bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virtual Laboratories for a Course on Indoor Environmental Quality
Authors: Gameiro da Silva Manuel Carlos
Published: November 2009

Abstractâ?? This paper describes a set of software tools developed by the author to support the teaching of a course on Indoor Environmental Quality, given to the Master programme on Energy for Sustainability and PhD programme on Sustainable Energy Systems at the University of Coimbra, which are included on the MIT-Portugal Initiative educational programme. The course includes materials about Thermal Environment, Indoor Air Quality, Noise, Vibration, Lighting and the combined effect of these previous stressors. The software tools were developed both with Microsoft Excel and the programming platform LabVIEW
The classification, mapping and description of the vegetation of the Rooipoort Nature Reserve, Northern Cape, South Africa
Authors: Bezuidenhout Hugo
Published: November 2009

The need for a scientifically-based wildlife management plan and for more knowledge on vegetation led to an investigation into the plant ecology of the Rooipoort Nature Reserve. The main aim of this study was therefore to classify, describe and map the vegetation of the reserve. The floristic data were analysed according to the Braun-Blanquet procedure using the BBPC suite. The data analysis resulted in the identification of 15 communities that can be grouped into ten major community types. This resulted in five ecology-based management units, which could assist with the compilation of an ecologically sound management plan for the reserve in order to achieve sustainable utilisation of the natural resources. The Rooipoort Nature Reserve is one of the oldest and largest private nature reserves in South Africa and as such deserves to be conserved and protected. The riverine and pan vegetation communities are considered to be endangered and are in need of special conservation and protection.Conservation implication: The results suggest five management units, which will assist in the compilation of an ecologically sound management plan for the RNR, in order to allow sustainable utilization of natural resources.
Alcohol‐related violence defined by ultimate goals: a qualitative analysis of the features of three different types of violence by intoxicated young male offenders
Authors: McMurran Mary , Jinks Mary , Howells Kevin , Howard Richard C.
Published: November 2009

Based upon a functional approach to understanding aggression, we aimed to identify the occurrence of and to describe the features of three types of alcohol‐related violence defined a priori by ultimate goals: (1) violence in pursuit of nonsocial profit‐based goals, (2) violence in pursuit of social dominance goals, and (3) violence as defence in response to threat. A sample of 149 young men with offences of violence that were alcohol related was interviewed. Cases were classified and detailed information from the first ten cases in each class (N=30) was subjected to thematic analysis. Intoxicated violence in pursuit of nonsocial profit‐based goals was opportunistic and motivated by the desire for more alcohol or drugs. Violence, in these cases, although serious, appeared to be brief. Intoxicated violence in pursuit of social dominance goals was typically precipitated by past or current insult or injury, and was accompanied by strong anger and an adrenaline rush. Attacks were ferocious, and robbing the victim was not uncommon, perhaps to inflict additional humiliation. Feelings of pride and satisfaction were typical and expressions of remorse were uncommon. Regarding intoxicated violence as defence in response to threat, attacks were often expected, and in some cases the respondent made a pre‐emptive strike. Weapon use was common in this group. Fear was experienced, but so too was anger. Feelings of excitement were not reported and remorse was common. Further validation of these types is warranted, and the potential implications of these findings for prevention and treatment are discussed. Aggr. Behav. 36:67–79, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Output feedback stabilizability and passivity in nonstationary and nonlinear systems
Authors: Barkana Itzhak
Published: November 2009

Passivity properties and passivity conditions have been shown to be very important for the stability of various methodologies of control with uncertainty in linear‐time‐invariant (LTI) systems. Many publications have defined the conditions that allow LTI systems to become strictly passive (and their transfer function strictly positive real) via constant or dynamic output feedback. As beyond the usual uncertainty, real‐world systems are not necessarily invariant, this paper expands the applicability of previous results to nonstationary and nonlinear systems. The paper first reviews a few pole–zero dynamics definitions in nonstationary systems and relates them to stability and passivity of the systems. The paper then finds the sufficient conditions that allow nonstationary systems to become stable and strictly passive via static or dynamic output feedback. Applications in robotics and adaptive control are also presented. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Data‐driven tuning of linear parameter‐varying precompensators
Authors: Butcher Mark , Karimi Alireza
Published: November 2009

Methods for direct data‐driven tuning of the parameters of precompensators for linear parameter‐varying (LPV) systems are developed. Since the commutativity property is not always satisfied for LPV systems, previously proposed methods for LTI systems that use this property cannot be directly adapted. When the ideal precompensator giving perfect mean tracking exists in the proposed precompensator parameterization, the LPV transfer operators do commute and an algorithm using only two experiments on the real system is proposed. It is shown that this algorithm gives consistent estimates of the ideal parameters despite the presence of stochastic disturbances. For the more general case, when the ideal precompensator does not belong to the set of parameterized precompensators, another technique is developed. This technique requires a number of experiments equal to twice the number of precompensator parameters and it is shown that the calculated parameters minimize the mean‐squared tracking error. The theoretical results are demonstrated in simulation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrodeposition of free‐standing poly(o‐dihydroxybenzene‐co‐3‐methylthiophene) films with tunable fluorescence properties
Authors: Liu Congcong , Xu Jingkun , Fan Changli , Lu Baoyang , Dong Bin , Liu Guodong
Published: November 2009

