bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combining high-speed laser perforation and cold roll forming for the production of biomedical microfiltration membranes
Authors: Baumeister M. , Dickmann K. , Hoult A. P.
Published: December 2006

A novel high speed two-step technique capable of performing large matrices of very small pores with micron dimensions in large sheets of thin stainless steel foils has been developed. This process combination is initiated by high-speed “on-the-fly” laser perforation. A 100 W fiber laser is capable of a very high drilling rate making it an attractive option for the creation of large drilling matrices and pore widths <20 μm. The second step consists in cold-roll forming of the previously laser microperforated foil. This mechanically induced plastic deformation leads to a pore size reduction in one dimension perpendicular to the rolling direction. The minimum pore width determines the filtration parameters and the 5 μm pore width achieved here is well suited for the removal of spherical particles.
Diploid potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) as a model crop to study transgene expression
Authors: Nadolska-Orczyk Anna , Pietrusinska Aleksandra , Binka-Wyrwa Agnieszka , Kuc Dominik , Orczyk Wacław
Published: December 2006

This paper presents a method of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation for two diploid breeding lines of potato, and gives a detailed analysis of reporter gene expression. In our lab, these lines were also used to obtain tetraploid somatic hybrids. We tested four newly prepared constructs based on the pGreen vector system containing the selection gene nptII or bar under the 35S or nos promoter. All these vectors carried gus under 35S. We also tested the pDM805 vector, with the bar and gus genes respectively under the Ubi1 and Act1 promoters, which are strong for monocots. The selection efficiency (about 17%) was highest in the stem and leaf explants after transformation with pGreen where nptII was under 35S. About half of the selected plants were confirmed via PCR and Southern blot analysis to be transgenic and, depending on the combination, 0 to 100% showed GUS expression. GUS expression was strongest in multi-copy transgenic plants where gus was under Act1. The same potato lines carrying multi-copy bar under Ubi1 were also highly resistant to the herbicide Basta. The suggestion of using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of diploid lines of potato as a model crop is discussed herein.
Effect of MAO A deficiency on different kinds of aggression and social investigation in mice
Authors: Vishnivetskaya Galina B. , Skrinskaya Julia A. , Seif Isabelle , Popova Nina K.
Published: December 2006

Monoamine oxidase A (MAO A) degrades serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline, factors critically involved in the regulation of aggression. Different kinds of aggression were investigated in Tg8, a transgenic mouse strain lacking a functional MAO A gene. MAO A‐deficient mice differ from wild‐type C3H/HeJ (C3H) in terms of showing higher territorial, predatory and isolation‐induced aggression. Tg8 demonstrated shorter latencies to cricket killing and to the first attack after 6 weeks isolation than C3H mice. In the resident–intruder paradigm, MAO A‐lacking mice were more aggressive than C3H when tested as intruders. In contrast to C3H, attack in Tg8 mice did not depend on different aggressiveness of intruders of BALB/c, A/Sn and C3H strains. Tg8 mice displayed no increase in aggression but demonstrated reduced social investigation towards anesthetized, as well as towards juvenile BALB/c males. Thus, MAO A deficiency in Tg8 mice is accompanied by increased expression of different kinds of aggression, as well as by disruption of normal pattern of social interaction. Aggr. Behav. 33:1–6, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A preliminary examination of the intergenerational continuity of maternal psychopathic features
Authors: Loney Bryan R. , Huntenburg Angela , Counts‐Allan Carla , Schmeelk Kelly M.
Published: December 2006

The study provided a preliminary test of the intergenerational continuity of maternal psychopathic features in a non‐referred elementary aged sample of children. Consistent with dominant etiological models and recent behavioral genetics research, a direct association was expected between maternal and child affective features of psychopathy (i.e., callous–unemotional or CU traits). Potential mediators representative of alternative transmission mechanisms were assessed including parenting dysfunction, parental hostility/interpersonal insensitivity, and child impulsivity. Behavioral features of psychopathy were also assessed and were predicted to bear weaker and more indirect parent–child associations. A mixed sex sample of 83 children accompanied by a biological mother were administered a multi‐informant rating‐scale battery including separate parent (i.e., Levenson Self‐Report Psychopathy Scale) and child (i.e., Antisocial Process Screening Device) measures of psychopathy. Consistent with prediction, a significant association was documented between maternal and child CU traits (r=.22). Additionally, a slightly weaker association and statistical trend (r=.21) was observed in the relation between maternal and child interpersonal features of the psychopathy construct. Contrary to prediction, all documented associations were fully mediated by parental hostility and parenting dysfunction. Given the preliminary nature of study findings, implications for developmental modeling and future intergenerational continuity research are discussed. Aggr. Behav. 33:14–25, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss; Inc.
Empathy and conflict resolution in friendship relations among adolescents
Authors: de Wied Minet , Branje Susan J.T. , Meeus Wim H.J.
Published: December 2006

