual evoked potential, and optic nerve magnetic resonance imaging measures obtained during the acute episode and 3 months later were investigated for their association with later axonal loss.

Results:

After multivariate analysis, prolonged visual evoked potential latency and impaired color vision, at baseline and after 3 months, were significantly and independently associated with RNFL thinning. Low‐contrast acuity measures exhibited significant univariate associations with RNFL thinning.

Interpretation:

The association of RNFL loss with a prolonged visual evoked potential (VEP) latency suggests that acute and persistent demyelination is associated with increased vulnerability of axons. VEP latency and visual function tests that capture optic nerve function, such as color and contrast, may help identify subjects with a higher risk for axonal loss who are thus more suitable for experimental neuroprotection trials. ANN NEUROL 2011;70:955–963
The Effect of Trigonal Bipyramidal Distortion of Pentacoordinate VIVO2+ Species on their Structural, Electronic and Spectroscopic Parameters
Authors: Micera Giovanni , Garribba Eugenio
Published: August 2011

The effect of trigonal bipyramidal distortion of pentacoordinate VIVO2+ species on their structural, electronic and spectroscopic parameters was calculated by DFT methods. In particular i) the bis chelated species with [VO(LH–1)2]2– stoichiometry formed in water with five α‐hydroxycarboxylic acid ligands [glycolic (glycH), lactic (lactH), 2‐hydroxyisobutyric (2‐hibH), 2‐ethyl‐2‐hydroxybutyric (2‐ehbH) and 2‐isopropyl‐2‐hydroxybutyric (2‐iPrhbH) acids], ii) the bis complexes [VOL2] formed in the solid state with three salicylaldimine derivatives [N‐methylsalicylaldimine (MeSalH), N‐isopropyl‐o‐methylsalicylaldimine (iPr‐MeSalH) and N‐methyl‐o‐tert‐butyl‐p‐methylsalicylaldimine (tBu‐MeSalH)] and iii) the solid bis chelated compounds with composition [VOL2] formed with aminophenolate ligands {2‐[(dimethylamino)methyl]phenol (NMe2phenH), 2‐(piperid‐1‐ylmethyl)‐4‐methylphenol (Pip‐4MephenH), 2‐[(dimethylamino)methyl]‐6‐tert‐butylphenol (NMe2‐tBuphenH)} were examined. The variation of the structural [bond lengths, axial and equatorial angles, value of ΔE(solv), molecular orbital composition and electronic structure], EPR (|Ax – Ay|, |Aiso|, |Az| and |gx – gy|),UV/Vis (Δλ = λ2 – λ3 and λ1), IR (νV=O) and electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) spectroscopic parameters(|AisoN|, CQ and η) as a function of the structural index of trigonality, τ = (β – α)/60 (where β and α are the angles subtended by vanadium between the two axial and equatorial donors), is illustrated.
Isomerization of the (E)‐Alkene of a Conjugated Enyne During Intramolecular Pauson–Khand Cyclization
Authors: Thornton Paul D. , Burnell D. Jean
Published: August 2011

In the presence of DMSO, the intramolecular Pauson–Khand reactions of two substrates with alkyne moieties substituted by carbon chains consisting of a conjugated (E)‐alkene and a terminal oxygen function provided cyclized products in which the conjugated alkene underwent E to Z isomerization. This isomerization was consistent with the acceleration of the cyclization process by the terminal oxygen function.
Optimal choice of pH for toxicity and bioaccumulation studies of ionizing organic chemicals
Authors: Rendal Cecilie , Kusk Kresten Ole , Trapp Stefan
Published: August 2011

