bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematic Studies using 2‐(1‐Adamantylethynyl)pyrimidine‐5‐carbaldehyde as a Starting Material in Soai’s Asymmetric Autocatalysis
Authors: Busch Mark , Schlageter Martin , Weingand Daniel , Gehring Timo
Published: July 2009

Herein, we present a new substrate for the Soai reaction, which has an adamantylethynyl residue (1 g) and exhibits asymmetric autocatalysis, yielding products with enantiomeric excesses above 99 %. For the first time, all reactions were performed on a parallel synthesizer system to ensure identical reaction conditions. A detailed systematic study of reaction parameters was performed and we report the highest enhancements of enantiomeric excess reported so far in the Soai reaction in one reaction cycle (7.2→94.1 % ee or 3.1→92.1 % ee). Our results led to a set of reaction parameters that yield reproducible results. Therefore, our new starting material 1 g is suitable for systematic and mechanistic studies on this remarkable reaction. A series of experiments designed to quantify the amplification of enantiomeric excess demonstrated that the reaction can be used in principle as a tool for the detection of low enantiomeric excesses: under definite conditions, an unknown low enantiomeric excess (0.1–7 %) was amplified to a detectable one. A back calculation to the original value offers a new method for the determination of small enantiomeric excesses.
Stereoselective synthesis and characterization of new enantiomerically pure phosphoric acids
Authors: Biaggi Cinzia , Benaglia Maurizio , Annunziata Rita , Rossi Sergio
Published: July 2009

Starting from (R)‐6,6′‐dimethyldiphenyl‐2,2′‐dicarboxylic acid, a novel class of enantiomerically pure cyclic dialkyl phosphates was synthesized and properly characterized. The absolute configuration was determined by 2D NOESY experiments. The catalytic behavior of the new chiral Bronsted acids was investigated in the stereoselective addition of a silyl keteneacetal to aldimines. The Mannich‐type reaction was promoted in up to 94% yields and enantioselectivities up to 55%. On the basis of preliminary molecular mechanic calculations, a model of stereoselection was also proposed to explain the sense of the enantioselectivity observed in the reaction. Chirality 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Toxicity Assessment by Microtox® in Sediments, Pore Waters and Sediment Saline Elutriates in the Gulf of Gdansk (Baltic Sea)
Authors: Łukawska‐Matuszewska Katarzyna , Burska Dorota , Niemirycz Elzbieta
Published: July 2009

The toxicity of sediments in the Gulf of Gdansk is analyzed in relation to the chemical composition of interstitial and near‐bottom waters, and sediment properties. The toxicity of sediments, pore waters and saline elutriates is determined by using the Microtox® test based on changes in light production of the luminescent bacteria Vibrio fischeri. The results indicate considerable toxicity in the majority of examined sediments. Since the sediment elutriates and pore waters are toxic in some cases, the total toxicity of the sediments is likely to be due to both sediment‐bound and water soluble substances. The sediment toxicity is related to the percentage contribution of the fine fraction of sediments. A significant correlation between the toxicity of the sediments and the black carbon content implies anthropogenic contamination. The toxicity of the sediments is seen to increase with the increase of hydrogen sulfide concentration in pore waters. The ammonia in pore waters was found not to be responsible for the toxicity of the sediments.
The morphology and spatial arrangement of astrocytes in the optic nerve head of the mouse
Authors: Sun Daniel , Lye‐Barthel Ming , Masland Richard H. , Jakobs Tatjana C.
Published: July 2009

We evaluated the shapes, numbers, and spatial distribution of astrocytes within the glial lamina, an astrocyte‐rich region at the junction of the retina and optic nerve. A primary aim was to determine how the population of astrocytes, collectively, partitions the axonal space in this region. Astrocyte processes labeled with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) compartmentalize ganglion cell axons into bundles, forming “glial tubes,” and giving the glial architecture of the optic nerve head in transverse section a honeycomb appearance. The shapes of individual astrocytes were studied by using transgenic mice that express enhanced green fluorescent protein in isolated astrocytes (hGFAPpr‐EGFP). Within the glial lamina the astrocytes were transverse in orientation, with thick, smooth primary processes emanating from a cytoplasmic expansion of the soma. Spaces between the processes of neighboring astrocytes were spatially aligned, to form the apertures through which the bundles of optic axons pass. The processes of individual astrocytes were far‐reaching—they could span most of the width of the nerve—and overlapped the anatomical domains of other near and distant astrocytes. Thus, astrocytes in the glial lamina do not tile: each astrocyte participates in ensheathing approximately one‐quarter of all of the axon bundles in the nerve, and each glial tube contains the processes of about nine astrocytes. This raises the mechanistic question of how, in glaucoma or other cases of nerve damage, the glial response can be confined to a circumscribed region where damage to axons has occurred. J. Comp. Neurol. 516:1–19, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mediation and inequality reconsidered: Bringing the discussion to the table
Authors: Wing Leah
Published: July 2009

The growing scholarship on inequality that occurs in mediation raises questions that challenge the underlying assumptions of the field. Reliance on mediator neutrality and the self‐determination of parties masks the realities of how mediation can and does produce and reproduce substantive and procedural inequality. Critical interrogation of both the hegemonic paradigm and its practices permits insight into how this operates and points to the importance of learning from other paradigms and developing new strategies for addressing this dilemma.
The politics of community mediation: A study of community mediation in Israel
Authors: Li‐On Lee
Published: July 2009