The present study addressed empathy's role in conflict resolution within the context of adolescent same‐sex friendship relations. Self‐report questionnaires were used to assess dispositional affective empathy and conflict resolution styles (problem solving, conflict engagement, withdrawal and compliance). The data of 307 adolescents (149 boys, 158 girls) were included in a multigroup path analysis with sex as a moderator variable. In agreement with the hypothesis that higher levels of dispositional empathy are associated with more successful conflict management, dispositional affective empathy was found to be positively linked to problem solving and negatively linked to conflict engagement among adolescent boys and girls. Dispositional affective empathy was not related to the two more passive strategies (withdrawal and compliance). Sex differences were demonstrated in empathic tendencies, with girls being more empathic than boys. Sex differences were also established in conflict resolution strategies, with girls using problem solving, withdrawal and compliance more frequently than boys. Both sexes scored equally low on conflict engagement, however, and were found to prefer problem solving to all other conflict resolution strategies. Findings are discussed in terms of previous research on empathy and conflict resolution. Aggr. Behav. 33:48–55, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss; Inc.
Insight into illness and adherence to psychotropic medications are separately associated with violence severity in a forensic sample
Authors: Alia‐Klein Nelly , O'Rourke Thomas M. , Goldstein Rita Z. , Malaspina Dolores
Published: December 2006

Violence towards others by a minority of psychotic individuals is a significant public health concern. The severity of this other‐directed violence (ODV) in the community may be influenced by insight into illness and adherence to psychotropic medications; however, few studies have tested these associations. Sixty male psychotic inpatients, legally detained at a forensic unit in New York City, were assessed with semi‐structured interviews, supplemented with information from hospital and official records, family members and the treating clinician. Results indicated that in this unique sample of detained persons with psychotic disorders; (1) increase in the severity of community violence is associated with medication non‐adherence, all dimensions of poor insight into illness, and several previously reported covariates such as substance use comorbidity; (2) no relationship was found between insight and adherence in this particular sample; (3) multivariate analyses showed that select covariates, along with medication adherence, and select insight domains predicted a total of 73% of the magnitude of ODV behavior in this sample. Overall, medication non‐adherence explained a large amount of how violently participants behaved toward others. Since non‐adherence was independent of poor insight, it may be more worthwhile for clinicians to develop treatment strategies to target medication adherence without directly addressing an elusive target such as insight into illness. Treatment addressing medication adherence needs to concomitantly target substance use behaviors since the latter was responsible for a substantial increase in ODV. Aggr. Behav. 33:86–96, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phosphate Recognition in Structural Biology
Authors: Hirsch Anna K. H. , Fischer Felix R. , Diederich François
Published: December 2006

Drug‐discovery research in the past decade has seen an increased selection of targets with phosphate recognition sites, such as protein kinases and phosphatases, in the past decade. This review attempts, with the help of database‐mining tools, to give an overview of the most important principles in molecular recognition of phosphate groups by enzymes. A total of 3003 X‐ray crystal structures from the RCSB Protein Data Bank with bound organophosphates has been analyzed individually, in particular for H‐bonding interactions between proteins and ligands. The various known binding motifs for phosphate binding are reviewed, and similarities to phosphate complexation by synthetic receptors are highlighted. An analysis of the propensities of amino acids in various classes of phosphate‐binding enzymes showed characteristic distributions of amino acids used for phosphate binding. This review demonstrates that structure‐based lead development and optimization should carefully address the phosphate‐binding‐site environment and also proposes new alternatives for filling such sites.
Cover Picture: Inclusion of Cavitands and Calix[4]arenes into a Metallobridged para‐(1H‐Imidazo[4,5‐f][3,8]phenanthrolin‐2‐yl)‐Expanded Calix[4]arene (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 1‐2/2007)
Authors: Botana Enrique , Da Silva Eric , Benet‐Buchholz Jordi , Ballester Pablo , de Mendoza Javier
Published: December 2006

Hunter and hunted is not only a principle of nature but is also found in host–guest systems. J. de Mendoza and co‐workers describe in their Communication on page 198 ff. how a host molecule (a small calix[4]arene or cavitand) can itself become the “prey” for a larger host (a metallocavitand made from a calix[4]arene with [3,8]phenanthroline subunits linked through Re atoms). The cover picture shows the complexation of a cavitand (by P. Ballester) superimposed on an underwater picture at Cap Andritxol, Mallorca (by E. Botana).
The effect of heating–cooling cycles on PTCC and NTCC made of FEF/NBR composites
Authors: El Eraki M. H. I. , El Lawindy A. M. Y. , Hassan H. H. , Mahmoud W. E.
Published: December 2006

Electrically conductive acrylonitrile butadiene rubber compounds filled with different concentrations of fast extrusion furnace black were experimentally investigated. The percolation concentration of the investigated composites was found to be 65 phr. Samples below percolation concentration are PTCC and above percolation concentration are NTCC. Sample N70 that belongs to the percolation concentration exhibits NTCC and PTCC. The effect of heating–cooling cycles shows that samples with high concentration have small hysteresis compared with low concentrations. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2837–2842, 2007
Rigid polyurethane–clay nanocomposite foams: Preparation and properties
Authors: Mondal Pravakar , Khakhar D. V.
Published: December 2006

Rigid polyurethane–clay nanocomposite foams considered in this work are made with different clay types and for different clay concentrations. The densities of the foams are in the range of 140–160 kg/m3 with possible application as structural materials and for underwater buoyancy‐related uses. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies confirm the formation of nanocomposites. The compressive modulus and the storage modulus of the foams increase and the mean cell size decreases with addition of clay. However, the hydraulic resistance of the nanocomposite foams, a measure of the strength of the foam lamellae, is lower than that of the foams without clay. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2802–2809, 2007
Preparation and application of fluorocarbon polymer/SiO2 hybrid materials, part 2: Water and oil repellent processing for cotton fabrics by sol–gel method
Authors: Yeh Jen‐Taut , Chen Chin‐Lai , Huang Kuo‐Shien
Published: December 2006

