bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of formulations based on acrylate monomers for optical cable applications
Authors: Perera M. C. Senake
Published: October 2004

Methyl methacrylate and 2‐ethyl hexyl acrylate were copolymerized in the presence of different crosslinkers with free‐radical initiation. The double‐bond conversion was monitored with in situ Fourier transform near‐infrared spectroscopic techniques. Dynamic mechanical properties of the resultant polymers were measured, and the curves were interpreted on the basis of the heterogeneity and flexibility of the samples. The optical properties of the cables made out of these systems were measured with transmission spectra. The effect of the addition of additives on the optical properties was demonstrated. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 3001–3012, 2001
In situ analysis of volatiles obtained from the catalytic cracking of polyethylene
Authors: Hesse Nathan D. , Lin Rong , Bonnet Edouard , Cooper Jesse , White Robert L.
Published: October 2004

The effects of the solid‐acid‐catalyst pore size and acidity on polyethylene catalytic cracking were examined with a comparison of the temperature‐dependent volatile‐product‐slate changes when the polymer was cracked with HZSM‐5 and HY zeolites and the protonated form of MCM‐41. Volatile‐product distributions depended on the catalyst acidity and pore size. With HZSM‐5, paraffins were detected initially, and olefins were produced at somewhat higher temperatures. Aromatics were formed at temperatures 30–40°C higher than those required for olefin production. Small olefins (C3–C5) were the most abundant products when HZSM‐5 and MCM‐41 catalysts were employed for cracking polyethylene. In contrast, cracking with HY produced primarily paraffin volatile products (C4–C8). HY pores were large enough and the acid sites were strong enough to promote disproportionation reactions, which led to the formation of volatile paraffins. Compared with the other catalysts, HZSM‐5 with its smaller pores inhibited residue formation and facilitated the production of small alkyl aromatics. Volatile‐product variations could be rationalized by a consideration of the combined effects of catalyst acidity and pore size on carbenium ion reaction pathways. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 3118–3125, 2001
Synthesis of novel azo‐containing polyureas derived from 4‐[4′‐(2‐hydroxy‐1‐naphthylazo)phenyl]‐1,2,4‐triazolidine‐3,5‐dione
Authors: Mallakpour Shadpour E. , Nasr‐Isfahani Hossein
Published: October 2004

4‐[4′‐(2‐Hydroxy‐1‐naphthylazo)phenyl]‐1,2,4‐triazolidine‐3,5‐dione (HNAPTD) (1) has been reacted with excess amount of n‐propylisocyanate in DMF (N,N‐dimethylformamide) solution at room temperature. The reaction proceeded with high yield, and involved reaction of both NH of the urazole group. The resulting bis‐urea derivative 2 was characterized by IR, 1H‐NMR, elemental analysis, UV‐Vis spectra, and it was finally used as a model compound for the polymerization reaction. Solution polycondensation reactions of monomer 1 with Hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) were performed in DMF in the presence of pyridine as a catalyst and lead to the formation of novel aliphatic azo‐containing polyurea dyes, which are soluble in polar solvents. The polymerization reaction with tolylene‐2,4‐diisocyanate (TDI) gave novel aromatic polyurea dye, which is insoluble in most organic solvents. These novel polyureas have inherent viscosities in a range of 0.15–0.22 g dL−1 in DMF at 25°C. Some structural characterization and physical properties of these novel polymers are reported. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 3177–3183, 2001
Recycling of EPDM waste. II. Replacement of virgin rubber by ground EPDM vulcanizate in EPDM/PP thermoplastic elastomeric composition
Authors: Jacob Ceni , De P. P. , Bhowmick A. K. , De S. K.
Published: October 2004

Virgin ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber in a thermoplastic elastomeric blend of polypropylene (PP) and EPDM rubber was substituted by ground EPDM vulcanizate of known composition, after which the mechanical properties of the raw EPDM/waste EPDM/PP blends were determined. The ratio of the rubber content in the waste EPDM (r‐W‐EPDM) to the raw EPDM (R‐EPDM) in the blends was varied from 0 : 100 to 45 : 55. Attempts to replace higher amounts (>45%) of R‐EPDM by W‐EPDM failed because of processing difficulty. Although a drop in mechanical properties of the blends was observed at lower loadings of W‐EPDM, the properties showed improvement at intermediate W‐EPDM loadings. The R‐EPDM/W–EPDM/PP blends were found to be reprocessable. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 3304–3312, 2001
Mechanical properties and morphology of the modified HDPE/starch reactive blend
Authors: Jang Byung Chul , Huh Soo Young , Jang Jeong Gyu , Bae Young Chan
Published: October 2004

We investigated the effect of reactive blending on the mechanical properties and morphology of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/plasticized starch blends. HDPE was chemically modified to enhance the compatibility with the plasticized starch. The modified HDPE, HDPE‐g‐glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), was synthesized by melt reaction of HDPE in the presence of dicumyl peroxide (DCP). A finer dispersion of starch in the HDPE matrix was achieved compared to that in the unmodified HDPE. The amount of GMA groups in the modified HDPE enhanced the miscibility of HDPE/starch blends. We also observed that the amount of glycerin improves the mechanical properties of blends. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 3313–3320, 2001
Imaging of conductive filler networks in heterogeneous materials by scanning Kelvin microscopy
Authors: Prasse Torsten , Ivankov Andrei , Sandler Jan , Schulte Karl , Bauhofer Wolfgang
Published: October 2004