It is recognized that the pH of exposure solutions can influence the toxicity and bioaccumulation of ionizing compounds. The present study investigates whether it can be considered a general rule that an ionizable compound is more toxic and more bioaccumulative when in the neutral state. Three processes were identified to explain the behavior of ionizing compounds with changing pH: the change in lipophilicity when a neutral compound becomes ionized, electrical attraction, and the ion trap. The literature was screened for bioaccumulation and toxicity tests of ionizing organic compounds performed at multiple pH levels. Toxicity and bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were higher for acids at lower pH values, whereas the opposite was true for bases. The effect of pH was most pronounced when pH − pKa was in the range of −1 to 3 for acids, and −3 to 1 for bases. The factor by which toxicity and BCF changed with pH was correlated with the lipophilicity of the compound (log KOW of the neutral compound). For both acids and bases, the correlation was positive, but it was significant only for acids. Because experimental data in the literature were limited, results were supplemented with model simulations using a dynamic flux model based on the Fick–Nernst–Planck diffusion equation known as the cell model. The cell model predicts that bases with delocalized charges may in some cases show declining bioaccumulation with increasing pH. Little information is available for amphoteric and zwitterionic compounds; however, based on simulations with the cell model, it is expected that the highest toxicity and bioaccumulation of these compounds will be found where the compounds are most neutral, at the isoelectric point. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:2395–2406. © 2011 SETAC
Dose‐dependent effects of olanzapine on QT intervals and plasma prolactin levels in Japanese patients with stable schizophrenia
Authors: Suzuki Yutaro , Ono Shin , Sugai Takuro , Fukui Naoki , Watanabe Junzo , Tsuneyama Nobuto , Sawamura Kazushi , Someya Toshiyuki
Published: August 2011

Objectives

There have been few reports regarding olanzapine (OLZ)‐related QT prolongation and hyperprolactinemia. This study evaluated the dose‐dependent effect of OLZ on QT interval and plasma prolactin (PRL) level in a single sample of patients with schizophrenia.

Methods

Twenty‐six subjects treated with varying starting doses of OLZ were enrolled in the study. Following baseline assessments, which included completion of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), measurements of Body Mass Index (BMI), QT interval, electrolytes, fasting plasma glucose, PRL, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), and low density lipoprotein (LDL), the dose of OLZ was increased for each subject. The same parameters were evaluated following the increased dose treatment.

Results

A significant decrease was observed in BPRS score (p = 0.01) following treatment with an increased dose of OLZ. Significant increases were observed in BMI (p = 0.032), QTc (p = 0.031), and plasma PRL level (p = 0.028). The mean values of electrolytes, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, TC, TG, HDL and LDL treatment were unchanged by the switch to increased‐dose OLZ treatment.

Conclusion

We have demonstrated the dose‐dependent effect of OLZ on the QT interval and the plasma PRL level of patients with schizophrenia. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐term risk of recurrent cervical human papillomavirus infection and precancer and cancer following excisional treatment
Authors: Kreimer Aimée R. , Schiffman Mark , Herrero Rolando , Hildesheim Allan , González Paula , Burk Robert D. , Porras Carolina , Sherman Mark E. , Demuth Franklin , Cheung Li , Bratti Concepción , Cecilia Rodríguez Ana
Published: August 2011

Risk of recurrent CIN2+ (including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 [CIN2], CIN3, carcinoma and in situ, adenocarcinoma in situ or cancer) remains elevated for years following treatment. The role of long‐term post‐treatment human papillomavirus (HPV) presence on subsequent risk of CIN2+ was evaluated in the 10,049‐women Guanacaste cohort. Six hundred eighty‐one women were referred to colposcopy because of high‐grade cytology, positive cervicography and/or suspicion of cancer based on visual assessment; 486 were judged to require treatment. After excluding women with <12 months of follow‐up (N = 88), prior cancer or hysterectomy (N = 37) or other reasons (N = 14), 347 were included in the analysis. Infections were categorized as persistent if present at both pre‐ and post‐treatment visits and new if detected only post‐treatment. Median time between the treatment and post‐treatment visits was 6.7 years (interquartile range 3.8–7.8). At the post‐treatment visit, 8 (2.4%), 2 (0.6%) and 8 (2.4%) of the 347 treated women had persistent HPV16, HPV18 or other carcinogenic HPV, respectively. Two (0.8%), 3 (1.0%) and 13 (4.0%) had new HPV16, HPV18 and other carcinogenic HPV, respectively. Six CIN2+ cases were identified at the post‐treatment visit, all with persistent infections (three HPV16, one HPV18 and two other carcinogenic HPV). No recurrent disease was observed among women with new HPV infections during the follow‐up period. Thus, persistence of HPV infection a median of six years after treatment was uncommon but, when present, posed a substantial risk of subsequent CIN2+. Serial follow‐up data from other studies would further strengthen these conclusions.
(Bio)nanotechnologies to enhance environmental quality and energy production
Authors: Alvarez Luis H. , Cervantes Francisco J.
Published: August 2011

