bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation of regular micropitted polylactide films via phase separation and their cell affinity evaluation
Authors: Tian Ye , Wang Yingjun , Zhou Changren , Zeng Qinhui
Published: February 2010

The microscale topography of biomaterial surfaces has a great effect on the adhesion and proliferation behavior of cells. In this study, polylactide (PLA) films with regular micropitted surfaces were prepared by a phase‐separation technique. The effect of the surface topography on the wettability and cell affinity was investigated with contact angle measurements and osteoblast incubation, respectively. The results showed that the shape of the pits could be controlled by changes in the film‐forming parameters, including the PLA solution concentration, nonsolvent content, temperature, and solvent volatilization speed. These patterned films had significantly enhanced hydrophobicity because of the existence of micropits on the surface, and their hydrophobicity increased with the pit size increasing. Osteoblast spreading was improved on the patterned surface, and so was cell adhesion. However, the proliferation of cells on micropitted surfaces showed no distinction from the proliferation on smooth surfaces, and this indicated that the pit pattern had a great effect on the spreading and adhesion of cells but little on the proliferation of cells. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Stipa tenacessima L cationized fibers as adsorbent of anionic dyes
Authors: Ghali Amel El , Baouab Mohamed Hassen V , Roudesli Mohamed Sadok
Published: February 2010

The extraction of Stipa tenacessima L Alfa fibers was performed using alkaline procedure to remove noncellulosic substances such as pectin, lignin, and hemicellulose. The degree of polymerization of extracted and purified Alfa fibers was determined using viscosimetric method and extracted fibers were used as a cationic ion‐exchange material by treating alkali‐cellulose of Alfa with EpoxyPropylTriMethylAmmonium Chloride (EPTMAC). Evidence of grafting was monitored using IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetry analysis. Two EPTMAC‐Alfa fibers with different %N were prepared and tested as adsorbent of four acid dyes: Acid Blue 25 (AB 25), Acid Yellow 99 (AY 99), Reactive Yellow 23 (RY 23), and Acid Blue 74 (AB 74). The modeling of the adsorption isotherms using Langmuir, Freundlich, and Jossens allowed the determination of isotherm constants leading to characterize the different adsorbent/adsorbate systems prepared. Thermodynamic parameters such as change in free energy (ΔG), the enthalpy (ΔH), and the entropy (ΔS) were also evaluated. Additionally, regeneration of adsorbent solid supports by desorption process in fixed bed column was reported. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Preparation and properties of hybrid cement‐in‐polymer coatings used for the improvement of fiber‐matrix adhesion in textile reinforced concrete
Authors: Weichold Oliver
Published: February 2010

Reactive cement‐in‐polymer dispersions have been prepared from poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate), and poly(vinyl acetate) and a nonhydrated, fine‐grained cement, and used to coat multifilament glass‐rovings. The influence of the molecular properties of the polymer, such as the chemical composition and molecular weight as well as the cement content in the dispersion, on the reinforcing performance of the coated rovings in concrete has been studied using scanning electron microscopy and tensile tests. All coated rovings significantly surpass the uncoated glass in terms of mechanical behavior. The best bonding was obtained with hydrophobic, PVAc‐based coatings, since the slow hydrolysis and swelling of this polymer controls cement hydration and the formation of the interphase. The mechanical behavior of the coated rovings is barely influenced by the molecular weight of the polymer, but decreases with decreasing cement content. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Trace element status of activated charcoals and carbon black: Influence on thermal stability of modified lyocell solutions
Authors: Wendler Frank , Lepri Fabio G. , Borges Daniel L. G. , Araujo Rennan G. O. , Welz Bernhard , Meister Frank
Published: February 2010

The influence of surface‐active additives on the thermal stability of cellulose/N‐methylmorpholine‐N‐oxide monohydrate solutions were investigated. The application of a dynamic mixing tool incorporating the additive directly before the forming module enhances the thermal stability. Thermal stabilization by means of a polymeric stabilizer system and adjusting the pH value by sodium hydroxide increased the storage life‐time for the additive suspension as revealed by calorimetric isoperibolic step measurements. Further investigations concerned the analysis of the trace element status of the additives. Analytical results for 16 elements have been obtained by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) after microwave‐assisted acidic digestion, and seven elements, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, and V have been determined using direct solid sampling high‐resolution continuum source graphite furnace AAS (SS‐HR‐CS GF AAS) as a reference method. Partial least squares regression between measured and calculated temperatures for beginning exothermicity (Ton) has been used to investigate the prediction capability of the investigated techniques. Whereas the ICP OES measurement gives only an acceptable correlation employing all 16 metals plus Fe(II), results obtained by SS‐HR‐CS GF AAS exhibit a correlation coefficient of 0.99. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Isothermal crystallization kinetics of anhydrous sodium acetate nucleated poly(ethylene terephthalate)
Authors: Deshpande V. D. , Jape Sandeep
Published: February 2010

