bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Craniofacial Aging
Authors: Ricanek Karl , Sethuram Amrutha , Patterson Eric K. , Albert Arlene M. , Boone Edward J.
Published: March 2009

Face recognition is one of the most favored techniques used in the field of biometrics. Despite many of the advanced methods that have been developed, face recognition is still challenged by many factors such as illumination, pose, and other real‐world conditions such as a temporal difference in training and classification data (mainly images). As such, normal adult aging is an important factor to be considered in the development and evaluation of face‐recognition systems. To date, little progress has been made in developing techniques that are robust to age‐progression in individuals. Two of the main reasons for minimal development in this area are an incomplete understanding of the factors that influence the changing appearance of the face during aging and a lack of relevant longitudinal face corpora required for development and evaluation. This article provides a summary understanding of the factors and process innate to craniofacial morphology of the face during the period of adult aging and also reviews recent biometric‐related work on aging of the human face. Additionally, this work can be used to inform practitioners who conduct human‐based analysis on longitudinal face images for identity verification.
The Global Food Supply Chain
Authors: Kastner Justin J. , Block Cobus L.
Published: March 2009

The multidimensional supply food supply chain, undergirded by economic and technological investment, involves a sequence of production,processing, distribution, and consumption components; the safety and security of these components typically involves multiple regulatory agencies. The emergence of new external challenges—from agroterrorism and bioterrorism to relatively new social considerations—challenge the normal functioning of the global food supply chain. China—a salient example of a geographically vast, rapidly developing country—illustrates the challenges of adopting elements (e.g. traceability and transparency) necessary for ensuring the security of the food supply chain. A broad understanding of food security requires an appreciation of multiple academic perspectives, from economics to public health; cross‐border trade flows both ensure food security through the provision of food imports and, potentially, can threaten food security through the introduction of accidentally introduced or deliberately introduced hazards. New risk‐management systems instituted by, for example, the 2002Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Actseek to help regulatory agencies better ensure the safety and security of food imports. Elsewhere, novel approaches to cross‐border cooperation signal models for enhanced trade cooperation that will ensure security in the global food supply chain.
Early Detection and Diagnosis of High‐Consequence Plant Pests in the United States
Authors: Cardwell Kitty F. , Hoffman William J.
Published: March 2009

The United States has over a billion acres of food, fiber, feed, and fuel production agriculture. US agriculture could be considered a large, soft target to those who would want to strike at the economy, the social stability, or the sense of security of the US citizenry. It would be technically easy to do. Early detection and diagnosis of pests and diseases of plants is the best way to limit spread and impact, whether they arrive naturally or are introduced deliberately. The US Department of Homeland Security and the US Department of Agriculture, together with its State Department of Agriculture partners, the Land Grant University System, the Cooperative Extension Service, and agricultural industry and commodity association partners have formal and nonformal surveillance systems, as well as networks of plant pest diagnostic facilities to accomplish early detection and diagnosis of newly introduced agricultural and forest pest agents. Due to the large geographic area that must be covered to be effective, physical surveillance has to be supplemented by predictive models and remote sensing technologies. Even when surveillance systems are working optimally, diagnostic laboratory throughput could be a bottle‐neck for the generation of information in near real time. The National Plant Diagnostic Network is a distributed system of laboratories designed to manage sample surge and produce data for syndromic analysis.
Pulsenet: A Program to Detect and Track Food Contamination Events
Authors: Cooper Kara L. F. , MacCannell Duncan R. , Ribot Efrain M.
Published: March 2009

PulseNet USA is a national foodborne surveillance program that facilitates standardized subtyping of foodborne bacteria through a network of over 70 public health laboratories throughout the United States. With over a decade of successes in the rapid detection, communication, and response to foodborne outbreaks, PulseNet has proven instrumental to the identification and investigation of scores of outbreaks associated with unintentional foodborne contamination. In an increasingly globalized economy, the importance of food safety and biosecurity has become increasingly paramount. An act of bioterrorism involving food products is likely to be recognized, at least initially, in the same manner as naturally occurring foodborne outbreaks, and response capabilities will rely heavily upon the capacity and efficiency of existing public health infrastructure. Preparedness efforts will require the extension and enhancement of foodborne surveillance programs beyond the national level, and increased reliance on multilateral cooperation and information sharing with international partners. The recent globalization of PulseNet, with the establishment of PulseNet International, has greatly expanded the reach of foodborne disease surveillance to include regional networks in Asia, Europe, Canada, Latin America, and the Middle East, ushering in a promising new era for improved food safety and public health.
Advanced Attacker Detection and Understanding with Emerging Honeynet Technologies
Authors: Dodge Ronald C. , Holz Thorsten , Chuvakin Anton
Published: March 2009

The world is more and more reliant on information technology in every sector. Power interconnects rely on it to balance generation and transmission, hospitals use it to manage patient care, and financial businesses rely on it in virtually every transaction. The IT infrastructure that runs the services that we rely on is a tempting target. The attacker community is motivated by many factors, but the common thread is financial gain. The attacker continues to morph its tactics and techniques, attacking both infrastructure and end users with firewall and
intrusion detection system
(
IDS
) evading attacks. The first imperative in defending our infrastructure is understanding how the attacker operates. One of the most innovative technologies for the past decade is the honeynet. The current and emerging honeynet technologies can provide network security personnel with advance warning and attack understanding, beyond the capability of other security technologies.
Knowledge Extraction from Surveillance Sensors
Authors: Chellappa Rama , Veeraraghavan Ashok , Sankaranarayanan Aswin C.
Published: March 2009

