bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DWNN, a novel ubiquitin-like domain, implicates RBBP6 in mRNA processing and ubiquitin-like pathways
Authors: Pugh David JR , AB Eiso , Faro Andrew , Lutya Portia T , Hoffmann Eberhard , Rees D Jasper G
Published: January 2006

Background

RBBP6 is a 250 kDa splicing-associated protein that has been identified as an E3 ligase due to the presence of a RING finger domain. In humans and mice it interacts with both p53 and Rb, and plays a role in the induction of apoptosis and regulation of the cell cycle. RBBP6 has recently been shown to be highly up-regulated in oesophageal cancer, and to be a promising target for immunotherapy against the disease.

Results

We show here using heteronuclear NMR that the N-terminal 81 amino acids of RBBP6 constitute a novel ubiquitin-like domain, which we have called the DWNN domain. The domain lacks conserved equivalents of K48 and K63, although the equivalents of K6 and K29 are highly, although not absolutely, conserved. The di-glycine motif that is characteristic of proteins involved in ubiquitination is found in the human and mouse form of the domain, although it is not present in all organisms. It forms part of a three-domain form of RBBP6 containing the DWNN domain, a zinc knuckle and a RING finger domain, which is found in all eukaryotic genomes so far examined, in the majority of cases at single copy number. The domain is also independently expressed in vertebrates as a single domain protein.

Conclusion

DWNN is a novel ubiquitin-like domain found only at the N-terminus of the RBBP6 family of splicing-associated proteins. The ubiquitin-like structure of the domain greatly increases the likelihood that RBBP6 functions through some form of ubiquitin-like modification. Furthermore, the fact that the DWNN domain is independently expressed in higher vertebrates leads us to propose that the domain may itself function as a novel ubiquitin-like modifier of other proteins.
Human physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for ACE inhibitors: ramipril and ramiprilat
Authors: Levitt David G , Schoemaker Rik C
Published: January 2006

Background

The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have complicated and poorly characterized pharmacokinetics. There are two binding sites per ACE (high affinity "C", lower affinity "N") that have sub-nanomolar affinities and dissociation rates of hours. Most inhibitors are given orally in a prodrug form that is systemically converted to the active form. This paper describes the first human physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of this drug class.

Methods

The model was applied to the experimental data of van Griensven et. al for the pharmacokinetics of ramiprilat and its prodrug ramipril. It describes the time course of the inhibition of the N and C ACE sites in plasma and the different tissues. The model includes: 1) two independent ACE binding sites; 2) non-equilibrium time dependent binding; 3) liver and kidney ramipril intracellular uptake, conversion to ramiprilat and extrusion from the cell; 4) intestinal ramipril absorption. The experimental in vitro ramiprilat/ACE binding kinetics at 4°C and 300 mM NaCl were assumed for most of the PBPK calculations. The model was incorporated into the freely distributed PBPK program PKQuest.

Results

The PBPK model provides an accurate description of the individual variation of the plasma ramipril and ramiprilat and the ramiprilat renal clearance following IV ramiprilat and IV and oral ramipril. Summary of model features: Less than 2% of total body ACE is in plasma; 35% of the oral dose is absorbed; 75% of the ramipril metabolism is hepatic and 25% of this is converted to systemic ramiprilat; 100% of renal ramipril metabolism is converted to systemic ramiprilat. The inhibition was long lasting, with 80% of the C site and 33% of the N site inhibited 24 hours following a 2.5 mg oral ramipril dose. The plasma ACE inhibition determined by the standard assay is significantly less than the true in vivo inhibition because of assay dilution.

Conclusion

If the in vitro plasma binding kinetics of the ACE inhibitor for the two binding sites are known, a unique PBPK model description of the Griensven et. al. experimental data can be obtained.
The caCORE Software Development Kit: Streamlining construction of interoperable biomedical information services
Authors: Phillips Joshua , Chilukuri Ram , Fragoso Gilberto , Warzel Denise , Covitz Peter A
Published: January 2006

Background

Robust, programmatically accessible biomedical information services that syntactically and semantically interoperate with other resources are challenging to construct. Such systems require the adoption of common information models, data representations and terminology standards as well as documented application programming interfaces (APIs). The National Cancer Institute (NCI) developed the cancer common ontologic representation environment (caCORE) to provide the infrastructure necessary to achieve interoperability across the systems it develops or sponsors. The caCORE Software Development Kit (SDK) was designed to provide developers both within and outside the NCI with the tools needed to construct such interoperable software systems.

Results

The caCORE SDK requires a Unified Modeling Language (UML) tool to begin the development workflow with the construction of a domain information model in the form of a UML Class Diagram. Models are annotated with concepts and definitions from a description logic terminology source using the Semantic Connector component. The annotated model is registered in the Cancer Data Standards Repository (caDSR) using the UML Loader component. System software is automatically generated using the Codegen component, which produces middleware that runs on an application server. The caCORE SDK was initially tested and validated using a seven-class UML model, and has been used to generate the caCORE production system, which includes models with dozens of classes. The deployed system supports access through object-oriented APIs with consistent syntax for retrieval of any type of data object across all classes in the original UML model. The caCORE SDK is currently being used by several development teams, including by participants in the cancer biomedical informatics grid (caBIG) program, to create compatible data services. caBIG compatibility standards are based upon caCORE resources, and thus the caCORE SDK has emerged as a key enabling technology for caBIG.

