bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Benzo[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene/triphenylamine Copolymers: Effects of Substituents on Optical and EL Properties
Authors: Nishide Yosuke , Osuga Hideji , Iwata Kunihiro , Tanaka Kazuhiko , Sakamoto Hidefumi
Published: October 2008

Benzo[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene/triphenylamine copolymers P-2eh (with no methyl substituents) and P-Me and P-2Me (with methyl substituents at triphenylamine sites) were synthesized by Stille coupling reactions. In the ground state, the methyl substituents at the ortho positions to the BDT unit on the triphenylamine (TPA) moiety in P-Me and P-2Me caused twisting of the polymer structure and clearly limited conjugation of the polymer backbones. However, in their excited states, all of these copolymers were shown to have planar structures, and almost the same emission maxima were observed. This result indicates that, in the excited states, π-conjugation of the polymer backbone results in the adoption of a more stable planar structure rather than the twisted structure observed in the ground state. The maximum EL efficiencies of devices based on P-Me and P-2Me were about three times higher than that of P-2eh due to restricted π-stacking/aggregation of the conjugated copolymers in the solid state and improvements in thermal and electrochemical stability.
Analytical Study of Resistance Drift Phenomena on (PANI)xMoO3 Hybrid Thin Films as Gas Sensors
Authors: Itoh Toshio , Matsubara Ichiro , Shin Woosuck , Izu Noriya , Nishibori Maiko
Published: October 2008

Polyaniline (PANI)-intercalated MoO3 ((PANI)xMoO3), which is a conventional layered organic/MoO3 hybrid, as a gas sensor has a resistance drift problem, which should be solved in order to realize practical applicable gas sensing devices. In this analytical study, XPS studies reveal that the resistance drift is caused by adsorbing and desorbing oxygen molecules from the atmosphere. The adsorption of enough oxygen molecules by annealing in air at a higher temperature than operating temperature can reduce the resistance drift phenomena.
Structured Water in Porous Solids and Bio-Objects
Authors: Turov V.V. , Gun'ko V.M. , Gorbik P.P. , Leboda R.
Published: October 2008

The interfacial behaviour of water and mixtures of water and organic compounds adsorbed onto carbon and oxide adsorbents and bio-objects (proteins, cells, tissues) was analyzed using 1H NMR spectroscopy with layer-by-layer freezing-out of the bulk and structured water at 190–280 K and the NMR cryoporometric method based on the Gibbs-Thomson relationship for the freezing point depression for adsorbed liquids.
Studies of the Adsorption of Organic Vapours by Metal Stearates and Their Complexes with Octadecylamine in a Flow Impulse Regime by Piezoquartz Sensor Techniques
Authors: Filippov Aleksei P. , Strizhak Peter E. , Serebry Tamila G.
Published: October 2008

The adsorption properties of metal (Co2+, Ni2+ and Cu2+) stearates and their coordination compounds with octadecylamine, as well as those of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), have been studied by piezoquartz resonator (PQR) sensor techniques in steady flow and flow impulse regimes for vapours of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), especially hydrocarbons.

It was shown that the adsorption of hydrocarbon homologues onto each of the studied sensor coverings was characterized by a linear dependence between the logarithm of the Henry constant and the boiling points of the corresponding substances. Such individual linear dependencies were observed for a series of alkanes, cyclanes and aromatics. The slopes of these dependencies differed for different sensor coverings. This allowed discrimination between individual hydrocarbon analogues by using these coverings in a PQR sensor array in combination with the proposed flow impulse technique.
Selective Isomorphism of Silicon, Aluminium and Titanium in the Extra-Large Pore Zeolite-Like Germanate IPC-3
Authors: Shvets Oleksiy V. , Kasian Natalia V. , Ilyin Volodymyr G.
Published: October 2008

Zeolite IPC-3 — which is isostructural with the extra-large pore germanate zeolite ASU-16 — and its Si, Al and Ti forms were synthesized using 1,6-diaminohexane as the template. It was established that the Si atoms occupy the tetrahedral positions in the IPC-3 framework, the Al atoms occupy the octahedral or tetrahedral positions and the Ti atoms the octahedral positions. The germanate zeolite IPC-3 and Si-, Al- and Ti-IPC-3 are stable up to 200–300°C. Despite the presence of the template, which stabilizes the framework of IPC-3, the adsorption capacities of samples previously degassed at 200°C were up to 0.13 cm3/g.
Adsorption Equilibria of Linear Alkenes onto a Sulphonated Styrene-Divinylbenzene Copolymer
Authors: Słomkiewicz Piotr M.
Published: October 2008

The adsorption equilibrium constants of the alkenes propene, but-1-ene, pent-1-ene, hex-1-ene and hept-1-ene onto the sulphonated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer Amberlyst 15 were determined by inverse gas chromatography. During the adsorption measurements, catalytic reactions such as the isomerization and oligomerization of alkenes were controlled to see whether or not they occurred on the surface of Amberlyst 15. The physical integrity of the adsorption equilibrium constants determined experimentally for the alkenes was verified by calculation of their adsorption enthalpies and the use of Boudart's rules. The effect of the number of carbon atoms in the alkene molecule on the increase in the adsorption enthalpy onto the sulphonated Amberlyst 15 copolymer was determined.
A New Sequential Extraction Heuristic for Optimizing the Delivery of Cancer Radiation Treatment Using Multileaf Collimators
Authors: Baatar Davaatseren , Boland Natashia , Johnston Robert , Hamacher Horst W.
Published: October 2008

