bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Students' Ethics Ratings of Demonstrations in Introductory Psychology
Authors: Harcum E. Rae , Friedman Herbert
Published: January 2006

There are important differences among instructors about whether or not a potential classroom demonstration is judged to be ethical. Presumably, the students themselves are the best judges of whether a demonstration would offend their sense of dignity or propriety. Introductory psychology students read procedures for 10 published demonstrations designed for introductory classes, judged each study as ethical or unethical, and rated their confidence in each judgment. If a demonstration is defined as questionable when 5% or more of the participants consider it to be unethical, then 6 of the 10 demonstrations are questionable. These results indicate the need for greater concern about ethical issues in classroom demonstrations.
Timing like a Rat: A Classroom Demonstration of the Internal Clock
Authors: Batsell W. Robert
Published: January 2006

Students studying animal learning often have difficulty comprehending the procedures for studying timing and the properties of the internal clock if live animal models are not available. The following demonstration provides an alternative in which students respond for reinforcement using the peak procedure. The demonstration reveals various characteristics of the internal clock, including that it: (a) can be stopped and restarted within a trial, and (b) operates by timing up as opposed to timing down. This analog of the animal experiments helps students acquire a better understanding of the characteristics of the rat's internal clock and the methods needed to study cognitive abilities in nonverbal animals.
Female Caregivers' Experiences With Intimate Partner Violence and Behavior Problems in Children Investigated as Victims of Maltreatment
Authors: Hazen Andrea L. , Connelly Cynthia D. , Kelleher Kelly J. , Barth Richard P. , Landsverk John A.
Published: January 2006

OBJECTIVE. We examined the relationship between women's experiences with intimate partner violence and their reports of child behavior problems.

METHODS. Data were from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being, a national probability study of children who were the subjects of child abuse and neglect investigations. The sample consisted of 2020 female caregivers of children between the ages of 4 and 14 years who were interviewed about demographic characteristics, child behavior problems, female caregiver mental health, parenting behaviors, experiences with intimate partner violence, and community characteristics. Information on child abuse and neglect was obtained in interviews with child protective services workers. Multiple-regression analyses were used to investigate the association between caregiver victimization and child behavior problems while controlling for the effects of child, family, and environmental characteristics. The potential moderating effects of caregiver depression and parenting practices on the relation between intimate partner violence and child behavior problems were examined also.

RESULTS. Severe intimate partner violence was associated with both externalizing and internalizing behavior problems when other risk factors were controlled. Use of corporal punishment and psychological aggression were significant moderators, but maternal depression did not moderate the relation between intimate partner violence and behavior problems.

CONCLUSIONS. This study adds to the evidence that maternal caregivers' experiences with intimate partner violence are related to child functioning. The findings suggest that systematic efforts are needed to ensure that mental health needs are identified and addressed appropriately in children exposed to this violence.
Changes in Prevalence of Asthma and Allergies Among Children and Adolescents in Italy: 1994–2002
Authors: Galassi Claudia , De Sario Manuela , Biggeri Annibale , Bisanti Luigi , Chellini Elisabetta , Ciccone Giovannino , Petronio Maria Grazia , Piffer Silvano , Sestini Piersante , Rusconi Franca , Viegi Giovanni , Forastiere Francesco
Published: January 2006

BACKGROUND. Several studies conducted during the 1990s indicated an increase in the prevalence of symptoms of asthma; more recent investigations suggest that the trend is stabilizing or may even be reversing.

OBJECTIVE. We compared 2 cross-sectional surveys conducted in 1994 and 2002 in 8 areas in northern and central Italy, to evaluate prevalence changes for asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema.

METHODS. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood methods and questionnaires were used to investigate 6- to 7-year-old children (16115 and 11287 questionnaires completed by parents in 1994–1995 and 2002, respectively) and 13- to 14-year-old adolescents (19723 and 10267 questionnaires completed by adolescents in 1994–1995 and 2002, respectively). In each phase, the overall response rate was >90%. Prevalence changes were calculated as the absolute difference between the prevalence recorded on the 2 occasions.

RESULTS. The prevalence of wheeze (past 12 months) increased slightly among children (change: 0.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0% to 1.6%) and was rather stable among adolescents. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis (children: change: 5.2%; 95% CI: 4.0% to 6.4%; adolescents: change: 4.1%; 95% CI: 1.9% to 6.3%) and symptoms of atopic eczema (children: change: 4.4%; 95% CI: 3.6% to 5.2%; adolescents: change: 2.1%; 95% CI: 1.2% to 3.0%) increased clearly in both age groups. There was some heterogeneity across the centers among adolescents, especially for allergic rhinitis, with larger increases seen in the 3 metropolitan areas. The changes observed paralleled profound family changes, ie, better parental education, higher rates of maternal employment, and lower rates of exposure to parental smoke. These factors, however, do not explain all of the observed changes in prevalence.

CONCLUSIONS. The results indicate that the epidemiologic features of asthma and allergies in Italy are changing rapidly, although the causes are still uncertain.
Early Puberty-Menarche After Precocious Pubarche: Relation to Prenatal Growth
Authors: Ibáñez Lourdes , Jiménez Rafael , de Zegher Francis
Published: January 2006

OBJECTIVE. Girls with precocious pubarche (PP; pubic hair at <8 years of age) as a result of an early or amplified adrenarche (high dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate [DHEAS]) tend to be hyperinsulinemic, in particular when born with low birth weight (LBW). The objective of this study was to assess the interrelationship among prenatal growth, PP, the timing of puberty-menarche, and adult stature.