This article reports a novel application of scanning Kelvin microscopy for exclusively revealing the distribution of a percolated conductive filler network in heterogeneous materials. The materials under investigation are carbon black and carbon nanotube‐filled epoxies with a highly inhomogeneous conductivity distribution due to their fabrication. The Kelvin method is demonstrated to be especially suitable for resolving the resistive particle network in these kinds of composite materials with sample resistance levels in the megaohm range. Transmission optical microscopy reveals matches between the scanning Kelvin images and the sample morphologies, whereas the percolating backbone cannot be distinguished in the optical micrographs. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 3381–3386, 2001
Preparation and simulation of graded‐index polymer rods by interfacial‐gel polymerization
Authors: Chu Jiurong , Xu Chuanxiang , Wen Xuming , Wang Shoutai
Published: October 2004

A graded‐index (GI) polymer rod was prepared by interfacial‐gel polymerization, in which polymerization was performed in a PMMA tube and bromobenzene (BB) was used as a higher refractive index molecules. By using the new technology, a GI polymer rod without any defect of void or bubble was made. A detailed mechanism and simulation of graded‐index formation were given according to the Vrentas‐Duda free volume theory. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 3387–3390, 2001
Formation of a DNA/N‐dodecylated chitosan complex and salt‐induced gene delivery
Authors: Liu Wen Guang , De Yao Kang , Liu Qing Gang
Published: October 2004

An N‐dodecylated chitosan (CS‐12) was synthesized from dodecyl bromide and chitosan and was assembled with DNA to form a polyelectrolyte complex (DNA/CS‐12 PEC). UV was used to examine the thermal stability of DNA embedded in PEC. The results indicate that the incorporation of dodecylated chitosan can enhance the thermal stability of DNA. The analysis of AFM image shows that PEC develops a globule‐like structure composed of 40–115 DNA molecules. Dissociation of PEC was investigated by the addition of low molecular weight electrolytes. The added small molecular salts dissociate the PEC, inducing DNA to release. The ability of Mg2+ to dissociate PEC is greater compared to that of Na+ and K+. From AFM images, it can be visualized that DNA remains intact and undamaged due to the protection from DNase offered by alkylated chitosan. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 3391–3395, 2001
Single‐point determination of intrinsic viscosity of wholly aromatic thermotropic copolyesters in 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoro‐2‐propanol
Authors: Liu Yongjian
Published: October 2004

A series of wholly aromatic thermotropic copolyesters based on 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroquinone, and 2,6‐naphthalene dicarboxylic acid were synthesized by direct melt polymerization with or without different added transesterification catalysts. Nine procedures for calculation of the intrinsic viscosities from a single viscosity measurement for polymer solutions, including a proposed one, were applied for the thermotropic copolyesters in 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoro‐2‐propanol at 30°C. Various forms of the Huggins and Kraemer equations, singly or combined, yielded intrinsic viscosities that were in good agreement with extrapolated values obtained in the usual manner from multipoint viscosity measurements over a wide range of concentrations. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 3396–3401, 2001
Hygrothermal aging of rubber‐modified and mineral‐filled dicyandiamide‐cured DGEBA epoxy resin. II. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis
Authors: Ivanova Katya I. , Pethrick Richard A. , Affrossman Stanley
Published: October 2004

The effects of hydration–dehydration cycling on the dynamic mechanical response of a rubber modified, mineral‐filled epoxy resin based on the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A cured with dicyandiamide are reported. Samples of the resin were aged in both deionized water and 5% w/w NaCl solution at 65 °C. A dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer was used to detect the changes in the mechanical spectrum of the material induced by moisture ingress. Water absorbed at weight fractions up to 4.3% caused plasticization of the polymer matrix, and the measured decrease in the glass transition temperature could be interpreted in terms of the polymer network–diluent theory. Water absorbed at levels >4.3% weight fraction resides in microcavities formed as result of the aging process and did not further affect the dynamic mechanical response of the resin. The dynamic mechanical properties of the material were independent of the previous history of exposure to humidity. In the presence of NaCl, the microcavity growth was prevented and the amount of water absorbed did not exceed 4.1% weight fraction. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 3477–3485, 2001
Correlation of rheological and mechanical properties for blends of recycled HDPE and virgin polyolefins
Authors: Miller Paul , Sbarski Igor , Kosior Edward , Masood Syed , Iovenitti Pio
Published: October 2004

