bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Phosphorus and Potassium on Alfalfa Yield, Taproot C and N Pools, and Transcript Levels of Key Genes after Defoliation
Authors: Berg W. K. , Cunningham S. M. , Brouder S. M. , Joern B. C. , Johnson K. D. , Volenec J. J.
Published: May 2009

Fertilization with K and P impacts alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) yield, but how these nutrients influence taproot reserves and gene expression is unknown. Our objectives were to determine how P and K impact (i) alfalfa yield and yield components, (ii) accumulation and use of taproot carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools, and (iii) transcript levels for β‐amylase, sucrose synthase, and the high molecular weight vegetative storage protein in alfalfa taproots. Yield and yield components were determined at 30‐d intervals beginning in late May. Roots were sampled after the late June harvest (Day 0) and 1, 3, 6, 10, 14, 21, and 30 d thereafter. Addition of P and K increased forage yield by enhancing mass per shoot. High P resulted in rapid starch use, while taproots of plants fertilized with K had low sugar concentrations. Transcripts decline by Day 6 and by Day 10 were below detection limits. Transcripts for β‐amylase and sucrose synthase accumulated rapidly after Day 10 in taproots of plants fertilized with both P and K. Balanced P and K nutrition resulted in the accumulation and effective utilization of C and N reserves and in improved alfalfa adaptation to defoliation.
Haploidy in Cultivated Wheats: Induction and Utility in Basic and Applied Research
Authors: Jauhar Prem P. , Xu Steven S. , Baenziger P. Stephen
Published: May 2009

The usefulness of haploid plants in basic research in cytogenetics, genetics, evolution, and practical plant breeding is well known. Haploid plants provide an efficient research tool for studies on induced mutagenesis and genetic transformation. They also help elucidate the genetic control of chromosome pairing inherently present in allopolyploids such as bread wheat, durum wheat, and oats. Genetic control of chromosome pairing in haploid nuclei has helped in assessing intergenomic relationships. By analyzing the degree and specificity of chromosome pairing in the Ph1‐ and ph1b‐euhaploids (2n = 3x = 21; ABD), we demonstrated that the A and D genomes of wheat are more closely related to each other than either one is to the B genome. It is significant that the totipotent nature of a haploid cell is being exploited in several facets of biological research. In addition to its numerous applications in basic research, the haploidy approach provides an efficient means of producing truly homozygous lines, thereby accelerating the breeding process. Wheat cultivars developed from doubled haploids (DHs) have been released for cultivation in Canada, China, Europe, and Brazil. General characteristics and classification of haploids derived from diploid and polyploid species are provided in this article. Methods of extracting haploids of polyploid wheats are described, and applications of haploidy in basic and applied research are discussed.
Effects of Antiprogestins on the Uterus
Authors: Ouzounian Sophie , Bouchard Philippe , Chabbert-Buffet Nathalie
Published: May 2009

Progesterone-receptor modulators (PRMs) are progesterone-receptor ligands that can exert agonistic, antagonistic or mixed agonist-antagonist effects depending on the cellular context. The mechanisms of action of these compounds are still incompletely understood. PRMs already have several applications in women's health such as emergency contraception, pregnancy termination, management of early fetal demise and cervical maturation. The main indications that will be developed in the future include dysfunctional bleeding and preoperative treatment of uterine myomas. Other future indications may include estrogen-free contraception, treatment of endometriosis and prevention and treatment of breast cancer. However, the available data from mid- to long-term continuous administration studies has raised the issue of endometrial safety. For this reason, long-term applications of PRMs are currently postponed, although windows of treatment with a short course of progestin therapy, or even by a short interruption of treatment, could improve endometrial aspects if needed.
The combined use of the nasal prosthesis with nasal stents
Authors: Günay Yumuşhan , Uygur Fatih , Atay Arzu , Çeliköz Bahattin
Published: May 2009

Severe and composite defects of the nose due to trauma or excision of neoplasms can cause significant functional and aesthetic problems. It has been known that nasal stents have been used to maintain the nasal patency and nostril shape for a long time. Recently, nasal prosthesis was introduced as a method to solve aesthetic problems of the patients who had an amputated nose. In the present study, nasal prosthesis combined with nazal stents was used to camouflage the nasal disfigurement and to maintain the nasal patency in two adult female patients. Functional and aesthetic results was accepted as satisfactory by both the patients and the physicians.
Elastic, Viscous, and Mass Load Effects on Poststroke Muscle Recruitment and Co-contraction During Reaching: A Pilot Study
Authors: Stoeckmann Tina M. , Sullivan Katherine J. , Scheidt Robert A.
Published: May 2009

Background

Resistive exercise after stroke can improve strength (force-generating capacity) without increasing spasticity (velocity-dependent hypertonicity). However, the effect of resistive load type on muscle activation and co-contraction after stroke is not clear.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of load type (elastic, viscous, or mass) on muscle activation and co-contraction during resisted forward reaching in the paretic and nonparetic arms after stroke.

Design

This investigation was a single-session, mixed repeated-measures pilot study.

Methods

Twenty participants (10 with hemiplegia and 10 without neurologic involvement) reached forward with each arm against equivalent elastic, viscous, and mass loads. Normalized shoulder and elbow electromyography impulses were analyzed to determine agonist muscle recruitment and agonist-antagonist muscle co-contraction.