METHODS. We studied 187 PP girls longitudinally: (1) at birth, (2) in prepuberty, (3) at onset of puberty, (4) at menarche, and (5) on reaching adult stature. This PP cohort was divided into subgroups of higher birth weight (>0 SD), intermediate birth weight (0 to −2 SD), and lower birth weight (less than −2 SD).

RESULTS. At the time of PP diagnosis, age, bone age, and BMI were similar across birth weight subgroups; circulating sex hormone–binding globulin and body height were reduced in PP girls with lower birth weight, and these remained so throughout pubertal development. Onset of puberty occurred earlier in PP girls with lower birth weight; so did menarche. Adult height differed by an average of 6.5 cm (∼1 SD) between the upper and lower birth weight subgroups; this difference was essentially achieved before puberty and even before PP. Menarche before age 12.0 years was twofold more prevalent in PP girls than in control subjects. Among PP girls, age at menarche was advanced by 8 to 10 months in lower versus higher birth weight girls. Menarche before age 12.0 years was threefold more prevalent among LBW-PP girls than in control subjects (∼75% vs ∼25%).

CONCLUSIONS. The link between prenatal growth restraint and early menarche is herewith extended to PP girls. In particular LBW-PP girls may become a target group for interventions directed toward normalization of pubertal onset and progression.
Annual Summary of Vital Statistics: 2004
Authors: Hoyert Donna L. , Mathews T.J. , Menacker Fay , Strobino Donna M. , Guyer Bernard
Published: January 2006

The crude birth rate in 2004 was 14.0 births per 1000 population, the second lowest ever reported for the United States. The number of births and the fertility rate (66.3) increased slightly (by <1%) from 2003 to 2004. Fertility rates were highest for Hispanic women (97.7), followed by Asian or Pacific Islander (67.2), non-Hispanic black (66.7), Native American (58.9), and non-Hispanic white (58.5) women.

The birth rate for teen mothers continued to fall, dropping 1% from 2003 to 2004 to 41.2 births per 1000 women aged 15 to 19 years, which is another record low. The teen birth rate has fallen 33% since 1991; declines were more rapid for younger teens aged 15 to 17 (43%) than for older teens aged 18 to 19 (26%). The proportion of all births to unmarried women is now slightly higher than one third. Smoking during pregnancy declined slightly from 2003 to 2004.

In 2004, 29.1% of births were delivered by cesarean delivery, up 6% since 2003 and 41% since 1996 (20.7%). The primary cesarean delivery rate has risen 41% since 1996, whereas the rate of vaginal birth after a previous cesarean delivery has fallen 67%. The use of timely prenatal care was 84.0% in both 2003 and 2004.

The percentage of preterm births rose to 12.5% in 2004 from 10.6% in 1990 and 9.4% in 1981. The percentage of low birth weight births also increased to 8.1% in 2004, up from 6.7% in 1984. Twin birth rate and triplet/+ birth rates increased by 1% and <1%, respectively, from 2002 to 2003. Multiple births accounted for 3.3% of all births in 2003.

The infant mortality rate was 7.0 per 1000 live births in 2002 compared with 6.8 in 2001. The ratio of the infant mortality rate among non-Hispanic black infants to that for non-Hispanic white infants was 2.4 in 2002, the same as in 2001. The United States continues to rank poorly in international comparisons of infant mortality.

Expectation of life at birth reached a record high of 77.6 years for all gender and race groups combined. Death rates in the United States continue to decline, with death rates decreasing for 8 of the 15 leading causes. Death rates for children ≤19 years of age declined for 7 of the 10 leading causes in 2003. The death rates did not increase for any cause, and rates for heart disease, influenza, and pneumonia and septicemia did not change significantly for children as a group. A large proportion of childhood deaths, however, continue to occur as a result of preventable injuries.
Riboflavin as a Source of Autofluorescence in Eisenia fetida Coelomocytes
Authors: Koziol Beata , Markowicz Magdalena , Kruk Jerzy , Plytycz Barbara
Published: January 2006

Immunocompetent cells of earthworms (coelomocytes) contain adherent amoebocytes and large eleocytes (chloragocytes); the latter are filled with numerous granules. We have previously shown that eleocytes of several (but not all) earthworm species exhibit strong autofluorescence detectable by fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry. In the present article, the molecular origin of eleocytes autofluorescence was elucidated in coelomocytes expelled via dorsal pores in the integument of Eisenia fetida subjected to electric shock (1 min at 4.5 V). Spectrofluorometry (excitation and emission spectra and fluorescence lifetime), together with HPLC analysis of coelomocyte suspensions and supernatants, indicated that riboflavin but not FMN (flavin mononucleotide) or FAD (flavin‐adenine dinucleotide) is the main fluorophore responsible for eleocyte fluorescence in this species. Additionally, lipofuscins are suspected to participate in this phenomenon.
Age, Growth, and Mortality of Introduced Flathead Catfish in Atlantic Rivers and a Review of Other Populations
Authors: Kwak Thomas J. , Waters D. Scott , Pine William E.
Published: January 2006

