bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The c-Jun N-Terminal Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway Mediates Bax Activation and Subsequent Neuronal Apoptosis through Interaction with Bim after Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Okuno Shuzo , Saito Atsushi , Hayashi Takeshi , Chan Pak H.
Published: September 2004

The c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) signaling pathway is implicated in neuronal apoptosis. The mechanism by which activated JNK induces neuronal apoptosis is strongly linked to mitochondrial apoptogenic proteins, although the molecular machinery downstream of JNK has not been precisely elucidated. Our study examined the relevance of proapoptotic Bcl-2 family members in JNK-mediated apoptosis after transient focal cerebral ischemia (tFCI), which, when induced by 60 min of middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion, elevated levels of JNK activity and phospho-JNK in the MCA territory. Phospho-JNK was primarily expressed in neurons and colocalized with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells. Inhibition of JNK activity by anthra[1,9-cd]pyrazol-6(2H)-one (SP600125), a selective JNK inhibitor, protected neurons from ischemia-induced apoptosis detected by TUNEL staining and an apoptotic-related DNA fragmentation assay. SP600125 blocked translocation of the cell death effector Bax from the cytosol to the mitochondria after tFCI. BimL (Bim long) was induced and phosphorylated parallel to JNK activity. Coimmunoprecipitation studies consistently revealed increased interaction of JNK with BimL, as well as BimL with Bax, after tFCI. SP600125 blocked these interactions at a dose that significantly inhibited JNK-induced neuronal apoptosis. These results suggest that the JNK signaling pathway is involved in ischemia-induced neuronal apoptosis by stimulation, at least in part, of Bax translocation to the mitochondria, in which BimL is likely regulated by JNK as a downstream substrate for transmission of apoptotic signals to Bax.
Chronic Heart Failure–Related Interventions After Starting Rosiglitazone in Patients Receiving Insulin
Authors: Marceille Jennifer R. , Goins Janelle A. , Soni Rita , Biery Joseph C. , Lee Todd A.
Published: September 2004

Study Objective. To determine whether rosiglitazone is associated with the onset or worsening of chronic heart failure (CHF) when administered to patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who receive insulin.

Design. Retrospective cohort analysis.

Setting. Veterans Affairs medical center.

Subjects. One hundred thirty‐nine patients who received insulin for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and had rosiglitazone added to their drug regimens.

Intervention. Medical records were reviewed for 6 months before and 6 months after each patient's first rosiglitazone prescription. Records were assessed for the diagnosis of CHF and documented patient complaints of CHF symptoms requiring a medical intervention (unscheduled primary care or emergency room visit, start or dosage adjustment of CHF pharmacotherapy, or hospitalization).

Measurements and Main Results. A diagnosis of CHF was documented in Thirty‐five (25%) patients in the preindex period (before receiving rosiglitazone) versus 42 (30%) in the postindex period (after receiving rosiglitazone). Fifty (36%) patients received a medical intervention for CHF signs or symptoms in the postindex period compared with only 20 (14%) in the preindex period (p<0.0001). Of the 50 patients requiring a medical intervention in the postindex period, 33 (66%) had not required an intervention in the preindex period. The most common symptom was lower extremity edema; this occurred in 25 (18%) patients in the preindex period and 50 (36%) patients in the postindex period (p<0.0001).

Conclusion. More patients were diagnosed with CHF during the 6 months after rosiglitazone was added to their drug regimens than in the previous 6 months, when these patients received insulin but not rosiglitazone. In addition, more medical interventions related to CHF occurred after administration of rosiglitazone. Data from this study appear to support the Food and Drug Administration's warning of an increased risk of cardiac failure in patients receiving concurrent treatment with rosiglitazone and insulin.
The Role of Oral Direct Thrombin Inhibitors in Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Wittkowsky Ann K. , Kenyon Kenneth W.
Published: September 2004

Atrial fibrillation is a common rhythm disturbance; its most significant adverse events are ischemic stroke and systemic arterial occlusion. Oral anticoagulation with warfarin is an effective therapy for stroke prevention but remains underused due to numerous complications and barriers. Ximelagatran, an oral direct thrombin inhibitor, may become an alternative strategy for clinicians. This agent was developed to overcome many of the limitations associated with warfarin. Its consistent antithrombotic effect and wide therapeutic index allow fixed dosing without the need for routine coagulation monitoring, and without concerns related to drug, food, and disease state interactions. Ximelagatran has been investigated in patients with atrial fibrillation and has been as effective as warfarin for stroke prevention.
Indigo and Indigo Colorants
Authors: Steingruber Elmar
Published: September 2004

The article contains sections titled:1.Physical Properties2.Chemical Properties3.Occurrence and Raw Materials4.Production5.Environmental Protection6.Quality Specifications7.Chemical Analysis8.Storage and Transportation9.Uses10.Commercial Forms11.Economic Aspects12.Toxicology and Occupational Health13.Indigo Derivatives
Enhanced Strength and Ductility in Ultrafine‐Grained Aluminium Produced by Accumulative Roll Bonding
Authors: Höppel H.W. , May J. , Göken M.
Published: September 2004

