bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PELATIHAN METODE PENERJEMAHAN BAHASA INGGRIS KE BAHASA INDONESIA PADA REMAJA DI DESA DELI TUA
Authors: Misla Geubrina  , Bima prana Chitra  , Hendra Mulia
Published: March 2024

Penerjemahan bahasa asing banyak digunakan dalam perdagangan, pendidikan, teknologi, pariwisata, dan lain-lain. Penerjemahan tulisan dan lisan merupakan salah satu keterampilan berkomunikasi berbahasa yang sangat penting di dunia ini. Kemampuan tersebut sangat diperlukan untuk para remaja agar dapat bersaing di dunia internasional dan mendapat peluang  kerja yang lebih baik lagi. Untuk itu diperlukan pelatihan untuk mereka. Sebagai solusinya,  melalui  program  kemitraan  masyarakat  (PKM)  ini,  tim  pelaksana memberikan  pelatihan penerjemahan bagi remaja Desa Deli Tua Kecamatan Namorambe. Pelatihan keterampilan bahasa yang  dibentuk  melalui  PKM  ini dipandang  sangat diperlukan dan  bermanfaat bagi remaja sebagai bekal untuk melakukan penerjemahan nantinya. Hasil dari pelatihan ini berdampak positif terhadap kemampuan penerjemahan dari Bahasa Inggris ke Bahasa Indonesia. Oleh sebab penilaian yang positif dari peserta, diharapkan pelatihan ini dapat dilaksanakan secara berkelanjutan dengan peningkatan kualitas yang lebih baik lagi kedepannya.
Pendampingan Magang Mahasiswa Bidang Teknologi di CV. Asa Technovasindo
Authors: UC Mariance  , Rahmadani
Published: March 2024

Jurnal pengabdian ini membahas tentang program Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) yang dilaksanakan di PT. Xtend Indonesia yang berada di kota Medan. MBKM merupakan upaya perguruan tinggi untuk berkontribusi pada masyarakat melalui berbagai kegiatan dan proyek yang melibatkan kolaborasi dengan pihak-pihak eksternal, seperti komunitas lokal, organisasi non-pemerintah, atau pemerintah daerah. Hasil dari program MBKM ini menunjukkan adanya pengembangan soft skill dibidang teknologi. Keberhasilan program ini diukur melalui [pengenalan industry bidang teknologi, penigkatan keterampilan teknis,  peningkatan soft skill, praktikum dan freelancing, pengalaman kerja praktis, kesempatan kerja]. Kesimpulannya, program Masyarakat Berbasis Kampus (MBKM) ini memberikan manfaat yang signifikan bagi mahasiswa yang melaksanakan magang dalam program MBKM. Magang ini diharapkan dapat menjadi pembelajaran berharga bagi mahasiswa kedepannya dan memperkuat peran perguruan tinggi dalam pembangunan masyarakat.
Pengenalan dan Sosialisasi Website Sistem Informasi Portal Mahasiswa di SMK Tritech Indonesia
Authors: Siahaan Andysah Putera Utama , Supiyandi  , Hermansyah
Published: March 2024

Pendidikan memiliki peran utama dalam perkembangan individu dan kemajuan suatu negara. SMK Tritech Indonesia, sebagai lembaga pendidikan yang berkomitmen tinggi terhadap pendidikan berkualitas, memahami betapa pentingnya mengikuti perkembangan teknologi dan perubahan paradigma pendidikan di era digital. SMK Tritech Indonesia menerima kunjungan sejumlah dosen dari Universitas Pembangunan Panca Budi yang ahli dalam pengembangan sistem informasi berbasis digital. Kunjungan ini adalah bagian dari upaya pengabdian dosen untuk memperkenalkan sistem informasi berbasis digital kepada SMK Tritech Indonesia. Salah satu tujuan utama pengenalan sistem informasi portal mahasiswa berbasis digital di SMK Tritech Indonesia adalah membantu siswa-siswa mempersiapkan diri untuk melanjutkan pendidikan ke perguruan tinggi, terutama Universitas Pembangunan Panca Budi. Dengan sistem ini, siswa-siswa dapat dengan lebih mudah mengakses informasi mengenai program studi, persyaratan pendaftaran, serta proses seleksi, yang membantu mereka mewujudkan impian masuk ke perguruan tinggi. Selain manfaat bagi siswa, sistem ini juga memungkinkan kedua lembaga, yakni SMK Tritech Indonesia dan Universitas Pembangunan Panca Budi, untuk meningkatkan kolaborasi mereka. Hal ini membantu memperkuat hubungan di antara keduanya dan menciptakan peluang pertukaran pengetahuan serta pengalaman. Dengan langkah progresif ini, pengenalan sistem informasi portal mahasiswa berbasis digital menggambarkan komitmen SMK Tritech Indonesia dalam meningkatkan kualitas pendidikan dan mempersiapkan siswa-siswa untuk sukses dalam pendidikan tinggi, sekaligus memajukan kerja sama antara lembaga pendidikan.
TOWARDS A CULTURAL VICTIMOLOGY OF ATTIC TRAGEDY: EPITHETS OF MISERY IN EURIPIDES’ HECUBA
Authors: Ferreira Natasha
Published: March 2024

In recent scholarship, characters in Attic tragedies are often described as victims. Modern audiences may be familiar with the word ‘victim’, but victimological studies have shown that the notion of victimhood, the recognition of a person as a victim, is culturally and historically contingent. As a step towards a cultural victimology of Attic tragedy, this article posits that epithets of misery are markers of the undeserved and unjust suffering which often serves as a foundation for the development of victimhood. In order to illustrate how an analysis of epithets of misery can contribute to a victimological reading of an ancient text, the article discusses the use of these epithets in Euripides’ Hecuba, the extant Attic tragedy with the highest number of occurrences of such epithets.
ROMAN BIRTHDAYS IN THE ELEGIAC STORY-WORLD
Authors: Steenkamp Johan
Published: March 2024