This research employed different procedures for out water and oil repellent finish on cotton fabrics with fluorocarbon copolymer or its hybrid materials. The experimental results indicated that fabrics processed with fluorocarbon copolymer have larger contact angle for water and oil repellent finish, and the fabric processed with simultaneous bathing of fluorocarbon copolymer/TEOS is the strongest but has poorer softness. Furthermore, when processing with chemical compounds, the processes or orders had little effect on the fabric's angle of contact and bleaching, but had more significant influence on strength. Regarding to washing fastness, after ten‐time water washing, the angle of contact of processed fabrics decreased by about 3%. Overall, the fabric pretreated with TEOS, followed by fluorocarbon polymer, had the best balance of physical properties. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3019–3024, 2007
Chitosan‐based interpolymeric pH‐responsive hydrogels for in vitro drug release
Authors: Abdelaal M. Y. , Abdel‐Razik E. A. , Abdel‐Bary E. M. , El‐Sherbiny I. M.
Published: December 2006

Two series of pH‐responsive biodegradable interpolymeric (IPN) hydrogels based on chitosan (Ch) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were prepared for controlled drug release investigations. The first series was chemically crosslinked with different concentrations of glutaraldehyde and the second was crosslinked upon γ‐irradiation by different doses. The equilibrium swelling characteristics were investigated for the gels at 37°C in buffer solutions of pH 2.1 and 7.4 as simulated gastric and intestinal fluids, respectively. 5‐Fluorouracil (FU) was entrapped in the hydrogels, as a model therapeutic agent, and the in vitro release profiles of the drug were established at 37°C in pH 2.1 and 7.4. FTIR, SEM, and X‐ray diffraction analyses were used to characterize and investigate the structural changes of the gels with the variation of the blend composition and crosslinker content before and after the drug loading. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2864–2874, 2007
Effect of fiber‐forming conditions and type of MMT modifier on the structure and properties of multifunctional polyimideamides nanocomposite fibers
Authors: Mikołajczyk Teresa , Olejnik Magdalena
Published: December 2006

The effect of fiber‐spinning conditions on the structure, sorption, and strength properties of polyimideamides (PIA) nanocomposite fibers has been examined. Montmorillonite (MMT) modified with octadecylamine was used as a nanoadditive. The properties of fibers containing differently modified MMT were compared. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2940–2944, 2007
Pervaporation of 50 wt % ethanol–water mixtures with poly(1‐trimethylsilyl‐1‐propyne) membranes at high temperatures
Authors: López‐Dehesa Cristina , González‐Marcos José A. , González‐Velasco Juan R.
Published: December 2006

Poly(1‐trimethylsilyl‐1‐propyne) (PTMSP) membranes have been used to separate ethanol–water mixtures by pervaporation. This polyacetylene is known to present high affinity toward ethanol, showing high selectivity and ethanol permeation flux. The performance of this polymer in the separation of alcohol–water solutions has been evaluated over long periods (572 h) at a high temperature (75°C) to examine the deterioration of the transport properties in the separation of 50 wt % ethanol–water solutions. Although PTMSP membranes present good characteristics for the separation of gases and liquid mixtures, their organic selectivity decrease with the operating time because of the relaxation processes of the polymeric chains, which affect the free volume of the polymer, the deterioration being more evident for concentrated solutions. The effects of the operation temperature on the characteristic parameters of pervaporation have also been studied to establish how this variable affects the performance of PTMSP membranes. The selectivity increases slightly with the operation temperature, but the effect of the temperature on the separation factor decreases as membranes are degraded with the operation time. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2843–2848, 2007
Structure modification of isotactic polypropylene through chemical crosslinking: Toughening mechanism
Authors: Bouhelal S. , Cagiao M. E. , Benachour D. , Calleja F. J. Baltá
Published: December 2006

Reversibly crosslinked isotactic polypropylene (iPP) was prepared in the presence of dicumyl peroxide. The effects of the peroxide oxy‐radicals in the melt were investigated in relation to the modification of the polymer. The dynamic rheology analysis of the crosslinking process was carried out by using a plastograph. The crosslinking reaction was evaluated by the Monsanto method. The resulting structure of the modified samples was studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS), microhardness, and mechanical properties. The degree of crystallinity of the modified iPP, derived from DSC and WAXS, remains almost unchanged, i.e., the crystalline structure is unaffected, though the lamellar thickness slightly decreases. The impact strength of the crosslinked iPP is greatly improved with reference to that of the unmodified material. A transition from brittle to ductile behavior appears in the modified iPP for all the crosslinking agents studied. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2968–2976, 2007
Thermal degradation kinetics of poly(N‐adamantyl‐exo‐nadimide) synthesized by addition polymerization
Authors: Liu Binyuan , Li Yang , Zhang Li , Yan Weidong , Yao Shuhuan
Published: December 2006