Studies on the isothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nucleated with anhydrous sodium acetate were carried out. The nucleated agent had succeeded in promoting greater rates of crystallization in PET. A study of the melting behavior of the samples revealed that the nucleating agents promoted formation of thinner lamellae. The equilibrium melting temperature (T) of samples was determined using linear and nonlinear Hoffman Weeks procedure. The nonlinear Hoffman Week's procedure was found to be inapplicable in the current study. The Lauritzen‐Hoffman secondary nucleation theory was applied to determine the nucleation parameter (Kg), fold surface energy (σe), and work of chain folding (q). σe and q decreased on addition of nucleating agent. The approximate and exact form of the Lauritzen Z‐test was used to determine the operating regime. The operating regime was found to be primarily regime II for the range of temperatures studied. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Synthesis and characterization of new soluble polyamides from an unsymmetrical diamine bearing a bulky triaryl pyridine pendent group
Authors: Ghaemy Mousa , Nasab Syeyd Mojtaba Amini , Alizadeh Raouf
Published: February 2010

New unsymmetrical diamine monomer containing triaryl pyridine pendent group, 2,4‐diaminophenyl [4‐(2, 6‐diphenyl‐4‐pyridyl) phenyl]ether, was synthesized via aromatic substitution reaction of 1‐chloro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene with 4‐(2,6‐diphenyl‐4‐pyridyl) phenol, followed by Pd/C‐catalyzed hydrazine reduction. Five Polyamides (PA) were prepared by the phosphorylation polycondensation of different dicarboxylic diacids with the diamine. Inherent viscosities of PAs were in the range 0.51–0.59 g/dL indicating formation of medium molecular weight polymers. The weight and number average molecular weights of a PA, (PA‐d), determined by GPC were 6944 g/mol and 17,369 g/mol, respectively. PAs exhibited glass‐transition temperatures (Tg) in the range 140–235°C. These polymers, essentially amorphous, were soluble in polar aprotic solvents such as DMF, NMP, DMAc, DMSO, pyridine, m‐cresol, and THF. The initial decomposition temperatures (Ti) of PAs, determined by TGA in air, were in the range 300–380°C indicating their good thermal stability. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Epstein‐Barr virus promotes interferon‐α production by plasmacytoid dendritic cells
Authors: Quan Timothy E. , Roman Robert M. , Rudenga Benjamin J. , Holers V. Michael , Craft Joseph E.
Published: February 2010

Objective

Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) infection has been linked to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as demonstrated by the presence of increased seroprevalence and elevated viral loads, but the mechanism of this linkage has not been elucidated. Increased interferon‐α (IFNα) levels and signatures, which are associated with innate immune responses, have been found in patients with SLE. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) are innate immune cells that mediate viral immunity by producing large quantities of IFNα, but the role they play during infection with EBV remains unclear. To address this issue, we investigated the ability of EBV to promote IFNα production by PDCs in healthy subjects.

Methods

Human PDCs were sorted and cultured in the presence of EBV, EBV‐encoded RNA, and EBV double‐stranded DNA. IFNα production by PDCs was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, with the activation of these cells measured by flow cytometry.

Results

We found that EBV DNA and RNA promoted IFNα production by human PDCs through engagement of Toll‐like receptor 9 (TLR‐9) and TLR‐7, respectively, with the initial viral recognition by PDCs mediated by binding to class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules.

Conclusion

These data demonstrate that class II MHC–specific engagement by virus, with subsequent viral nucleic acid recognition, mediates IFNα production by PDCs. Our results suggest that elevated levels of IFNα found in SLE patients may be a result of aberrantly controlled chronic viral infection.
Endothelial injury and repair in systemic vasculitis of the young
Authors: Clarke L. A. , Hong Y. , Eleftheriou D. , Shah V. , Arrigoni F. , Klein N. J. , Brogan P. A.
Published: February 2010

Objective

Endothelial injury is central to the pathogenesis of vasculitis. The purpose of this study was to assess how indices of endothelial injury and repair change during different stages of disease activity in children with primary systemic vasculitis (PSV).

Methods

Fifty children with PSV, 17 children with nonvasculitic inflammatory diseases (pediatric inflammatory disease controls), 35 healthy age‐ and sex‐matched pediatric controls, and 27 healthy adult controls were included in the study. Biomarkers examined were endothelial microparticles (EMPs), circulating endothelial cells (CECs), angiogenic growth factors, and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). EMP binding to annexin V, EMPs expressing CD144 or E‐selectin, and EPCs expressing vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR‐2), CD133, and CD34 were examined by flow cytometry. CECs were enumerated using immunomagnetic bead extraction techniques, and VEGF and angiopoietin 2 (Ang‐2) were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Levels of CD144+ EMPs, CECs, VEGF, and EPCs were all significantly elevated in children with active vasculitis as compared with healthy children, and the levels declined with remission‐inducing therapy in the individual patients. Treatment‐naive patients with active disease had significantly higher levels of VEGF and Ang‐2 than did those with active disease who were receiving treatment, although the levels of CECs and EMPs remained high in both of these groups.