What is community mediation (CM), and how does it affect communities? Drawing on research that examined the politics of CM in the context of a complex, multicultural setting, this article portrays CM as a multifaceted discourse that stakeholders may use to achieve their particular goals. CM, it is suggested, is linked to multiple sources of power and is used by both state and residents to make contesting social claims. This article challenges the apolitical view of CM and its capacity to explain the complex character of power. It proposes considering CM from another perspective, suggesting that examining CM as discourse enables a broader understanding of its social role and significance and facilitates development of appropriate practice. The author suggests that to be socially meaningful CM should be practiced within a broader approach, in terms of social intervention, based on informed, context‐related training and practice. Such an approach requires that the role, policies, and practices of community mediation programs (CMPs), and mediators' roles and training, be reconsidered.
Damping torque analysis for DC bus implemented damping control
Authors: Du W. , Wang H. F. , Ju P. , Dunn R.
Published: July 2009

Damping torque analysis is a well‐developed technique for understanding and studying power system oscillations. This paper presents the applications of damping torque analysis for DC bus implemented damping control in power transmission networks in two examples. The first example is the investigation of damping effect of shunt voltage source converter (VSC) based flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) voltage control, i.e. static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) voltage control. It is shown in the paper that STATCOM voltage control mainly contributes synchronous torque and hence has little effect on the damping of power system oscillations. The second example is the damping control implemented by a battery energy storage system (BESS) installed in a power system. Damping torque analysis reveals that when BESS damping control is realized by regulating exchange of active and reactive power between the BESS and power system, respectively, BESS damping control exhibits different properties. It is concluded by damping torque analysis that BESS damping control implemented by regulating active power is better with less interaction with BESS voltage control and more robust to variations of power system operating conditions. In the paper, all analytical conclusions obtained are demonstrated by simulation results of example power systems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hepatitis B virus as a gene delivery vector activating foreign antigenic T cell response that abrogates viral expression in mouse models #
Authors: Deng Qiang , Mancini-Bourgine Maryline , Zhang Xiaoming , Cumont Marie-Christine , Zhu Ren , Lone Yu-Chun , Michel Marie-Louise
Published: July 2009

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is characterized by functionally impaired T cell responses. To ensure active immunotherapy, the immune response must be switched from exhausted T cells to functional effectors that can attain the liver and cure the viral infection. We thus designed a recombinant HBV (rHBV) containing a modified viral core gene that specifically delivers a foreign antigenic polyepitope to the liver. This recombinant virus could only be self-maintained in hepatocytes already infected by HBV through capsid complementation. A strong foreign epitope-specific T cell response was first primed in the periphery by way of DNA immunization in human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2/DR1 transgenic mice. After the hydrodynamic (hyd.) injection of rHBV, expression of the foreign antigenic polyepitope in hepatocytes attracted/reactivated a vigorous T cell response in situ. Most liver-infiltrating CD8+ T cells proved to be functional effectors. Following DNA priming and hyd. injection, the rHBV-based expression of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in mouse liver was almost completely inhibited without causing major liver injury. Studies in HBsAg/HLA-A2/DR1 transgenic mice further validated our approach. Conclusion: For the first time, HBV was used as a gene delivery vector, which strongly triggered functional T cell response and subsequently controlled the viral expression in the liver of surrogate mouse models for HBV infection. It might represent an innovative and promising strategy of active immunotherapy during HBV persistent infection. This concept could even be more generally extended to other chronic viral diseases. (Hepatology 2009.)
Nitric oxide suppresses transforming growth factor-β1–induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and apoptosis in mouse hepatocytes #
Authors: Pan Xinchao , Wang Xunde , Lei Weiwei , Min Lihua , Yang Yanan , Wang Xin , Song Jianguo
Published: July 2009

Nitric oxide (NO) is a multifunctional regulator that is implicated in various physiological and pathological processes. Here we report that administration of NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) inhibited transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and apoptosis in mouse hepatocytes. Overexpression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) by transfection of the iNOS-expressing vector, which increased NO production, also inhibited the TGF-β1-induced EMT and apoptosis in these cells. Treatment of cells with proinflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and interferon (IFN)-γ, which increased the endogenous NO production, produced the same inhibitory effect. Furthermore, exogenous NO donor SNAP treatment caused a decrease in the intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels. Consistently, depletion of intracellular ATP by mitochondrial uncoupler carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) inhibited the TGF-β1-induced EMT and apoptosis, suggesting that an NO-induced decrease of ATP involved in the NO-mediated inhibition of TGF-β1-induced EMT and apoptosis. NO and FCCP also inhibited TGF-β1-induced STAT3 activation, suggesting that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 inactivation is involved in the NO-induced effects on TGF-β1-induced EMT and apoptosis. Conclusion: Our study indicates that NO plays an important role in the inhibition of TGF-β1-induced EMT and apoptosis in mouse hepatocytes through the downregulation of intracellular ATP levels. The data provide an insight into the in vivo mechanisms on the function of NO during the processes of both EMT and apoptosis. (Hepatology 2009.)
Effective communication, collaboration, and coordination in eXtreme Programming: Human‐centric perspective in a small organization
Authors: Mishra Deepti , Mishra Alok
Published: July 2009

