bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Higher physical activity is associated with increased androgens, low interleukin 6 and less aortic calcification in peripheral obese elderly women
Authors: Straub R H , Tankó L B , Christiansen C , Larsen P J , Jessop D S
Published: July 2008

The presence of peripheral fat mass (PFM) appears to counteract the atherogenic trends of central fat mass through mechanisms presently poorly understood. In elderly women with distinct forms of body fat distribution, we wanted to study whether physical activity and aortic calcification are related to plasma levels of cortisol, 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone (17-α-OHP), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione (ASD), and interleukin 6 (IL6) accomplishing an anti-atherogenic milieu. A total of 276 well-defined generally healthy women aged 60–85 years were included. Categorization of body fat distribution was based on the relative presence of central to PFM measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Women meticulously reported weekly physical activity. Outcome measures were aortic calcification between lumbar vertebra L1 and L4, plasma levels of hormones, and IL6. In peripheral adipose women, plasma DHEA and ASD increased with the degree of physical activity. This was also mirrored in the ratios of cortisol/DHEA and cortisol/17-α-OHP. Peripheral adipose women with high DHEA relative to cortisol had less severe aortic calcification, and in the same group a higher level of physical activity was associated with lower levels of plasma IL6. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that high physical activity is associated with a high circulating androgen to cortisol ratio, low IL6, and less severe aortic calcification. Since androgens inhibit IL6 secretion, the activity-induced increase of these hormones might be an anti-atherogenic signal.
Effects, uptake, and fate of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene aged in soil in plants and worms
Authors: Best Elly P. H , Tatem Henry E , Geter Kaaren N , Wells Melissa L , Lane Brian K
Published: July 2008

The present study was aimed at providing data to be used at predicting exposure-based effects of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) aged in soil on endpoint organisms representing two trophic levels. These data can be used to define criteria or reference values for environmental management and conducting specific risk assessment. Long-term exposure tests were conducted to evaluate sublethal toxicity and uptake of aged soil-based explosives, with TNT as the main contaminant. In these tests, plants were exposed for 55 d, and biomass and explosives residues were determined. Worms were exposed for 28 and 42 d, and biomass, number, and tissue residues were determined. Biomass of Lolium perenne significantly decreased with soil–TNT concentration, and an effective concentration causing a 20% decrease in biomass (EC20) for TNT metabolites of 3.75 mg/kg was calculated. The concentrations of TNT metabolites in shoots and roots were significantly related to concentrations in soil, as were concentrations of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5 triazine (RDX) and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7- tetrazocine (HMX). The mean bioconcentration factors, indicating the potential of a chemical to accumulate in an organism, were 0.9 for TNT metabolites, 71.8 for RDX, and 12.2 for HMX in L. perenne shoots. Biomass of Eisenia fetida adults significantly decreased with soil–TNT concentration, and an EC20 for TNT of 3.70 mg/kg was calculated. The TNT, RDX, and HMX levels in E. fetida were below detection.
Effects of post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans (LA, USA) sediments on early development of the Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)
Authors: Liebl Andrea L , Granados Lisa H , Zhang Qiang , Wang Guangdi , Mielke Howard W , Gonzales Christopher R , Ennis Don G , Rees Bernard B
Published: July 2008

When Hurricane Katrina struck the U.S. Gulf Coast, levees surrounding New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, were breached, leading to widespread flooding of the city and potential contamination from industrial spills, residential sources, and redistribution of pre-existing pollutants. We chemically characterized sediment samples from five New Orleans locations and used early development and mutagenesis in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) as metrics of the toxic effects of these sediments. Sediment samples were analyzed for organohalogen pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and metals. One month after Hurricane Katrina, four of the five sites had unsafe concentrations of arsenic and one or more pesticides, pesticide metabolites, or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Medaka embryonic mortality and time to hatching both increased during exposure to aqueous extracts of sediments, with the greatest toxicity observed for the most heavily contaminated sediment. Exposure to sediment extracts did not, however, result in significantly elevated rates of mutagenesis. When the most contaminated site was resampled 4.5 months later, the sediment had lower contaminant concentrations and fewer deleterious effects on medaka development. Using the medaka bioassay, therefore, we demonstrate toxic effects of post-Hurricane Katrina sediments immediately following the storm, with some amelioration over time of contaminant concentrations and their negative biological effects.
Arsenic accumulation and toxicity in the earthworm Eisenia fetida affected by chloride and phosphate
Authors: Lee Byung-Tae , Kim Kyoung-Woong
Published: July 2008