Conclusion

Elevation of the levels of CECs, EMPS, EPCs, VEGF, and Ang‐2 occurs during active vasculitis in children. EPC responses to active vasculitis are different in children as compared with that observed in adults with vasculitis, and both CECs and EMPs can be used to monitor disease activity in children with vasculitis.
The adoption of university library Web site resources: A multigroup analysis
Authors: Kim Yong‐Mi
Published: February 2010

University libraries invest a massive amount of resources in digitizing information for the Web, yet there is growing concern that much of this information is being underutilized. The present study uses the technology acceptance model (TAM) to investigate university library website resources (ULWR) usage. We categorize users based on academic roles and then analyze them as subgroups in order to observe different adoption patterns across groups. A total of 299 usable responses was collected from four different universities and across three populations: undergraduate, master, and doctoral student/faculty groups. The findings show that different library users indeed access ULWR for different reasons, resulting in a need for tailored managerial efforts. Overall, the extended TAM explains undergraduate students' usage best; the explanatory power of the model is significantly lower for the doctoral student/faculty group. Some of the findings challenge results reported in TAM research in other fields. The unexpected findings may result from the application of the model to a different context. Detailed theoretical implications and managerial guidance are offered.
Verkapselung von Apfelwickler‐Granuloseviren für eine nachhaltige biotechnische Schädlingsbekämpfung
Authors: Pemsel M. , Roßmann M. , Schatz R. , Schlücker E. , Freitag D. , Schwab S. , Scheurer A.
Published: February 2010

Der PGSS (Particles from Gas Saturated Solutions)‐Hochdrucksprühprozess nutzt die Löslichkeit von überkritischen Fluiden in Schmelzen und wird für die Herstellung von Partikeln und feinen Pulvern im Mikrometermaßstab verwendet. Er wird außerdem zur Verkapselung von aktiven Substanzen eingesetzt. Das Verfahren wurde weiterentwickelt, um den Anforderungen von biologisch aktiven Materialien bezüglich Temperaturempfindlichkeit und Umweltverträglichkeit gerecht zu werden. Das hier verwendete biologisch aktive Material ist das Cydia pomonella Granulosevirus (Fam. Baculoviridae, CpGV), das weltweit im kommerziellen Apfelbau zur Bekämpfung des Apfelwicklers (Cydia pomonella L., Lep.: Tortricidae) eingesetzt wird. Das CpGV besitzt aufgrund absoluter Selektivität und hoher Effektivität gegenüber dem Zielorganismus sowohl ökologische als auch ökonomische Vorteile. Die Nachteile des unbehandelten CpGV wie starke UV‐Lichtempfindlichkeit, die mehrere Anwendungen im Feld notwendig macht, und eine geringe Aufnahmerate, können durch die Verkapselung in eine organische Matrix vermieden werden. Die Wirksamkeit der verkapselten CpGV‐Formulierung wurde schon erfolgreich in Labortests nachgewiesen. Das Pflanzenschutzmittel (PSM) wird momentan batchweise hergestellt. Die Aufgabe besteht nun darin den Prozess wirtschaftlich auf eine flexible kontinuierlich arbeitende Anlage zu übertragen, um den Anforderungen des Marktes nachzukommen.
Model‐based prediction of defective DNA mismatch repair using clinicopathological variables in sporadic colon cancer patients
Authors: Sinicrope Frank , Foster Nathan R. , Sargent Daniel J. , Thibodeau Stephen N. , Smyrk Thomas C. , O'Connell Michael J.
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND:

Colon cancers with defective DNA mismatch repair (MMR) have a favorable prognosis and may lack benefit from 5‐fluorouracil–based adjuvant chemotherapy. The authors developed models to predict MMR deficiency in sporadic colon cancer patients using routine clinical and pathological data.

METHODS:

TNM stage II and III colon carcinomas (n = 982) from 6 5‐fluorouracil–based adjuvant therapy trials were analyzed for microsatellite instability and/or MMR protein expression. Tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were quantified (n = 326). Logistic regression and a recursive partitioning and amalgamation analysis were used to identify predictive factors for MMR status.

RESULTS:

Defective MMR was detected in 147 (15%) cancers. Tumor site and histologic grade were the most important predictors of MMR status. Distal tumors had a low likelihood of defective MMR (3%; 13 of 468); proximal tumors had a greater likelihood (26%; 130 of 506). By using tumor site, grade, and sex, the logistic regression model showed excellent discrimination (c statistic = 0.81). Proximal site, female sex, and poor differentiation showed a positive predictive value (PPV) of 51% for defective MMR. In a patient subset (n = 326), a model including proximal site, TILs (>2/high‐power field), and female sex showed even better discrimination (c statistic = 0.86), with a PPV of 81%.

CONCLUSIONS:

Defective MMR is rare in distal, sporadic colon cancers, which should generally not undergo MMR testing. Proximal site, poor differentiation, and female sex detect 51% of tumors with defective MMR; substituting TILs for grade increases the PPV to 81%. These data can increase the efficiency of MMR testing to assist in clinical decisions. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Intra‐arterial versus intravenous chemoradiation for advanced head and neck cancer: Results of a randomized phase 3 trial
Authors: Rasch Coen R. N. , Hauptmann Michael , Schornagel Jan , Wijers Oda , Buter Jan , Gregor Theo , Wiggenraad Ruud , de Boer Jan Paul , Ackerstaff Annemiek H. , Kroger Robert , Hoebers Frank J. P. , Balm Alfons J. M.
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND:

Chemoradiation is the preferred treatment for advanced stage IV head and neck cancer. Higher doses of chemotherapy yielded promising results in vitro and vivo, confirmed by intra‐arterial (IA) cisplatin‐based chemoradiation in phase 2 studies.

