bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Highly Diastereoselective Route to Dinaphtho[c,e][1,2]oxaphosphinines and Their Application as Ligands in Homogeneous Catalysis
Authors: Shuklov Ivan A. , Dubrovina Natalia V. , Jiao Haijun , Spannenberg Anke , Börner Armin
Published: February 2010

A new and facile method for the synthesis of 6H‐dinaphtho[c,e][1,2]oxaphosphinines starting from dinaphthol (BINOL) is described. The ring‐opening of an intermediary dinaphtho[2,1‐b;1′,2′‐d]furan proceeds with extremely high diastereoselectivity and forms the thermodynamically most stable product. The stereochemistry was elucidated by 31P NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray structural analysis. Epimerization at the stereogenic P‐centre did not take place. DFT calculations were performed to determine the dihedral angles of several dinaphtho[c,e][1,2]oxaphosphinines and to explain the observed loss of stereochemistry during the total synthesis from the starting enantiopure BINOL. The synthetic potential of 6‐chloro‐6H‐dinaphtho[c,e][1,2]oxaphosphinine was corroborated in its reactions with phenols to afford the corresponding phosphonites. These were successfully applied as ligands in the Rh‐catalysed hydroformylation of three terminal olefins.
Analysis of DNA complexes with small solutes by CE with LIF detection
Authors: Lee Kun‐Hong , Huang Ming‐Feng , Liu Chi‐Wei , Chang Huan‐Tsung
Published: February 2010

In this article, we describe the analysis of aptamers for Hg2+ ions through CE with LIF (CE‐LIF) detection using 2% poly(ethylene oxide) solutions containing OliGreen (fluorophore). In the presence of an EOF, DNA strands migrating against the EOF were detected at the cathode end. Four DNA strands – T33, T5C28, T5C5T23, and T15C5T13 – could not be separated through CE‐LIF in the absence of Hg2+. At 0.3 mM Hg2+, however, all four were partially separated within 20 min, with SDs of the migration times all being less than 2.5%. From the CE, fluorescence, and ellipticity data, we concluded that the conformations of these four DNA strands all changed from random‐coil to folded structures as a result of T–Hg2+–T bonding. In addition, we found that this CE approach provided different electropherograms patterns for T7, T15, and T33 in the absence and presence of Hg2+, indicating various interactions of the DNA strands with Hg2+. Using this simple, high‐resolution CE approach, we also demonstrated that adenosine triphosphate has a stronger interaction with the adenosine triphosphate aptamer than with either the platelet‐derived growth factor aptamer or T33. This CE approach holds great potential for screening aptamers for small solutes, studying the catalytic activity of DNAzymes, and evaluating the biological functions of microRNA.
New α‐Tetralone Galloylglucosides from the Fresh Pericarps of Juglans sigillata
Authors: Liu Qing , Zhao Ping , Li Xing‐Cong , Jacob Melissa R. , Yang Chong‐Ren , Zhang Ying‐Jun
Published: February 2010

Three new α‐tetralone galloylglucosides, 1–3, were isolated from the fresh pericarps of Juglans sigillata (Juglandaceae), together with six known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were determined as 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐7‐hydroxy‐4‐oxonaphthalen‐1‐yl 6‐O‐[(3,4,5‐trihydroxyphenyl)carbonyl]‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (1), (1S)‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐8‐hydroxy‐4‐oxonaphthalen‐1‐yl 6‐O‐[(3,4,5‐trihydroxyphenyl)carbonyl]‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (2), and 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐7,8‐dihydroxy‐4‐oxonaphthalen‐1‐yl 6‐O‐[(3,4,5‐trihydroxyphenyl)carbonyl]‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (3), respectively, on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses, and acidic and enzymatic hydrolysis. The antimicrobial activities of the isolated compounds 2, 4, and 7–9 were evaluated.
Dihydrobenzofuran Norlignans from the Leaves of Cedrela sinensis A. Juss
Authors: Lee Ik‐Soo , Kim Hong‐Jin , Youn Ui‐Jung , Chen Quan‐Cheng , Kim Jin‐Pyo , Ha Do Thi , Ngoc Tran Minh , Min Byung‐Sun , Lee Sang‐Myung , Jung Hyun‐Ju , Na Min‐Kyun , Bae Ki‐Hwan
Published: February 2010

Two new norlignans, cedralins A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the leaves of Cedrela sinensis. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic studies and chemical evidence. The absolute configurations of these compounds were determined by comparing their CD spectra with those of known compounds. In addition, their in vitro cytotoxic activity against two human‐cancer cell lines was evaluated.
TiO2 as a Reusable Catalyst for the One‐Pot Synthesis of 3,4‐Dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones under Solvent‐Free Conditions
Authors: Kassaee Mohammad Zaman , Masrouri Hassan , Movahedi Farnaz , Mohammadi Reza
Published: February 2010

An efficient solvent‐free method for the synthesis of various 3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones using TiO2 as a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst is described. Compared to known methods, satisfactory results are obtained with excellent yields, short reaction times, and simplicity in the experimental procedure.
Terpenoids from Croton regelianus
Authors: Torres Maria Conceição M. , Braz‐Filho Raimundo , Silveira Edilberto R. , Diniz Jaécio Carlos , Viana Francisco Arnaldo , Pessoa Otília Deusdênia L.
Published: February 2010