Chloride and phosphate (PO4) were added to field soils contaminated with arsenic and heavy metals, and Eisenia fetida were inoculated in these treated soils for 70 d. After 28 d, earthworm survival, body weight, and cocoon production were measured. During the exposure period, the accumulation of As and four metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) in E. fetida was analyzed. Bulk soils and soil solutions were characterized for the contents of As, metals, organic matter, and major cations and anions; cation exchange capacity; and pH. Although addition of Cl to the soil did not impact As toxicity, it significantly reduced As uptake. The addition of PO4 induced changes in As toxicity and reduced As accumulation even though the As concentration in the soil pore water increased because of the substitution of As by P at soil sorption sites. These results imply that the addition of Cl induced the formation of an As-Cl complex, thereby resulting in decreased As bioavailability; they also imply that monovalent phosphate (H2PO4−) competes with As for uptake through transporter-mediated mechanisms in cells.
AN APPLICATION OF THE MATCHING LAW TO SOCIAL DYNAMICS
Authors: Borrero John C. , Crisolo Stephany S. , Tu Qiuchen , Rieland Weston A. , Ross Noël A. , Francisco Monica T. , Yamamoto Kenny Y.
Published: July 2008

Using a procedure similar to the one described by Conger and Killeen (1974), we evaluated levels of attending for 25 college students who participated in either a 20‐min (n = 12) or 30‐ min (n = 13) discussion on juvenile delinquency. Confederates delivered statements of agreement (e.g., “I agree with that point”) according to independent variable‐interval schedules. Pooled results were evaluated using three generalized formulations of the matching law, and showed that matching was more likely during the first 5 min of the discussion than during the last 5 min. Individual data for 7 of 9 participants were better described by the generalized response‐rate matching equation than by the generalized time‐allocation matching equation when response allocation was characterized in terms of frequency rather than duration.
USING GOAL SETTING, TASK CLARIFICATION, AND FEEDBACK TO INCREASE THE USE OF THE HANDS‐FREE TECHNIQUE BY HOSPITAL OPERATING ROOM STAFF
Authors: Cunningham Thomas R. , Austin John
Published: July 2008

We evaluated the effects of a behavioral treatment on the safe passing of sharp instruments using the hands‐free technique among hospital operating room personnel during surgical procedures. Treatment consisted of participative goal setting, task clarification, and feedback. The average percentage of sharp instruments passed safely increased from 32% to 64% and 31% to 70% between baseline and treatment phases in the inpatient and outpatient surgery units, respectively. Five‐month follow‐up data suggested maintenance of treatment effects. These findings suggest the utility of organizational behavior management strategies in reducing risky behavior in hospital settings.
PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF A PARENT TRAINING PROGRAM TO PREVENT GUN PLAY
Authors: Gross Amy , Miltenberger Raymond , Knudson Peter , Bosch Amanda , Breitwieser Carrie Brower
Published: July 2008

Recent research has shown that behavioral skills training with in situ training is an effective strategy to teach children the safety skills needed if they ever encounter an unattended firearm. The current study evaluated the use of parents as trainers to increase the efficiency of training. The success of parent training on their children's safety skills was evaluated in a multiple baseline across participants design. The results showed that the training was effective for 3 of the 4 children.
EFFECTS OF THREE‐STEP PROMPTING ON COMPLIANCE WITH CAREGIVER REQUESTS
Authors: Tarbox Rachel S. F. , Wallace Michele D. , Penrod Becky , Tarbox Jonathan
Published: July 2008

Three‐step prompting is a procedure commonly used in behavioral assessments and interventions; however, little research has evaluated the effects of this procedure on increasing children's compliance with caregiver requests. In this study, caregivers of children who demonstrated low levels of compliance were trained to use three‐step prompting when presenting task requests to their children. Results indicated that training caregivers to implement this procedure decreased the frequency of caregiver‐delivered prompts and increased compliance by the children.
THE EFFECTS OF PRESESSION ATTENTION ON SUBSEQUENT ATTENTION‐EXTINCTION AND ALONE CONDITIONS
Authors: O'Reilly Mark , Edrisinha Chaturi , Sigafoos Jeff , Lancioni Giulio , Machalicek Wendy , Antonucci Massimo
Published: July 2008

We examined the effects of presession levels of attention (no attention vs. continuous attention) during subsequent alone and attention‐extinction conditions for an individual with severe disabilities and problem behavior. A prior functional analysis indicated that attention was a primary maintaining variable for problem behavior. Experimental control was demonstrated using a within‐subject multielement design. Results indicated that presession conditions influenced responding, with higher levels of problem behavior occurring during alone and attention‐extinction conditions when preceded by the no‐attention presession condition. Overall, these results seem to support descriptions of the behavior‐altering effects of the motivating operation (MO). Specifically, presession access seemed to influence behavior during the alone condition in which both discriminative and reinforcing stimuli were absent, suggesting a direct effect of the MO on the behavior.
BRIEF FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS AND SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDING FOR POSTMEAL RUMINATION IN CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Authors: Lyons Elizabeth A. , Rue Hanna C. , Luiselli James K. , DiGennaro Florence D.
Published: July 2008

