bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anatomical localization of the effects of reproductive state, castration, and social milieu on cells immunoreactive for gonadotropin‐releasing hormone‐I in male European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)
Authors: Stevenson Tyler J. , Ball Gregory F.
Published: July 2009

Gonadotropin‐releasing hormone‐I (GnRH‐I) cells are localized primarily to the septopreoptic area (POA) and are responsible for regulating gonadotropin release from the anterior pituitary. Some songbird species exhibit dramatic seasonal variation in the number of detectable GnRH‐I immunoreactive cells, with higher numbers being observed during the breeding season. Here we investigated the anatomical distribution of GnRH‐I‐immunoreactive cells in male starlings that varied in response to manipulations of reproductive state, social context, and gonadal condition. We housed photostimulated, intact and castrated male starlings with a female or alone. Additionally, a fifth treatment group consisted of photorefractory males (i.e., in a nonreproductive state) housed alone. All photostimulated males had significantly greater numbers of GnRH‐I cells compared with photorefractory male starlings. There was a significant main effect of castration and social context. Castrated males had significantly greater numbers of GnRH‐I cells compared with intact males, and males housed in male‐female dyads also had greater numbers of GnRH‐I cells. Furthermore, the significant main effects of castration and social context were the result of an increase in GnRH‐I cell numbers specifically in the rostral and intermediate regions of the POA. These findings indicate that social context and hormonal milieu have profound effects on GnRH‐I immunoreactivity in addition to the previously described effects of reproductive state. These data provide novel insight into the environmental regulation of the hypothalamopituitary axis and suggest that gonadal hormones and female presence independently regulate GnRH‐I cells in specific regions of the POA in male starlings. J. Comp. Neurol. 517:146–155, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cortical connections of the visual pulvinar complex in prosimian galagos (Otolemur garnetti)
Authors: Wong Peiyan , Collins Christine E. , Baldwin Mary K.L. , Kaas Jon H.
Published: July 2009

The pulvinar complex of prosimian primates is not as architectonically differentiated as that of anthropoid primates. Thus, the functional subdivisions of the complex have been more difficult to determine. In the present study, we related patterns of connections of cortical visual areas (primary visual area, V1; secondary visual area, V2; and middle temporal visual area, MT) as well as the superior colliculus of the visual midbrain, with subdivisions of the pulvinar complex of prosimian galagos (Otolemur garnetti) that were revealed in brain sections processed for cell bodies (Nissl), cytochrome oxidase, or myelin. As in other primates, the architectonic methods allowed us to distinguish the lateral pulvinar (PL) and inferior pulvinar (PI) as major divisions of the visual pulvinar. The connection patterns further allowed us to divide PI into a large central nucleus (PIc), a medial nucleus (PIm), and a posterior nucleus (PIp). Both PL and PIc have separate topographic patterns of connections with V1 and V2. A third, posterior division of PI, PIp, does not appear to project to V1 and V2 and is further distinguished by receiving inputs from the superior colliculus. All these subdivisions of PI project to MT. The evidence suggests that PL of galagos contains a single, large nucleus, as in monkeys, and that PI may have only three subdivisions, rather than the four subdivisions of monkeys. In addition, the cortical projections of PI nuclei are more widespread than those in monkeys. Thus, the pulvinar nuclei in prosimian primates and anthropoid primates have evolved along somewhat different paths. J. Comp. Neurol. 517:493–511, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Acute and chronic sectioning of fifth lumbar spinal nerve has equivalent effects on the primary afferents of sciatic nerve in rat spinal cord
Authors: Shehab Safa Aldeen S.
Published: July 2009

The mechanism of neuropathic pain may be associated with sprouting of uninjured primary afferents of peripheral nerves into regions of the spinal cord denervated through peripheral injury. However, this remains controversial. Therefore, the purpose of the present investigation was, first, to determine in detail the central distributions of the unmyelinated primary afferents of each of the L4, L5, and L6 components of sciatic nerve, then to assess the distribution of afferent sciatic terminals following acute and chronic injury to (L5) nerve. First, we injected isolectin B4 (IB4), into the sciatic nerves in three groups of rats, each of which had two of the three L4, L5, or L6 components ligated and cut, and the one remaining, uninjured. Although the terminal labelling found in the L5 segment of the spinal cord originated from the L5 component, some terminal labelling remained in cases when either the L4 or L6 component was intact. Second, tracers transported in predominantly unmyelinated (IB4 and WGA‐HRP) or myelinated (cholera toxin subunit B) nerves were injected into the sciatic nerve following acute or chronic (21‐day) injury restricted to the L5 component. In each case, the central distribution of nerve terminals in the spinal dorsal horn was equivalent following either acute or chronic injury to the L5 component. Consequently, these data provide no support for the suggestion that neuropathic pain in spinal ligation model results from uninjured L4 and L6 components sprouting to occupy sites vacated by the injured L5 component of the sciatic nerve. J. Comp. Neurol. 517:481–492, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Localization of circadian clock protein BMAL1 in the photoperiodic signal transduction machinery in Japanese quail
Authors: Ikegami Keisuke , Katou Yasuhiro , Higashi Kumiko , Yoshimura Takashi
Published: July 2009