Two new terpenoids, the bisnorditerpene rel‐(5β,8α,10α)‐8‐hydroxy‐13‐methylpodocarpa‐9(11),13‐diene‐3,12‐dione (1) and the guaiane sesquiterpene rel‐(1R,4S,6R,7S,8aR)‐decahydro‐1‐(hydroxymethyl)‐4,9,9‐trimethyl‐4,7‐(epoxymethano)azulen‐6‐ol (2), together with seven known compounds, were isolated from Croton regelianus var. matosii. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by HR‐ESI‐TOF and a combination of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments.
Copper‐Catalyzed Ritter‐Type Reaction of Unactivated Alkenes with Dichloramine‐T
Authors: Abe Takumi , Takeda Hiroyuki , Miwa Yoshihisa , Yamada Koji , Yanada Reiko , Ishikura Minoru
Published: February 2010

It was shown that dichloramine‐T (1) reacted with cyclohexene in acetonitrile to give N1‐(2‐chlorocyclohexyl) amidine 2a and N‐(2‐chlorocyclohexyl)acetamide (3) via the competitive addition of acetonitrile and N‐chloro‐N‐tosylamino anion to cyclohexenechloronium ion. This reaction can be catalyzed by Cu(OAc)2, primarily affording 2a. Furthermore, the resulting 2a can be cyclized to benzimidazol 14a in good yield by treating with KOH in dioxane.
An Improved Protocol for the Synthesis of Quinoline‐2,3‐dicarboxylates under Neutral Conditions via Biomimetic Approach
Authors: Madhav Bandaru , Murthy Sabbavarapu Narayana , Rao Kakulapati Rama , Nageswar Yadavalli Venkata Durga
Published: February 2010

A mild and efficient protocol for synthesis of quinoline derivatives in aqueous medium under neutral conditions is described. The reaction proceeded smoothly in H2O catalyzed by supramolecular catalyst β‐CD. By this protocol, various quinoline derivatives were synthesized in excellent yields.
Stretching single DNA molecules to demonstrate high‐force capabilities of holographic optical tweezers
Authors: Farré Arnau , van der Horst Astrid , Blab Gerhard A. , Downing Benjamin P. B. , Forde Nancy R.
Published: February 2010

The well calibrated force‐extension behaviour of single double‐stranded DNA molecules was used as a standard to investigate the performance of phase‐only holographic optical tweezers at high forces. Specifically, the characteristic overstretch transition at 65 pN was found to appear where expected, demonstrating (1) that holographic optical trap calibration using thermal fluctuation methods is valid to high forces; (2) that the holographic optical traps are harmonic out to >250 nm of 2.1 μm particle displacement; and (3) that temporal modulations in traps induced by the spatial light modulator (SLM) do not affect the ability of optical traps to hold and steer particles against high forces. These studies demonstrate a new high‐force capability for holographic optical traps achievable by SLM technologies. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Determination of the influence of IR radiation on the antioxidative network of the human skin
Authors: Darvin Maxim E. , Haag Stefan F. , Meinke Martina C. , Sterry Wolfram , Lademann Jürgen
Published: February 2010

Production of free radicals in the human skin subsequent to IR irradiation has been demonstrated by means of two different methods. The first technique, based on resonance Raman spectroscopy, enables the non‐invasive measurements of the kinetics of cutaneous carotenoid antioxidants beta‐carotene and lycopene, subsequent to IR irradiation. Obtained degradation of the cutaneous carotenoids was a hint but not evidence that IR irradiation can produce free radicals in the skin. Therefore, the direct observation sustaining the production of free radicals subsequent to IR irradiation in the skin was performed in‐vitro by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Enzymatic processes as well as heat shock‐induced radicals in the human skin are presumably involved in the energy transfer from IR irradiation into the molecules of the skin. Protection strategy for human skin against IR‐induced free radicals based on the increase in the concentration of antioxidants by means of antioxidant‐rich supplementation is discussed. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Calculation of the standard binding free energy of sparsomycin to the ribosomal peptidyl‐transferase P‐site using molecular dynamics simulations with restraining potentials
Authors: Ge Xiaoxia , Roux Benoît
Published: February 2010

The standard (absolute) binding free energy of the antibiotic sparsomycin with the 50S bacteria ribosomal subunit is calculated using molecular dynamics (MD) free energy perturbation (FEP) simulations with restraining potentials developed by Wang et al. [Biophys. J. 91:2798–2814 (2006)]. In the simulation protocol, restraining potentials are activated for the orientational and translational movements of the ligand relative to the binding site when it is decoupled from the binding pocket, and then released once the ligand fully interacts with the rest of the system. A reduced system is simulated to decrease the computational cost of the FEP/MD calculations and the effects of the surrounding atoms are incorporated using the generalized solvent boundary potential (GSBP) method. The loss of conformational freedom of the ligand upon binding is characterized using the potential of mean force (PMF) as a function of the root‐mean‐square deviation (RMSD) relative to the bound conformation. The number of water molecules in the binding pocket is allowed to fluctuate dynamically in response to the ligand during the calculations by combining FEP/MD with grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations. The calculated binding free energy is about −6 kcal/mol, which is in reasonable agreement with the experimental value. The information gleaned from this study provides new insight on the recognition of ribosome by sparsomycin and highlights the challenges in calculations of absolute binding free energies in these systems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Minimal optimization technique for radio over fiber WLAN transmission in IM‐DD optical link
Authors: Yaakob Syamsuri , Mokhtar M.R. , Zamzuri Abdul Kadir Muhammad , Mohamad Romli , Razman Yahya Mohamed , Abdul Rashid Hairul Azhar
Published: February 2010