Nanotechnologies (NT) use particles in the range 1–100 nm, and these nanoparticles (NP) have distinctive characteristics compared with their bulk counterparts. For this reason, the use of NP has significantly expanded in a great diversity of industrial sectors and research groups in order to enhance their actual processes or to develop new applications. A description of the use of NT in environmental applications is presented in this review. Specifically, important advances focused on the development of new strategies to produce clean energy (electricity and hydrogen) and the development of analytical sensors using NP, are described. In addition, the review describes applications of NT during the removal of pollutants from water using physicochemical and/or biological methods. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Anisotropic properties of bovine nasal cartilage
Authors: Xia Yang , Zheng Shaokuan , Szarko Matthew , Lee Jihyun
Published: August 2011

To investigate the structural anisotropy in bovine septal cartilage, quantitative procedures in microscopic magnetic resonance imaging (μMRI), polarized light microscopy (PLM), and mechanical indentation were used to measure the tissue in three orthogonal planes: vertical, medial, and caudocephalic. The quantitative T2 imaging experiments in μMRI found strong anisotropy in the images of both vertical and caudocephalic planes but little anisotropy in the images from the medial plane. The PLM birefringent experiments found that the retardation values in the medial section were only about 10% of these in the vertical and caudocephalic sections and that the angle values in all three sections followed the rotation of the tissue section in the microscope stage. The stress relaxation experiments in mechanical indentation showed reduced stiffness in the medial plane compared to stiffness in either the vertical or caudocephalic planes. Collectively, the results in this project coherently indicate a marked structural anisotropy in cartilage from the nasal septum, where the long axis of the collagen fibrils is oriented in parallel with the medial axis. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and conversion of 6‐fluoro derivatives of 1,3,4‐thiadiazolo‐[3,2‐a]pyrimidine
Authors: Kukaniev Muhamadsho A. , Párkányi Cyril
Published: August 2011

2‐Alkyl‐, 2‐aryl‐, and 2‐halo‐substituted derivatives of 7‐methyl‐6‐fluoro‐1,3,4‐thiadiazolo[3,2‐a]pyrimidin‐6‐one (3) were prepared by reaction of 2‐substituted 5‐amino‐1,3,4‐thiadiazoles (1) and ethyl 2‐fluoroacetoacetate (2) in polyphosphoric acid. A convenient procedure was developed for the synthesis of new 2‐amino derivatives of 2‐R‐7‐methyl‐6‐fluoro‐1,3,4‐thiadiazolo[3,2‐a]pyrimidin‐6‐one (5). J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).
Comparison and evaluation of statistical downscaling techniques for station‐based precipitation in the Middle East
Authors: Lutz K. , Jacobeit J. , Philipp A. , Seubert S. , Kunstmann H. , Laux P.
Published: August 2011