METHODS:

Two hundred and thirty‐nine patients with (functionally) unresectable head and neck cancer were included, from 2000 to 2004, in a multicenter, randomized phase 3 trial, comparing IA and intravenous chemoradiation. Intravenous chemoradiation comprised 3×100 mg/m2 cisplatin infusion on Days 1, 22, 43 combined with 70 Gy in 35 daily fractions. The IA chemoradiation treatment arm comprised 4x150 mg/m2 cisplatin administered in the tumor‐feeding artery on Days 1, 8, 15, 22, immediately followed by systemic rescue with sodium thiosulfate with the same radiotherapeutic regimen.

RESULTS:

Two patients were excluded from analysis because of nontreatment‐related death immediately after randomization (n = 1) and esophageal carcinoma (n = 1). The median follow‐up was 33 months 1‐104 months. Ninety percent of the patients required tube feeding during treatment. Renal toxicity >grade 2 was 9% in the intravenous compared with 1% in the IA treatment arm (P ≤ .0001). There was no difference in locoregional control, disease‐free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS), between the treatment arms. At 3 years, local control, locoregional control, DFS, and OS was .76, .63, .44, .51 in the IA versus .70, .65, .47, .47 in the intravenous treatment arm, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cisplatin‐based IA chemoradiation was not superior to intravenous chemoradiation for advanced stage IV head and neck cancer regarding locoregional control and survival. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
FNA diagnosis of teratoma lung: A case report
Authors: Siddiqui Farhan Asif , Jain Anshu , Maheshwari Veena , Beg Mohammed Haneef
Published: February 2010

A case of teratoma occurring in the lung of a 27‐year‐old female, diagnosed by fine‐needle aspiration cytology and confirmed by histopathology, is being presented here. Occurrence of teratoma at this site is a rare entity. The authors take this opportunity to report such a rare case, and as to the best of our knowledge, not many cases have been reported in literature till date. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010;38:758–760. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serum gamma‐glutamyltransferase levels are related to insulin sensitivity and secretion in subjects with abnormal glucose regulation
Authors: Bianchi Cristina , Penno Giuseppe , Crisci Isabella , Daniele Giuseppe , Agostini Annalisa , Del Prato Stefano , Miccoli Roberto
Published: February 2010

Background

To test the association between gamma‐glutamyltransferase level and glucose regulation.

Methods

We performed a cross‐sectional analysis of 500 subjects [199 men/301 women, age 47 ± 11 years, body mass index (BMI) 28.6 ± 5.5 kg/m2] referred to Diabetes Clinics because of potential risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Results

The prevalence of all glucose intolerance categories was higher in the top quartile of gamma‐glutamyltransferase than in the first. Subjects with normal glucose tolerance showed lower gamma‐glutamyltransferase levels compared with those with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG)+ IGT and T2DM (ANOVA, p < 0.0001), but not those with IFG. Homeostasis model assessment‐insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) increased with increasing levels of gamma‐glutamyltransferase, while the insulinogenic index/HOMA‐IR ratio decreased. In an age‐ and sex‐adjusted analysis, the top gamma‐glutamyltransferase quartile was independently associated with IFG + IGT [odds ratio (OR) 2.41; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13–5.15] and T2DM (OR 2.77; 95% CI: 1.47–5.22). After further adjustment for BMI, alcohol intake, family history of diabetes, cigarette smoking and physical activity, the top quartile of gamma‐glutamyltransferase remained an independent predictor of IFG + IGT (OR 2.62; 95% CI: 1.13–6.07) and T2DM (OR 2.39; 95% CI: 1.20–4.76). Only when transaminases and HOMA‐IR have been added to the model, the top quartile of gamma‐glutamyltransferase resulted no more independently associated to IFG + IGT or T2DM.

Conclusions

Gamma‐glutamyltransferase is closely related to insulin resistance, reduced beta‐cell function and deterioration of glucose tolerance. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
BAC transgenic mice reveal distal cis‐regulatory elements governing BDNF gene expression
Authors: Koppel Indrek , Aid‐Pavlidis Tamara , Jaanson Kaur , Sepp Mari , Palm Kaia , Timmusk Tõnis
Published: February 2010

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of the neurotrophin family of neurotrophic factors, has important functions in the peripheral and central nervous system of vertebrates. We have generated bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic mice harboring 207 kb of the rat BDNF (rBDNF) locus containing the gene, 13 kb of genomic sequences upstream of BDNF exon I, and 144 kb downstream of protein encoding exon IX, in which protein coding region was replaced with the lacZ reporter gene. This BDNF‐BAC drove transgene expression in the brain, heart, and lung, recapitulating endogenous BDNF expression to a larger extent than shorter rat BDNF transgenes employed previously. Moreover, kainic acid induced the expression of the transgenic BDNF mRNA in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus through preferential activation of promoters I and IV, thus recapitulating neuronal activity‐dependent transcription of the endogenous BDNF gene. genesis 48:214–219, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reversible vision loss secondary to malnutrition in a woman with severe anorexia nervosa, purging type, and alcohol abuse
Authors: Mroczkowski Megan M. , Redgrave Graham W. , Miller Neil R. , McCoy Allison N. , Guarda Angela S.
Published: February 2010

Objective:

To report a case of severe reversible vision loss in a woman with a 7‐year history of anorexia nervosa, purging type, alcohol abuse and a severely restricted, vitamin‐deficient diet.