Rumination is a serious problem demonstrated by some people with developmental disabilities, but previous research has not included a functional analysis and has rarely compared intervention methods during the assessment process. We conducted functional analyses with 2 children who displayed postmeal rumination and subsequently evaluated a supplemental feeding intervention following meals. Results showed that noncontingent food or liquid presentation effectively reduced rumination with both children.
GENERALIZED IMITATION OF FACIAL MODELS BY CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
Authors: DeQuinzio Jaime Ann , Townsend Dawn Buffington , Sturmey Peter , Poulson Claire L.
Published: July 2008

Imitation is an essential skill in the acquisition of language and communication skills. An initial phase in teaching young children with autism to engage in appropriate affective responding may be to teach the imitation of facial models. Using a multiple baseline across participants design, imitation training (consisting of modeling, prompting, differential reinforcement, and error correction) was introduced successively across 3 participants. Low and inconsistent rates of imitation of facial models were observed in baseline. All of the participants learned to imitate some of the facial models presented during imitation training, but only 2 of the 3 participants demonstrated generalized responding across stimuli.
THE EFFECTS OF BLOCKING MOUTHING OF LEISURE ITEMS ON THEIR EFFECTIVENESS AS REINFORCERS
Authors: Tarbox Rachel S. F. , Tarbox Jonathan , Ghezzi Patrick M. , Wallace Michele D. , Yoo J. Helen
Published: July 2008

Leisure items are commonly used as reinforcers in behavior‐analytic applications. However, a defining feature of autism is the occurrence of stereotypy, and individuals with autism often engage leisure items in a stereotyped manner. The opportunity for stereotyped interaction may be the only aspect of a contingent stimulus that makes it a reinforcer for appropriate behavior. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of blocking stereotyped reinforcer interaction on reinforcer efficacy for 2 children with autism. Results showed that blocking stereotypic reinforcer interaction did not influence reinforcer efficacy.
Ruské strategické síly a americké jaderné prvenství
Authors: Švestka Jaroslav
Published: July 2008

The article analyses the current status of the Russian strategic forces and creates a scenario of possible disarming and decapitation strike of the U.S. strategic forces on its Russian counterpart. It reveals serious vulnerability of the Russian strategic forces and disputes the continuing existence of mutually assured destruction relation between Russia and the United States. The contribution discovers causes of Russian vulnerability in the unreliable early-warning system and lack of operational experience.
Globální nerovnost jako globální bezpečnostní hrozba
Authors: Balabán Miloš
Published: July 2008

In the first decade of the 21st century global inequality is becoming an ever more serious global security threat. The most telling fact in this respect is the 3 billion people living below the poverty threshold and in absolute poverty. True, by 2015 this number should decline to 2.6 billion, but even so it will still be a very high proportion of the world's total population. The fact that large areas and regions, mostly of the developing world, are lagging behind in social and economic progress generates not only regional, but potentially also global security instability. Uncontrolled mass migration is a particularly serious threat in this respect. Global inequality can have serious consequences even for the security of the European Union, which is an important destination for migrants especially from Sub-Saharan Africa and potentially also from the Middle East. Social inequality generates even completely new security challenges. One example of this are the "failed cities", mostly an African, Asian and Latin American phenomenon. In order to reduce global inequality as a global security challenge the West will have to implement a set of integrated political and economic measures, which will consist first and foremost in the provision of effective humanitarian and development aid.
Apológia bezpečnostnej vedy
Authors: Hofreiter Ladislav
Published: July 2008

Disintegration of the Soviet empire evoked acute necessity to solve doctrinal and strategic issues of national security by new actors, i. e. former states of the Warsaw Pact. Since the beginning, it was clear that peculiar scientific schools supportive to requirements of the security praxis are absent. Therefore, it is obvious that while creating new security strategies of the mentioned states (including former Czechoslovakia), the knowledge and know-how of subsistent and implanted scientific schools in the field of national security were applied. However, the subsequent developments have not only created both room and conditions for a free scholastic activity, but also societal praxis by itself have created a call for research on security issues in its complexities. The identification of necessities and calls is being reflected in existing opinions on security science. The security science should not only develop new theoretical concepts, but should also fulfill requirements of the praxis. The ambition of such perception's supporters is not to suppress different concepts, but to find a platform for a consensus in the field of security research.
Sekuritologie v procesu stávání se vědou
Authors: Korzeniowski Leszek
Published: July 2008

Some people even claim that in recent times there has been a debate flared up over the alleged need to establish a new scientific direction.
Because the critics of securitology as a science derive from the Masaryk University in Brno [Zdeněk KŘÍŽ, Miroslav MAREŠ, Petr SUCHÝ Securitology: Pseudoscience, no Metascience. "DEFENCE & STRATEGY" 2/2007, p. 117-124.], and at the same time securitology has its representatives. Therefore, it is justified to present the subject and methodology of the science (sciences) of security in the Journal DEFENCE & STRATEGY.
This paper covers:
1. historical premises and justification of the science (sciences) of security,
2. justification of the subject of research in relation to dimensions (levels) of the researched object,
3. security as the lack of danger and security as a function of various factors,
4. sources and kinds of dangers,
5. security as an objective and/or subjective condition,
6. methodological foundations of the science (sciences) of security,
7. the source of the notion securitology.
Use of a structured investigative protocol enhances the quality of investigative interviews with alleged victims of child sexual abuse in Britain
Authors: Lamb Michael E. , Orbach Yael , Sternberg Kathleen J. , Aldridge Jan , Pearson Sally , Stewart Heather L. , Esplin Phillip W. , Bowler Lynn
Published: July 2008