Effective communication, collaboration, and coordination are important contributing factors in achieving success in agile software development projects. The significance of the workplace environment and tools are immense in effective communication, collaboration, and coordination among people performing software development. In this article, we study how the workplace environment and the effective use of tools like whiteboards, status boards, and so forth for exchanging information improved communication, collaboration, and coordination without compromising the ability to do individual work by developers in a small‐scale software development organization. Based on experience and an extensive literature review of communication, collaboration, coordination, and the significance of these in the workplace environment, a survey questionnaire was developed to collect data and observe the effect of these in a small software development organization. Our study indicated appropriate workspace environment has a positive effect on communication, collaboration, and coordination in small organizations developing software using eXtreme Programming (XP). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Small interfering RNA‐mediated CXCR1 or CXCR2 knock‐down inhibits melanoma tumor growth and invasion
Authors: Singh Seema , Sadanandam Anguraj , Varney Michelle L. , Nannuru Kalyan C. , Singh Rakesh K.
Published: July 2009

CXCR1 and CXCR2 are receptors for CXCL‐8 and are differentially expressed on melanoma and endothelial cells. In this study, we determined the functional role of these receptors in melanoma progression. We stably knock‐down the expression of CXCR1 and/or CXCR2 in A375‐SM (SM; high metastatic) human melanoma cells by short‐hairpin RNA transfection. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, ERK phosphorlyation and cytoskeletal rearrangements were carried out in vitro. In vivo growth was evaluated using murine subcutaneous xenograft model. Our data demonstrate that knock‐down of CXCR1 and/or CXCR2 expression, inhibited melanoma cell proliferation, survival, migration and invasive potential in vitro. Moreover, we also observed inhibition of ERK phosphorylation and cytoskeltal rearrangement in SM‐shCXCR1, SM‐shCXCR2 and SM‐shCXCR1/2 cells. Furthermore, when SM‐shCXCR1 or SM‐shCXCR2 cells implanted in nude mice, tumor growth, proliferation and microvessel density was significantly inhibited as compared to SM‐control cells. In addition, we observed a significant increase in melanoma cell apoptosis in SM‐shCXCR1 and SM‐shCXCR2 tumors compared to SM‐control tumors. Together, these data demonstrate that CXCR1 and CXCR2 expression play a critical role in human melanoma tumor progression and, functional blockade of CXCR1 and CXCR2 could be potentially used for future therapeutic intervention in malignant melanoma.
GalNAcα1‐3Gal, a new prognostic marker for cervical cancer
Authors: Li Qian , Anver Miriam R. , Li Zhitao , Butcher Donna O. , Gildersleeve Jeffrey C.
Published: July 2009

Cancer cells undergo significant changes in carbohydrate expression, and these alterations can be useful as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In this study, we investigated the expression of carbohydrate antigens containing a terminal GalNAcα1‐3Gal or GalNAcα1‐6Gal on human cervix and cervical carcinoma. Monoclonal antibodies to each of these carbohydrates were generated by immunizing rabbits with the corresponding antigen conjugated to KLH followed by hybridoma production. Antibodies were screened and evaluated using a combination of carbohydrate microarray profiling, ELISA, dot blot and immunohistochemical staining to verify specificity. Antibody 132‐3 was found to selectively recognize GalNAcα1‐3Gal with little cross‐reactivity to other structurally similar antigens such as GalNAcα1‐6Gal, blood group A, Forssman antigen and the Tn antigen on both solution assays and human tissue. Although GalNAcα1‐6Gal expression was not detected, GalNAcα1‐3Gal expression was found on 55% of squamous cell carcinomas. Expression in normal tissue was observed but was restricted to the suprabasal epithelial layer. Importantly, we found expression of the antigen on cervical cancer had a statistically significant correlation with the 5‐year survival rate of the patients (48 vs. 85% for antigen negative vs. positive, p = 0.017). Expression of GalNAcα1‐3Gal did not correlate with other clinical factors including tumor stage, size and lymph node metastasis, indicating the antigen is a new, independent biomarker for the prognosis of cervical cancer. Published 2009 UICC.
Use of an expanded gold standard to estimate the accuracy of colposcopy and visual inspection with acetic acid
Authors: Cagle A.J. , Hu S.Y. , Sellors J.W. , Bao Y.P. , Lim J.M. , Li S.M. , Lewis K. , Song Y. , Ma J.F. , Pan Q.J. , Zhang W.H. , Zhao F.H. , Qiao Y.L.
Published: July 2009