This article investigates the rheological and mechanical properties for blends of recycled high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and virgin polyolefins and attempts to correlate relative shear viscosity and relative stiffness for these blends. These virgin polyolefins comprised a wide variety of flow characteristics, from high‐flow injection molding, low‐density and linear low‐density polyethylene to very low‐flow film blowing grade high‐density polyethylene. It can be seen that there is a variety of behaviors for the relative viscosity and relative stiffness of the blends studied. Relative viscosity and relative stiffness can largely be described by linear curves. This article categorizes these parameters according to the gradient of these linear curves. The difference between the relative viscosity gradient and relative stiffness gradient is identified as a product of a variety of factors, including branching content, viscosity level, and the nature of any side units. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 3505–3512, 2001
Binding of metal cations to chemically modified wool and antimicrobial properties of the wool–metal complexes
Authors: Freddi G. , Arai T. , Colonna G. M. , Boschi A. , Tsukada M.
Published: October 2004

Wool was modified by treatment with tannic acid (TA) or by acylation with ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA) dianhydride. Kinetics of modification with TA and acylation with EDTA–dianhydride was investigated as a function of the reaction time. Wool displayed a higher breaking load and lower elongation at break as the degree of acylation increased. The absorption of metal cations (Ag+, Cu2+) by untreated and chemically modified wool was studied as a function of the kind of modifying agent, weight gain, and pH of the metal solution. Absorption of Ag+ and Cu2+ at alkaline pH increased with increasing weight gain of both TA and EDTA–dianhydride. The absorption of metal cations by untreated and TA‐treated wool below pH 7 was negligible. Acylation with EDTA–dianhydride enabled wool to absorb and bind significant amounts of metal cations at acidic and neutral pHs. The wool–Ag complexes exhibited low levels of metal desorption at acidic pH, irrespective of chemical modification. Higher levels of metal desorption were shown by wool–Cu and wool–EDTA–Cu complexes. Wool–Ag complexes exhibited prominent antimicrobial activity against Cornebacterium and E. coli. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 3513–3519, 2001
Synthesis and aqueous solution behavior of hydrophobically modified polyelectrolytes
Authors: Lin Ye , Leijun Mao , Ronghua Huang
Published: October 2004

The hydrophobically modified polyelectrolytes were prepared by a micellar technique from acrylamide, n‐alkylacrylamides, and a third monomer, sodium acrylate or sodium 2‐acrylamide‐2‐methylpropanesulfonate. Synthesis and solution properties of the terpolymers were studied. In the synthesis process, the type and amount of surfactant and anionic monomers influenced their solution behavior greatly. The terpolymers showed strong synergistic viscosification effects between their ions and hydrophobic groups. Their aqueous brine solutions exhibit high viscosity at low polymer concentration and can maintain the viscosity during aging at a high temperature (80°C). © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 3552–3557, 2001
Apolipophorin‐III in the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Authors: Halwani Adla E. , Niven Donald F. , Dunphy Gary B.
Published: October 2004

The level of apolipophorin‐III reached a maximum in the haemolymph of Galleria mellonella at the end of the feeding phase of the seventh larval instar and declined to a plateau value in the pupal and the adult stages. Apolipophorin‐III was detected immunologically in fat body tissue, haemocyte lysates, and plasma. In its native state, apolipophorin‐III may be associated with another protein with an apparent molecular mass of 77 kDa, possibly apolipophorin‐II. Injections of octopamine did not cause lipid loading of high density lipophorin. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 48:135–143, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sex pheromone components in oral secretions and crop of male caribbean fruit flies, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew)
Authors: Lu F. , Teal P.E.A.
Published: October 2004

Chemical analysis of hexane extracts of the oral secretions from male Caribbean fruit flies, Anastrepha suspensa, resulted in identification of pheromone components including: anastrephin, epianastrephin, suspensolide, β‐bisabolene, and α‐farnesene in a ratio of 63:396:4:8:1. Extracts of the crop from male flies contained these same components. No pheromone was detected in the extracts of female oral secretions. Bioassay of the oral secretions indicated that females were attracted to oral secretions from males but not from females. The amounts of anastrephin and epianastrephin in male oral secretions changed with age and time of the day, and were correlated with the amounts of volatile pheromone components released by male flies. The amounts of suspensolide, β‐bisabolene, and α‐farnesene in the crop tissue were greater than those in the crop liquid, while amounts of anastrephin and epianastrephin in the crop tissue and crop liquid changed during the day. Generally, the amounts of suspensolide and β‐bisabolene decreased, and the amounts of anastrephin and epianastrephin increased from 9 am to 6 pm in both crop tissue and crop liquid. The amounts of anastrephin and epianastrephin from crop tissue or crop liquid incubated with suspensolide were significantly higher than those of control. The data show that oral secretions deposited on leaves by males contained terpenoid pheromone components that attract females and that suspensolide was converted to anastrephin and epianastrephin by enzymatic degradation in the crop of male flies. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 48:144–154, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inconsistency in the expression of locomotor and ERG circadian rhythms in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.)
Authors: Chang Huan‐Wen , Lee How‐Jing
Published: October 2004