The article analyses private Roman birthday parties as they are represented in Augustan poetry, to discuss to what extent literary texts from the Augustan period can be trusted as sources revealing historical Realien. It revisits some of our knowledge regarding these celebrations and is especially interested in those birthday rituals referenced in the poems and considered private birthdays. The article makes interpretative remarks on poems where this historical knowledge contributes to our understanding of the poems as literary artworks, but since a large number of poems are covered, no in-depth analysis is attempted.
CASA TRANSLATION PRIZE 2023
Authors: MacDonald Bronwen
Published: March 2024

As an undergraduate at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, I wrote this translation of Catullus’ Carmen 27 for amusement.
Jaka jest przyszłość energetyki rozproszonej? I Kongres Energetyki Rozproszonej, AGH, Kraków, 25 września 2023 r.
Authors: Kurtyka Michał
Published: March 2024

W artykule omówiono perspektywę rozwoju energetyki rozproszonej (ER) w aspektach geopolityki, technologii, przemysłu, systemu energetycznego, instytucji oraz europejskich wyzwań. Przedstawiono także znaczenie bezpieczeństwa energetycznego w kontekście geopolitycznym oraz rosnącą rolę ER w zabezpieczaniu dostaw energii. Zwrócono uwagę na techniczne wyzwania związane z generacją niesterowalną, a także na konieczność różnicowania źródeł energii oraz rozwoju technologii. W perspektywie przemysłowej uwypukla się potrzeba utrzymania dotychczasowego potencjału Europy i zlokalizowania procesów przemysłowych na jej terenie. Przeanalizowano również kwestie systemowe, w tym zmiany prawodawstwa oraz sposobu zarządzania systemem energetycznym, a także rozwój lokalnych społeczności energetycznych. W kontekście europejskim istotną rolę odgrywają zmiany w unijnych instytucjach oraz miejsce Polski w procesie transformacji energetycznej (TE). Artykuł podkreśla znaczenie współpracy, innowacji oraz społecznego wsparcia dla rozwijającej się energetyki rozproszonej.
Free Innovation
Authors: von Hippel Eric
Published: March 2024

A leading innovation scholar explains the growing phenomenon and impact of free innovation, in which innovations developed by consumers and given away “for free.”

In this book, Eric von Hippel, author of the influential Democratizing Innovation, integrates new theory and research findings into the framework of a “free innovation paradigm.” Free innovation, as he defines it, involves innovations developed by consumers who are self-rewarded for their efforts, and who give their designs away “for free.” It is an inherently simple grassroots innovation process, unencumbered by compensated transactions and intellectual property rights.

Free innovation is already widespread in national economies and is steadily increasing in both scale and scope. Today, tens of millions of consumers are collectively spending tens of billions of dollars annually on innovation development. However, because free innovations are developed during consumers' unpaid, discretionary time and are given away rather than sold, their collective impact and value have until very recently been hidden from view. This has caused researchers, governments, and firms to focus too much on the Schumpeterian idea of innovation as a producer-dominated activity.

Free innovation has both advantages and drawbacks. Because free innovators are self-rewarded by such factors as personal utility, learning, and fun, they often pioneer new areas before producers see commercial potential. At the same time, because they give away their innovations, free innovators generally have very little incentive to invest in diffusing what they create, which reduces the social value of their efforts.

The best solution, von Hippel and his colleagues argue, is a division of labor between free innovators and producers, enabling each to do what they do best. The result will be both increased producer profits and increased social welfare—a gain for all.
Comparison of Dexmedetomidine and Fentanyl Added to Levobupivacaine in USG-guided Axillary Block for Upper Limb Surgeries: A Randomised Double-blinded Controlled Study
Authors: Balasubramanian Kala , Botta Bhagya Vardhan , . Chandhinie , Soundarya Geetha
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Apart from general anaesthesia, brachial plexus block by the axillary approach is one of the reliable sole anaesthetic techniques for patients undergoing upper limb surgeries. In this study, levobupivacaine was chosen due to fewer adverse effects compared to Bupivacaine, and fewer studies were available for the axillary approach to brachial plexus block. Adjuvants were added to hasten the onset and also to prolong their analgesic effect. Aim: To compare the effect of Dexmedetomidine (D) 0.5 mcg/kg and Fentanyl (F) 0.5 mcg/kg when added to 0.5% Levobupivacaine (L) as an adjuvant in brachial plexus block by the axillary approach for upper limb surgeries. Materials and Methods: A randomised double-blind controlled study was carried out at the Department of Anaesthesiology, Sree Balaji Medical College, BIHER, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India from January 2020 to October 2021 on 60 American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) I and II patients of either sex posted for various types of upper limb surgeries. Subjects were divided into two equal groups by computer-generated randomisation. Group A received 0.5% levobupivacaine and dexmedetomidine 0.5 mcg/kg, and Group B received 0.5% levobupivacaine and Fentanyl 0.5 mcg/kg. Both patients and the evaluator were unaware of the type of adjuvants added to the local anaesthetic. The onset time, duration of sensory and Motor blockade were recorded. Haemodynamic variables and duration of analgesia were recorded for 24 hours postoperatively. The Mann-Whitney U test demonstrated variations in the onset and duration of sensory and motor blocks. Adverse effects, including nausea, vomiting, and hypotension, exhibited significant differences according to Fisher’s-exact test. Results: Age and weight distributions were comparable between groups (mean age: Group A=45.20 years, Group B=44.80 years; mean weight: Group A=74.13 kg, Group B=74.43 kg). Group A exhibited faster sensory and motor block onset times (sensory: Group A=6.20 minutes, Group B=8.63 minutes; motor: Group A=8.27 minutes, Group B=10.00 minutes), longer block durations (sensory: Group A=11.63 hours, Group B=9.53 hours; motor: Group A=9.67 hours, Group B=8.20 hours), and required the first rescue analgesic (Group A=12.57 hours, Group B=10.27 hours) compared to Group B (p<0.05). Similarly, the mean time for the first rescue analgesia for patients among these two groups was also statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: The addition of 0.5 mcg/kg dexmedetomidine to 0.5% levobupivacaine in axillary block was more effective in prolonging the duration of blockade and providing adequate intraoperative analgesia when compared to 0.5 mcg/kg fentanyl with 0.5% levobupivacaine, without producing any adverse events.
Factors Influencing Success of Incubatees of ANGRAU POSHAN Agribusiness Incubator in Tirupati
Authors: Reddy P. Hanumanth , Lalitha A. , Reddy P. Bala Hussain , Purnima K.S. , Umar S.K. Nafeez
Published: March 2024