Electrochemical copolymerization of o‐dihydroxybenzene (oDHB) and 3‐methylthiophene (3MeT) was successfully achieved in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate by direct anodic oxidation of the monomer mixtures, although the oxidation potentials of oDHB and 3MeT were quite different. The influence of the applied polymerization potential on the synthesis of the copolymers was investigated. The higher applied potential favored the incorporation of 3MeT units into the copolymers. The structure and properties of the copolymers were investigated with UV‐vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. The novel copolymers had many advantages, including good redox activity, good thermal stability, and high electrical conductivity. Additionally, the copolymers fluorescence properties that were tunable through changes in the feed ratio of the monomer mixtures. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Synthesis and characterization of a novel high‐oil‐absorbing resin
Authors: Zhou Xiao‐Ming , Chuai Cheng‐Zhi
Published: November 2009

A high‐oil‐absorbing resin, which was a low crosslinking resin, was synthesized by conventional suspension copolymerization in this study. The effects of the monomer ratio, crosslinker, initiator, ratio of water to oil, and defined optimum reaction conditions were studied. The highest oil absorptivity of the resin was about 11.5 g/g in diesel and the oil‐absorption saturation time was 3 days when the best process conditions were as follows: ratio of styrene to ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer = 40/60 w/w, amount of crosslinker divinylbenzene = 1.0 wt %, amount of benzoyl peroxide = 1.0 wt %; proportion of gelatin to calcium phosphate = 0.2 g/0.1 g, stirring speed = 500 r/min, and proportion of water to oil = 15 : 1. By using such methods as infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and other methods, we studied the oil‐absorbing resin structure, oil‐absorption rate, oil‐absorption saturation time, and oil‐absorption rate twice. The oil‐absorbing resins were used repeatedly through the extraction of ethanol. The experiment results show little effect on the oil‐absorption properties. The oil‐absorption rate constant was evaluated for diesel, and the oil‐absorbing process obeyed the first‐order kinetics equation. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Synthesis and characterization of novel polyimide/SiO2 nanocomposite materials containing phenylphosphine oxide via sol‐gel technique
Authors: Kizilkaya Canan , Karataş Sevim , Apohan Nilhan‐Kayaman , Güngör Atilla
Published: November 2009

In this article, a series of novel polyimide/silica (PI/SiO2) nanocomposite coating materials were prepared from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), γ‐glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GOTMS), and polyamic acid (PAA) via sol‐gel technique. PAA was prepared by the reaction of 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and bis (3‐aminophenyl) phenyphosphine oxide (BAPPO) in N‐methyl‐2‐ pyrrolidone (NMP). BAPPO was synthesized hydrogenation of bis (3‐nitrophenyl) phenyphosphine oxide (BNPPO) in the presence of Pd/C. The silica content in the hybrid coating materials was varied from 0 to 20 wt %. The molecular structures of the composite materials were analyzed by means of FT‐IR and 29Si‐NMR spectroscopy techniques. The physical and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were evaluated by various techniques such as, hardness, contact angle, and optical transmission and tensile tests. These measurements revealed that all the properties of the nanocomposite coatings were improved noticeable, by the addition of sol‐gel precursor into the coating formulation. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the incorporation of sol‐gel precursor into the polyimide matrix leads to an enhancement in the thermal stability and also flame resistance properties of the coating material. The surface morphology of the hybrid coating was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM studies indicated that nanometer‐scaled inorganic particles were homogenously dispersed throughout the polyimide matrix © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Stabilization of the inverted spherical pendulum via Lyapunov approach
Authors: Gutiérrez F. O. Octavio , Aguilar Ibéñez Carlos , Sossa A. Humberto
Published: November 2009

In this paper a nonlinear controller is presented for the stabilization of the spherical inverted pendulum system. The control strategy is based on the Lyapunov approach in conjunction with LaSalle's invariance principle. The proposed controller is able to bring the pendulum to the unstable upright equilibrium point with the position of the movable base at the origin. The obtained closed‐loop system has a very large domain of attraction, that can be as large as desired, for any initial position of the pendulum which lies above the horizontal plane. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Reduced‐order state estimation for linear time‐varying systems
Authors: Kim In Sung , Teixeira Bruno O. S. , Chandrasekar Jaganath , Bernstein Dennis S.
Published: November 2009

We consider reduced‐order and subspace state estimators for linear discrete‐time systems with possibly time‐varying dynamics. The reduced‐order and subspace estimators are obtained using a finite‐horizon minimization approach, and thus do not require the solution of algebraic Lyapunov or Riccati equations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Stabilization of uncertain chained nonholonomic systems using adaptive output feedback
Authors: Yuan Z. P. , Wang Z. P. , Chen Q. J.
Published: November 2009