An optimization technique is presented for the radio over fiber (ROF) wireless local area network (WLAN) transmission in IM/DD optical link. The results show that with minimal optimization, directly modulated ROF WLAN 802.11g signal at 2.4 GHz and externally modulated 1.25 Gbps baseband signal can coexist in the 2 km IM/DD optical link with a power penalty of 3 dB. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52:812–815, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25029
Adaptive antenna on cascaded Butler Matrices system
Authors: Kamal Abdul Rahim Sharul , Gardner Peter
Published: February 2010

This article describes a smart antenna system with potential for vehicle communication system application. The system uses integrating low noise amplifiers with cascaded Butler Matrices. The system features high gain and narrow beam width output signals from the first Butler Matrix, high linearity, and broad beam width at the output of cascaded Butler Matrix and a capability for forming nulls in certain directions within the broad beam channel by switching off one of the amplifiers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52:847–849, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25034
Photon trapping model within a fiber Bragg grating for dynamic optical tweezers use
Authors: Yupapin P. P. , Saktioto T. , Ali J.
Published: February 2010

We propose a new potential model that can be used to describe the trapped photon within a fiber Bragg grating, which is trapped by the potential well. We found that the localized, i.e., trapped soliton within the fiber Bragg grating is seen. The soliton well within a dark soliton has been observed using the forward and backward pumping of the S‐band erbium doped fiber. The process of stimulated Brillouin scattering is described as a nonlinear interaction between the pump and the Stokes fields through an acoustic wave. As both energy and momentum are conserved during each scattering process, the annihilation of pump photon creates Stokes photon and an acoustic phonon simultaneously. The destruction interference is seen as the dark soliton valley, i.e., well, which is surrounded by the intense optical field, which is formed by the potential well. The application of such a behavior is that the dynamic probing tool known as an optical tweezers can be used. Moreover, the novel aspect for dynamic optical tweezers is plausible, where the trapped pulse or molecule can be moved, i.e., transportation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52:959–961, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25043
Rectangular M‐PRS structure for sectoral base station antenna with vertical polarization
Authors: Hajj Mohamad , Rodes Emmanuel , Serhal Dina , Chreim Hassan , Arnaud Eric , Jecko Bernard
Published: February 2010

This article presents a new method to realize sectoral antennas for base station by incorporating metallic partially reflecting surface (M‐PRS).The main idea consists in inserting simple radiating elements, as patches, inside a Fabry‐Perot cavity resonator. This consists of a ground plane, where the feeding system rests covered by a rectangular M‐PRS. A patch array is used as a feeding structure to enhance directivity and radiation bandwidth. A rectangular M‐PRS antenna for the uplink UMTS frequency band [1.92–1.98 GHz] working in vertical polarization is designed, and its performances are disclosed. Finally, a prototype is realized and the experimental measurements are compared to the simulated ones. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52:990–994, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25044
A printed circular‐ring monopole antenna with band‐notched feature for UWB application
Authors: Xiao Jin‐Xiang , Wang Mei‐Fang , Li Guo‐Jian
Published: February 2010

A printed circular‐ring monopole antenna with band‐notched feature for ultra‐wideband application has been presented and investigated. The band‐notched characteristic is achieved by attaching a C‐shaped short‐circuited stub. Experimental results show that the proposed antenna meets the requirement of wide‐working bandwidth of 3.1–10.6 GHz with voltage‐standing wave ratio <2, while avoiding the interference with the 5 GHz wireless local area network band. Transfer functions of the antenna systems are given experimentally, and the parametric studies are performed numerically in this article. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52:827–830, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25050
Internal wireless wide area network clamshell mobile phone antenna with reduced ground plane effects
Authors: Li Wei‐Yu , Wong Kin‐Lu
Published: February 2010

An internal wireless wide area network (WWAN) antenna applied in a clamshell mobile phone having an equivalent band‐stop circuit at the hinge to decrease the upper ground plane effects of the mobile phone on the antenna performances is presented. The internal WWAN antenna in this study is a small‐size printed monopole mounted at the bottom of the main ground. This band‐stop circuit can perform a parallel resonance at around 900 MHz and leads to high impedance seen into the upper ground in the 900 MHz band, which greatly decreases the excited surface currents on the upper ground. At around 1900 MHz, owing to its shorter wavelength, the surface currents on the upper ground excited by the internal antenna on the main ground are small for both the traditional and proposed clamshell mobile phone structures. Hence, over the WWAN operating bands, the presence of the upper ground shows very small effects on the impedance matching and radiation characteristics of the antenna on the main ground. The SAR and HAC studies on the proposed clamshell mobile phone structure are also presented. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52:922–930, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25056
Application of varying‐frequency amplitude‐only technique for electrical characterization of hardened cement‐based materials
Authors: Hasar U. C. , Simsek O. , Aydin A. C.
Published: February 2010