The ANGRAU POSHAN Agribusiness Incubator was purposively selected for the research study (conducted in the year 2023) because it has a specific goal of nurturing agri-startups that are working towards improving the farming communities in the state of Andhra Pradesh and neighboring states. Ten successful incubatees trained at ANGRAU POSHAN agribusiness incubator was purposively selected for the study in the year 2023, based on category, product, service, R&D and achievements and case studies were recorded. The findings demonstrated that personal factors such as entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurial capacity, social skills, alignment with personal values and achievement motivation play significant role in the success of agribusiness ventures and received mean scores of 3.0,2.9,2.9,2.9,2.9, respectively. Additionally, resilience, education level, passion for work, experience in the agriculture sector and access to formal and ICT sources of information contribute to entrepreneurial effectiveness and received mean scores of 2.8,2.7,2.7,2.6,2.6,2.6, respectively. The perception of agri-incubatees regarding the personal factors influencing their success is positive. While half of the incubatees (50.00%) rated these factors as moderate, nearly one third (30.00%) also considered them good.
The participants in this study highly valued psychological factors such as innovativeness, self-efficacy, risk-taking ability and the need for affiliation in their agribusiness endeavors. These factors received higher mean scores of 3.0,2.9,2.9,2.9, respectively when compared to resource mobilization, need for power and pro-activeness. These findings highlighted the significance of personal traits and motivations in driving success in the agri-business sector. The perception of incubatees regarding the psychological factors influencing their success is positive. While half of the incubatees rated these factors as ‘moderate’ (50.00%), a significant proportion also considered them high (40.00%).
Revolutionizing Apixaban Release: Exploring Wet Granulation and Superdisintegrant Synergy for Improved Delivery Profiles
Authors: Parveen Sadia , Singh Ravindra Pal , Chanana Arsh , Rathore Gulshan
Published: March 2024

The aim of the present research was to formulate and evaluate immediate release tablet of apixaban. In this research study, we are formulating apixaban by wet granulation method. Previously research has been conducted based on dry granulation and direct compression methods.

The proposed wet granulation method has several advantages in terms of feasibility and cost effectiveness. The present formulation comprises of comparative evaluation between disintegrants such as sodium starch glycolate (SSG), and croscarmellose sodium (CCS), among which CCS was found to have optimum results. Superdisintegrants, are compounds that, as their name implies, are superior to disintegrants and that facilitate or enhance the disintegration time even at low levels, usually 1-10% by weight relative to the total weight of the dosage unit. These are used to boost the potency of the solid dosage form.
Performance of different Varieties of French Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) under Prayagraj Agro-Climatic Condition
Authors: Kant Shashi , Topno Samir E. , Bahadur Vijay
Published: March 2024

The present investigation was carried out at the Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Prayagraj (UP) during the rabi season 2022-23 to check the performance of different varieties of French Bean under Paryagraj agro -climate condition and to estimate economics of French Bean using different varieties. The experiment comprised of total 7 varieties V1 (IET/2022/FBBVAR-1), V3 (IET/2022/FBBVAR-3), V4 (IET/2022/FBBVAR-4), V5 (IET/2022/FBBVAR-5), V6 (IET/2022/FBBVAR-6), V7 (Lakshmi), V8 (Ellora No.11) consisting 3 replication which was laid out in randomized block design. From the above experiment finding it is concluded that all the parameter varied significantly. Further, while studying the plant height, no. of leaves and pod length was found maximum in (Lakshmi). Day to germination days, first flowering, 50% flowering and first pod picking were found minimum in (IET/2022/FBBVAR-1). Number of branches, pod girth, pod per plant, average pod weight, ascorbic acid, yield per ha and benefit-cost (B: C) ratio was found maximum in (IET/2022/FBBVAR-3). The maximum TSS, fiber and protein was found in (IET/2022/FBBVAR-1).
Impact of Drip Irrigation in Sugarcane Cultivation in Mandya District of Karnataka, India
Authors: Sadhana, H. S.  , Ramu, M. S.  , Sharif Mahin , Seemakowsar, N.
Published: March 2024