In this paper, adaptive output feedback control is presented to solve the stabilization problem of nonholonomic systems in chained form with strong nonlinear drifts and uncertain parameters using output signals only. The objective is to design adaptive nonlinear output feedback laws which can steer the closed‐loop systems to globally converge to the origin, while the estimated parameters remain bounded. The proposed systematic strategy combines input‐state scaling with backstepping technique. Motivated from a special case, adaptive output feedback controllers are proposed for a class of uncertain chained systems. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controllers. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Mean square exponential stability of generalized stochastic neural networks with time‐varying delays
Authors: Yu Jianjiang , Zhang Kanjian , Fei Shumin
Published: November 2009

In this paper, the mean square exponential stability problem is dealt with a class of uncertain generalized stochastic neural networks with time‐varying delays. By introducing a new Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional, improved delay‐dependent stability criteria are established in terms of linear matrix inequalities. The activation functions are assumed to be of more general descriptions, which generalize and improve those earlier methods. Finally, a numerical example is given to show that our results are less conservative and more efficient than the existing stability criteria. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Fast adaptive fault estimation and accommodation for nonlinear time‐varying delay systems
Authors: Zhang Ke , Jiang Bin , Cocquempot Vincent
Published: November 2009

This paper studies the problem of fault estimation and accommodation for a class of nonlinear time‐varying delay systems using adaptive fault diagnosis observer (AFDO). A novel fast adaptive fault estimation algorithm that does not need the derivative of the output vector is proposed to enhance the performance of fault estimation. Meanwhile, a delay‐dependent criteria is obtained based on free weighting matrix method with the purpose of reducing the conservatism of the AFDO design. On the basis of fault estimation, an observer‐based fault‐tolerant controller is designed to guarantee the stability of the closed‐loop system. In terms of matrix inequality, we derive sufficient conditions for the existence of the adaptive observer and fault‐tolerant controller. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed method. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
A direct control scheme based on recurrent fuzzy neural networks for the UPFC series branch
Authors: Ma Tsao‐Tsung
Published: November 2009

In this paper, a new control scheme using recurrent fuzzy neural controllers is proposed for the series branch of the unified power flow controller (UPFC) to improve the dynamic performance of real‐time power flow control functions with the aim of reducing the inevitable interaction between the real and reactive power flow control parameters. To simplify the theoretical analysis of the coupled dynamics within the UPFC and the controlled power system, the three phase description of a two‐bus test power system embedded with a UPFC is transformed intod−qcomponents based on a synchronously rotating reference frame. For control systems with inherent nonlinear coupling features, a feed‐forward control scheme based on fuzzy neural controllers is developed to realize the decoupling control objectives. Based on the simulation results, the proposed control scheme is able to overcome the drawbacks of the traditional power flow controllers designed on small disturbance linearizing methods. Comprehensive simulation results on theEMTDC/PSCADandMATLABprograms are presented and discussed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Application of two‐loop robust control to air‐conditioning systems
Authors: Huang Gongsheng , Dexter Arthur L. , Wang Shengwei
Published: November 2009

This paper presents the design and application of a two‐loop robust controller for temperature control in air‐conditioning systems. A Takagi‐Sugeno fuzzy model with uncertain local models is developed to describe the associated nonlinearities and uncertainties in the operation of the air handling units. Parallel distributed compensation is used to design the global control law. The local control law consists of two loops: an inner‐loop integral controller and an outer‐loop min‐max predictive controller with short prediction horizon. A discounting scheme is developed to weight the contribution of the two loops. Experimental results are presented which show that the proposed strategy can achieve acceptable control performance with a minimum of onsite tuning. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Output feedback stabilization for a class of stochastic non‐linear systems with delays in input
Authors: Feng Jun‐e , Xu Shengyuan
Published: November 2009

In this paper, constructive techniques are developed for a class of stochastic non‐linear systems with delays in input. Non‐linear terms considered in this paper are more general than those satisfying linear growth conditions. The purpose is to design an output feedback controller such that the resulting closed‐loop system is globally asymptotically stable in probability. The desired output feedback controller is explicitly constructed using the Lyapunov method. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Gyrification patterns in monozygotic twin pairs varying in discordance for autism
Authors: Kates Wendy R. , Ikuta Ichiro , Burnette Courtney P.
Published: November 2009

In order to disentangle genetic and environmental contributions to cortical anomalies in children with autism, we investigated cortical folding patterns in a cohort of 14 monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs who displayed a range of phenotypic discordance for autism, and 14 typically developing community controls. Cortical folding was assessed with the gyrification index, which was calculated on high resolution anatomic MR images. We found that the cortical folding patterns across most lobar regions of the cerebral cortex was highly discordant within MZ twin pairs. In addition, children with autism and their co‐twins exhibited increased cortical folding in the right parietal lobe, relative to age‐ and gender‐matched typical developing children. Increased folding in the right parietal lobe was associated with more symptoms of autism for co‐twins. Finally, the robust association between cortical folding and IQ observed in typical children was not observed in either children with autism or their co‐twins. These findings, which contribute to our understanding of the limits of genetic liability in autism, suggest that anomalies in the structural integrity of the cortex in this PDD may disrupt the association between cortical folding and intelligence that has been reported in typical individuals, and may account, in part, for the deficits in visual spatial attention and in social cognition that have been reported in children with autism.
Synergistic effects of homocysteine,S‐adenosylhomocysteine and adenosine on apoptosis in BV‐2 murine microglial cells
Authors: Lin Hung‐Chi , Yang Chih‐Min , Liu Cheng‐Ling , Hu Miao‐Lin
Published: November 2009