Knowledge of individual growth and mortality rates of an introduced fish population is required to determine the success and degree of establishment as well as to predict the fish's impact on native fauna. The age and growth of flathead catfish Pylodictis olivaris have been studied extensively in the species' native and introduced ranges, and estimates have varied widely. We quantified individual growth rates and age structure of three introduced flathead catfish populations in North Carolina's Atlantic slope rivers using sagittal otoliths, determined trends in growth rates over time, compared these estimates among rivers in native and introduced ranges, and determined total mortality rates for each population. Growth was significantly faster in the Northeast Cape Fear River (NECFR) than in the Lumber and Neuse rivers. Fish in the NECFR grew to a total length of 700 mm by age 7, whereas fish in the Neuse and Lumber river populations reached this length by 8 and 10 years, respectively. The growth rates of fish in all three rivers were consistently higher than those of native riverine populations, similar to those of native reservoir populations, and slower than those of other introduced riverine populations. In general, recent cohorts (1998–2001 year-classes) in these three rivers exhibited slower growth among all ages than did cohorts previous to the 1998 year-class. The annual total mortality rate was similar among the three rivers, ranging from 0.16 to 0.20. These mortality estimates are considerably lower than those from the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, suggesting relatively low fishing mortality for these introduced populations. Overall, flathead catfish populations in reservoirs grow faster than those in rivers, the growth rates of introduced populations exceed those of native populations, and eastern United States populations grow faster than those in western states. Such trends constitute critical information for understanding and managing local populations.
Fulton's Condition Factor: Is it a Valid Measure of Sea Lice Impact on Juvenile Salmon?
Authors: Morton Alexandra , Routledge Richard D.
Published: January 2006

Condition factor formulas have been developed and are used to assist in assessing the state of fish health. Fulton's condition factor has been used to measure anthropogenic impacts on fish, such as oil spills, and has provided results that, at times, are contentious. Recently, it has been used to suggest that infestation rates of sea lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis currently reported for juvenile pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha and chum salmon O. keta in the Broughton archipelago, British Columbia, may have no impact on fish health. Here, we show that Fulton's condition factor values will remain high in salmon fry lethally infected with sea lice until shortly before death. Furthermore, we report that as condition factor values declined, the affected fish exhibited high predator risk behavior. We conclude that Fulton's condition factor does not provide a reliable indicator of the impact of sea lice infestations on juvenile pink and chum salmon.
EDTA Gel Root Conditioning: Lack of Effect on Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Intrabony Defect Treatment With Enamel Matrix Derivative
Authors: Parashis Andreas O. , Tsiklakis Konstantinos , Tatakis Dimitris N.
Published: January 2006

Background: The adjunctive use of enamel matrix derivative (EMD) in the surgical therapy of intrabony defects results in improved outcomes compared to surgical debridement alone. However, the role of EDTA root conditioning in EMD therapy has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to compare the 12‐month outcomes of EMD application with and without EDTA root conditioning in intrabony defect surgical therapy.

Methods: Twenty‐eight chronic periodontitis patients, each contributing a 2‐ or 3‐wall intrabony defect (≥4 mm deep and ≥2 mm wide), participated. Patients consecutively received surgical treatment with either EMD alone (first 13 patients) or EMD + EDTA (subsequent 15 patients). Probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and gingival margin position, i.e., recession (REC) were the clinical parameters recorded. Recorded radiographic parameters were the distances from 1) cemento‐enamel junction to bone crest (CEJ to BC), 2) CEJ to base of the defect (CEJ to BD), and 3) BC to BD.

Results: Intragroup analysis showed that both EMD alone and EMD + EDTA led to significant PD reduction, CAL gain, and REC increase 1 year postoperatively. Both groups had >60% mean radiographic defect resolution (change in BC to BD). None of the recorded parameters were significantly different between the two groups, either at baseline or postoperatively.

Conclusions: These results suggest that clinical and radiographic outcomes of intrabony defect EMD therapy do not depend on the use of EDTA gel root conditioning. The potential contribution of EDTA gel root conditioning to the histological outcomes reported with EMD therapy remains to be determined.
Management of Interdental Papillae Loss With Forced Eruption, Immediate Implantation, and Root‐Form Pontic
Authors: Lin Chiao‐Dih , Chang Shih‐Shuh , Liou Chao‐Sheng , Dong De‐Rei , Fu Earl
Published: January 2006

Background: A 25‐year‐old Asian woman complained of an unesthetic black triangle between her upper right front teeth. Defective interdental papillae may result from external root resorption, which makes esthetic restoration more difficult. A combined use of forced eruption, immediate implant placement, and a root‐form pontic made a successful esthetic and functional restoration.

Methods: The treatment sequences of this patient included short‐term forced eruption, subsequent immediate implant placement after tooth extraction, and a provisional root‐form pontic restoration. A final prosthesis was completed 6 months later, followed by clinical maintenance.

Results: Papillae were augmented by forced eruption. After immediate implantation and root‐form pontic placement had been performed, the peri‐implant soft and hard tissues were manipulated and maintained in a stable state.

Conclusions: We successfully reconstructed the interdental papillae and replaced the deficient tooth with an immediate implantation. During 2 years of follow‐up, the implant and peri‐implant structures remained stable and healthy.
Gingival Crevicular Fluid Alkaline Phosphatase Levels in Postmenopausal Women: Effects of Phase I Periodontal Treatment
Authors: Daltaban Özlem , Saygun Işıl , Bal Belgin , Baloş Köksal , Serdar Muhittin
Published: January 2006

Background: The aim of this study was to determine how estrogen status may possibly influence gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in estrogen‐deficient (ED) and ‐sufficient (ES) postmenopausal women at baseline (BL) and 1 year after periodontal phase I treatment (AT).