This study investigates the impact of drip irrigation on sugarcane cultivation in Mandya district, Karnataka, considering the challenges posed by traditional flood irrigation methods and the increasing demand for water resources. The research compares the adoption of drip and flood irrigation, analyzing socio-economic characteristics, cropping patterns, and the comparative economics of sugarcane cultivation under both methods. Externality concept and Partial budgeting technique was emphasized to estimate the additional benefit derived from drip irrigation over flood irrigation. The study reveals that drip irrigation leads to higher water use efficiency, improved crop quality, and environmental sustainability. The adoption of drip irrigation in sugarcane cultivation results in significant economic benefits, with higher net returns and increased yields then farmers following flood irrigation. The findings highlight the positive externality associated with drip irrigation, contributing to water conservation, reduced labor costs, and increased agricultural sustainability with an additional benefit of around Rs. 41,000 derived due to drip adoption over flood irrigation in Sugarcane cultivation. As Karnataka faces evolving challenges in agriculture, the widespread adoption of drip irrigation emerges as a pivotal factor in ensuring the prosperity of sugarcane cultivation and addressing environmental concerns.
Effect of Date of Sowing on Incidence of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda in Maize
Authors: Darshan R  , Prasanna P M  , Hegde Jayalaxmi Narayan
Published: March 2024

Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a member of the Noctuidae family which has economic importance as a polyphagous and extreme pest of many important crops, including maize in India and elsewhere. In this context, an experiment regarding the influence of different dates of sowing on the incidence of fall armyworm was conducted in MARS, Dharwad. The results revealed that the least mean larval load of fall armyworm was recorded in crop sown during the July 2nd fortnight (0.75 larvae per plant) and the highest was recorded in crop sown during the August 2nd fortnight (1.53 larvae per plant). Whereas, the lowest mean leaf damage score of 2.95 was observed in crop sown during 2nd fortnight of July and the highest was recorded in the crop sown during 2nd fortnight of August (4.82).
Efficacy of Azoxystrobin 7.5% and Propiconazole 12.5% SE Against Sheath Blight in Rice
Authors: Gowdar S. B. , Narappa G
Published: March 2024

Among the fungal diseases causing significant yield loss in rice, sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn is the most important ranked the second most important disease worldwide after blast and a serious threat in rice growing areas of the world and causes more economic yield losses. The field experiment was conducted with seven treatments and replicated three times in RBD design at ARS, Gangavati to know the effect of Azoxystrobin 7.5% + Propiconazole 12.5% SE against sheath blight in rice. The variety BPT-5204 was sown in plot size of 5 X 5 m2 with all regular agronomic practices followed as per the standard package of practice of University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur. It has been found that the fungicide Azoxystrobin 7.5% + Propiconazole 12.5% SE at different doses evaluated was effective in reducing the severity of rice sheath blight and thereby increased the rice grain yield. The treatment Azoxystrobin 7.5% + Propiconazole 12.5% SE @ 625 ml/ha recorded minimum sheath blight of 13.70 and 16.11 per cent PDI with yield of 64.60 q/ha and 63.20 q/ha compared to control treatment 48.70 and 57.96 per cent PDI with grain yield of 54.10 q/ha and 52.40 q/ha during the first and second season, respectively. In the current study, along with reducing sheath blight severity, fungicide treatments minimized grain yield losses in 2 years. Field trial conducted clearly indicated that Azoxystrobin 7.5% + Propiconazole 12.5% SE @ 500 and 625 ml/ha dose can effectively control sheath blight of rice. Azoxystrobin 7.5% + Propiconazole 12.5% w/v SE @ 500 ml/ha was at par with higher dose and resulted better yield than other treatments.
Effect of Bio Control Agents in the Management of Citrus Nematode (T. semipenetrans) on Khasi Mandarin Seedling
Authors: Mahanta Bornali , Borthakur Polash L. , Borah Aparajita , Dutta Pranab
Published: March 2024

Studies on the effect of Purpureocillium lilacinum, Glomus fasciculatum, Trichoderma harzianum, vermicompost and carbofuran 3G in the management of Tylenchulus semipenetrans on Khasi mandarin under pot condition showed that all thetreatments were effective in increasing plant growth parameters of Khasi mandarin. All the treatments significantly decreased the final nematode population in soil and root over control. The treatment with vermicompost @ 15g/plant+ T. harzianum 10g/plant was found to be most effective in plant growth parameters of Khasi mandarin. The treatment with carbofuran 3G@ 4g/plant was found to be best in suppressing the final nematode population in soil and root followed by the treatment with G. fasciculatum@ 150spores/plant + P. lilacinus@10g/plant.
Inside Front Cover: Homeotropic Alignment of Columnar Liquid Crystals in Open Films by Means of Surface Nanopatterning (Adv. Mater. 6/2007)
Authors: Gearba R. I. , Anokhin D. V. , Bondar A. I. , Bras W. , Jahr M. , Lehmann M. , Ivanov D. A.
Published: March 2007

Columnar liquid crystals (LCs) are found to spontaneously form homeotropically‐aligned films when deposited on surfaces fabricated via friction transfer of polytetrafluoroethylene. The inside cover schematically shows the film structure of a phthalocyanine derivative together with the corresponding X‐ray diffraction pattern (inset). The results, reported on p. 815 by Dmitri Ivanov and co‐workers, indicate that not only are the columns homeotropically oriented but also that they form a single monodomain of macroscopic size. These findings can have an important impact for fabrication of LC‐based organic solar cells.
Viren als Bauelemente für Materialien und Strukturen
Authors: Fischlechner Martin , Donath Edwin
Published: March 2007