Homocysteine (Hcy), S‐adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) and adenosine (Ado) are methionine metabolism intermediates that may act synergistically in certain disease. In this study, we examined whether HCy, SAH and Ado may synergistically induce neuronal apoptosis of BV‐2 microglial cells. We found that an incubation of BV‐2 cells with 1 mM Hcy, 1 μM SAH and 100 μM Ado (SAH + Hcy + Ado) led to marked apoptosis of BV‐2 cells, as evidenced by several markers of apoptosis. A synergistic effect of SAH + Hcy + Ado on apoptosis (2.55‐fold,P<0.05) was obtained, as calculated using the data of Annexin V‐positive cells. This combination markedly induced intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) starting at 6 h and significantly decreased the mitochondrial potential starting at 12 h. The combination significantly elevated caspase‐9 and caspase‐3 activities at 24 and 48 h. The combination also induced hypomethylation (at 24 and 48 h), as indicated by significantly decreased 5‐methyldeoxycytidine levels and SAM/SAH ratios. Pre‐incubation of cells with α‐tocopherol (30 μM) reduced the increase of ROS (at 6 h) and significantly restored cell viability (at 24 and 48 h) in the SAH + Hcy + Ado group. Overall, the present study demonstrates that SAH, Hcy and Ado synergistically induce BV‐2 apoptosis, possibly by generation of ROS and induction of intracellular hypomethylation.
Beneficial effects of nicotinamide on alcohol‐induced liver injury in senescence‐accelerated mice
Authors: Chen Yu‐Hsuan , Wang Ming‐Fu , Liao Jiunn‐Wang , Chang Shih‐Pei , Hu Miao‐Lin
Published: November 2009

The deleterious effects of ethanol in senescence‐accelerated prone 8 mice (SAMP8) and the protective role of nicotinamide (NAM) against ethanol‐induced liver injury were examined. The mice were orally administered 2 g ethanol /kg BW and 200 mg or 500 mg NAM/kg BW three times/week for 10 weeks. Results showed that ethanol elevated activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) significantly. Ethanol also enhanced the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyls in the liver, whereas ethanol treatment resulted in significantly lower activity of hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Hematoxylin and eosin staining indicated moderate to severe fatty infiltration but not fibrosis. Administration of high NAM (500 mg/kg BW) led to markedly decreased levels of hepatic MDA, protein carbonyls, fatty infiltration and the activity of ALT, and increased activity of GPx, catalase and SOD in the ethanol‐fed group. Thus, using SAMP8 as animal model for ethanol‐induced liver injury in the aged mice, this study demonstrates that NAM is effective in protecting such damage.
Oxidative damage markers and antioxidants in patients with acute myocardial infarction and their clinical significance
Authors: Hung‐Yao Ho  , Gu Po‐Wen , Wang Yi‐Li , Li Jui‐Ming , Chiu Daniel Tsun‐Yee , Cheng Mei‐Ling , Chen Chin‐Ming
Published: November 2009

Oxidative stress has been associated with degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the major cause of death among cardiovascular diseases. Inflammation, major risk factor of AMI, is associated with leukocytic activation, secretion of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and subsequent oxidant generation. It has been hypothesized that oxidative stress is a risk factor for AMI. To test this hypothesis, we studied profiles of oxidative damage and antioxidants in patients with AMI. The levels of MPO, 8‐OHdG, and 3‐Cl‐Tyr were higher in blood specimens from AMI patients than in those of controls. Antioxidant levels, such as vitamin E and glutathione peroxidase, were significantly lower in these patients. The GSH/GSSG ratio, indicative of redox status, was also lower in AMI patients. Such findings suggest that these AMI patients experience increased oxidative stress. Moreover, markers in combination are better for evaluating antioxidant status and monitoring cardiac events than the same markers used separately.
Liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry in metabolite profiling
Authors: Juo Chiun‐Gung , Chiu Daniel Tsun‐Yee , Shiao Ming‐Shi
Published: November 2009

Recent advances in the use of liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry for the study of metabolomics are reviewed. Sample preparations of biofluids and practical aspects of ultra‐high pressure liquid chromatography are discussed. Applicability of different kinds of mass spectrometers for metabolite profiling is described. New tools‐ion mobility spectroscopy and automated chip‐based nanoelectrospray system with potentials to be applied in the metabolomics analysis are described.
Differential effects of redox‐cycling and arylating quinones on trans‐plasma membrane electron transport
Authors: Tan An S. , Berridge Michael V.
Published: November 2009

Cytotoxicity of quinones has been attributed to free radical generation and to arylation of cellular nucleophiles. For redox‐cycling quinones, cell injury is associated with mitochondrial permeability transition, whereas arylating quinones directly depolarise the mitochondrial membrane and deplete ATP. Like mitochondrial electron transport, plasma membrane electron transport (PMET), plays a multifaceted role in cellular redox homeostasis but the effects of quinones on PMET are unknown. Here we investigate the effects of redox‐cycling 2,3‐dimethoxy‐1,4‐naphthoquinone (DMNQ), arylating 1,4‐benzoquinone (BQ) and mixed mechanism 2‐methyl‐1,4‐naphthoquinone (MNQ) on PMET, viability and growth of P815 mouse mastocytoma cells.