Method:

Psychiatric, ophthalmologic, and medical records were reviewed, and a literature search was performed on visual complications associated with anorexia nervosa and malnutrition.

Discussion:

Ophthalmologic complications of malnutrition are rare but include both oculomotor and visual sensory disturbances. Thiamine deficiency can cause both types of disorders. Vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies are typically associated with optic neuropathy. Clinicians treating eating disorders should be aware of the potential for vitamin deficiencies and associated visual loss in patients with anorexia nervosa. This case highlights the importance of a detailed dietary history to guide vitamin rehabilitation and to minimize or reverse nutritional visual loss. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2011; 44:281–283)
Development of 230–270 nm AlGaN‐based deep‐UV LEDs
Authors: Hirayama Hideki , Yatabe Tohru , Noguchi Norimichi , Kamata Norihiko
Published: February 2010

We demonstrated AlGaN multi‐quantum well (MQW) deep‐ultraviolet (UV) light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) with wavelengths in the range of 227.5 to 273 nm fabricated on high‐quality AlN buffers on sapphire substrates grown by metal‐organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). We realized crack‐free, thick AlN buffers on sapphire with a low threading dislocation density (TDD) and an atomically flat surface by using the ammonia (NH3) pulse‐flow multilayer (ML) growth technique. We obtained single‐peaked operation of an AlGaN‐MQW LED with a wavelength of 227.5 nm, which is the shortest wavelength of AlGaN‐based LED on sapphire. The maximum output power and the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of the 261‐ and 227.5‐nm LEDs were 1.65 mW and 0.23% in room‐temperature (RT) continuous‐wave (CW) operation, and 0.15 mW and 0.2% in RT pulsed operation, respectively. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 93(3): 24–33, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10197
Reactivity Pattern in the Room‐Temperature Activation of NH3 by the Main‐Group Atomic Ions Ga+, Ge+, As+ and Se+
Authors: Koyanagi Gregory K. , Kapishon Vitaliy , Bohme Diethard K. , Zhang Xinhao , Schwarz Helmut
Published: February 2010

The activation of ammonia by the main‐group cations Ga+, Ge+, As+ and Se+ has been explored both experimentally and theoretically. ICP/SIFT tandem mass spectrometer measurements of room‐temperature kinetics have revealed a substantial variation in rates and product distributions across the Periodic Table of Elements. The main features of the observed primary chemistry include H‐atom elimination, ammonia addition and a cation‐assisted proton transfer to yield NH4+ that is second order in ammonia. These observations are shown to be completely consistent with computed potential energy surfaces for the reactions of each of the four atomic cations. Dehydrogenation by the elimination of molecular hydrogen, not observed experimentally, is shown by the calculations to be inhibited by the presence of a kinetic barrier.
A Back‐to‐Back Ligand with Dipyrazolylpyridine and Dipicolylamine Metal‐Binding Domains (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 7/2010)
Authors: Tovee Clare A. , Kilner Colin A. , Barrett Simon A. , Thomas James A. , Halcrow Malcolm A.
Published: February 2010

The cover picture shows the crystal structure of a heteronuclear trimetallic complex of a “back‐to‐back” ligand superimposed on a view of the wild heather near Kettlewell in the Yorkshire Dales national park, near Leeds. The ligand contains two different metal‐binding domains that can be sequentially metallated with high selectivity – there is no detectable exchange of metal ions between the domains of the ligand in solution. The iron(II) ion at the centre of the complex undergoes a spin transition on cooling, in solution and in the solid state. Details are discussed in the Short Communication by M. A. Halcrow et al. on p. 1007 ff.
Thermal Reactions of Regioisomeric 1,2,4‐Trithiolane S‐Oxides
Authors: Mloston Grzegorz , Romanski Jaroslaw , McKee Michael L. , Reisenauer Hans Peter , Schreiner Peter R.
Published: February 2010

The products of the gas‐phase pyrolysis of two regioisomeric 1,2,4‐trithiolane S‐oxides were collected in an argon matrix at 10 K and studied by means of spectroscopic as well as computational methods. Whereas the main products of the pyrolysis of the “symmetrical” S‐oxide were identified asthioformaldehyde S‐oxide and thioformaldehyde S‐sulfide, the “non‐symmetrical” S‐oxide gave predominantly dithioformic acid, which exists as a mixture of s‐cis and s‐trans conformers. We present a rationalization of the reaction pathways including density functional theory computations.
Studies Directed Towards the Total Synthesis of (–)‐Dictyostatin
Authors: Yadav Jhillu S. , Rajender Vemula
Published: February 2010

The stereoselective synthesis of the three major fragments (C1–C9, C10–C17, and C19–C26) of an antimitotic marine macrolide, (–)‐dictyostatin, has been achieved with a desymmetrization strategy and Oppolzer syn and anti aldol protocols as the key reactions. Takai olefination and Sonogashira coupling reactions were successfully utilized to establish the 2Z,4E‐dienoate portion of the C1–C9 fragment and Stille coupling for the Z‐diene core of C19–C26.
Simplified sample preparation procedure for measuring isotope-enriched methylmercury by gas chromatography and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Avramescu Mary-Luyza , Zhu Joy , Yumvihoze Emmanuel , Hintelmann Holger , Fortin Danielle , Lean David R.S.
Published: February 2010