The thermal decomposition behavior and degradation kinetics of poly(N‐adamantyl‐exo‐nadimide) were investigated with thermogravimetric analysis under dynamic conditions at five different heating rates: 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30°C/min. The derivative thermogravimetry curves of poly(N‐adamantyl‐exo‐nadimide) showed that its thermal degradation process had one weight‐loss step. The apparent activation energy of poly(N‐adamantyl‐exo‐nadimide) was estimated to be about 214.4 kJ/mol with the Ozawa–Flynn–Wall method. The most likely decomposition process was an F1 deceleration type in terms of the Coats–Redfern and Phadnis–Deshpande results. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3003–3009, 2007
Synthesis and characterization of novel, temperature‐sensitive microgels based on N‐isopropylacrylamide and tert‐butyl acrylate
Authors: Zhang Qing‐Song , Zha Liu‐Sheng , Ma Jing‐Hong , Liang Bo‐Run
Published: December 2006

A series of temperature‐sensitive microgels based on N‐isopropylacrylamide as the main monomer, tert‐butyl acrylate (tBA) as the comonomer, and N,N′‐methylene‐bis(acrylamide) as the crosslinker were synthesized with a modified surfactant‐free emulsion polymerization method. The chemical structure and global shape with an excellent monodispersity of the microgels were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The temperature‐sensitive behavior of the microgels was investigated by dynamic light scattering and ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometric analysis. The results show that the volume phase‐transition temperature of the poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐tert‐butyl acrylate) [poly(NIPAM‐co‐tBA)] microgels were tuned over a broad range by the incorporated amount of tBA comonomer and their temperature sensitivity decreased with increasing content of tBA units incorporated into the microgel network. Furthermore, the swelling ratios of the poly (NIPAM‐co‐tBA) microgels were lowered gradually with increasing tBA unit content within the microgel network. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2962–2967, 2007
Cholesteryl moiety terminated amphiphilic polymethacrylates containing nucleic acid bases for drug delivery
Authors: Shiraishi Kohei , Sugiyama Minoru , Okamura Yoji , Sugiyama Kazuo
Published: December 2006

Poly[9‐(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl)adenine] and poly[1‐(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl)thymine] with one pendant cholesteryl moiety at the polymer end (PMEA‐Chol, PMET‐Chol) and with two pendant cholesteryl moieties at both polymer ends as terminal groups (PMEA‐2Chol, PMET‐2Chol) were prepared by radical polymerization of 9‐(2‐methacryloyl‐oxyethyl)adenine (MEA) and 1‐(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl)thymine (MET) initiated with 4,4′‐azobis[(3‐cholesteryl)‐ 4‐cyanopentanoate] in the presence of 2‐mercaptoethanol or thiocholesterol as chain transfer reagents, respectively. The copolymers [PNiPAAm‐co‐PMEA‐nChol (n = 1,2)] composed of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NiPAAm) and MEA were also prepared in a similar manner. The self‐organization of these polymers and copolymers was confirmed by a fluorescence measurement, and then their critical concentrations of micelle formation (CMC) were determined. The mixture of PMEA‐2Chol and cholesterol as a lipophilic drug model formed a lamella type of complex with an interplaner spacing of d = 35.3 Å. The hypochromism based on the formation of a 1 : 1 interaction of adenine and thymine moieties was found to appear in the mixed aqueous solution of PMEA‐Chol and PMET‐Chol. Complementary interactions were also confirmed in the system of PMET‐2Chol and adenosine as well as PMEA‐2Chol and uridine. Cis‐dichlorodiammine platinum(II) (CDDP) was bound to PNiPAAm‐co‐PMEA‐Chol through the adenine moiety by ligand substitution atoms of CDDP. The amount of CDDP loaded on the copolymer was found to be 0.143 g g−1. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3064–3075, 2007
UV photo‐stabilization of tetrabutyl titanate for aramid fibers via sol–gel surface modification
Authors: Xing Yanjun , Ding Xin
Published: December 2006

Tetrabutyl titanate was used as sol–gel precursor of a nanosized TiO2 coating to improve the photo‐stability of aramid fibers. The nanosized TiO2 coating was characterized by XRD and XPS. The influence of the TiO2 coating on photo‐stability of aramid fibers was investigated by an accelerated photo‐ageing method. The photo‐stability of aramid fiber showed obvious improvement after coating. After 156 h of UV exposure, the coated fibers showed less deterioration in mechanical properties with the retained tensile strength and elongation at break greater than 36 and 50% of the original values, respectively, whereas the uncoated fibers degraded completely and became powdery. SEM analysis showed no significant surface morphological change on the coated fiber after the exposure, while some latitudinal crack fractures appeared on the uncoated aramid fiber. The effect of the nanosized TiO2 coating was also well demonstrated by examining the difference of distributions of C1s in XPS deconvolution analysis on the surface of uncoated/coated fibers with increasing UV exposure time. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3113–3119, 2007
Investigation on process parameters of electrospinning system through orthogonal experimental design
Authors: Cui Wenguo , Li Xiaohong , Zhou Shaobing , Weng Jie
Published: December 2006