We estimate the accuracy of colposcopy and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) while minimizing the effects of misclassification bias, and maximizing ascertainment of disease. VIA was performed by experienced physicians on a population‐based sample of women aged 30 to 49 years in rural Shanxi province, China. Each woman received VIA, liquid‐based cytology (LBC) and hybrid capture 2 (hc2, QIAGEN, Gaithersburg, MD; formerly Digene Corporation). Any woman who tested positive on any test had colposcopy, endocervical curettage (ECC) with directed biopsies as necessary and 4‐quadrant random biopsies from normal‐appearing areas of the cervix. A standard diagnosis based on colposcopy and directed biopsy, and an expanded diagnosis including ECC and 4‐quadrant random biopsy were generated for each woman. In 1,839 women, use of the expanded versus the standard diagnostic criteria increased the prevalence of histologically confirmed high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cancer (CIN2+) from 3.2% (59/1,839) to 4.2% (77/1,839) and decreased the sensitivity of VIA for CIN2+ from 69.5% (95% CI: 56.8–79.8) to 58.4% (95% CI: 47.3–68.8%) with little change in specificity of approximately 89%. Compared with the expanded diagnostic criterion, the sensitivity of a visual diagnosis of high‐grade CIN or cancer by a colposcopist was 49.4% (95% CI: 38.2–60.5). The use of an expanded diagnostic criterion in this study yielded more conservative estimates of the sensitivity of VIA and colposcopy.
Use of Xanthinol Nicotinate as a co‐treatment for radio‐ and chemo‐therapy in experimental tumors
Authors: Segers Jérome , Crokart Nathalie , Danhier Pierre , Grégoire Vincent , Jordan Bénédicte F. , Gallez Bernard
Published: July 2009

The tumor micro‐environment plays a key role in the tumor resistance to cytotoxic treatments. It has been demonstrated that it is possible to modulate the tumor microenvironment to potentiate anti‐cancer therapy. Here, we made the hypothesis that the vasoactive agent xanthinol nicotinate (XN) could be an important modulator of the tumor perfusion and oxygenation. Using functional non invasive techniques (in vivo EPR oximetry and dynamic contrast enhanced MRI), we were able to define a time window in which tumor oxygenation, flow and permeability were significantly increased in the TLT tumor model implanted in muscles of mice. As a consequence of the alleviation of tumor hypoxia, we found out that XN was able to radiosensitize the tumors when applying 10 Gy of X‐Rays during the reoxygenation of the tumors (enhancement in radiation response of 1.4). Moreover, the administration of cyclosphosphamide (50 mg/kg) used as a chemotherapeutic agent was more efficient when applying the treatment after XN administration (enhancement in response to chemotherapy of 2.7). These results show the importance of the dynamic evolution of the tumor microenvironment on the response to treatments, and that XN is an efficient modulator of the tumor hemodynamics that may potentiate cytotoxic treatments.
Effect of bioactive glass crystallization on the conformation and bioactivity of adsorbed proteins
Authors: Buchanan Laura A. , El‐Ghannam Ahmed
Published: July 2009

Protein adsorption onto the surface of a biomaterial mediates cell adhesion and enhances tissue‐implant integration. In a previous study, we demonstrated that crystallization of bioactive glass (BG) significantly increased the negative zeta potential and decreased serum protein adsorption onto the material surface. In this study, the conformation of protein adsorbed onto the surface of amorphous bioactive glass (ABG) and crystallized bioactive glass (CBG) was analyzed and correlated to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell adhesion and spreading. ABG and CBG were immersed in three different protein solutions containing 10% fetal bovine serum, bovine serum albumin (BSA), and fibronectin (FN) for 4 h at 37°C. Grazing angle Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (GA‐FTIR) demonstrated that the ratio of (amide I)/(amide II) functional groups of all proteins adsorbed onto ABG was greater than that for proteins adsorbed onto CBG. The Gaussian curve fitting analysis suggests that the significant expression of amide I, rich in charged and flexible unordered secondary structure of adsorbed FN, stimulated bone cell adhesion and spreading on the surface of ABG. CBG enforces protein conformation that exposes amide II, rich in neutral and stable β‐sheet structure and α‐helix, which limited cell adhesion and spreading. Although ABG adsorbed significantly higher quantity of BSA than FN, GA‐FTIR analyses showed that the ratio of amide I/amide II was significantly higher for adsorbed FN. Therefore, the intensity of amide I or amide II bands cannot be taken as a measure of the quantity of adsorbed protein. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Functional immobilization of interferon‐gamma induces neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells
Authors: Leipzig Nic D. , Xu Changchang , Zahir Tasneem , Shoichet Molly S.
Published: July 2009

Stem cell transplantation provides significant promise to regenerative strategies after injury in the central nervous system. Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) have been studied in terms of their regenerative capacity and their ability to differentiate into neurons when exposed to various soluble factors. In this study, interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) was compared with brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and erythropoietin and was shown to be the best single growth factor for inducing neuronal differentiation from adult rat brain‐derived NSPCs. Next, IFN‐γ was surface immobilized to a methacrylamide chitosan (MAC) scaffold that was specifically designed to match the modulus of brain tissue and neuronal differentiation of NSPCs was examined in vitro by immunohistochemistry. Bioactive IFN‐γ was successfully immobilized and quantified by ELISA. Both soluble and immobilized IFN‐γ on MAC surfaces showed dose dependent neuronal differentiation with soluble saturation occurring at 100 ng/mL and the most effective immobilized IFN‐γ dose at 37.5 ng/cm2, where significantly more neurons resulted compared with controls including soluble IFN‐γ. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus in calcium phosphate biomaterials via isostatic compression
Authors: Brouillet Marion , Gautier Helene , Miègeville Anne‐Françoise , Bouler Jean‐Michel , Merle Christian , Caillon Jocelyne
Published: July 2009