Results

Muscle activation and co-contraction levels were significantly higher on virtually all outcome measures for the paretic and nonparetic arms of the participants with stroke than for the matched control participants. Only the nonparetic shoulder responded to load type with similar activation levels but variable co-contraction responses relative to those of the control shoulder. Elastic and viscous loads were associated with strong activation; mass and viscous loads were associated with minimal co-contraction.

Limitations

A reasonable, but limited, range of loads was available.

Conclusions

Motor control deficits were evident in both the paretic and the nonparetic arms after stroke when forward reaching was resisted with viscous, elastic, or mass loads. The paretic arm responded with higher muscle activation and co-contraction levels across all load conditions than the matched control arm. Smaller increases in muscle activation and co-contraction levels that varied with load type were observed in the nonparetic arm. On the basis of the response of the nonparetic arm, this study provides preliminary evidence suggesting that viscous loads elicited strong muscle activation with minimal co-contraction. Further intervention studies are needed to determine whether viscous loads are preferable for poststroke resistive exercise programs.
Assessment of Physical Functioning: A Conceptual Model Encompassing Environmental Factors and Individual Compensation Strategies
Authors: Tomey Kristin M. , Sowers MaryFran R.
Published: May 2009

Commonly studied physical functions include activities such as walking and climbing stairs. Despite the acknowledged role of environmental factors and behavioral strategies to compensate for reduced performance capacity or environmental barriers in characterizing physical functioning, most assessments do not take these factors into account. This article presents a new conceptual model for assessment of relevant physical functioning while accounting for habitual environmental factors and compensation strategies.
(4R)- and (4S)-Azidoprolines – Conformation Directing Amino Acids and Sites for Functionalization
Authors: Erdmann Roman S. , Kümin Michael , Wennemers Helma
Published: May 2009

An 'azido gauche effect' determines the conformation of (4S)- and (4R)-azidoproline (Azp) derivatives and affects the s-cis:s-trans conformer ratio of Xaa-Azp bonds. The article summarizes our research on the conformational analysis of monomers as well as
oligomers derived from (4S)Azp and (4R)Azp. We show that (4S)Azp and (4R)Azp can be used to tune the stability of the polyproline II (PPII) helix. In addition we demonstrate that Azpcontaining oligoprolines are attractive molecular scaffolds with a well-defined
helical conformation that can be readily further functionalized using e.g. click chemistry.
Percutaneous tumor curettage and interstitial delivery of samarium-153 coupled with kyphoplasty for treatment of vertebral metastases
Authors: Cardoso Erico R. , Ashamalla Hani , Weng Lijun , Mokhtar Bahaa , Ali Shamsah , Macedon Mark , Guirguis Adel
Published: May 2009

Object

The object of this study was to investigate the use of a minimally invasive technique for treating metastatic tumors of the vertebral body, aimed at relieving pain, preventing further tumor growth, and minimizing the adverse effects of systemic use of samarium-153 (153Sm).

Methods

The procedure is performed in the same fashion as a kyphoplasty, using a unilateral extrapedicular approach under local anesthesia/mild general sedation, with the patient in the lateral decubitus position. The tumor is accessed as in a standard kyphoplasty. The side is chosen according to the location of the metastasis. Prior to inflation of the balloon the tumor is debulked by percutaneous curettage. Balloon inflation is carried out as per standard kyphoplasty in an attempt to create a larger space and reduce a possible kyphotic deformity. Three mCi of 153Sm-EDTMP (ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid) is then mixed with bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate) and injected into the void created by the balloon tamp.

Results

Twenty-four procedures were performed in 19 patients. There was reliable and reproducible delivery of the radiolabeled 153Sm-EDTMP to the metastatic site, without spillage. The procedure was safe. There were no procedure-related complications. There was no hematological toxicity with the low doses of 153Sm used. Pain improved in all patients. The long-term results related to tumor control continue to be investigated.

Conclusions

Combined percutaneous debulking of confined vertebral metastases and administration of local 153Sm is feasible and safe. Furthermore, this technique leads to immediate relief of cancer-related pain and may help prevent or slow down the progression of vertebral metastatic tumors.
The effect of bone fragment size and cerebrospinal fluid on spinal cord deformation during trauma: an ex vivo study
Authors: Persson Cecilia , McLure Stewart W. D. , Summers Jon , Hall Richard M.
Published: May 2009

Object

The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of CSF and the size of the impacting bone fragment area on spinal cord deformation during trauma.

Methods

A transverse impact rig was used to produce repeated impacts on bovine and surrogate cord models. Tests were recorded with high-speed video and performed on specimens with and without CSF and/or dura mater and with 3 different impactor areas.

Results

The CSF layer was found to reduce the maximum cord deformation significantly. A 50% reduction in impact area significantly increased the maximum cord deformation by 20–30%. The surrogate model showed similar trends to the bovine model but with lower absolute deformation values.