Electrospinning is a very simple and versatile method of creating polymer‐based high‐functional and high‐performance nanofibers. But most of the investigations are not systematic and describe the electrospinning process without quantitative accuracy. Inconsistent and even opposite results have been reported, which has hindered the consistent interpretation of the experiments. Orthogonal experimental method was used to investigate qualitative and quantitative correlations between fiber characteristics (diameters and morphologies) and the processing and materials parameters. Uniform fibers can be obtained without any beads by proper selection of the processing parameters, and a lower glass transition temperature was observed for electrospun fibers than that of native polymer. Results of statistical analysis showed that significant influences were observed for polymer molecular weight and solution concentration on fiber diameters, and there were significant effects of polymer molecular weight, solution concentration, and solvent system on fiber morphologies. Meanwhile, solution concentration and polymer molecular weight, and polymer molecular weight and solvent system had obvious interaction effects. Regression analysis revealed quantitative relations of fiber diameters and beads percent, that is, Y1 = 72.8X1 − 8.1X2 + 138.8, Y2 = −3.2X1 + 0.4X2 + 60.5, where Y1 is fiber diameter (nm), Y2 beads percent (%), X1 solution concentration (%, w/w), and X2 polymer molecular weight (kDa). Validation test showed that the experimental values of fiber size and beads percent were in good agreement with the calculated ones. Based on these results, optimal conditions could be obtained for predetermined diameters and morphologies for electrospun fibers. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3105–3112, 2007
Peroxide crosslinking of rigid poly(vinyl chloride)
Authors: Thomas N. L. , Zheng X.
Published: December 2006

The optimum conditions for crosslinking rigid poly(vinyl chloride) with trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) and peroxide have been examined. The extent of crosslinking was measured by determining gel content by Soxhlet extraction in tetrahydrofuran. Mechanical properties were measured at 130°C and dynamic viscoelastic measurements were carried out to detect changes in the glass transition temperature (Tg). It was found that 15 phr of TMPTMA and 0.3 phr of peroxide were optimum concentrations for maximizing the extent of crosslinking, tensile strength, and Tg. The lower molding temperature of 170°C was preferred to minimize thermal degradation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2904–2909, 2007
Synthesis and properties of hydrophilic polymers, part 11: Synthesis, biodegradability, and metal complexation of copolymers of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid dianhydride and lactose
Authors: Choi S. J. , Geckeler K. E.
Published: December 2006

The synthesis and characterization of poly(ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid‐co‐lactose) of high molar mass (132 kg mol−1) is described. The polycondensate with pendant carboxylic groups was shown to be hydrolytically and microbiologically degradable by using conventional microbiological methods. The metal complexing properties of the polyester were studied for Cr(III), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Sr(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), and Al(III) ions in aqueous solution using the liquid‐phase polymer‐based retention (LPR) method. In addition, the complexing capacity of the Cu(II)‐saturated copolymer was determined by TGA to be 182 mg g−1 polymer. According to the retention profiles determined as a function of filtration factor by using LPR in conjunction with inductively coupled plasma spectrometry, Cr(III) and Fe(III) showed a strong interaction with this polymer under these conditions, indicated by retention values of 100% at pH 5. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2932–2939, 2007
Enantioselective Synthesis of 3,4‐Dihydropyran‐2‐ones by Domino Michael Addition and Lactonization with New Asymmetric Organocatalysts: Cinchona‐Alkaloid‐Derived Chiral Quaternary Ammonium Phenoxides
Authors: Tozawa Takashi , Nagao Hitoshi , Yamane Yoshinobu , Mukaiyama Teruaki
Published: December 2006

Chiral quaternary ammonium phenoxides were readily prepared from commercially available cinchona alkaloids and proved to be useful new asymmetric organocatalysts. Among various chiral quaternary ammonium phenoxides, a cinchonidine‐derived catalyst that bears both a sterically hindered N1‐9‐anthracenylmethyl group and a strongly electron withdrawing 9‐O‐3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl group were found to be highly effective for the Michael addition of ketene silyl acetals (derived from phenyl carboxylates) and α,β‐unsaturated ketones followed by lactonization. Optically active 3,4‐dihydropyran‐2‐one derivatives were obtained in high yields with excellent control of enantio‐ and diastereoselectivity. This catalyst can be handled in air and stored at room temperature in a sealed bottle without decomposition for at least one month.
Neural network prediction of thermophilic (65°C) sulfidogenic fluidized‐bed reactor performance for the treatment of metal‐containing wastewater
Authors: Sahinkaya Erkan , Özkaya Bestamin , Kaksonen Anna H. , Puhakka Jaakko A.
Published: December 2006

The performance of a fluidized‐bed reactor (FBR) based sulfate reducing bioprocess was predicted using artificial neural network (ANN). The FBR was operated at high (65°C) temperature and it was fed with iron (40–90 mg/L) and sulfate (1,000–1,500 mg/L) containing acidic (pH = 3.5–6) synthetic wastewater. Ethanol was supplemented as carbon and electron source for sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB). The wastewater pH of 4.3–4.4 was neutralized by the alkalinity produced in acetate oxidation and the average effluent pH was 7.8 ± 0.8. The oxidation of acetate is the rate‐limiting step in the sulfidogenic ethanol oxidation by thermophilic SRB, which resulted in acetate accumulation. Sulfate reduction and acetate oxidation rates showed variation depending on the operational conditions with the maximum rates of 1 g/L/d (0.2 g/g volatile solids (VS)/d) and 0.3 g/L/d (0.06 g/g VS/d), respectively. This study presents an ANN model predicting the performance of the reactor and determining the optimal architecture of this model; such as best back‐propagation (BP) algorithm and neuron numbers. The Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm was selected as the best of 12 BP algorithms and optimal neuron number was determined as 20. The developed ANN model predicted acetate (R = 0.91), sulfate (R = 0.95), sulfide (R = 0.97), and alkalinity (R = 0.94) in the FBR effluent. Hence, the ANN based model can be used to predict the FBR performance, to control the operational conditions for improved process performance. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;97: 780–787. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Performance of a down‐flow fluidized bed reactor under sulfate reduction conditions using volatile fatty acids as electron donors
Authors: Celis‐García Lourdes B. , Razo‐Flores Elías , Monroy Oscar
Published: December 2006