High hydrostatic pressure is currently used as a sterilization technique in agroalimentary field. This study explores the potential use of high pressure for bacterial inactivation of bone substitute calcium phosphate materials. Staphylococcus aureus strain incorporated in calcium phosphate powder was subjected to isostatic compression. Several parameters of compression were tested: application of pressure, time of plateau, number of compressions, and waiting time between two compressions. The results showed that the efficacy of compression increased with applied pressure and that time of plateau did not play an important role. The number of compressions influenced the efficiency of the technique and it was necessary to allow ample time between two compressions for bacteria to sufficiently multiply. The most effective protocol for preventing the growth of S. aureus in calcium phosphate involved two compressions of 5 minutes each at 140 MPa spaced at a 24‐hour interval. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Efficient synthesis of 5‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐2‐phenylimino‐ 1,3‐thiazolidin‐4‐ones and 5‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐2‐phenylamino‐4,5‐dihydro‐1,3‐thiazol‐4‐ones
Authors: Váňa Jiří , Hanusek Jiří , Růžička Aleš , Sedlák Miloš
Published: July 2009

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A new method for the synthesis of substituted 5‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐2‐phenylimino‐1,3‐thiazolidin‐4‐ones and 5‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐2‐phenylamino‐4,5‐dihydro‐1,3‐thiazol‐4‐ones is described, starting from phenylthioureas and 3‐bromotetrahydrofuran‐2‐one. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions, is very simple to perform, and is applicable to a relatively wide range of substituents in benzene nucleus. Some 1,3‐thiazolidin‐4‐ones show dynamic NMR behavior in solution because of prototropy tautomerism and E‐/Z‐stereoisomerism. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2009).
Convenient synthesis of some new pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine, pyridine, thieno[2,3‐b]pyridine, and isoxazolo[3,4‐d]pyridazine derivatives containing benzofuran moiety
Authors: Abdelhamid Abdou O.
Published: July 2009

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Pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines, pyrazoles, and thieno[2,3‐b]pyridine were synthesized from sodium salt of 5‐benzofuran‐2‐yl‐3‐hydroxypropenone and the appropriate of heterocyclic amines, diazonium chloride, and 1,3‐dicarbonoyl compounds. Pyrimidino[4′,5′:4,5]thieno[2,3‐b]pyridine, 1,2,3,4‐tetrazolo[1″,5″:6′,1′]‐pyrimidino[4′,5′:4,5]thieno[2,3‐b]pyridine and pyridino[2″,3″:2′,3′]thieno[4,5‐d]1,2,4‐triazolo[4,3‐e]pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized from 6‐benzo[d]furan‐2‐yl‐2‐thioxohydropyridine‐3‐carbonitrile and each of formic acid or formamide. Structures of the newly synthesized were established by elemental analysis and spectral data. J. Heterocyclic Chem. (2009).
Applicatıon of detrended fluctuation analysis to temperature data from Turkey
Authors: Orun Mediha , Koçak Kasım
Published: July 2009

Temperature is a basic weather and climate element and has a major role in the prediction of climate change. In this study, by using detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA), scaling exponent of daily mean temperature, daily maximum temperature, daily minimum temperature and daily temperature differences are calculated for 52 stations in Turkey. Local changes of scaling exponents are examined and their relation to the geographical structure is discussed. It is shown that all of the calculated scaling exponents are larger than 0.5 indicating that temperature data have long‐range correlations. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Effects of non‐invasive, 1,210 nm laser exposure on adipose tissue: Results of a human pilot study
Authors: Wanner Molly , Avram Mathew , Gagnon Denise , Mihm Martin C. , Zurakowski David , Watanabe Kanna , Tannous Zeina , Anderson R. Rox , Manstein Dieter
Published: July 2009

Background and Objectives

Laser radiation (1,210 nm) has been previously shown to be capable of selective photothermolysis of adipose tissue in vitro when applied non‐invasively. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the in vivo effects of this laser in human subjects.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Twenty‐four adult subjects were exposed non‐invasively on the abdomen to a 1,210 nm laser at fluences of 70, 80, and 90 J/cm2, with a 10 mm spot size, 5 seconds pre‐cooling, and 3 seconds exposure duration delivered with parallel contact cooling. There was an impairment of the skin‐cooling device during the study. Exposure and control sites were biopsied at either 1–3 days or 4–7 weeks. Tissue was processed for nitroblue tetrazolium chloride (NBTC) staining, a marker for thermal damage, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining.

Results

Laser exposures were painful, requiring local anesthesia in most subjects, but otherwise well tolerated. At 1–3 days after exposure, there was a fluence‐dependent loss of NBTC staining in the fat and dermis. In 2 of 14 subjects (2 of 42 exposure sites) evaluated at 1–3 days after exposure, epidermal damage was noted within a small portion of the test site, likely due to impaired contact cooling. At 4–7 weeks, lipomembranous changes of the fat were seen in 89% of test sites and 33% of control sites.