ERG recordings from German cockroaches showed that the amplitude of light‐evoked responses have a circadian rhythmicity in adult males that coincided with the locomotor circadian rhythm. The peak of the response occurred during the subjective night, and the circadian period was less than 24 h under DD condition. In contrast, although the locomotor circadian rhythm was masked by the development of ovaries and pregnancy in females, their visual responses displayed circadian rhythmicity. This inconsistency in expression of locomotor and visual sensitivity circadian rhythms in females implied separate pacemakers for these two overt rhythms. After severing the optic nerves, changes in ERG amplitude of the operated cockroaches still displayed a circadian rhythm under DD condition, demonstrating that the visual sensitive pacemaker was located in the eye and independent from the locomotor pacemaker. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 48:155–166, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Frequency response of alternating currents through the Staphylococcus aureus α‐hemolysin ion channel†
Authors: Misakian M. , Kasianowicz J.J. , Robertson B. , Petersons O.
Published: October 2004

Alternating currents were measured through transmembrane ion channels formed by Staphylococcus aureus α‐hemolysin proteins in planar bilayer membranes as part of an investigation to determine the channel's frequency response and the appropriateness of an equivalent circuit commonly used to model electrical interactions at the surface of cells. The experimental approach includes a novel method for separating the alternating current through one or more channels, which is conductive in nature, from the capacitively coupled current through the membrane. Separation of the conductive and capacitive alternating currents made it possible to measure the frequency response of the α‐hemolysin channels. The results of the study are consistent with an equivalent circuit of a membrane capacitor in parallel with one or more channel resistors over the frequency range 30–120 Hz. The possible usefulness of frequency response data for ion channels in cell membranes during investigations of biological effects of time‐varying magnetic fields is briefly discussed. Bioelectromagnetics 22:487–493, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An evolutionary model for the origin of non‐randomness, long‐range order and fractality in the genome
Authors: Almirantis Yannis , Provata Astero
Published: October 2004

We present a model for genome evolution, comprising biologically plausible events such as transpositions inside the genome and insertions of exogenous sequences. This model attempts to formulate a minimal proposition accounting for key statistical properties of genomes, avoiding, as far as possible, unsupportable hypotheses for the remote evolutionary past. The statistical properties that are observed in genomic sequences and are reproduced by the proposed model are: (i) deviations from randomness at different length scales, measured by suitable algorithms, (ii) a special form of size distribution (power law distribution) characterising different levels of genome organisation in the non‐coding, and (iii) extensive resemblance in the alternation of coding and non‐coding regions at several length scales (self‐similarity) in long genomic sequences of higher eukaryotes. BioEssays 23:647–656, 2001. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Suppression of linearly responsive residual water
Authors: Zhang Shanmin , Yang Xianbin , Gorenstein David G.
Published: October 2004

The residual water, coming from a region away from the center of the RF coil and therefore experiencing a much smaller flip‐angle than the designed one, may not be well suppressed in certain water‐suppression experiments. To suppress the residual water efficiently, a composite 90x° 90y° 90−x° 90−x° pulse is used in the WET sequence, which de‐excites molecules experiencing small flip‐angles. The composite pulse, however, has two null excitation points near on‐resonance, causing a severe loss of spectrum intensity and baseline distortion toward the null points. A phase inversion at each null point is found in the excitation profile of the composite pulse. This phenomenon is explored in detail. Because the residual water experiences a very small flip‐angle, it can be treated as a linear spin system, i.e., its peak intensity is proportional to the flip‐angle. Based on this principle, the residual water can be reduced dramatically by replacing the 90° pulse in the WET sequence with a 270° pulse for one out of every four scans. Unlike the composite pulse, this scheme does not introduce noticeable loss of spectrum intensity and baseline distortion. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson 14: 102–111, 2002
Receiver imperfections and CYCLOPS: An alternative description
Authors: Reichert Detlef , Hempel Günter
Published: October 2004

We present a quantitative approach to describe the spectral artifacts that are introduced into the NMR spectrum by imperfections of the receiver electronics of the NMR spectrometer (“mirror image” or “ghost”, “transmitter spike”). In contrast to the commonly used graphical representation, it is based on a rigorous algebraic treatment and provides quantitative results on the intensities and phases of the artifacts easily. We apply this approach to the quantitative explanation of the well‐known Cyclically Ordered Phase Sequence phase cycle (CYCLOPS) that serves to suppress the receiver imperfections and thus to remove the artifacts from the frequency spectrum. Finally, we compare the algebraic results with a graphical approach and demonstrate that the application of CYCLOPS minimizes the artifacts even if the spectrometer has deficiencies in the transmitter electronics. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson 14: 130–139, 2002
Adiabatic radiofrequency pulse forms in biomedical nuclear magnetic resonance
Authors: Norris David G.
Published: October 2004

Adiabatic radio frequency (RF) pulses are in widespread use in biomedical magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy. The primary advantage of adiabatic pulses is that provided the condition for adiabaticity is satisfied they can be made insensitive to inhomogeneities in the RF field. In this pedagogical article the principles of adiabatic fast passage (AFP) are explained, and the use of AFP to invert both stationary and flowing spin systems is examined. The hyperbolic secant pulse is presented as a pulse capable of performing slice selective adiabatic inversion. Lower power alternatives to this pulse are described, and the principle of offset independent constant adiabaticity is elucidated. Instantaneous reversal of the orientation of the effective RF field as a means of producing excitation and refocusing pulses is presented, as are methods of obtaining slice selective excitation with these pulses. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson 2: 89–101, 2002
Meeting reports
Authors: Nadal María E. , McKnight Mary E.
Published: October 2004