The use of a down‐flow fluidized bed (DFFB) reactor for the treatment of a sulfate‐rich synthetic wastewater was investigated to obtain insight into the outcome of sulfate reduction in a biofilm attached to a plastic support under a down‐flow regime. Fine low‐density polyethylene particles were used as support for developing a biofilm within the reactor. The reactor treated a volatile fatty acids mixture of acetate or lactate, propionate, and butyrate at different chemical oxygen demand (COD) to sulfate ratios ranging from 1.67 to 0.67 (g/g). Organic loading rate changed from 2.5 to 5 g COD/L · day and sulfate loading rate increased from 1.5 to 7.3 g SO/L · day. At the beginning of continuous operation, methanogenesis was the predominant process; however, after 187 days, sulfate reduction became the main ongoing biological process. After 369 days, a COD removal of 93% and a sulfate removal of 75% were reached. Total sulfide concentrations in the reactor ranged from 105, when the reactor was mainly methanogenic, to around 1,215 mg/L at the end of the experiment. The high sulfide concentrations did not affect the performance of the reactor. Results demonstrated that the configuration of the DFFB reactor was suitable for the anaerobic treatment of sulfate‐rich wastewater. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;97: 771–779. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Use of a straight, side‐hole delivery sheath for improved delivery of amplatzer ASD occluder
Authors: Kutty Shelby , Asnes Jeremy D. , Srinath Gowdagere , Preminger Tamar J. , Prieto Lourdes R. , Latson Larry A.
Published: December 2006

The Amplatzer ASD occluder may be difficult to position in some patients with a large atrial septal defect (ASD) or deficiency of one or more atrial septal rims. We developed a method to modify a Mullins transseptal sheath to enhance delivery. The resulting sheath is straight and has an exit orifice essential in the side of the distal portion of the sheath‐a straight, side‐hole (SSH) delivery sheath. We have used this modified delivery sheath in 140 successive patients with excellent results. The techniques of sheath modification and delivery of the device using the modified sheath are described. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oxidativer Abbau von C1‐C3‐Carbonsäuren an einem technischen VOx‐TiO2‐Katalysator
Authors: Suprun W. , Kießling D. , Machold T. , Papp H.
Published: December 2006

Der oxidative Abbau von Ameisen‐, Essig‐ und Propionsäure wurde an einem VOx‐TiO2‐Katalysator in An‐ und Abwesenheit von Wasser im Bereich von 120 – 280 °C untersucht. Essigsäure ist die gegenüber dem oxidativen Abbau stabilste Carbonsäure. Reaktionsprodukte waren die C‐Zahl niedrigeren Carbonsäuren, COx und Wasser sowie Ethylen im Fall von Propionsäure. Wasser im Eduktgasstrom führte zur Blockierung katalytisch aktiver Zentren und somit zur Verringerung des Umsatzes sowie zur Selektivitätserhöhung der niedrigeren Carbonsäuren. Die Ergebnisse können für die Produktsteuerung bei katalytischen Selektivoxidationen und der oxidativen Dehydrierung niederer Kohlenwasserstoffe genutzt werden.
CVD of CrO2: Towards a Lower Temperature Deposition Process
Authors: Sousa P. M. , Dias S. A. , Silvestre A. J. , Conde O. , Morris B. , Yates K. A. , Branford W. R. , Cohen L. F.
Published: December 2006

The deposition of highly oriented a‐axis CrO2 films onto Al2O3(0001) by atmospheric pressure (AP)CVD at temperatures as low as 330 °C is reported. Deposition rates strongly depend on the substrate temperature, whereas for film surface microstructures the dependence is mainly on film thickness. For the experimental conditions used in this work, CrO2 growth kinetics are dominated by a surface reaction mechanism with an apparent activation energy of (121.0 ± 4.3) kJ mol–1. The magnitude and temperature dependence of the saturation magnetization, up to room temperature, is consistent with bulk measurements.
The Fabrication of Diamond Microshells
Authors: John P. , Lee J.‐K. , Anderson M. , Gray F. , Wilson J.
Published: December 2006

Miniature hollow diamond shells can be synthesized by conformal diamond coverage using CVD and subsequent etching of the spherical silica matrices. The directional character of DC plasma growth, and the temperature gradient in silica spheres in contact with a cooled substrate, has been exploited to produce shells with a single micrometer‐sized aperture. These preliminary results anticipate the use of diamond nanoshells for the controlled release of drugs and novel applications spanning biosensors and medicine.
Plasma Deposition of Thiophene Derivatives Under Atmospheric Pressure
Authors: Dams R. , Vangeneugden D. , Vanderzande D.
Published: December 2006

Plasma deposition of conjugated polymer films under atmospheric pressure is described. Three thiophene derivatives (thiophene, 3‐methylthiophene, and 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) are used as monomers. The plasma depositions with the various precursors are compared using analytical techniques such as X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV‐vis spectroscopy, and resistance measurements. Good results are obtained with pulsed plasma depositions of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene). Conductivities of up to 1 × 10—2 S cm–1 are measured.
Effects of Processing Parameters in the MOCVD Growth of Nanostructured Lanthanum Trifluoride and Oxyfluoride Thin Films
Authors: Malandrino G. , Perdicaro L. M. S. , Fragalà I. L.
Published: December 2006