During the last decade, significant progress has been made in both the design of novel sensors and in the development of algorithms for extracting information from these sensors. Several applications have emerged in areas such as automated wide area surveillance, monitoring, multimedia forensics, and video indexing and retrieval. Such systems use a plethora of sensors including motion sensors, audio sensors, visual and infrared (IR) sensors, along with accompanying algorithms to extract knowledge from the data captured by these sensors. Specifically, in the context of surveillance, the sensors mentioned above can effectively accomplish several tasks such as detecting and tracking humans and vehicles of interest, identifying human subjects, classification of vehicle types, human action analysis, and alerting security personnel when suspicious activities such as incursions into restricted areas are detected. In this article, we briefly describe the various sensors that can be used in such a system and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. We then discuss several classes of algorithms that are used in order to detect, track, and recognize people and vehicles in wide areas using a combination of both visual, audio, and motion sensors. Finally, we provide an overview of the current challenges and future trends.
Eye and Iris Sensors
Authors: Hamza Rida , Whillock Rand
Published: March 2009

We explain how iris recognition can provide an unalterable, reliable biometric solution without encumbering the subject. We describe the structure of the human eye and the benefits of removing ambiguity to prevent human identification systems from rejecting valid subjects or validating imposters. Such failures in identification can be disastrous, especially in counterterrorism and law enforcement applications. We describe the fundamental processes required for an iris recognition system and describe current techniques used for acquiring and encoding iris images. We discuss the difficulties of encoding poorly presented or occluded iris images along with the unmet needs, on‐going research in iris segmentation, and the need to develop reliable, noninvasive identification systems. We then address the potential for applying iris recognition technology to persons in motion and the challenges of this technology.

Accurate, reliable identification of humans is a goal as ancient as humanity. As technology and services have developed, humans regularly engage in transactions in which rapid and reliable personal identification is required. Examples include passport control, computer login control, automatic teller machines and other financial transaction authorizations, premises access control, and security systems for meeting the critical needs of homeland security. Speedy, reliable, automated identification procedures are especially necessary for law and counterterrorism enforcement.
Pronounced Catalytic Effect of a Micellar Solution of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) on the Efficient C‐S Bond Formationviaan Odorless Thia‐Michael Addition Reaction through thein situGeneration ofS‐Alkylisothiouronium Salts
Authors: Firouzabadi Habib , Iranpoor Nasser , Abbasi Mohammad
Published: March 2009

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A pronounced catalytic effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was observed on thein situproduction ofS‐alkylisothiouronium saltsviathe reaction of primary, allyl and benzyl halides with thiourea in SDS droplets .Hydrolysis of the generatedS‐alkylisothiouronium salts in the palisade layer of the droplets produces the corresponding thiol moieties which are immediately added to the electron‐deficient olefins that are present in the micellar core to produce the thia‐Michael adducts. The entire route is an almost odorless process. The yields of the products are good to excellent and the method is applicable to large‐scale operation without any problem.
Ovarian failure and dilated cardiomyopathy due to a novel lamin mutation
Authors: McPherson Elizabeth , Turner Lesley , Zador Ivan , Reynolds Kara , Macgregor David , Giampietro Philip F.
Published: March 2009

Two unrelated young women presented with similar dysmorphic features including severe retrognathia, beaked nose, narrow chest, sloping shoulders, and an acrogeric appearance of the hands and feet. Neither had any evidence of skeletal myopathy, but both developed progressive dilated cardiomyopathy, both experienced premature ovarian failure, and both were found to have the same heterozygous novel missense mutation c.176T>G in exon 1 of the LMNA gene, resulting in a leucine to arginine change at codon 59 (Leu59Arg). Mutations in the LMNA gene cause a variety of disorders including dilated cardiomyopathy, muscular dystrophy, familial lipodystrophy, progeria, atypical progeroid syndromes, and mandibuloacral dysplasia. Genotype–phenotype correlation has been reported for some of these conditions. Our patients are the only ones known to have the specific mutation Leu59Arg and also share a set of features not entirely consistent with any of the laminopathies previously described. A previously reported patient with an adjacent mutation (Ala57Pro) had “atypical Werner syndrome” with dilated cardiomyopathy, hypogonadism, and sloping shoulders. While each of these clinical features does occur in other laminopathy syndromes, these patients form a phenotypic cluster distinct from other laminopathies and clinically overlapping with Malouf syndrome. LMNA sequencing should be considered for patients presenting with dilated cardiomyopathy and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, including those previously diagnosed with Malouf syndrome. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Caloric restriction in Alström syndrome prevents hyperinsulinemia
Authors: Lee Ni‐Chung , Marshall Jan D. , Collin Gayle B. , Naggert Jürgen K. , Chien Yin‐Hsiu , Tsai Wen‐Yu , Hwu Wuh‐Liang
Published: March 2009

