bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, Cytotoxicity and Antibacterial Studies of Novel Symmetrically and Nonsymmetrically 4‐(Methoxycarbonyl)benzyl‐Substituted N‐Heterocyclic Carbene–Silver Acetate Complexes
Authors: Patil Siddappa , Dietrich Karolin , Deally Anthony , Gleeson Brendan , Müller‐Bunz Helge , Paradisi Francesca , Tacke Matthias
Published: December 2010

From the reaction of 1H‐imidazole (1a), 4,5‐dichloro‐1H‐imidazole (1b), 1H‐benzimidazole (1c), 1‐methyl‐1H‐imidazole (1d), and 1‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazole (1f) with methyl 4‐(bromomethyl)benzoate (2), symmetrically and nonsymmetrically 4‐(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl‐substituted N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors, 3a–3f, were synthesized. These NHC precursors were then reacted with silver(I) acetate (AgOAc) to yield the NHC–silver acetate complexes (acetato‐κO){1,3‐bis[4‐(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]imidazol‐2‐ylidene}silver (4a), (acetato‐κO){4,5‐dichloro‐1,3‐bis[4‐(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl}silver (4b), (acetato‐κO){1,3‐bis[4‐(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl}silver (4c), (acetato‐κO){1‐[4‐(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]‐3‐methyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl}silver (4d), (acetato‐κO){4,5‐dichloro‐1‐[4‐(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]‐3‐methyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl}silver (4e), and (acetato‐κO){1‐[4‐(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]‐3‐methyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl}silver (4f), respectively. The three NHC–AgOAc complexes 4a, 4c, and 4d were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. All compounds studied in this work were preliminarily screened for their antimicrobial activities in vitro against Gram‐positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, and Gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli using the qualitative disk‐diffusion method. All NHC–AgOAc complexes exhibited weak‐to‐medium antibacterial activity with areas of clearance ranging from 4 to 7 mm at the highest amount used, while the NHC precursors showed significantly lower activity. In addition, NHC–AgOAc complexes 4a and 4b, and 4d–4f exhibited in preliminary cytotoxicity tests on the human renal‐cancer cell line Caki‐1 medium‐to‐high cytotoxicities with IC50 values ranging from 3.3±0.4 to 68.3±1 μM.
Synthesis and Crystal Structure of 3,3,6,6‐Tetramethylmorpholine‐2,5‐dione, and Its 5‐Monothioxo and 2,5‐Dithioxo Derivatives
Authors: Mawad Nasser , Ghorbani‐Salman Pour Fatemeh , Linden Anthony , Heimgartner Heinz
Published: December 2010

The synthesis of 3,3‐dimethylmorpholine‐2,5‐diones 4a was achieved conveniently via the ‘direct amide cyclization’ of the linear precursors of type 3, which were prepared by coupling of 2,2‐dimethyl‐2H‐azirin‐3‐amines 2 with 2‐hydroxyalkanoic acids 1. Thionation of 4a with Lawesson's reagent yielded the corresponding 5‐thioxomorpholin‐2‐ones 10 and morpholine‐2,5‐dithiones 11, respectively, depending on the reaction conditions. The structures of 3aa, 4aa, 10a, and 11a were established by X‐ray crystallography. All attempts to prepare S‐containing morpholine‐2,5‐dione analogs or thiomorpholine‐2,5‐diones by cyclization of corresponding S‐containing precursors were unsuccessful and led to various other products. The structures of some of them have also been established by X‐ray crystallography.
A novel CAN‐SiO2‐mediated one‐pot oxidation of 1‐keto‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydrocarbazoles to carbazoloquinones: Efficient syntheses of murrayaquinone A and koeniginequinone A
Authors: Chakraborty Suchandra , Chattopadhyay Gautam , Saha Chandan
Published: December 2010

One‐pot oxidations of substituted 1‐keto‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydrocarbazoles (1) to carbazole‐1,4‐quinones (2) are efficiently carried out by CAN‐SiO2‐mediated reaction. This generalized protocol was successfully extended to the synthesis of two naturally occurring carbazoloquinones: murrayaquinone A (2b) and koeniginequinone A (2g). A plausible mechanism for this novel reaction involves formation of a 9‐hydroxy‐2,3,4,9‐tetrahydro‐1H‐carbazole‐1‐one followed by rearrangement to 1‐hydroxycarbazole derivatives, which are further oxidized by cerium (IV) to carbazoloquinones. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).
Age diversity, age discrimination climate and performance consequences—a cross organizational study
Authors: Kunze Florian , Boehm Stephan A. , Bruch Heike
Published: December 2010