Many procedures have been developed to measure the concentration of monomethylmercury (MeHg) from different sample matrices, and the use of stable isotopes of mercury now provides opportunities to determine its formation and degradation rates. Here, a modified procedure for measuring mercury isotopes in sediment samples that uses acid leaching-ion exchange-thiosulfate extraction (TSE) to isolate and purify the methylated mercury from the matrix is proposed. The latter is followed by aqueous-phase ethylation, purge and trap on Tenax, gas chromatography separation of ethylated mercury compounds, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detection. The new TSE procedure bridges together two well-known methods, the acid-leaching and distillation-derivatization procedures, offering the advantages of artifact-free formation of the first, and low detection limits and the possibility of quantification of individual isotopes of mercury of the second. The modified procedure retains the derivatization, purge and trap, and gas chromatography and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (GC-ICP-MS) detection steps from the distillation-derivatization procedure, and eliminates the distillation step, which is not only laborious but also expensive, due to the high cost of installation and time-consuming cleaning process. Major advantages of the TSE procedure proposed include the extraction and analysis of a large number of samples in a short time, excellent analyte recoveries, and the lack of artifact formation. Sediment certified reference materials (CRMs), BCR 580 and IAEA 405, were used to test the TSE procedure accuracy. Recoveries between 94 to 106% and 95 to 96% were obtained for CRMs and spiked samples (Milli-Q® water), respectively. Comparisons among thiosulfate extraction, distillation, and acid-leaching procedures have shown good agreement of methylmercury values. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:1256–1262. © 2010 SETAC
Environmental and human exposure to persistent halogenated compounds derived from e-waste in China
Authors: Ni Hong-Gang , Zeng Hui , Tao Shu , Zeng Eddy Y.
Published: February 2010

Various classes of persistent halogenated compounds (PHCs) can be released into the environment due to improper handling and disposal of electronic waste (e-waste), which creates severe environmental problems and poses hazards to human health as well. In this review, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), polybrominated phenols (PBPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs), and chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (ClPAHs) are the main target contaminants for examination. As the world's largest importer and recycler of e-waste, China has been under tremendous pressure to deal with this huge e-waste situation. This review assesses the magnitude of the e-waste problems in China based on data obtained from the last several years, during which many significant investigations have been conducted. Comparative analyses of the concentrations of several classes of toxic compounds, in which e-waste recycling sites are compared with reference sites in China, have indicated that improper e-waste handling affects the environment of dismantling sites more than that of control sites. An assessment of the annual mass loadings of PBDEs, PBBs, TBBPA, PBPs, PCDD/Fs, and ClPAHs from e-waste in China has shown that PBDEs are the dominant components of PHCs in e-waste, followed by ClPAHs and PCDD/Fs. The annual loadings of PBDEs, ClPAHs, and PCDD/Fs emission were estimated to range from 76,200 to 182,000, 900 to 2,000 and 3 to 8 kg/year, respectively. However, PCDD/Fs and ClPAHs should not be neglected because they are also primarily released from e-waste recycling processes. Overall, the magnitude of human exposure to these toxics in e-waste sites in China is at the high end of the global range. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:1237–1247. © 2010 SETAC
Fixed relaying with adaptive antenna arrays for the downlink of multihop cellular networks
Authors: Dawy Zaher , Nabi Ibrahim Abdel
Published: February 2010

Multihop cellular networks are expected to play an important role in the evolution towards 4G. In this work, we propose the use of advanced antenna techniques (adaptive antenna arrays and directional antennas) at fixed relay stations in order to enhance the downlink performance of multihop cellular networks. The performance gains of various adaptive antenna configurations are analytically studied by introducing a new system‐level parameter called the interference reduction factor. Moreover, Monte‐Carlo simulation results as a function of various design parameters are presented and analysed in order to further highlight the gains of advanced antenna techniques. Based on the presented analysis, we propose the use of a hybrid antenna configuration at relay stations in order to obtain high gains with limited increase in complexity and cost. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Implementing a high‐order accurate implicit operator scheme for solving steady incompressible viscous flows using artificial compressibility method
Authors: Hejranfar Kazem , Khajeh‐Saeed Ali
Published: February 2010

This paper uses a fourth‐order compact finite‐difference scheme for solving steady incompressible flows. The high‐order compact method applied is an alternating direction implicit operator scheme, which has been used by Ekaterinaris for computing two‐dimensional compressible flows. Herein, this numerical scheme is efficiently implemented to solve the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations in the primitive variables formulation using the artificial compressibility method. For space discretizing the convective fluxes, fourth‐order centered spatial accuracy of the implicit operators is efficiently obtained by performing compact space differentiation in which the method uses block‐tridiagonal matrix inversions. To stabilize the numerical solution, numerical dissipation terms and/or filters are used. In this study, the high‐order compact implicit operator scheme is also extended for computing three‐dimensional incompressible flows. The accuracy and efficiency of this high‐order compact method are demonstrated for different incompressible flow problems. A sensitivity study is also conducted to evaluate the effects of grid resolution and pseudocompressibility parameter on accuracy and convergence rate of the solution. The effects of filtering and numerical dissipation on the solution are also investigated. Test cases considered herein for validating the results are incompressible flows in a 2‐D backward facing step, a 2‐D cavity and a 3‐D cavity at different flow conditions. Results obtained for these cases are in good agreement with the available numerical and experimental results. The study shows that the scheme is robust, efficient and accurate for solving incompressible flow problems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal approximations of nonlinear payoffs in static replication
Authors: Liu Qiang
Published: February 2010