BQ and MNQ rapidly and extensively inhibited PMET as determined by WST‐1 /mPMS reduction (IC50 3.5‐5 μMat 30 min) whereas the effects of DMNQ were less pronounced. In contrast, MTT reduction (cytosolic NADH dehydrogenase activity over 30 min) was weakly inhibited by BQ (IC50 20 μM) but not by MNQ or DMNQ and cell viability was unaffected. Inhibition of WST‐1/mPMS reduction by BQ and MNQ but not DMNQ was fully reversed by NAC. Treatment with DMNQ, MNQ and to a lesser extent BQ inhibited cell proliferation as determined by MTT reduction at 48 h. The effects of BQ and MNQ were reversed by NAC through covalent bonding to BQ and MNQ, but not DMNQ. These results show that arylating quinones are more potent inhibitors of PMET than pure redox‐cycling quinones, but that redox‐cycling quinones are more cytotoxic.
Cancer type‐specific tNOX isoforms: A putative family of redox protein splice variants with cancer diagnostic and prognostic potential
Authors: Morré D. James , Kim Chinpal , Hostetler Brandon , Weston Nicole , M. Morré Dorothy
Published: November 2009

A proteomics approach with detection on western blots using an S‐peptide tagged pan‐tNOX (ENOX2) recombinant (scFv) antibody followed by alkaline phosphatase‐linked anti S has revealed a family of more than 20 ENOX2 isoforms of varying molecular weights (34 to 94 kDa) and mostly of low isoelectric points (4.6 ± 0.7) based on serum analysis. Different isoforms characterize cancers of different tissue origins indicative of both cancer presence and tissue site of origin. ENOX2 proteins are cancer‐associated and differ from constitutive (CNOX or ENOX1) proteins primarily by the absence of a drug binding site to which the cancer‐specific scFv is directed. All are located on the cell surface where they function both as terminal oxidases for plasma membrane electron transport and carry out protein disulfide‐thiol interchange. These proteins are shed into the blood and can also be found in urine. The tNOX isoform technology is under development as a clinical aid to identify unknown or uncertain primary cancers, evaluation of metastatic spread in post surgery patients, monitoring remission following cessation of therapy and for early diagnosis in at‐risk populations.
Age‐related ENOX protein (arNOX) activity correlated with oxidative skin damage in the elderly
Authors: Morré Dorothy M. , Meadows Christaan , Hostetler Brandon , Weston Nicole , Kern Dale , Draelos Zoe , Morré D. James
Published: November 2009

ENOX proteins with an oscillatory pattern of production of superoxide (measured by ferricytochrome c reduction) and with a period length of 26 min increase linearity with age beginning at about 30 y to a maximum of about age 60. The proteins are shed and appear in serum, saliva and urine. Enhanced arNOX activity correlates with age and with oxidative changes contributing to skin aging. Topical cosmetic preparations containing substances that block arNOX activity are under evaluation to reduce visible symptoms of skin aging.
PLS‐trees®, a top‐down clustering approach
Authors: Eriksson Lennart , Trygg Johan , Wold Svante
Published: November 2009

A hierarchical clustering approach based on a set of PLS models is presented. Called PLS‐Trees®, this approach is analogous to classification and regression trees (CART), but uses the scores of PLS regression models as the basis for splitting the clusters, instead of the individual X‐variables. The split of one cluster into two is made along the sorted first X‐score (t1) of a PLS model of the cluster, but may potentially be made along a direction corresponding to a combination of scores. The position of the split is selected according to the improvement of a weighted combination of (a) the variance of the X‐score, (b) the variance of Y and (c) a penalty function discouraging an unbalanced split with very different numbers of observations. Cross‐validation is used to terminate the branches of the tree, and to determine the number of components of each cluster PLS model. Some obvious extensions of the approach to OPLS‐Trees and trees based on hierarchical PLS or OPLS models with the variables divided in blocks depending on their type, are also mentioned. The possibility to greatly reduce the number of variables in each PLS model on the basis of their PLS w‐coefficients is also pointed out. The approach is illustrated by means of three examples. The first two examples are quantitative structure‐activity relationship (QSAR) data sets, while the third is based on hyper‐spectral images of liver tissue for identifying different sources of variability in the liver samples. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vesicle Budding and the Origin of Cellular Life
Authors: Svetina Saša
Published: November 2009