Methods: Thirty‐six postmenopausal women on estrogen supplements (mean serum estradiol levels >30 pg/ml; estrogen sufficient) and 37 postmenopausal women not on estrogen supplements (mean serum estradiol levels <30 pg/ml; ED) were divided into two subgroups as chronic periodontitis and clinically healthy controls after clinical and radiographic examination. The ES group consisted of 19 control (ES/C) and 17 chronic periodontitis (ES/P) patients, and the ED group consisted of 20 control (ED/C) and 17 chronic periodontitis (ED/P) patients. Plaque (PI) and gingival (GI) indices, bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depths (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL) scores, and GCF samples were recorded at BL and AT. The levels of ALP in the GCF were measured photometrically. The paired samples Student t and Wilcoxon tests were used to compare the ALP levels and clinical parameters between BL and AT. The correlation among the ALP and clinical parameters was analyzed using the Pearson correlation.

Results: The mean of all clinical parameters (PI, GI, BOP, PD, and CAL) was significantly (P <0.05) higher in periodontitis groups (ES/P and ED/P) than controls (ES/C and ED/C). Periodontitis groups (ES/P and ED/P) demonstrated significantly increased GCF volumes and GCF ALP levels (P <0.05) compared to controls (ES/C and ED/C). There were no significant differences in the concentrations of ALP between periodontitis and control groups (P >0.05). The BL GCF ALP total levels of the ED/P group were significantly higher than the ES/P group (P <0.05). The BL and AT serum ALP levels of the ED/P group were not significantly but were numerically higher than the ES/P group. One year after periodontal treatment, the GCF volume, GCF ALP total, and concentrations decreased significantly in both periodontitis groups (P <0.05). However, the GCF ALP levels were still numerically higher in the ED/P group. A positive statistical correlation was found between total ALP levels and PD (r = 0.621; P <0.05).

Conclusion: These data suggest that the presence of ALP in GCF is not simply a reflection of the local inflammation state and that a patient's estrogen status may possibly influence local ALP levels in GCF.
Long‐Term Results of Guided Tissue Regeneration Therapy With Non‐Resorbable and Bioabsorbable Barriers. III. Class II Furcations After 10 Years
Authors: Eickholz Peter , Pretzl Bernadette , Holle Rolf , Kim Ti‐Sun
Published: January 2006

Background: The aim of this 10‐year follow‐up was to evaluate the long‐term results after guided tissue regeneration (GTR) therapy of Class II furcation defects using non‐resorbable and bioabsorbable barriers clinically.

Methods: In nine patients with advanced periodontitis, nine pairs of contralateral Class II furcation defects were treated. Within each patient, one defect received a non‐resorbable expanded polytetrafluoroethylene barrier (ePTFE; C) and the other a bioabsorbable (polyglactin 910; T) barrier by random assignment. At baseline and 12 and 120 ± 6 months after surgery, clinical parameters were obtained.

Results: Twelve and 120 months after GTR therapy, statistically significant (P <0.05) horizontal clinical attachment level (CAL‐H) gain was observed in both groups (C12: 1.9 ± 0.5 mm; C120: 1.1 ± 1.3 mm; T12: 1.9 ± 0.8 mm; T120: 1.7 ± 1.4 mm). However, one patient with furcations that had been assessed as Class I 12 months after GTR therapy had lost two teeth after 10 years, and another patient had lost more than 2 mm CAL‐H at one furcation from 12 to 120 ± 6 months post‐surgery 10 years after implantation of an ePTFE barrier. Horizontal bone sounding revealed similar bone gain in both groups 120 ± 6 months post‐surgery (C120: 0.8 ± 1.0 mm; T120: 1.1 ± 1.1 mm).

Conclusions: CAL‐H gain achieved after GTR therapy in Class II furcations was stable after 10 years in 15 of 18 defects (83%). The study failed to show a statistically significant difference in stability of CAL‐H gain between group C and T 10 years after GTR therapy.
Angiographically Confirmed Coronary Heart Disease and Periodontal Disease in Middle‐Aged Males
Authors: Briggs James E. , McKeown Pascal P. , Crawford Vivienne L.S. , Woodside Jayne V. , Stout Robert W. , Evans Alun , Linden Gerard J.
Published: January 2006

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether an association could be demonstrated between coronary heart disease (CHD) and chronic periodontitis in a population of middle‐aged males in Northern Ireland.

Methods: A case‐control design was used. Cases were men aged over 40 years with angiographically proven CHD. Controls were age‐matched males, with no evidence of CHD, randomly drawn from the same locality as the cases. Each subject had a clinical periodontal examination and completed a detailed sociodemographic questionnaire. High sensitivity C‐reactive protein (CRP) was measured in serum by immunoturbidimetry.