One hundred alleged victims of child sexual abuse (aged 4–13; M = 9.3 years) were interviewed by police investigators about their alleged experiences. Half of the children were interviewed using the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) structured interview Protocol, whereas the other children, matched with respect to their age, relationship with the alleged perpetrator, and seriousness of the alleged offenses, were interviewed by investigators following the Memorandum of Good Practice. Protocol‐guided interviews elicited more information using free‐recall invitations and less information using directive, option‐posing and suggestive questions than did standard Memorandum interviews. There were no age differences in the proportion of total information provided in response to open‐ended invitations in either condition, but there was a significant increase with age in the proportion of central information provided in response to open‐ended invitations. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The long‐term impact of emotionally stressful events on memory characteristics and life story
Authors: Thomsen Dorthe Kirkegaard , Berntsen Dorthe
Published: July 2008

The characteristics and organization of memories from World War II (WWII) were examined in relation to posttraumatic stress reactions. In Study 1, 145 Danes recalled and rated four memories from WWII. They rated the WWII period for posttraumatic stress reactions and importance to identity and life story. Memory clarity, rehearsal and consequences correlated positively with posttraumatic stress reactions and with WWII importance to identity and life story. In Study 2, a subgroup of 58 participants nominated five life story memories, divided their life story into chapters and rated WWII for posttraumatic stress reactions and importance to identity and life story. Posttraumatic stress reactions correlated positively with percentage of life story chapters about WWII, the tendency to connect non‐WWII memories with the WWII period and subjective clarity and rehearsal of WWII memories. The results contradict the idea that posttraumatic stress reactions are associated with vague and poorly integrated trauma memories. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Strandbeests
Authors: Jansen Theo
Published: July 2008

Dutch artist Theo Jansen has created his own genesis, raising fantastic beasts out of plastic tubing. Photographed on the beach near his lab in Ypenburg, these great sculptures have a mythical resonance far beyond their physical make‐up. Here he explains the inherent qualities and restrictions of working with this ubiquitous yellow electric cabling that lends itself to playful experiment and accidental evolutions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Convoluted Flesh: A Synthetic Approach to Analogue and Digital Architecture
Authors: Colletti Marjan , Cruz Marcos
Published: July 2008

Marcos Cruz and Marjan Colletti advocate their own distinct design approach that is intuitive and blissful in its opulence, evoking the sublime.Here they discuss the potential of opening up ‘new spatial, or material possibilities’ that are liberated from the self‐imposed restrictions of their more technologically driven contemporaries. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Memory of an Elephant
Authors: Sheil Bob
Published: July 2008

A mechanical, ‘magical menagerie’ is emerging out of the disused shipyard of Nantes in western France. For Bob Sheil the project was first embodied by the spectacle of a giant elephant being paraded through the streets of central London in 2006. He describes how the collective of designers at La Machine are creating creatures through carefully contrived production and performance routines. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thinking with Matter
Authors: West Mark
Published: July 2008

Mark West considers the qualities of the analogue against the digital in the context of his work at the Centre for Architectural Structures and Technology (CAST) at Manitoba. Unable to fault the computer's ability to provide complex calculations for the fabrication of forms, he insists that the fidelity and investigative potential that he has found in the reality of the physical model and hand‐drafted drawing have yet to be surpassed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Objects after Image
Authors: Egashira Shin
Published: July 2008

For 12 years, the Koshirakura Landscape Workshop has been an annual summer event. Located in a beautiful and remote region of Japan, it encourages a small group of architecture students to respond to the setting by creating projects that read, represent and spatially reconfigure the landscape into new constructions. Shin Egashira reveals how, over time, these constructions in turn act as a continuous form of documentation and reflection. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Shoreditch Roof Apartment
Authors: Littlefield David
Published: July 2008

A rooftop apartment in East London is an unlikely setting for a sizable family home. David Littlefield describes how the collaboration between Tonkin Liu and Richard Rogers has led to a two‐storey addition to an east London warehouse that is thoughtful and sensuous in its spatial planning and detailing, combining bedrooms for four children with unrivalled views. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Jamie Fobert Architects: Inside Out
Authors: Watson Howard
Published: July 2008

The architect of several artists' homes, Jamie Fobert is now landing himself a string of acclaimed arts and commercial commissions. From his warehouse in Old Street in London, he explained to Howard Watson how the sensitive integrity of his architecture has developed out of ‘an inside‐out approach’, which puts particular store in ‘framing light and views’ and the sculpting of space aided by physical model‐making, rather than the synthetic top‐down views that are imposed by widely used CAD programs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhabiting the Body and the Spaces of Interaction
Authors: Croci Valentina
Published: July 2008