Due to a printing error in the Adv. Eng. Mater. 2004, 6, issue 4, this article, originally published on pages 219–222, had to be reprinted. Now the correct references are given to allow all readers the correct access to the literature. The editorial team apologizes for any inconveniences this may have caused.
Chemical and Thermal Stability of Alkylsilane Based Coatings for Membrane Emulsification
Authors: Geerken M.J. , van Zanten T.S. , Lammertink R.G.H. , Borneman Z. , Nijdam W. , van Rijn C.J.M. , Wessling M.
Published: September 2004

Silicon nitride microsieves are excellent candidates for their use in membrane emulsification processes. These microsieves have well‐defined pores with extremely narrow pore size distributions. To produce water in oil emulsions the surface of the microsieves has to be altered from a hydrophilic to a hydrophobic state. We establish this by applying a coating based on self‐assembled monolayers of alkylchlorosilanes. This paper focuses on the chemical and thermal stability of these coatings considering the cleaning procedures used in food and diary industry.
Preparation and Characterization of Styrene Butadiene Rubber Based Nanocomposites and Study of their Mechanical Properties
Authors: Sadhu S. , Bhowmick A.K.
Published: September 2004

Nanocomposites were prepared from styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) having different styrene contents and octadecyl amine modified Na‐montmorillonite clay (OC). The modified and the unmodified clays were characterized with the help of X‐ray diffraction technique (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). All these nanocomposites were then subjected to tensile testing. The modified clay‐rubber nanocomposites showed improved tensile strength (55% increase) and elongation at break (76% increase) compared to those of the gum vulcanizates.
SU8‐Silver Photosensitive Nanocomposite
Authors: Jiguet S. , Bertsch A. , Hofmann H. , Renaud P.
Published: September 2004

A photosensitive composite resist having electrical properties has been developed for the direct photopatterning of electrically conductive microcomponents. This composite material is based on the dispersion of silver nanoparticles into the SU‐8 photopolymer, an insulating negative‐tone photoresist. Electrical and optical characterizations reveal a wide range of electrical conductivity of the composite structures depending of the filler load, and a lateral resolution better than 5 μm.
Hyperbranched Polymer/Clay Nanocomposites
Authors: Rodlert M. , Plummer C.J.G. , Grünbauer H.J.M. , Månson J.‐A.E.
Published: September 2004

Nanocomposites have been prepared from a range of hyperbranched polymers (HBPs) and montmorillonite clays (MMTs) by solution processing. With high levels of exfoliation significant changes in rheological behaviour were observed. Rheological models for conventional filled polymers led to estimates of the effective particle aspect ratio. In combination with classical models for particle reinforcement, the derived parameters accounted well for the evolution of the mechanical properties of solid HBP‐based polyurethane nanocomposites.
Processing of Transparent Conducting Coatings Made With Redispersible Crystalline Nanoparticles
Authors: Puetz J. , Al‐Dahoudi N. , Aegerter M.A.
Published: September 2004

The present paper describes recent developments in the employment of ITO (In2O3:Sn) nanoparticles for the preparation of transparent conducting coatings and discusses capabilities and limits of this approach, especially for applications in display and smart window technology. Meanwhile, redispersible nanoparticles of ITO, which shows the best electrical properties among the transparent coating oxides (TCOs), can be produced reproducibly on an industrial scale and various products are on the market.
An Orientation‐Controlled Pentacene Film Aligned by Photoaligned Polyimide for Organic Thin‐Film Transistor Applications
Authors: Chou W.‐Y. , Cheng H.‐L.
Published: September 2004

We have demonstrated that the photoalignment method could be used to control the structural anisotropy of pentacene films, an active semiconducting layer, in thin‐film transistors (TFTs) with conspicuously anisotropic electrical characteristics. The photoaligned pentacene films were characterized with respect to structure and morphology using X‐ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy. Compared to the pentacene films that are not controlled, a maximal 25‐times increase in field‐effect mobility (up to 0.75 cm V–1 s–1) has been achieved in the photoaligned pentacene‐based TFTs by aligning pentacene orientation parallel to the direction of current flow with the help of a photoaligned polyimide layer. Mobility anisotropic ratio in the range of 2.7–8.3 for the current flow parallel and perpendicular to the alignment of the photoaligned pentacene films have been observed for photoaligned pentacene‐based TFTs.
Understanding the Origin of the 535 nm Emission Band in Oxidized Poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene): The Essential Role of Inter‐Chain/Inter‐Segment Interactions
Authors: Sims M. , Bradley D. D. C. , Ariu M. , Koeberg M. , Asimakis A. , Grell M. , Lidzey D. G.
Published: September 2004