Aus dem Blickwinkel eines Materialwissenschaftlers können Viren als organische Nanopartikel betrachtet werden. Sie bestehen aus einer überschaubaren Anzahl unterschiedlicher Biopolymere: Proteine und Nukleinsäuren. Viele Viren sind zudem von einer Lipidmembran umhüllt. Viren weisen keinen eigenen Metabolismus auf; sie benötigen für ihre Vermehrung die metabolische Maschinerie einer Wirtszelle. Die Oberfläche von Viren ist mit funktionellen Elementen ausgestattet, die es dem Virus ermöglichen, in seine Wirtszelle einzudringen. Form und Größe von Viren, wie auch die Anzahl und Art funktioneller Gruppen an ihrer Oberfläche, sind exakt definiert. Deshalb werden Viren als Gerüststruktur für räumlich definierte kovalente Oberflächenmodifikationen verwendet. Die einzigartige Qualität von Viren als Nanopartikel besteht aber darin, dass ihre Oberfläche, aufgrund der Colokalisation von Geno‐ und Phänotyp, mithilfe kombinatorischer Methoden evolviert werden kann. Die dabei verwendeten molekularbiologischen Methoden, ursprünglich in den Lebenswissenschaften entwickelt, werden zur Basis neuer Techniken für die Bereitstellung von Nanomaterialien und eröffnen neue Anwendungsbereiche weit über Biologie und Medizin hinaus.
Effect of surface treatment on electrical conductivity of carbon black filled conductive polymer composites
Authors: Koysuren Ozcan , Yesil Sertan , Bayram Goknur
Published: March 2007

Two different types of surface modifiers, 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane and formamide, were applied to carbon black (CB) particles to lower electrical resistivity of polymer composites prepared by treated CB. Two different matrices, low‐density polyethylene and nylon 6, were chosen to compound with surface modified CB. Surface energy of CB was increased by adding amine or amide functional groups during surface treatment of CB. According to electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA), chemical modification in surface chemistry of CB was obtained with the chemicals used for the treatment due to the nitrogen atoms in their structures, which may act as dopant atom. As a result of this, electrical resistivity of composites prepared by treated CB decreased. In addition, there was not any significant change in tensile strength and tensile modulus of the composites with the surface treatment. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Synthesis and surface characterization of poly(methyl methacrylate)‐block‐polydimethylsiloxane copolymers from macroazoinitiator
Authors: Feng Libang , Fang Hongxia , Zhou Shuxue , Wu Limin , You Bo
Published: March 2007

Poly(methyl methyacrylate)‐block‐polydimethylsiloxane (PMMA‐b‐PDMS) copolymers with various compositions were synthesized with PDMS‐containing macroazoinitiator (MAI), which was first prepared by a facile one‐step method in our lab. Results from the characterizations of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), contact angle measurements, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that the copolymer films took on a gradient of composition and more PDMS segments enriched at the film surfaces, which then resulted in the low surface free energy and little microphase separation at the film surfaces. By contrast, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis demonstrated that distinct microphase separation occurred in bulk. Slight crosslinking of the block copolymers led to much steady morphology and more distinct microphase separation, in particularly for copolymers with low content of PDMS. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Lymphocyte subsets associated with T cell receptor β‐chain gene rearrangement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and neutropenia
Authors: Gonzales‐Chambers Rowena , Przepiorka Donna , Winkelstein Alan , Agarwal Amrit , Starz Terence W. , Kline William E. , Hawk Holly
Published: March 2007

Objective. To determine the incidence of a clonal lymphoid disease in patients with chronic rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and neutropenia.

Methods. Lymphocytes from 23 RA patients with either current neutropenia or a history of this complication were studied.

Results. Eight patients had a clonal rearrangement of the T cell receptor β‐chain gene. Phenotypically, they showed a distinctive pattern characterized by an inverted CD4+:CD8+ cell ratio and an increased number and percentage of CD57+/CD8+ and CD3+/DR+ lymphocytes. None had evidence of a lymphoid malignancy.

Conclusion. Among RA patients with neutropenia, there is a subset who have a subclinical disease resembling T γ lymphoproliferative disease.
Oral antiplatelet therapy for percutaneous coronary revascularization
Authors: Hamdalla Hussam , Steinhubl Steven R.
Published: March 2007

Great strides in interventional pharmacotherapy have been made over the past few decades, virtually all focused on optimizing peri‐PCI antithrombotic therapy in order to reduce thrombotic complications. Our understanding of the role of platelets and of antiplatelet therapies in this process continues to evolve. Today, dual or even triple antiplatelet therapy has become standard of care at the time of PCI followed by dual therapy long‐term in the majority of patients. However, currently available oral regimens are hampered by limitations including the need to initiate treatment at least a few hours before the procedure to achieve maximum benefit and the safety issues surrounding irreversible platelet inhibition in the uncommon, but not rare situations when a patient requires surgical revascularization. These limitations have led to the suboptimal “real‐world” utilization of these proven agents and have fostered the development of a wide variety of alternative platelet inhibitors with theoretical, but still unproven clinical benefits. There are ample clinical data that strongly support the use of aspirin and clopidogrel in virtually all patients undergoing a PCI today. This review will highlight these data as well as emphasize the gaps in our understanding. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prophylactic salpingo‐oophorectomy in a series of 89 women carrying a BRCA1 or a BRCA2 mutation
Authors: Laki Fatima , Kirova Youlia M. , This Pascale ,   for the IC‐BOCRSG, Plancher Corinne , Asselain Bernard , Sastre Xavier , Stoppa‐Lyonnet Dominique , Salmon Remy
Published: March 2007

BACKGROUND.

Prophylactic salpingo‐oophorectomy (SO), which is recommended in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers, still needs to be reappraised.

METHODS.

In all, 89 BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation carriers underwent SO between 1994–2004. Past medical and familial history, SO, results and survival after SO were analyzed.

RESULTS.