Alström syndrome (AS; OMIM 203800) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by cone‐rod dystrophy, dilated cardiomyopathy, sensorineural hearing impairment, developmental delay, and most case had both childhood‐onset obesity and hyperinsulinemia. Currently, the pathogenesis of this disease is not clear. Here we report on an 18‐month‐old boy with Alström syndrome. He had obesity but with normal insulin and glucose levels. Molecular analysis of the ALMS1 gene revealed a 19 base pair homozygous deletion 11116_11134del in exon 16. His body mass index decreased from 25.0 to 20.7 after calorie restriction for 9 months, and his insulin and glucose levels remained normal. Finding in this case suggests that hyperinsulinemia is a secondary event in Alström syndrome, and early‐commenced treatment prevents hyperinsulinemia. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stable isotopic evidence for diet at the Imperial Roman coastal site of Velia (1st and 2nd Centuries AD) in Southern Italy
Authors: Craig Oliver E. , Biazzo Marco , O'Connell Tamsin C. , Garnsey Peter , Martinez‐Labarga Cristina , Lelli Roberta , Salvadei Loretana , Tartaglia Gianna , Nava Alessia , Renò Lorena , Fiammenghi Antonella , Rickards Olga , Bondioli Luca
Published: March 2009

Here we report on a stable isotope palaeodietary study of a Imperial Roman population interred near the port of Velia in Southern Italy during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses were performed on collagen extracted from 117 adult humans as well as a range of fauna to reconstruct individual dietary histories. For the majority of individuals, we found that stable isotope data were consistent with a diet high in cereals, with relatively modest contributions of meat and only minor contributions of marine fish. However, substantial isotopic variation was found within the population, indicating that diets were not uniform. We suggest that a number of individuals, mainly but not exclusively males, had greater access to marine resources, especially high trophic level fish. However, the observed dietary variation did not correlate with burial type, number of grave goods, nor age at death. Also, individuals buried at the necropolis at Velia ate much less fish overall compared with the contemporaneous population from the necropolis of Portus at Isola Sacra, located on the coast close to Rome. Marine and riverine transport and commerce dominated the economy of Portus, and its people were in a position to supplement their own stocks of fish with imported goods in transit to Rome, whereas at Velia marine exploitation existed side‐by‐side with land‐based economic activities. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The causes of porotic hyperostosis and cribra orbitalia: A reappraisal of the iron‐deficiency‐anemia hypothesis
Authors: Walker Phillip L. , Bathurst Rhonda R. , Richman Rebecca , Gjerdrum Thor , Andrushko Valerie A.
Published: March 2009

Porosities in the outer table of the cranial vault (porotic hyperostosis) and orbital roof (cribra orbitalia) are among the most frequent pathological lesions seen in ancient human skeletal collections. Since the 1950s, chronic iron‐deficiency anemia has been widely accepted as the probable cause of both conditions. Based on this proposed etiology, bioarchaeologists use the prevalence of these conditions to infer living conditions conducive to dietary iron deficiency, iron malabsorption, and iron loss from both diarrheal disease and intestinal parasites in earlier human populations. This iron‐deficiency‐anemia hypothesis is inconsistent with recent hematological research that shows iron deficiency per se cannot sustain the massive red blood cell production that causes the marrow expansion responsible for these lesions. Several lines of evidence suggest that the accelerated loss and compensatory over‐production of red blood cells seen in hemolytic and megaloblastic anemias is the most likely proximate cause of porotic hyperostosis. Although cranial vault and orbital roof porosities are sometimes conflated under the term porotic hyperostosis, paleopathological and clinical evidence suggests they often have different etiologies. Reconsidering the etiology of these skeletal conditions has important implications for current interpretations of malnutrition and infectious disease in earlier human populations. Am J Phys Anthropol 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gold Nanorod/Fe3O4 Nanoparticle “Nano‐Pearl‐Necklaces” for Simultaneous Targeting, Dual‐Mode Imaging, and Photothermal Ablation of Cancer Cells
Authors: Wang Chungang , Chen Jiji , Talavage Tom , Irudayaraj Joseph
Published: March 2009

Perlen auf Gold: Neuartige multifunktionelle Nanopartikel bestehen aus einzelnen Amin‐modifizierten Goldnanostäbchen, an denen Fe3O4‐„Perlen“ mit Carboxyendgruppe angebracht sind. Die Partikel eignen sich zur simultanen Erkennung, dualen Bildgebung und photothermischen Ablation von Brustkrebszellen.

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Sind partikuläre Edelmetallkatalysatoren Metalle, Metalloxide oder ein Mittelding?
Authors: Goloboy James C. , Klemperer Walter G.
Published: March 2009

Gutes Modell? Partikuläre Edelmetallkatalysatoren benötigen oft kleine Mengen von Sauerstoff, um ihre optimale katalytische Aktivität auszuspielen. Die genaue Struktur und Zusammensetzung der beteiligten Metalloxidcluster ist aber bis heute, fast zweihundert Jahre nach ihrer Entdeckung, nicht geklärt. Ein neuartiges Heteropolypalladatsalz (siehe Bild; Pd gelb, O rot) bietet Einblick, wie Sauerstoffatome in kleine Edelmetallcluster eingebaut werden könnten.