Results: There were 92 cases (mean age 56.7 years; SD = 6.3) and 79 controls (mean age 58.2 years; SD = 6.7). The CHD cases had an average of three teeth less than the controls (P <0.0001). A higher proportion of sites examined in cases than controls had plaque (P = 0.004), bleeding on probing (P = 0.013), and probing depths of ≥4 mm (P = 0.006) or ≥6 mm (P = 0.03). Subjects with ≥4 mm pocketing in more than 20% of their interproximal sites and those with deep pocketing (≥6 mm) were classified as having poor periodontal status. A total of 35 cases (38%), compared to only 13 controls (16%), had a poor periodontal status (P = 0.0017). Men with a poor periodontal condition had higher levels of CRP (median 2.19 mg/l) than those with good periodontal health (median 1.42 mg/l), P = 0.007. After adjusting for smoking, academic achievement, alcohol consumption, unemployment, ability to maintain body weight, regular exercise, ability to relax daily, having a hobby or pastime, plaque, and CRP, logistic regression analysis showed that poor periodontal status was significantly associated with CHD, with an adjusted odds ratio of 3.06 and 95% confidence intervals of 1.02 to 9.17, P = 0.046.

Conclusions: There was an association between coronary heart disease and poor periodontal status in the middle‐aged males investigated. This association was independent of diabetes and all other cardiovascular risk factors investigated.
Titelbild: Nanohybride aus Quantenpunkten und Cytochrom P450 als Photokatalysatoren (Angew. Chem. 3/2006)
Authors: Ipe Binil Itty , Niemeyer Christof M.
Published: January 2006

Chemie mit Sonnenlicht: Nanohybride aus CdS‐Quantenpunkten (QDs) und dem Enzym P450BSβ wurden durch elektrostatische Wechselwirkungen zwischen negativ geladenen QDs und positiv geladenem, His6‐markiertem P450 organisiert. Die QDs produzieren bei Bestrahlung Hydroxyl‐ und Superoxidradikale, und diese aktivieren P450 für die Katalyse der Monooxygenierung von Myristinsäure. Weitere Details hierzu finden sich in der Zuschrift von B. I. Ipe und C. M. Niemeyer auf S. 519 ff. (Graphik von P. Alhorn, B. I. Ipe und K. Rabe).
Cover Picture: Nanohybrids Composed of Quantum Dots and Cytochrome P450 as Photocatalysts (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 3/2006)
Authors: Ipe Binil Itty , Niemeyer Christof M.
Published: January 2006

Sunlight does chemistry in nanohybrids composed of CdS quantum dots (QDs) and enzyme P450BSβ. The hybrids, which are self‐assembled through electrostatic interactions between the negatively charged QDs and the positively charged His6‐marked P450, produce hydroxyl and superoxide radicals upon irradiation. In their Communication on page 504 ff., B. I. Ipe and C. M. Niemeyer report that these reactive oxygen species activate P450 to catalyze the monooxygenation of myristic acid. (Graphic prepared by P. Alhorn, B. Ipe, and K. Rabe.)
Analysis and Modeling of a Monolithic Reactor
Authors: Tomašić V. , Gomzi Z. , Zrnčević S.
Published: January 2006

This work reports the results of experimental and theoretical investigations of NO decomposition in a catalytic monolith reactor. Monolithic catalysts are composed of a commercial cordierite substrate (Corning Inc.) and copper containing ZSM‐5 zeolite (Si/Al = 40; 1.92 % Cu). Laboratory scale activity tests were carried out in the integral monolith reactor, operating under atmospheric pressure at different temperatures (573–773 K) and at various space times. The reactor performance was modeled using several mathematical models. The kinetics of NO decomposition was described by a LHHW type rate equation. The parameters of the monolith reactor models were estimated from experimental data using a modified differential method and Nelder‐Mead method of non‐linear optimization. It was found that the behavior of the experimental monolithic reactor was mainly limited by interphase mass transfer. The 2D heterogeneous model with distributed parameters was determined to be the most suitable mathematical model for detailed consideration of physico‐chemical processes occurring in the catalytic monolith reactor.
Practical Methodology for Distillation Design using a Miniplant
Authors: Ouni T. , Lievo P. , Uusi‐Kyyny P. , Dell'Era C. , Jakobsson K. , Pyhälahti A. , Aittamaa J.
Published: January 2006

Development of a model for a complex multi‐component distillation process is presented. Vapor‐liquid equilibria and distillation column models are developed individually, and further compiled together to yield a holistic distillation model tailored for an industrial example. Miniplant‐scale distillation hardware is applied to both develop and test the model. The experimental work and test runs required for model development are described in detail and the resulting model is verified against experimental data.
Study on Evaporating Characteristics of a Coaxial Two Impinging‐Stream Concentrator
Authors: Yan J. , Liu X.‐Y.
Published: January 2006

Based on the coaxial two impinging‐streams principle, a new device for solution concentration was built and studied theoretically and experimentally. The experimental study focused on the effects of inlet air temperature, inlet air flow rate, and accelerating pipe length on the volumetric evaporative coefficient of the impinging‐stream concentrator (ISC). The results show that the ISC has a relatively high volumetric evaporative coefficient, which increases with higher inlet air flow rates and higher inlet air temperature, and the ISC with a shorter accelerating pipe is more efficient. A theoretical model was suggested based on the consideration of mass, heat, and momentum transfers between liquid droplets and hot air. The concentration process of a sucrose solution in the ISC was simulated using the model and the results were compared with the experimental results, which indicated that the suggested model is reliable with a maximum relative error of less than 6.6 %.
Endothelial cell protrusion and migration in three‐dimensional collagen matrices
Authors: Martins Gabriel G. , Kolega John
Published: January 2006