Conclusions

This in vivo study shows histologic evidence of laser‐induced damage of fat. With further development, this might become a useful treatment for disorders involving the fat and/or lower dermis. Lasers Surg. Med. 41:401–407, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Liquid Crystalline Ordering and Charge Transport in Semiconducting Materials
Authors: Pisula Wojciech , Zorn Matthias , Chang Ji Young , Müllen Klaus , Zentel Rudolf
Published: July 2009

Organic semiconducting materials offer the advantage of solution processability into flexible films. In most cases, their drawback is based on their low charge carrier mobility, which is directly related to the packing of the molecules both on local (amorphous versus crystalline) and on macroscopic (grain boundaries) length scales. Liquid crystalline ordering offers the possibility of circumventing this problem. An advanced concept comprises: i) the application of materials with different liquid crystalline phases, ii) the orientation of a low viscosity high temperature phase, and, iii) the transfer of the macroscopic orientation during cooling to a highly ordered (at best, crystalline‐like) phase at room temperature. At the same time, the desired orientation for the application (OLED or field‐effect transistor) can be obtained. This review presents the use of molecules with discotic, calamitic and sanidic phases and discusses the sensitivity of the phases with regard to defects depending on the dimensionality of the ordered structure (columns: 1D, smectic layers and sanidic phases: 2D). It presents ways to systematically improve charge carrier mobility by proper variation of the electronic and steric (packing) structure of the constituting molecules and to reach charge carrier mobilities that are close to and comparable to amorphous silicon, with values of 0.1 to 0.7 cm2 · V−1 · s−1. In this context, the significance of cross‐linking to stabilize the orientation and liquid crystalline behavior of inorganic/organic hybrids is also discussed.

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Induction of apoptosis and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug‐activated gene 1 in pancreatic cancer cells by a glycyrrhetinic acid derivative
Authors: Jutooru Indira , Chadalapaka Gayathri , Chintharlapalli Sudhakar , Papineni Sabitha , Safe Stephen
Published: July 2009

Methyl 2‐cyano‐3,11‐dioxo‐18β‐olean‐1,12‐dien‐30‐oate (CDODA‐Me) is a synthetic triterpenoid derived from glycyrrhetinic acid, a bioactive phytochemical in licorice, CDODA‐Me inhibits growth of Panc1 and Panc28 pancreatic cancer cell lines and activates peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ)‐dependent transactivation in these cells. CDODA‐Me also induced p21 and p27 protein expression and downregulates cyclin D1; however, these responses were receptor‐independent. CDODA‐Me induced apoptosis in Panc1 and Panc28 cells, and this was accompanied by receptor‐independent induction of the proapoptotic proteins early growth response‐1 (Egr‐1), nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug‐activated gene‐1 (NAG‐1), and activating transcription factor‐3 (ATF3). Induction of NAG‐1 and Egr‐1 by CDODA‐Me was dependent on activation of phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase (PI3‐K) and/or p42 and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways but there were differences between Panc28 and Panc1 cells. Induction of NAG‐1 in Panc28 cells was p38‐MAPK‐ and PI3‐K‐dependent but Egr‐1‐independent, whereas induction in Panc1 cells was associated with activation of p38‐MAPK, PI3‐K, and p42‐MAPK and was only partially Egr‐1‐dependent. This is the first report of the induction of the proapoptotic protein NAG‐1 in pancreatic cancer cells. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
TREMR: Table‐resonance elastography with MR
Authors: Gallichan Daniel , Robson Matthew D. , Bartsch Andreas , Miller Karla L.
Published: July 2009

Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a noninvasive method of measuring tissue compliance. Current MRE methods rely on custom‐built hardware to elicit vibrations that are tracked by MR imaging. Knowledge of the wave propagation can be used to calculate the local shear stiffness of the tissue. We sought to determine whether the vibrations of the patient table that result from low‐frequency switching of the imaging gradients could be used as an alternative mechanical driving mechanism for MRE. We designed a pulse sequence that includes a gradient lobe specifically for the excitation of mechanical resonance, allowing control of the time between the onset of the vibrations and the velocity‐encoding of the readout. Data collected from a gelatin phantom with stiff cylindrical gelatin inserts demonstrated that wave propagation can be imaged with this method. Postprocessing to estimate the local spatial frequency of the waves also allows estimation of the local shear stiffness, where the stiff inserts are clearly identifiable. Data collected on the brain of a normal healthy volunteer showed clear rotational waves propagating from the skull inwards, also allowing generation of shear stiffness maps. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Accelerated cardiac perfusion imaging using k‐t SENSE with SENSE training
Authors: Vitanis Viton , Manka Robert , Boesiger Peter , Kozerke Sebastian
Published: July 2009

In k‐t sensitivity encoding (SENSE), MR data acquisition performed in parallel by multiple coils is accelerated by sparsely sampling the k‐space over time. The resulting aliasing is resolved by exploiting spatiotemporal correlations inherent in dynamic images of natural objects. In this article, a modified k‐t SENSE reconstruction approach is presented, which aims at improving the temporal fidelity of first‐pass, contrast‐enhanced myocardial perfusion images at high accelerations. The proposed technique is based on applying parallel imaging on the training data in order to increase their spatial resolution. At a net acceleration of 5.8 (k‐t factor = 8, training profiles = 11) accurate representations of dynamic signal‐intensities were achieved. The efficacy of this approach as well as limitations due to noise amplification were investigated in computer simulations and in vivo experiments. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
All solid polymer electrolytes based on polar side group rotation for rechargeable lithium batteries
Authors: Zhou Shuhua , Kim Dukjoon
Published: July 2009