Using metal–organic (MO)CVD, lanthanum trifluoride (LaF3) and oxyfluoride (LaOF) films are deposited on Si(100), glass, and quartz from a La(hfa)3diglyme single‐source precursor. The films are characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). They are found to be crystalline with a high degree of fiber texture even when deposited on glass or quartz substrates. The SEM indicates very homogeneous surfaces with grain dimensions decreasing upon increasing the deposition temperature and the oxygen flow. The AFM data indicate a very smooth surface with a root mean square (rms) roughness of 0.96 nm for films deposited at high temperature/high oxygen flow.
Ferroelectric Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Thin Films Grown by Low‐Pressure Chemical Vapor Polymerization
Authors: Rastogi A. C. , Desu S. B.
Published: December 2006

Ferroelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride) polymer (VDF2)n thin‐film formation by a low‐pressure chemical vapor polymerization (CVP) process is described. The process involves polymerization of an isotropic vinylidene fluoride monomer condensate layer by cleavage of C double bonds using :CF2 initiators derived from hot‐filament, thermochemical decomposition of the hexafluoropropylene oxide C3F6O. Two different growth modes on the film surface and in the bulk are identified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies. Surface impingement of :CF2 induces lateral growth of molecular chains in trans conformation. Due to the initiation of polymerization at random surface sites, amorphous β‐phase growth is also observed. Bulk growth of polymer film involves chain formation dominated by gauche conformations having a predominance of the α‐phase. Ferroelectric investigations of (VDF2)n films show spontaneous polarization and hysteresis effects, which improves on crystallization. Typical polarization values of 3.5 and 1.5 μC cm–2 in the planar and normal directions, respectively, are observed after crystallization. Structural defects in the molecular chains give rise to space charge conduction which affects polarization switching properties. The low‐pressure CVP technique is compatible with sub‐micrometer semiconductor device fabrication and also provides a novel method for incorporating additional functional units into the molecular chains to control the film properties.
Vanin‐1 controls granuloma formation and macrophage polarization in Coxiella burnetii infection
Authors: Meghari Soraya , Berruyer Carole , Lepidi Hubert , Galland Franck , Naquet Philippe , Mege Jean‐Louis
Published: December 2006

Q fever is caused by Coxiella burnetii, a bacterium that survives in MΦ. Vanin‐1 is a membrane‐anchored pantetheinase that controls tissue inflammation. Consequently, Vanin‐1‐deficient mice represent a unique mouse model in which stress‐induced inflammation is limited by the reaction of resident tissue cells. To investigate the contribution of host tissues in the control of a bacterial infection, we infected Vanin‐1‐deficient mice with C. burnetii. Mortality and morbidity of mice were not affected. The lack of Vanin‐1 had no effect on C. burnetii clearance but decreased the formation of granulomas in spleen and liver. Granuloma formation depends upon MΦ recruitment and activation in these tissues. Whereas the former was slightly impaired in mutant mice, the lack of Vanin‐1 significantly affected the activation pattern of BM‐derived MΦ stimulated by C. burnetii. While their microbicidal activity against C. burnetii was moderately impaired, they exhibited decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and MCP‐1 gene expression, and increased IL‐10 and arginase expression. In liver from mutant mice, increased arginase expression and decreased expression of MCP‐1 and iNOS were reminiscent of MΦ data. These results suggest a role of Vanin‐1 in granuloma formation in response to C. burnetii by skewing MΦ activation toward an M2 program.

See accompanying commentary http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/eji.200636910
Genetic analysis of the innate immune responses in wild‐derived inbred strains of mice
Authors: Stephan Kristin , Smirnova Irina , Jacque Berri , Poltorak Alexander
Published: December 2006

The vertebrate immune system has evolved to recognize nucleic acids of bacterial and viral origin. Microbial DNA, as well as synthetic oligonucleotides based on these motifs, activates innate immune pathways mediated by the family of Toll‐like receptors (TLR) initiating a cascade of signals in immune cells necessary for responses to pathogens. However, not all of the proteins that participate in TLR‐mediated responses have been identified. In studies described herein, we observed significant variation in innate immune responses among selected wild‐derived strains of mice. Specifically, we show that mice of MOLF/Ei, Czech/Ei, and MSM/Ms strains are hypo‐responsive to polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) because of a mutation in Tlr3. In addition, we discovered a hypo‐response to cytosine guanine dinuleotide in MOLF/Ei mice and established that it is not linked to Tlr9, but to another locus. Further inquiry revealed that this hypo‐response is transmitted as a monogenic dominant trait that can be mapped and cloned through positional cloning methods. These results suggest the existence of a novel molecule that can alter pro‐inflammatory signals or activate additional signal transduction pathways. In addition, they support the wild‐derived mouse strain as a forward genetic tool for the identification of novel immunological phenotypes.
Dynamics and magnitude of virus‐induced polyclonal B cell activation mediated by BCR‐independent presentation of viral antigen
Authors: Jellison Evan R. , Guay Heath M. , Szomolanyi‐Tsuda Eva , Welsh Raymond M.
Published: December 2006