Several statistical downscaling techniques are intercompared and evaluated with respect to daily station‐based precipitation in the eastern Mediterranean/Middle East region. The study introduces unconditioned and precipitation‐conditioned SANDRA (Simulated ANnealing and Diversified RAndomization) cluster analysis (SCA) as new downscaling approaches and additionally uses the two widely used techniques of canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and multiple linear regression analysis (MR). For the precipitation‐conditioned SANDRA cluster analysis different weights (percentages of contribution to the clustering) are evaluated. Furthermore, two different predictor combinations are used, a simple one only including mean sea level pressure (SLP), and a more complex one additionally including 500 hPa‐geopotential heights, 500 hPa‐vorticity and 1000 hPa‐moisture flux. Analyses are carried out on a daily basis for the main rainy season from November to March for the period 1961–1990. It is shown that SLP, as single predictor, does not perform sufficiently well, but adding further predictors considerably improves model performance in terms of increased explained variance and model stability as well as reduced root mean square error (RMSE). From all selected techniques MR and CCA show the best performance for the SLP‐based models, with comparable results for both techniques, whereas precipitation‐conditioned SANDRA cluster analysis performs best when further predictors are included. Performance differences between all techniques are generally smaller than those for a particular technique using different predictor sets. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Embedding Lean Six Sigma into everyday use ensures sustainable culture change at Xerox
Authors: Geier Joyce
Published: August 2011

Although the Xerox Corporation had a venerable and successful Lean Six Sigma program emulated by other companies around the world, there were subtle signs that it had not been fully absorbed into the corporation's culture. Blending a traditional project approach with creative developments from the behavioral sciences, Xerox used Lean Six Sigma principles to develop QwikSolverTM, a personally relevant and straightforward method for applying Lean Six Sigma every day. This case study follows the evolution and design of the cultural change program and the platform from which it was launched. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
One‐Pot Synthesis of Colloidal Nanobowls and Hybrid Multipod‐like Nanoparticles by Radiation Miniemulsion Polymerization
Authors: Ge Xueping , Ge Xuewu , Wang Mozhen , Liu Huarong , Fang Bin , Li Zhi , Shi Xiaojun , Yang Cunzhong , Li Guang
Published: August 2011

A facile approach is proposed to one‐pot synthesis of two kinds of nanoparticles: a new type of PS nanobowls (a hole appearing at the bottom of nanobowl) and PS/silica hybrid multipod‐like nanoparticles. The two type of nanoparticles generated together during polymerization could be separated easily by centrifugation. Furthermore, the structure of nanobowls could be easily controlled by the weight ratio of monomer/silica. In addition, we find that the multipod‐like nanoparticles play important roles in hydrophobic properties. The water contact angle increased from 24.0° to 143.3° after coated with the multipod‐like nanoparticles.

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Stereochemical study of the sterically crowded phenylselanylalkenes by means of 77Se1H spin–spin coupling constants
Authors: Rusakov Yury Yu. , Krivdin Leonid B. , Orlov Nikolay V. , Ananikov Valentine P.
Published: August 2011

Stereochemical study of five sterically crowded phenylselanylalkenes obtained via the hydroselenation of either terminal or internal alkynes with benzeneselenol catalyzed by the nanosized Ni complexes has been carried out based on the experimental HMBC measurements and theoretical second order palarization propagator approach (SOPPA) calculations of their 77Se1H spin–spin coupling constants across double bond in combination with the energy‐based theoretical conformational analysis performed at the MP2/6‐311G** level. It has been found that studied phenylselanylalkenes adopt mainly skewed s‐cis conformation with the noticeable out‐of‐plane deviations of the phenylselanyl and phenyl groups. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The echinoid mitotic gradient: Effect of cell size on the micromere cleavage cycle
Authors: Duncan Rosalie E. Langelan , Whiteley Arthur H.
Published: August 2011