NIST Workshop on Metrology and Modeling of Color and Appearance, March 28–29, 2000 © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Col Res Appl, 27, 63–68, 2002
Performance of CIE94 for nonreference conditions
Authors: Griffin Lewis D. , Sepehri Arsalan
Published: October 2004

The CIE94 colour difference equations are known to give good predictions of subjective colour differences for viewing under reference conditions. We have psychophysically tested whether the equations also give useful predictions when the conditions are relaxed. In particular, we collected subjective colour difference data with (i) chromatic illuminants, (ii) textured samples, and (iii) large colour differences. The predicted differences, to be compared with the measured subjective differences, were calculated by using a von Kries transform to predict colour appearance under D65, followed by application of the CIE94 equations (with the default lightness, chroma, and hue weightings). We found that subjective colour differences were not predicted properly. However, if texture is accounted for by modifying predicted colour differences by a sample‐pair dependent linear function, then prediction is successful for all data points apart from those corresponding to illumination under a strongly saturated red illuminant. The fit of this model and its utility in predicting illuminants that enhance colour differences was confirmed by statistical tests. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 27, 108–115, 2002; DOI 10.1002/col.10029
A cross‐cultural colour‐naming study: Part II—Using a constrained method
Authors: Lin H. , Luo M. R. , MacDonald L. W. , Tarrant A. W. S.
Published: October 2004

This study aimed to investigate the differences in colour naming between the English (British) and Mandarin (Taiwanese) languages. A constrained method was employed, with 20 British and 20 Chinese adults. All the experiments were conducted under an artificial daylight, using 1526 colours from the Natural Color System (NCS). Each subject was asked to find the colour(s) corresponding to basic names, modifiers, and secondary names in terms of one colour (focal colour) or a colour region (colour volume). Little difference in chromaticness and hue was found between the two languages, but a systematic discrepancy was found in blackness. Because this could have been caused by different surrounds, i.e., gray and white walls used for the British and Chinese experiments, respectively, a verification experiment was carried out using a panel of ten Taiwanese subjects against a gray surround. The results proved that the lightness difference found earlier was indeed caused by the surround. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Col Res Appl, 26, 193–208, 2001
Sequential immunofluorescence staining and image analysis for detection of large numbers of antigens in individual cell nuclei
Authors: Wählby Carolina , Erlandsson Fredrik , Bengtsson Ewert , Zetterberg Anders
Published: October 2004

Background

Visualization of more than one antigen by multicolor immunostaining is often desirable or even necessary to explore spatial and temporal relationships of functional significance. Previously presented staining protocols have been limited to the visualization of three or four antigens.

Methods

Immunofluorescence staining was performed both on slices of formalin‐fixed tissue and on cells in culture. Images of the stained material were recorded using digital imaging fluorescence microscopy. The primary and secondary antibodies, as well as the fluorophores, were thereafter removed using a combination of denaturation and elution techniques. After removal of the fluorescence stain, a new immunofluorescence staining was performed, visualizing a new set of antigens. The procedure was repeated up to three times. A method for image registration combined with segmentation, extraction of data, and cell classification was developed for efficient and objective analysis of the image data.

Results

The results show that immunofluorescence stains in many cases can be repeatedly removed without major effects on the antigenicity of the sample.

Conclusions

The concentration of at least six different antigens in each cell can thus be measured semiquantitatively using sequential immunofluorescence staining and the described image analysis techniques. The number of antigens that can be visualized in a single sample is considerably increased by the presented protocol. Cytometry 47:32–41, 2002. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
DNA ploidy in soft tissue sarcoma: Comparison of flow and image cytometry with clinical follow‐up in 93 patients
Authors: Dreinhöfer Karsten E. , Baldetorp Bo , Åkerman Måns , Fernö Mårten , Rydholm Anders , Gustafson Pelle
Published: October 2004

