bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nuclear Localization of Nuclear Factor-κB p65 in Primary Prostate Tumors Is Highly Predictive of Pelvic Lymph Node Metastases
Authors: Lessard Laurent , Karakiewicz Pierre I. , Bellon-Gagnon Pascale , Alam-Fahmy Mona , Ismail Hazem A. , Mes-Masson Anne-Marie , Saad Fred
Published: October 2006

Purpose: Lymph node invasion (LNI) is associated with increased risk of prostate cancer progression. Unfortunately, pelvic lymph node dissections are fraught with a high rate of false-negative findings, emphasizing the need for highly accurate markers of LNI. Because nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a candidate marker of prostate cancer progression, we tested the association between nuclear localization of NF-κB in radical prostatectomy specimens and the presence of LNI.

Experimental Design: NF-κB expression in radical prostatectomy specimens was assessed with a monoclonal NF-κB p65 antibody, in 20 patients with LNI and in 31 controls with no LNI and no biochemical relapse 5 years after radical prostatectomy. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used. The accuracy of multivariate predictions with and without NF-κB was quantified with the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve and 200 bootstrap resamples were used to reduce overfit bias.

Results: Univariate regression models showed a 7% increase in the odds of observing LNI for each 1% increase in NF-κB nuclear staining (odds ratio, 1.07; P = 0.003). In multivariate models, each 1% increase in NF-κB was associated with an 8% increase in the odds of LNI (odds ratio, 1.08; P = 0.03) and its statistical significance was only surpassed by the presence of seminal vesicle invasion (P = 0.003). Addition of NF-κB to all other predictors increased the accuracy of LNI prediction by 2.3% (from 84.8% to 87.1%; P < 0.001).

Conclusion: This is the first study that shows that the extent of nuclear localization of NF-κB in primary prostate tumors is highly accurately capable of predicting the probability of locoregional spread of prostate cancer.
Observations and Modeling of Heavy Particle Deposition in a Windbreak Flow
Authors: Bouvet T. , Wilson J. D. , Tuzet A.
Published: October 2006

This paper presents new observations of deposition of heavy particles (glass beads of gravitational settling velocity 8.7 cm s−1) within an undisturbed flow and within a flow disturbed by a porous windbreak fence. These data are then used to diagnose the capability of a Lagrangian stochastic (LS) particle trajectory model, which simulates heavy particle dispersion. The model is based on existing parameterizations and is coupled to a wind model based on a Reynolds stress turbulence closure that provides computed fields of wind statistics. The deposition rates, as simulated by the model, match the observation within E = 30% of accuracy, with E being the root-mean-square error normalized by the peak value on the deposition swath. These results suggest that the LS model handles properly the heterogeneities of the flow and that the heuristic adjustments made to account for the inertia of heavy particles are useful approximations. The model consequently proves to be a valuable tool to investigate the patterns of dispersion about an obstacle.
Improvement in Determination of Ice Water Content from Two-Dimensional Particle Imagery. Part II: Applications to Collected Data
Authors: Lawson R. Paul , Baker Brad A.
Published: October 2006

In Part I of this two-part series, a new relationship for ice particle mass M was derived based on an expanded dataset of photographed ice particles and melted drops. The new relationship resulted in a reduction of nearly 50% in the rms error in M. In this paper, new relationships for computing particle mass and ice water content from 2D particle imagery are compared with other relationships previously used in the literature. Comparison of the old and new relationships, when applied to data collected in natural clouds, shows that results using the old relationships differ from the new relationships by up to a factor of 3, depending on particle size and shape. One of the new relationships can be applied to existing (archived) datasets of two-dimensional images, provided that the number of occulted pixels in each image (i.e., projected area) is available.
Imprisonable Offenses
Authors: Lippke Richard
Published: October 2006

Imprisonment imposes very substantial losses and deprivations on people convicted of crimes. The question for which crimes imprisonment is an appropriate sanction is addressed employing both retributive and crime reduction approaches to the justification of legal punishment. Although there is not complete convergence between what the two approaches imply about its use, it is argued that both would reserve imprisonment for serious offenses, ones that inflict or threaten significant harms with moderate to high levels of culpability. Thus, neither approach supports the current use of imprisonment to sanction a range of lesser offenses.
CCR7 deficiency causes ectopic lymphoid neogenesis and disturbed mucosal tissue integrity
Authors: Höpken Uta E. , Wengner Antje M. , Loddenkemper Christoph , Stein Harald , Heimesaat Markus M. , Rehm Armin , Lipp Martin
Published: October 2006