A novel polymer matrix with a polar carbonyl group was designed and used to prepare an all‐solid polymer electrolyte in lithium rechargeable batteries. The ionic conductivity of this type of polymer electrolyte was examined. The relationship between the lithium salt concentration and ionic conductivity was investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The carbonyl groups in the polymer matrix effectively interacted with the lithium salt, which improved the ionic conductivity at a large range of temperatures. The ionic conductivity of this type of polymer electrolyte was approximately 10−4 S cm−1 at room temperature. The stability of the interface between electrode and electrolyte was evaluated by measuring the alternating current (AC) impedance. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel model of bone‐metastatic prostate cancer in immunocompetent Mice
Authors: Power Carl A. , Pwint Hnin , Chan Jeffrey , Cho Jae , Yu Yan , Walsh William , Russell Pamela J.
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND

Bone metastasis is a frequent and catastrophic consequence of prostate cancer for which only palliative treatment is available. Animal models of bone metastatic prostate cancer are necessary for understanding disease mechanisms but few models exist.

METHODS

We have used the murine prostate carcinoma cell line RM1 to generate a bone metastatic model of prostate cancer. Repeated intracardiac injection of RM1 cells followed by isolation of cells from bone tumors has yielded a cell line with strong bone‐metastatic potential, RM1 bone metastatic (BM).

RESULTS

This cell line metastasizes to multiple bony sites in over 95% of injected C57BL/6 mice and is far less tropic to soft tissues. Bone tumors produced by the RM1(BM) cell line show no preference for particular skeletal sites as most bones are affected. Histology, and micro‐computed tomography show that RM1(BM) cells form osteolytic tumors, but with evidence of osteoblastic changes. In vitro the RM1 cells express E‐cadherin but not vimentin, do not form colonies in soft agar, are non‐invasive but are more motile than the parent cell line.

CONCLUSIONS

This model provides a novel means for identifying cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to bone metastasis and allow for preclinical testing of therapies to prevent and treat tumor metastasis to bone. Finally as the syngeneic tumor cells are injected into immunocompetent mice, this model will provide a means to study interactions between the immune system, tumors and bone, and therapies that target such interactions Prostate 69: 1613–1623, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adaptive coding and modulation for satellite broadband networks: From theory to practice
Authors: Bischl Hermann , Brandt Hartmut , de Cola Tomaso , De Gaudenzi Riccardo , Eberlein Ernst , Girault Nicolas , Alberty Eric , Lipp Stefan , Rinaldo Rita , Rislow Bjarne , Skard John Arthur , Tousch Jacky , Ulbricht Gerald
Published: July 2009

This paper presents the detailed design and the key system performance results of a comprehensive laboratory demonstrator for a broadband Ka‐band multi‐beam satellite system exploiting the new DVB‐S2 standard with adaptive coding and modulation (ACM). This complete demonstrator allows in‐depth verification and optimization of the ACM techniques applied to large satellite broadband networks, as well as complementing and confirming the more theoretical or simulation‐based findings published so far. It is demonstrated that few ACM configurations (in terms of modulation and coding) are able to efficiently cope with a typical Ka‐band multi‐beam satellite system with negligible capacity loss. It is also demonstrated that the exploitation of ACM thresholds with hysteresis represents the most reliable way to adapt the physical layer configuration to the spatial and time variability of the channel conditions while avoiding too many physical layer configuration changes. Simple ACM adaptation techniques, readily implementable over large‐scale networks, are shown to perform very well, fulfilling the target packet‐error rate requirements even in the presence of deep fading conditions. The impact of carrier phase noise and satellite nonlinearity has also been measured. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Developing a multi‐year learning progression for carbon cycling in socio‐ecological systems
Authors: Mohan Lindsey , Chen Jing , Anderson Charles W.
Published: July 2009

This study reports on our steps toward achieving a conceptually coherent and empirically validated learning progression for carbon cycling in socio‐ecological systems. It describes an iterative process of designing and analyzing assessment and interview data from students in upper elementary through high school. The product of our development process—the learning progression itself—is a story about how learners from upper elementary grades through high school develop understanding in an important and complex domain: biogeochemical processes that transform carbon in socio‐ecological systems at multiple scales. These processes: (a) generate organic carbon (photosynthesis), (b) transform organic carbon (biosynthesis, digestion, food webs, carbon sequestration), and (c) oxidize organic carbon (cellular respiration, combustion). The primary cause of global climate change is the current worldwide imbalance among these processes. We identified Levels of Achievement, which described patterns in the way students made progress toward more sophisticated reasoning about these processes. Younger learners perceived a world where events occurred at a macroscopic scale and carbon sources, such as foods and fuels, were treated as enablers of life processes and combustion rather than sources of matter transformed by those processes. Students at the transitional levels—levels 2 and 3—traced matter in terms of materials changed by hidden mechanisms (level 2) or changed by chemical processes (level 3). More advanced students (level 4) used chemical models to trace matter through hierarchically organized systems that connected organisms and inanimate matter. Although level 4 reasoning is consistent with current national standards, few high school students reasoned this way consistently. We discuss further plans for conceptual and empirical validation of the learning progression. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 46: 675–698, 2009
Minimum volume ellipsoid
Authors: Van Aelst Stefan , Rousseeuw Peter
Published: July 2009

The minimum volume ellipsoid (MVE) estimator is based on the smallest volume ellipsoid that covershof thenobservations. It is an affine equivariant, high‐breakdown robust estimator of multivariate location and scatter. The MVE can be computed by a resampling algorithm. Its low bias makes the MVE very useful for outlier detection in multivariate data, often through the use of MVE‐based robust distances.