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Knüpfung von Thiostannat‐Sn‐Sn‐Bindungen in Lösung: In‐situ‐Bildung des gemischtvalenten funktionalisierten Komplexes [{(RSnIV)2(μ‐S)2}3SnIII2S6]
Authors: Hassanzadeh Fard Zohreh , Müller Christian , Harmening Thomas , Pöttgen Rainer , Dehnen Stefanie
Published: March 2009

Im Tageslicht kondensiert das Doppeldecker‐artige Thiostannat [(RSnIV)4S6] (1, R=CMe2CH2COMe) zum gemischtvalenten Komplex [{(RSnIV)2(μ‐S)2}3SnIII2S6] (2, siehe Bild), der (formal) SnIII‐ neben SnIV‐Zentren enthält, wie durch Mößbauer‐Spektroskopie und DFT‐Rechnungen bestätigt wurde. 2 weist sechs funktionelle CO‐Gruppen für weitere Reaktionen an der Ligandenhülle auf, und die Bildung scheint über einen komplizierten konzertierten Mechanismus zu verlaufen.

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Undulated Multicompartment Cylinders by the Controlled and Directed Stacking of Polymer Micelles with a Compartmentalized Corona
Authors: Fang Bing , Walther Andreas , Wolf Andrea , Xu Youyong , Yuan Jiayin , Müller Axel H. E.
Published: March 2009

Wie ein Bambusstab: Lange gewellte Zylinder mit der Form von Bambusstäben und festgelegten Verzweigungsstellen und Endgruppen (siehe Bild) entstehen durch reversible Stapelung von Blockterpolymer‐Micellen, die aus einem fluorierten Polybutadienkern und einer Korona mit Poly(4‐tert‐butoxystyrol)‐ und Poly(tert‐butylmethacrylat)‐Segmenten bestehen. Die Stapelung der Polymermicellen erfolgte nach dem Wechsel des Lösungsmittels von Dioxan zu Ethanol.

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Phosphinoborane and Sulfidoborohydride as Chelating Ligands in Polyhydride Ruthenium Complexes: Agostic σ‐Borane versus Dihydroborate Coordination
Authors: Gloaguen Yann , Alcaraz Gilles , Pécharman Anne‐Frédérique , Clot Eric , Vendier Laure , Sabo‐Etienne Sylviane
Published: March 2009

Bindung ja, aber wie? Zwei neue Boranverbindungen wirken als difunktionelle Liganden und reagieren mit Rutheniumpolyhydriden zu zwei Arten von Komplexen (siehe Schema): Ein Produkt zeigt eine δ‐agostische Wechselwirkung der η2‐B‐H‐Bindung eines dreiwertigen Borzentrums, das andere eine Bindung als Dihydroborat‐Ligand.

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Asymmetric Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling in Water with a Chiral Palladium Catalyst Supported on an Amphiphilic Resin
Authors: Uozumi Yasuhiro , Matsuura Yutaka , Arakawa Takayasu , Yamada Yoichi M. A.
Published: March 2009

Ab ins Wasser: Eine Verträglichkeit mit vielfältigen funktionellen Gruppen (FG) zeigt die Titelreaktion, die durch Kupplung von Arylhalogeniden (X=Cl, Br, I) und Arylboronsäuren mit bis zu 94 % ee zu Biarylen führt. Der chirale, auf einem amphiphilen Polystyrol‐Poly(ethylenglycol)(PS‐PEG)‐Harz fixierte Imidazoindolphosphan‐Palladium‐Katalysator ließ sich leicht zurückgewinnen.

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Are Particulate Noble‐Metal Catalysts Metals, Metal Oxides, or Something In‐Between?
Authors: Goloboy James C. , Klemperer Walter G.
Published: March 2009

A good model? Noble‐metal particulate catalysts often require small amounts of oxygen to obtain optimal activity. However, the structure and stoichiometry of the oxidized metal clusters involved remains obscure, even almost two hundred years after their discovery. A heteropolypalladate salt (see picture; Pd yellow, O red) now offers a view of how oxygen might be incorporated into small noble‐metal clusters.

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Molecular Recognition in Self‐Assembled Integrated Circuits: Getting Smaller while under Control
Authors: Lim Yong‐beom , Lee Myongsoo
Published: March 2009

Available in small print: Block copolymer lithography has great potential for reducing the size and fabrication time of integrated circuits. Hydrogen‐bonding‐mediated molecular recognition in self‐assembly processes can be used to produce highly ordered square arrays of block copolymers on the surface of a silicon substrate (see picture).

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The Shape of Germanium Clusters To Come
Authors: Korber Nikolaus
Published: March 2009

A different drummer: The existence of endohedral germanium clusters was predicted earlier by gas‐phase experiments. The [Co@Ge10]3− anion now synthesized is surprising, as it breaks with a long line of exclusively deltahedral structures found in the past. Instead, it has a regular pentagonal‐prismatic structure (see picture; Co gray, Ge red).