We present a careful study of the effects of photo‐oxidation on the emissive properties of poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene) (PFO) that addresses important issues raised by a recent flurry of publications concerning the degradation of blue light‐emitting, fluorene‐based homo‐ and copolymers. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of thin PFO films oxidized at room temperature comprise two major components, namely a vibronically structured blue band and a green, structureless component, referred to hereafter as the ‘g‐band’. These are common features in a wide range of poly(fluorene)s (PFs) and whilst the former is uniformly accepted to be the result of intra‐chain, fluorene‐based, singlet‐exciton emission, the origin of the ‘g‐band’ is subject to increasing debate. Our studies, described in detail below, support the proposed formation of oxidation‐induced fluorenone defects that quench intra‐chain, singlet‐exciton emission and activate the g‐band emission. However, whilst these fluorenone defects are concluded to be necessary for the g‐band emission to be observed, they are considered not to be, alone, sufficient. We show that inter‐chain/inter‐segment interactions are required for the appearance of the g‐band in the PL spectra of PFO and propose that the g‐band is attributable to emission from fluorenone‐based excimers rather than from localized fluorenone π–π* transitions as recently suggested.
Butadienes as Novel Photochromes for Color Tuning of Cholesteric Glasses: Influence of Microscopic Molecular Reorganization within the Helical Superstructure
Authors: Davis R. , Mallia V. A. , Das S. , Tamaoki N.
Published: September 2004

1‐(Alkoxyphenyl)‐4‐(cyanophenyl)buta‐1E,3E‐dienes have been used as novel photoresponsive dopants for investigating light‐induced changes in the pitch of a glass‐forming cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC), dicholesteryl‐10,12‐docosadiynedioate. X‐ray diffraction studies have helped to establish the role of microscopic changes of smectic domains within the helical superstructure, induced by the dopant molecules and their photoisomers, which result in changes in their macroscopic light‐reflecting properties. Increasing concentration (1–12 wt.‐%) of these dopants causes a dramatic red‐shift in the wavelength of reflected light by the host CLC, extending it into the near‐infrared region. The extent of red‐shift depends strongly on the molecular length of the dopants and those possessing lengths between 25–28 Å, namely 1‐(octyloxyphenyl)‐4‐(cyanophenyl)buta‐1E,3E‐diene and 1‐(decyloxyphenyl)‐4‐(cyanophenyl)buta‐1E,3E‐diene, exhibit the maximum shift (Δλmax = 435 nm). Photoisomerization of these dopants leads to a blue‐shift of the reflected light and this effect could be used to tune the light reflectivity of these mixtures over a large part of the visible region. The cholesteric pitch and hence the reflected light by these materials could be fixed in a glassy state by rapidly cooling them from their cholesteric temperatures to 0 °C. The efficacy of these materials for full‐color photoimaging has also been demonstrated.
High Performance Nanotube‐Reinforced Plastics: Understanding the Mechanism of Strength Increase
Authors: Coleman J. N. , Cadek M. , Blake R. , Nicolosi V. , Ryan K. P. , Belton C. , Fonseca A. , Nagy J. B. , Gun'ko Y. K. , Blau W. J.
Published: September 2004

Polymer–multiwalled carbon nanotube composite films were fabricated using two types of polymer matrices, namely poly(vinyl alcohol), (PVA) and chlorinated polypropylene. In the first case, the PVA was observed to form a crystalline coating around the nanotubes, maximising interfacial stress transfer. In the second case the interface was engineered by covalently attaching chlorinated polypropylene chains to the nanotubes, again resulting in large stress transfer. Increases in Young's modulus, tensile strength, and toughness of × 3.7, × 4.3, and × 1.7, respectively were observed for the PVA‐based materials at less than 1 wt.‐% nanotubes. Similarily for the polypropylene‐based composites, increases in Young's modulus, tensile strength and toughness of × 3.1, × 3.9, and × 4.4, respectively, were observed at equivalent nanotube loading levels. In addition, a model to describe composite strength was derived. This model shows that the tensile strength increases in proportion to the thickness of the interface region. This suggests that composite strength can be optimized by maximising the thickness of the crystalline coating or the thickness of the interfacial volume partially occupied by functional groups.
Quantitative Splitt Fractionation of Lagoon Sediments
Authors: Blo Gabriella , Conato Chiara , Contado Catia , Fagioli Francesco , Dondi Francesco
Published: September 2004

In this work, SPLITT Fractionation (split flow thin cell) is used to sort hydrodynamically sedimented particles coming from the Sacca di Goro, a lagoon‐like system close to the Po River delta (Italy). First the possibility of performing quantitative mass separations with a SPLITT cell apparatus was checked on a standard silica sample of known particle size distribution (PSD). Environmental sediment samples and relative SPLITT sub‐fractions were subject to Inductive Coupled Plasma — Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP‐AES) characterization for the following elements: Al, Fe, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn. The distribution of these metals by particle size fractions has been investigated. The accuracy of the entire separation procedure has been also evaluated.
Influence of Air Pollution on Chronic Obstructive Respiratory Diseases: Comparison between City (ROME) and Hillcountry Environments and Climates
Authors: Avino Pasquale , de Lisio Vincenzo , Grassi Marcello , Lucchetta Maria C. , Messina Baldassare , Monaco Giorgio , Petraccia Luisa , Quartieri Giuseppe , Rosentzwig Rivka , Russo Mario V. , Spada Sebastiano , Valenzi Vincenzo I.
Published: September 2004