Hypergammaglobulinemia and production of autoantibodies occur during many viral infections, and studies have suggested that viral antigen‐presenting B cells may become polyclonally activated by CD4 T cells in vivo in the absence of viral engagement of the BCR. However, we have reported that CD4 cells in lymphocytic choriomengitis virus (LCMV)‐infected mice kill adoptively transferred B cells coated with LCMV class II peptides. We report here that most of the surviving naïve B cells presenting class II MHC peptides undergo an extensive differentiation process involving both proliferation and secretion of antibodies. Both events require CD4 cells and CD40/CD40L interactions but not MyD88‐dependent signaling within the B cells. B cells taken from immunologically tolerant donor LCMV‐carrier mice with high LCMV antigen load became activated following adoptive transfer into LCMV‐infected hosts, suggesting that B cells present sufficient antigen for this process during a viral infection. No division or activation of B cells was detected at all in virus‐infected hosts in the absence of cognate CD4 T cells and class II antigen. This approach, therefore, formally demonstrates and quantifies a virus‐induced polyclonal proliferation and differentiation of B cells, which, due to their high proportion, would mostly have BCR not specific for the virus.
The Ig‐α ITAM is required for efficient differentiation but not proliferation of pre‐B cells
Authors: Storch Bettina , Meixlsperger Sonja , Jumaa Hassan
Published: December 2006

Signals from the pre‐B cell receptor (pre‐BCR) mediated by the cytoplasmic tails of Ig‐α/Ig‐β are essential for developing B cells. To analyze the role of Ig‐α ITAM and non‐ITAM tyrosines in pre‐BCR signaling, we reconstituted individual tyrosine mutants of Ig‐α in src homology 2 domain‐containing leukocyte protein of 65 kDa (SLP‐65)/Ig‐α double‐deficient pre‐B cells. We show that the Ig‐α mutants led to comparable pre‐BCR expression on the cell surface, while the pre‐BCR‐induced tyrosine phosphorylation was different. We further show that the reconstitution of Ig‐α and the resulting pre‐BCR expression led to enrichment of the pre‐BCR‐expressing cells in vitro irrespective of the introduced Ig‐α mutation. We show that, even though the enrichment rate increased by lowering the IL‐7 concentration, residual amounts of IL‐7 were required for optimal enrichment. Our results indicate that surface IL‐7 receptor expression is modulated by the pre‐BCR, thereby increasing the IL‐7 sensitivity of the respective cells. In contrast to the comparable pre‐B cell proliferation, however, the Ig‐α mutants differed in their capacity to induce calcium flux and activate efficient pre‐B cell differentiation. Together, our data suggest that ITAM tyrosines and Y204 are required for efficient pre‐B cell differentiation but not proliferation.

Supporting information for this article is available at http://www.wiley‐vch.de/contents/jc_2040/2007/36667_s.pdf
Formation of a Ruthenium μ‐Carbide Complex with Acetylene as the Carbon Source
Authors: Solari Euro , Antonijevic Sasa , Gauthier Sébastien , Scopelliti Rosario , Severin Kay
Published: December 2006

Reactions of the dinuclear ruthenium complex [(p‐cymene)Ru(μ‐Cl)3RuCl(C2H4)(PCy3)] with phenylacetylene or tert‐butylacetylene gave the vinylidene complexes [(p‐cymene)Ru(μ‐Cl)3RuCl(=C=CHR)(PCy3)] (R = tBu, Ph), which were characterized crystallographically. With acetylene, however, a tetranuclear μ‐carbide complex was obtained as evidenced by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis as well as by solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. Experiments with fully 13C‐labelled acetylene showed that acetylene was the carbon source for the carbide ligand. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Novel Synthetic Cycloketo‐Tetraphenylporphyrins
Authors: Jasinski Stefan , Ermilov Eugeny A. , Jux Norbert , Röder Beate
Published: December 2006

New tetraphenylporphyrins 2a and 2b have been synthesized and characterized. Both compounds possess an ethanone bridge that connects the porphyrin ring with one of the phenyl groups at the periphery. Tetraphenylporphyrin 2a also has a methyl group on the same phenyl ring, whereas tetraphenylporphyrin 2b lacks this substituent. This small difference results in 2a and 2b having markedly different photophysical properties. In particular, 2a proved to be a highly efficient sensitizer for singlet oxygen generation with a quantum yield of 0.85. A reference compound 2c has also been synthesized in which the porphyrin ring is connected to one of the peripheral phenyl groups through just a keto function. Thus, the effect of the size of the exocyclic ring on conjugation and photophysical properties has been studied. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Active Site Protonation of 1‐Azafagomine in Glucosidases Studied by Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Sivertsen Astrid C. , Gasior Magdalena , Bjerring Morten , Hansen Steen U. , Lopez Lopez Oscar , Nielsen Niels C. , Bols Mikael
Published: December 2006

Protonation of an azasugar inhibitor inside the active site of a glycosidase has been studied by solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. By measuring 13C chemical shifts of azafagomine bound to yeast α‐glucosidase, almond β‐glucosidase, andAspergillus niger glucoamylase, and 15N chemical shift ofazafagomine bound to β‐glucosidase, we find evidence for an N1‐protonation of azafagomine inside β‐glucosidase. For α‐glucosidase and glucoamylase the corresponding chemical shifts are similar to those of the non‐protonated inhibitor, which shows that charge stabilization at anomeric position is not occurring in these enzymes.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)