Conclusion

The caCORE SDK substantially lowers the barrier to implementing systems that are syntactically and semantically interoperable by providing workflow and automation tools that standardize and expedite modeling, development, and deployment. It has gained acceptance among developers in the caBIG program, and is expected to provide a common mechanism for creating data service nodes on the data grid that is under development.
Identification of anthranilate and benzoate metabolic operons of Pseudomonas fluorescens and functional characterization of their promoter regions
Authors: Retallack Diane M , Thomas Tracey C , Shao Ying , Haney Keith L , Resnick Sol M , Lee Vincent D , Squires Charles H
Published: January 2006

Background

In an effort to identify alternate recombinant gene expression systems in Pseudomonas fluorescens, we identified genes encoding two native metabolic pathways that were inducible with inexpensive compounds: the anthranilate operon (antABC) and the benzoate operon (benABCD).

Results

The antABC and benABCD operons were identified by homology to the Acinetobacter sp. anthranilate operon and Pseudomonas putida benzoate operon, and were confirmed to be regulated by anthranilate or benzoate, respectively. Fusions of the putative promoter regions to the E. coli lacZ gene were constructed to confirm inducible gene expression. Each operon was found to be controlled by an AraC family transcriptional activator, located immediately upstream of the first structural gene in each respective operon (antR or benR).

Conclusion

We have found the anthranilate and benzoate promoters to be useful for tightly controlling recombinant gene expression at both small (< 1 L) and large (20 L) fermentation scales.
A new ultrasonic process for a renewal of aortic valve decalcification
Authors: Aubert Stéphane , Voiglio Eric , Chalabreysse Lara , Farhat Fadi , Jegaden Olivier
Published: January 2006

Background

Aortic valve decalcification by ultrasound was given up. We evaluated a new ultrasound microhandpiece (Dissectron Penstyle®) to rehabilitate this alternative treatment.

Methods

We used under magnifying lenses the ultrasound microhandpiece to decalcify 30 explanted aortic valves. In the cases with embedded calcifications the thin top of the probe could be introduced into the thickness of the leaflet preserving covering layers.

Results

The leaflets were totally decalcified and flexible, and surrounding structures were preserved as assessed by histological examination.

Conclusion

This new approach of ultrasonic aortic valve decalcification gives good in vitro results which allow to consider a clinical evaluation of this procedure.
A peptide-loaded dendritic cell based cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) vaccination strategy using peptides that span SIV Tat, Rev, and Env overlapping reading frames
Authors: Klase Zachary , Donio Michael J , Blauvelt Andrew , Marx Preston A , Jeang Kuan-Teh , Smith Stephen M
Published: January 2006

CTL based vaccine strategies in the macaque model of AIDS have shown promise in slowing the progression to disease. However, rapid CTL escape viruses can emerge rendering such vaccination useless. We hypothesized that such escape is made more difficult if the immunizing CTL epitope falls within a region of the virus that has a high density of overlapping reading frames which encode several viral proteins. To test this hypothesis, we immunized macaques using a peptide-loaded dendritic cell approach employing epitopes in the second coding exon of SIV Tat which spans reading frames for both Env and Rev. We report here that autologous dendritic cells, loaded with SIV peptides from Tat, Rev, and Env, induced a distinct cellular immune response measurable ex vivo. However, conclusive in vivo control of a challenge inoculation of SIVmac239 was not observed suggesting that CTL epitopes within densely overlapping reading frames are also subject to escape mutations.
Single locus complementary sex determination in Hymenoptera: an "unintelligent" design?
Authors: van Wilgenburg Ellen , Driessen Gerard , Beukeboom Leo W
Published: January 2006

The haplodiploid sex determining mechanism in Hymenoptera (males are haploid, females are diploid) has played an important role in the evolution of this insect order. In Hymenoptera sex is usually determined by a single locus, heterozygotes are female and hemizygotes are male. Under inbreeding, homozygous diploid and sterile males occur which form a genetic burden for a population. We review life history and genetical traits that may overcome the disadvantages of single locus complementary sex determination (sl-CSD). Behavioural adaptations to avoid matings between relatives include active dispersal from natal patches and mating preferences for non-relatives. In non-social species, temporal and spatial segregation of male and female offspring reduces the burden of sl-CSD. In social species, diploid males are produced at the expense of workers and female reproductives. In some social species, diploid males and diploid male producing queens are killed by workers. Diploid male production may have played a role in the evolution or maintenance of polygyny (multiple queens) and polyandry (multiple mating). Some forms of thelytoky (parthenogenetic female production) increase homozygosity and are therefore incompatible with sl-CSD. We discuss a number of hypothetical adaptations to sl-CSD which should be considered in future studies of this insect order.
Shell Vial culture Assay for the rapid diagnosis of Japanese encephalitis, West Nile and Dengue-2 viral encephalitis
Authors: Jayakeerthi Rangaiah S , Potula Raghava V , Srinivasan S , Badrinath S
Published: January 2006

Background

Encephalitis caused by flaviviruses, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and West Nile virus (WNV) is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in many endemic countries. Dengue-2 (Den-2) virus is a recent addition to the list of encephalitogenic viruses, after its Central Nervous System (CNS) invasion capability has been established. There is a wide array of laboratory tools that have helped us not only in the diagnosis of these conditions but also in understanding their pathogenesis and pathology. However, there are no reports of Shell Vial Culture (SVC), a centrifuge enhanced tissue culture assay that has revolutionized viral culturing in terms of rapidity and sensitivity being optimized for these flaviviral encephalitic conditions. The present study is an attempt to standardize and evaluate the usefulness of SVC for the laboratory diagnosis of JE, WN and Den-2 encephalitis cases and to compare it with Indirect Immunofluorescence (IIF) technique that detects cell associated virus antigen. Analysis of the various clinical parameters with respect to viral etiology has also been carried out.