This paper deals with the emergence of perceived age discrimination climate on the company level and its performance consequences. In this new approach to the field of diversity research, we investigated (a) the effect of organizational‐level age diversity on collective perceptions of age discrimination climate that (b) in turn should influence the collective affective commitment of employees, which is (c) an important trigger for overall company performance. In a large‐scale study that included 128 companies, a total of 8,651 employees provided data on their perceptions of age discrimination and affective commitment on the company level. Information on firm‐level performance was collected from key informants. We tested the proposed model using structural equation modeling (SEM) procedures and, overall, found support for all hypothesized relationships. The findings demonstrated that age diversity seems to be related to the emergence of an age discrimination climate in companies, which negatively impacts overall firm performance through the mediation of affective commitment. These results make valuable contributions to the diversity and discrimination literature by establishing perceived age discrimination on the company level as a decisive mediator in the age diversity/performance link. The results also suggest important practical implications for the effective management of an increasingly age diverse workforce. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An experience sampling investigation of workplace interactions, affective states, and employee well‐being
Authors: Dimotakis Nikolaos , Scott Brent A. , Koopman Joel
Published: December 2010

We report an experience sampling study examining the within‐individual effects of workplace interpersonal interaction characteristics on affect at work and daily well‐being. A sample of 60 full‐time employees completed measures of interpersonal interaction characteristics and affective states during each of 10 workdays and a measure of job satisfaction at the end of each workday. Overall, the employees provided 380 day‐level data points. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) results indicated that interpersonal interaction characteristics were associated with affective states and job satisfaction. Furthermore, the effects of workplace interpersonal interactions on job satisfaction were mediated by affective states. Finally, positive affect mitigated the detrimental association between negative affect and job satisfaction. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimum chemotherapy regimens for neoadjuvant therapy of hepatic colorectal metastases
Authors: Davies Janine M. , Goldberg Richard M.
Published: December 2010

Resection of metastatic colorectal cancer hepatic lesions has gained support as surgical advances have made resections safer. Subsequently, the use of neoadjuvant therapy to cytoreduce tumors coupled with improved medical therapy has enhanced resection rates leading to improved outcomes. In “unresectable” disease, the addition of biologic therapies has further enhanced antitumor response, resulting in successful disease resection in certain patients. This review examines approaches to the neoadjuvant management of colorectal liver metastases with systemic therapies. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:946–954. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Poly(vinyl alcohol)‐Graft‐Poly(ethylene glycol)‐Supported Hydroxyproline Catalysis of Stereoselective Aldol Reactions
Authors: Kassem Tarek , Jia Xin , Zhu X.X. , Lubell William D.
Published: December 2010

Summary: The good swelling and high loading of poly(vinyl alcohol)‐graft‐poly(ethylene glycol) (PVA‐g‐PEG) resins proved to be effective for performing supported proline‐catalyzed aldol reactions stereoselectively in a wide range of polar non‐protic, protic and non‐polar solvents as well as in neat substrate. The catalysts could be recovered by filtration and recycled, without significant loss of activity. The use of poly(vinyl alcohol)‐graft‐poly(ethylene glycol) matrix improved the solubility of the proline‐derived catalysts and expanded the scope of permissible solvents for performing selective aldol chemistry.
Polyisobutylene Phase‐Anchored Ruthenium Complexes
Authors: Su Haw‐Lih , Hongfa Chayanant , Bazzi Hassan S. , Bergbreiter David E.
Published: December 2010

Summary: The use of polymers in general as ligands or sequestrants for metals has often focused on the use of cross‐linked polymers or readily available soluble polar polymers like poly(ethylene glycol). Our work shows that functional nonpolar polymers like polyisobutylene are viable alternatives and can be readily used as phase selectively soluble ligands or sequestrants for commonly used transition metal catalysts. This is illustrated in this work by the synthesis of ligands and sequestrants for ruthenium catalysts widely used in ring‐closing‐metathesis, cross‐metathesis, and ring‐opening metathesis polymerization. We show that a polyisobutylene terminally functionalized with a vinyl group can be converted by electrophilic aromatic substitution into species that phase immobilize a benzylidene Ru catalyst precursor, an N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand, or that can sequester a Ru complex by conversion of a reactive Ru alkylidene into a phase‐immobilized Fischer carbene complex. In all these cases, the Ru complexes that are formed are selectively soluble in a nonpolar or weakly polar phase of a liquid/liquid biphasic system – a system that can be efficiently formed either thermomorphically, by perturbation of an initially miscible solvent mixture, or by extraction.
Amino‐Substituted para‐Phenylenevinylenes (PPVs) as Platforms for Fluorescent Sensing Materials
Authors: Tongkate Pratoomrat , Lahti Paul M. , Sumranjit Jitapa
Published: December 2010

Summary: Soluble para‐phenylenevinylenes (PPVs) with amino side groups and different spacers have been synthesized. Photophysical properties showed that these compounds emitted light in blue region when dissolved in methanol. They have been designed in order to be platforms for attaching different functional groups to the amino units. Molecule 5 was a model compound which showed a quantum efficiency of 52% in methanol. Different spacers were added to the model compound to yield molecules 6 and 7. The preliminary experiment showed that molecule 5 can interact with various metal ions in solution phase. The interaction was observed by the changes of fluorescent emission intensity of the molecule. This molecule will be further functionalized to be more specific in binding certain metal ions.
Compact chip antenna for UWB applications
Authors: Park Sang Yong , Park Jong Kweon
Published: December 2010