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPDs) constitute a social problem of widespread interest. These diseases increase slowly and constantly. Air pollution and its impact on public health continually repropose certain absolute priorities, such as the pin‐pointing of strategies to control the pollution sources, the planning of observational studies and the epidemic control. This work shows that a climate marked by always windy weather and low humidity and with low chemical pollutant concentrations (Pietracupa; Molise, Italy) is connected to smaller prevalence of COPDs in comparison with big cities like Rome. Living in non‐polluted areas, the benefits of a healthy climate in terms of an improvement in breathing and bronchial hyperactivity reduction, may only in part be backed up by epidemic evidence; however, they are a solid base on which to build definite research projects which can effectively validate it even from an experimental point of view supported by statistics.
Carbonaceous Aerosol in the Breathable Particulate Matter (PM10) in Urban Area
Authors: Avino Pasquale , Brocco Domenico
Published: September 2004

Carbonaceous material is a large fraction of urban aerosol and it is classified into Elemental Carbon (EC) and Organic Carbon (OC). EC particles are emitted from combustion sources. Because most combustion sources are anthropogenic and generally EC does not undergo chemical transformations, EC is a good indicator of primary anthropogenic primary pollution. OC particles species are emitted from primary emission sources either anthropogenic or biogenic sources. In this paper we have measured the ground concentration of Particulate Matter (PM), Total Carbon (TC), EC and OC in two Monitoring Stations in Rome. The first station is situated downtown Rome (near S. M. Maggiore Cathedral) where the traffic emission flux is strong. The second station is located in the inner a green park (Villa Ada Park): this site is not directly influenced by anthropogenic emissions. The results show that in Rome the TC contribution is about 30% of PM and the OC/EC vary between 0.5 and 1.5 according to the site we are considering. About the chemical particle composition the longchain carboxylic have been identified as major constituent of organic aerosol and a range values are reported for two important compound class, the Polyciclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and the nitroPAHs wich are at very low levels.
Photodegradation of Azodyes: Comparison of Different Catalytic Systems and Control of the Effective Mineralisation
Authors: Campanella Luigi , Giardina Isabella , Russo Mario Vincenzo , Sammartino Maria Pia , Visco Giovanni
Published: September 2004

Three different azodyes were used as target molecules to test the efficiency of the photodegradation process catalysed by titanium dioxide under UV irradiation. A comparison of different catalytic systems was performed using the catalyst both free in solution (system I) and immobilised in a polymeric membrane (system II). Iron oxalate and a conducting polymer (polyaniline, PA) were added to the I and II systems respectively to check an eventual synergetic effect. The research evolved through three different steps involving each one the use of a different analytical method. Shortly, the UV spectrophotometry were preliminarily used to monitor the bleaching process and allowed to choose the best catalytic system, HPLC and GC/MS were used to monitor the appearance and disappearance of the photodegradation intermediates and, lastly, the effective mineralisation was tested by an indirect ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) determination of the produced carbon dioxide.
Data Quality of PAH Determinations in Environmental Monitoring
Authors: Borsella Elisabetta , di Filippo Patrizia , Riccardi Carmela , Spicaglia Sergio , Cecinato Angelo
Published: September 2004

The sources of uncertainty affecting measurements of pollutants include sample collection, handling and stocking, and analytical procedure. With regard to chemical analysis, MS detection offers a series of advantages for resolving complex mixtures and identify and quantify analytes present at very small extents. Nevertheless, it presents some problems of reproducibility, which can affect the quality of quantitative data. PAH represent keycompounds among atmospheric pollutants and are usually evaluated by means of dedicated methods comprising MS detection. Based upon the above considerations, an analytical method has been standardized, suitable for determining PAH in atmospheric aerosols and diesel particulate exhausts. To test the procedure, both diesel particulate and urban aerosol NIST reference materials (SRM—2975 and SRM—1649A, respectively) have been processed and the results have been compared with certified and/or literature data. The results obtained are shortly discussed.
Determination of Phenolic Acids in Olive Oil by Capillary Electrophoresis
Authors: Buiarelli Francesca , di Berardino Sonia , Coccioli Franco , Jasionowska Renata , Russo Mario Vincenzo
Published: September 2004

A CZE method for the separation and quantitation of phenolic acids (cinnamic, syringic, p—coumaric, vanillic, caffeic, 3, 4—dihydroxyphenylacetic, protocatechuic), extracted from extra virgin olive oil, was developed. The sample preparation involved the LLE and SPE extraction methods. CE separation was performed in a fused silica capillary of I. D. = 50μm using as a BGE 40 mM borate buffer at pH = 9.2. The separation voltage was 18kV with corresponding current of 2728 μA. Detection was accomplished with UV—detector at λ = 200nm. The proposed method was fully validated. A good repeatability of migration time (RSD% ranged from 0.81 to 1.63) and of corrected peak area ( RSD% from 2.89 to 5.77) was obtained. The linearity of detector response in the range from 5 to 50 ppm was checked, obtaining the correlation coefficient R2 values in the range: 0.9919—0.9997. Some phenolic acids in real oil samples were detected and quantified with the proposed method.
Remote Sensing Measurements for Evaluation of Air Quality in an Urban Area
Authors: Avino Pasquale , Brocco Domenico , Lepore Luca , Russo Mario V. , Ventrone Ida
Published: September 2004