There is a need for characterization of cement‐based materials by a simple and inexpensive microwave measurement setup for industrial applications. Nondestructive and contactless characterization of these materials can be realized by free‐space reflection/transmission measurements. Reflection measurements are convenient for applications where the sensor can only be placed on one side of the material such as measurements on pavement, backfilled concrete wall, and roadway. In this article, we use varying‐frequency amplitude‐only technique for electrical characterization of cement‐based materials using reflection measurements at three different frequencies. We have demonstrated that measurements by the proposed method are in good agreement with those obtained from reflection and transmission measurements. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52:801–805, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25057
Polarization independent planar silver superlens with switchable anisotropic layer
Authors: Mei Hao , Chang Yun‐Ching , Yang Chia‐En , Zhu Yong , Yin Stuart , Luo Claire
Published: February 2010

In this article, the imaging effect of planar silver superlens is quantitatively analyzed and the optimized structure that has the highest spatial resolution and contrast ratio is identified. To defeat the intrinsic restriction on the polarization direction of the illuminating light, we investigate a new structure of superlens that contains a switchable anisotropic layer. Simulation results show that the new superlens can achieve very good imaging result with both transverse electric polarized light when the switchable anisotropic layer is set at the anisotropic state and the transverse magnetic polarized light when the switchable anisotropic layer is set at the isotropic state. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52:809–812, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25070
Ultra‐wideband microstrip antenna with enhanced impedance bandwidth
Authors: Naser‐Moghadasi Mohammad , Sadeghzadeh R.A. , Katouli Morteza , Virdee Bal S.
Published: February 2010

This article presents a novel ultra‐wideband (UWB) microstrip‐fed planar monopole antenna composed of a rectangular patch and a ground‐plane π‐shape slot structure. Impedance bandwidth of the proposed antenna is ∼147% over an UWB frequency range between 3 and 19.7 GHz satisfying FCC's requirements for an antenna by a factor in excess of twofold. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52:870–873, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25072
Analysis of disk patch antenna with parasitic elements in single and multilayer structures
Authors: Ansari J. A. , Yadav Nagendra Prasad , Singh Prabhakar
Published: February 2010

In this article, the analysis of disk patch antenna with two parasitic elements in single layer and in multilayer layer configurations is presented. The bandwidth of the antenna significantly depends on gap separation (s) and thicknessh2. Bandwidth of the antenna in single‐layer gap‐coupled structure is found to be 19.01%, and it improves up to 45.57% in multilayer patch. Further, an enhanced radiation of 8.33 dB is achieved in multilayer patch as compared with simple disk patch. The theoretical results obtained from the analysis are compared with IE3D simulated and experimental results, which are in good agreement. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52:865–870, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25076
High‐performance W‐band MMIC mixer module using GaAs metamorphic HEMT
Authors: An Dan , Kim Sung‐Chan , Rhee Jin‐Koo
Published: February 2010

In this letter, we report on a high‐performance 94‐GHz millimeter‐wave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) mixer module using 0.1‐μm metamorphic high electron mobility transistors. A modified resistive mixer with a RF amplifier was proposed in this work for low conversion loss and high LO‐RF isolation. The MMIC mixer module was fabricated using a MMIC chip and CPW‐waveguide transitions. The fabricated mixer chip and module showed a low conversion loss of 6.3 and 9.5 dB, and LO‐RF isolations of 24.8 and 30.4 dB at 94 GHz, respectively. This results are superior to those of previously W‐band (75–110 GHz) MMIC mixers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52:815–817, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25081
The design of integrated 0.13‐μm CMOS receiver for ultra‐wideband systems
Authors: Park Bonghyuk , Lee Kwangchun , Choi Sangsung , Hong Songcheol
Published: February 2010

A fully integrated 0.13‐μm CMOS receiver for ultra‐wideband systems is implemented. This receiver enables eight bands of operation covering 3.1–9.0 GHz. The system, based on the Multiband OFDM Alliance standard proposal and consisting of a direct‐conversion receiver chain and required noise figure, is discussed. The average conversion gain and input P1dB are 67.3 dB and −25.4 dBm, respectively. The shunt‐series feedback low‐noise amplifier provides a receiver front‐end noise figure of 7.1–9.5 dB over the entire band. The mixer, based on a folded‐cascode topology, also implements a four‐stage programmable gain amplifier. A fabricated die has been bonded and molded onto PCB for characterization. The receiver chip dissipates 48 mA from 1.2 V power supply. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52:841–845, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25083
Study of an ultra‐wide stopband microstrip bandpass filter with half asymmetric stepped impedance open stub resonators
Authors: Zheng Guangming , Lin Weigan
Published: February 2010

In this letter, a novel microstrip bandpass filter (BPF) with half asymmetric resonators is presented.With Filter structure and capacitively loaded coupling, a wide bandwidth with sufficient rejection level can be achieved easily. The electromagnetic simulation is used, and the prototype of the BPF is fabricated and measured. Comparisons of simulated results and experimental data are shown; moreover, good match validates the proposed filter. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52:845–847, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25084
A low profile post‐type monopole antenna with a ring and four small posts
Authors: Jang Yong‐Woong , Go Hyun‐Chul , Lee Sang‐Woo
Published: February 2010