In this article, we have proposed a compact chip antenna for UWB applications. The proposed antenna consists of two metal (top and bottom), one via, two pads, and CPWG feeding. The proposed chip antenna occupies a compact area of 6 mm × 6 mm × 1 mm and shows a low profile of 1 mm, thus making it suitable for thin mobile phone applications. The proposed chip antenna has a point‐source‐like radiation pattern, ultra‐wideband, compact size, almost flat gain, and low‐cost. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:473–477, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25685
Design of a dual‐band MIMO antenna for mobile WiMAX application
Authors: Kim Dongho , Kim Uisheon , Choi Jaehoon
Published: December 2010

In this article, a dual‐band multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna is proposed for Mobile WiMAX applications.The designed MIMO antenna consists of two planar inverted F antennas (PIFAs) and two isolators. The PIFAs have a volume of 12 × 10 × 4 mm3, which is small enough to be incorporated in a mobile MIMO terminal. The two isolators are designed symmetrically and placed between the two PIFAs to enhance the isolation performance of the MIMO antenna by suppressing the current flow between the antennas in the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz bands. The measured isolation values (S21) are lower than −15 and −22 dB at the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz bands, respectively. The key design parameters are extracted, and the parametric analysis performed. Also, the overall performance of the optimized MIMO antenna is presented. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:410–414, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25689
K‐band power divider with metal bridge structures for size reduction using CMOS technology
Authors: Yu Han‐Yeol , Choi Sung‐Sun , Kim Yong‐Hoon
Published: December 2010

A K‐band power divider with metal bridge structures, which is based on the Wilkinson type is proposed using a standard 0.18 μm CMOS process. The metal bridge structures are applied to the power divider to achieve small size. Additionally, slow‐wave structures such as meandered line and slot pattern ground are used for small chip size and high performance. The proposed power divider shows an improved slow‐wave factor of 8.2% compared with a power divider with the conventional meandered line structure. The proposed power divider presents a size of 306 × 296 μm and wide bandwidth of 58% for isolation <15 dB. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:379–381, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25691
A band‐switchable CMOS low noise amplifier using switching inductors
Authors: Wang Ruey‐Lue , Chen Shih‐Chih , Huang Cheng‐Lin
Published: December 2010

In this article, a band‐switchable low noise amplifier using switching inductors is designed and measured. A voltage supply is fed through the structure of switching inductors. The switching inductors consist of three inductors in series and two PMOSFET switches, which are individually connected in parallel with one of the two inductors near the voltage supply. According to on or off states of two PMOSFET switches, there are four operation modes that generate a single‐band, two dual‐band, and a triple‐band transfer characteristics, respectively. The presented circuit is a modified cascoded amplifier configuration in which input stage is a common‐gate structure. The measured gains are nearly >11 dB at all operation frequency bands. The measured reflection coefficients are almost <−10 dB at all operation frequency bands. The noise figures are almost <4.5 dB at all operation frequency bands. The power consumption is 9 mW. The chip size is 1.02 × 1.2 mm2. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:462–467, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25707
Extended near field preconditioner for the analysis of large problems using the nested‐FMM‐FFT algorithm
Authors: Bértolo J. M. , Araújo M. G. , Taboada J. M. , Landesa L. , Obelleiro F. , Rodríguez J. L.
Published: December 2010

We present here an extension of the near‐field matrix iterative preconditioner applied in the context of the Nested FMM‐FFT algorithm, which is a bilevel variation of the original FMM‐FFT. The new preconditioner benefits from the nested scheme to extend the information of the near‐field matrix, then allowing to achieve a closer approximation to the complete EM problem. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:430–433, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25709
Wide‐beam high‐efficiency microstrip patch‐based antenna for broadband wireless applications
Authors: Mlynarczyk Janusz
Published: December 2010

A novel high efficiency sector antenna build of four radiating patches, a shaped ground plane and a reflector plate is presented. Based on the proposed structure, a prototype antenna for WiMAX applications, achieving a half‐power beamwidth of 120°, was designed, fabricated, and measured. Simulation results and measured data are presented. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:286–288, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25718
A time‐domain measuring technique for ultra‐wide band antennas
Authors: Tamas Razvan D. , Caruntu George , Popa Dan
Published: December 2010

This article presents a time‐domain approach of the single‐antenna method for ultra‐wide band (UWB) antennas. The proposed differential technique separates forward, reverse, and received signals at the antenna input. A post‐processing technique was also derived, to extract far‐field response from measured data. Experimental and computed results are included. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:281–286, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25719
A strain engineered voltage tunable millimeter‐wave ferrite phase shifter
Authors: Tatarenko A. S. , Srinivasan G.
Published: December 2010