The circadian clock is a fundamental property of living organisms and is involved in seasonal (photoperiodic) time measurement. Among vertebrates, birds have multiple circadian pacemakers in the eye, the pineal gland, and the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), and have highly sophisticated photoperiodic mechanisms. However, because the removal of these circadian pacemakers fails to abolish the photoperiodic response, the existence of another “photoperiodic clock” has been suggested. Recent studies have revealed that the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) and the adjacent pars tuberalis (PT) of the pituitary gland constitute key components of the photoperiodic signal transduction machinery. In the present study, we generated a polyclonal antibody against the chicken circadian clock protein BMAL1 to examine BMAL1 distribution in the Japanese quail brain by using immunohistochemistry. BMAL1‐like immunoreactivity (lir) was confirmed in the pineal gland and the medial SCN, which are critical circadian pacemakers. We also observed strong immunoreactivity in the MBH, including the ependymal cells (ECs), the infundibular nucleus (IN), the median eminence (ME), and the adjacent PT. Furthermore, semiquantitative analysis suggested that BMAL1‐lir shows daily fluctuation in these regions. It is possible that circadian clocks in the photoperiodic signal transduction machinery such as the PT and the EC may be involved in the regulation of photoperiodism. J. Comp. Neurol. 517:397–404, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantification of the three‐dimensional morphology of coincidence detector neurons in the medial superior olive of gerbils during late postnatal development
Authors: Rautenberg Philipp L. , Grothe Benedikt , Felmy Felix
Published: July 2009

In the mammalian medial superior olive (MSO), neurons compute the azimuthal location of sound sources by temporally precise coincidence detection. It is assumed that the dendritic morphology of MSO neurons plays a crucial role in this computational process. However, few quantitative data about the morphology of these neuronal coincidence detectors are available, limiting theoretical approaches. Such a quantitative morphological description of neurons of the mammalian MSO would also allow a comparative analysis with its avian analog, the nucleus laminaris. We used single‐cell electroporation, microscopic reconstruction, and compartmentalization to extract anatomical parameters of MSO neurons and quantitatively describe their morphology and development between postnatal day 9 and 36. We found that developmental refinement occurs until P27, generating morphologically compact, cylinder‐like cells with axons originating from the soma. The complexity of higher order dendrites decreases between postnatal days 9 and 21. This decrease in dendritic complexity is judged from counting and analyzing the location of dendritic branches and determining the distribution of the surface area and total length of neurons. During this developmental period, the average length of terminal branches increases about twofold, indicating an elimination of predominantly small branches. The cell volume increases more than 1.5‐fold between P9 and P27, a change that can be attributed to an increase in dendritic diameter during this developmental period. The developmental profile of the morphology of MSO neurons obtained indicates that maturation is reached 2 weeks after hearing onset. J. Comp. Neurol. 517:385–396, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A novel somatostatin‐immunoreactive mossy fiber pathway asssociated with HSP25‐immunoreactive purkinje cell stripes in the mouse cerebellum
Authors: Armstrong C.L. , Chung S.‐H. , Armstrong J.N. , Hochgeschwender U. , Jeong Y.‐G. , Hawkes R.
Published: July 2009

Somatostatin 28 immunoreactivity (Sst28‐ir) identifies a specific subset of mossy fiber terminals in the adult mouse cerebellum. By using double‐labeling immunohistochemistry, we determined that Sst28‐ir is associated with presynaptic mossy fiber terminal rosettes, and not Purkinje cells, Golgi cells, or unipolar brush cells. Sst28‐ir mossy fibers are restricted to the central zone (lobules VI/VII) and nodular zone (lobules IX, X) of the vermis, and the paraflocculus and flocculus. Within each transverse zone the mossy fiber terminal fields form a reproducible array of parasagittal stripes. The boundaries of Sst28‐ir stripes align with a specific array of Purkinje cell stripes revealed by using immunocytochemistry for the small heat shock protein HSP25. In the cerebellum of the homozygousweavermouse, in which a subpopulation of HSP25‐ir Purkinje cells are located ectopically, the corresponding Sst28‐ir mossy fiber projection is also ectopic, suggesting a role for a specific Purkinje cell subset in afferent pattern formation. Likewise, in thescramblermutant mouse, Sst28‐ir mossy fibers show a very close association with HSP25‐ir Purkinje cell clusters. HSP25 itself does not appear to be critical for normal patterning, however: in the KJR mouse, which does not express cerebellar HSP25, Sst28 expression appears to be normal. Likewise, the Purkinje cell patterning antigens zebrin II and HSP25 are expressed normally in both Sst‐ and Sst‐receptor knockout mice, suggesting that somatostatinergic transmission is not necessary for Purkinje cell stripe formation. J. Comp. Neurol. 517:524–538, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mapping of Wnt, frizzled, and Wnt inhibitor gene expression domains in the avian otic primordium
Authors: Sienknecht Ulrike J. , Fekete Donna M.
Published: July 2009