In soft tissue sarcoma, the prognostic importance of DNA ploidy status is limited. One possible explanation may be technical; small nondiploid stemlines will be diluted in relation to the presence of normal diploid cells and may not be detected by flow cytometry (FCM). We assessed DNA ploidy status in 93 tumors with both FCM and image cytometry (ICM). ICM may permit the exclusion of nonrelevant cells. The ability of the two methods to detect nondiploid stemlines was compared, as were the prognostic consequences. The patients (54 males) had a median age of 69 years. Surgical procedures were performed on all patients. None of the patients had received preoperative radiotherapy or chemotherapy. FCM and ICM were performed with standard methods. The prognostic value was assessed with univariate and multivariate analysis. In 82 of the 93 tumors, a concordant ploidy status by FCM and ICM was found. In 5 FCM type 1‐2 tumors (diploid), the identification of nondiploid stemlines by ICM did not influence the metastatic rates. Increasing tumor size, histotype other than liposarcoma, increasing malignancy grade, tumor necrosis, and ICM nondiploidy were univariate prognostic factors for metastasis. In a multivariate analysis, only tumor size larger than 9 cm was a prognostic factor. In about 10% of the tumors, a discrepancy between FCM and ICM ploidy status was found, but we could not find a consistent prognostic consequence of this. Neither FCM nor ICM ploidy status was an independent prognostic factor. Cytometry (Clin. Cytometry) 50:19–24, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Painting with a molecular brush: Genomic/proteomic interfacing to define the drug action profile of novel solid‐tumor selective anticancer agents
Authors: Nakeff Alexander , Sahay Nisha , Pisano Mike , Subramanian Balanehru
Published: October 2004

XK469 is an investigational anticancer agent that exhibits antiproliferative activity in tumor‐bearing animal models. We examined the drug‐action profile of this agent at the molecular level regarding alterations induced in gene expression and proteins in HCT‐116 human colon adenocarcinoma cells. We used a unique cDNA microarray (GeneMapTM Cancerarray) comprising 1152 human tumor‐related genes and 2‐D gel electrophoresis, respectively, following a 24‐hour exposure to a drug concentration that killed a two‐log fraction of HCT‐116 clonogenic cells. Functional gene cluster profile (FGCP) analysis of the 71 out of 1152 genes that displayed a >2‐fold increase or decrease in expression (over untreated control) identified a drug‐specific involvement of the MAPK signal transduction pathway. MAPK signaling together with the involvement of ubiquitin proteins from 2‐D gel electrophoresis suggest a novel drug‐action profile at the molecular level for the in vitro antiproliferative activity of XK469. Cytometry 47:72–79, 2002. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Aspiration cytology of the collagenized variant of mammary myofibroblastoma: A case report with review of the literature
Authors: Simsir A. , Cangiarella J. , Boppana S. , Waisman J.
Published: October 2004

Myofibroblastoma of the breast is a rare benign stromal neoplasm, which occurs primarily in men. Classical myofibroblastoma is a circumscribed, nonencapsulated tumor comprised of bipolar fusiform cells arranged randomly, or in fascicles alternating with broad collagenous bands. Additional histologic variants (the cellular, collagenized, infiltrative, and epitheloid types) have been described. Several case reports describe the cytopathologic features of the classical and cellular variants. We report on a 70‐yr‐old woman, who presented with a circumscribed mass in her left breast. Aspiration biopsy showed paucicellular smears with singly distributed atypical spindle‐shaped cells and rare fragments of collagenized stroma, raising suspicion of a phyllodes tumor. Histologic examination revealed spindle‐shaped cells distributed in a diffusely collagenized stroma. Some nuclear atypia was present. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reporting the cytologic features of the collagenized variant of myofibroblastoma. Although we believe a specific diagnosis of myofibroblastoma can be rendered in a male based on the typical cytologic and clinical findings in the classical type, the variant forms are difficult to classify accurately and require excision for a definitive diagnosis. Diagn. Cytopathol. 24:399–402, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular machinery and signaling events in apoptosis
Authors: Pinton Paolo , Ferrari Davide , Di Virgilio Francesco , Pozzan Tullio , Rizzuto Rosario
Published: October 2004

Apoptosis is a process of major biomedical interest, since its ineffectiveness or inappropriate activation appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of a broad variety of human diseases (neoplasia, autoimmune disorders, viral and neurodegenerative diseases, to name a few). On this topic, extensive experimental work has allowed in the past years the clarification of the complex biochemical machinery that commits a cell to apoptosis and executes the death program. As to the signaling mechanisms, it is now evident that apoptosis can be initiated by different stimuli and/or genetic programs that are differentially decoded inside the cell. While the past years have witnessed a major advancement on this topic, much still needs to be learned of the cross‐talk between the various signaling pathways involved in decoding the apoptotic stimuli, as well as the activation of other cell functions. In this review we first describe the properties and activation mechanisms of the caspases, the effector proteases of apoptosis. In the second part we discuss the current evidence for the involvement of calcium, the ubiquitous second‐messenger decoding a wide variety of physiological stimuli, and highlight the potential targets of the apoptotic calcium signal. Drug Dev. Res. 52:558–570, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cloning and expression of the Cdx family from the frog Xenopus tropicalis
Authors: Reece‐Hoyes John S. , Keenan Iain D. , Isaacs Harry V.
Published: October 2004