The series consisted of 56 BRCA1 and 33 BRCA2 mutation carriers. All but 1 had a family history of breast (BC) and/or ovarian cancer; 42 BRCA1 and 31 BRCA2 had a personal history of BC. The median age at SO was 44 (BRCA1) and 49.5 (BRCA2) years for women without previous BC (not significant) and 48 (BRCA1) and 53 BRCA2) years (P = .03) for women with previous BC. Occult ovarian (n = 2) and/or fallopian (n = 3) carcinomas were found in 4 patients (4.5%): 1 experienced recurrence (4 years), 2 are disease‐free (26 and 38 months of follow‐up), and 1 died from BC (12 months). Among the other 69 patients with previous BC (median follow‐up, 42 months), 14 developed ipsilateral or contralateral BC and 8 developed metastatic disease. Among the 16 patients without previous BC (median follow‐up, 27 months), 3 developed BC. Of the 89 patients, 85 are still alive: 3 died from BC and 1 died from pancreatic cancer. No peritoneal malignancy was observed.

CONCLUSIONS.

This study shows that prophylactic SO remains an important option for BRCA1/2 mutation carriers as asymptomatic ovarian/fallopian cancers were found in 4.5% of patients. However, a longer follow‐up and larger series are required to more precisely evaluate the benefits of this procedure in terms of BC incidence, peritoneal malignancy, or recurrence. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Multimodality treatment of melanoma brain metastases incorporating stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)
Authors: Samlowski Wolfram E. , Watson Gordon A. , Wang Michael , Rao Ganesh , Klimo Paul , Boucher Kenneth , Shrieve Dennis C. , Jensen Randy L.
Published: March 2007

BACKGROUND.

Brain metastases are a frequent complication in advanced melanoma. A 3.6 to 4.1‐month median survival has been reported after treatment with whole brain radiotherapy. We performed a retrospective analysis of our institutional experience of multimodality treatment utilizing linear accelerator (Linac)‐based stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

METHODS.

Forty‐four melanoma patients with brain metastases underwent 66 SRS treatments for 156 metastatic foci between 1999 and 2004. Patients were treated with initial SRS if ≤5 brain metastases were present. All patients had Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) ≥70, but 37 patients had active systemic metastases (Recursive Partition Analysis Class 2). Survival was calculated from the time of diagnosis of brain metastases. Minimum follow‐up was 1 year after SRS. The potential role of prognostic factors on survival was evaluated including age, sex, interval from initial diagnosis to brain metastases, surgical resection, addition of whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), number of initial metastases treated, and number of SRS treatments using Cox univariate analysis.

RESULTS.

The median survival of melanoma patients with brain metastases was 11.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.2–14.9 months) from diagnosis. One‐year and 2‐year survivals were 47.7% and 17.7%, respectively. There was no apparent effect of age or sex. Surgery or multiple stereotactic radiotherapy treatments were associated with prolonged survival. Addition of WBRT to maintain control of brain metastases in a subset of patients did not improve survival.

CONCLUSIONS.

Our results suggest that aggressive treatment of patients with up to 5 melanoma brain metastases including SRS appears to prolong survival. Subsequent chemotherapy or immunotherapy after SRS may have contributed to the observed outcome. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Phase II randomized study of daily gefitinib treatment alone or with vinorelbine every 2 weeks in patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung who failed at least 2 regimens of chemotherapy
Authors: Chen Yuh‐Min , Liu Jacqueline Ming , Chou Teh‐Ying , Perng Reury‐Perng , Tsai Chun‐Ming , Whang‐Peng Jacqueline
Published: March 2007

BACKGROUND.

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of adding chronic, intermittent, low‐dose vinorelbine to gefitinib treatment for patients who had adenocarcinoma of the lung who failed ≥2 regimens of chemotherapy.

METHODS.

Patients were randomized into 2 arms: Oral gefitinib 250 mg daily (the G arm) or vinorelbine 15 mg/m2 as an intravenous infusion on Day 1 and oral gefitinib 250 mg daily on Days 2 through 14 every 2 weeks (the GV arm). From August 2004 to October 2005, 48 patients were enrolled. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 18 through 21 nucleotide sequence analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization were performed in patients who had tumor tissue specimens available for analysis.

RESULTS.

After randomization, each arm had 24 patients. However, 3 patients refused vinorelbine treatment and were given gefitinib treatment only. Thus, 27 patients received G treatment, and 21 patients received GV treatment. Objective response rates were 55.6% in the G arm and 52.4% in the GV arm. All toxicities in both arms were mild. The 1‐year progression‐free survival rate was 57.1% in the GV arm and 21.2% in the G arm (P = .008). The median survival was 13.3 months in the G arm and 23.4 months in the GV arm (P = .1231). Three of 6 patients (50%) had an exon 19 in‐frame deletion, and 2 of 10 patients had EGFR gene high polysomy or amplification (20%).

CONCLUSIONS.

Gefitinib was highly effective in ethnic Chinese patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung who failed previous platinum and taxane treatment. The addition of low‐dose vinorelbine every 2 weeks produced a significantly better 1‐year progression‐free survival rate. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
‘Owl's eye’ cells in a cervical smear of a transplant recipient: Don't forget to inform the referring physician
Authors: Oei A. L. M. , Salet‐van de Pol M. R. J. , Borst S. M. , van den Berg A. P. , Grefte J. M. M.
Published: March 2007

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infected cells in cervical smears are a rare finding but may have severe consequences. We describe the presence of characteristic ‘owl eye’ cells in a conventional cervical smear. Medical history revealed a liver transplantation from a CMV seropositive donor 1 yr earlier. The patient experienced a delayed primary CMV infection 6 mo after transplantation. The current CMV infection was considered to be either a persisting manifestation of that primary infection or a reactivation. Since the patient experienced no clinical symptoms, it was decided to ‘wait and see’. Infections with cytomegalovirus in immunocompromised patients may present with aspecific symptoms, but may lead to severe organ threatening disease such as acute or chronic transplantation loss in transplant recipients. Although in the present case no serious consequences occurred, we stress that it is important to recognize these cells and report this finding promptly to the referring physician to prevent possible severe morbidity. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2007;35:227–229. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential inhibition of interleukin 2‐ and interleukin 4‐mediated human B cell proliferation by ionomycin: A possible regulatory role for apoptosis
Authors: Vazquez Aimé , Auffredou Marie Thérèse , Chaouchi Nadia , Taieb Joelle , Sharma Surendra , Galanaud Pierre , Leca Gérald
Published: March 2007