Wearable technologies create a tactile interface with the body of the user, providing a new model for architecture in which the surface between the subject and the object is almost seamless and sensory. As Valentina Croci explores, they also call on us to reconsider a more interdisciplinary mode of designing that accommodates a dynamic social dialogue between highly portable small‐scale devices, their remote networks and the physical environment. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can Architectural Design Be Research? Fabricating Complexity
Authors: Weinstock Michael
Published: July 2008

In the second part of this mini ‘Unit Factor’ series on design as research (see previous article in AD, Vol 78, No 3, 2008), Michael Weinstock turns his attention to fabrication. He explores this through the pioneering work of designtoproduction, a firm who have made it their business to realise complexity in architecture. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Radical Experimentation As Research: AVATAR
Authors: Spiller Neil
Published: July 2008

For four years, AVATAR at the Bartlett School of Architecture at University College London has been advancing the ‘digital and visceral terrain’. As its main exponent, Neil Spiller explains how its preoccupations fan out far beyond the merely technological, encompassing the aesthetic, philosophical and the natural, enabling it to question current stylistic tyrannies in architecture. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Doping Molecular Monolayers: Effects on Electrical Transport Through Alkyl Chains on Silicon
Authors: Seitz Oliver , Vilan Ayelet , Cohen Hagai , Hwang Jaehyung , Haeming Marc , Schoell Achim , Umbach Eberhard , Kahn Antoine , Cahen David
Published: July 2008

n‐Si/CnH2n + 1/Hg junctions (n = 12, 14, 16 and 18) can be prepared with sufficient quality to assure that the transport characteristics are not anymore dominated by defects in the molecular monolayers. With such organic monolayers we can, using electron, UV and X‐ray irradiation, alter the charge transport through the molecular junctions on n‐ as well as on p‐type Si. Remarkably, the quality of the self‐assembled molecular monolayers following irradiation remains sufficiently high to provide the same very good protection of Si from oxidation in ambient atmosphere as provided by the pristine films. Combining spectroscopic (UV photoemission spectroscopy (UPS), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger, near edge‐X‐ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS)) and electrical transport measurements, we show that irradiation induces defects in the alkyl films, most likely CC bonds and CC crosslinks, and that the density of defects can be controlled by irradiation dose. These altered intra‐ and intermolecular bonds introduce new electronic states in the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) gap of the alkyl chains and, in the process, dope the organic film. We demonstrate an enhancement of 1–2 orders of magnitude in current. This change is clearly distinguishable from the previous observed difference between transport through high quality and defective monolayers. A detailed analysis of the electrical transport at different temperatures shows that the dopants modify the transport mechanism from tunnelling to hopping. This study suggests a way to extend significantly the use of monolayers in molecular electronics.
The Intramolecular Junctions of Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Wei Dacheng , Liu Yunqi
Published: July 2008

For the miniaturization of microelectronics, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are regarded as ideal candidates for the next generation of nanoelectronics because of their excellent properties. To realize CNT‐based electronics, intramolecular junctions are required components, which can not only connect different CNTs for integration, but can also act as functional building blocks in the circuit, such as rectifiers, field‐effect transistors, switches, amplifiers, photoelectrical devices, etc. Therefore, intense attention has been focused on this topic and many advances have been achieved, especially in recent years. On the other hand, some challenges also exist. To provide researchers with a comprehensive overview of this field, this review discusses the synthesis, properties, and applications of intramolecular junctions of CNTs in detail. Among them, the applications of CNT integration are discussed specially. Furthermore, a brief summary and an outlook of future work are provided.

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Iron‐Catalyzed Aziridination Reactions
Authors: Nakanishi Masafumi , Salit Anne‐Frederique , Bolm Carsten
Published: July 2008

A small quantity of iron(II) triflate (2.5 to 5 mol%) catalyzes the aziridination reactions of enol silyl ethers with tosylimino(iodo)benzene (PhINTs) in acetonitrile to give α‐N‐tosylamido ketones by subsequent aziridine ring opening. Olefins are converted into aziridines by 5 mol% of this catalyst system. Both reactions afford the corresponding products in moderate to good yields. In the presence of chiral ligands asymmetric aziridinations have been achieved.
One‐Pot, Regioselective Synthesis of Substituted Arylglycines for Kinetic Resolution by Penicillin G Acylase
Authors: Grundmann Peter , Fessner Wolf‐Dieter
Published: July 2008