Many cells display dramatically different morphologies when migrating in 3D matrices vs. on planar substrata. How these differences arise and the implications they have on cell migration are not well understood. To address these issues, we examined the locomotive structure and behavior of bovine aortic endothelial cells (ECs) either inside 3D collagen gels or on 2D surfaces. Using time‐lapse imaging, immunofluorescence, and confocal microscopy, we identified key morphological differences between ECs in 3D collagen gels vs. on 2D substrata, and also demonstrated important functional similarities. In 3D matrices, ECs formed cylindrical branching pseudopodia, while on 2D substrata they formed wide flat lamellae. Three distinct cytoplasmic zones were identified in both conditions: (i) a small, F‐actin‐rich, rapidly moving peripheral zone, (ii) a larger, more stable, intermediate zone characterized by abundant microtubules and small organelles, and (iii) a locomotively inert central zone rich in microtubules, and containing the larger organelles. There were few differences between 2D and 3D cells in the content and behavior of their peripheral and central zones, whereas major differences were seen in the shape and types of movements displayed by the intermediate zone, which appeared critical in distributing cell–matrix adhesions and directing cytoplasmic flow. This morphological and functional delineation of cytoplasmic zones provides a conceptual framework for understanding differences in the behavior of cells in 3D and 2D environments, and indicates that cytoskeletal structure and dynamics in the relatively uncharacterized intermediate zone may be particularly important in cell motility in general. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Performance of LCD iterative method in the finite element and finite difference solution of convection–diffusion equations
Authors: Catabriga L. , Valli A. M. P. , Melotti B. Z. , Pessoa L. M. , Coutinho A. L. G. A.
Published: January 2006

In this work, we evaluate the performance of the left conjugate direction method (LCD) for the solution of non‐symmetric systems of linear equations arising from finite element and finite difference discretizations of the convection–diffusion equation. We extend the LCD algorithm proposed by Dai and Yuan (Int. J. Numer. Meth. Engng 2004; 60:1383–1399) to accommodate restarts. Our discussion considers comparison studies between the computational efficiency of the GMRES and LCD methods and some issues related to the choice of the forcing term in the inexact Newton method. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional analysis of murine CBF1 during Drosophila development
Authors: Kaspar Markus , Klein Thomas
Published: January 2006

Transcription factors of the CSL family are the main mediators of the Notch signalling pathway. The CSL factor in Drosophila is called Suppressor of Hairless (Su(H)) and it has been shown that it acts as a transcriptional repressor in the absence of a Notch signal and as a transcriptional activator in its presence in several developmental contexts. Furthermore, recent data suggest that Su(H) can also activate and maintain transcription of some target genes in a Notch‐independent manner. However, although it has been shown that the mammalian CSL ortholog, CBF1, acts as a repressor of transcription in cell culture experiments, so far in vivo evidence for such a function has been lacking. Moreover, it is not known whether CBF1 can activate transcription in a Notch‐independent manner, just like Su(H). Here we have investigated these questions by introducing murine CBF1 (mCBF1) and asked whether it can functionally replace Su(H) during Drosophila development. We found that this is indeed the case. We show that mCBF1 can act as a repressor of transcription and can activate and maintain the expression of some target genes in a Notch‐independent manner. Our results, therefore, indicate that CBF1 can exert these functions also in its normal context, that is during mammalian development. Developmental Dynamics 235:918–927, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Zic3 is critical for early embryonic patterning during gastrulation
Authors: Ware Stephanie M. , Harutyunyan Karine G. , Belmont John W.
Published: January 2006

Mutations in the zinc finger transcription factor ZIC3 are associated with human left‐right patterning abnormalities (X‐linked heterotaxy, HTX1, MIM 306955), and mice null for Zic3 show a similar phenotype. However, the developmental function of Zic3 is largely unknown and its expression in early embryonic development suggests a role prior to organ formation. The current study of Zic3 null mice identifies a novel function for Zic3 in the gastrula‐stage embryo. Analysis of Zic3 function at early embryonic stages shows that it ensures the fidelity of embryonic patterning, including patterning of the anterior visceral endoderm, the initiation of gastrulation, and positioning of the primitive streak. At later stages, deficiency of Zic3 results in abnormal mesoderm allocation. These results indicate a requirement for Zic3 during early embryogenesis prior to cardiac and visceral organ patterning. Developmental Dynamics 235:776–785, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of Monosubstitution of Hexakis(3,6‐anhydro)cyclomaltohexaose on Its Complexation Properties with Ions, with Special Attention to Heavy Metals
Authors: Rambaud Lauriane , Dalbiez Jean‐Pierre , Amekraz Badia , Moulin Christophe , Perly Bruno , Baudin Cécile
Published: January 2006

We report on the synthesis, characterisation and ionic complexation properties of mono‐2‐O‐carboxymethyl‐hexakis(3,6‐anhydro)cyclomaltohexaose sodium salt 1, as investigated by TLC and NMR. We demonstrate that the grafting of a carboxylate group not only modifies the complexation properties of the parent derivative in relation to heavy metals but also improves them. In this respect, we provide evidence that the gain in affinity is due to the cumulative effects of the molecular cage and the carboxylate group. Coupling of 1 to insoluble supports (bio‐polymers, liposomes, …) might be expected to afford new materials for the elimination of toxic metals in biological fluids or organs. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Mouse imprinting defect mutations that model Angelman syndrome
Authors: Wu Mei‐Yi , Chen Ken‐Shiung , Bressler Jan , Hou Aihua , Tsai Ting‐Fen , Beaudet Arthur L.
Published: January 2006