This Minireview provides an appropriate opportunity to demonstrate the connection between the results of some early experimental and theoretical investigations of vesicle budding and the more recent application of the concepts developed there to the process of vesicle self‐reproduction. Herein, we also explain why vesicle budding could have preceded the establishment of cellular life.
Loss of Wnt8b has no overt effect on hippocampus development but leads to altered Wnt gene expression levels in dorsomedial telencephalon
Authors: Fotaki Vassiliki , Larralde Osmany , Zeng Shaoju , McLaughlin David , Nichols Jennifer , Price David J. , Theil Thomas , Mason John O.
Published: November 2009

Wnt signalling proteins regulate many aspects of animal development. We have investigated the function of mouse Wnt8b during forebrain development. Wnt8b is expressed in a highly restricted pattern including the prospective hippocampus and hypothalamus. Mutant mice lacking Wnt8b are viable and healthy. The size and morphology of the hippocampus appeared normal in mutant embryos and adults, and we found no evidence of hypothalamic defects in mutants. Wnt8b is also expressed in the neurogenic region of the adult dentate gyrus, however, cell proliferation was unchanged in Wnt8b−/− mutants. Mutant embryos did, however, display altered levels of expression of other Wnt genes normally expressed in forebrain. The spatial expression patterns of other Wnt genes and the overall level of canonical Wnt activity were indistinguishable from wild‐types. Thus, loss of Wnt8b does not give rise to an overt morphological phenotype, but does affect expression levels of other Wnts in developing forebrain. Developmental Dynamics 239:284–296, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Asator, a tau‐tubulin kinase homolog inDrosophilalocalizes to the mitotic spindle
Authors: Qi Hongying , Yao Changfu , Cai Weili , Girton Jack , Johansen Kristen M. , Johansen Jørgen
Published: November 2009

We have used a yeast two‐hybrid interaction assay to identify Asator, a tau‐tubulin kinase homolog inDrosophilathat interacts directly with the spindle matrix protein Megator. Using immunocytochemical labeling by an Asator‐specific mAb as well as by transgenic expression of a GFP‐labeled Asator construct, we show that Asator is localized to the cytoplasm during interphase but redistributes to the spindle region during mitosis. Determination of transcript levels using qRT‐PCR suggested that Asator is expressed throughout development but at relatively low levels. By P‐element excision, we generated a null or strong hypomorphicAsatorexcallele that resulted in complete adult lethality when homozygous, indicating thatAsatoris an essential gene. That the observed lethality was caused by impaired Asator function was further supported by the partial restoration of viability by transgenic expression of Asator‐GFP in theAsatorexchomozygous mutant background. The finding that Asator localizes to the spindle region during mitosis and directly can interact with Megator suggests that its kinase activity may be involved in regulating microtubule dynamics and microtubule spindle function. Developmental Dynamics 238:3248–3256, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chondroitin sulfate expression is required for cardiac atrioventricular canal formation
Authors: Peal David S. , Burns C. Geoffrey , Macrae Calum A. , Milan David
Published: November 2009

Defects in cardiac valvulogenesis are a common cause of congenital heart disease, and the study of this process promises to provide mechanistic insights and lead to novel therapeutics. Normal valve development involves multiple signaling pathways, and recently roles have been identified for extracellular matrix components, including glycosaminoglycans. We, therefore, explored the role of the glycosaminoglycan chondroitin sulfate during zebrafish cardiac development. Beginning at 33 hr, there is a distinct zone of chondroitin sulfate expression in the atrioventricular (AV) boundary, in the cardiac jelly between the endocardium and myocardium. This expression is both spatially and temporally restricted, and is undetectable after 48 hr. Chemical as well as genetic inhibition of chondroitin synthesis results in AV canal (AVC) defects, including loss of the atrioventricular constriction, blood regurgitation, and failure of circulation. Lack of chondroitin disrupts a marker of cell migration, results in a loss of myocardial and endothelial markers of valvulogenesis, and misregulates bone morphogenetic protein expression, supporting an early role in AVC development. In summary, we have defined a requirement for chondroitin sulfate expression in the normal patterning of the AV boundary, suggesting that this component of the cardiac jelly provides a necessary signal in this critical transition in vertebrate cardiogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 238:3103–3110, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Muscleblind‐like 1 is a negative regulator of TGF‐β‐dependent epithelial–mesenchymal transition of atrioventricular canal endocardial cells
Authors: Vajda Natalie A. , Brimacombe Kyle R. , LeMasters Kathryn E. , Ladd Andrea N.
Published: November 2009

The development of the valves and septa of the heart depends on the formation and remodeling of endocardial cushions. Here, we report that the alternative splicing regulator muscleblind‐like 1 (MBNL1) exhibits a regionally restricted pattern of expression in canal region endocardium and ventricular myocardium during endocardial cushion development in chicken. Knockdown of MBNL1 in atrioventricular explants leads to a transforming growth factor β‐dependent increase in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of endocardial cells. This reveals a novel role for MBNL1 during embryonic development, and represents the first evidence that an alternative splicing regulator is a key player in endocardial cushion development. Developmental Dynamics 238:3266–3272, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structural Consequences in α‐ and β‐Glucopyranosidato Complexes of Cp*TiCl3
Authors: Schwidom Dirk , Zeysing Daniela , Schmidt Michael , Heck Jürgen
Published: November 2009