Finding a delivery plan for cancer radiation treatment using multileaf collimators operating in “step-and-shoot” mode can be formulated mathematically as a problem of decomposing an integer matrix into a weighted sum of binary matrices having the consecutive-ones property and sometimes other properties related to the collimator technology. The efficiency of the delivery plan is measured by both the sum of the weights in the decomposition, known as the total beam-on time, and the number of different binary matrices appearing in it, referred to as the cardinality, the latter being closely related to the setup time of the treatment. In practice, the total beam-on time is usually restricted to its minimum possible value (which is easy to find), and a decomposition that minimizes cardinality (subject to this restriction) is sought.

This decomposition problem is known to be NP-hard, and the best available exact solution methods cannot solve, in reasonable time, problems with dimensions large enough to be of use in actual medical applications. In this paper, we propose a new heuristic. To ensure that the heuristic is computationally efficient, we make use of exact bounds that apply to the decomposition and prove that these bounds can be computed efficiently. We demonstrate that the heuristic performs very well numerically against the best previously published heuristic (that of Kalinowski), reducing the average gap between the cardinality of the solution found and the optimal value by 37% on the largest problems tested (for which optimal solutions could be found). Importantly, this new heuristic performs well on those instances that are problematical for Kalinowski's heuristic. A “best-of” algorithm, combining heuristics, produces a decomposition with cardinality within one of optimal in about 98.7% of instances tested (for which an optimal solution is available). It reduces the cardinality of solutions produced by about 5% on average. On instances for which optimal solutions can be found, it more than halves the optimality gap and finds an optimal solution in about 28% more cases than Kalinowski's heuristic.
Scenario Tree-Based Heuristics for Stochastic Inventory-Routing Problems
Authors: Hvattum Lars Magnus , Løkketangen Arne , Laporte Gilbert
Published: October 2008

In vendor-managed inventory replenishment, the vendor decides when to make deliveries to customers, how much to deliver, and how to combine shipments using the available vehicles. This gives rise to the inventory-routing problem in which the goal is to coordinate inventory replenishment and transportation to minimize costs. The problem tackled in this paper is the stochastic inventory-routing problem, where stochastic demands are specified through general discrete distributions. The problem is formulated as a discounted infinite-horizon Markov decision problem. Heuristics based on finite scenario trees are developed. Computational results confirm the efficiency of these heuristics.
Movie Advertising and the Stock Market Valuation of Studios: A Case of “Great Expectations?”
Authors: Joshi Amit M. , Hanssens Dominique M.
Published: October 2008

Product innovation is the key revenue driver in the motion picture industry. Because major studios typically launch fewer than 20 movies per year, the financial performance of a single release can have a major effect on the studio's profitability. In this paper we study how single movie releases impact the investor valuation of the studio. We analyze the change in postlaunch stock price and predict the direction and magnitude of excess returns based on the revenue expectation built up for a movie release. That expectation is set, in part, by media support; i.e., highly advertised movies are expected to draw larger audiences than others. By using an event-study methodology, we isolate the impact of a movie launch on studio stock price and track the determinants of that change.

We examine a comprehensive data set comprising over 300 movies released by the largest studios. Our results indicate a clear interaction between the marketing support received by a movie and the direction and magnitude of its excess stock return post launch. Movies with above average prelaunch advertising have lower postlaunch stock returns than films with below average advertising. Our findings also suggest that movies that are hits at the box office may result in a lowering of stock price if they had high media support because of high performance expectations built up prior to launch. Thus prelaunch advertising plays a dual role of informing consumers about a movie's arrival as well as helping investors form expectations about the studio's profit performance.
Dynamic Programming Approach for Valuing Options in the GARCH Model
Authors: Ben-Ameur Hatem , Breton Michèle , Martinez Juan-Manuel
Published: October 2008

In this paper, we develop an efficient algorithm to value options under discrete-time GARCH processes. We propose a procedure based on dynamic programming coupled with piecewise polynomial approximation to compute the value of a given option, at all observation dates and levels of the state vector. The method can be used for the large GARCH family of models based on Gaussian innovations and may accommodate all low-dimensional European as well as American derivatives. Numerical implementations show that this method competes very advantageously with other available valuation methods.
The First Optimized Railway Timetable in Practice
Authors: Liebchen Christian
Published: October 2008

A short time ago, decision support by operations research methods in railway companies was limited to operations planning (e.g., vehicle scheduling, duty scheduling, crew rostering). In effect since December 12, 2004, the 2005 timetable of the Berlin subway is based on the results of mathematical programming techniques. It is the first such service concept that has been put into daily operation. Profiting from these techniques, compared with the previous timetable, the Berlin subway today operates with a timetable that offers shorter passenger waiting times—both at stops and at transfers—and even saves one train.