Amido‐alkylation of electron‐rich arenes with phenylacetamide and glyoxylic acid offers an inexpensive route to a large variety of N‐phenylacetylated arylglycines that are suited for immediate enzymatic resolution by penicillin G acylase. When performed under mild conditions at 5 °C in acetic acid/HCl, this simple one‐pot operation resulted in the formation of single regioisomers only (≥98%). Subsequent kinetic resolution of the amino acid derivatives by penicillin G acylase at pH 8.0 occurred generally with E values>100 and thus furnished free (S)‐configurated arylglycines with high enantiomeric purity. The corresponding enantiopure (R)‐substrates, easily separable by a phase‐selective extraction process, provided the corresponding (R)‐enantiomers upon conventional hydrolysis. This one‐pot, two‐step procedure for arylglycine synthesis, resolution and work‐up requires a minimum of equipment and grants rapid access to both enantiopure (S)‐ and (R)‐antipodes of non‐natural α‐amino acids in small‐ to large‐scale quantities.
Highly Efficient Heterogeneous Aqueous Kharasch Reaction with an Amphiphilic Resin‐Supported Ruthenium Catalyst
Authors: Oe Yohei , Uozumi Yasuhiro
Published: July 2008

An amphiphilic polystyrene‐polyethylene glycol (PS‐PEG) resin‐supported ruthenium complex was designed and prepared. The polymeric Ru complex was found to promote the transition metal‐catalyzed atom transfer radical addition of halogenated compounds to olefins, the Kharasch reaction, in water under heterogeneous as well as AIBN‐free conditions with a high level of atom economy to meet green chemical requirements.
Intrinsic MSZW characteristics of racemic species: Implication for chiral crystallization
Authors: Wang Xiujuan , Yang Xia , Liu Yingxin , Ching Chi Bun
Published: July 2008

The metastable zone widths (MSZWs) of different racemic species in solutions were experimentally and theoretically investigated. It was found that the MSZWs of racemic conglomerates 4‐hydroxy‐2‐pyrrolidone and N‐methylephedrine were independent of enantiomeric excess, while the MSZWs of the racemic compound propranolol hydrochloride in different solvents were associated with the solubility ratio α of racemate to pure enantiomer. Crystal lattice properties were attributed to this difference. This can be used as the additional guideline for the characterization of racemic species. More interesting, abnormal apparent orders of primary nucleation rate at different enantiomeric excess were observed for conglomerate 4‐hydroxy‐2‐pyrrolidone. It suggests a critical supersaturation exists beyond which the nucleation of the opposite isomer could occur. This phenomenon reveals particular implication of MSZW on the crucial supersaturation control during preferential crystallization, which was demonstrated in the preferential crystallization of 4‐hydroxy‐2‐pyrrolidone with detailed modeling and in situ monitoring. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Adsorption from oversaturated aqueous solution: Mean force molecular simulations
Authors: Tscheliessnig Rupert , Geyrhofer Lukas , Wendland Martin , Fischer Johann
Published: July 2008

The squeeze out of benzene from an aqueous solution to a planar graphite wall is considered by molecular simulations. The system contains 1–10 benzene molecules in water at T = 300 K and p = 1 bar corresponding to an oversaturation from 10 to 100. Local density profiles are obtained from the mean force method with a particle balance. For improving the accuracy, standard simulations results are incorporated into the mean force method. The resulting density profiles of benzene show a first peak at the wall with parallel and a second with perpendicular orientation of the molecules. For larger distances from the wall the structure levels out and for up to 40‐fold oversaturation a limiting density of 25.8 ± 3.6 mmol/l is obtained. This value is in surprisingly good agreement with the experimental solubility limit of 22.8 mmol/l. The method may also be used for obtaining liquid–liquid equilibria. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
International MDS risk analysis workshop (IMRAW)/IPSS reanalyzed: Impact of cytopenias on clinical outcomes in myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Kao Jelena M. , McMillan Alex , Greenberg Peter L.
Published: July 2008

The International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) was created for evaluating clinical outcomes of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). We evaluated the depth of cytopenias to determine whether this parameter could further refine the prognostic ability of the IPSS. Correlation was determined between the depth of cytopenias in 816 patients from the International MDS Risk Analysis Workshop database and patients' clinical features. Univariate analyses of hemoglobin (Hb), absolute neutrophil count, and platelet depth levels were assessed relative to the IPSS risk groups, refined French‐American‐British categories, cytogenetic groups, bone marrow blast percentage (%), age groups, overall survival (OS), and time to evolution of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Multivariate analysis of different cytopenic levels was performed to determine whether depth of cytopenias was prognostically additive to the IPSS. All cytopenic categories had statistically significant rank correlations with IPSS, bone marrow blast %, and refined French‐American‐British categories. In multivariate analysis, Hb levels had additive prognostic value to the IPSS for evaluation of OS, but not time to AML, with greatest prognostic value in Intermediate‐1 and Intermediate‐2 categories. In contrast, platelet or absolute neutrophil count levels alone or in combination lacked additive prognostic value to the IPSS regarding OS or time to AML evolution. The depth of Hb level per se at the time of diagnosis has additive predictive value to the IPSS for OS in the intermediate‐risk groups. This information should prove useful for aiding therapeutic decision‐making, prognostic classification, and designing clinical trials for patients with MDS. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
HIV‐associated plasmablastic lymphoma: Lessons learned from 112 published cases
Authors: Castillo Jorge , Pantanowitz Liron , Dezube Bruce J.
Published: July 2008