We review the basic MVE definition as well as some useful extensions such as the one‐step reweighted MVE. We discuss the main properties of the MVE including its breakdown value, affine equivariance, and efficiency. We discuss the basic resampling algorithm to calculate the MVE and illustrate its use on two examples. An overview of applications is given, as well as some related classes of robust estimators of multivariate location and scatter. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Robust Methods
Affine concatenation
Authors: Elices Alberto
Published: July 2009

This paper presents a methodology to introduce time‐dependent parameters to affine models. The methodology is applied to the well‐known Heston's model for valuation of spot and forward start vanilla options. Calibration to the volatility surface of the Eurostoxx 50 index is carried out and the impact of calibration in the forward skew explored. Copyright © 2009 Wilmott Magazine Ltd
Long‐term trends of heron and egret populations in Italy, and the effects of climate, human‐induced mortality, and habitat on population dynamics
Authors: Fasola Mauro , Rubolini Diego , Merli Enrico , Boncompagni Eleonora , Bressan Umberto
Published: July 2009

Factors affecting bird population dynamics include climate, harvesting by humans, and habitat changes. Here, we describe the long‐term (1972–2006) population trends of seven heron species in NW Italy, an area holding important European breeding populations of these species. Grey (Ardea cinerea), purple (Ardeapurpurea), and squacco (Ardeola ralloides) herons, and little egrets (Egretta garzetta) exhibited a strong logistic increase, leveling off around year 2000 at 3–23 times their initial level. Black‐crowned night herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) began by increasing like the former species but then dropped to initial levels. Such trends were found to be influenced by several candidate ecological factors, as assessed by ARIMA models. Specifically, grey herons increased following a decrease in human‐induced mortality, as quantified by an index of hunting pressure, and an increase in winter temperatures. Little egrets increased mainly with the increase of the extent of ricefields, whereas squacco herons increased with increasing rainfall in the African wintering range. Black‐crowned night herons were also positively affected by increasing African rainfall, but only during 1972–1988, whereas in later years competition with other herons could have affected the species’ decline. The improved protection of colony sites by special reserves was unlikely to be the primary trigger of the observed increase, although obviously important for the long‐term population persistence. In conclusion, our study shows that heron populations of southern Europe are sensitive to environmental and climatic changes, as well as to temporal variation in human disturbance and changes in foraging habitats, though the importance of the different factors differs among species.
Cryosurgery and Impaction Subchondral Bone Graft for the Treatment of Giant Cell Tumor around the Knee
Authors: Abdelrahman Mohamed , Bassiony Ayman Abdelaziz , Shalaby Hisham , Assal Mohamed Kamal
Published: July 2009

Giant cell tumors are neoplasms of mesenchymal stromal cells with varied manifestations. There is no uniform accepted treatment protocol for these tumors. Curettage, although an accepted method of treatment, carries a high local recurrence rate. Adjuvant therapies including high-speed burr debridement, cryotherapy, and phenol treatment have been advocated to reduce local recurrence. We have used these adjuvants to determine if improved cure rate with improved outcomes could be attained with regard to local tumor control and functional outcome. Twenty-eight cases of proven giant cell tumors of the distal femur and proximal tibia were included in this prospective case series. The lesions were at the upper tibia in 14 cases and the lower femur in 14 patients. The patients were evaluated clinically, radiologically, and by histological examination. Companacci grading and Enneking staging were determined. The treatment was done in the following steps: Curettage and further debridement with a high-speed burr, cryotherapy, impaction of the cavity with subchondral iliac crest bone graft, and, finally, cementation with or without internal fixation. Functional evaluation was done by Enneking's system. The follow-up time was between 24–40 months with a mean of 34 months. The functional results of the procedure were rated as good to excellent with a mean of 93.9%. This technique has the advantages of joint preservation, excellent functional outcome, and low recurrence rate when compared with other treatment modalities. For these reasons, it is recommended as an adjuvant to curettage for most giant cell tumors of bone.
Synthesis of Tapered CdS Nanobelts and CdSe Nanowires with Good Optical Property by Hydrogen-Assisted Thermal Evaporation
Authors: Wang Min , Fei Guang Tao
Published: July 2009

The tapered CdS nanobelts and CdSe nanowires were prepared by hydrogen-assisted thermal evaporation method. Different supersaturation leads to two different kinds of 1D nanostructures. The PL measurements recorded from the as-prepared tapered CdS nanobelts and CdSe nanowires show only a bandgap emission with relatively narrow full-width half maximum, which means that they possess good optical property. The as-synthesized high-quality tapered CdS nanobelts and CdSe nanowires may be excellent building blocks for photonic devices.