Prader‐Willi syndrome (PWS) and Angelman syndrome (AS) are neurobehavioral disorders resulting from deficiency of imprinted gene expression from paternal or maternal chromosome 15q11‐15q13, respectively. In humans, expression of the imprinted genes is under control of a bipartite cis‐acting imprinting center (IC). Families with deletions causing PWS imprinting defects localize the PWS‐IC to 4.3 kb overlapping with SNRPN exon 1. Families with deletions causing AS imprinting defects localize the AS‐IC to 880 bp 35 kb upstream of the PWS‐IC. We report two mouse mutations resulting in defects similar to that seen in AS patients with deletion of the AS‐IC. An insertion/duplication mutation 13 kb upstream of Snrpn exon 1 resulted in lack of methylation at the maternal Snrpn promoter, activation of maternally repressed genes, and decreased expression of paternally repressed genes. The acquisition of a paternal epigenotype on the maternal chromosome in the mutant mice was demonstrated by the ability to rescue the lethality and growth retardation in a mouse model of a PWS imprinting defect. A second mutation, an 80‐kb deletion extending upstream of the first mutation, caused a similar imprinting defect with variable penetrance. These results suggest that there is a mouse functional equivalent to the human AS‐IC. genesis 44:12–22, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of filler‐to‐matrix blending ratio on the mechanical strength of palm‐based biocomposite boards
Authors: Badri Khairiah Haji , Mat Amin Khairul Anuar , Othman Zulkefly , Manaf Hairani Abdul , Khalid Nur Khairani
Published: January 2006

The effect of the blending ratio of a polyurethane matrix and oil‐palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibers on the mechanical properties of biocomposite boards has been studied. The PU matrix and EFB fibers were used at blending ratios of 25:75, 30:70 and 35:65 (by weight). The mechanical property of hardness was studied. The intention of this study was to produce fiberboard from a vegetable oil‐based polyester as the matrix and biomass from the palm oil industry, namely EFB. It was found that the blending ratio with a lower filler loading (35:65) gave higher impact and flexural strengths due to better fiber encapsulation which enhanced the fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Morphology, thermal and mechanical behavior of polypropylene nanocomposites toughened with poly(ethylene‐co‐octene)
Authors: Lim Jian Wei , Hassan Azman , Rahmat Abdul Razak , Wahit Mat Uzir
Published: January 2006

Rubber‐toughened polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites containing organophilic layered silicates were prepared by means of melt extrusion at 230 °C using a co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder in order to examine the influence of the organoclay and the addition of PP grafted with maleic anhydride (PPgMAH) as a compatibilizer on the morphological, mechanical and thermal properties. The mechanical properties of rubber‐toughened polypropylene nanocomposites (RTPPNCs) were studied through tensile, flexural and impact tests. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for investigation of the phase morphology and rubber particles size. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) was employed to characterize the formation of nanocomposites. The thermal properties were investigated by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The dynamic mechanical properties were examined by using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). From the tensile and flexural tests, the optimum loading of organoclay in RTPP was found to be 6 wt%. The optimum loading of PPgMAH, based on the tensile and flexural properties, was also 6 wt%. The increase in the organoclay and PPgMAH content resulted in a severe embrittlement, manifested by a drop in the impact strength and tensile elongation at break. XRD studies revealed that intercalated RTPPNCs had been successfully prepared where the macromolecular PP segments were intercalated into the interlayer space of the organoclay. In addition, the organoclay was dispersed more evenly in the RTPPNC as the PPgMAH content increased. TGA results revealed that the thermal stability of the RTPPNC improved significantly with the addition of a small amount of organoclay. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Correlation of the rates of solvolysis of 2‐furancarbonyl chloride and three naphthoyl chlorides
Authors: D'Souza Malcolm J. , Boggs Mary E. , Kevill Dennis N.
Published: January 2006

The correlations of the specific rates of solvolysis of the title compounds using extended forms of the Grunwald–Winstein equation are consistent with the overall picture which is emerging for acyl chloride solvolyses, with competing addition–elimination (with rate‐determining addition) and ionization (assisted by nucleophilic solvation) pathways. Except in the more ionizing solvents of low nucleophilicity, 2‐furancarbonyl chloride follows the addition–elimination pathway, in contrast to 2‐thiophenecarbonyl chloride. Except in solvents of highest nucleophilicity and low ionizing power, the solvolyses of the naphthoyl chlorides (1‐naphthoyl, 2‐naphthoyl and 6‐methyl‐2‐naphthoyl) all favor the ionization pathway. In the correlation of the 1‐naphthoyl chloride solvolyses, there is a slight improvement when a term governed by the sensitivity to changes in the aromatic ring parameter (hI) is incorporated; this can be associated with a rather minor steric hindrance involving the peri‐hydrogen. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Selectively sulfonated poly(aryl ether sulfone)‐b‐polybutadiene for proton exchange membrane
Authors: Zhang Xingpeng , Liu Shengzhou , Yin Jie
Published: January 2006