The work is based on a well-established graph model, the periodic event-scheduling problem (Pesp). This model was introduced as early as 1989. Besides describing in detail its first success story in practice, in this paper we also deepen a result on the asymptotic complexity of the Pesp: we provide MAXSNP-hardness proofs of two natural optimization variants.
Emerging Therapies for the Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infections
Authors: Jodlowski Tomasz Z , Lam Sum , Ashby Charles Ft
Published: October 2008

Objective:

To describe emerging therapies, such as levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, rifabutin, rifaximin, tinidazole, doxycycline, minocycline, lactoferrin, and plaunotol for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Data Sources:

Relevant information was identified through a search of MEDLINE (1966–July 2008), PubMed (1955–July 2008), American Search Premier (1975–July 2008). International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1960–2008), Science Citation Index Expanded (1996–2008), Cochrane Databases (publications archived until July 2008), and various tertiary sources using the terms Helicobacter pylori, fluoroquinolones, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, rifabutin, rifaximin, lactoferrin, plaunotol, tinidazole, doxycycline, minocycline, faropenem, new treatments, refractory, and salvage alone or in combination.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

Relevant information was identified and selected based on clinical relevance and value of information. In vitro and in vivo data were included if available.

Data Synthesis:

Data exist supporting the use of levofloxacin or rifabutin as salvage therapies for H. pylori infection. Levofloxacin triple therapy has been recommended in the current treatment guideline, but more data are needed, especially from studies conducted in the US. A rifabutin-based regimen is better tolerated than conventional quadruple therapy, but its use is limited due to cost, hematologic adverse effects, drug interactions, and predicted development of resistance. Tinidazole appears to be an option, particularly as sequential therapy when combined with other agents; however, its use is limited by the high prevalence ot nitroimidazole-resistant H. pylori strains in the US. Moxifloxacin data are limited. Data supporting the use of rifaximin, doxycycline, and minocycline are lacking or do not show benefit of these drugs over standard treatments.

Conclusions:

H. pylori infection remains one of the most significant infections worldwide, and treatment failure rate with the current standard therapy continues to rise. Other treatment options should be explored to meet the emerging challenge.
Combination Treatment With a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator q(SARM) and a Bisphosphonate Has Additive Effects in Osteopenic Female Rats
Authors: Vajda Eric G , Hogue Aimee , Griffiths Kimberly N , Chang William Y , Burnett Kelven , Chen Yanling , Marschke Keith , Mais Dale E , Pedram Bijan , Shen Yixing , van Oeveren Arjan , Zhi Lin , López Francisco J , Meglasson Martin D
Published: October 2008

Recent clinical trials with bisphosphonates and PTH have not supported the hypothesis that combination treatments with antiresorptive and anabolic agents would lead to synergistic activity. We hypothesized that combination treatment with a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), LGD-3303, and a bisphosphonate would be beneficial. In vitro competitive binding and transcriptional activity assays were used to characterize LGD-3303. LGD-3303 is a potent nonsteroidal androgen that shows little or no cross-reactivity with related nuclear receptors. Tissue selective activity of LGD-3303 was assessed in orchidectomized male rats orally administered LGD-3303 for 14 days. LGD-3303 increased the levator ani muscle weight above eugonadal levels but had greatly reduced activity on the prostate, never increasing the ventral prostate weight to >50% of eugonadal levels even at high doses. Ovariectomized female rats were treated with LGD-3303, alendronate, or combination treatment to study the effects on bone. DXA scans, histomorphometry, and biomechanics were performed. LGD-3303 increased muscle weight in females rats. In addition, LGD-3303 increased BMD and BMC at both cortical and cancellous bone sites. At cortical sites, the effects were caused in part by anabolic activity on the periosteal surface. At every measured site, combination treatment was as effective as either single agent and in some cases showed significant added benefit. LGD-3303 is a novel SARM with anabolic effects on muscle and cortical bone not observed with bisphosphonates. Combination therapy with LGD-3303 and alendronate had additive effects and may potentially be a useful therapy for osteoporosis and frailty.
Wintertime Vitamin D Supplementation Inhibits Seasonal Variation of Calcitropic Hormones and Maintains Bone Turnover in Healthy Men
Authors: Viljakainen Heli T , Väisänen Milja , Kemi Virpi , Rikkonen Toni , Kröger Heikki , Laitinen E Kalevi A , Rita Hannu , Lamberg-Allardt Christel
Published: October 2008

Vitamin D is suggested to have a role in the coupling of bone resorption and formation. Compared with women, men are believed to have more stable bone remodeling, and thus, are considered less susceptible to the seasonal variation of calcitropic hormones. We examined whether seasonal variation exists in calcitropic hormones, bone remodeling markers, and BMD in healthy men. Furthermore, we determined which vitamin D intake is required to prevent this variation. Subjects (N = 48) were healthy white men 21–49 yr of age from the Helsinki area with a mean habitual dietary intake of vitamin D of 6.6 ± 5.1 (SD) μg/d. This was a 6-mo double-blinded vitamin D intervention study, in which subjects were allocated to three groups of 20 μg (800 IU), 10 μg (400 IU), or placebo. Fasting blood samplings were collected six times for analyses of serum (S-)25(OH)D, iPTH, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and TRACP. Radial volumetric BMD (vBMD) was measured at the beginning and end of the study with pQCT. Wintertime variation was noted in S-25(OH)D, S-PTH, and S-TRACP (p < 0.001, p = 0.012, and p < 0.05, respectively) but not in S-BALP or vBMD in the placebo group. Supplementation inhibited the winter elevation of PTH (p = 0.035), decreased the S-BALP concentration (p < 0.05), but benefited cortical BMD (p = 0.09) only slightly. Healthy men are exposed to wintertime decrease in vitamin D status that impacts PTH concentration. Vitamin D supplementation improved vitamin D status and inhibited the winter elevation of PTH and also decreased BALP concentration. The ratio of TRACP to BALP shows the coupling of bone remodeling in a robust way. A stable ratio was observed among those retaining a stable PTH throughout the study. A daily intake of vitamin D in the range of 17.5–20 μg (700–800 IU) seems to be required to prevent winter seasonal increases in PTH and maintain stable bone turnover in young, healthy white men.
Effect of Lamin A/C Knockdown on Osteoblast Differentiation and Function
Authors: Akter Rahima , Rivas Daniel , Geneau Graziello , Drissi Hicham , Duque Gustavo
Published: October 2008