Static replication of nonlinear payoffs by line segments (or equivalently vanilla options) is an important hedging method, which unfortunately is only an approximation. If the strike prices of options are adjustable (for OTC options), two optimal approximations can be defined for replication by piecewise chords. The first is a naive minimum area approach, which seeks a set of strike prices to minimize the area enclosed by the payoff curve and the chords. The second improves on the first by taking the conditional distribution of the underlying into consideration, and minimizes the expected area instead. When the strike prices are fixed (for exchange‐traded options), a third or the approach of least expected squares locates the minimum for the expected sum of squared differences between the payoff and the replicating portfolio, by varying the weights or quantities of the options used in the replication. For a payoff of variance swap, minimum expected area and least expected squares are found to produce the best numerical results in terms of cost of replication. Finally, piecewise tangents can also be utilized in static replication, which together with replication by chords, forms a pair of lower or upper bound to a nonlinear payoff. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark
Developmental disruptions induced by insect growth regulator (Novaluron) in Bufo melanostictus tadpoles
Authors: Pancharatna Katti , Ghodageri Manjunath , Deshpande Prasad A. , Javalkar Rutesh
Published: February 2010

Novaluron is an insect growth regulator (IGR) used against fruit‐borers and domestic pests. In this study, effects of different concentrations (0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5 µg l−1) of novaluron on the tail regeneration, limb development and metamorphosis were examined in Bufo melanostictus. Thyroxine (1.0, 2.0, 3.5, 5.0 µg l−1), which promotes amphibian development/metamorphosis, and vitamin A (5, 20, 40, 60 IU l−1), which disrupts development and induce polymelia, were used for comparison. Bufo melanostictus tadpoles were raised in the laboratory from eggs collected around Dharwad in August 2007. The tail of tadpoles was amputated at limb‐bud stage under ether anesthesia. Ten tadpoles were exposed to each concentration of chemicals in triplicate for 5 days and then reared in conditioned water. Tadpoles were fed on boiled spinach. In controls (tadpoles exposed to ringer solution), the tail regenerated on the 5th day, hind‐limbs and fore‐limbs appeared on days 15 and 24, respectively; metamorphosis was complete on the 30th day. In 1 and 2 µg l−1 thyroxine exposed tadpoles, regeneration of tail, development of limbs and metamorphosis were preponed to the 4th, 7th, 11th and 23rd day respectively. Exposure to vitamin A resulted in the regeneration of laterally drooped tails, delay in limb development and arrest of metamorphosis in all the concentrations used. Novaluron at lower dose (0.5 µg l−1) was not effective, but at 0.75 µg and higher concentrations it elicited results comparable to those of vitamin A. The study indicates that novaluron interferes with amphibian development if found as contaminant in the water bodies where amphibians live and reproduce. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optical micro‐angiography images structural and functional cerebral blood perfusion in mice with cranium left intact
Authors: Jia Yali , Wang Ruikang K.
Published: February 2010

Alteration in regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) is the direct result of changes in neuronal activity. It is crucial to monitor the spatio‐temporal characteristics of cerebro‐vascular blood perfusion in the studies of cerebral diseases. Optical micro‐angiography (OMAG) is a recently developed imaging technique capable of resolving 3D distribution of dynamic blood perfusion at a capillary level resolution within microcirculatory beds in vivo. The authors report the applications of OMAG in mouse ischemic stroke model. The study demonstrates that OMAG is a useful method capable of providing in vivo serial assessment of 3D cerebro‐vascular pathophysiology with high sensitivity, and therefore, has the potential for use in the study of brain disorders and repairs. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Resorbable bioactive ceramic for treatment of bone infection
Authors: El‐Ghannam Ahmed , Jahed Kiarash , Govindaswami Meera
Published: February 2010

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) beads have been widely used in the treatment of bone infection over the last three decades. Although PMMA does offer a mechanism to quickly and effectively administer a localized dose of antibiotic to the site of infection, its efficacy is limited by its nonresorbability and nonbioactivity. Resorbable bioactive silica–calcium phosphate nanocomposite (SCPC75) was investigated as a novel controlled release carrier of vancomycin for the treatment of osteomyelitis. SCPC75 particles adsorbed significantly higher amount of vancomycin compared with PMMA. Moreover, SCPC75 provided a sustained release kinetics of therapeutic dose of vancomycin up to 35 days. The novel resorbable ceramic was able to release 95.5% of the adsorbed drug in an average dose of 12 μg/mL/day over 480 h (35 days). In conjunction with the sustained drug release, a controlled dissolution rate that led to 40% mass loss of SCPC75 was observed. On the other hand, PMMA provided a sustained release of a therapeutic dose of vancomycin for 14 days after which minimal concentration of the drug was detected. Moreover, PMMA retained 32% of the drug adsorbed onto its surface. The SCPC–vancomycin implant can serve a dual function: provide a sustained therapeutic dose of antibiotic to eradicate infection and stimulate bone cell differentiation and new bone formation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Aluminum administration in the Rat separately affects the osteoblast and Bone mineralization
Authors: Rodriguez Mariano , Felsenfeld Arnold J. , Llach Francisco
Published: February 2010