The Differential Optical Absorption Spectrometry (DOAS) is a remotesensing technique finding greater consents in these last years. The analytical principle of the DOAS system is based on the light absorption in the near—UV and Vis regions of those pollutants with fine vibrational structures such as SO2, NO2, O3, nitrous acid, formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, etc. The relationship among the adsorbed light intensity and the xompound concentrations is ruled by the Lambert—Beer's law. The DOAS analysis allows to study and to interpretate the complex mechanisms of the formation and transformation of the pollutants and particularly of those of secondary origin. In this paper we have reported and discussed the behaviors of NO2, O3, HNO2, formaldehyde, benzene and toluene measured by this system during the 2000—2003 period in the Rome area (an area highly influenced by anthropogenic sources) and in Pietracupa (Molise) area (considered as remote site). The results show how the DOAS system highlight very well the secondary pollution evolution; this, described by the profiles of NO2 and O3 being at the same time products and precursors of the photochemical smog, is not influenced by the emission flow intensity and consequently assumes homogeneous values in the whole urban area.
Paper Chromatographic and Paper Elettrophoretic Study of the Solution Chemistry of Tc—99m—Methylendiphosphonate and of Tc—99m—Dimercaptosuccinate for Improving the Tumouraffinity of Tc—99—m During Scintigraphic Imaging of Cancer
Authors: Shukla Shyama Kant , Atzei Giampiero , Sedda Antioco Franco , Rossi Gabriele , Cipriani Cesidio
Published: September 2004

In order to find the conditions under which Tc—99m—methylenediphosphonate (Tc—99m—MDP) and Tc—99m (V)�dimercaptosuccinate (Tc—99m (V)�DMSA) may become tumourseeking agents, leaving healthy organs free from the radionuclide uptake, the solution chemistry of these radiopharmaceuticals was studied by paper chromatography and paper electrophoresis in distilled water, in physiological saline, in NAHCO3, and ascorbic acid solutions. Both radiopharmaceuticals are anionic in the radiopharmaceutical solution but get easily hydrolysed to form cationic Tc—99m species which concentrates in healthy bone and in some bone metastases. Tc—99m (V)�DMSA being more stable remains long in the blood pool giving undesirable presence of the radionuclide in lung, heart and kidneys, in addition to its reduced uptake in bone metastases and in some primaries. We are trying to eliminate these drawbacks of healthy organ uptake of Tc—99m (V)�DMSA not only to get a clean scintigraphic image of the tumour with this radiopharmaceutical but to extend its formulation, thus obtained, to prepare radiopharmaceutical with Re—188, which is the higher homologue of Tc—99m, for systemic therapy of cancer. Essentially similar solution chemistry of both radiopharmaceuticals suggests that like Tc—99m—MDP, technetium—99m—dimercaptosuccinate is also a complex of tetravalent Tc—99m and not of pentavalent Tc—99m as so far supposed to be.
Characterization of dynamics of gas–liquid flows in rectangular bubble columns
Authors: Buwa Vivek V. , Ranade Vivek V.
Published: September 2004

Gas–liquid flow in bubble columns is inherently unsteady. The unsteady fluid dynamics influences mixing and other transport processes occurring in bubble column reactors. In this work, we have characterized dynamics of gas–liquid flows in rectangular bubble columns using wall pressure and voidage fluctuations. The low‐frequency oscillations caused by meandering bubble plume were characterized using the plume oscillation period. Experiments were carried out to study the influence of superficial gas velocity, sparger configuration, and liquid height‐to‐width (H/W) ratio on the low‐frequency oscillations. The dimensional analysis based on analogy between buoyancy‐driven thermal and bubbly flows was carried out to relate low‐frequency oscillations to various design and operating parameters. This analysis was able to correlate present as well as previously published experimental data. We have further demonstrated the importance of establishing such a quantitative relationship for validation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD)–based models by carrying out CFD simulations of gas–liquid flow in rectangular bubble columns. The importance of bubble‐scale information obtained using conductivity probes in validating Eulerian–Lagrangian models is also demonstrated. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 2394–2407, 2004
A comparative adsorption study of copper on various industrial solid wastes
Authors: Agrawal Archana , Sahu K. K. , Pandey B. D.
Published: September 2004

The adsorption behavior of Cu on three solid waste materials—sea nodule residue (SNR), fly ash (FA), and red mud (RM)—was investigated. The effects of various parameters, such as pH of the feed solution, contact time, temperature, adsorbate and adsorbent concentration, and particle size of the adsorbent, were studied for optimization of the process parameters. Adsorption of copper increased with increasing time, temperature, pH, and adsorbate concentration, and decreased with increasing initial copper concentration. The equilibrium data fit well with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms in the case of SNR, but not on RM and FA, because there was no appreciable effect of temperature on the metal removal on these two adsorbents. The adsorption of copper on SNR followed first‐order kinetics involving the surface complex formation mechanism on the charged surface. Under the optimized conditions the adsorption capacity for copper was found to be 19.65 mg/g of SNR, 1.98 mg/g of FA, and 2.28 mg/g of RM. Thus the adsorption capacity of SNR was found to be more than that of activated carbon, thus making it suitable for the treatment of industrial effluents to reduce the level of copper within the permissible limits for its land disposal (3 mg/L) according to ISI guidelines. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J 50: 2430–2438, 2004
NOx storage and reduction with propylene on Pt/BaO/alumina
Authors: Muncrief Rachel L. , Kabin Karen S. , Harold Michael P.
Published: September 2004