Recent studies have associated mutations in lamin A/C, a component of the nuclear lamina, with premature aging and severe bone loss. In this study, we hypothesized that reduced expression of lamin A/C has a negative impact on osteoblastogenesis and bone formation in vitro. We inhibited lamin A/C using increasing doses of lamin A/C siRNA in normal human osteoblasts and differentiating mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Untreated cells and cells treated with vehicle but without the siRNA-oligo were used as control. The level of effectiveness of siRNA was determined by RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. Nuclear blebbing, a typical finding of lamin A/C inhibition, was quantified using propidium iodine staining, and its effect on cell survival was determined using MTS-formazan. Furthermore, alizarin red and alkaline phosphatase staining were correlated with osteocalcin secretion and levels of expression of osteocalcin, osterix, bone sialoprotein, and Runx2. Finally, the nuclear binding activity of Runx2, an essential transcription factor for osteoblast differentiation, was assessed using ELISA and EMSA. A successful inhibitory effect on the lamin A/C gene at doses of 400–800 nM oligo was obtained without affecting cell survival. Whereas osteoblast function was significantly affected by lamin A/C inhibition, siRNA-treated MSC showed a higher incidence of nuclear changes, lower osteoblast differentiation, and enhanced adipocyte differentiation. Finally, lamin A/C knockdown reduced Runx2 nuclear binding activity without affecting Runx2 expression. In summary, our results indicate that lamin A/C is a new factor needed for osteoblast differentiation that plays an important role in the cellular mechanisms of age-related bone loss.
Critical Interplay Between Neuropeptide Y and Sex Steroid Pathways in Bone and Adipose Tissue Homeostasis
Authors: Allison Susan J , Baldock Paul A , Enriquez Ronaldo F , Lin EnJu , During Matthew , Gardiner Edith M , Eisman John A , Sainsbury Amanda , Herzog Herbert
Published: October 2008

Important and novel roles for neuropeptide Y (NPY) signaling in the control of bone homeostasis have recently been identified, with deletion of either the Y1 or Y2 receptors resulting in a generalized increase in bone formation. Whereas the Y2 receptor-mediated anabolic response is mediated by a hypothalamic relay, the Y1-mediated response is likely mediated by osteoblastic Y1 receptors. The presence of Y1 receptors on osteoblasts and various other peripheral tissues suggests that, in addition to neuronal input, circulating factors may also interact with the Y1-mediated pathways. The skeletal and adipose tissue (peripheral and marrow) responses to Y1 receptor deficiency were examined after (1) leptin deficiency, (2) gonadectomy, and (3) hypothalamic NPY overexpression. Bone formation was consistently increased in intact Y1−/− mice. However, the hypogonadism of gonadectomy or leptin deficiency blocked this anabolism in male Y1−/− mice, whereas females remained unchanged. The Y1-mediated bone anabolic pathway thus seems to be dependent on the presence of intact androgen signaling. Y1 deficiency also led to increased body weight and/or adiposity in all experimental models, with the exception of male ob/ob, showing a general adipogenic effect of Y1 deficiency that is not dependent on androgens. Interestingly, marrow adipocytes were regulated differently than general adipose depots in these models. Taken together, this interaction represents a novel mechanism for the integration of endocrine and neural signals initiated in the hypothalamus and provides further insight into the coordination of bone and energy homeostasis.
Metabolic Acidosis Increases Intracellular Calcium in Bone Cells Through Activation of the Proton Receptor OGR1
Authors: Frick Kevin K , Krieger Nancy S , Nehrke Keith , Bushinsky David A
Published: October 2008

Metabolic acidosis increases urine Ca without increasing intestinal absorption, leading to bone Ca loss. It is unclear how bone cells detect the increase in proton concentration. To determine which G protein-coupled proton sensing receptors are expressed in bone, PCR was performed, and products were detected for OGR1, TDAG8, G2A, and GPR4. We tested the hypothesis that the G protein-coupled proton sensor, OGR1, is an H+-sensing receptor in bone. To determine whether acid-induced bone resorption involves OGR1, we incubated mouse calvariae in neutral pH (NTL) or acidic (MET) medium ± the OGR1 inhibitor CuCl2. CuCl2 decreased MET-induced Ca efflux. We used fluorescent imaging of perfused bone cells to determine whether MET increases Cai. Perfusion with MET induced a rapid, flow-independent, increase in Cai in individual bone cells. To determine whether transfection of OGR1 into a heterologous cell type would increase Cai in response to H+, we perfused Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with mouse OGR1 cDNA. Perfusion with MET induced a rapid increase in Cai in OGR1-transfected CHO cells. These data indicate that OGR1 induces an increase in Cai in response to MET and is a prime candidate for an osteoblast proton sensor.
Analytical Characteristics of Commercial Cardiac Troponin I and T Immunoassays in Serum from Rats, Dogs, and Monkeys with Induced Acute Myocardial Injury
Authors: Apple Fred S , Murakami MaryAnn M , Ler Ranka , Walker Dana , York Malcolm ,   for the HESI Technical Committee of Biomarkers Working Group on Cardiac Troponins
Published: October 2008