A 50‐GHz electric field tunable ferrite‐piezoelectric phase shifter based on a bilayer of single crystal M‐type hexagonal barium ferrite (BaM) and lead zirconate titanate (PZT) is discussed.A dc voltage applied to PZT results in a piezoelectric strain that manifests as an anisotropy field in BaM. A change in the voltage applied to PZT gives rise to variations in the anisotropy field and permeability of BaM and, therefore, a differential phase shift. A phase shift of 45° is measured when the voltage is increased from 0 to 400 V across a 0.5‐mm thick PZT. Theoretical estimates of the phase shift are in agreement with the data. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:261–264, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25725
A compact broadband transformer‐based linear CMOS power amplifier design
Authors: Boshi Jin , Chenxi Zhao , Bumman Kim
Published: December 2010

A novel broadband transformer‐based CMOS power amplifier (PA) design method is studied in this article. To obtain a broadband PA, the parasitic parameters of the transformer are absorbed into the PAs load match and their impacts on bandwidth are studied. The fully‐integrated PA combined with an 8‐shaped transformer is implemented in 0.13 μm CMOS process with only 1.2 × 1.2 mm2 chip size and operates at Class AB mode. The single‐stage PA delivers 27.36 dBm output power with 27% efficiency and has 10.5 dB gain. It has 500 MHz bandwidth (1 dB degeneration) in the large and small signal measurements. IMD3 and IMD5 are also lower than −25 dBc at 19 dBm across the bandwidth. The spectrum of PA can meet the m‐WiMAX spectrum mask at 19 dBm average power level. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:422–425, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25731
4.1 mW 50 dBΩ 10 Gbps transimpedance amplifier for optical receivers in 0.13 μm CMOS
Authors: Ngo Trong‐Hieu , Lee Tae‐Woo , Park Hyo‐Hoon
Published: December 2010

A transimpedance amplifier (TIA), using the combination of the shunt‐feedback topology with the regulated‐cascode input stage and broadband matching network, is designed and implemented in a 0.13‐μm CMOS technology. The proposed TIA achieves a 3‐dB bandwidth of 7.5 GHz, transimpedance gain of 50 dBΩ in the presence of 300 fF photodiode capacitance. It dissipates 4.1 mW from a 1.2 V supply voltage, and occupies a chip area without pads of 0.42 × 0.17 mm2. The TIA presents the highest gain‐bandwidth product per DC power figure of merit of 578 GHz Ω/mW compared with recently published TIAs. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:448–451, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25741
Planar sectoral EBG antenna for high data rate wireless terrestrial communications with vehicles using mobile WiMAX technology
Authors: Serhal Dina , Chantalat Régis , Hajj Mohamad , Arnaud Eric , Monédière Thierry , Jecko Bernard
Published: December 2010

This article introduces a new model of base station antenna used to communicate with mobile vehicles such as cars, trains, etc., providing high data rate for passengers on bord. This is a high gain sectoral electromagnetic band gap antenna, to limit the number of base stations along the covered way and to improve the wireless communication system. In this work, the base station antenna, which operates on the 5.47–5.725 GHz mobile WiMAX band, is designed and realized. Measurement and simulation results are shown. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:381–384, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25745
Miniature DBR with series capacitive loading
Authors: Issa H. , Duchamp J‐M. , Ferrari P. , Abou‐Chahine S.
Published: December 2010

A new miniature dual behavior resonator (DBR) topology with capacitors placed in series between the feed lines and the stubs is demonstrated. Design equations are derived. For a proof‐of‐concept, a first‐order prototype with a 1‐GHz working frequency and 70% size reduction is realized, measured, and compared with a classical DBR. The design method is simpler and more accurate compared with a miniaturized DBR with capacitors connected at the end of the stubs. Hence, the agreement between simulation and measurement results is better than previously published results of a miniature DBR using capacitors at the end of the stubs. Results also point out a quality factor improvement of 12%. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:278–281, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25750
Design of a compact UHF RFID tag antenna using an inductively coupled parasitic element
Authors: Kim Taeik , Kim Uisheon , Choi Jaehoon
Published: December 2010

In this article, a compact tag antenna for UHF RFID systems is proposed.The proposed antenna consists of a T‐matching network, meandered dipole, and an inverted‐U shaped parasitic element. The tag antenna is miniaturized by utilizing inductive coupling between the meandered dipole and the parasitic element. The overall dimension of the proposed tag antenna is 17.96 × 35.6 mm2. It has a gain of 1.52 dBi and a maximum reading distance of 6.3 m at 915 MHz. The size of the tag antenna is about 33% of that of other RFID tag antennas, such as a meander line antenna and a coplanar inverted‐F antenna. In spite of its small size, the proposed tag antenna yields superior performance. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:239–242, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25753
Assessing the social impact of charitable organizations—four alternative approaches
Authors: Polonsky Michael , Grau Stacy Landreth
Published: December 2010

There is increased societal pressure on charities to improve performance. The questions that they must ask are: (1) Who is our audience? (2) What evaluation measures are important to the organization? and (3) What evaluation measures are best for the organization? There are a number of different approaches available for assessing performance, ranging from social accounting to more informal qualitative assessments of whether the organization's mission is being achieved. This paper draws on the industry and academic discussion of evaluations of nonprofit organizations to develop a four‐category typology of alternative approaches for audiences. It then identifies the benefits and limitations of each. The goal is to identify the steps that charities should use to determine which approach is most suited to their specific circumstances. It is proposed that a collaborative development of evaluation criteria, of whichever type, may be most appropriate as will draw together the experiences and resources of multiple parties, and may have broader appeal than evaluations proposed by individual nonprofits.

Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Referral to a specialist paediatric palliative care service in oncology patients
Authors: Fraser Lorna K. , Miller Michael , McKinney Patricia A. , Parslow Roger C. , Feltbower Richard G.
Published: December 2010

Cancer is the second most common cause of death in children and young people (0–19 years) accounting for 16.2% of deaths in England and Wales in 2005. Only 37.6% children and young people who died from cancer in Yorkshire were referred to Martin House Children's Hospice (MH) during the period 1990–2005. A significantly higher proportion with central nervous system tumours and a significantly lower than expected proportion with leukaemia or lymphoma were referred for palliative care. There is potential to increase the proportion of children and young people with cancer who are referred to specialist palliative care services. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:677–680. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Renal fibrosis: Insight from proteomics in animal models and human disease
Authors: Klein Julie , Kavvadas Panagiotis , Prakoura Niki , Karagianni Fani , Schanstra Joost P. , Bascands Jean‐Loup , Charonis Aristidis
Published: December 2010

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the end‐point of a number of renal and systemic diseases. The high incidence and financial burden of CKD makes it imperative to diagnose CKD at early stages when therapeutic interventions are far more effective. A key component of CKD is the development of renal fibrosis. Renal fibrosis is a complex process, associated with many cell types and pathways, resulting in structural and functional alterations. Identification of specific biomarkers of renal fibrosis may thus not only help us to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in this process, but also improve diagnosis in the clinic. In this review, the existing literature on proteomic approaches to study renal fibrosis is presented and evaluated. The importance of using animal models along with patient material is discussed and future directions, considered key to this field, are proposed.
Comprehensive two‐dimensional liquid chromatography mass spectrometric profiling of the rat hippocampal proteome
Authors: Yang Xiaoping , Levin Yishai , Rahmoune Hassan , Ma Dan , Schöffmann Stephanie , Umrania Yagnesh , Guest Paul C. , Bahn Sabine
Published: December 2010

In this study, we performed the first high‐throughput and comprehensive proteomic profiling of the rat hippocampal proteome. Using a combination of 2‐D LC‐MS and data analysis with the Rosetta Elucidator® system, we identified 1340 unique proteins. Functional classification showed that most of these were associated with synaptic function and comprised a high proportion of phosphorylated proteins and analytically challenging classes of membrane proteins such as ion channel receptor subunits.
Causes and consequences of depression in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Mendis Santhushi , Rickards Hugh , Cavanna Andrea E
Published: December 2010

Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder in patients with multiple sclerosis but the relationship between the two conditions is complex. In this article, the authors discuss the factors that may contribute to depression in patients with multiple sclerosis, the ways in which each condition may affect the other and the treatment options available. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Interface Ltd
26th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in MS
Authors: Laight Katherine
Published: December 2010

The 26th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) was held in Gothenberg, Sweden in October, attracting 6300 participants from around the world. Katherine Laight reports on some of the highlights of the Congress. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Interface Ltd
Base‐dependent selectivity of an SNAr reaction
Authors: Chan Lai C. , Cox Brian G. , Jones Ian C. , Tomasi Simone
Published: December 2010

A detailed kinetic analysis and computational study of an SNAr reaction between 2,5,6‐trifluoronicotinonitrile, 2, and the ambident 3‐isopropoxy‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐amine, 3, is presented. The selectivity with respect to the reaction at the primary amino group of 2, to give the desired product, 2,5‐difluoro‐6‐[(3‐isopropoxy‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐yl)amino]nicotinonitrile, 1, is strongly dependent upon reaction conditions. Reaction is found to proceed via both uncatalysed and base catalysed routes, and selectivity towards 1 is strongly enhanced in the presence of the base diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane (DABCO). Computational studies in tetrahydrofuran solution at the B3LYP/6‐31G* level of theory have provided valuable insight into alternative kinetically indistinguishable reaction pathways. The results suggest that for reaction at the primary amino group, proton removal by DABCO accompanying amine addition allows avoidance of a high‐energy, zwitterionic Meisenheimer intermediate. Reactions at the alternative pyrazole nitrogen atoms are less sensitive to the presence of base because of stabilisation of the Meisenheimer zwitterions by intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystal structure of the functional region of Uro‐adherence factor A from Staphylococcus saprophyticus reveals participation of the B domain in ligand binding
Authors: Matsuoka Eriko , Tanaka Yoshikazu , Kuroda Makoto , Shouji Yuko , Ohta Toshiko , Tanaka Isao , Yao Min
Published: December 2010