Conclusions

Cerebrospinal fluid protects the cord during impact by reducing its deformation. A smaller bone fragment impact area increases the deformation of the cord, in agreement with clinical results, where a higher impact energy—possibly giving rise to smaller fragments—results in a worse neurological deficit.
Oncogenic osteomalacia caused by a phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor of the thoracic spine
Authors: Pirola Elena , Vergani Francesco , Casiraghi Paolo , Leone Eugenio Biagio , Guerra Paolo , Sganzerla Erik Pietro
Published: May 2009

Phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors that cause the paraneoplastic syndrome known as oncogenic osteomalacia are rare. The authors report on the case of a 57-year-old man with a history of osteomalacia and in whom was diagnosed a thoracic spine tumor at the T-4 level. Complete tumor resection was accomplished. The histological diagnosis was phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor (mixed connective tissue variant). After lesion removal, the paraneoplastic syndrome resolved. At the 24-month follow-up, no recurrence of the disease was observed. The clinical presentation, surgical technique, and follow-up in this case were reviewed in detail.
Making the Introduction of Multi-media Technologies Count in Education Reform in Africa: the Case of Ghana
Authors: Akyeampong Kwame
Published: May 2009

This contribution reviews the introduction of old and new information communication technologies in Ghanaian education. It points out how the recent proliferation of multi-media technologies in the country has ultimately encouraged the introduction of ICTs in education. However, the author argues that much of the move to introduce these new technologies into schools and colleges has not reflected the need to re-conceptualise teacher education curriculum practices to base its foundations on constructivist ideas about knowledge and its production. Without this, reforms to introduce new information communication technologies in classrooms risk becoming tools that are again used to reinforce old traditions of teaching and learning based on uncritical transmission of knowledge. Finally, the author argues that changes to the teacher education curriculum in Ghana, and elsewhere in Africa, should also reflect the new professional learning identities and learning experiences that ICT and other media communication tools are meant to foster in the classroom.

La presente contribución da un repaso a la introducción de las tecnologías antiguas y nuevas de la información en el sector educativo de Ghana. Señala cómo la reciente proliferación de las tecnologías mul timedia en el país ha alentado finalmente la introducción de las TIC en la educación. Sin embargo, el autor sostiene que buena parte de la motivación para introducir estas nuevas tecnologías en los centros educativos e institutos superiores no ha reflejado la necesidad de reconceptualizar las prácticas curriculares en la formación docente, con el fin de fundamentarlas en ideas constructivistas sobre los conocimientos y su producción. Sin esto, las reformas para introducir las nuevas tecnologías de información y comunicación en las aulas corren el riesgo de ser meramente herramientas que nuevamente se utilizan para reforzar las viejas tradiciones de enseñanza y aprendizaje en base a la trasmisión de los conocimientos sin ningún pensamiento crítico. Finalmente, el autor insiste en que los cambios curriculares en la formación docente en Ghana, y en otras partes de África, también deben reflejar las nuevas identidades de aprendizaje profesional y experiencias de aprendizaje que deben fomentar las TIC y otras herramientas mediáticas en el aula.
A WebQuest for Vocational Guidance in High Schools
Authors: Hernando-Gómez Ángel
Published: May 2009

The present paper exposes a teaching resource, designed to serve as a complement to the Vocational and Professional Counseling Program of High Schools. The WebQuest intended to facilitate students´ self-knowledge, the knowledge of the academic and professional environment and to help them in the process of decision-making. This work also presents the characteristics of the tool, the websites where it is housed, the working methodology, the objectives of the teaching resource, a description of the process the learners should go through in order to accomplishing the task, the most representative result and the final conclusions. As a final conclusion, we underline that the ICTs use in professional counseling could optimize and enrichment those interventions developed in High School centers.

En el presente artículo se expone una WebQuest diseñada para servir de complemento al Plan de Orientación Vocacional y Profesional (POVP) de Bachillerato, con ella se pretende facilitar al alumnado el conocimiento de sí mismo, el conocimiento del entorno académico y profesional y ayudarle en el proceso de toma de decisiones. Se describen las características de la herramienta, dónde está alojada, los objetivos que se persiguen, los procedimientos TIC utilizados, la metodología de trabajo, así como los recursos y actividades que se plantean. Como conclusión se destaca que la utilización de las TIC en orientación psicopedagógica permite optimizar y enriquecer las intervenciones que se llevan a cabo en los centros de Secundaria.
Aliskiren and the Kidney: Beyond Hypertension
Authors: Trimarchi Hernán , Orías Marcelo
Published: May 2009

Aliskiren is a novel drug with the ability to lower plasma renin activity, reducing proteinuria in hypertension and in diabetic nephropathy. In primary and secondary glomerular diseases, important causes of endstage kidney disease, proteinuria is a hallmark. Moreover, urinary protein is a marker of renal disease progression. The renin angiotensin-aldosterone system is generally activated in these patients. A complete blockade with the use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers with or without aldosterone receptor blockers is not easy to achieve, and side effects are not uncommon. Plasma renin activity is even increased in patients with this approach. Aliskiren should be considered as a new therapeutic option to be assessed in glomerular diseases, as plasma renin activity can be reduced and a better control of the renin-angiotensin system could be achieved with the consequent reduction in the amount of urinary protein excretion.
Studies on the possibility of recycling microencapsulated disperse dye‐bath effluents
Authors: Ji Jun‐ling , Yang Xu‐Jie , Lu Lu‐De , Wang Xin
Published: May 2009