Background: Information is needed regarding analytical characteristics of cardiac troponin (cTn) assays used in preclinical studies.

Methods: We measured cTnI and cTnT in serum from normal animals and animals with induced myocardial injury [Sprague–Dawley (SD) and Wistar rats, beagle dogs, and rhesus (Rh) and cynomolgus (Cy) monkeys]. We evaluated the following assays: for cTnI, Abbott Architect, Bayer Centaur (first and second generation), Beckman Access, DPC Immulite, Dade Dimension, Ortho Vitros ES, Tosoh AIA, and species-specific enzyme immunoassays; for cTnT, Roche Elecsys.

Results: We found different species-specific responses for the troponin assays evaluated. Abbott, Bayer Ultra, Beckman, and Dade assays gave good responses across all species. In rats, weak responses were observed with DPC and Ortho, and no measurable response with Tosoh. In dogs, weak responses were observed with Tosoh cTnI, Roche cTnT, and species-specific cTnI. In cynomolgus monkeys, weak responses were observed with species-specific cTnI and Roche cTnT. Assay imprecision was ≤20% at 3 or more examined cTn concentrations for Beckman (rat, dog, monkey), Dade (rat, dog, monkey), Abbott (rat, dog, monkey), Bayer first generation (dog), Bayer Ultra (rat, dog, monkey), Roche (monkey), DPC (dog, monkey), Ortho (dog, monkey), and Tosoh (dog, monkey) assays, whereas imprecision was ≤20% at 2 or fewer concentrations for the Bayer first generation (rat, monkey), Roche cTnT (rat, dog), and DPC (rat) assays.

Conclusions: Not all cTn assays are suitable for monitoring cTn in each animal species or strain. Individual assay characterization by animal species is needed to prevent misinterpretation of myocardial injury–based cardiac troponin findings.
Meconium Nicotine and Metabolites by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry: Differentiation of Passive and Nonexposure and Correlation with Neonatal Outcome Measures
Authors: Gray Teresa R , Magri Raquel , Shakleya Diaa M , Huestis Marilyn A
Published: October 2008

Background: Meconium analysis is a diagnostically sensitive and objective alternative to maternal self-report for detecting prenatal tobacco exposure. Nicotine and metabolite disposition in meconium is poorly characterized, and correlation of analytes’ concentrations with neonatal outcomes is unexplored. Our objectives were to quantify nicotine, cotinine, trans-3′-hydroxycotinine (OH-cotinine), nornicotine, norcotinine, and glucuronide concentrations in meconium, identify the best biomarkers of in utero tobacco exposure, compare meconium concentrations of tobacco-exposed and nonexposed neonates, and investigate concentration-outcome relationships.

Methods: We quantified concentrations of nicotine and 4 metabolites with and without hydrolysis simultaneously in meconium from tobacco-exposed and nonexposed neonates by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We compared meconium concentrations to birth weight, length, head circumference, gestational age, and 1- and 5-min Apgar scores.

Results: Nicotine, cotinine, and OH-cotinine were the most prevalent and abundant meconium tobacco biomarkers and were found in higher concentrations in tobacco-exposed neonates. Whereas cotinine and OH-cotinine are glucuronide bound, performing the lengthy and costly enzymatic hydrolysis identified only 1 additional positive specimen. Unconjugated nicotine, cotinine, or OH-cotinine meconium concentration >10 ng/g most accurately discriminated active from passive and nonexposed neonates. There was no significant correlation between quantitative nicotine and metabolite meconium results and neonatal outcomes, although presence of a nicotine biomarker predicted decreased head circumference.

Conclusions: Unconjugated nicotine, cotinine, and OH-cotinine should be analyzed in meconium to detect in utero tobacco exposure, as approximately 25% of positive specimens did not contain cotinine. Immunoassay testing monitoring cotinine only would underestimate the prevalence of prenatal tobacco exposure.
Tryptic Peptide Analysis of Ceruloplasmin in Dried Blood Spots Using Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry: Application to Newborn Screening
Authors: deWilde Amy , Sadilkova Katerina , Sadilek Martin , Vasta Valeria , Hahn Si Houn
Published: October 2008

Background: Newborn screening to identify infants with treatable congenital disorders is carried out worldwide. Recent tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) applications have markedly expanded the ability to screen for >50 metabolic diseases with a single dried blood spot (DBS). The feature that makes metabolic disorders particularly amenable to screening is the presence of specific small-molecule metabolites. Many treatable disorders such as Wilson disease, however, are characterized by absent or diminished large proteins in plasma or within circulating blood cells, for which there are currently no cost-effective screening methods.