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a distinct subtype of non‐Hodgkin B‐cell lymphoma, originally described with a strong predilection to the oral cavity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected individuals. Data regarding patient age and gender, HIV status, initiation of and response to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), tumor extent, pathology, treatment, and outcome were extracted from 112 cases of PBL identified in the literature. The median age at presentation was 38 years with a male predominance of 7:1, and the median CD4+ count was 178 cells/mm3. PBL presented on average 5 years after diagnosis of HIV. Common primary sites of presentation included the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and lymph nodes. Most cases presented with either stage I or stage IV disease. There was a variable expression of B‐cell markers in tumor cells, but plasma cell markers were expressed in all cases. EBV was detected in 74%. Chemotherapy was used to treat 55% patients and was combined with radiotherapy in 21% cases. Complete response was obtained in 66% of treated cases; the majority of these responses were seen after CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone). The refractory/relapsed disease rate was 54%. Death occurred in 53% of patients, with a median overall survival of 15 months. Sex, CD4+ count, viral load, clinical stage, EBV status, primary site of involvement, and use of CHOP failed to show an association with survival. PBL is an aggressive B‐cell lymphoma that presents in both oral and extra‐oral sites of chronically HIV‐infected immunosuppressed young men. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Familial aggregation of quantitative autistic traits in multiplex versus simplex autism
Authors: Virkud Yamini V. , Todd Richard D. , Abbacchi Anna M. , Zhang Yi , Constantino John N.
Published: July 2008

Recent research has suggested that the mode of inheritance for simplex autism (SA, one individual in the family affected) may be distinct from that for multiplex autism (MA, two or more individuals affected). Since sub clinical autistic traits have been observed in “unaffected” relatives of children with autism, we explored whether the distributions of such traits in families supported differential modes of genetic transmission for SA and MA autism. We measured patterns of familial aggregation of quantitative autistic traits (QAT) in children and parents in 80 SA families and 210 MA families, using the Social Responsiveness Scale. When considering all SA and MA siblings who scored below a uniform quantitative (clinical‐level) severity threshold, MA brothers exhibited a distinct pathological shift in the distribution, compared to SA brothers (P < 0.0001). Such aggregation of QAT was also observed in fathers but not among females in MA families. Significant spousal correlations for QAT—suggestive of assortative mating—were observed in both SA and MA families, but neither group was characterized by a greater‐than‐chance level of concordant elevation among spousal pairs in this volunteer sample. Among male first degree relatives, there exist distinct patterns of QAT manifestation for simplex versus multiplex autism. These findings are consistent with the results of molecular genetic studies that have suggested differential modes of intergenerational transmission for SA and MA. Characterization of QAT and other endophenotypes among close relatives may be useful for reducing sample heterogeneity in future genetic and neurobiologic studies of autism. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Testing for a historical population bottleneck in wild Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi) using microsatellite data
Authors: Lawler Richard R.
Published: July 2008

The degree to which historical human activities negatively impacted past and present lemur species is a long‐standing question in primatology. At present, most evidence addressing this issue comes from archaeology, paleontology, and behavioral studies. Genetic data provide another source of evidence. In this study, six microsatellite loci, genotyped on more than 360 wild Verreaux's sifaka, are used in order to test the hypothesis that this population experienced a population bottleneck in the last 2000 years. Excess heterozygosity is compared with the heterozygosity expected under mutation‐drift equilibrium in order to test for the genetic signature of a rapid population contraction in the past. The results indicate that the sifaka population did not experience a population bottleneck. Various methodological and conceptual implications of this result are discussed. Am. J. Primatol. 70:990–994, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morphological analyses and 3D modeling of the tongue musculature of the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)
Authors: Takemoto Hironori
Published: July 2008

Knowledge of the comparative anatomy of tongue musculature is crucial to the discussion of the origin and the evolution of speech because of the indispensable role played by this organ in speech. However, the tongue musculature of primates has rarely been studied. In a previous study, the author analyzed human tongue musculature and developed a 3D model of this organ [Takemoto, Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research 44:95–107, 2001]. In this study, the tongue musculature of chimpanzees was examined using methods similar to those used for humans. Results showed that tongue musculature was topologically the same for both humans and chimpanzees. As in humans, the tongue musculature of chimpanzees consisted of inner and outer regions. The inner musculature was composed of serial “structural units,” made up of two types of laminae whose fibers were perpendicular to the tongue surface. The outer musculature was a thin layer of fibers oriented parallel to the surface and superficial to the inner musculature. Although the tongue musculature of humans and chimpanzees is similar, the external shapes differ: the chimpanzee tongue is flat, whereas the human tongue is round. Applying the muscular hydrostat theory to the external shape of the tongue suggests that the primary actions of the chimpanzee tongue are protrusion and retrusion, whereas the human tongue can be deformed in the oral cavity with a high degree of freedom. It is hypothesized that the evolution of the external shape of the tongue is one of the factors that led to the development of human speech. The results of this study suggest that modeling based on muscular hydrostatic theory of the effects of changes in external tongue shape on articulatory movements should be included in discussions on the origin of speech. Am. J. Primatol. 70:966–975, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Distribution of Y chromosomes among native North Americans: A study of Athapaskan population history
Authors: Singh Malhi Ripan , Gonzalez‐Oliver Angelica , Schroeder Kari Britt , Kemp Brian M. , Greenberg Jonathan A. , Dobrowski Solomon Z. , Smith David Glenn , Resendez Andres , Karafet Tatiana , Hammer Michael , Zegura Stephen , Brovko Tatiana
Published: July 2008