Wnt signaling activates at least three different pathways involved in development and disease. Interactions of secreted ligands and inhibitors with cell‐surface receptors result in the activation or regulation of particular downstream intracellular cascades. During the developmental stages of otic vesicle closure and beginning morphogenesis, the forming inner ear transcribes a plethora of Wnt‐related genes. We report expression of 23 genes out of 25 tested in situ hybridization probes on tissue serial sections. Sensory primordia and Frizzled gene expression share domains, with Fzd1 being a continuous marker. Prospective nonsensory domains express Wnts, whose transcripts mainly flank prosensory regions. Finally, Wnt inhibitor domains are superimposed over both prosensory and nonsensory otic regions. Three Wnt antagonists, Dkk1, SFRP2, and Frzb are prominent. Their gene expression patterns partly overlap and change over time, which adds to the diversity of molecular microenvironments. Strikingly, prosensory domains express Wnts transiently. This includes: 1) the prosensory otic region of high proliferation, neuroblast delamination, and programmed cell death at stage 20/21 (Wnt3, ‐5b, ‐7b, ‐8b, ‐9a, and ‐11); and 2) sensory primordia at stage 25 (Wnt7a and Wnt9a). In summary, robust Wnt‐related gene expression shows both spatial and temporal tuning during inner ear development as the otic vesicle initiates morphogenesis and prosensory cell fate determination. J. Comp. Neurol. 517:751–764, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of Intermolecular NH⋅⋅⋅π Interactions on Molecular Packing and Field‐Effect Performance of Organic Semiconductors
Authors: Zhao Huaping , Jiang Lang , Dong Huanli , Li Hongxiang , Hu Wenping , Ong Beng S.
Published: July 2009

Charge transport in organic semiconductors is strongly dependent on their molecular packing modes in the solid state. Therefore, understanding the relationship between molecular packing and charge transport is imperative, both experimentally and theoretically. However, so far, the fundamental effects of solid‐state packing and molecular interactions (e.g. NH⋅⋅⋅π) on charge transport need further elucidation. Herein, indolo[3,2‐b]carbazole (ICZ) and a derivative thereof are used as examples to approach this scientific target. An interesting insight obtained thereby is that NH⋅⋅⋅π interactions among ICZ molecules facilitate charge transport for higher mobility. Subtle changes in the of NH⋅⋅⋅π interactions can significantly influence both the molecular packing and the charge‐transport properties. Therefore, a method for exploiting intermolecular NH⋅⋅⋅π interactions would yield novel molecular systems with designable characteristics.
A new CMOS astable multivibrator and its nonlinear analysis
Authors: Buonomo A.
Published: July 2009

We present a nonlinear analysis of a new inductively tuned astable multivibrator obtained by connecting a timing inductor across a composite nonlinear resistor with a characteristic of N‐type, which is made up of the parallel connection of two complementary pairs of cross‐coupled MOS devices. Some possible practical applications of the circuit are also envisaged. Closed‐form expressions for the amplitude and the period of the periodic oscillation are derived in both cases when the circuit exhibits a relaxation oscillation and in the more difficult case when, due to the effect of parasitic capacitances of the devices, the circuit has an almost‐discontinuous relaxation oscillation with a nonzero switching time. The accuracy of the presented formulas, which are useful for both the analysis and design, is validated through circuit simulations and experimental results. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative mechanics of endothelial phagocytosis of silicon microparticles
Authors: Serda Rita E. , Gu Jianhua , Burks Jared K. , Ferrari Kim , Ferrari Chiara , Ferrari Mauro
Published: July 2009

Endothelia, once thought of as a barrier to the delivery of therapeutics, is now a major target for tissue‐specific drug delivery. Tissue‐ and disease‐specific molecular presentations on endothelial cells provide targets for anchoring or internalizing delivery vectors. Porous silicon delivery vectors are phagocytosed by vascular endothelial cells. The rapidity and efficiency of silicon microparticle uptake lead us to delineate the kinetics of internalization. To discriminate between surface‐attached and ‐internalized microparticles, we developed a double fluorescent/FRET flow cytometric approach. The approach relies on quenching of antibody‐conjugated fluorescein isothiocyanate covalently attached to the microparticle surface by attachment of a secondary antibody labeled with an acceptor fluorophore, phycoerythrin. The resulting half‐time for microparticle internalization was 15.7 min, with confirmation provided by live confocal imaging as well as transmission electron microscopy. © 2009 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
An efficient online‐battery aware geographic routing algorithm for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Watfa Mohamed , Yaghi Linda
Published: July 2009

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are being used in a wide variety of critical applications such as military and health‐care applications. Such networks, which are composed of sensor nodes with limited memory capacity, limited processing capabilities, and most importantly limited energy supply, require routing protocols that take into consideration these constraints. The aim of this paper is to provide an efficient power aware routing algorithm for WSNs that guarantees QOS and at the same time minimizes energy consumption by calculating the remaining battery capacity of nodes and taking advantage of the battery recovery process. We present an online‐battery aware geographic routing algorithm. To show the effectiveness of our approach, we simulated our algorithm in ns2 and compared it with greedy perimeter stateless routing for wireless networks and battery‐aware routing for streaming data transmissions in WSNs. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation of carboxy‐PEG‐PLA nanoparticles loaded with camptothecin and their body distribution in solid tumor–bearing mice
Authors: Ueki Kennichi , Onishi Hiraku , Sasatsu Masanaho , Machida Yoshiharu
Published: July 2009