Results

Pediatric patients constituted the major group involved in the study (92%). Etiological diagnosis of viral encephalitis could be established in twenty nine (58%) patients. JE encephalitis was the commonest with 19 (39%) cases being positive followed by, WN (9 cases-18%) and Den-2 (one case). IIF test could detect antigens of JE, WN and Den-2 viruses in 16(32%), 7(14%) and 1 case respectively. Shell vial culture assay picked up all cases that were positive by IIF test. In addition, SVC assay could detect 3 and 2 more cases of JE and WN encephalitis respectively, that were negative by the IIF test.

Conclusion

Shell vial culture is a rapid and efficient tool for the etiological diagnosis of JE, WN and Den-2 encephalitis cases. Early, prompt collection, transport and processing of the CSF samples, would make SVC a better method for the rapid diagnosis of these flaviviral infections.
Plasma LDL and HDL characteristics and carotenoid content are positively influenced by egg consumption in an elderly population1
Authors: Greene Christine M , Waters David , Clark Richard M , Contois John H , Fernandez Maria Luz
Published: January 2006

Background

Approximately 1/3 of individuals have a high plasma response to dietary cholesterol (hyper-responders). Although increases in both LDL and HDL cholesterol have been observed, limited data exist regarding effects of egg consumption on lipoprotein subclasses and circulating carotenoids.

Methods

29 postmenopausal women (50–68 y) and 13 men (60–80 y) were assigned to either 3 eggs (EGG, 640 mg cholesterol/d) or an equal volume of cholesterol-free egg substitute (SUB, 0 mg cholesterol/d) for 30 d. Following a 3 wk wash out, subjects crossed over to the alternate diet. Individuals with a response to dietary cholesterol > 2.2 mg/dL for each additional 100 mg of dietary cholesterol were classified as hyper-responders while hypo-responders were those with a response ≤ to 2.2 mg/dL. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy determined LDL and HDL size & particle concentrations. Dietary records were used to evaluate carotenoid consumption.

Results

Hyper-responders had higher concentrations of both LDL (LDL-C) and HDL (HDL-C) cholesterol after EGG. In contrast, the concentrations of plasma LDL-C and HDL-C did not differ between the EGG and SUB for the hypo-responders. After EGG, hyper-responders had larger (≥ 21.2 nm) less atherogenic LDL particle (P < 0.001) and larger HDL particle (> 8.8 nm) (P < 0.01), with no significant difference in the total number of LDL or HDL particles. Regardless of response classification, all individuals had an increase in plasma lutein (from 32.4 ± 15.2 to 46.4 ± 23.3 ng/L) and zeaxanthin (from 8.8 ± 4.8 to 10.7 ± 5.8 ng/L) during EGG, yet hyper-responders displayed higher concentrations of carotenoids when compared to hypo-responders

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the increases in LDL-C and HDL-C due to increased egg consumption in hyper-responders are not related to an increased number of LDL or HDL particles but, to an increase in the less atherogenic lipoprotein subfractions. Also, increases in plasma carotenoids after EGG may provide a valuable dietary source for this population.
Interleukin-12 is not essential for silicosis in mice
Authors: Davis Gerald S , Pfeiffer Linda M , Hemenway David R , Rincon Mercedes
Published: January 2006

Background

Silicosis features foci of inflammation where macrophages and lymphocytes precede and accompany fibroblast proliferation, alveolar epithelial hyperplasia, and increased deposition of connective tissue matrix material. In the mouse following silica inhalation there is recruitment of natural killer-, B-, and CD4+and CD8+lymphocytes to the alveolar spaces, enlargement of bronchial-associated lymphoid tissues (BALT), and aggregation of lymphocytes surrounding small airways and blood vessels. A substantial fraction of the recruited lung lymphocytes produce interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and IFN-γ gene-deleted mice develop less silicosis than wild-type mice. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is an important pathway for driving the adaptive immune response towards a TH1-like phenotype. We hypothesized that IL-12 might stimulate lymphocyte activation and the up-regulation of IFN-γ, and consequently be an essential mediator for silicosis.

Results

C57Bl/6 wild-type (WT) and IL-12 deficient (IL-12 KO) mice were exposed to sham-air or crystobalite silica (61 mg/m3) by inhalation for 5 hours/day for 12 days and then studied from 1 to 112 days after exposure. Mice exposed to sham-air had normal lung histology at all time points. WT mice exposed to titanium dioxide (72 mg/m3) showed pulmonary macrophage recruitment but no increase in lung collagen. Both WT and IL-12 KO mice exposed to silica showed similar progressive lung pathology, increased wet lung weight and increased total lung collagen (hydroxyproline). IL-12 p35 mRNA was not increased in either strain after silica exposure; IL-12 p40 mRNA was up-regulated after silica in WT mice and constitutively absent in the IL-12 KO mice. IL-18 mRNA was not increased after silica exposure. The expression of IL-15 (an important driver for innate immunity, Natural Killer cell activation, and IFN-γ production) was abundant in air-exposed mice and was increased slightly in the lungs of mice with silicosis.