Staphylococci use cell wall‐anchored proteins as adhesins to attach to host tissues. Staphylococcus saprophyticus, a uropathogenic species, has a unique cell wall‐anchored protein, uro‐adherence factor A (UafA), which shows erythrocyte binding activity. To investigate the mechanism of adhesion by UafA, we determined the crystal structure of the functional region of UafA at 1.5 Å resolution. The structure was composed of three domains, designated as the N2, N3, and B domains, arranged in a triangular relative configuration. Hemagglutination inhibition assay with domain‐truncated mutants indicated that both N and B domains were necessary for erythrocyte binding. Based on these results, a novel manner of ligand binding in which the B domain acts as a functional domain was proposed as the adhesion mechanism of S. saprophyticus.
Human mobility and international knowledge spillovers: evidence from high‐tech small and medium enterprises in an emerging market
Authors: Liu Xiaohui , Wright Mike , Filatotchev Igor , Dai Ou , Lu Jiangyong
Published: December 2010

Using novel survey data, we examine the relationship between returnee entrepreneurs, multinational enterprise (MNE) work experience of domestic entrepreneurs, and firms' innovation performance in high‐tech SMEs in China. We adopt an integrated framework that combines the knowledge‐based view and social capital theory to investigate whether human mobility across national borders and MNE work experience facilitate international knowledge spillovers. We find that firms founded by returnees are more innovative than their local counterparts. We also find that returnee firms have an indirect impact/spillover effect on non‐returnee firms' innovation performance and act as a new channel for technological knowledge spillovers. The findings show that the presence of a technology gap positively moderates the effect of returnee spillovers on non‐returnee firms' innovation performance, but the impact of MNE work experience on local innovation is constrained by the technology gap. Our results extend the existing literatures on knowledge spillovers and strategic entrepreneurship and have important managerial and policy implications. Copyright © 2010 Strategic Management Society.
Vibration control study on a supertall building
Authors: Wang Dy , Zhou Y. , Zhu Y.
Published: December 2010

Vibration control of a 288‐m supertall building with connective structure is studied in this work. Fluctuating wind time series of the structure in forward and reverse Y‐direction in a 10‐year frequency are simulated by modified auto‐regressive method (AR method) to perform wind vibration analysis, and six minor and major earthquake waves are provided by building designer to perform earthquake analysis. Three vibration control schemes with nonlinear viscous dampers are proposed to control structural dynamic responses under wind and earthquake excitations. The dynamic responses of the structure with the proposed control schemes in wind and earthquake excitations are investigated and their vibration control effects are analysed comparatively. The study results show that the modified AR method is reliable and effective for simulating the fluctuating wind exerted on the building. The excessive dynamic responses induced by wind and earthquake excitations can be controlled effectively by the proposed schemes. The peak acceleration of top storey can be reduced by almost 40% for the proposed control schemes in wind excitation. The elastic working state of the connective body between the high tower part and the low tower part in major earthquakes can also be ensured totally. So, the validity and feasibility of the proposed schemes in reducing structural vibration responses can be fully approved. Some suggestions about structural analysis and design under wind and earthquake excitations are proposed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptation and resilience: responding to a changing climate
Authors: Nelson Donald R.
Published: December 2010

Adaptation and resilience are two concepts originally developed in dissimilar problem contexts but which are of significant importance for our ability to respond to a changing climate. While both concepts encompass processes of change they differ in several important areas. This article discusses the relationship between the two concepts and highlights three issues concerned with our ability to respond to and manage change. First, although adaptation responses can help to build resilience, they just as easily can undermine resilience. Second, the magnitude of change may be outside our abilities to adapt, and thus it is not always possible to maintain system resilience. Finally, resilience is not a normative concept. The desirability of a resilient system, or community, must be considered in light of social goals and how benefits and risks are distributed. Better appreciation of the relationship between the concepts of adaptation and resilience will provide more effective tools to plan for, and respond to, current and future change.WIREs Clim Change2011 2 113–120 DOI: 10.1002/wcc.91

This article is categorized under:

Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Values‐Based Approach to Vulnerability and Adaptation
Fine‐scale spatial distribution of herbage mass, herbage consumption and fecal deposition by cattle in a pasture under intensive rotational grazing
Authors: Hirata Masahiko , Ogura Shin‐ichiro , Furuse Mizuho
Published: December 2010

Herbage mass, herbage consumption and fecal deposition by animals were monitored for 2 years in 182 fixed locations (0.5 × 0.5 or 1 × 1 m) in a sown pasture (1.1 ha) grazed rotationally by cattle (42–45 animals). Fecal deposition was more spatially variable (higher values of coefficient of variation) than herbage mass and consumption, with consistently significant bias from the normal distribution in both skewness and kurtosis. In terms of spatial pattern, herbage mass and consumption were always or almost always spatially heterogeneous (nonrandom spatial pattern), while fecal deposition was less frequently heterogeneous or usually homogeneous (random spatial pattern). The spatial heterogeneity in herbage mass was interpreted as being created in the early grazing season possibly through spatial heterogeneity in soil‐related factors, and maintained until the late grazing season mainly by herbivory where the animals always left more herbage uneaten at locations with higher pre‐grazing herbage mass. Even when cumulated for 2 years (56 days of grazing), herbage consumption and fecal deposition were still considerably spatially variable. Such nonuniform cumulation of animal impacts, however, is not likely to have a negative effect on the grazing system (paddock as the major grazing area) because (1) the animals almost always consumed more herbage from locations with higher herbage mass, resulting in a less variable degree of utilization (consumption/production) across the paddock; (2) fecal deposition on the paddock was not abundant, due to the concentration of feces in the resting area adjoined; and (3) fertilizer was regularly applied to the paddock as management.
The effect of herbivores and humans on the Sand Forest species of Maputaland, northern KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa
Authors: Gaugris Jerome Y. , van Rooyen Margaretha W.
Published: December 2010