Carboxy‐polyethylene glycol‐poly(DL‐lactic acid) block copolymer was synthesized by reductive amination of carboxy‐polyethylene glycol‐amine and aldehyde‐ended poly(DL‐lactic acid). The obtained product, PA‐PEG‐CB, composed of pure carboxy‐polyethylene glycol‐poly(DL‐lactic acid) block copolymer and poly(DL‐lactic acid), was used to prepare nanoparticles loaded with camptothecin (CPT), designated CPT‐NP. CPT‐NP with 500–600 nm and approximately 1% (w/w) drug content were obtained by emulsification/evaporation, while nanoparticles with a drug content of only less than 0.1% (w/w) were prepared by dialysis. CPT‐NP produced by emulsification/evaporation were used for in vitro and in vivo studies. CPT‐NP released CPT gradually in phosphate‐buffered saline, pH 7.4, at 37°C over 48 h. Biodistribution profiles were compared between CPT‐NP and CPT solution after i.v. injection into mice bearing sarcoma 180 solid tumor. CPT‐NP retained CPT approximately 10 times more in plasma during the initial 8 h than CPT solution. The tumor level of CPT was more than 10 times higher with CPT‐NP for the observation period (24 h), though the CPT concentration in the liver and spleen was much higher with CPT‐NP. CPT‐NP may be useful for tumor localization of CPT. Drug Dev Res 70: 512–519, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regional expression of MTG genes in the developing mouse central nervous system
Authors: Alishahi Amin , Koyano‐Nakagawa Naoko , Nakagawa Yasushi
Published: July 2009

Myeloid translocation gene (MTG) proteins are transcriptional repressors that are highly conserved across species. We studied the expression of three members of this gene family, MTGR1, MTG8, and MTG16 in developing mouse central nervous system by in situ hybridization. All of these genes are detected as early as embryonic day 11.5. Because these genes are known to be induced by proneural genes during neurogenesis, we analyzed the expression of MTG genes in relation to two proneural genes, Neurog2 (also known as Ngn2 or Neurogenin 2) and Ascl1 (also known as Mash1). While MTGR1 are generally expressed in regions that also express Neurog2, MTG8 and MTG16 expression is associated more tightly with that of Ascl1‐expressing neural progenitor cells. These results suggest the possibility that expression of MTG genes is differentially controlled by specific proneural genes during neurogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 238:2095–2102, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Patterns of muscular strain in the embryonic heart wall
Authors: Damon Brooke J. , Rémond Mathieu , Bigelow Michael R. , Trusk Thomas C. , Xie Wenjie , Perucchio Renato , Sedmera David , Denslow Stewart , Thompson Robert P.
Published: July 2009

HH Stage 22 chick heart inflated ex ovo with perfusate containing propidium iodide (red) and 3000 MW dextran (green), viewed here in left sagittal plane by confocal microscopy of acrylamide slab sections. Stretch‐sensitive membrane leaks were conspicuous along subendocardial trabeculae near the apex of the looped ventricle (bottom) and along inner wall of AV canal (inset), indicating peak strain of inner wall myocytes as modeled and measured by Damon et al., Developmental Dynamics 238:1535–1546.
Modeling of the Alcohol Dehydrogenase Active Site: Two Different Modes of Alcohol Binding in Crystals of Zinc and Cadmium Tri‐tert‐butoxysilanethiolates Evidenced by X‐ray Diffraction and Solid‐State Vibrational Spectroscopy
Authors: Dołęga Anna , Baranowska Katarzyna , Gudat Dietrich , Herman Aleksander , Stangret Janusz , Konitz Antoni , Śmiechowski Maciej , Godlewska Sylwia
Published: July 2009

Two different modes of binding methanol and ethanol were found in crystals of heteroleptic zinc and cadmium complexes with MS2NO2 and MS2NO kernels and with a general formula M(RS)2(im) (M = Zn, Cd; RS = tri‐tert‐butoxysilanethiolate; im = imidazole, 2‐methylimidazole, 2‐ethylimidazole). Alcohol molecules are either trapped in the crystal lattice by NH···O and OH···S hydrogen bonds or directly coordinated to the metal centre. The complexes were studied by X‐ray diffraction, solid state FTIR and 1H, 13C, 29Si, and 113Cd NMR spectroscopy both in solution and the solid state. The zinc complexes containing coordinated methanol and ethanol are considered as structural mimics of the active site of alcohol dehydrogenase and support intermittent five‐coordination of the zinc ion in the active site of alcohol dehydrogenase.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
1,8‐Naphthyridine Revisited: Applications in Dimetal Chemistry
Authors: Bera Jitendra K. , Sadhukhan Nabanita , Majumdar Moumita
Published: July 2009

The diverse applications of functionalized 1,8‐naphthyridine (NP) ligands is the focus of this microreview. Simpler synthetic routes and the pliant nature of NP‐R steered us towards their utilization in dimetal chemistry. The ongoing research on NP chemistry in our laboratory is highlighted. The topics include the comprehensive study of the ligand disposition around the quadruply bonded Mo2 core,modulation of the metal–metal distance by axial donors in paddlewheel complexes, facile cyclometalation and C–C bond formation at axial sites of the diruthenium(I) core, building metallosupramolecular architectures, and the formation of novel unsupported iridium(II) dimer aided by redox‐active NP‐R ligands.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
A New Manganese Coordination Polymer Containing 1,2,4‐Benzenetricarboxylic Acid
Authors: Chung Huey‐Ting , Tsai Hui‐Lien , Yang En‐Che , Chien Po‐Hsiu , Peng Chia‐Chien , Huang Yun‐Chieh , Liu Yen‐Hsiang
Published: July 2009