Conclusion

The axis of IL-12 driving IFN-γ production is not essential for the full manifestations of silicosis in mice exposed to a crystobalite silica aerosol.
The internal thoracic artery skeletonization study: A paired, within-patient comparison [NCT00265499]
Authors: Boodhwani Munir , Nathan Howard J , Lam B Khanh , Rubens Fraser D
Published: January 2006

Background

Traditional harvesting of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) for use as a conduit in coronary bypass surgery involves the dissection of a rim of tissue surrounding the artery on either side. Recent studies, primarily observational, have suggested that skeletonization of the ITA can improve conduit flow, increase length, and reduce the risk of deep sternal infection in high risk patients. Furthermore, skeletonization of the ITA can potentially preserve intercostal nerves and reduce post-operative pain and dysesthesias associated with ITA harvesting. In order to assess the effects of ITA skeletonization, we report a prospective, randomized, within-patient study design that shares many features of a cross-over study.

Methods

Patients undergoing bilateral internal thoracic artery harvest will be randomized to having one side skeletonized and the other harvested in a non-skeletonized manner. Outcome measures include ITA flow and length measured intra-operatively, post-operative pain and dysesthesia, evaluated at discharge, four weeks, and three months post-operatively, and sternal perfusion assessed using single photon emission computed tomography. Harvest times as well as safety endpoints of ITA injury will be recorded.

Discussion

This study design, using within-patient comparisons and paired analyses, minimizes the variability of the outcome measures, which is seldom possible in the evaluation of surgical techniques, with minimal chance of carryover effects that can hamper the interpretation of traditional cross-over studies. This study will provide a valid evaluation of clinically relevant effects of internal thoracic artery skeletonization in improving outcomes following coronary artery bypass surgery.
Homogeneity of the 16S rDNA sequence among geographically disparate isolates of Taylorella equigenitalis
Authors: Matsuda M , Tazumi A , Kagawa S , Sekizuka T , Murayama O , Moore JE , Millar BC
Published: January 2006

Background

At present, six accessible sequences of 16S rDNA from Taylorella equigenitalis (T. equigenitalis) are available, whose sequence differences occur at a few nucleotide positions. Thus it is important to determine these sequences from additional strains in other countries, if possible, in order to clarify any anomalies regarding 16S rDNA sequence heterogeneity. Here, we clone and sequence the approximate full-length 16S rDNA from additional strains of T. equigenitalis isolated in Japan, Australia and France and compare these sequences to the existing published sequences.

Results

Clarification of any anomalies regarding 16S rDNA sequence heterogeneity of T. equigenitalis was carried out. When cloning, sequencing and comparison of the approximate full-length 16S rDNA from 17 strains of T. equigenitalis isolated in Japan, Australia and France, nucleotide sequence differences were demonstrated at the six loci in the 1,469 nucleotide sequence. Moreover, 12 polymorphic sites occurred among 23 sequences of the 16S rDNA, including the six reference sequences.

Conclusion

High sequence similarity (99.5% or more) was observed throughout, except from nucleotide positions 138 to 501 where substitutions and deletions were noted.
The endurance shuttle walking test: a responsive measure in pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD patients
Authors: Eaton T , Young P , Nicol K , Kolbe J
Published: January 2006

Background: The endurance shuttle walk test (ESWT) is a standardized externally controlled constant paced field test for the assessment of endurance capacity in chronic lung disease. The ESWT has been advocated as a simple, acceptable, repeatable and responsive outcome measure for COPD patients undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation, but has not been formally compared with the more commonly used field walking test, the six-minute walk (6MW). We aimed to determine: 1) the responsiveness of the ESWT in COPD patients attending a hospital-based pulmonary rehabilitation programme, and 2) to compare the responsiveness of the ESWT with the 6MW. Methods: Consecutive COPD patients, referred for a standard 8 week pulmonary rehabilitation programme, were recruited. Outcome parameters studied at baseline and completion of rehabilitation programme (8 weeks) included spirometric lung volumes, resting oxygen saturation, breathlessness scored pre and post exercise (modified Borg dyspnoea score), 6MW, ESWT, health-related quality of life (Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale. The incremental shuttle was employed to predict V02 peak; 85% V02 peak was used to determine the walk speed for the ESWT. Results: Twenty stable COPD patients (11 male), mean (SD), age 71, (9) FEV1 0.95 (0.51), resting SP02 95% (2) 6MW distance (m) 351 (104) and ESWT distance (m) 313 (193) were studied. Three patients did not complete their rehabilitation programme. Following rehabilitation, there were significant improvements in 6MW, ESWT, total CRQ and anxiety domain (HAD). The 6MW distance increased by 17% (47 m 95%CI 3, 90), while the ESWT increased by 92% (302 m 95%CI 104, 501). Conclusion: The ESWT is a simple, acceptable and highly responsive outcome measure for COPD patients undergoing a pulmonary rehabilitation programme. The ESWT has potential advantages in that it may be more responsive than the 6MW.
Asthma self-management education
Authors: McDonald V M , Gibson P G
Published: January 2006

Asthma self-management education is a fundamental component of asthma management guidelines. Self-management education should include the provision of information, self-monitoring, regular medical review and the provision of a written asthma management plan. Implementing this form of management can be challenging, this paper reviews the evidence supporting self-management education, provides recommendations and tools for delivering asthma education and discusses the challenges and solutions to implementing these recommendations.