The volume of water consumed by human beings has increased dramatically in recent years while water supply has remained constant; both demographic growth and the expansion of industrial activity require more water consumption. The textile industry is undoubtedly one of the most pressured industries that need water intensively. Efficient use of water tends to be a crucial subject for the dyeing industry. In this study, melamine resin microcapsules containing pure disperse dyes were prepared by in situ polymerization. The microcapsules were characterized on the basis of structure, morphologies, mean particle size, and size distribution. The dyeing behaviors of microencapsulated disperse dyes (MDDs) were evaluated on polyester fabrics in the absence of auxiliaries. Its effluent can be reused several times after being simply filtered and can be used as solvent for PET fabric scouring. The treated fabrics exhibited satisfactory levelness and fastness properties. MDDs can be used in dyeing PET, without using surfactants, and the effluents can be recycled and reused. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Combined use of impella device and intra‐aortic balloon pump to improve survival in a patient in profound cardiogenic shock post cardiac arrest
Authors: Gupta Anjan , Allaqaband Suhail , Bajwa Tanvir
Published: May 2009

Patients who suffer cardiogenic shock after cardiac arrest have a very poor prognosis. Left ventricular assist devices have proven to be useful in these patients to improve survival. Recently introduced percutaneous assist devices are easier to use and can be inserted quickly in the catheterization laboratory. We describe a case where intra‐aortic balloon pump by itself was not enough to provide hemodynamic support in a patient with cardiogenic shock after cardiac arrest. The Impella Recover® LP 2.5 system (ABIOMED, Inc., Danvers, MA) was successfully used along with the balloon pump for hemodynamic support and resulted in dramatic improvement of the patient's condition. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cooperative Recognition of a Copper Cation and Anion by a Calix[4]arene Substituted at the Lower Rim by a β‐Amino‐α,β‐Unsaturated Ketone
Authors: Senthilvelan Annamalai , Ho I.‐Ting , Chang Kai‐Chi , Lee Gene‐Hsiang , Liu Yi‐Hung , Chung Wen‐Sheng
Published: May 2009

Chemodosimeter: Upon titration with CuII, the fluorescence of 1 showed strong fluorescence enhancement because the metal ion helps to lock the conformation of the fluorophores. CuII was reduced to CuI by the free phenolic OH group of 1, the phenol was then oxidised by CuII and assisted in the trapping of CuI. Ditopic behaviour was observed for 1⋅CuI, which showed further enhancement of its fluorescence intensity upon complexation with anions (as depicted, A−=CH3COO− or F−).

magnified image

We report herein a new ditopic calix[4]arene receptor 25,27‐bis‐{[4‐amino‐4‐(1‐naphthyl)‐2‐oxo‐3‐butenyl]oxy}‐26,28‐dihydroxycalix[4]arene (2) for the simultaneous complexation of anionic and cationic species. The host molecule 25,27‐bis{[3‐(1‐naphthyl)‐5‐isoxazolyl]methoxy}‐26,28‐dihydroxycalix[4]arene (1) was synthesised first and was followed by a [Mo(CO)6]‐mediated ring‐opening reaction to give the target receptor 2. The binding properties of ligands 1 and 2 towards metal ions in CH3CN were investigated by UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. The results showed that both ligands 1 and 2 were highly selective for CuII ions. Upon titration with CuII, the fluorescence of 1 was severely quenched, whereas 2 showed strong fluorescence enhancement because the metal ions help to lock the conformation of the fluorophores. During the complexation of 2 with CuII, the CuII was reduced to CuI by the free phenolic OH of 2, whereas the phenol was oxidised by CuII, after which it assisted in the trapping of CuI. Ditopic behaviour was observed for the complex 2⋅CuI, which showed further enhancement of its fluorescence intensity upon complexation with anions such as acetate or fluoride.
On old and new comparative neurological sinners: The evolutionary importance of the membranous parts of the actinopterygian forebrain and their sites of attachment
Authors: Nieuwenhuys Rudolf
Published: May 2009

The forebrain of actinopterygian fishes differs from that of other vertebrates in that it consists of a pair of solid lobes. Lateral ventricles surrounded by nervous tissue are entirely lacking. This peculiar configuration of the actinopterygian forebrain results from an outward bending or eversion of its lateral walls during ontogenesis. Due to this eversion, the telencephalic roof plate is transformed into a wide, membranous structure that surrounds the dorsal and lateral parts of the solid lobes and is attached to their lateral or ventrolateral aspects. Another effect of the eversion is that the ventricular surface of the telencephalic lobes is very extensive, whereas their meningeal surface is small. In many recent publications on the forebrain of actinopterygian fishes, these structures are presented as solid lobes, without any reference to the fact that they are the product of an eversion process, and without any indication concerning the location and extent of their ventricular and meningeal surfaces. It is explained here that, in light of current concepts concerning the histogenesis of the brain, these omissions are intolerable. It is also strongly recommended that the location and extent of these surfaces should always be clearly indicated in brain sections in general, because the simple notion that in the brain of vertebrates the ventricular surface is on the inside and the meningeal surface on the outside has numerous and notable exceptions. J. Comp. Neurol. 513:87–93, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Metalloligands: Rhodium(III) Cyclometallated Compounds Containing Multitopological Binucleating Ligands
Authors: Lanza Santo , Giannetto Antonino , Bruno Giuseppe , Nicolò Franco , Tresoldi Giuseppe
Published: May 2009