Sand Forest in the Maputaland region of KwaZulu‐Natal in South Africa is deemed the most valuable, but also probably the most complex vegetation type of this part of the Maputaland–Pondoland–Albany hotspot of biodiversity. However, Sand Forest is under threat from the current human population growth in that region as well as from uncontrolled increases in wild herbivore numbers in conservation areas. The present study compares the impacts of herbivores and humans on the state of woody resources between two sites under differing utilisation regimes. Sand Forest was found to be a complex association of tree assemblages defined by different canopy and subcanopy properties. Although marked differences in the abundance of selected species were noted at the two sites, the Sand Forest remained dominated by fine‐grained species under both utilisation regimes. The fine‐grained nature of Sand Forest implies that regeneration depends on the creation of small canopy gaps either by natural processes, humans or elephants, while the creation of large gaps could transform it into woodland. Management of conservation areas where Sand Forest occurs should therefore concentrate efforts on regulating animal populations to levels that provide gap properties that favour forest regeneration.
Calcium-Dependent Signaling in Dupuytren's Disease
Authors: Hadeed Josef G. , Bond Jennifer E. , Selim M. Angelica , Bergeron Andrew , Levin L. Scott , Levinson Howard
Published: December 2010

Background

Previous studies suggest that Dupuytren's disease is caused by fibroblast and myofibroblast contractility. Cell contractility in smooth muscle cells is caused by calcium-dependent and calcium-independent signaling mechanisms. In the calcium-dependent pathway, calcium/calmodulin activates myosin light chain kinase (MLCK). In this study, the effects of calcium/calmodulin inhibition with the FDA-approved drug fluphenazine on Dupuytren's fibroblast contractility and MLCK expression were tested.

Methods

Fibroblast lines from the palmar fascia of patients with Dupuytren's disease were explanted and used for in vitro study. The effect of fluphenazine on Dupuytren's fibroblast migration was determined using a scratch migration assay, and contractility was determined using fibroblast-populated collagen lattice (FPCL) assays. Immunohistochemical staining of MLCK in different samples of Dupuytren's tissue and normal fascia were compared.

Results

Fluphenazine demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of Dupuytren's fibroblast migration, with the maximum inhibition of migration observed at 20 μM (69.8±1.9%). Fluphenazine also inhibited FPCL contraction in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal inhibition was observed at a fluphenazine concentration of 20 μM (52.5±6.1%). Immunohistological staining illustrated that MLCK was predominantly expressed throughout the cytoplasm of select fibroblasts within Dupuytren's nodules, yet was absent in the fibroblasts of Dupuytren's cords and normal palmar fascia.

Conclusions

Fluphenazine inhibits Dupuytren's fibroblast contractility and migration through inhibition of MLCK in vitro. However, the inconsistent expression of MLCK throughout Dupuytren's tissue suggests that calcium-dependent signaling may not be a primary mode of contracture formation. Fluphenazine inhibition of MLCK is not likely to be a target for the treatment of Dupuytren's disease.
The benefit of directly comparing autism and schizophrenia for revealing mechanisms of social cognitive impairment
Authors: Sasson Noah J. , Pinkham Amy E. , Carpenter Kimberly L. H. , Belger Aysenil
Published: December 2010

Autism and schizophrenia share a history of diagnostic conflation that was not definitively resolved until the publication of the DSM-III in 1980. Though now recognized as heterogeneous disorders with distinct developmental trajectories and dissociative features, much of the early nosological confusion stemmed from apparent overlap in certain areas of social dysfunction. In more recent years, separate but substantial literatures have accumulated for autism and schizophrenia demonstrating that abnormalities in social cognition directly contribute to the characteristic social deficits of both disorders. The current paper argues that direct comparison of social cognitive impairment can highlight shared and divergent mechanisms underlying pathways to social dysfunction, a process that can provide significant clinical benefit by informing the development of tailored treatment efforts. Thus, while the history of diagnostic conflation between autism and schizophrenia may have originated in similarities in social dysfunction, the goal of direct comparisons is not to conflate them once again but rather to reveal distinctions that illuminate disorder-specific mechanisms and pathways that contribute to social cognitive impairment.
Stereochemistry of Hydrogen Removal During Oxygenation of Linoleic Acid by Singlet Oxygen and Synthesis of 11(S)‐Deuterium‐Labeled Linoleic Acid
Authors: Hamberg Mats
Published: December 2010