Methods: We developed an assay for quantifying ceruloplasmin (CP) in DBS for newborn screening of Wilson disease. CP-specific peptides from DBS samples digested by trypsin were quantified using isotopically labeled peptide internal standards and liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Results: The calibration curve was linear from 20 to 95 mg/dL (200–950 mg/L). Intraassay imprecision (mean CV) for CP concentrations of 25, 35, and 55 mg/dL (250, 350, and 550 mg/L) was 9.2%, 10.7%, and 10.2%, respectively. Interassay imprecision for 19 different batches was 8.9%, 5.8%, and 6.9%. A method comparison study on previously tested patient samples for CP gave comparable results with lower limit of quantification, around 0.7 mg/dL (7 mg/L).

Conclusions: Our study supports that newborn screening for Wilson disease is feasible using LC-MS/MS assay for CP quantification in DBS after tryptic digestion. This approach should be applicable to newborn screening for other treatable genetic conditions, such as primary immunodeficiencies, that have large proteins as biomarkers.
Where did all that Money Go? Understanding how Consumers Allocate their Consumption Budget
Authors: Du Rex Y. , Kamakura Wagner A.
Published: October 2008

All types of consumer expenditures ultimately vie for the same pool of limited resources—the consumer's discretionary income. Consequently, consumers’ spending in a particular industry can be better understood in relation to their expenditures in others. Although marketers may believe that they are operating in distinct and unrelated industries, it is important to understand how consumers, with a given budget, make trade-offs between meeting different consumption needs. For example, how much would escalating gas prices affect consumer spending on food and apparel? Which industries would gain most in terms of extra consumer spending as a result of a tax rebate? Answers to these questions are also important from a public policy standpoint because they provide insights into how consumer welfare would be affected as consumers reallocate their consumption budget in response to environmental changes. This study proposes a structural demand model to approximate the household budget allocation decision, in which consumers are assumed to allocate a given budget across a full spectrum of consumption categories to maximize an underlying utility function. The authors illustrate the model using Consumer Expenditure Survey data from the United States, covering 31 consumption categories over 22 years. The calibrated model makes it possible to draw direct inferences about the trade-offs individual households make when they face budget constraints and how their relative preferences for different consumption categories vary across life stages and income levels. The study also demonstrates how the proposed model can be used in policy simulations to quantify the potential impacts on consumption patterns due to shifts in prices or discretionary income.
Cross-Functional Integration and New Product Success: An Empirical Investigation of the Findings
Authors: Troy Lisa C. , Hirunyawipada Tanawat , Paswan Audhesh K.
Published: October 2008

Although cross-functional integration is often considered an important element in a successful new product development program, a great deal of variance exists in extant literature regarding how integration is defined and implemented and how relevant studies are conducted. The authors attempt to bring clarity to a diverse set of 25 studies that investigate cross-functional integration by empirically analyzing 146 correlations between integration and aspects of new product success. The authors examine the impact of 12 potential moderators that affect the integration–success link using meta-analysis techniques. The findings indicate that though cross-functional integration may indeed have a direct impact on success, the combination of integration with other variables may be of greater importance. Furthermore, because most of the nine variables that significantly affect the integration–success relationship are either managerially controlled or industry specific, the findings imply that firms should design cross-functional structures to maximize their effectiveness. Other variables that affect the integration–success relationship reflect researchers’ methodological decisions, suggesting that care should be taken when designing and interpreting the results of such studies. The authors discuss the implications of these findings and directions for further research.
Enumerating and identifying semiperfect colorings of symmetrical patterns
Authors: Felix Rene P. , Loquias Manuel Joseph C.
Published: October 2008

If G is the symmetry group of an uncolored pattern then a coloring of the pattern is semiperfect if the associated color group H is a subgroup of G of index 2. We give results on how to identify and enumerate all inequivalent semiperfect colorings of certain patterns. This is achieved by treating a coloring as a partition {hJiYi : i ∈ I, h ∈ H} of G, where H is a subgroup of index 2 in G, Ji
≤ H for i ∈ I, and Y = ∪
i∈I

Yi
is a complete set of right coset representatives of H in G. We also give a one-to-one correspondence between inequivalent semiperfect colorings whose associated color groups are conjugate subgroups with respect to the normalizer of G in the group of isometries of
R

n
.
Combined powder diffraction and solid-state DFT study of [Cu (2,6-dimethoxynicotinate)2(μ-ronicol)2]
n
complex
Authors: Jorik Vladimir , Scholtzová Eva , Segl'a Peter
Published: October 2008

Crystal structure of the title compound was solved from the laboratory powder diffraction data in the P21/c space group. Because Rietveld refinement yielded inaccurate geometry of the structural moieties the structure was finally refined by means of geometry optimization using DFT/plane waves approach in the solid state. The asymmetric unit of [Cu{2,6-(MeO)2nic}2(μ-ron)2]
n
consists of the copper(II) atom located on an inversion centre, one 2,6-dimethoxynicotinate anion and one ronicol molecule which acts as a bridging ligand coordinated via oxygen atom of the hydroxymethyl group as well as the nitrogen atom of the pyridine ring – μ-ron = bridging 3-pyridylmethanol. Each copper (II) complex unit is connected to the other four units through the ronicol ligands forming 2D sheets running parallel to the bc plane. The structure is stabilized by a strong intramolecular hydrogen bond O—H…O and supported by weak C—H…O hydrogen bonds.
Crystal structure of a new homo trinuclear Ni(II) complex with μ-cyanoacetato bridge
Authors: Ates B. Meltem , Ercan Filiz , Aksu M. Levent , Atakol Orhan
Published: October 2008