Like other euechinoids, the fertilized eggs of the sand dollar Dendraster excentricus proceed through cleavages that produce a pattern of macromeres, mesomeres, and micromeres at the 4th division. The 8 cells of the macro‐mesomere lineage proceed through 6 additional cleavages before hatching. At the fifth overall division, the 4 micromeres produce a lineage of large micromeres that will divide 3 additional times, and a lineage of small micromeres that will divide once more before hatching. Irrespective of lineage, the length of the cell cycles is closely related to the size of the blastomere; cells of the same size have the same cell cycle time. A consequence is that at the fourth cleavage, there is a gradient of mitotic activity from the fastest dividers at the animal pole and the slowest cleaving micromeres at the vegetal pole. By the time of hatching, which is the 10th division of meso‐macromeres, all cells are the same small size, the metachronic pattern of division gives way to asynchrony, and the mitotic gradient along the polar axis is lost. Experimental pre‐exposure to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), however, blocks the appearance of the gradients in cell size, the mitotic gradient, and the differential in cell cycle times. It is proposed that the mitotic gradients, cell cycle times, and attainment of a state of asynchrony are functions of cell size. Developmental consequences of the transition are large, and include coordinated activation of transcriptions, synthesis of new patterns of proteins, alterations of metabolism, and onset of morphogenesis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 78:868–878, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
4E‐BP1 degradation and eIF4E truncation occur spatially distinctly in the porcine uterine epithelia and are features of noninvasive implantation in the pig
Authors: Wollenhaupt Karin , Reinke Kati , Brüssow Klaus‐Peter , Kanitz Wilhelm , Tomek Wolfgang
Published: August 2011

The implantation of the blastocyst into the endometrium is an indispensable premise for successful embryonic development. This process is regulated by maternal and embryonic signals that influence gene expression at the translational level, among other processes. Recently, we have shown that proteolytical cleavage of the prototypical 25‐kDa, mRNA cap‐binding protein eIF4E produces a stable variant with a molecular mass of approximately 23 kDa exclusively in the porcine endometrium during implantation. This is accompanied by dephosphorylation and reduction of the abundant repressor 4E‐BP1. Here, we investigate the distribution of the truncated eIF4E and of 4E‐BP1 in the porcine uterine tissue, their binding in native samples, and we analyzed eIF4E‐, eIF4G‐, and 4E‐BP1‐specific proteolytic activities. Our results show that in pigs, the truncated eIF4E is located in the endometrial luminal epithelium during implantation. Neither glandulary tissue nor stroma expressed any truncated eIF4E. The reduced abundance of 4E‐BP1 during implantation is mainly the result of decay in the glandular epithelia. Moreover, steroid replacements, in vitro protease assays, and cell lysate fractionation showed that eIF4E cleavage and 4E‐BP1 decay both depended on the ovarian steroid hormones estradiol and progestrone, but these effects are the result of different proteolytic activities. Although eIF4G cleavage also depends on calcium, stimulation by these steroids could not be established. We propose that the translation initiation process in the endometrium is differently regulated by the truncated eIF4E, utilizing different abundances of 4E‐BP1 and binding dynamic of eIF4E/4E‐BP1 in distinct forms of implantation. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 78:895–905, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Morphological characterization and electrochemical/electrical properties of poly(N‐vinyl carbazole)/montmorillonite composites
Authors: Gökçeören Argun Talat , Erbil Candan
Published: August 2011

A series of poly(N‐vinyl carbazole) (PNVCz)/sodium montmorillonite (Na+MMT) and PNVCz/organo‐MMT composite materials have been successfully prepared by in situ free radical polymerization with cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN) as initiator in the presence of inorganic nanolayers of hydrophilic Na+MMT or organophilic organo‐MMTs, modified with octadecylamine (ODA) and trimethyl stearyl ammonium (TMSA). The synthesized materials were subsequently characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The distribution of MMT layers in the PNVCz matrix was also studied through polarized optical microscope (POM). Their electrochemical and electrical properties were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results showed that the type of intercalation agent and mixing method was affected on the structures and properties of composite materials. Both the interlayer spacing of clays and glass transition temperature of PNVCz was increased nearly from 1.18 nm to 3.53 nm and from 140°C to 185°, respectively. Their conductivities also increased relatively to that of the PNVCz homopolymer (10−11–10−15 S/cm) and varied in the range of 10−10–10−5 S/cm, inversely dependent on the amount of MMT loading. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Difference between 1H NMR signals of primary amide protons as a simple spectral index of the amide intramolecular hydrogen bond strength
Authors: Gorobets Nikolay Yu. , Yermolayev Sergey A. , Gurley Thomas , Gurinov Andrey A. , Tolstoy Peter M. , Shenderovich Ilya G. , Leadbeater Nicholas E.
Published: August 2011