A series of selectively sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone)‐b‐polybutadiene copolymers (SPAES‐b‐PB) were prepared based on carboxyl terminated polybutadiene (CTPB) and sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES) that was directly prepared by polycondensation of 4,4′‐isopropylidenediphenol with different molar ratios of disodium 3,3′‐disulfonate‐4,4′‐dichlorodiphenyl sulfone (SDCDPS) to 4,4′‐dichlorodiphenylsulfone (DCDPS), and subsequent selective postsulfonation of flexible PB block was carried out. Epoxidized modification of membranes was conducted by an in situ‐generated peracid method. The content of sulfonic acid groups attaching to aromatic rings in SPAES was determined by 1H NMR and was in good aggrement with the controlled ratios. The effect of sulfonated rigid blocks on the postsulfonation of PB blocks was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The glass transition temperature (Tg) and the temperature of the melting peak (T) of membranes in acid form were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. Fenton's reagent test revealed that the selectively sulfonated SPAES‐b‐PB membranes had good stability to oxidation. The microstructure of rod‐like rigid SPAES blocks and interpenetrating network of ions were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Complex impedance measurement showed that an epoxidized membrane with SPAES‐40 exhibited the highest proton conductivity (1.08 × 10−1 S/cm, 90 °C), which was due to the formation of obvious ionic networks. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 665–672, 2006
Exact exchange for correlated electrons
Authors: Novák P. , Kuneš J. , Chaput L. , Pickett W. E.
Published: January 2006

A density functional based “exact exchange for correlated electrons” (EECE) method of electronic structure determination, intended as an improved initial point for the description of systems containing correlated electrons, is proposed and its implementation is described. This approach bears strong resemblance to certain methods already in use: in implementation it is much like the LDA+U method with the important distinction that it is parameter‐free; in concept has much in common with previous ‘exact exchange’ and self‐interaction corrected approaches. The EECE method is applied to several systems with varying correlation strengths and characters (FeF2, NiO, hcp Gd, FeAl) and the results are compared with those obtained by LDA +U and Hartree–Fock methods as well as results within the local spin density and generalized gradient approximations to density functional theory. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Ab initio and DFT study of Y3+ hydration
Authors: Buzko Vladimir Y. , Sukhno Igor V. , Buzko Margarita B. , Subbotina Julia O.
Published: January 2006

An ab initio study of the molecular geometry and stability of Y(H2O) (n = 1–10) clusters at the restricted Hartree–Fock (RHF) and second‐order Møller–Plesset (MP2) levels is reported. The results obtained indicate that in aqueous solutions, the Y3+ ion is primarily 8‐coordinate. The most popular DFT functionals were tested to calculate the dimensions of the Y(H2O) aqua ion. It was found that SVWN5, SPL, BHandH, B3P86, and PBE1PBE functionals give the closest results to the experimental YO distance. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
Analysis of oxidizer salt mixtures by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Sigman Michael E. , Armstrong Paul
Published: January 2006

Binary aqueous mixtures of NaNO3, KNO3 and NaClO4 oxidizers were analyzed using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Sodium nitrate solutions were observed to form doubly charged clusters of the type [(NaNO3)n2Na]2+ and [(NaNO3)n2NO3]2−, where n = 11, 13, 15, etc., in addition to singly charged cluster ions that have been reported previously. The identity of the doubly charged clusters was determined by tandem mass spectrometry. Two‐component NaNO3KNO3 salt solutions were observed to form cluster ions of the type [(NaNO3)i(KNO3)jNO3]− in the negative ion mode and [(NaNO3)i(KNO3)jNa]+ and [(NaNO3)i(KNO3)jK]+ in the positive ion mode, where i + j = 1, 2, 3 … 10. Two‐component solutions of KNO3NaClO4 formed ions of the type [(KNO3)i(NaClO4)j(KClO4)k(NaNO3)lK]+ and [(KNO3)i(NaClO4)j(KClO4)k(NaNO3)lNa]+ in the positive ion mode, where i + j + k + l = 1, 2, 3 … 10. Similar clusters containing excess nitrate and perchlorate to provide the charge are formed in the negative ion mode. In each case, the maximum number of spectral lines for a cluster of size n can be calculated as the number of combinations of nth order (where n = i + j) of N different cation–anion pairs taken with replication and without regard for the ordering of the N cation–anion pairs. The actual number of lines observed may be reduced due to degeneracy of nominal m/z values for some ions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two methods for estimating aeroelastic damping of operational wind turbine modes from experiments
Authors: Hansen M. H. , Thomsen K. , Fuglsang P. , Knudsen T.
Published: January 2006

The theory and results of two experimental methods for estimating the modal damping of a wind turbine during operation are presented. Estimations of the aeroelastic damping of the operational turbine modes (including the effects of the aerodynamic forces) give a quantitative view of the stability characteristics of the turbine. In the first method the estimation of modal damping is based on the assumption that a turbine mode can be excited by a harmonic force at its natural frequency, whereby the decaying response after the end of excitation gives an estimate of the damping. Simulations and experiments show that turbine vibrations related to the first two tower bending modes can be excited by blade pitch and generator torque variations. However, the excited turbine vibrations are not pure modal vibrations and the estimated damping is therefore not the actual modal damping. The second method is based on stochastic subspace identification, where a linear model of the turbine is estimated alone from measured response signals by assuming that the ambient excitation from turbulence is random in time and space. Although the assumption is not satisfied, this operational modal analysis method can handle the deterministic excitation, and the modal frequencies and damping of the first tower and first edgewise whirling modes are extracted. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.