The reaction of an unsymmetrical ligand, namely 1,2,4‐benzenetricarboxylic acid (H3btc), under pH‐controlled hydrothermal conditions with a manganese salt leads to the three‐dimensional coordination polymer {Mn(H2O)[C6H3(CO2)2(CO2H)]·(H2O)}n (FJU‐2). Potassium hydroxide is used as a control agent to modulate the degree of deprotonation of the unsymmetrical H3btc ligand during the hydrothermal reaction, which is essential for the synthesis of the resulting product. The product was characterised by elemental, single‐crystal and powder X‐ray analyses. The structure of FJU‐2 consists of carboxylate‐ and water‐bridged manganese cluster chains which are further cross‐connected by the phenyl spacer into a three‐dimensional neutral framework. Guest water molecules reside in an elliptically shaped, one‐dimensional channel. There are strong hydrogen‐bonding interactions between the guest water molecules and host framework that prevent the release of the guest water molecules at lower temperatures, as indicated by the thermogravimetric analysis. The magnetic study shows an antiferromagnetic coupling for FJU‐2. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Ferrocene‐Substituted [Mn4] Dicubane Single‐Molecule Magnets
Authors: Heroux Katie J. , Rheingold Arnold L. , Hendrickson David N.
Published: July 2009

Two new mixed‐valent [Mn4] single‐molecule magnets (SMMs) have been synthesized by using N‐alkylated diethanolamine ligands and ferrocenecarboxylic acid. Both complexes exhibit weak ferromagnetic exchange and appreciable axial zero‐field splitting as evidenced by DC magnetic susceptibility and field‐dependent magnetization measurements. A significant frequency‐dependent out‐of‐phase signal in the AC susceptibility is also observed for both complexes, a feature that is characteristic of SMMs. The ground‐state spin of each complex was determined from the DC data and extrapolation of the low‐frequency AC data, giving a value of S = 8. This result is consistent with the previously reported and structurally similar S = 8 and S = 9 [Mn4] dicubane SMMs. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
An Unusual Conformation of α‐Haloamides Due to Cooperative Binding with Zincated Porphyrins
Authors: Tanasova Marina , Yang Qifei , Olmsted Courtney C. , Vasileiou Chrysoula , Li Xiaoyong , Anyika Mercy , Borhan Babak
Published: July 2009

CD and NMR spectroscopic evidence of cooperative binding between an α‐halogen atom and a carboxamide group with a zinc porphyrin leads to an unprecedented conformation for the determination of the absolute stereochemistry of α‐haloamides (α‐halocarboxylic acids derivatized with 1,4‐phenylenediamine) through the use of exciton‐coupled circular dichroism (ECCD). With the use of chiral lactams, whose rotomeric contributions are minimized, both ECCD and NMR spectroscopy demonstrate that the porphyrin favors binding to the side of the sterically more demanding halogen atom as compared to the smaller hydrogen atom. In all, the data is strongly suggestive of an unusual conformation not observed before for α‐chiral amides. A mnemonic for determining the absolute stereochemistry of α‐halogenated carboxylic acids is provided.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Computational and Matrix Isolation Studies of Tetra‐tert‐butylethane
Authors: Bucher Götz
Published: July 2009

Irradiation of cryogenic xenon matrices containing the sterically congested alkane tetra‐tert‐butylethane (1) with intense pulses from a KrF excimer laser (λexc = 248 nm) have resulted in the formation of methane and isobutene as the major products. Larger fragments derived from 1, such as 2,2‐dimethylbutane (10), were also detected, whereas no evidence was obtained for the formation of the elusive tetra‐tert‐butylethylene (2). The results suggest that biphotonic irradiation of xenon matrices containing tert‐butylated precursor molecules may generally result in the efficient formation of isobutene and smaller alkanes. An analysis of the decomposition reactions of 1 by various computational methods revealed that commonly used DFT methods, such as B3LYP or BLYP, and MP2 theory do not provide a good description of the energetics of the decay reactions of the sterically overloaded alkane 1. The recently developed M05‐2X method was the only method among those tested to yield an activation enthalpy for the cleavage of 1 in agreement with the experimental value.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Synthetic and Mechanistic Aspects of Acid‐Catalyzed Disproportionation of Dialkyl Diarylmethyl Ethers: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Barbero Margherita , Bazzi Stefano , Cadamuro Silvano , Dughera Stefano , Ghigo Giovanni
Published: July 2009

The disproportionation reactions of various dialkyl diarylmethyl ethers have been carried out in the presence of a catalytic amount (10 mol‐%) of o‐benzenedisulfonimide as a Brønsted acid catalyst; the reaction conditions were mild, and the yields of the diarylmethane target products were good. The catalyst was easily recovered and purified, ready to be used in further reactions. The theoretical study confirmed that the reaction proceeds in two steps: The formation of a carbocation from the protonated ether followed by hydride transfer. Although the hydride transfer is the rate‐determining step, it is the stability of the carbocation that determines the reaction rate and therefore the yields. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Atom‐Efficient Vinylic Arylations with Triarylbismuths as Substoichiometric Multicoupling Reagents under Palladium Catalysis
Authors: Rao Maddali L. N. , Jadhav Deepak N. , Venkatesh Varadhachari
Published: July 2009