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Novel dibenzocycloheptenyl phosphonium salts as thermolatent initiator in cationic polymerization
Authors: Gupta Mukesh Kumar , Singh Raj Pal
Published: March 2009

In this study, novel thermolatent cationic initiators based on dibenzocycloheptenyl phosphonium salts (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 2a, and 3a) were synthesized and their efficiency was examined in bulk polymerization of glycidyl phenyl ether (GPE). The polymerization of GPE was performed with 1 mol % of dibenzocycloheptenyl triphenylphosphonium salts (1a–1d) with different counter anions (SbF6−, PF6−, AsF6−, and BF4−) at 25–200°C for 1 h. The order of initiator activity was found as 1a > 1d > 1b > 1c. To examine the effect of phosphine moiety, the activity of 1a was compared with dibenzocycloheptenyl‐tri‐n‐butylphosphonium hexafluoroantimonate (2a). The order of initiator activity was observed as 1a > 2a. The initiator activity of 1a was compared with that of 10,11‐dihydro‐dibenzocycloheptenyltriphenylphosphonium hexafluoroantimonate (3a) to understand the effect of extended conjugation in dibenzocycloheptenyl ring. In general, with the increase in the polymerization temperature, conversion (%) also increases. The solubility of initiators in various solvents and epoxy monomers was also examined. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Nonlinear stress relaxation of silica filled solution‐polymerized styrene–butadiene rubber compounds
Authors: Sun Jin , Li Hong , Song Yihu , Zheng Qiang , He Li , Yu Jie
Published: March 2009

The stress relaxation of silica (SiO2) filled solution‐polymerized styrene–butadiene rubber (SSBR) has been investigated at shear strains located in the nonlinear viscoelastic regions. When the characteristic separability times are exceeded, the nonlinear shear relaxation modulus can be factorized into separate strain‐ and time‐dependent functions. Moreover, the shear strain dependence of the damping function becomes strong with an increase in the SiO2 volume fraction. On the other hand, a strain amplification factor related to nondeformable SiO2 particles can be applied to account for the local strain of the rubbery matrix. Furthermore, it is believed that the damping function is a function of the localized deformation of the rubbery matrix independent of the SiO2 content. The fact that the time–strain separability holds for both the unfilled SSBR and the filled compound indicates that the nonlinear relaxation is dominated by the rubbery matrix, and this implies that the presence of the particles can hardly qualitatively modify the dynamics of the polymer. It is thought that the filler–rubber interaction induces a coexistence of the filler network with the entanglement network of the rubbery phase, both being responsible for the nonlinear relaxation. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Microstructure and properties of epoxy foams prepared by microwave
Authors: Zhong Fachun , He Jiangping , Wang Xiaochuan
Published: March 2009

In this article, epoxy foams comprised of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐A (DGEBA) based epoxy resin E31 and E51, polyamide resin, and water were prepared by microwave irradiation method. The structure and properties of epoxy foams were analyzed by FTIR, TGA, SEM, and DMA methods. The density and compressive performance of epoxy foams was also determined. The results indicated that the epoxy foams had excellent compressive performance and the preparation of epoxy foam by microwave irradiation was high efficiency and convenient. The composition has great effect on density, foam structure, dynamical mechanic performance, and thermal degradation behavior of epoxy foams. The epoxy foam with density from 0.08 g cm−3 to 1.05 g cm−3 can be obtained by varying ratio of E51 and E31 to control the viscosity of mixtures. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Influence of the rubber blend ratio on blowout behaviors of carbon black‐reinforced natural rubber/styrene‐butadiene rubber
Authors: Choi Sung‐Seen , Kim Jong‐Chul , Ko Ji‐Eun , Cho Yi Seok , Shin Wae Gi
Published: March 2009

Blowout behaviors of NR/SBR blend composites reinforced with carbon black were studied using a microwave oven and variation of the blowout time and temperature with the blend ratio was investigated. Morphology of the interior of the sample before exploding was observed and change of the crosslink density was measured. The blowout time became slower and the blowout temperature became higher as the SBR content of the specimen increased. The specimen with higher NR content had more cavities in the interior just before explosion. The crosslink density became lower by coming close to the blowout and crosslink density of the inner part was more reduced than that of the outer part. New organic materials were found in the burst region after blowout and they might be decomposed products of the polymer chains. The SBR specimen showed better blowout properties than the NR one. Principal sources to cause the blowout were found to be formation of the cavities in a rubber article, reduction of the crosslink density, and dissociation of the rubber chains. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Synthesis and characterization of highly soluble poly(ether imide)s containing indane moieties in the main chain
Authors: Dasgupta Barnali , Sen Suman Kumar , Maji Samarendra , Chatterjee Shyambo , Banerjee Susanta
Published: March 2009

A new indane containing unsymmetrical diamine monomer (3) was synthesized. This diamine monomer leads to a number of novel semifluorinated poly (ether imide)s when reacted with different commercially available dianhydrides like benzene‐1,2,4,5‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PMDA), benzophenone‐3,3′, 4,4′‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA), 4,4′‐(hexafluoro‐isopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6FDA), 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA), and 4,4′‐(4,4′‐Isopropylidenediphenoxy)bis(phthalic anhydride) (BPADA) by thermal imidization route. All the poly(ether imide)s showed excellent solubility in several organic solvents such as N‐methylpyrrolidone (NMP), N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF), N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc), tetrahydrofuran (THF), chloroform (CHCl3) and dichloromethane (DCM) at room temperature. These light yellow poly (ether imide)s showed very low water absorption (0.19–0.30%) and very good optical transparency. Wide angle X‐ray diffraction measurements revealed that these polymers were amorphous in nature. The polymers exhibited high thermal stability up to 526°C in nitrogen with 5% weight loss, and high glass transition temperature up to 265°C. The polymers exhibited high tensile strength up to 85 MPa, modulus up to 2.5 GPa and elongation at break up to 38%, depending on the exact polymer structure. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Synthesis and properties of novel polyurethane‐urea insulating coatings from hydroxyl‐terminated prepolymers and blocked isocyanate curing agent
Authors: Moeini Hamid Reza
Published: March 2009