The reaction of [Rh(2‐phenylpyridine)2Cl]2 with secondary dithiooxamides H2R2C2N2S2 (R = isoamyl, isopropyl, {S}‐phenylethyl, meso‐phenylethyl) affords the contact ion pair [Rh(2‐phenylpyridine)2(H2R2C2N2S2 κ‐S,S‐Rh)]+Cl–, which can be transformed into the neutral complexes [Rh(2‐phenylpyridine)2(HR2C2N2S2 κ‐S,S‐Rh)]. The HCl exchange between the ion pairs and the corresponding neutral complexes has been studied by means of dynamic NMR spectroscopy techniques, and a mechanism for this exchange has been proposed. [Rh(2‐phenylpyridine)2{H(isoamyl)2C2N2S2 κ‐S,S‐Rh}] reacts with chlorido‐bridged dimers [MLnCl]2 {MLn = Pd(η3‐allyl), Rh(cyclooctadiene), (n‐propyl)3PClPd} and provides the heterobimetallic complexes [Rh(2‐phenylpyridine)2{μ‐(isoamyl)2C2N2S2}MLn]. Heterobimetallic complexes having the same formula and the same structure are obtained by reaction of [MLn{H(isoamyl)2C2N2S2 κ‐S,S‐M}] species [MLn = Rh(1,5‐cyclooctadiene), Pd(η3‐allyl), PdCl(tri‐n‐propylphosphane), PtCl(diphenyl‐2‐pyridylphosphane)] with [Rh(2‐phenylpyridine)2Cl]2. The connectivity of the binucleating ligand diisoamyldithiooxamidate within the bimetallic complexes has been assessed. The linkage isomer obtainedis [Rh(2‐phenylpyridine)2{μ‐(isoamyl)2C2N2S2}MLn] (κ‐N,N‐RhIII, κ‐S,S‐M).(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Sulfilimines and Sulfoximines by Reaction of Nitriles with Perfluoroalkyl Sulfoxides
Authors: Macé Yohan , Urban Céline , Pradet Charlotte , Marrot Jérôme , Blazejewski Jean‐Claude , Magnier Emmanuel
Published: May 2009

The species obtained by activation of perfluoroalkylated sulfoxides with trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride behaves as highly electrophilic entities. Their reaction with nitriles allows a Ritter‐like process leading to the new fluorinated acylsulfilimines 1–21 after hydrolysis. This flexible methodology allows some variation of both the sulfoxide and nitrile components. Derived acylsulfoximines 22–25 or free sulfoximines 26–28 could be selectively obtained, as needed, by further controlled oxidation with the cheap and nontoxic potassium permanganate. This oxidation may be performed either after isolation of the intermediate sulfilimine, or more conveniently in a one‐pot process directly from fluorinated sulfoxides. This versatile, solvent and metal free, reaction is thus an opening way through the synthesis of new ligands or electrophilic trifluoromethylating reagents.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Repellent studies with Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and human olfactory tests on 19 essential oils from Corsica, France
Authors: Drapeau J. , Fröhler C. , Touraud D. , Kröckel U. , Geier M. , Rose A. , Kunz W.
Published: May 2009

In order to reduce the risk of getting infected with any epidemic disease transmitted by mosquitoes, repellent products are often used to protect populations at risk. The repellent potential of 19 essential oils from the island of Corsica, France, was evaluated in a bio‐assay with the mosquito Aedes aegypti, in order to assess the ‘space repellent’ properties of these oils. Lavendula stoechas, Helichrysum italicum (leaves) and Laurus nobilis oils showed a capability of reducing the attractivity of a human finger for yellow fever mosquitoes in a Y‐tube olfactometer. In addition to the behavioural studies on mosquitoes, two tests on the olfactory perception of these 19 oils were performed, involving 25 female and 25 male human volunteers. The aspects studied were the ‘hedonic dimension’ of these oils and their acceptance as a final fragrance for a repellent formulation. The experiments yielded promising results concerning both aspects for three oils, from Calamintha nepeta, Laurus nobilis and Rosmarinus officinalis, with minor differences between male and female participants. Laurus nobilis oil was the only oil tested fulfilling both properties: a spatial repellent effect on Aedes aegypti and acceptance by the volunteers for its integration in a repellent product. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that Calamintha nepeta oil has a slower evaporation rate in comparison to the Laurus nobilis and Rosmarinus officinalis oils. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thalamo‐frontal white matter alterations in chronic schizophrenia
Authors: Oh Jungsu S. , Kubicki Marek , Rosenberger Gudrun , Bouix Sylvain , Levitt James J. , McCarley Robert W. , Westin Carl‐Fredrik , Shenton Martha E.
Published: May 2009