Surface immunoglobulin (Ig) cross‐linking by anti‐IgM (μ) antibodies leads to B cell activation resulting in numerous early biochemical events including an increase in intracellular [Ca2+]. Furthermore, anti‐μ‐activated B cells become able to proliferate in response to interleukin (IL)2 and IL 4. These studies examined the effect of the calcium ionophore ionomycin, an enhancer of cytoplasmic [Ca2+] levels, on IL 2 and IL 4‐mediated proliferation of anti‐μ‐stimulated normal human B cells. Ionomycin inhibited the proliferative response of anti‐μ‐activated B cells to IL 4. In contrast, IL 2 and phorbol 12,13 dibutyrate (PBu2)‐mediated B cell proliferation was refractory to the growth inhibitory effects of ionomycin. In an attempt to delineate a possible mechanism(s) for this differential growth effect of ionomycin, we first studied direct effects of ionomycin on activated B cells. Our data suggested that ionomycin induced DNA fragmentation in anti‐μ‐costimulated B cells. Interestingly, in contrast to PBu2, IL 4 did not prevent ionmycin‐dependent DNA fragmentation. Importantly, H7, an inhibitor of protein kinase C activation, down‐regulated only the IL 2 and PBu2‐driven B cell proliferation but not B cell proliferative response to IL 4. These results suggest that putative protein kinase C activation, either by direct treatment with phorbol ester or during IL 2 signaling, counteracts the inhibitory effects of ionomycin. In contrast, IL 4 signaling does not exhibit the same protective properties.
Down‐regulation of protein kinase C activation in human lamina propria T lymphocytes: Influence of intestinal mucosa on T cell reactivity
Authors: Qiao Liang , Schürmann Guido , Betzler Michael , Meuer Stefan C.
Published: March 2007

Human lamina propria T lymphocytes (LPL‐T) were shown to have lower proliferative responses to CD3 triggering than autologous peripheral blood T lymphocytes (PBL‐T), yet preserved their responsiveness to CD2 stimulation. In order to elucidate the basis of these differences, freshly recovered human LPL‐T and autologous PBL‐T were stimulated with CD2 monoclonal antibodies anti‐T112/3 plus sheep red blood cells and phorbol 12,13‐dibutyrate (PBu2) plus ionomycin, respectively. LPL‐T showed invariably lower responses to PBu2 plus ionomycin than PBL‐T. In contrast, LPL‐T still preserved proliferation to CD2 activation even when their responses to PBu2 plus ionomycin were decreased almost to background levels. Preincubation of PBL‐T with intestinal mucosa supernatant led to a similar reactivity as observed in fresh LPL‐T. Moreover, the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor sphinganine was able to inhibit DNA synthesis to stimulation with PBu2 plus ionomycin but not to CD2 triggering. This study suggests that CD2‐induced proliferation is not dependent on PKC activation and that down‐regulation of PKC activation may be one of the mechanisms for inhibition of the CD3‐Ti‐dependent activation pathway in LPL‐T by intestinal mucosa‐derived influences in vivo.
A rearranged λ2 light gene chain retards but does not exclude x and λ1 expression
Authors: Bogen Bjarne , Weiss Siegfried
Published: March 2007

Mice transgenic for the λ2 light chain of MOPC315 were established. In newborn transgenics (TG), λ2 was the only light chain found on B cells. However, by day 21, λ2highxlow as well as λ2lowxhigh double expresser populations were emerging. λ2 was found on an increased fraction of serum immunoglobulins (Ig), this fraction declined with age. Correspondingly, x and λ1 expression was suppressed in young mice but increased with age. In adult mice x or λ1 were often co‐expressed with λ2 in single serum Ig molecules. Most B cell hybridomas from an adult TG secreted λ2,x mixed molecules and had rearranged their x chain genes. One λ2,λ1 hybridoma and even a λ2,xλ1 hybridoma were also found. In conclusion, isotypic exclusion in λ2 TG is complete in newborns but becomes increasingly leaky with age. Antigen probably expands the λ2lowxhigh B cell population; this population is most likely the major source of serum Ig in adult λ2 TG mice. In contrast, the λ2highxlow population, a major fraction of which is CD5+μlowδlow, appears only infrequently to develop into antibody‐secreting plasma cells.
Helper interleukins are produced by both CD4 and CD8 splenic T cells after mitogen stimulation
Authors: Cardell Susanna , Sander Birgitta , Möller Göran
Published: March 2007