Exposure of unsaturated fatty acids to singlet oxygen results in the formation of hydroperoxides. In this process, each double bond in the acyl chain produces two regioisomeric hydroperoxides having an (E)‐configured double bond. Although such compounds are racemic, the hydrogen removal associated with the oxygenation may, a priori, take place antarafacially, suprafacially or stereorandomly. The present study describes the preparation of [11(S)‐2H]linoleic acid by two independent methods and the use of this stereospecifically labeled fatty acid to reveal the hidden stereospecificity in singlet oxygenations of polyunsaturated fatty acids. It was found that linoleic acid 9(R)‐ and 13(S)‐hydroperoxides formed from [11(S)‐2H]linoleic acid both retained the deuterium label whereas the 9(S)‐ and 13(R)‐hydroperoxides were essentially devoid of deuterium. It is concluded that polyunsaturated fatty acid hydroperoxides produced in the presence of singlet oxygen in e.g., plant leaves are formed by a reaction involving addition of oxygen and removal of hydrogen taking place with suprafacial stereochemistry. This result confirms and extends previous mechanistic studies of singlet oxygen‐dependent oxygenations.
Composition and Thermal Analysis of Lipids from Pre‐fried Chicken Nuggets
Authors: Marikkar J. M. N. , Ng S. L. , Che Man Y. B.
Published: December 2010

Composition and thermal profiles of the endogenous lipids of ten commercial chicken nuggets brands (NPO, ACO, AFO, APO, ASO, AMO, ARO, JOD, SMO, and SOD) were compared with those of the lipids of chicken nuggets pre‐fried in lard (ALD) and palm olein (AOO) to determine the type of oil used for pre‐frying of the product. The stearic acid content of the commercial brands were similar to that of the sample pre‐fried in palm olein, but significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of the sample pre‐fried in lard. The triacylglycerol (TAG) profiles of the commercial brands were similar to that of the sample pre‐fried in palm olein, but distinctly different from the sample pre‐fried in lard according to the dissimilarities in the contents of TAG molecules namely, PLL, POS, and PPO. Based on thermal analysis, the commercial brands of chicken nuggets could be divided into three distinguishable subgroups namely, Group‐A: NPO; Group‐B: ACO, AFO, APO, ASO; Group‐C: AMO, ARO, JOD, SMO, SOD. While brands under group‐B showed close similarity to AOO, none show any similarity to sample ALD. As any of the samples did not possess characteristics of the sample pre‐fried in lard, the commercial brands of chicken nuggets of this study are recommendable for consumers whose religious restriction prevents the use of lard in food.
Malaxation of Olive Paste Under Sealed Conditions
Authors: Masella Piernicola , Parenti Alessandro , Spugnoli Paolo , Calamai Luca
Published: December 2010

Virgin olive oils from pilot‐scale malaxation under hermetically sealed conditions were compared with olive oils from industrial conventional open‐to‐air malaxation (control). Under sealed conditions, large CO2 emissions coupled with O2 depletion occur. Oil samples produced under sealed conditions were less oxidized and contained greater concentrations of antioxidant compounds (especially secoiridoids phenols) than the control. These results were attributed to the reduced O2 concentration in the hermetically sealed pilot‐scale malaxer. The amounts and types of volatile compounds present in the oil were only slightly affected by the treatment.
What I like about you: The association between adolescent attachment security and emotional behavior in a relationship promoting context
Authors: Hershenberg Rachel , Davila Joanne , Yoneda Athena , Starr Lisa R. , Miller Melissa Ramsay , Stroud Catherine B. , Feinstein Brian A.
Published: December 2010

Because the ability to flexibly experience and appropriately express emotions across a range of developmentally relevant contexts is crucial to adaptive functioning, we examined how adolescent attachment security may be related to more functional emotional behavior during a relationship promoting interaction task. Data were collected from 74 early adolescent girls (Mean age 13.45 years; SD = 0.68; 89% Caucasian) and their primary caregiver. Results indicated that, regardless of the parent's interaction behavior and the level of stress in the parent–adolescent relationship, greater adolescent security was associated with more positive and less negative behavioral displays, including greater positivity, greater coherence of verbal content and affect, less embarrassment, and less emotional dysregulation in response to a situational demand for establishing intimacy with the parent. Implications for encouraging and fostering adolescents’ capacity to respond to interpersonal contexts in ways that promote the relationship are discussed.
Dissecting DNA hypermethylation in cancer
Authors: Estécio Marcos R.H. , Issa Jean-Pierre J.
Published: December 2010

There is compelling evidence to support the importance of DNA methylation alterations in cancer development. Both losses and gains of DNA methylation are observed, thought to contribute pathophysiologically by inactivating tumor suppressor genes, inducing chromosomal instability and ectopically activating gene expression. Lesser known are the causes of aberrant DNA methylation. Recent studies have pointed out that intrinsic gene susceptibility to DNA methylation, environmental factors and gene function all have an intertwined participation in this process. Overall, these data support a deterministic rather than a stochastic mechanism for de novo DNA methylation in cancer. In this review article, we discuss the technologies available to study DNA methylation and the endogenous and exogenous factors that influence the onset of de novo methylation in cancer.