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and fiber tractography are useful tools for reconstructing white matter tracts (WMT) in the brain. Previous tractography studies have sought to segment reconstructed WMT into anatomical structures using several approaches, but quantification has been limited to extracting mean values of diffusion indices. Delineating WMT in schizophrenia is of particular interest because schizophrenia has been hypothesized to be a disorder of disrupted connectivity, especially between frontal and temporal regions of the brain. In this study, we aim to differentiate diffusion properties of thalamo‐frontal pathways in schizophrenia from normal controls. We present a quantitative group comparison method, which combines the strengths of both tractography‐based and voxel‐based studies. Our algorithm extracts white matter pathways using whole brain tractography. Functionally relevant bundles are selected and parsed from the resulting set of tracts, using an internal capsule (IC) region of interest (ROI) as “source”, and different Brodmann area (BA) ROIs as “targets”. The resulting bundles are then longitudinally parameterized so that diffusion properties can be measured and compared along the WMT. Using this processing pipeline, we were able to find altered diffusion properties in male patients with chronic schizophrenia in terms of fractional anisotropy (FA) decreases and mean diffusivity (MD) increases in precise and functionally relevant locations. These findings suggest that our method can enhance the regional and functional specificity of DTI group studies, thus improving our understanding of brain function. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alterations in functional activation in euthymic bipolar disorder and schizophrenia during a working memory task
Authors: Hamilton Liberty S. , Altshuler Lori L. , Townsend Jennifer , Bookheimer Susan Y. , Phillips Owen R. , Fischer Jeffrey , Woods Roger P. , Mazziotta John C. , Toga Arthur W. , Nuechterlein Keith H. , Narr Katherine L.
Published: May 2009

Dysfunctions in prefrontal cortical networks are thought to underlie working memory (WM) impairments consistently observed in both subjects with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. It remains unclear, however, whether patterns of WM‐related hemodynamic responses are similar in bipolar and schizophrenia subjects compared to controls. We used fMRI to investigate differences in blood oxygen level dependent activation during a WM task in 21 patients with euthymic bipolar I, 20 patients with schizophrenia, and 38 healthy controls. Subjects were presented with four stimuli (abstract designs) followed by a fifth stimulus and required to recall whether the last stimulus was among the four presented previously. Task‐related brain activity was compared within and across groups. All groups activated prefrontal cortex (PFC), primary and supplementary motor cortex, and visual cortex during the WM task. There were no significant differences in PFC activation between controls and euthymic bipolar subjects, but controls exhibited significantly increased activation (cluster‐corrected P < 0.05) compared to patients with schizophrenia in prefrontal regions including dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Although the bipolar group exhibited intermediate percent signal change in a functionally defined DLPFC region of interest with respect to the schizophrenia and control groups, effects remained significant only between patients with schizophrenia and controls. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder may share some behavioral, diagnostic, and genetic features. Differences in the patterns of WM‐related brain activity across groups, however, suggest some diagnostic specificity. Both patient groups showed some regional task‐related hypoactivation compared to controls across the brain. Within DLPFC specifically, patients with schizophrenia exhibited more severe WM‐related dysfunction than bipolar subjects. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
EIS study of porous NiTi biomedical alloy in simulated body fluid
Authors: Attarchi M. , Mazloumi M. , Behckam I. , Sadrnezhaad S. K.
Published: May 2009

The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used for monitoring the formation of surface film on a fixtured sintering porous NiTi biomedical alloy in simulated body fluid (SBF) media during 12 days. Effect of NiTi sintering time on the formation of surface film in SBF was investigated. The formed surface film was calcium phosphate hydrate (CPH) with a pillar particulate structure which was developed to a spongy network with increasing the sintering time. Using such electrochemical techniques, it was shown that NiTi samples obtained after 3 h sintering at 950 °C, have higher tendency for the formation of a stable CPH film during the test.
Corrosion resistant performances of Al‐rich epoxy resin based paint on arc‐sprayed Al coating
Authors: Wang Z. , Liu L. M.
Published: May 2009

Electrical conductive Al‐rich epoxy resin based paint with an acceptable surface was for the first time prepared on an arc‐sprayed aluminium coating surface successfully. Adhesion test and salt solution immersion test (SSIT) with complementary measurements including electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and Raman spectroscopy were employed. Adhesion properties of the epoxy resin pigmented with Al particles did not degrade. Besides, because of the close Al particle–resin integration and the tight adhesion in the paint–coating interface, the strong adherence of corrosion products on Al particles, as well as probable passivation of Al particles, the paint showed no worse corrosion resistance properties than the epoxy resin and corroded at a similar rate to the epoxy resin, uniformly, slowly and slightly, protecting the coating base as a barrier type film.
An assessment of the current state of palliative care education in pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship training
Authors: Roth Michael , Wang Dan , Kim Mimi , Moody Karen
Published: May 2009

Background

Despite improved survival rates for pediatric oncology patients, childhood cancers continue to be the number one cause of non‐accidental death in children. Studies show that many children receiving end‐of‐life care, and their families, believe that physicians can improve significantly in the delivery of palliative care. This has led to the recommendation that increased palliative care training for physicians taking care of terminally ill pediatric patients is needed.

Procedure

We designed a 28‐question survey and sent it via electronic mail to all 66 pediatric oncology fellowship program directors in the United States. The questionnaire assessed fellowship training programs' current practice in educating pediatric oncology fellows on palliative care.

Results

Thirty‐six pediatric oncology program directors responded to the survey for a 55% response rate. Ninety‐four percent of all respondents reported that it is very important or extremely important for pediatric oncology fellows to learn about palliative care during their training. Seventy‐one percent of fellowship training programs do not currently have a palliative care curriculum, and less than one‐third of training programs have any evidence‐based journal clubs devoted to palliative care issues. Eighty‐eight percent of program directors believe their program will increase palliative care education for their fellows within 5 years.