This article presents a low profile wideband top‐loading monopole antenna with a ring and four small post‐shape plates. And an inserted ring‐shaped plate makes a gap from the post element and leads to enhance wider and higher gain than the conventional top‐loading monopole. Four small post‐shape plates also lead to obtain higher antenna gain, uniformity radiation patterns. Moreover, top‐load also leads to reduce the height of antenna (a small antenna size). The experimental impedance bandwidth is approximately 1.55–2.73 GHz (% bandwidth is 55.14%) below with VSWR ≤2.0. This antenna also presents a wideband, a uniformity radiation patterns characteristic, respectively. The proposed antenna can be applied PCS, DCS, IMT‐2000, WLL. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52:910–912, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25086
Characterization of AOT capped cadmium sulfide quantum dots using fluorescence spectroscopy
Authors: Daniels‐Race Theda , Thiruvengadam Sathish
Published: February 2010

Colloidal cadmium sulfide quantum dots (Q‐CdS) capped with dioctyl sulfosuccinate (AOT) were synthesized and characterized. Fluorescence spectroscopy is used to verify quantized dot formation, size, and emission wavelength. Optical characterization of this form is necessary for fundamental investigation of hybrid electronic materials and their potential use in next‐generation devices. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52:912–913, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25087
SB431542 treatment promotes the hypertrophy of skeletal muscle fibers but decreases specific force
Authors: Watt Kevin I. , Jaspers Richard T. , Atherton Phillip , Smith Ken , Rennie Michael J. , Ratkevicius Aivaras , Wackerhage Henning
Published: February 2010

The small molecule inhibitor SB431542 inhibits activin type I receptors. The muscle growth‐inhibitor myostatin binds to and signals via these receptors. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that SB431542 can inhibit myostatin‐related Smad signaling and induce muscle growth in cultured C2C12 myotubes and increase growth and specific force in cultured Xenopus muscle fibers. The effect of SB431542 was assessed in vitro on C2C12 myotubes and ex vivo using mature Xenopus muscle fibers. SB431542 treatment reduced myostatin‐induced C‐terminal Smad2 phosphorylation and resulted in the formation of enlarged myotubes. However myogenin expression was unchanged, while p70 S6k phosphorylation at Thr389, total myosin heavy chain, and the rate of protein synthesis were all reduced. Mature Xenopus muscle fibers that were treated with SB431542 had a higher fiber cross‐sectional area but decreased specific force production than control. SB431542 can initially antagonize myostatin signaling, but long‐term unexpected signaling effects occur. Muscle fibers hypertrophy, but their specific force decreases compared to control. Muscle Nerve, 2010
Induction of myogenic differentiation by SDF‐1 via CXCR4 and CXCR7 receptors
Authors: Melchionna Roberta , Di Carlo Anna , De Mori Roberta , Cappuzzello Claudia , Barberi Laura , Musarò Antonio , Cencioni Chiara , Fujii Nobutaka , Tamamura Hirokazu , Crescenzi Marco , Capogrossi Maurizio C. , Napolitano Monica , Germani Antonia
Published: February 2010

The stromal cell–derived factor (SDF)‐1/CXC receptor 4 (CXCR4) axis has been shown to play a role in skeletal muscle development, but its contribution to postnatal myogenesis and the role of the alternate SDF‐1 receptor, CXC receptor 7 (CXCR7), are poorly characterized. Western blot analysis and real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed to evaluate in vitro the effect of SDF‐1 and CXCR4 and CXCR7 inhibition on myogenic differentiation. Proliferating myoblasts express CXCR4, CXCR7, and SDF‐1; during myogenic differentiation, CXCR4 and CXCR7 levels are downregulated, and SDF‐1 release is decreased. SDF‐1 anticipates myosin heavy chain accumulation and myotube formation in both C2C12 myoblasts and satellite cells. Interestingly, inhibition of CXCR4 and CXCR7 signaling, either by drugs or RNA interfererence, blocks myogenic differentiation. Further, the CXCR4 antagonist, 4F‐benzoyl‐TN14003, inhibits myoblast cell cycle withdrawal and decreases the retinoblastoma gene (pRb) product accumulation in its hypophosphorylated form. Our experiments demonstrate that SDF‐1 regulates myogenic differentiation via both CXCR4 and CXCR7 chemokine receptors. Muscle Nerve 000:000–000, 2010
Myopathy and parkinsonism in phosphoglycerate kinase deficiency
Authors: Sotiriou Evangelia , Greene Paul , Krishna Sindu , Hirano Michio , DiMauro Salvatore
Published: February 2010

A 25‐year‐old man with exertional myoglobinuria had no evidence of hemolytic anemia, but he had severe parkinsonism that was responsive to levodopa. Phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) activity was markedly decreased in muscle, and molecular analysis of thePGK1gene identified the p.T378P mutation that was recently reported in a patient with isolated myopathy. This case reinforces the concept that PGK deficiency is a clinically heterogeneous disorder and raises the question of a relationship between PGK deficiency and idiopathic juvenile Parkinson disease. Muscle Nerve, 2010
Muscle weakness and atrophy are associated with decreased regenerative capacity and changes in mTOR signaling in skeletal muscles of venerable (18–24‐month‐old) dystrophic mdx mice
Authors: Mouisel E. , Vignaud A. , Hourdé C. , Butler‐Browne G. , Ferry A.
Published: February 2010