The caudal‐related (Cdx) homeodomain transcription factors have a conserved role in the development of posterior structures in both vertebrates and invertebrates. A particularly interesting finding is that Cdx proteins have an important function in the regulation of expression from a subset of Hox genes. In this study, we report the cloning of cDNAs from the Cdx genes of the amphibian Xenopus tropicalis. Xenopus tropicalis is a diploid species, related to the commonly used laboratory animal Xenopus laevis, and has attracted attention recently as a potential genetic model for animal development. The Xenopus tropicalis cDNAs, Xtcad1, Xtcad2, and Xtcad3, show between 88 and 94% sequence identity with their Xenopus laevis orthologues. This finding corresponds to between 90 and 95% identity at the level of derived amino acid sequence. We also present a detailed description of Xtcad1, Xtcad2, and Xtcad3 expression during normal development. In common with the Cdx genes of other vertebrates, the Xenopus tropicalis Cdx genes show overlapping and dynamic patterns of expression in posterior regions of the embryo through the early stages of development. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of a very low calorie diet on the diagnostic category of individuals with binge eating disorder
Authors: Raymond Nancy C. , de Zwaan Martina , Mitchell James E. , Ackard Diann , Thuras Paul
Published: October 2004

Objective

This study examined the factors associated with the diagnostic outcome of obese individuals with and without binge eating disorder (BED) 1 year after completing a very low calorie diet (VLCD) program.

Method

Participants included 63 individuals with BED, 36 individuals with subthreshold BED, and 29 individuals with no binge eating symptoms. Diagnoses before and after VLCD were obtained using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV (SCID) interviews. The severity of psychiatric symptoms were assessed using various rating scales.

Results

Fifty‐six percent (n = 36) of the participants who met criteria for BED at baseline did not meet diagnostic criteria 1 year later. None of the baseline factors were statistically associated with outcome.

Discussion

Although the main hypothesis was not supported, absence of a BED diagnosis at 12‐month follow‐up after a VLCD diet appears to be associated with less weight gain at 1‐year follow‐up regardless of baseline diagnosis. © 2002 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 31: 49–56, 2002.
Synchronization of self‐switching phenomena on full‐coupled chaotic oscillators
Authors: Sekiya Hiroo , Mori Shinsaku , Sasase Iwao
Published: October 2004

In the state of generating a double‐scroll attractor, an oscillator switches between two subspaces without external force. This switching phenomenon is called the “self‐switching phenomenon.” We recognize that investigations of the behavior of self‐switching phenomena on full‐coupled chaotic oscillators are important problems in order to clarify spatiotemporal phenomena in real physical systems. In this paper, we investigate the behavior of self‐switching phenomena on full‐coupled chaotic oscillators. In the system, we can observe that all chaotic oscillators switch the subspace synchronously. We call this “synchronization of self‐switching phenomena.” Synchronization of self‐switching phenomena is generated when oscillators are asynchronized. This synchronization of self‐switching phenomena is the first observation of the existence of order in the asynchronization of chaos, which means disorder of states. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 85(1): 14–23, 2002
Characteristics and economic evaluation of CO2‐capturing power generation systems using solar thermal energy and gasified coal
Authors: Pak Pyong Sik , Kosugi Takanobu
Published: October 2004

This paper describes the evaluation results of CO2‐capturing power generation systems which use solar thermal energy and gasified coal as the input energy. The following two power generation systems have been proposed and evaluated from the characteristic and economic points of view: a CO2‐capturing hybrid power generation system (proposed system I), and a CO2‐capturing three‐stage heat‐utilizing power generation system (proposed system II). In evaluation, a conventional integrated coal‐gasification combined cycle power generation system (IGCC system) is adopted as the reference system. The proposed systems are assumed to be constructed in Albuquerque, U.S. and Osaka, Japan. The net coal‐to‐electricity efficiency has been estimated to be 51.0% for the proposed system I, and to be 40.1% for the proposed system II on higher heating value basis, whereas the efficiency of the conventional system is estimated to decrease from 43.7% to 32.7% when the CO2 generated is captured. Taking the IGCC system without CO2 capture as the reference system, the cost of CO2 emission reduction of the proposed systems I and II in Albuquerque are estimated to be 22,100–23,800 yen/t‐C and 21,800–23,000 yen/t‐C, respectively, and that in Osaka to be 37,000–38,700 yen/t‐C and 23,300–24,500 yen/t‐C, respectively. It has been shown that these are lower than the cost of CO2 emission reduction of the IGCC system with CO2 capture by 43,800–48,400 yen/t‐C. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 138(1): 1–13, 2002
The effect of molecular structure on prebreakdown phenomena in dielectric liquids under a nonuniform field
Authors: Nakao Yoshitaka , Yamazaki Tadaharu , Miyagi Katsunori , Sakai Yosuke , Tagashira Hiroaki
Published: October 2004

In the present work, prebreakdown phenomena in dielectric liquids which have various molecular structure, especially those with chlorine or fluorine atoms and some double bonds included in their molecular formula, are observed in detail for positive and negative point polarities, under the application of an impulse voltage (1.1/225 µs) to the point electrode. As test liquids, cyclic hydrocarbon liquids such as cyclohexane, benzene, chlorocyclohexane, monochlorobenzene, hexafluorobenzene, and cyclohexene are used. Results obtained in these liquids are compared with those obtained in straight‐chain hydrocarbon liquids.