Ni(II)-Ni(II)-Ni(II) homo-trinuclear linear complex was prepared using bis-N,N′(2-hydroxybenzyl)-1,3-propanediamine in DMF (dimethyl formamide) medium. μ-bridges between metal nuclei are formed using formate, acetate, chloroacetate and benzoate ions. The structure of the homo-trinuclear complex was determined with X-ray diffraction method. It was found that the terminal Ni(II) ions have a N2O4 coordination sphere and central Ni(II) ion has a O6 octahedral coordination sphere. The chelate ring, formed by the coordination of terminal Ni atoms and aminic nitrogen atoms, was found to have a chair conformation. The complexes were elucidated by the use of thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis method. In acetate, chloroacetate, cyanoacetate and benzoate containing complexes thermal dissociation of DMF took place first while in formate containing complex it was observed that formate bridges and the complex degraded together with the dissociation of DMF moiety. It was observed that the thermal stability of carboxylate μ-bridge affects the thermal stability of the homo-nuclear complex. The average bond energies of coordinated DMF molecules were determined and these coordinative bond energies were found to be in the dimension of that of hydrogen bonds.
Crystal and molecular structures of dichloro((Z)-2-chloro-2-phenylvinyl)(organo)tellurium(IV) for organo = n-butyl and phenyl
Authors: Zukerman-Schpector Julio , Stefani Hélio Alexandre , Guadagnin Rafael C. , Suganuma Carlos A. , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: October 2008

In each of the title compounds, R[Ph(Cl)C=(H)C]TeCl2, R = nBu (1) and Ph (2), the primary geometry about the TeIV atom is a pseudo-trigonal-bipyramidal arrangement, with two Cl atoms in apical positions, and the lone pair of electrons and C atoms in the equatorial plane. As the TeIV is involved in two, an intra- and an inter-molecular, Te···Cl interactions the coordination geometry might be considered as a ψ-pentagonal bipyramid in each case. In addition, in (2) there is a hint of a Te···π interaction (Te···C = 3.911(3) Å). The key feature in the crystal structure of both compounds is the formation of supramolecular chains mediated by Te···Cl contacts.(1): C12H15Cl3Te, triclinic, P-1, a = 5.9471(11), b = 10.7826(22), c = 11.7983(19) Å, α = 75.416(12), β = 78.868(13), γ = 80.902(14)°, V = 713.6(2) Å3, Z = 2, R
1 = 0.021; (2): C14H11Cl3Te, orthorhombic, Pcab, a = 7.7189(10), b = 17.415(2), c = 21.568(3) Å, V = 2899.3(6) Å3, Z = 8, R
1 = 0.027.
Serum levels of adipocyte fatty acid binding protein are increased in gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kralisch Susan , Stepan Holger , Kratzsch Jürgen , Verlohren Michael , Verlohren Hans-Joachim , Drynda Kathrin , Lössner Ulrike , Blüher Matthias , Stumvoll Michael , Fasshauer Mathias
Published: October 2008

Objective

Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (AFABP) was recently introduced as a novel adipokine, serum levels of which independently correlate with the development of the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease in humans. In the current study, we investigated serum concentrations of AFABP in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) as compared with healthy pregnant controls matched for gestational age and fasting insulin.

Design and methods

AFABP was determined by ELISA in controls (n=80) and GDM patients (n=40) and correlated to clinical and biochemical measures of renal function, glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as inflammation, in both groups.

Results

Median serum AFABP concentrations were significantly elevated in subjects with GDM (22.9 μg/l) as compared with healthy pregnant controls (18.3 μg/l; P<0.05). Furthermore, GDM was independently associated with AFABP concentrations in multiple regression analysis (P<0.05). In addition, markers of adiposity (body mass index, serum leptin), triglycerides and serum creatinine were independently associated with circulating AFABP (P<0.05).

Conclusions

Maternal AFABP concentrations are significantly increased in GDM. The adipokine might contribute to the increased metabolic and cardiovascular risk of the disease.
Manipulation of SMARCA2 and SMARCA4 transcript levels in porcine embryos differentially alters development and expression of SMARCA1, SOX2, NANOG, and EIF1
Authors: Magnani Luca , Cabot Ryan A
Published: October 2008