The reaction of methyl‐4,6‐O‐(naphthyl‐2′‐methylidene)‐α‐D‐glucopyranoside (α‐MeNGH2) with trichloridopentamethylcyclopentadienyltitanium [Cp*TiCl3] and triethylamine in toluene reveals the dinuclear complex [(Cp*TiCl)‐μ‐(α‐MeNG)]2 (2). Complex 2 was characterized by elemental analysis, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, circular dichroism, as well as single‐crystal structure analysis. Compared to the complex with the β‐anomer of the ligand in [(Cp*TiCl)‐μ‐(β‐MeNG)]2 (1), it is obvious that the absolute configuration of the Ti atoms in 2 have changed. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Characteristic Structures and Photophysical Properties of Nine‐Coordinate Europium(III) Complexes with Tandem‐Connected Tridentate Phosphane Oxide Ligands (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 32/2009)
Authors: Miyata Kohei , Hasegawa Yasuchika , Kuramochi Yusuke , Nakagawa Tetsuya , Yokoo Toshiaki , Kawai Tsuyoshi
Published: November 2009

The cover picture shows a red‐luminescent EuIII complex with a tandem‐connected tridentate phosphane oxide ligand. The coordination geometries of EuIII complexes with tridentate phosphane oxides provide characteristic distorted, capped square‐antiprism structures with nine coordinating oxygen atoms. EuIII complexes with tridentate phosphane oxides offer relatively high emission quantum yields as a result of their low‐symmetric and low‐vibrational frequency structures. The characteristic structures and photophysical properties of polyhedral f‐block metal complexes, nine‐coordinate EuIII complexes with tridentate phosphane oxides, are demonstrated for the first time. Details are discussed in the article by Y. Hasegawa, T. Kawai et al. on p. 4777 ff.
Catechol‐Based Macrocyclic Rods: En Route to Redox‐Active Molecular Switches
Authors: Weibel Nicolas , Mishchenko Artem , Wandlowski Thomas , Neuburger Markus , Leroux Yann , Mayor Marcel
Published: November 2009

The design and synthesis of the macrocyclic turnstile 1 comprising a terminally sulfur‐functionalized molecular rod and a redox‐active catechol subunit is described. The shape‐persistent macrocyclic scaffold consists of alternating arylene and ethynylene units. A freely rotating 2,6‐diethynyl‐catechol subunit is clamped between both terminal arylene subunits as molecular turnstile. While the electrochemical switching between the catechol and the quinone form of this catechol subunit is displayed by cyclic voltammetry, conformational rearrangements by favoring and disfavoring the formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonds are the subject of current investigations. Terminal acetyl‐protected sulfur anchor groups enabled the immobilization of the macrocycle between an Au tip and an Au substrate of a STM set‐up. Preliminary single‐molecule transport investigations of the turnstile 1 display comparable values as for the parent molecular rod. An electrochemically‐controlled single‐molecule transport experiment to investigate redox‐state‐dependent transport properties is currently under way.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
1,1′‐Binaphthyl‐2,2′‐diamine‐Based Chiral Phosphorous Triamides: Synthesis and Application in Asymmetric Catalysis
Authors: Barta Katalin , Eggenstein Matthias , Hölscher Markus , Franciò Giancarlo , Leitner Walter
Published: November 2009

A set of chiral monodentate phosphorous triamides (PTA) comprising 1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2,2′‐diamine as the common moiety have been synthesised. Electronic and steric tuning of the ligands was achieved by variation of the substituents at the diamine nitrogen atoms by incorporating methyl, p‐tolyl and tosyl groups. Both chiral and achiral building blocks were used as monoamine components. Notably, (11bR)‐3,5‐dimethyl‐N,N‐bis[(S)‐1‐phenylethyl]‐3,5‐dihydro‐4H‐dinaphtho[2,1‐d:1′,2′‐f][1,3,2]diazaphosphepin‐4‐amine, which is the PTA most closely related to the Feringa phosphoramidite ligand, was synthesised and characterised by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. This PTA displays increased conformational rigidity in comparison with the corresponding phosphoramidite and adopts a C1‐symmetric structure both in the solid state and in solution, even at room temperature. The new PTA ligands were used in the copper‐catalysed conjugate addition of diethylzinc to cyclohex‐2‐enone and the nickel‐catalysed hydrovinylation of styrene giving good activities and chemoselectivities at moderate enantioselectivities in both reactions. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Discussion of ‘Seismic behavior of a single‐story asymmetric‐plan buildings under uniaxial excitation’ by A. Lucchini, G. Monti and S. Kunnath
Authors: Humar Jag Mohan , Fazileh Farrokh
Published: November 2009

This discussion examines the conclusion reached in the paper that in a single‐story asymmetric‐plan building the maximum displacement demand in the different resisting elements is reached for the same deformation configuration of the system and that the resultant of the seismic forces producing such demand is located at the center of resistance. It is shown that this conclusion is valid only for the particular model studied and cannot be generalized. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complementary and alternative medicine use in patients presenting to a head and neck oncology clinic
Authors: Vyas Tarren , Hart Robert D. , Trites Jonathan R. , Philips Timothy J. , Archibald Kathleen E. M. , Phillips Judith E. , Taylor S. Mark
Published: November 2009

Background

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among patients presenting to a head and neck oncology clinic prior to a diagnosis.