The muscles of mdx mice progressively deteriorate with age. We wanted to know whether this is associated with a decrease in regenerative capacity and/or changes in the mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTOR) signaling pathway. Muscles of mdx mice aged 5 weeks, 5, 12, and 18–24 months were studied. Maximal force and muscle weight of the older mice were decreased as compared to younger adult mice. Activation of the mTOR signaling pathway, i.e., phosphorylation of Akt (also known as protein kinase B) and ribosomal protein S6 was also reduced in the older mice. Moreover, 14 days after cardiotoxin injury the degree of recovery of maximal force and muscle weight were less in the older mice. In contrast to younger mice, there was also activation of the mTOR pathway during regeneration in the older mice. Progressive muscle weakness and atrophy in mdx mouse muscle is associated with a decline in regenerative potential and changes in activation of the mTOR signaling pathway. Muscle Nerve 000: 000–000, 2010
Organizational determinants of work outcomes and quality care ratings among Army Medical Department registered nurses
Authors: Patrician Patricia A. , Shang Jingjing , Lake Eileen T.
Published: February 2010

The Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and several single‐item measures were administered to registered nurses (RNs) working within 23 U.S.‐based Army Medical Department (AMEDD) hospitals. Data were analyzed with logistic regression for nested data. Unfavorable nursing practice environments had a substantial association with job dissatisfaction (OR 13.75, p < .01), emotional exhaustion (OR 12.70, p < .01), intent to leave (OR 3.03, p < .01), and fair to poor quality of care (OR 10.66, p < .01). This study provides the first system‐wide analyses of nursing practice environments in AMEDD hospitals in the U.S. Similar to findings in civilian samples, poor quality work environments are associated with less favorable RN work outcomes and quality of care ratings. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 33:99–110, 2010
Characterization of polyether‐poly(methyl methacrylate)‐lithium perchlorate blend electrolytes
Authors: Barbosa Paula C. , Rodrigues Luísa C. , Silva Maria Manuela , Smith Michael J. , Valente Prudência B. , Gonçalves Alexandra , Fortunato Elvira
Published: February 2010

Solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) systems based on interpenetrating blends of poly(ethylene oxide‐co‐propylene oxide) and poly(methyl methacrylate) host matrices, with lithium perchlorate as guest salt, were prepared. These electrolytes were presented as free‐standing films, and their thermal and electrochemical properties were characterized by conductivity and electrochemical stability measurements.

The properties of the interpenetrating blends of poly(ethylene oxide‐co‐propylene oxide) and poly(methyl methacrylate) host matrices as the electrolyte component of a solid‐state electrochromic device are reported and the results obtained suggest that this electrolyte provides an encouraging performance in this application. The most conducting electrolyte composition of this SPE system is the formulation designated as SPE2‐0PC (5.01 × 10−4 S cm−1 at about 57°C). The lowest decomposition temperature was registered with the SPE6‐15PC composition (233°C). The average transmittance in the visible region of the spectrum was above 41% for all the samples analyzed. After coloration the device assembled with 71 wt% PC presented an average transmittance of 15.71% and an optical density at 550 nm of 0.61. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous quantification of 14 bioactive constituents in Forsythia Suspensa by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionisation–mass spectrometry
Authors: Cui Yang , Wang Qiao , Shi Xiaowei , Zhang Xiaowei , Sheng Xiaona , Zhang Lantong
Published: February 2010

Introduction – Forsythia suspensa is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine including phenylethanoid glycosides, lignans, flavonoids, terpenes and volatile oils. Quantification of multi‐components is important for the quality control of Forsythia suspensa.

Objective – To establish a liquid chromatography–electrospray ionisation–mass spectrometry method for simultaneous quantification of 14 bioactive constituents of Forsythia suspensa in different places of China and different parts of this herb.

Methodology – The optimal chromatographic conditions were achieved on a Kromasil C18 column (150 ¥ 4.6  mm, 5  mm) with gradient elution of methanol, acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in 27  min. Detection was performed in negative ionisation mode by monitoring the precursor–product combination in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The validation of the method included tests of linearity, sensitivity, precision, repeatability, stability and accuracy.

Results – All calibration curves showed good linear regression (r > 0.9990) within test ranges. The established method showed good precision and accuracy with overall intra‐day and inter‐day variations of 0.7–4.3 and 1.1–3.9% respectively, and overall recoveries of 96.65–101.2% for the compounds analysed.

Conclusion – The proposed method was successfully applied for the quantitative analysis of 14 constituents in 12 Forsythia suspensa samples. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermal and morphological properties of thermotropic liquid‐crystalline copolyesters containing poly(ethylene terephthalate), 4‐hydroxyphenylacetic acid and main‐chain rigid aromatic units
Authors: Babacan Volkan , Aksoy Serpil , Yerlikaya Zekeriya , Altinok Haydar
Published: February 2010