An experimental study was carried out of periodically operated NOx (NO + NO2) storage and reduction on a model Pt/BaO/Al2O3 catalyst powder. The effect of the reductant (propylene) injection policy on time‐averaged NOx conversion was evaluated in terms of feed composition and temperature, reductant pulse duration, and overall cycle time. Conditions giving time‐averaged NOx conversions exceeding 90% were identified. The reductant‐to‐oxidant ratio during the injection and the total cycle time are both found to be critical factors to achieve high conversion. The time‐averaged conversion is bounded above and below by the steady‐state conversions obtained with feeds having the same compositions as that during the rich and lean part of the cycle, respectively. For a fixed supply of propylene, short pulses of high concentration are much more effective than longer pulses of reduced concentration. The NOx conversion achieves a maximum value at an intermediate overall cycle time when the propylene pulse of fixed duty fraction is net reducing. High conversions are sustained over a wide temperature window (200–400°C). A simple storage–reduction cycle is proposed that elucidates the main findings in the study. The key factor for high NOx conversion is the temporal production of oxygen‐deficient conditions coupled with high catalyst temperatures, both resulting from the intermittent catalytic oxidation of propylene. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 2526–2540, 2004
Improved PCA process for the production of nano‐ and microparticles of polymers
Authors: Pérez Y. , Wubbolts F. E. , Witkamp G. J. , Jansens P. J. , de Loos Th.W.
Published: September 2004

The system dextran‐DMSO‐CO2 has been chosen as a model system to study the fundamentals of the precipitation of biodegradable polymers, using the precipitation with a compressed antisolvent (PCA) process. At conditions of completely miscibility between the organic solvent (DMSO) and CO2, it is proposed that the formation of droplets in the system is not the consequence of atomization of the DMSO solution, but rather the result of the occurrence of a liquid‐liquid phase split when the DMSO‐solution and CO2 are intimately mixed. Penetration of CO2 into the droplets and stripping of DMSO induces the solidification of these droplets. A new device was designed to separate the three steps involved in the process: mixing of CO2 and solution, liquid‐ liquid phase split, and stripping of the solvent. This new device eliminates agglomeration of particles, and yields reproducible results. The particle size can be easily manipulated over a size range from several nanometers to tenths of microns by changes in the operating conditions. The influence of these operating conditions (pressure, temperature, polymer concentration, and solution/CO2 composition ratio) on particle morphology has been studied. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 2408–2417, 2004
Asphaltene precipitation in crude oils: Theory and experiments
Authors: Buenrostro‐Gonzalez Eduardo , Lira‐Galeana Carlos , Gil‐Villegas Alejandro , Wu Jianzhong
Published: September 2004

The precipitation of asphaltenes in two Mexican crude oils was measured using a combination of high‐pressure isothermal expansion and atmospheric titration with n‐alkanes. Experiments were carried out from the live‐ and tank‐oil type of samples of the same crude oils. For the oils investigated, compositional data, precipitation phase diagrams, and bubble point pressures are reported. A theoretical study for these systems was performed using the statistical association fluid theory for potentials of variable range (SAFT‐VR) equation of state (EOS) in the framework of the McMillan–Mayer theory. By matching a single titration curve or two precipitation onset points with this EOS, a good prediction of asphaltene precipitation over wide temperature, pressure, and composition intervals is obtained. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 2552–2570, 2004
A systemic approach for pellet reactor modeling: Application to water treatment
Authors: Montastruc L. , Azzaro‐Pantel C. , Pibouleau L. , Domenech S.
Published: September 2004

The development is reported of a model for a fluidized‐bed process for phosphate precipitation and removal from wastewater. The general framework of this study involves a two‐step procedure. The first modeling level was previously presented elsewhere and leads to the development of a thermodynamic model for the computation of phosphate conversion for the Ca–PO4–H2O system. The second step of the modeling procedure is the core of this report and computes the reactor efficiency from the identification of the so‐called pellet reactor model as a reactor network involving a combination of elementary systems representing basic ideal flow patterns (perfect mixed flow, plug flow, and so on). For solving the involved mixed‐integer quadratic programming (MIQP) problem, a hybrid procedure based on simulated annealing (SA) and quadratic programming (QP) is implemented. The SA generates reactor network structures deduced from a superstructure and for each one, a QP is carried out. The goal is to find not only the most appropriate model, but also the simplest one (in terms of the smallest possible number of elementary units). Thus the objective function is augmented with an outer penalty quadratic function representing the number of elementary units. The methodology was first validated on an example previously treated with a classical MINLP method involving a limited number of variables. The main interest of the approach proposed here is that it can handle large‐size problems with a limited exploration of the search space and can be consequently extended to combinatorial problems. A comparison with experimental results obtained in the pilot unit designed for this study shows the efficiency of the systemic approach. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 2514–2525, 2004
Self‐organization kinetics of mesoporous nanostructured particles
Authors: Gradoń Leon , Janeczko Stanislaw , Abdullah Mikrajuddin , Iskandar Ferry , Okuyama Kikuo
Published: September 2004