The first atom‐efficient arylation of vinylic iodides was achieved by using triarylbismuths as substoichiometric multicoupling reagents under palladium catalysis. Vinylic iodides were efficiently coupled with electronically divergent triarylbismuths to furnish the corresponding arylated products in short reaction times. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world
Authors: Lally Phillippa , van Jaarsveld Cornelia H. M. , Potts Henry W. W. , Wardle Jane
Published: July 2009

To investigate the process of habit formation in everyday life, 96 volunteers chose an eating, drinking or activity behaviour to carry out daily in the same context (for example ‘after breakfast’) for 12 weeks. They completed the self‐report habit index (SRHI) each day and recorded whether they carried out the behaviour. The majority (82) of participants provided sufficient data for analysis, and increases in automaticity (calculated with a sub‐set of SRHI items) were examined over the study period. Nonlinear regressions fitted an asymptotic curve to each individual's automaticity scores over the 84 days. The model fitted for 62 individuals, of whom 39 showed a good fit. Performing the behaviour more consistently was associated with better model fit. The time it took participants to reach 95% of their asymptote of automaticity ranged from 18 to 254 days; indicating considerable variation in how long it takes people to reach their limit of automaticity and highlighting that it can take a very long time. Missing one opportunity to perform the behaviour did not materially affect the habit formation process. With repetition of a behaviour in a consistent context, automaticity increases following an asymptotic curve which can be modelled at the individual level. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrogen sulfide removal from biogas using Fe/EDTA solution: Gas/liquid contacting and sulfur formation
Authors: Frare L.M. , Vieira M.G.A. , Silva M.G.C. , Pereira N.C. , Gimenes M.L.
Published: July 2009

Experiments were conducted to investigate the removal (or complete elimination) of H2S from biogas streams by means of absorption and chemical reaction with a 0.4 M Fe/EDTA solution. Biogas was bubbled through a pseudo‐catalytic solution of Fe/EDTA resulting in the formation of sulfur particles. Wide ranges of flow rates were tested for both the Fe/EDTA solution and the biogas, and the optimal ratio of liquid flow rate to gas flow rate for efficient removal of hydrogen sulfide from biogas was found. Recirculation of the regenerated catalytic Fe/EDTA solution promoted the growth of previously‐formed sulfur particles, which indicated that these particles might be easily separated from the catalytic solution. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2010
Required separation distance between decks and at abutments of a bridge crossing a canyon site to avoid seismic pounding
Authors: Bi Kaiming , Hao Hong , Chouw Nawawi
Published: July 2009

Major earthquakes in the past indicated that pounding between bridge decks may result in significant structural damage or even girder unseating. With conventional expansion joints, it is impossible to completely avoid seismic pounding between bridge decks, because the gap size at expansion joints is usually not big enough in order to ensure smooth traffic flow. With a new development of modular expansion joint (MEJ), which allows a large joint movement and at the same time without impeding the smoothness of traffic flow, completely precluding pounding between adjacent bridge decks becomes possible. This paper investigates the minimum total gap that a MEJ must have to avoid pounding at the abutments and between bridge decks. The considered spatial ground excitations are modelled by a filtered Tajimi‐Kanai power spectral density function and an empirical coherency loss function. Site amplification effect is included by a transfer function derived from the one‐dimensional wave propagation theory. Stochastic response equations of the adjacent bridge decks are formulated. The effects of ground motion spatial variations, dynamic characteristics of the bridge and the depth and stiffness of local soil on the required separation distance are analysed. Soil–structure interaction effect is not included in this study. The bridge response behaviour is assumed to be linear elastic. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Accuracy of self‐reported weight and height among women with eating disorders: A replication and extension study
Authors: Meyer Caroline , Arcelus Jon , Wright Sarah
Published: July 2009

Objective

Self‐reported height and weight data are commonly reported within eating disorders research, and often used clinically. The aims of this study are to demonstrate the accuracy of self‐reported height and weight among a group of women with eating disorders, and to determine whether that accuracy is associated with clinical diagnosis or levels of eating psychopathology.

Method

Sixty‐four female patients (39 diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa or atypical Anorexia Nervosa and 25 with Bulimia Nervosa or atypical Bulimia Nervosa) were asked to self‐report their height and weight. They then completed the Eating Disorders Examination‐Questionnaire (EDE‐Q). Finally, they were weighed and their height was measured in a standardised manner. Accuracy scores for height and weight were calculated by subtracting their actual weight and height from their self‐reports.

Results

Both diagnostic groups were relatively accurate in self‐reporting their height. However, women with Bulimia Nervosa or atypical Bulimia Nervosa significantly underestimated their weight while women with Anorexia Nervosa or atypical Anorexia Nervosa overestimated it. Weight estimation was associated with higher levels of restraint among the Anorexia Nervosa group only.