We have discussed ways to improve communication, develop patient partnerships and tailor management to facilitate behavioural change, adherence and self-management. Health Professionals providing education and guiding self-management require training to acquire and maintain the skills necessary to deliver this form of education. Provision of this training is important and can be achieved through varied methods of achieving competence.
Ethical and equity issues in lung transplantation and lung volume reduction surgery
Authors: Glanville A R
Published: January 2006

New medical and scientific disciplines are often developed in haste with rampant enthusiasm and scant regard for the balance between action and thoughtful deliberation. Driven by the desire to prolong life and provide a better quality of life for desperately sick individuals, the twin modalities of lung transplantation and lung volume reduction therapy have only just reached their majority. Both are invested with the capacity to help and to harm so it is right to consider carefully their ethical and equitable distribution. Much has been learned in the last 20 years to assist in these deliberations. First, how can we ensure equity of access to transplant services and equality of outcomes? How do we balance resource allocation of a precious and scarce resource with individual recipient needs? Does the concept of distributive justice prevail in our daily work in this field? How do we honour the donor and their family? How do we as practitioners avoid ethical dilemmas related to personal bias and justifiable reward for services rendered? Finally, how do we learn to incorporate ethical forethought and planning guided by experts in the area into everyday behaviour?.
Comparison of an oxygen concentrator and wall oxygen in the assessment of patients undergoing long term oxygen therapy assessment
Authors: Bolton C E , Annandale J A , Ebden P
Published: January 2006

Long term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is a recognised management option for hypoxaemic patients with chronic respiratory disease. Formal assessment is required which is usually conducted in the hospital and performed on piped oxygen to ensure correction of the hypoxaemia. However, an oxygen concentrator is the standard oxygen source for the patient at home who requires LTOT. The oxygen concentration delivered is lower from a concentrator than piped oxygen. Here, we present a study of ten hypoxaemic patients using both delivery sources in a cross-over design. The partial pressure of oxygen was lower in patients when receiving oxygen from a concentrator, p < 0.05. This encourages the Clinician to consider formal assessments on an oxygen concentrator in order to ensure that the hypoxaemia will be corrected when they are prescribed a concentrator for home use.
Benefits of an education programme on the self-management of aerosol and airway clearance treatments for children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Downs J A , Roberts C M , Blackmorel A M , Le Souëf P N , Jenkins S C
Published: January 2006

Adherence to recommended aerosol medicines and airway clearance techniques (ACT) for children with cystic fibrosis (CF) requires self-management skills. A multi-centre, randomized, controlled trial was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of a self-management education programme called ‘Airways’ for six-to 11-year old children with CF and their caregivers. Assessments were conducted immediately before and after the intervention period, and six and 12 months after the post-intervention assessment. The pen and paper education programme was completed by the child and caregiver together at home. Participants in the intervention and control groups had similar baseline characteristics. A per-protocol analysis was conducted and for variables that changed significantly, an additional intention-to-treat analysis was performed that included data from participants in the intervention group who withdrew from the study during the intervention period. The intervention group increased the percentage of prescribed aerosols taken (P < 0.001) and this was maintained at 12-month follow-up (P < 0.001). There was no change in the percentage of prescribed ACT performed, although when the child was unwell, caregivers in the intervention group increased the frequency and/or duration of ACT (P = 0.028) in the perprotocol analysis but not in the intention-to-treat analysis. Children in the intervention group increased their knowledge of ACT (P < 0.001) which was maintained at 12-month follow-up (P < 0.001) and felt more positively about their chest treatment regimens immediately following the intervention (P = 0.017) but not at 12-month follow-up. There were no significant changes in the control group for these variables over time. No significant changes occurred in the caregivers' reports of self-management behaviours and self-efficacy in either group. The positive results suggest that ‘Airways’ is a valuable educational tool for primary school-aged children with CF and their caregiver.
LFN and the A-Weighting
Authors: Sloven Piet
Published: January 2006

Low frequency noise, which can arise from a variety of environmental sources, frequently gives rise to complaints of noise annoyance, which are not necessarily predicted on the basis of conventional dB(A) assessment. This paper, which is particularly concerned with the noise arising from music with a heavy ‘beat’, considers the extent to which dB(A) underestimates low frequency noise and proposes a rating procedure based on the use of dB(A) and dB(C) measurements.
Active Absorption of Perforated Plate Based on Airflow
Authors: Congyun Zhu , Qibai Huang , Ming Zhao , Yong Wang
Published: January 2006