Thermotropic liquid‐crystalline polymers (TLCPs) have aroused considerable interest due to their attractive properties as high‐performance materials. Significant research attention has been devoted to investigating the relationship among monomer structures, syntheses and end‐use properties of TLCPs. The study reported here concerns the preparation, characterization and melt spinning of novel copolyesters containing two different flexible units together with two different aromatic units in the polymer chains. A range of copolyesters based on p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (p‐HBA), m‐hydroxybenzoic acid, p‐hydroxyphenylacetic acid and poly(ethylene terephthalate) were synthesized. The liquid crystallinity, thermal properties and degrees of crystallinity of these copolyesters were investigated using hot‐stage polarized light microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction. Copolyester fibres were characterized using scanning electron microscopy. The copolyesters were melt‐processable, thermally stable and could be processed above their melting temperatures without degradation. The degree of crystal structure was found to depend upon the content of p‐HBA. The fibres prepared showed that polymer chains had a well‐developed fibrillar structure. Novel TLCPs containing flexible units in the main chain were synthesized and characterized. Copolyesters containing p‐HBA units ranging from 55 to 70 mol% exhibited phase‐separated liquid‐crystalline morphology, appropriate melting temperatures and high thermal stability for melt processing. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis and characterization of a novel solid–solid phase change luminescence material
Authors: Gu Xiaohua , Xi Peng , Cheng Bowen , Niu Shuqing
Published: February 2010

Because of the large energy storage and small temperature variation during the phase change process, phase change materials (PCMs) are attracting increasing attention. In this study, a novel solid–solid PCM was prepared by coordinating rare earth Eu3+ ions to the carboxylate groups of a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) modified with two terephthalic acid groups. The structure and properties of the material were characterized using 1H NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatograph and fluorescence spectroscopy. The coordination of Eu3+ with the double‐carboxylated PEG material significantly improved both the enthalpy value of the phase change material and its light‐emitting properties. This paper describes the facile synthesis and characterization of a novel phase exchange luminescent Eu–PEG material. The light‐emitting characterizations show that this modified PEG material has both good phase change properties and excellent luminescent properties. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Copolymers based on poly(butylene terephthalate) and polycaprolactone‐block‐polydimethylsiloxane‐block‐polycaprolactone
Authors: Antić Vesna V , Pergal Marija V , Govedarica Milutin N , Antić Mališa P , Djonlagić Jasna
Published: February 2010

A series of novel thermoplastic elastomers, based on poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) and polycaprolactone‐block‐polydimethylsiloxane‐block‐polycaprolactone (PCL‐PDMS‐PCL), with various mass fractions, were synthesized through melt polycondensation. In the synthesis of the poly(ester‐siloxane)s, the PCL blocks served as a compatibilizer for the non‐polar PDMS blocks and the polar comonomers dimethyl terephthalate and 1,4‐butanediol. The introduction of PCL‐PDMS‐PCL soft segments resulted in an improvement of the miscibility of the reaction mixture and therefore in higher molecular weight polymers. The content of hard PBT segments in the polymer chains was varied from 10 to 80 mass%. The degree of crystallinity of the poly(ester‐siloxane)s was determined using differential scanning calorimetry and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering. The introduction of PCL‐PDMS‐PCL soft segments into the polymer main chains reduced the crystallinity of the hard segments and altered related properties such as melting temperature and storage modulus, and also modified the surface properties. The thermal stability of the poly(ester‐siloxane)s was higher than that of the PBT homopolymer. The inclusion of the siloxane prepolymer with terminal PCL into the macromolecular chains increased the molecular weight of the copolymers, the homogeneity of the samples in terms of composition and structure and the thermal stability. It also resulted in mechanical properties which could be tailored. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Assessment of psychological distress in cancer patients: a pivotal role for clinical interview
Authors: Bonacchi A. , Rossi A. , Bellotti L. , Franco S. , Toccafondi A. , Miccinesi G. , Rosselli M.
Published: February 2010

Objective: The evaluation of psychological distress in cancer patients recently entered oncologic clinical practice. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of clinical interview within psycho‐oncologic assessment.

Methods: Questionnaires assessing distress (PDI), psychopathology (MHQ, HADS) and needs (NEQ) and a subsequent clinical interview were proposed to 320 consecutive inpatients from the Oncology Department of Careggi Hospital in Florence.

Results: The clinical interview made it possible to evaluate a significant percentage of patients (30%) who did not fill in questionnaires and to detect the presence of distress in 39 (13.7%) patients who would not have received a diagnosis in a protocol for the assessment of distress based only on questionnaires. It also provided the possibility to ask for help or to receive clinical support to a high percentage of patients (44.1%) who had not requested to speak to a psychologist through the questionnaires (NEQ). Moreover, 25% of patients who received prolonged clinical support had a low score in tests detecting distress, indicating that the opportunity for therapeutic support can emerge during a clinical interview, also in the absence of relevant symptoms detected by questionnaires.

Conclusions: The use of more than one questionnaire in the assessment of distress and psychopathology is associated with reduced compliance and redundant information. On the other hand, clinical interview has a pivotal role in clinical evaluation and access to psychological support. We conclude that optimal efficacy of programs assessing distress in cancer patients is reached when a single questionnaire evaluating distress is associated with a clinical interview. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changes in employment status and experience of discrimination among cancer patients: findings from a nationwide survey in Korea
Authors: Park Jae‐Hyun , Park Jong‐Hyock , Kim Sung‐Gyeong , Lee Kyung‐Sook , Hahm Myung‐Il
Published: February 2010

Background: As the number of working cancer patients increases, workplace discrimination and its relationship to changes in employment status among cancer patients is becoming an increasingly important social concern. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the relationship between changes in employment status and discrimination following a diagnosis of cancer.