A novel series of one‐pack solvent borne polyurethane‐urea insulating coatings was prepared from hydroxyl‐terminated prepolymers (HTP) and blocked isocyanate curing agent (BIC). HTP was prepared from poly z(tetramethylene ether)glycol (PTMEG) with excess amount of toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and subsequent reaction of NCO‐terminated polyurethane with tris(hydroxymethyl‐aminomethane) (TRIS). BIC was prepared from the reaction of trimethylol propane, TDI, and N‐methyl aniline. HTP, BIC, and final products were characterized by conventional methods, and the curing condition was optimized via gel content measurements. Crosslink density of samples was determined via equilibrium swelling method, using Flory‐Rehner equations. Thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties as well as the chemical resistance of prepared coatings were evaluated and compared with commercially available formulations. Effects of structural parameters on physical, electrical, mechanical, and dynamic mechanical (DMTA) properties of the polyurethane‐urea coatings were investigated. The investigation of results showed superior electrical and mechanical properties of prepared green coating as a tailor‐made electrical insulator for metals. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Characterizing Web users' degree of Web 2.0‐ness
Authors: Chiang I‐Ping , Huang Chun‐Yao , Huang Chien‐Wen
Published: March 2009

Though practitioners have seen discussions and debates surrounding the “Web 2.0” concept for the last few years, we know little of Web users' heterogeneity in the usage of Web 2.0 applications, let alone the factors associated with such heterogeneity. In this article, we propose a Web user's degree of Web 2.0‐ness to be measured by the weighted average of the degrees of Web 2.0‐ness of the Web sites that he or she has visited. A Web site's degree of Web 2.0‐ness in turn is evaluated through a series of binary criteria as to whether the site accommodates popular Web 2.0 applications. Utilizing clickstream data from an online panel coupled with expert scoring for the empirical analysis, we find that a Web user's degree of Web 2.0‐ness is positively associated with his or her behavioral volume (measured by the number of page views), behavioral speed (measured by the duration of each page view), and behavioral concentration (measured by the Gini coefficient of page views the user made across Web sites). Furthermore, Web users who are younger and male are found to have a higher degree of Web 2.0‐ness.
Comparing cortisol, stress, and sensory sensitivity in children with autism
Authors: Corbett Blythe A. , Schupp Clayton W. , Levine Seymour , Mendoza Sally
Published: March 2009

Previously we reported that children with autism show significant variability in cortisol. The current investigation was designed to extend these findings by exploring plausible relationships between cortisol and psychological measures of stress and sensory functioning. Salivary cortisol values for diurnal rhythms and response to stress in children with and without autism were compared to parent‐report measures of child stress, the Stress Survey Schedule (SSS), sensory functioning, Short Sensory Profile (SSP), and Parenting Stress Index. In autism, a negative relationship between morning cortisol and the SSS revealed that higher observed symptoms of stress were related to lower cortisol. Lower cortisol is seen in conditions of chronic stress and in social situations characterized by unstable social relationships. Sensory sensitivity painted a more complicated picture, in that some aspects of SSP were associated with higher while others were associated with lower cortisol. We propose that increased sensory sensitivity may enhance the autistic child's susceptibility to the influence of zeitgeibers reflected in variable cortisol secretion. Evening cortisol was positively associated with SSS such that the higher the level of evening cortisol, the higher the child's parent‐reported daily stress, especially to changes, such as in daily routine. Regarding the response to stress, the psychological and parent variables did not differentiate the groups; rather, discrete subgroups of cortisol responders and nonresponders were revealed in both the autism and neurotypical children. The results support a complex interplay between physiological and behavioral stress and sensory sensitivity in autism and plausible developmental factors influencing stress reactivity across the groups.
Ignorance or integration: the cognitive processes underlying choice behavior
Authors: Ayal Shahar , Hochman Guy
Published: March 2009