The theory of active absorption of a perforated plate is considered in this paper. The perforated plate is the material of active absorption and the frequency of the incident sound wave is measured. According to this frequency the depth of the cavity between the perforated plate and the rigid wall, is moved in order that resonance occurs so that the absorption coefficient is maximal. According to the numerical calculation, when the perforated plate is resonant, the distance moved is large at low frequencies and the absorption coefficient is low in some conditions. It is effective for a single frequency of incident sound wave, yet it is difficult for a wide frequency range. Hence active absorption based on airflow is considered and calculations and experiments an carried out. The results denote that this method of active absorption is practical.
Thresholds and Acceptability of Low Frequency Pure Tones by Sufferers
Authors: Inukai Yukio , Taya Hideto , Yamada Shinji
Published: January 2006

In order to investigate sensory thresholds and to make subjective evaluations of low frequency pure tones in noise sufferers who complain of annoying environments in their everyday life, sound pressure levels of sensory thresholds and subjectively acceptable maximum SPL levels for a living room were measured in a low frequency chamber. These measurements involved a psychophysical experiment using eleven pure tones at low frequencies from 10Hz to 100 Hz as stimuli, and the psychophysical method of subject adjustment was used for the measurements. Twelve members of the noise-sufferer's society in Japan participated as subjects (referred to as participants in the measurement experiment). The results show that all the participants' acceptable maximum sound pressure levels were relatively low, and nearly equal to their sensory thresholds. These results are characteristic of the participants and differ from the previous results obtained from the other adults.
Application of a Proportional Feedback Controller for Active Control of a Vibration Isolator
Authors: Liu Yun-Hui
Published: January 2006

This paper proposes the application of a proportional controller to active vibration control incorporated with a passive vibration isolator to suppress its resonant oscillation at its natural frequency. Vibration acceleration acquired from an accelerometer is fed to the controller as a feedback signal. The processed signal from the controller is transmitted to the voice coil actuator in order to control the vibration. Firstly, based on the theoretical equations which govern the vibrational system, the physical mechanism of active control in the total system is studied. Then, vibration on a stiff foundation and passive isolator is measured in order to understand the efficiency of the traditional vibration control method. Finally, an experiment on active vibration control is performed to study the suppression efficiency of the oscillation of the passive vibration isolator. The experiment results show that 99% of the vibration energy can be cancelled by active control.
Infrasound Emission from Wind Turbines
Authors: Jakobsen Jørgen
Published: January 2006

A critical survey of all known published measurement results of infrasound from wind turbines has been made. The survey indicates that wind turbines of contemporary design with an upwind rotor generate very faint infrasound with a level far below the threshold of perception even at a rather short distance. From considerations on propagation and transmission of infrasound it is concluded that infrasound from such upwind turbines can be neglected when evaluating the environment effects of wind turbines. Turbines with downwind rotors produce 10 – 30 dB higher infrasound levels, and these may exceed relevant assessment criteria for dwellings in the immediate neighbourhood. When longer distances are considered, neither downwind nor upwind turbines are capable of violating assessment criteria for infrasound. This paper considers whether other aspects of the noise than the infrasound can explain the indicated adverse public reactions to large downwind turbines.
Influence of Some Azo—Azomethine Compounds and Their Complexes on the Corrosion Inhibition of Copper in Chloride Media
Authors: Shokry H. , El-Wekeal N.A. , Issa R.M.
Published: January 2006

The inhibiting effects of azo—azomethine compounds and their copper complexes were investigated to evaluate their efficiency as corrosion inhibitors for copper in 1.0 M chloride solutions (NaCl) under various conditions using weight loss, electrochemical measurements and solution analyses. The results obtained indicated a remarkable decrease in the corrosion rate in the presence of 20 mmol/l azo I—azomethine I at room temperature. To study the nature of the solid products formed under free corrosion conditions or with the additive, the surface morphology at the end of the immersion tests was examined using infrared spectroscopy (IR). The surface film was identified as a Cu(II) complex totally covering the surface of the metal, exhibiting strong corrosion inhibition. The formation of the Cu(II) complex was accomplished by the adsorption of the azo—azomethine onto the copper surface.
Physicochemical, Surface and Catalytic Properties of Co3O4/Al2O3 as Influenced by CeO2 or V2O5 Doping
Authors: El-Shobaky H.G.
Published: January 2006

A pure Co3O4/Al2O3 sample was prepared by the wet impregnation method using finely powdered aluminium hydroxide and cobalt nitrate dissolved in the least amount of distilled water. Maintaining the amount of Co3O4 constant at 16.7 mol%, different samples were doped by impregnating with known amounts of cerium or vanadium nitrates prior to impregnation with cobalt nitrate. The pure and doped samples were precalcined at 600°C and 800°C, respectively. The dopant concentrations employed were 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mol% CeO2 or V2O5. The resulting materials were studied by XRD and EDX methods, N2 adsorption at −196°C and CO oxidation by O2 at 130–220°C.

The results obtained revealed that the surface concentrations of cobalt species in pure and variously doped Co3O4/Al2O3 solids precalcined at 600°C were more than twice those present in the bulk of these solids. Heating the doped solid at 600°C and 800°C increased the degree of dispersion of Co3O4 by decreasing the crystallite size. This effect was more pronounced in the case of V2O5 doping, with the surface concentration of cobalt species being increased to a greater extent than with CeO2 doping. Similarly, heating the doped solid at 600°C resulted in a progressive but measurable increase in the lattice parameter of Co3O4 due to the formation of solid solutions.