Methods: A total of 748 cancer patients, aged 18 years and older, who were employed before receiving a diagnosis of cancer, were enrolled in this study. Patients were recruited from ten cancer centers in Korea. Sociodemographic data, work‐related data, and clinical information, as well as information on changes in employment status and incidences of discrimination, were collected from all patients.

Results: A change in employment status was reported by 73.4% of the sample, with unemployment being the most common change (46.4%). Forty‐two (5.6%) patients reported that they had experienced discrimination in the workplace. Reports of discrimination were only weakly correlated with changes in employment status, but were significantly correlated with forced unemployment. Additional analyses revealed that being female, being from a lower socioeconomic status group and having a disability were risk‐factors for unemployment, while being male, being from a higher socioeconomic status group and having a disability were risk‐factors for workplace discrimination or forced unemployment.

 Conclusions: More attention should be paid to vulnerable who are diagnosed with cancer. An individualized and culture‐based approach should be taken to minimize undesirable changes in employment status and to reduce discrimination among patients receiving a diagnosis of cancer. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of human antibody responses to keyhole limpet hemocyanin on a carbohydrate microarray
Authors: Oyelaran Oyindasola , Gildersleeve Jeffrey C.
Published: February 2010

Purpose: Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) is used as a vaccine adjuvant, as a carrier protein for small haptens, and as a treatment for bladder cancer. Immunization with KLH produces antibodies to tumor‐associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) in animals, and these antibodies have been postulated as the basis of efficacy for bladder cancer treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate antibody responses to KLH in humans.

Experimental design: A carbohydrate microarray was used to profile antibody responses in 14 individuals immunized with KLH plus alum adjuvant.

Results: Eight out of fourteen individuals produced antibodies to at least one TACA. Increases to Lewis X, Lewis Y, GA1di, GM3, and sialyl Lewis A were observed in certain individuals, but, in general, antibody profiles were highly variable. Pre‐immunization antibody levels to a subset of array antigens had a statistically significant correlation with the magnitude of the antibody response to KLH.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: Antibodies to TACAs can be produced in humans, but antibody profiles differ considerably from person to person, which may contribute to variable clinical responses with KLH. Pre‐treatment antibody levels to certain antigens may be useful for predicting which patients will respond favorably to KLH.
Two New 3D Lanthanide Coordination Polymers with Benzenesulfonic and Adipic Acids: Synthesis, Structure and Luminescent Properties
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Bai Feng‐Ying , Xing Yong‐Heng , Xie Yan , Ge Mao‐Fa , Niu Shu‐Yun
Published: February 2010

Two new lanthanide complexes [Sm2(ad)2.5(BSA)(H2O)2]n (1) and [Nd2(ad)2.5(BSA)(H2O)2]n (2) (H2ad = adipic acid, HBSA = benzenesulfonic acid) were synthesized hydrothermally from the reaction of the lanthanide ions (Ln3+) with flexible aliphatic dicarboxylate and the rigid benzene sulfonic acid and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. They crystallize monoclinic in space group P21/ c. Structural analyses revealed that the two complexes have intricate 3D net structures constructed by the bridging adipic ligand and benzenesulfonic acid. The thermogravimetric analysis of 1 and 2, as well as photoluminescent properties of 1 are discussed in detail.
Kristallstrukturen der iso‐Thiocyanatoberyllate (Ph4P)2[Be(NCS)4] und (Ph4P)4[{Be2(NCS)4(μ‐NCS)2}{Be2(NCS)6(μ‐H2N2C2S2)}]
Authors: Neumüller Bernhard , Dehnicke Kurt
Published: February 2010

Bis(tetraphenylphosphonium) hexachloridodiberyllate, (Ph4P)2[Be2Cl6], reacts with excess trimethylsilyl‐iso‐thiocyanate to give a mixture of colourless single crystals of (Ph4P)2[Be(NCS)4] (1) and (Ph4P)4[{Be2(NCS)4(μ‐NCS)2}{Be2(NCS)6(μ‐H2N2C2S2)}] (2), which can be separated by selection. Both complexes were characterized by X‐ray diffraction. Compound 1 can be prepared without by‐products by treatment of (Ph4P)2[BeCl4] with excess Me3SiNCS in dichloromethane solution. 1: Space group I41/a, Z = 4, lattice dimensions at 100(2) K: a = b = 1091.2(1), c = 3937.1(3) pm, R1 = 0.0474. The [Be(NCS)4]2– ion of 1 forms tetragonally distorted tetrahedral anions with Be–N distances of 168.4(2) pm and weak intermolecular S···S contacts along [100] and [010]. 2·4CH2Cl2: Space group P$\bar{1}$, Z = 1, lattice dimensions at 100(2) K: a = 919.5(1), b = 1248.3(1), c = 2707.0(2) pm, α = 101.61(1) °, β = 95.08(1) °, γ = 94.52(1) °, R1 = 0.103. Compound 2 contains two different anionic complexes in the ratio 1:1. In {Be2(NCS)4(μ‐NCS)2}2–, the beryllium atoms are connected by (NCS)– bridging groups forming centrosymmetric eight‐membered Be2(NCS)2 rings with distances Be–N of 168(1) pm and Be–S of 235.2(9) pm. The second anion {Be2(NCS)6(μ‐H2N2C2S2)}2– consists of two {Be(NCS)3}– units, which are linked by the nitrogen atoms of the unique dimeric cyclo‐addition product of HNCS with Be–N distances of 179(1) pm.