We have earlier described (Cardell, S. and Sander, B., Eur. J. Immunol. 1990. 20: 389) mitogen‐induced production of interleukin (IL) 2, IL 4 and IL 5 mRNA by murine spleen cells, analyzed by in situ hybridization. In the present study we have investigated the potential of CD8 T cells to produce these interleukins, normally associated with the helper function of CD4 T cells. When concanavalin A (Con A)‐activated spleen cells were restimulated with Con A and phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA), higher levels of IL2, IL4 and IL5 mRNA were induced, as detected both by increased frequencies of positive cells, and by more mRNA per cell. Four‐to‐six‐day Con A blasts were enriched for CD4+ or CD8+ T cells, and restimulated with Con A and PMA. Both CD4 and CD8 cells were found to produce all three kinds of mRNA when restimulated. The frequencies of IL 2 mRNA‐containing CD8 cells were half of those found for CD4 cells (3.5% as compared to 7%). On the average 1% of the CD8 cells were induced to produce IL4 and IL 5 mRNA, while 9% and 3% of the activated CD4 cells contained IL4 and IL5 mRNA, respectively. CD4 and CD8 cells displayed different sensitivities to the reagents when tested alone. Con A induced the synthesis of IL 4 and IL 5 in CD4 cells, but not CD8 cells, independently of PMA. PMA alone induced extensive thymidine incorporation in CD8 cells, but not in CD4 cells, in the absence of detectable lymphokine mRNA. The results suggest that some CD8 cells have the capacity to give help in immune responses, by secretion of IL 2, IL 4 and IL 5.
Expression of immunoglobulin genes in the avian embryo bone marrow revealed by retroviral transformation
Authors: Benatar Tania , Lacampo Sandra , Tkalec Lydia , Ratcliffe Michael J. H.
Published: March 2007

Analysis of the early stages of avian B lymphocyte differentiation has been hampered by the low frequency of extra‐bursal B lineage cells in sites of hematopoesis. Consequently, little is known about B lineage precursors prior to their migration into the bursa of Fabricius. Colonization of the bursa typically occurs between about days 8 and 14 of embryonic (e) development, although cells which can colonize the bursa, functionally defined as pre‐bursal stem cells, can be demonstrated in embryo bone marrow up until about the time of hatch. As a novel approach to analyzing early stages of avian B lymphocyte development, we show here that transformed B lineage cells can be derived from chick embryo bone marrow after infection in vitro with the replication‐defective retrovirus REV‐T produced in the context of the non‐cytopathic CSV helper virus. Thus, exposure of day 14e–15e chick embryo bone marrow cells to REV‐T(CSV) results in the generation of transformed, polyclonal lines of cells. From these lines, cells expressing cell surface immunoglobulin were readily isolated by flow cytometric cell sorting and single cell cloning. Analysis of the phenotype of REV‐T(CSV)‐transformed clones with a panel of monoclonal antibody reagents demonstrated that transformation by v‐rel likely leads to marked changes in cell surface antigen expression. Nonetheless, clones expressing cell surface immunoglobulin expressed apparently normal mRNA for immunoglobulin u and light chain and contained apparently normal immunoglobulin heavy and light chain gene rearrangements. Furthermore, no evidence for chromosomal deletions or aberations of the Ig loci was detected among either slg+ or slg− REV‐T(CSV)‐transformed clones.
Evidence for quantitative and qualitative differences in functional activation of MIs‐reactive T cell clones and hybridomas by antigen or TcR/CD3 antibodies
Authors: Gaugler Béatrice , Langlet Claire , Martin Jean‐Michel , Schmitt‐Verhulst Anne‐Marie , Guimezanes Annick
Published: March 2007

In this study, we demonstrated that some Vp6+, CD4+, Mls‐la‐specific T cell clones had cytolytic activity when stimulated with anti‐T cell receptor(TcR)/CD3 monoclonal antibodies (mAb), but not with targets expressing Mls‐1a, although they produced lymphokines (interleukin 2 and interferon‐y) in response to both types of stimuli. To examine the possibility that lack of cytolysis resulted from expression of the Mls‐la antigen on merely a fraction of splenic B blasts, we (a) used the B cell lymphoma LBB.3.4.16 and (b) measured esterase secretion which is generally concurrent with cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity. The B cell lymphoma maximally stimulated the T cell clone for interferon‐y production when responding and stimulating cells were incubated at a 1:1 ratio, but it was never killed by the Mls‐1a‐specific T cell clone unless TcR/CD3‐specific mAb were added. Furthermore, a fivefold excess of the Mls‐1a B cell lymphoma did not induce any secretion of esterase, which was observed only in the presence of the TcR/CD3‐specific mAb. Comparison of the reactivity of two Mls‐1a‐specific T cell hybridomas expressing the same TcR at similar surface density, revealed both quantitative and qualitative differences between CD3‐specific mAb and Mls stimulation of the hybridomas. A small quantitative difference in the sensitivity of hybridoma FJ22.5 to stimulation with Vβ6 or CD3‐specific mAb resulted in a marked decrease in efficiency of stimulation by Mls‐1a for interleukin 2 production and to inability to detect growth inhibition by Mls‐expressing cells. A qualitative difference was observed when analyses of inositol phosphate production were performed under optimal conditions of stimulation of the highly responsive T cell hybridoma (FJ8.1): only stimulation with CD3‐specific mAb, but not Mls‐expressing cells, could induce detectable inositol phosphate production. Lack of cytolysis of Mls‐1a class II‐expressing B cells may have evolutionary significance in view of the recent mapping of Mls to mouse mammary tumor virus genes.
Cyclosporin A blocks surface IgM‐mediated growth inhibition in an immature B lymphoma, BKS‐2
Authors: Udhayakumar Venkatachalam , Muthukkumar Subramanian , Subbarao Bondada
Published: March 2007

Cyclosporin A (CSA) is an immunosuppressive drug, which blocks selective activation pathways in T and B cells. Antigen receptor‐mediated signaling events have been shown to be very sensitive to CSA. Signaling through the surface IgM receptor had been shown to induce growth inhibition in immature B cell lymphoma cells. In this report, we demonstrate that CSA caused significant reversal of growth inhibition induced by an anti‐μ antibody in an immature B lymphoma, BKS‐2. Time‐course experiments indicated that CSA was completely effective when added as late as 4 h after the addition of ligand. CSA was also found to have no direct effect on anti‐μ‐induced Ca2+ elevation. These results suggest that the likely target for CSA lies downstream from the initial generation of second messengers, such as Ca2+.