Methods

The study was conducted by administering questionnaires to 102 patients after being seen in the Head and Neck Oncology clinic for their initial consultation. The questionnaire assessed the extent of CAM use, types of CAMs used, and their reasons for use.

Results

A total of 132 CAMs were currently being used among 56 patients. The most common CAMs in use were multivitamins (26/132) and vitamin D (21/132). Meditation and yoga were associated with the greatest perceived benefit. The majority of patients obtained their information from family and friends. Most patients were using CAMs for physical health and well‐being.

Conclusion

As CAM use among the population is widespread, it is important for clinicians to specifically address their use on initial presentation. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010
A spatially advancing turbulent flow and heat transfer in a curved channel
Authors: Matsubara Koji , Matsui Akihiko , Miura Takahiro , Sakurai Atsushi , Suto Hitoshi , Kawai Koji
Published: November 2009

Direct numerical simulation was performed for a spatially advancing turbulent flow and heat transfer in a two‐dimensional curved channel, where one wall was heated to a constant temperature and the other wall was cooled to a different constant temperature. In the simulation, fully developed flow and temperature from the straight‐channel driver was passed through the inlet of the curved‐channel domain. The frictional Reynolds number was assigned 150, and the Prandtl number was given 0.71. Since the flow field was examined in the previous paper, the thermal features are mainly targeted in this paper. The turbulent heat flux showed trends consistent with a growing process of large‐scale vortices. In the curved part, the wall‐normal component of the turbulent heat flux was twice as large as the counterpart in the straight part, suggesting active heat transport of large‐scale vortices. In the inner side of the same section, temperature fluctuation was abnormally large compared with the modest fluctuation of the wall‐normal velocity. This was caused by the combined effect of the large‐scale motion of the vortices and the wide variation of the mean temperature; in such a temperature distribution, large‐scale ejection of the hot fluid near the outer wall, which is transported into the near inner‐wall region, should have a large impact on the thermal boundary layer near the inner wall. Wave number decomposition was conducted for various statistics, which showed that the contribution of the large‐scale vortex to the total turbulent heat flux normal to the wall reached roughly 80% inside the channel 135° downstream from the curved‐channel inlet. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20275
Solidification of binary aqueous solution cooled from above
Authors: Kimura Shigeo , Nohara Yohei , Kiwata Takahiro , Komatsu Nobuyoshi
Published: November 2009

Freezing and melting phenomena are important in many different fields, including crystal growth, casting, metallurgy, geophysics, and oceanography. Solidification of a multi‐component solution is the one often observed in nature. In order to investigate basic features of the freezing processes of binary systems, we conducted a series of laboratory experiments in a rectangular box cooled from above using aqueous NaNO3 solution. During the freezing, the solid phase always grows into many needle‐like crystals called the mushy layer. We measured the growth of the mushy layer thickness, the solid fraction, the temperature, and the concentration distributions. The average solid fraction is found to increase with time in the mushy layer. This causes a slow descent of the released solute in the mushy layer and its eventual fall into the liquid region below because of gravity. We propose a one‐dimensional model to explain the horizontally‐averaged mushy layer growth. In the model, the estimate of a heat flux at the mushy‐liquid interface due to natural convection is found essential for a correct prediction. The proposed theory predicts well the growth of the mushy‐layer and the average solid fraction, once the convective heat flux is properly given. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20278
Effect of non‐uniformity of flow on velocity and turbulence intensities over a cobble‐bed
Authors: Afzalimehr Hossein
Published: November 2009

Non‐uniform flows encompassing both accelerating and decelerating flows over a cobble‐bed flume have been experimentally investigated in a flume at a scale of intermediate relative submergence. Measurements of mean longitudinal flow velocity u, and determinations of turbulence intensities u′, v′, w′, and Reynolds shear stress −ufwf have been made. The longitudinal velocity distribution was divided into the inner zone close to the bed and the outer zone far from the bed. In the inner zone of the boundary layer (near the bed) the velocity profile closely followed the ‘Log Law’; however, in the outer zone the velocity distribution deviated from the Log Law consistently for both accelerating and decelerating flows and the changes in bed slopes ranging from −2% to + 2% had no considerable effect on the outer zone. For a constant bed slope (S = ±0·015), the larger the flow rate, the smaller the turbulence intensities. However, no detectable pattern has been observed for u′, v′ and w′ distributions near the bed. Likewise, for a constant flow rate (Q = 0·040 m3/s), with variation in bed slope the longitudinal turbulent intensity profile in the longitudinal direction remained concave for both accelerating and decelerating flows; whereas vertical turbulent intensity (w′) profile presented no specific form. The results reveal that the positions of maximum values of turbulence intensities and the Reynolds shear stress depend not only on the flow structure (accelerating or decelerating) but also on the intermediate relative submergence scale. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.