The effect of the intramolecular H‐bonding of the primary amide group on the spectral properties and reactivity of this group towards electrophiles has been studied in systematic rows of 1,2,5,6,7,8‐hexahydro‐7,7‐dimethyl‐2,5‐dioxo‐1‐R‐quinoline‐3‐carboxamides and 2‐aryliminocoumarin‐3‐carboxamides using 1H and 15N NMR spectroscopy and the kinetics of model reactions. The upfield signal of the amide proton that is not intramolecularly H‐bonded (Ha) depends on external factors such as solvent nature and concentration. At the same time, the downfield chemical shift of the Hb proton (bonded by the intramolecular hydrogen bond) depends mostly on the strength of the intramolecular H‐bond, which is affected by such internal factor as electron nature of substituent R. The substituent's influence on the Hb proton's chemical shift is more effective in deuterochloroform medium than in DMSO‐d6 where the intramolecular hydrogen bond is less stable. The value Δδ(H) = δ(Hb) − δ(Ha) is suggested as a simple comparative spectral index of the intramolecular hydrogen bond strength in these and similar compounds. By contrast, the effect of R on the 15N NMR chemical shift of the amide nitrogen has turned out to be too small to estimate changes of the electron density at the nitrogen. The effect of the intramolecular H‐bond on the reactivity of the amide group is twofold. When the cleavage of the H‐bond occurs on the rate limiting step it dramatically reduces the reaction rate. In the other case, the strengthening of the H‐bond favors the reaction rate because of the increase of the electron density at the amide nitrogen. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NORA–Nowcasting of Orographic Rainfall by means of Analogues
Authors: Panziera L. , Germann U. , Gabella M. , Mandapaka P. V.
Published: August 2011

A novel analogue‐based heuristic tool for nowcasting orographic precipitation is presented. The system takes advantage of the orographic forcing, which determines a strong relation between mesoscale flows, air mass stability and rainfall patterns. These quantities are used as predictors of precipitation. In particular, past situations with the predictors most similar to those observed at the current time are identified by searching a large historical dataset. Deterministic and probabilistic forecasts are then generated every five minutes as new observations are available, based on the rainfall observed by radar after the analogous situations. The analogue method provides a natural way to incorporate evolution of precipitation into the nowcasting system and to express forecast uncertainty by means of ensembles.

A total of 127 days of long‐lasting orographic precipitation constitutes the historical dataset in which the analogous situations are searched. The system is developed for the Lago Maggiore region in the southern part of the European Alps. Given the availability of radar data and the presence of a strong orographic forcing, it can be extended to other mountainous regions. An evaluation of the skill of the system shows that the heuristic tool performs better than Eulerian persistence for predictions with lead time larger than one hour, and better than the numerical model COSMO2 for forecasts with lead time up to four hours. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Atmospheric identification of active ingredients in over‐the‐counter pharmaceuticals and drugs of abuse by atmospheric pressure glow discharge mass spectrometry (APGD‐MS)
Authors: Brewer Tim M. , Verkouteren Jennifer R.
Published: August 2011

Atmospheric pressure glow discharge mass spectrometry was used to characterize the active ingredients in pharmaceutical over‐the‐counter (OTC) drug formulations (Tylenol Allergy, Alka‐Seltzer Plus Nighttime, Sudafed, Aleve and Mucinex DM) and drugs of abuse (crack cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy) and hydrocodone). Material was desorbed and directly ionized under atmospheric conditions by allowing the substance to come in direct contact with the plasma followed by mass spectrometric detection. With this technique, controlled substances and OTC medications were readily distinguished from one another. Characteristic mass spectra were identified for the active ingredients in the OTC and drugs of abuse. Importantly, all drug compounds studied here, both OTC and illicit, demonstrated signals for either molecular ions or protonated molecules as well as fragmentation patterns that are readily identified in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) electron ionization (EI) mass spectral library. It is believed that this technique holds promise for forensic and law enforcement communities for real‐time atmospheric analysis of drugs with database‐searchable spectra of controlled substances. Published in 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.