In this study, 231 Y chromosomes from 12 populations were typed for four diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to determine haplogroup membership and 43 Y chromosomes from three of these populations were typed for eight short tandem repeats (STRs) to determine haplotypes. These data were combined with previously published data, amounting to 724 Y chromosomes from 26 populations in North America, and analyzed to investigate the geographic distribution of Y chromosomes among native North Americans and to test the Southern Athapaskan migration hypothesis. The results suggest that European admixture has significantly altered the distribution of Y chromosomes in North America and because of this caution should be taken when inferring prehistoric population events in North America using Y chromosome data alone. However, consistent with studies of other genetic systems, we are still able to identify close relationships among Y chromosomes in Athapaskans from the Subarctic and the Southwest, suggesting that a small number of proto‐Apachean migrants from the Subarctic founded the Southwest Athapaskan populations. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Semiconductor Wires and Ribbons for High‐ Performance Flexible Electronics
Authors: Baca Alfred J. , Ahn Jong‐Hyun , Sun Yugang , Meitl Matthew A. , Menard Etienne , Kim Hoon‐Sik , Choi Won Mook , Kim Dae‐Hyeong , Huang Young , Rogers John A.
Published: July 2008

This article reviews the properties, fabrication and assembly of inorganic semiconductor materials that can be used as active building blocks to form high‐performance transistors and circuits for flexible and bendable large‐area electronics. Obtaining high performance on low temperature polymeric substrates represents a technical challenge for macroelectronics. Therefore, the fabrication of high quality inorganic materials in the form of wires, ribbons, membranes, sheets, and bars formed by bottom‐up and top‐down approaches, and the assembly strategies used to deposit these thin films onto plastic substrates will be emphasized. Substantial progress has been made in creating inorganic semiconducting materials that are stretchable and bendable, and the description of the mechanics of these form factors will be presented, including circuits in three‐dimensional layouts. Finally, future directions and promising areas of research will be described.
Synthesis and properties of novel polyimides from 3‐(4‐aminophenylthio)‐N‐aminophthalimide
Authors: Yan Jingling , Wang Zhen , Lv Changli , Yang Huili , Shang Zhenping , Gao Lianxun , Ding Mengxian
Published: July 2008

A novel, asymmetric diamine, 3‐(4‐aminophenylthio)‐N‐aminophthalimide, was prepared from 3‐chloro‐N‐aminophthalimide and 4‐aminobenzenethiol. The structure of the diamine was determined via IR and 1H‐NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. A series of polyimides were synthesized from 3‐(4‐aminophenylthio)‐N‐aminophthalimide and aromatic dianhydrides by a conventional two‐step method in N,N‐dimethylacetamide and by a one‐step method in phenols. These polyimides showed good solubility in 1‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone, m‐cresol, and p‐chlorophenol, except polyimide from pyromellitic dianhydride, which was only soluble in p‐chlorophenol. The 5% weight loss temperatures of these polyimides ranged from 460 to 498°C in air. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis indicated that the glass‐transition temperatures of the polyimides were in the range 278–395°C. The tensile strengths at break, moduli, and elongations of these polyimides were 146–178 MPa, 1.95–2.58 GPa, and 9.1–13.3%, respectively. Compared with corresponding polyimides from 4,4′‐diamiodiphenyl ether, these polymers showed enhanced solubility and higher glass‐transition temperatures. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Synthesis and characterization of active ester‐functionalized fluorescent polymers: New materials for protein conjugation
Authors: Wu Zhaoqiang
Published: July 2008

A novel fluorescent monomer, N‐acryloylamido‐ethyl‐2‐(1‐pyrene)‐butyrylamidophenylpropionyl amide, was synthesized and copolymerized with N‐vinylpyrrolidone and N‐acryloxysuccinimide to obtain a series of functional fluorescent terpolymers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H‐NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to characterize these polymers. The protein–polymer conjugation was examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results indicate that conjugate formation between the terpolymers and protein resulted from the succinimidyl ester groups, which led to the formation of stable amido linkages with proteins. The results of the interactions with the COS‐7 cell demonstrate that these synthesized terpolymers could attach to the surfaces of cells and emit fluorescence. These terpolymers with succinimidyl ester groups and high luminescence could be used as new materials for protein conjugation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008