Conclusions

Pediatric oncology fellowship directors believe it is very important for fellows to learn about palliative care during training; however, currently the majority of fellowship programs do not have a palliative care curriculum and lack significant formal education in end‐of‐life care. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;53:647–651. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of warpage and residual stresses in film insert molded parts
Authors: Oh Hwa Jin , Song Young Seok , Lee Seung Hwan , Youn Jae Ryoun
Published: May 2009

Residual stresses, bending moments, and warpage of film insert molded (FIM) parts were investigated by experimental and numerical analyses. Thermally induced residual stresses in FIM parts were predicted by numerical simulations with both commercial and house codes. Bending moments and warpage of FIM tensile specimens were calculated numerically and compared with experimental results. Thermally induced residual stresses were predicted by utilizing a one‐dimensional thermoelastic model where constant material properties are assumed. The residual stress distribution depended remarkably on the Biot number and the heat was removed rapidly through the surface resulting in high residual stresses. Asymmetric residual stresses generated by nonuniform cooling of the part provoked nonuniform shrinkage and warpage of the molded tensile specimen. It was found that the numerically calculated bending moment is in good agreement with the experimental results. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Fabrication of well‐developed nano‐ribbons composed of hierarchically grown isotactic poly(methyl methacrylate) crystals on substrates
Authors: Zhang Kun , Serizawa Takeshi
Published: May 2009

Well‐developed nano‐ribbons composed of isotactic poly(methyl methacrylate) (it‐PMMA) were successfully fabricated on mica via a simple solution‐casting method. Typical morphologies with about 0.6 nm thickness and 30–40 nm widths, thermal stability, and alternative structural analyses suggested that nano‐ribbons were composed of two‐dimensional folded chain crystals of it‐PMMA. Typically, nano‐ribbons were developed by incubating tetrahydrofuran (THF) solutions at 20 °C for at least 2 months, more than equi‐amounts of water were added to incubated THF solutions, and solutions were cast onto mica. It was found that, after the aforementioned incubation of THF solutions, it‐PMMA chains adopted trans‐trans (tt) conformations, which are precursors for it‐PMMA crystals, suggesting that THF is a unique solvent for it‐PMMA. By adding water, a poor solvent for it‐PMMA, to THF solutions, it‐PMMA aggregates formed with several hundreds of nanometer sizes, further promoting an increase in the population of the tt conformation. Nano‐ribbons were similarly formed on silicon wafer substrates, suggesting that hydrophilic substrates were essential for the formation of nano‐ribbons. Interestingly, a modulation of the above described method, with the slight evaporation of THF from a THF/water solution before casting onto mica, succeeded in the development of epitaxially adsorbed nano‐ribbons. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3098–3110, 2009
Facile synthesis of polymers bearing cyclic carbonate structure through radical solution and precipitation polymerizations accompanied by concurrent carbon dioxide fixation
Authors: Ochiai Bungo , Hatano Yugo , Endo Takeshi
Published: May 2009

The radical polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was conducted under a carbon dioxide atmosphere (1 atm) in the presence of catalysts for the reaction of carbon dioxide and the oxirane group to afford the five‐membered cyclic carbonate group. The degrees of the carbon dioxide fixation depended on catalysts, concentration, and solvents. In solution reaction, the slower polymerizations resulted in faster carbon dioxide fixation, due to the faster carbon dioxide fixation to GMA than to oxirane moieties in polymers. When the polymerization was conducted in 1,4‐dioxane, which is a good solvent for polyGMA but a poor solvent for the analogous polymer bearing cyclic carbonate moieties, the resulting polymers were precipitated out as the progress of the polymerization and the carbon dioxide fixation. As a result, polymers could be isolated by simple filtration and rinsing with methanol. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3170–3176, 2009
Competitive advantage and performance: the impact of value creation and costliness of imitation
Authors: Grahovac Jovan , Miller Douglas J.
Published: May 2009

We create an industrial organization type model to relate resources to the spread between product market demand and marginal cost. We define competitive advantage as the cross‐sectional differential in this spread, and performance as the longitudinal differential between what a firm appropriates in the product market and what it paid in the factor market. With factor markets imposing different costs on the innovator and potential imitator(s), competitive advantage, performance, and high resource value do not necessarily coincide. Also, the interaction between resource value and the cost of imitation is complex and affected by the number of firms in the industry. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thick fetal corpus callosum: an ominous sign?
Authors: Lerman‐Sagie T. , Ben‐Sira L. , Achiron R. , Schreiber L. , Hermann G. , Lev D. , Kidron D. , Malinger G.
Published: May 2009

Objective

Anomalies of the corpus callosum are frequently diagnosed during pregnancy, but a thick corpus callosum is a rare finding and its significance is not clear. We aimed to assess the significance of thick fetal corpus callosum by reviewing our experience of such cases.

Methods

The records of all fetuses with anomalies of the corpus callosum referred to the prenatal diagnosis units of two university hospitals from 2000 to 2007 were reviewed. Nine fetuses with a thick corpus callosum were identified.