As a result, the propagation of negative streamers, especially in dielectric liquids with chlorine or fluorine atoms in their molecular formula, is promoted, whereas the propagation of positive streamers in dielectric liquids with some double bonds is promoted. The former is related to a large electron affinity, the latter is due to π electrons, for both cyclic and straight‐chain hydrocarbon liquids. © 2002 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 139(1): 1–8, 2002; DOI 10.1002/eej.1140
Automatic design for power systems
Authors: Namioka Yasuo , Hoshino Teruhiko , Kuri Toshifumi , Fukushima Wataru
Published: October 2004

An automatic design method for power systems to control electric loads required by customers and to ensure the power supply for the loads is described. This method features (I) an electric unit model including the possible connections among the electric units, (II) knowledge association networks to reduce maintenance cost of the knowledge base and to improve efficiency in selecting/specifying electric units, (III) a planning algorithm to find electric paths to control the electric loads and to ensure the power supply, and (IV) the reactive redesign of the automation of editing power systems. APEC3 (Advanced Plant Engineering Cycle tool version 3) is an automatic design tool for power systems that supports electrical engineering processes in developing single line diagrams, specification balance statements (design rationales), and item lists. When engineers modify unit specifications, APEC3 invokes the redesign function which automatically changes the specifications of all relevant units. To evaluate the effectiveness of the method, APEC3 was used in designing practical power systems of steel plants. The results showed that APEC3 can reduce the design time to one‐eighth that of the usual design time. Therefore, the engineers can find optimal specifications of the power systems by evaluating a number of possibilities. © 2002 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 139(2): 36–45, 2002; DOI 10.1002/eej.1151
Mean reversion in stock index futures markets: A nonlinear analysis
Authors: Monoyios Michael , Sarno Lucio
Published: October 2004

Several stylized theoretical models of futures basis behavior under nonzero transactions costs predict nonlinear mean reversion of the futures basis towards its equilibrium value. Nonlinearly mean‐reverting models are employed to characterize the basis of the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices over the post‐1987 crash period, capturing empirically these theoretical predictions and examining the view that the degree of mean reversion in the basis is a function of the size of the deviation from equilibrium. The estimated half lives of basis shocks, obtained using Monte Carlo integration methods, suggest that for smaller shocks to the basis level the basis displays substantial persistence, while for larger shocks the basis exhibits highly nonlinear mean reversion towards its equilibrium value. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 22:285–314, 2002
Pricing Eurodollar Futures Options with the Heath—Jarrow—Morton Model
Authors: Cakici Nusret , Zhu Jintao
Published: October 2004

This article uses the algorithm developed by Ritchken and Sankarasubramanian (1995) to make comparisons among the Heath—Jarrow—Morton (HJM) models (Heath, Jarrow, & Morton, 1992) with different volatility structures in pricing the Eurodollar futures options. We show that the differences among the HJM models as well as the difference between the HJM models and Black's model can be insignificant when the volatility of the forward rate is relatively small. Moreover, our findings imply that the difference between the American‐style and European‐style options is insignificant for options with a life of less than 1 year. However, the difference can be significant for options with a 1‐year maturity, the difference depending on the exercise price. Finally, our tests indicate that the difference between the forward price and the futures price is insignificant if the volatility parameter is low enough and when the volatility of the spot rate is proportional to the spot rate. A higher volatility parameter can lead to a significant difference between the forward price and the futures price, although its impact on the price of the options will still be trivial. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 21: 655–680, 2001
A Note on Loss Aversion and Futures Hedging
Authors: Lien Donald
Published: October 2004

This note examines the effect of loss aversion on the futures trading behavior of a short hedger. Using a modified constant‐absolute‐risk‐aversion utility function, I show that loss aversion has no effect in an unbiased futures market. It has different, predictable impacts when the futures market is in backwardation or contango. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 21: 681–692, 2001
Stoppage: An issue for segregation analysis
Authors: Slager S.L. , Foroud T. , Haghighi F. , Spence M.A. , Hodge S.E.
Published: October 2004

Segregation analysis assumes that the observed family‐size distribution (FSD), i.e., distribution of number of offspring among nuclear families, is independent of the segregation ratio p. However, for certain serious diseases with early onset and diagnosis (e.g., autism), parents may change their original desired family size, based on having one or more affected children, thus violating that assumption. Here we investigate “stoppage,” the situation in which such parents have fewer children than originally planned. Following Brookfield et al. [J Med Genet 25:181–185, 1988], we define a stoppage probability d that after the birth of an affected child, parents will stop having children and thus not reach their original desired family size. We first derive the full correct likelihood for a simple segregation analysis as a function of p, d, and the ascertainment probability π. We show that p can be estimated from this likelihood if the FSD is known. Then, we show that under “random” ascertainment, the presence of stoppage does not bias estimates of p. However, for other ascertanment schemes, we show that is not the case. We use a simulation study to assess the magnitude of bias, and we demonstrate that ignoring the effect of stoppage can seroiusly bias the estimates of p when the FSD is ignored. In conclusion, stoppage, a realistic scenario for some complex diseases, can represent a serious and potentially intractable problem for segregation analysis. Genet. Epidemiol. 20:328–339, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.