The fast‐and‐frugal heuristic framework assumes noncompensatory tools for human preferences (i.e., priority heuristic) and inferences (i.e., take the best heuristic). According to this framework, these heuristics predict choice behavior as well as model the cognitive processes underlying such behavior. The current paper presents two studies that juxtapose predictions derived from these two simple heuristics with alternative predictions derived from compensatory principles. Dependent measures that included reaction time, choice pattern, confidence level, and accuracy were better predicted by compensatory indices than by noncompensatory indices. These findings suggest that people do not rely on limited arguments only, but tend to integrate all acquired information into their choice processes. This tendency was replicated even when the experimental task facilitated the use of noncompensatory principles. We argue that the fast and frugal heuristics can predict the final outcome only under certain conditions, but even in these particular situations they are not applicable to the processes underlying choice behavior. An integrative model for choice behavior is proposed that better represents the data. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of Scutellaria baicalensis extract on embryonic development in mice
Authors: Tian Xiao Ying , Cheung Lok Man , Leung Kevin , Qi Chen , Deng Bin , Deng Ping Xiang , Xu Min
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND: Scutellaria baicalensis is a perennial herbaceous plant widely distributed in Oriental areas. Its roots, a commonly used medicinal source, reputedly calm fetuses in pregnant women; however, there is no sufficient evidence to date to assess its safety during pregnancy. This study aims to evaluate the effects of S. baicalensis aqueous extract on embryonic development in ICR mice. METHODS: Aqueous extract of S. baicalensis roots was prepared in accordance with clinical application. Pregnant mice were randomly divided into four groups, i.e., mice treated by gavage with water as negative control, with aqueous extract of 2 (1.8 times of human daily dose), 8 or 32 g/kg/day from gestation day (Gd) 6 to 15 as low‐, middle‐, and high‐dose groups, respectively. The parameters of live and dead fetuses, resorptions, external and skeletal malformed fetuses, maternal body weight, maternal liver, kidneys, and heart weights were evaluated on Gd 18. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in fetal parameters among four groups. Maternal absolute liver and kidneys weights in the high‐dose group were significantly higher than those in negative control (p<0.05). Relative liver and kidneys weights in this group were significantly higher than those in any other group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Oral administration of aqueous extract of S. baicalensis roots at or below 32 g/kg/day to ICR mice during organogenesis did not cause significant fetal external or skeletal malformations. However, 32 g/kg/day presented potential maternal toxicity. Birth Defects Res (Part B)86: 79‐84, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Postnatal development in cynomolgus monkeys following prenatal exposure to natalizumab, an α4 integrin inhibitor
Authors: Wehner Nancy G. , Shopp George , Osterburg Ingrid , Fuchs Antje , Buse Eberhard , Clarke Janet
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND: Natalizumab is a humanized monoclonal IgG4 antibody to human α4 integrin that blocks the interaction of α4β1 and α4β7 integrins with their ligands, including fibronectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1, and mucosal addressin cellular adhesion molecule‐1. Because α4 integrins and their ligands are widely involved in mammalian development, lymphopoeisis, and hematopoiesis, natalizumab may interfere with these processes. METHODS: The effects of prenatal exposure to natalizumab on postnatal development were assessed in cynomolgus monkeys at doses of 0 and 30 mg/kg administered intravenously every other day from gestational day (GD) 20 to 70 or GD 20 to term. Infants were delivered by natural birth and evaluated for general health, survival, development, and immunological structure and function at 12 or 18 months. RESULTS: An increase in abortions was seen in the first cohort of natalizumab‐treated dams (39.3 vs. 7.1% in the controls) but not in the second cohort (33.3, 37.5%). Infants in the term treatment group had elevated lymphocyte (∼150%) and nucleated red blood cell counts (∼400%), consistent with the pharmacological effect of natalizumab, and reductions in platelet counts (∼28%), which were reversible following clearance of natalizumab. No anemia was observed. Infants in the term treatment group had significantly increased spleen weights at 12 months but not at 18 months. All other experimental observations in infants from natalizumab‐treated dams were comparable with those of controls. CONCLUSION: Natalizumab had no adverse effects on the general health, survival, development, or immunological structure and function of infants born to dams treated with natalizumab during pregnancy. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 86: 144‐156, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Vitagenes, cellular stress response, and acetylcarnitine: Relevance to hormesis
Authors: Calabrese Vittorio , Cornelius Carolin , Dinkova‐Kostova Albena T. , Calabrese Edward J.
Published: March 2009

Modulation of endogenous cellular defense mechanisms via the stress response signaling represents an innovative approach to therapeutic intervention in diseases causing chronic damage, such as neurodegeneration and cancer. Protein thiols play a key role in redox sensing, and regulation of cellular redox state is crucial mediator of multiple metabolic, signaling, and transcriptional processes. Maintenance of optimal long‐term health conditions is accomplished by a complex network of longevity assurance processes that are controlled by vitagenes, a group of genes involved in preserving cellular homeostasis during stressful conditions. Vitagenes encode for heat shock proteins (Hsp) Hsp32, Hsp70, the thioredoxin, and the sirtuin protein systems. Dietary antioxidants, such as polyphenols and L‐carnitine/acetyl‐L‐carnitine, have recently been demonstrated to be neuroprotective through the activation of hormetic pathways, including vitagenes. The hormetic dose‐response, challenges long‐standing beliefs about the nature of the dose‐response in a low dose zone, having the potential to affect significantly the design of pre‐clinical studies and clinical trials as well as strategies for optimal patient dosing in the treatment of numerous diseases. Given the broad cytoprotective properties of the heat shock response, there is now strong interest in discovering and developing pharmacological agents capable of inducing these responses. In this review we discuss the most current and up‐to‐date understanding of the possible signaling mechanisms by which acetylcarnitine by activating vitagenes can differentially modulate signal transduction cascades inducing apoptosis/cell death in abnormal cancer cells but at the same time enhancing defensive enzymes to protect against carcinogenesis and neurodegeneration in normal cells. © 2009 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.
Revisiting “reverse hydrophobic effect”: Applicable only to coil mutations at the surface
Authors: Gromiha M. Michael
Published: March 2009