Spray drying a mixture of silica and polystyrene latex (PSL) colloids above the decomposition temperature of PSL results in the formation of porous silica particles. By appropriate selection of the experimental conditions, such as the use of a tubular temperature, the weight fraction of colloids, and the flow rate of carrier gas, the resulting silica particles contain organized pores with a hexagonal close‐packing arrangement. The process by which organized mesoporous silica particles are formed by the spray‐drying method was examined using elementary laws of topology. Although a direct test using experimental data was not performed, at least qualitatively, the existence of a “stationary state” at which organized mesoporous particles can be produced with hexagonal close packing could be defined. Deviation from this stationary state results in the formation of unorganized pores as well as a deformed particle shape, rather than spherical ones. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 2583–2593, 2004
A new neocentromere locus on chromosome 13 resulting in mosaic tetrasomy for distal 13q and an asymmetric phenotype
Authors: Barwell Julian , Mazzaschi Roberto , Bint Sue , Ogilvie Caroline Mackie , Elmslie Frances
Published: September 2004

An 8‐year‐old girl was referred to the Genetics Centre with mild developmental delay, mild dysmorphic features, and a head circumference on the 98th centile. She was noted to have large irregular ear lobes, torticollis, and mild hemihypertrophy. Karyotype analysis of cultured peripheral lymphocytes and skin fibroblasts revealed the presence of a symmetrical supernumerary marker chromosome in 13% of cells from both tissue types. Further analysis showed that this marker chromosome originated from the distal region of chromosome 13 and contained no centromeric α‐satellite DNA. The marker chromosome was not found in blood from the parents. This case represents a novel symmetrical structure with a previously unreported neocentromere locus, leading to an unusual phenotype. Similar cases of individuals with a chromosome 13 with a neocentromere have been reported. They are reviewed and compared with the current case. The importance of scanning metaphases for abnormalities in individuals presenting with asymmetry is emphasized. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Eyelid myxoma in Carney complex without PRKAR1A allelic loss
Authors: Tsilou Ekaterini T. , Chan Chi‐Chao , Sandrini Fabiano , Rubin Benjamin I. , Shen De Fen , Carney J. Aidan , Kaiser‐Kupfer Muriel , Stratakis Constantine A.
Published: September 2004

Eyelid nodules were investigated in a patient with Carney complex who was heterozygous for the most commonly known PRKAR1A‐inactivating mutation, c.578delTG. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed the diagnosis of myxoma. Loss of heterozygosity was not present, suggesting that haploinsufficiency alone was responsible for tumorigenesis of this eyelid lesion. Published 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The natural history, including orofacial features of three patients with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis type (EDS type VIIC)
Authors: Malfait Fransiska , De Coster Peter , Hausser Ingrid , van Essen Anthonie J. , Franck Peter , Colige Alain , Nusgens Betty , Martens Luc , De Paepe Anne
Published: September 2004

Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS) dermatosparaxis type (type VIIC) and the related disease of cattle dermatosparaxis, are recessively inherited connective tissue disorders, caused by a deficient activity of procollagen I N‐proteinase, the enzyme that excises the N‐terminal propeptide in procollagen type I, type II, and type III. Although well documented in cattle, to date only seven human cases have been recorded, most of them aged under 2 years. We document the natural history of three patients with EDS dermatosparaxis type, two of whom have been reported before the age of 2 years, and one new patient. The phenotype of the patients, and especially the facial resemblance, is striking, making this a clinically recognizable condition. The most consistent anomalies during the first years of life are premature rupture of the membranes, extreme skin fragility and easy bruising, large fontanels, blue sclerae, puffy eyelids, micrognathia, umbilical hernia, and short fingers. Joint hypermobility becomes more important with age. The children are at risk for rupture of internal organs due to soft tissue fragility, as is illustrated by different internal events in two of the three patients described here. Orofacial features include micrognathia, a frontal open bite, and gingival hyperplasia with varying degrees of hyperkeratosis. The deciduous dentition shows abnormal morphology of the molars, obliteration of the tooth pulp, and severe enamel attrition. The permanent dentition shows agenesis and microdontia of several teeth. Tooth discoloration, dysplastic roots, and tooth pulp obliteration are present in a restricted number of permanent teeth. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection of an interstitial deletion of 2q21‐22 by high resolution comparative genomic hybridization in a child with multiple congenital anomalies and an apparent balanced translocation
Authors: Shanske A.L. , Edelmann L. , Kardon N.B. , Gosset P. , Levy B.
Published: September 2004