On heating the V2O5-doped solid at 800°C, a portion of the added V2O5 inter-acted with Co3O4 to yield cobalt vanadate while the other portion contributed to the formation of a solid solution. Doping followed by heating at 600°C increased the catalytic activity of the doped solids in CO oxidation by O2. In contrast, solids precalcined at 800°C exhibited the opposite effect. The doping process changed the concentration of active sites involved in the catalytic reaction rather than changing the mechanism of the catalytic reaction.
Synthesis of Clay—Cerium Hydroxide Conjugates for the Adsorption of Arsenic
Authors: Seida Yoshimi , Izumi Yasuo
Published: January 2006

Insoluble clay—cerium hydroxide conjugates exhibiting only limited swelling in water were synthesized for the removal of arsenic ions from aqueous solution. Thus, cerium hydroxide was immobilized electrostatically on the inner layer of highly dispersed Na-montmorillonite (clay). The clay + Ce(OH)n conjugate was prepared by intercalating colloidal cerium hydroxide in the clay inner layer. Similarly, the clay + Ce→OH conjugate was prepared by introducing cerium ions into the clay followed by their hydrolysis.

The intercalation of cerium hydroxide and the chemical state of the cerium ion in the clay were evaluated via X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements. The conjugates exhibited a mesoporous structure with a high specific surface area of ca. 85–100 m2/g. These conjugates adsorbed As(III) and As(V) in a similar manner from aqueous solutions of As2O3 and KH2AsO4, respectively, over the pH range 4–8. The adsorption isotherms for As(III) and As(V) onto the conjugates were Langmuirian in shape. They exhibited large values for the Langmuir constant, K, thereby indicating the effectiveness of the conjugates in the removal of arsenic ions from dilute aqueous solutions. The adsorption capacity of the clay + Ce→OH conjugate was superior to that of the clay + Ce(OH)n conjugate. Co-existing anions in the aqueous solutions such as chloride, carbonate, sulphate and phosphate had little effect on the removal of arsenic.
Determination of the Parameters of Langmuir-Type Isotherms by the Frontal Analysis Method. Some Identification Aspects
Authors: Nowicki Waldemar , Nowicka Grażyna
Published: January 2006

The applicability of the classical frontal analysis method for the estimation of the parameters of various Langmuirian-type adsorption isotherms was examined. Elution profiles corresponding to several adsorption models were simulated using the equilibrium/dispersive model of chromatography. A noise sequence was added to the calculated profiles to simulate the detector error, following which the isotherm parameters were derived back from the generated chromatograms. The uncertainty of the estimates is discussed critically in terms of the standard deviations from the mean and real values of the parameters.
Study of the Accessibility of Zeolite Crystals in Polyimide Matrices. A Route to Coatings Exhibiting Selective Permeation
Authors: Fryčová Marie Šnáblová , Kočiřík Milan , Zikánová Arlette , Sysel Petr , Bernauer Bohumil , Krystl Vladislav , Hüttel Ivan , Hradil Jiri , Eić Mladen
Published: January 2006

The accessibility of void space in MFI-type zeolite crystals, isolated and embedded in a polyimide (PI) matrix, was studied using optical microscopy coupled with an iodine indicator technique (IIT). IIT was used to estimate the adhesion between the PI matrix and the zeolitic phase, the accessibility of the zeolite void space for gas molecules as well as for characterizing the spatial distribution of embedded crystals in the composite. The channel system of the zeolitic phase in as-synthesized composites with the majority of crystals covered by a layer of PI is occupied by the solvent molecules used in composite synthesis. In untreated composites, the zeolitic phase is inaccessible to iodine sorption. Colouring patterns and colouring kinetics have been used to characterize the efficiency of the treatment for removing the PI covering layer from the crystal surface. The same techniques can be applied to characterize the treatment with regard to the desorption of solvents ( N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylformamide, n-heptane) from the silicalite-1 channel system.
Adaptive estimation and rejection of unknown sinusoidal disturbances through measurement feedback for a class of non‐minimum phase non‐linear MIMO systems
Authors: Lan Weiyao , M. Chen Ben , Ding Zhengtao
Published: January 2006

This paper develops an adaptive estimation method to estimate unknown disturbances in a class of non‐minimum phase non‐linear MIMO systems. The unknown disturbances are generated by an unknown linear exosystem. The frequencies, phases and amplitudes of the disturbances are unknown, the only available information of the disturbances is the number of distinctive frequencies. The system considered in this paper is a class of MIMO non‐linear systems in the output feedback form which can be non‐minimum phase. The proposed estimation algorithm provides exponentially convergent estimates of system states, unknown disturbances in the system and frequencies of the disturbances characterized by the eigenvalues of the exosystem. Moreover, based on the stabilization controller for the disturbance free system, the estimates of the disturbances are used to solve the disturbance rejection problem. The unknown disturbances are compensated completely with the stability of the whole closed‐loop system. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complexometric Determination of Palladium(II) Using Thioacetamide as a Selective Masking Agent
Authors: Parameshwara P. , Karthikeyan J. , Shetty A.Nityananda , Shetty Prakash
Published: January 2006