In a seminal paper, Pakula and Sauer (Nature, 1990, 344, 363–364) demonstrated that the increase in side‐chain hydrophobicity has a reverse relationship with protein stability. We have addressed this problem with several examples of mutants that span at different locations in protein structure based on secondary structure and solvent accessibility. We confirmed that the stability change upon single coil mutation at exposed region is reversely correlated with hydrophobicity with a single exception. In addition, we found the existence of such relationship in partially buried coil mutants. The stability of exposed helical mutants is governed by conformational properties. In buried and partially buried helical and strand mutants properties reflecting hydrophobicity have direct relationship with stability, whereas an opposite relationship was obtained with entropy and flexibility. The structural analysis of partially buried/exposed mutants showed that the surrounding residues are important for the stability change upon mutation. These results provide insights to understand the general behavior for the stability of proteins upon amino acid substitutions. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 91: 591–599, 2009.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Outcomes following Turnbull–Cutait abdominoperineal pull-through compared with coloanal anastomosis
Authors: Remzi F H , El Gazzaz G , Kiran R P , Kirat H T , Fazio V W
Published: March 2009

Background

The Turnbull–Cutait abdominoperineal pull-through procedure (T-C) is used as a last resort to avoid permanent diversion in patients with complex anorectal conditions. The aim was to evaluate short- and long-term outcomes after T-C.

Methods

Patients undergoing T-C from 1996 to 2007 were reviewed retrospectively in terms of demographics, diagnosis, indications and postoperative complications. Patients were contacted to obtain functional outcomes using a standardized questionnaire. Functional outcomes were compared with those in a matched group of patients undergoing handsewn coloanal anastomosis (CAA) for rectal cancer.

Results

Sixty-seven patients (40 men) underwent T-C. Postoperative complications included stricture in 11 patients (16 per cent), fistula in five (7 per cent), prolapse of the colon in five (7 per cent) and leak in two (3 per cent). Mean follow-up was 5·6 (s.d. 3·2) years. The operation failed in 17 patients (25 per cent). Among 44 patients (66 per cent) who completed questionnaires, faecal (P = 0·121) and urinary (P = 0·073) incontinence, and sexual function (P = 0·063) were comparable to those in patients who had CAA.

Conclusion

T-C is an option for patients with complex anorectal conditions that might otherwise require permanent diversion. Functional outcomes are comparable to those of CAA.
Endocavitary contact radiation therapy for ultrasonographically staged T1 N0 and T2 N0 rectal cancer
Authors: Christoforidis D , McNally M P , Jarosek S L , Madoff R D , Finne C O
Published: March 2009

Background

The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term outcomes of patients undergoing endocavitary contact radiation therapy (ECR) for stage I rectal cancer.

Methods

A database of patients treated with ECR for biopsy-proven rectal adenocarcinoma from July 1986 to June 2006 was reviewed retrospectively. Only patients with primary, non-metastatic, ultrasonographically staged T1 N0 and T2 N0 cancer who had no adjuvant treatment were included. Patients received a median of 90 (range 60–190) Gy contact radiation, delivered transanally by a 50-kV X-ray tube in two to five fractions.

Results

Of 149 patients, 77 (40 T1, 37 T2) met the inclusion criteria. Median age was 74 (range 38–104) years, and median follow-up 69 (range 10–219) months. ECR failed in 21 patients (27 per cent) (persistent disease, four; recurrence, 17), of whom ten remained disease free after salvage therapy. The estimated 5-year disease-free survival rate was 74 (95 per cent confidence interval 63 to 83) per cent after ECR alone, and 87 (76 to 93) per cent when survival after salvage therapy for recurrence was included.

Conclusion

ECR is a minimally invasive treatment option for early-stage rectal cancer. However, similar to other local therapies, ECR has a worse oncological outcome than radical surgery.
Randomized clinical trial of concomitant or sequential phlebectomy after endovenous laser therapy for varicose veins
Authors: Carradice D , Mekako A I , Hatfield J , Chetter I C
Published: March 2009

Background

The management of residual varicosities following endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) for varicose veins is contentious. Ambulatory phlebectomy may be performed concomitantly with the initial EVLT, or sequentially as a secondary procedure. This randomized trial compared these two approaches.

Methods

Fifty patients with great saphenous varicose veins were randomized to EVLT alone or EVLT with concomitant ambulatory phlebectomies (EVLTAP). Principal outcomes were procedure duration, pain scores, requirement for secondary procedures and quality of life after 3 months.

Results

EVLTAP took longer, but significantly decreased the requirement for subsequent interventions. There was no impairment in immediate postprocedural pain, Short Form 36 or EuroQol 5D scores with EVLTAP. Median (i.q.r.) Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) at 3 months was lower for EVLTAP than for EVLT alone (0 (0–1) versus 2 (0–2); P < 0·001), with lower Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ) scores at 6 weeks (7·9 (4·1–10·7) versus 13·5 (10·9–18·1); P < 0·001) and 3 months (2·0 (0·4–7·7) versus 9·6 (2·2–13·8); P = 0·015). At 1 year, there were no differences in VCSS or AVVQ scores.

Conclusion

Concomitant phlebectomy with EVLT prolonged the procedure, but reduced the need for secondary procedures and significantly improved quality of life and the severity of venous disease.