Discussion

These findings highlight the importance of obtaining objective height and weight data both within clinical and research settings. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
A self‐excited six‐phase induction generator for stand‐alone renewable energy generation: experimental analysis
Authors: Singh G. K. , Kumar A. Senthil , Saini R. P.
Published: July 2009

Multi‐phase AC machines are nowadays widely considered as potentially viable solutions for numerous variable‐speed drive applications. With an increased emphasis on renewable electric energy generation, where interfacing with the grid typically takes place by means of power electronic converters, or if the generators are used for stand‐alone applications, the advantages of multi‐phase machines that make them viable for drive applications can also be effectively exploited in generating applications. This paper discusses behavior of a six‐phase self‐excited induction generator (SPSEIG) configured to operate as a stand‐alone electric energy source in conjunction with a hydro power plant. A purely experimental treatment is provided with the emphasis placed on operating regimes that illustrate the advantages of using a SPSEIG. In particular, it is shown that the SPSEIG can operate with a single three‐phase capacitor bank, so that the loss of excitation or fault at one winding does not lead to the system shutdown. The generator can also supply two separate three‐phase loads, which represents an additional advantage. Last but not least, outputs of the two three‐phase windings can be used to supply a single three‐phase load through an interconnecting six‐phase to three‐phase transformer, in which case failure of one three‐phase winding does not lead to the system shutdown and the load can be still supplied from the remaining healthy winding. Experimental results include study of self‐excitation transients, loading transients with independent three‐phase resistive and resistive–inductive load at each of the two three‐phase winding sets, and measured steady state characteristics for various load and /or capacitor bank configurations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Liverwort Radula species from Portugal: chemotaxonomical evaluation of volatiles composition
Authors: Figueiredo A. Cristina , Sim‐Sim Manuela , Barroso José G. , Pedro Luis G. , Esquível M. Glória , Fontinha Susana , Luís Leena , Martins Soraia , Lobo Carlos , Stech Michael
Published: July 2009

The volatiles isolated by distillation‐extraction from 48 samples of seven liverwort Radula species collected on Azores and Madeira archipelagos and mainland Portugal, as well as one from Switzerland, were analysed by GC and GC–MS. Cluster analysis of the volatiles composition resulted in two major clusters. The chemically very diverse cluster I included the oil samples of Radula aquilegia from Madeira, R. jonesii, R. holtii, R. nudicaulis, R. lindenbergiana as well as R. complanata from Switzerland. Cluster II was characterized by high relative amounts of several sesquiterpenes and included the oil samples of R. aquilegia from the Azores as well as R. carringtonii and R. wichurae. 3‐Methoxy bibenzyl was the major oil component from R. complanata and R. lindenbergiana. Except for R. aquilegia and the closely related species R. complanata and R. lindenbergiana, the cluster analysis allows distinction of all studied species, indicating the chemotaxonomical value of the volatile oil characters. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Secondary school fees and the causal effect of schooling on health behavior
Authors: Reinhold Steffen , Jürges Hendrik
Published: July 2009

Using German census data, we estimate the causal effect of education on smoking and overweight/obesity using the abolition of secondary school fees as instrumental variable. The West German federal states enacted this reform at different dates after World War II, generating exogenous variation in the access to secondary education. While we find a strong association between schooling and health behaviors using OLS, we do not find support for the notion that education causes better health behavior. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A custom collaboration service system for idea management of mobile phone design
Authors: Tung Wei‐Feng , Yuan Soe‐Tsyr , Tsai Je‐Ren
Published: July 2009

Customized collaborative service (CCS) systems are defined as the e‐services transforming a business process into a collaborative service model and aiming to facilitate interactions with customers and assist the providers in dealing with collaborative strategies and activities. The demand for such services has grown rapidly in a shift of people out of the manufacturing mindset into the service‐dominant mindset. For example, the mobile‐phone market now tends to customization rather than commoditization, and customer‐driven design strategies increasingly substitute for technology‐driven design strategies. This trend accordingly urges the mobile‐phone companies to center on a customer‐centric idea management process to assure customer idea originality but also sustain the process feasibility for realistic product design. However, a method to engineer such CCS systems has not been addressed. This article presents a prototype system named iMobileDesign to exemplify a CCS system. We present a new methodology to engineer this CCS system aiming to achieve semiautomated value coproduction with productivity and satisfaction. This method comprises two parts: simple service machine (SSM) and intelligent service machine (ISM). Usage of SSM and ISM would lead to the formation of analysis and design of the CCS system that joins the service provider efforts with their customers for ensuring a customer‐centric idea management process. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative evaluation of DNA hypermethylation in malignant and benign breast tissue and fluids
Authors: Zhu Weizhu , Qin Wenyi , Hewett John E. , Sauter Edward R.
Published: July 2009

The assessment of DNA had demonstrated altered methylation in malignant compared to benign breast tissue. The purpose of our study was to (i) confirm the predictive ability of methylation assessment in breast tissue, and (ii) use the genes found to be cancer predictive in tissue to evaluate the diagnostic potential of hypermethylation assessment in nipple aspirate fluid (NAF) and mammary ductoscopic (MD) samples. Quantitative methylation specific (qMS)‐PCR was conducted on three specimen sets: 44 malignant (CA) and 34 normal (NL) tissue specimens, 18 matched CA, adjacent normal (ANL) tissue and NAF specimens, and 119 MD specimens. Training and validation tissue sets were analyzed to determine the optimal group of cancer predictive genes for NAF and MD analysis. NAF and MD cytologic review were also performed. Methylation of CCND‐2, p16, RAR‐β and RASSF‐1a was significantly more prevalent in tumor than in normal tissue specimens. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.96. For the 18 matched CA, ANL and NAF specimens, the four predictive genes identified in cancer tissue contained increased methylation in CA vs. ANL tissue; NAF samples had higher methylation than ANL specimens. Methylation frequency was higher in MD specimens from breasts with cancer than benign samples for p16 and RASSF‐1a. In summary, i) routine quantitative DNA methylation assessment in NAF and MD samples is possible, and ii) genes hypermethylated in malignant breast tissue are also altered in matched NAF and in MD samples, and may be useful to assist in early breast cancer detection.
Increased expression of the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K in pancreatic cancer and its association with the mutant p53
Authors: Zhou Renyuan , Shanas Reneé , Nelson Mark A. , Bhattacharyya Achyut , Shi Jiaqi
Published: July 2009

The heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) K is an essential RNA and DNA binding protein involved in gene expression and signal transduction including DNA transcription, RNA splicing, RNA stability and translation. The role of hnRNP K in cancer is relatively understudied. However, several cellular functions strongly indicate that hnRNP K is involved in tumorigenesis. In this study, we investigated the altered protein expression and the subcellular distribution of the hnRNP K protein using tissue microarrays in pancreatic cancer. We showed an increased cytoplasmic hnRNP K in pancreatic cancer. This increase in hnRNP K protein occurs at the posttranscriptional level. We postulate that the cytoplasmic accumulation of hnRNP K will lead to silenced mRNA translation of tumor suppressor genes and thus contributes to pancreatic cancer development. We also demonstrated that knocking down of hnRNP K expression by siRNA inhibited pancreatic cancer cell growth and colony formation. hnRNP K was identified as a member of the p53/HDM2 pathway. Whether hnRNP K interacts with the mutant p53 is not known. Using two different pancreatic cancer cell lines, we can demonstrate that hnRNP K interacts with the mutant p53. The subcellular distribution and function of the mutant p53 and the interaction of hnRNP K/mutant p53 were affected by the Ras/MEK/ERK pathway, growth factors and the specific p53 mutations in pancreatic cancer cells. Since Kras is activated and p53 is mutated in most pancreatic cancers, these data unveiled an important new signaling pathway that linked by hnRNP K and mutant p53 in pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis.
Clinical whole‐body skin examination reduces the incidence of thick melanomas
Authors: Aitken Joanne F. , Elwood Mark , Baade Peter D. , Youl Philippa , English Dallas
Published: July 2009

Survival from melanoma is strongly related to tumour thickness, thus earlier diagnosis has the potential to reduce mortality from this disease. However, in the absence of conclusive evidence that clinical skin examination reduces mortality, evidence‐based assessments do not recommend population screening. We aimed to assess whether clinical whole‐body skin examination is associated with a reduced incidence of thick melanoma and also whether screening is associated with an increased incidence of thin lesions (possible overdiagnosis). We conducted a population‐based case‐control study of all Queensland residents aged 20–75 years with a histologically confirmed first primary invasive cutaneous melanoma diagnosed between January 2000 and December 2003. Telephone interviews were completed by 3,762 eligible cases (78.0%) and 3,824 eligible controls (50.4%). Whole‐body clinical skin examination in the three years before diagnosis was associated with a 14% lower risk of being diagnosed with a thick melanoma (>0.75 mm) (OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.75, 0.98). Risk decreased for melanomas of increasing thickness: the risk of being diagnosed with a melanoma 0.76–1.49 mm was reduced by 7% (OR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.79, 1.10), by 17% for melanomas 1.50–2.99 mm (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.65, 1.05) and by 40% for melanomas ≥3 mm (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.43, 0.83). Screening was associated with a 38% higher risk of being diagnosed with a thin invasive melanoma (≤0.75 mm) (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.22, 1.56). This is the strongest evidence to date that whole‐body clinical skin examination reduces the incidence of thick melanoma. Because survival from melanoma is strongly related to tumour thickness, these results suggest that screening would reduce melanoma mortality.
Akt‐mediated regulation of NFκB and the essentialness of NFκB for the oncogenicity of PI3K and Akt
Authors: Bai Dong , Ueno Lynn , Vogt Peter K.
Published: July 2009

The serine/threonine kinase Akt (cellular homolog of murine thymoma virus akt8 oncogene), also known as PKB (protein kinase B), is activated by lipid products of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K). Akt phosphorylates numerous protein targets that control cell survival, proliferation and motility. Previous studies suggest that Akt regulates transcriptional activity of the nuclear factor‐κB (NFκB) by inducing phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of inhibitor of κB (IκB). We show here that NFκB‐driven transcription increases in chicken embryonic fibroblasts (CEF) transformed by myristylated Akt (myrAkt). Accordingly, both a dominant negative mutant of Akt and Akt inhibitors repress NFκB‐dependent transcription. The degradation of the IκB protein is strongly enhanced in Akt‐transformed cells, and the loss of NFκB activity by introduction of a super‐repressor of NFκB, IκBSR, interferes with PI3K‐ and Akt‐induced oncogenic transformation of CEF. The phosphorylation of the p65 subunit of NFκB at serine 534 is also upregulated in Akt‐transformed cells. Our data suggest that the stimulation of NFκB by Akt is dependent on the phosphorylation of p65 at S534, mediated by IKK (IκB kinase) α and β. Akt phosphorylates IKKα on T23, and this phosphorylation event is a prerequisite for the phosphorylation of p65 at S534 by IKKα and β. Our results demonstrate two separate functions of the IKK complex in NFκB activation in cells with constitutive Akt activity: the phosphorylation and consequent degradation of IκB and the phosphorylation of p65. The data further support the conclusion that NFκB activity is essential for PI3K‐ and Akt‐induced oncogenic transformation. © 2009 UICC