A simple, rapid and accurate complexometric method for the determination of palladium(II) is proposed, based on the selective masking property of thioacetamide towards palladium(II). In the presence of diverse metal ions, palladium(II) is complexed with excess of EDTA and the surplus EDTA is back titrated at pH 5‐5.5(acetic acid‐sodium acetate buffer) with standard lead nitrate solution using xylenol orange as indicator. An excess of a 0.5 % aqueous solution of thioacetamide is then added to displace EDTA from Pd(II)‐EDTA complex. The released EDTA is titrated with the same standard lead nitrate solution as before. Reproducible and accurate results are obtained in the concentration range 0.5mg ‐ 17.80mg of palladium with relative error of ±0.16 % and coefficient of variation not exceeding 0.26 %. The effect of diverse ions is studied. The method is used for the determination of palladium in its complexes, catalysts and synthetic alloy mixtures.
Copper (II) Ion Selective Liquid Membrane Electrode Based on New Schiff Base Carrier
Authors: Sadeghi Susan , Vardini Mohammad Taghi , Naeimi Hossein
Published: January 2006

Cu2+ selective PVC membrane electrode based on new Schiff base 2, 2′‐[1,9 nonanediyl bis (nitriloethylidyne)]‐bis‐(1‐naphthol) as a selective carrier was constructed. The electrode exhibited a linear potential response within the activity range of 1.0×10‐6 – 5.0×10‐3 mol l‐1 with a Nernstian slope of 29 ±1 mV decade‐1 of Cu2+ activity and a limit of detection 8.0×10‐7 mol l‐1. The response time of the electrode was fast, 10 s, and stable potentials were obtained within the pH range of 3.5–6.5. The potentiometric selectivity coefficients were evaluated using two solution method and revealed no important interferences except for Ag+ ion. The proposed electrode was applied as an indicator electrode to potentiometric titration of Cu+2 ions and determination of Cu+2 content in real samples such as black tea leaves and multivitamin capsule.
Some Aromatic Hydrazone Derivatives as Inhibitors for the Corrosion of C‐Steel in Phosphoric Acid Solution
Authors: Fouda Abd El‐Aziz S. , Al‐Sarawy Ahmed A. , Radwan Mohamed S.
Published: January 2006

The effect of furfural benzoylhydrazone and its derivatives (I‐VII) as corrosion inhibitors for C‐steel in 1M phosphoric acid solution has been studied by weight‐loss and galvanostatic polarization techniques. A significant decrease in the corrosion rate of C‐steel was observed in the presence of the investigated inhibitors. This study revealed that, the inhibition efficiency increases with increasing the inhibitor concentration, and the addition of iodide ions enhances it to a considerable extent. The effect of temperature on the inhibition efficiency of these compounds was studied using weight‐loss method. Activation energy (Ea*) and other thermodynamic parameters for the corrosion process were calculated and discussed. The galvanostatic polarization data indicated that, the inhibitors were of mixed‐type, but the cathode is more polarized than the anode. The adsorption of these compounds on C‐steel surface has been found to obey Frumkin's adsorption isotherm. The mechanism of inhibition was discussed in the light of the chemical structure of the undertaken inhibitors.
Metal Ion Distribution Between Water and River Sediment: Speciation Model and Spectroscopic Validation
Authors: Zelano Vincenzo , Daniele Pier G. , Berto Silvia , Ginepro Marco , Laurenti Enzo , Prenesti Enrico
Published: January 2006

Natural sediments show sequestering properties that can lead to a process of self‐purification of aquatic environment from metal pollution. The study of the interaction between metal ions and sediment particles enhances what is known about the distribution and bioavailability of heavy metals in natural systems. Our contribution concerns the characterisation of the sequestering ability of a River Po sediment with regard to calcium(II), magnesium(II), cadmium(II), nickel(II) and copper(II), in fixed experimental conditions, through pH‐metric and spectrometric measurements. A batch titration procedure was adopted and, in each solution, after equilibration, both pH and pM (M = Ca(II), Mg(II), Cd(II), Ni(II), Cu(II)) (via Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectroscopy, ICP‐OES) values were measured. The experimental data were first processed with a specific software to evaluate the concentration and protonation constants of the sediment ligand site(s). The speciation model was then assessed, together with the values of complexation constants, for the different sediment/metal cation systems. In order to better characterise the copper(II)‐sediment interaction and to obtain more information about the nature of ligand site(s) involved, EPR (Electronic Paramagnetic Resonance) measurements were also made on the dry sediment before and after reaction with copper(II) ions.
Titelbild: Asymmetric Organocatalytic Henry Reaction (Angew. Chem. 6/2006)
Authors: Marcelli Tommaso , van der Haas Richard N. S. , van Maarseveen Jan H. , Hiemstra Henk
Published: January 2006

Alkaloide aus der Rinde des Chinarindenbaums eignen sich hervorragend für die Entwicklung asymmetrischer Organokatalysatoren. H. Hiemstra et al. schildern in ihrer Zuschrift auf S. 943 ff. eine neuartige Cinchona‐abgeleitete Thioharnstoffverbindung, die die Henry(Nitroaldol)‐Reaktion aromatischer Aldehyde mit hohen Enantioselektivitäten katalysiert. Das Titelbild zeigt Cinchona pubescens (Foto: Forest und Kim Starr, USA) und ein typisches Henry‐Produkt.