Results

In all cases there were associated abnormalities: macrocephaly, ventriculomegaly, vermian agenesis, abnormal sulcation or encephalocele. Four pregnancies were terminated and in each of these cases the autopsy confirmed dysmorphic features and additional brain abnormalities. Five infants were delivered; two died shortly after birth, one suffers from mental retardation, one had neonatal convulsions and one is developing normally.

Conclusions

A thick fetal corpus callosum is usually associated with other brain anomalies and is part of a neurogenetic syndrome in most cases. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Structural Characterization of 1,2‐Benzenedisulfonate Complexes of the Heavy Group 2 Elements
Authors: Deacon Glen B. , Forsyth Craig M. , Greenhill Neil B. , Harika Rita , Junk Peter C. , Skelton Brian W. , White Allan H.
Published: May 2009

Reaction of the commercially available potassium 1,2‐benzenedisulfonate (K2L) with calcium chloride, strontium nitrate, and barium chloride in aqueous solution yielded [Ca2L2(H2O)4], [Sr4L4(H2O)8]·1.5H2O and [Ba2L2(H2O)5]·H2O in a form suitable for single‐crystal X‐ray determination. From one preparation of the calcium complex a few crystals of [K2CaL2(H2O)3]·0.5H2O were obtained but were not representative of the bulk product. From reaction of CaCO3 with H2L and recrystallization from aqueous ethanol, crystals of [Ca2L2(H2O)6]·EtOH deposited. All complexes are coordination polymers with metal atoms being bridged and chelated by 1,2‐benzenedisulfonate groups, which show an enormous variety of coordination modes, and coordinated by water molecules, some of which are bridging. Calcium has an eight‐coordinate ion in all compounds, potassium six‐coordinate in the bimetallic complex; the strontium complex has eight‐ and nine‐coordinate strontium atoms and the barium complex nine‐ and eleven‐coordinate barium atoms.
ON-FARM INNOVATION IN THE AUSTRALIAN WOOL INDUSTRY: A SENSEMAKING PERSPECTIVE
Authors: SNEDDON JOANNE N. , SOUTAR GEOFFREY N. , MAZZAROL TIM
Published: May 2009

In agricultural innovation, the success of widely used technologies is often assumed to have been inevitable. Conversely, the blame for the failure of new technologies that researchers, policy makers and extensionists consider superior to existing solutions is often placed on farmers. However, these assumptions can be challenged by taking a social-constructivist view of on-farm innovation to examine how and why farmers made sense of new technologies and how this sensemaking shaped their use of these technologies over time. The present study took such an approach in its analysis of Australian woolgrowers’ adoption, abandonment, implementation and use of new wool-testing technologies that highlighted the social and dynamic nature of innovation on-farm. On-farm innovation in this case was an evolving, dynamic process that changed over time as woolgrowers made sense of new technologies. The primary message to agricultural innovation researchers, technology developers, policy makers and extensionists is that successful on-farm innovation requires the active, ongoing engagement of industry participants. In order to engage industry participants in the innovation process, sensemakers’ personal identity frames and social context, and how these interpretation frameworks relate to the new technology need to be understood.
RELIGIOUS CHANGE AND THE TIMING OF BAPTISM IN ENGLAND, 1538–1750
Authors: KITSON P. M.
Published: May 2009

The religious reforms of the sixteenth century exerted a profound impact upon the liturgy of baptism in England. While historians' attention has been drawn to the theological debates concerning the making of the sign of the cross, the new baptism liturgy contained within the Book of common prayer also placed an innovative importance on the public performance of the rite in the presence of the whole congregation on Sundays and other holy days. Both religious radicals and conservatives contested this stress on ceremony and publicity throughout the early modern period. Through the collection of large numbers of baptism dates from parish registers, it is possible to measure adherence to these new requirements across both space and time. Before the introduction of the first prayer book in 1549, there was considerable uniformity among communities in terms of the timing of baptism, and the observed patterns are suggestive of conformity to the requirements of the late medieval church. After the mid-sixteenth century, parishes exhibited a range of responses, ranging from enthusiastic adoption by many communities to complete disregard in religiously conservative parts of Lancashire and Cheshire. Additionally, the popularity of saints' festivals as popular days for baptism fell markedly after 1660, suggesting a decline in the observance of these feasts.
LORD CURZON AND E. G. BROWNE CONFRONT THE ‘PERSIAN QUESTION’
Authors: ROSS CHRISTOPHER N. B.
Published: May 2009

As British efforts to secure the approaches to India intensified in the closing years of the nineteenth century, expert knowledge of the states bordering the subcontinent became an increasingly sought-after commodity. Particularly high demand existed for individuals possessing first-hand experience of Qajar Persia, a state viewed by many policymakers as a vulnerable anteroom on the glacis of the Raj. Britain's two foremost Persian experts during this period were George Nathaniel Curzon and Edward Granville Browne. While Curzon epitomized the traditional gentleman amateur, Browne embodied the emerging professional scholar. Drawing on both their private papers and publications, this article analyses the relationship between these two men as well as surveys their respective views of British policy toward Iran from the late 1880s until the end of the First World War. Ultimately it contends that Curzon's knowledge of Persia proved deficient in significant ways and that Anglo-Iranian relations, at least in the aftermath of the Great War, might well have been placed on a better footing had Browne's more nuanced understanding of the country and its inhabitants prevailed within the foreign policymaking establishment.