Epigenetic reprogramming plays a pivotal role during embryogenesis, including both covalent and non-covalent modifications to chromatin. In this study, we investigated the role of SNF2 chromatin remodeling ATPases (SMARCA2(previously known asBRAHMA),SMARCA4(previously known asBRG1),SMARCA5(previously known asSNF2H),SMARCA1(previously known asSNF2L),CHD3, andCHD5) during porcine preimplantation embryonic development. Transcript levels for these ATPases change dynamically throughout development. We also investigated the effect of altering transcript levels ofSMARCA2andSMARCA4via mRNA injection. Overexpression ofSMARCA2andSMARCA4severely impaired embryo development. Results from these experiments show that embryos injected withSMARCA2mRNA arrest between the four-cell and blastocyst stages. However, embryos injected with either wild-typeSMARCA4or a dominant negative variant orSMARCA4arrest before zygotic genome activation. No differences in transcript abundance ofSOX2,POU5F1,NANOG, andEIF1(previously known aseIF1A) were detected after injection withSMARCA2or its dominant negative variant at 48 h post-injection. Conversely, embryos injected with wild-typeSMARCA4and its dominant negative variant possessed altered expression of these genes. Examination of SNF2-type ATPase transcript abundance across all treatment groups revealed that onlySMARCA1was altered following injection with wild-typeSMARCA2and wild-type and dominant negativeSMARCA4. We conclude that the arrest in porcine embryo development observed after injection is specific to the ATPase injected. Our data strongly support the hypothesis thatSMARCA2andSMARCA4play different but fundamental roles controlling gene expression during early mammalian embryogenesis.
A Yeast Sir2 Mutant Temperature Sensitive for Silencing
Authors: Wang Chia-Lin , Landry Joseph , Sternglanz Rolf
Published: October 2008

A screen for Saccharomyces cerevisiae temperature-sensitive silencing mutants identified a strain with a point mutation in the SIR2 gene. The mutation changed Ser276 to Cys. This amino acid is in the highly conserved NAD+ binding pocket of the Sir2 family of proteins. Haploid strains of either mating type carrying the mutation were severely defective at mating at 37° but normal at 25°. Measurements of RNA from the HMR locus demonstrated that silencing was lost rapidly upon shifting the mutant from the low to the high temperature, but it took >8 hours to reestablish silencing after a shift back to 25°. Silencing at the rDNA locus was also temperature sensitive. On the other hand, telomeric silencing was totally defective at both temperatures. Enzymatic activity of the recombinant wild-type and mutant Sir2 protein was compared by three different assays. The mutant exhibited less deacetylase activity than the wild-type protein at both 37° and 25°. Interestingly, the mutant had much more NAD+–nicotinamide exchange activity than wild type, as did a mutation in the same region of the protein in the Sir2 homolog, Hst2. Thus, mutations in this region of the NAD+ binding pocket of the protein are able to carry out cleavage of NAD+ to nicotinamide but are defective at the subsequent deacetylation step of the reaction.
Ezour-Védam
Authors: Killingley Dermot
Published: October 2008

A text in french with the title Ezour-Védam was proclaimed by Voltaire as a sample of ancient indian wisdom. it was soon suspected of coming from a missionary source, and this view has prevailed. in 1817, francis ellis studied and described the collection of texts in Pondicherry to which it belonged, and in 1984 ludo Rocher published the french text with a study of its possible origins. the present article examines the text again, relating it to european thought and Jesuit missionary methods. its reception by Voltaire and others, the meaning of the title, the common description of it as a forged Veda, and a misunderstanding concerning Rammohun Roy, are also discussed.
“This is the truth—the truth without doubt”
Authors: Taylor McComas
Published: October 2008

In contrast with the major theistic religions, the highly decentralized Hindu traditions, for much of their history, lacked a single external authority capable of imposing standards of orthodoxy or heterodoxy on all parts of the fold. The major normative texts known as puranas are the source-books of Hindu theology, cosmology and mythology. These texts have had to compete with one another for a position of orthodoxy, and they have achieved this in part through the adoption of internal textual strategies. This paper examines one of the most important members of the genre, the Sivapurana, and identifies three such strategies. First, the discourse is placed in the mouths of three fictional meta-narrators: the deity Siva, the sage Vyasa, and his disciple Romaharsana. Second, the discourse is spiked with “power claims” relating to its own efficacy and potency. Third, strict procedures are prescribed for the public performance of the text. While not unique to the Sivapurana, the combination of meta-narration, power-claims and performative prescription all serve to elevate and valorize the text and enable it to function as “true” discourse in the Hindu episteme.
‘A Nation without a Soul’
Authors: Llewellyn John E.
Published: October 2008

This is an essay about the role of religion in one aspect of indian public life, higher education. Despite the fact that religion is ubiquitous in indian society, in universities the academic study of religion is conspicuous by its absence. At the conclusion to this essay, i will suggest two reasons for this surprising gap. Before that, the essay surveys conflicting ideas about the role of religion in education during the colonial period. then in the second section i will analyze the prescriptions for the study of religion early in the history of independent india.
Hindu Selves in a Modern World: Guru Faith in the Mata Amritanandamayi Mission, by Maya Warrier
Authors: Foulston Lynn Frances
Published: October 2008

Hindu Selves in a Modern World: Guru Faith in the Mata Amritanandamayi Mission, by Maya Warrier. RoutledgeCurzon South Asian Religion Series; London and New York: RoutledgeCurzon, 2005. x + 185pp., £85. ISBN 0-415-33988-X (hb).
Attending Krsna’s Image: Caitanya Vaisnava Murti-seva as Devotional Truth, by Kenneth R. Valpey
Authors: Dwyer Graham
Published: October 2008

Attending Krsna’s Image: Caitanya Vaisnava Murti-seva as Devotional Truth, by Kenneth R. Valpey. Abingdon, Oxon and New York: Routledge, 2006. xiv + 225 pp., £80 (hb). ISBN 0-415-38394-3.