Aluminum administration in the experimental animal results in osteomalacia as characterized by osteoid accumulation and decreased mineralization. Previous in vivo and in vitro studies have indicated that either aluminum directly inhibits mineralization or is toxic to the osteoblast. In the present study, PTH was continuously infused in rats with aluminum-induced osteomalacia to evaluate whether aluminum administration decreased mineralization without a concomitant decrease in osteoblasts. Four groups of rats were studied: chronic renal failure (CRF); CRF + aluminum (AL); CRF + PTH; and CRF + PTH + AL. Rats were sacrificed 5 and 12 days after aluminum or diluent administration; in the PTH groups, bovine PTH (1–34) was administered at 2 units/h via a subcutaneously implanted Alzet pump. Aluminum administration decreased osteoblast surface, increased osteoid accumulation, and produced a cessation of bone formation. The infusion of PTH alone increased osteoblast surface and bone formation. The simultaneous administration of aluminum and PTH resulted in an osteoblast surface intermediate between aluminum and PTH alone; however, despite a PTH-induced restoration of osteoblast surface, bone formation did not increase. These findings indicate (1) aluminum is toxic to osteoblasts and also directly inhibits mineralization even when osteoblasts are not decreased; (2) PTH is capable of increasing osteoblasts even in the presence of aluminum; and (3) despite a PTH-induced increase in osteoblast surface, mineralization of osteoid was not improved
Quantitative bone histomorphometry and circulating t lymphocyte subsets in postmenopausal osteoporosis
Authors: Imai Yasuo , Tsunenari Tohru , Fukase Masaaki , Fujita Takuo
Published: February 2010

To explore the influence of the immune system on the development of osteoporosis, 19 untreated postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were studied by means of quantitative histomorphometry of the ilium and an analysis of T lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood. Osteoporotic women had lower OKT3+ and OKT8+ counts and a higher OKT4+/OKT8+ ratio than nonosteoporotic control subjects. Linear regression analyses disclosed that the age of subjects correlated with bone mineral density (BMD; r = −0.634, p < 0.01) and some of the histomorphometric parameters for bone formation (r = −0.694 to −0.467, p < 0.010.05). The number of OKT4+ cells showed weak but significant negative correlation with the parameters for bone resorption (r = −0.549 to −0.462, p < 0.05). In a multiple regression analysis, the advanced age, the increase in OKT3+, and the decrease in OKT4+ and OKT8+ counts were shown to be significant predictors for the decrease in BMD (R = 0.882, p <0.01). According to the regression formula obtained from the analysis, the parameters for bone formation were related only to the age of subjects whereas those for bone resorption were tightly associated with the number of OKT4+ and OKT8+ cells but not with the age of subjects. These results indicated that, in addition to the age factor, abnormalities of the peripheral T lymphocyte subsets, especially those of OKT4+ and OKT8+ cells, are closely associated with the decrease in bone mass in postmenopausal osteoporosis, supporting the causal relationship between T lymphocyte functions and the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Inositol trisphosphate receptor gene expression and hormonal regulation in osteoblast-like cell lines and primary osteoblastic cell cultures
Authors: Kirkwood Keith L. , Dziak Rosemary , Bradford Peter G.
Published: February 2010

The inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) is an intracellular calcium channel that mediates the cellular actions of a wide variety of hormones, growth factors, and cytokines. In osteoblastic cell cultures, many bone resorbing hormones increase phosphoinositide turnover, inositol trisphosphate production, mobilization of intracellular calcium, and the secretion of osteoclast recruitment and activating factors. In this study, the effects of 17β-estradiol, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), phorbol ester, and serum on IP3R mRNA levels were evaluated in osteogenic-osteosarcoma cells and in primary osteoblastic cultures derived from neonatal rat calvaria. Type-specific reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) indicated that all cell types evaluated (G-292, U-2 OS, Saos-2, MC3T3-E1, UMR-106, and calvarial osteoblastic cells) express IP3R mRNA type I; G-292, U-2 OS, MC3T3-E1, and calvarial osteoblastic cells also express type II IP3R mRNA; and UMR-106 and the calvarial osteoblastic cells express type III IP3R mRNA. Northern blot and RT-PCR analyses of human G-292 osteosarcoma cells and rat calvarial osteoblastic cells showed that phorbol ester and serum increase IP3R mRNA levels, whereas 17β-estradiol and 1,25(OH)2D3 decrease these levels. In G-292 cells, the effect of 17β-estradiol was not due to accelerated IP3R mRNA degradation and required continued protein synthesis. The results show that multiple IP3R types are expressed in osteoblasts and osteoblastic osteosarcoma cells and that this expression is regulated by 17β-estradiol and other osteoporotic and antiosteoporotic hormones. These findings indicate that hormonal control of IP3R expression may be relevant in the chronic regulation of osteoblast secretory activity.
Aligning technology with strategic performance measurement
Authors: Richtermeyer Sandra B. , Webb Shelly E.
Published: February 2010

As controllers and CFOs try to improve the quality of information they provide to decision makers, the one key challenge often is getting the technology support for their needs. This can be particularly true as they develop more strategic information. This article describes the processes that accounting professionals commonly experience as they work to capture more strategic information. It also gives tips for effective technology enablement in the accounting and finance function. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.