Various molecular cytogenetic techniques are currently available to accurately characterize chromosome rearrangements in patients with multiple congenital anomalies. Among these is comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) whose main advantage is the ability to perform a whole genome scan without prior knowledge of the underlying chromosome abnormality. It has been used mostly in the area of cancer cytogenetics, but its role in clinical genetics is now expanding to even include preimplantation genetic diagnosis. We have used this method to reveal an interstitial deletion in a patient with multiple anomalies, who had for years been thought to have a de novo balanced translocation involving chromosomes 1 and 2. A review of published reports suggests that there is significant phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity in the small group of patients including our own with interstitial deletions of 2q21‐q22. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Classical West “syndrome” phenotype with a subtelomeric 4p trisomy
Authors: Gérard‐Blanluet Marion , Romana S. , Munier C. , Le Lorc'h M. , Kanafani S. , Sinico M. , Touboul C. , Levaillant J.M. , Haddad B. , Lopez N. , Lelong F. , de Villemeur T. Billette , Verloes A. , Borghi E.
Published: September 2004

We report a girl with mild mental retardation with onset of infantile spasms at age of 9 months. Treatment with a short course of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) was successful. Initially, a diagnosis of idiopathic West syndrome, with good neurological outcome and disappearance of epilepsy after treatment, was made. Conventional karyotype was normal. Reinvestigations were done at age 8 years, because of a new pregnancy. Karyotyping of both parents was done because of mild dysmorphic features in the proband, and to eliminate other causes than early age epilepsy as the etiology of her mental retardation. Parental karyotypes showed a balanced paternal translocation (4p;17q) resulting in partial 4p trisomy, without significant 17q monosomy in the proband. Chromosomal abnormalities usually lead to a severe West syndrome with poor prognosis of neurological outcome (persistent severe epilepsy, mental retardation, and behavioral disturbances). The presence of an undetected cytogenetic anomaly in our proband with transient hypsarythmia is unusual and led us to propose systematic telomeric screening in apparently “idiopathic” West syndrome patients with mild mental retardation and subtle dysmorphic features. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Women's satisfaction with genetic counseling for hereditary breast‐ovarian cancer: Psychological aspects
Authors: Tercyak Kenneth P. , DeMarco Tiffani A. , Mars Bryn D. , Peshkin Beth N.
Published: September 2004

Women who participate in BRCA1/2 cancer genetic counseling do so for a variety of reasons, including learning quantitative risk information about their chances of developing hereditary breast‐ovarian cancer at some point during their lifetimes. For these women, obtaining pre‐test and disclosure genetic counseling with a professional affords them numerous potential benefits, including adequate preparation for, and accurate interpretation of, their test results. In consequence, women commonly report being highly satisfied with their cancer genetic counseling experience, even if the information learned through testing suggests they are at increased cancer risk. This occurrence raises an interesting question, namely, what are the psychological aspects of satisfaction with genetic counseling for hereditary breast‐ovarian cancer in women? To answer this question, we administered the Genetic Counseling Satisfaction Scale (GCSS) to a convenience sample of 61 women participating in BRCA1/2 pretest genetic counseling, and re‐administered the GCSS to approximately one‐third of these women at disclosure. Available psychological data included personality, distress, and family functioning. In bivariate analyses, optimism and family functioning were positively associated with pretest satisfaction. With respect to satisfaction at disclosure, general and cancer‐specific distress were negatively associated with satisfaction. Our findings suggest that psychological aspects of satisfaction with cancer genetic counseling vary, with individual differences and family functioning playing a role at pretest, and distress playing a role at disclosure. The implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mutations in PITX2 may contribute to cases of omphalocele and VATER‐like syndromes
Authors: Katz L.A. , Schultz R.E. , Semina E.V. , Torfs C.P. , Krahn K.N. , Murray J.C.
Published: September 2004

Omphalocele is a congenital anomaly with substantial morbidity. Rieger syndrome, an autosomal dominant disorder, is characterized by craniofacial abnormalities and abdominal wall defects. PITX2 mutations are etiologic in >40% of cases of Rieger syndrome. We demonstrate that the birth prevalence of omphalocele is significantly higher in Rieger syndrome than in the general population, with omphaloceles found in 0.03% in the Iowa newborn population and 4.3% of patients with Rieger syndrome. Our objective was to screen coding and conserved non‐coding regions of PITX2 for mutations in 209 patients with omphalocele. We identified remarkable evolutionarily conserved regions by comparing the 3′UTR of Pitx2 in 13 vertebrate and 3 invertebrate species. No mutations changing the amino acid sequence were found within the omphalocele population. In one case of omphalocele with VATER‐like additional anomalies, a three nucleotide deletion was found in the 3′UTR. This deletion was not seen in 1,186 controls. Also in the 3′UTR, we identified a single nucleotide polymorphism at a highly conserved residue. Our findings suggest additional studies of PITX2 conserved regions will be valuable. We also screened the omphalocele cases for mutations in exon 5 of the gene FLNA. Mutations in FLNA have been shown to cause a broad range of congenital malformations, including otopalatodigital syndrome type 2 in which a missense mutation occurring in exon 5 of FLNA results in omphalocele as part of the phenotype. We did not find any mutations in exon 5 of FLNA in 179 omphalocele cases studied. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.