Homeostatic trafficking of lymphocytes through extralymphoid tissues has been recently observed, and a potential role in immune surveillance and the establishment of peripheral tolerance are considered. However, the mechanisms regulating lymphocyte recirculation through peripheral tissues under noninflammatory conditions are not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that the chemokine receptor CCR7 controls not only lymphocyte trafficking to and within secondary lymphoid organs but also homeostatic migration of T and B lymphocytes through nonlymphoid tissues. Lack of CCR7 results in a massive accumulation of lymphocytes in epithelial tissues. In particular, the gastrointestinal mucosal tissue of CCR7−/− mice is highly permissive for the formation of lymphoid aggregates, which develop into ectopic follicular structures with major topologic characteristics of lymph nodes. Flow cytometry analysis of CD4+ T cells derived from ectopic follicles revealed that CD44hiCD62Llo effector memory T cells predominate in the gastric lymphoid aggregates. In aged mice, lack of CCR7 induced age-dependent histomorphologic changes in the stomach with profound cystic hyperplasia and an increased rate of mucosal proliferation resembling Menetrier disease. Thus, CCR7 regulates the cellular organization of visceral tissue by governing life-long recirculation of naive and memory lymphocytes under homeostatic conditions.
Function of CD4+CD3− cells in relation to B- and T-zone stroma in spleen
Authors: Kim Mi-Yeon , McConnell Fiona M. , Gaspal Fabrina M. C. , White Andrea , Glanville Stephanie H. , Bekiaris Vasilios , Walker Lucy S. K. , Caamano Jorge , Jenkinson Eric , Anderson Graham , Lane Peter J. L.
Published: October 2006

Lymphocytes from lymphotoxin (LT) α–deficient mice, which lack segregation of their B- and T-cell areas, acquire normal organization following adoptive transfer into RAG-deficient recipients, identifying a non-B non-T cell in the segregation process. Here we show that a CD4+CD3− accessory cell is tightly associated with discrete VCAM-1–expressing stromal cells in B- and T-cell areas of the mouse spleen. CD4+CD3− cells express high levels of LTα, LTβ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, which are the ligands for the LTβ receptor and TNFR1 expressed by stromal cells. The expression of these ligands is functional, as transferring CD4+CD3− cells derived from either embryonic or adult tissues into LTα-deficient mice organizes B/T segregation and up-regulates CCL21 protein expression in areas where T cells are segregated from B cells. We propose that the function of CD4+CD3− cells is to form a link between primed CD4 T cells and the underlying stromal elements, creating distinct microenvironments in which they enable effector responses.
Preformed antibody, not primed T cells, is the initial and major barrier to bone marrow engraftment in allosensitized recipients
Authors: Taylor Patricia A. , Ehrhardt Michael J. , Roforth Matthew M. , Swedin Jessica M. , Panoskaltsis-Mortari Angela , Serody Jonathan S. , Blazar Bruce R.
Published: October 2006

Multiply-transfused individuals are at higher risk for BM rejection. We show that whereas allosensitization resulted in the priming of both cellular and humoral immunity, preformed antibody was the major barrier to engraftment. The generation of cross-reactive alloantibody led to rejection of BM of a different MHC-disparate strain. Imaging studies indicated that antibody-mediated rejection was very rapid (< 3 hours) in primed recipients, while T-cell–mediated rejection in nonprimed mice took more than 6 days. Antibody-mediated BM rejection was not due to a defect in BM homing as rejection occurred despite direct intra-BM infusion of donor BM. Rejection was dependent upon host FcR+ cells. BM cells incubated with serum from primed mice were eliminated in nonprimed recipients, indicating that persistent exposure to high-titer antibody was not essential for rejection. High donor engraftment was achieved in a proportion of primed mice by mega-BM cell dose, in vivo T-cell depletion, and high-dose immunoglobulin infusion. The addition of splenectomy to this protocol only modestly added to the efficacy of this combination strategy. These data demonstrate both rapid alloantibody-mediated elimination of BM by host FcR+ cells and priming of host antidonor T cells and suggest a practical strategy to overcome engraftment barriers in primed individuals.
Reconstruction of hearing when malleus is absent: Torp vs. Homograft tmmi
Authors: Lesinski S. George
Published: October 2006

To study the most appropriate ossicular reconstruction of patients with an absent malleus, a comparison was made utilizing a homograft tympanic membrane with attached malleus and shaped incus (TMMI) columella and the alternative use of underlay fascia tympanoplasty with a cartilage covered TORP. Forty‐six patients were reconstructed with a homograft TMMI and 38 with cartilage covered TORP and underlay fascia technique; 4.5 years postoperatively, 84% of those patients reconstructed with a homograft TMMI maintained an average A/B gap of 25 dB or better. Though 1 year postoperatively the TORP hearing results were satisfactory, only 18% of the TORP patients maintained a hearing level within 25 dB A/B gap at 4 years postoperatively.

Primary causes of failure of the TORP were instability with migration off the stapes footplate, protrusion or extrusion through the TM and finally, long‐term softening and bending secondary to biodegradation of the Plastipore®. The discouraging long‐term hearing results found in the TORP patients in this study confirm similar findings reported in 1982 by Smyth in a 5 year follow‐up on. 116 TORP patients.
Laryngotracheoplasty with costochondral grafts — a clinical correlate of graft survival
Authors: Pashley Nigel R. T. , Jaskunas James M. , Waldstein Gail
Published: October 2006

Laryngotracheoplasty utilizing composite costal cartilagc‐perichondrium grafts placed both anteriorly and posteriorly within the cricoid ring has provided a significant advance in the management of acquired subglottic stenosis in children. Histopathologic data from a child who died after a laryngotracheoplasty is presented which indicates both the anterior and posterior grafts survive and grow.
Dynamic Synchrony of Firing in the Monkey Prefrontal Cortex during Working-Memory Tasks
Authors: Sakurai Yoshio , Takahashi Susumu
Published: October 2006

Synchronized firing among neurons in the working brain is inferred to reflect coding by cell assemblies, which dynamically change their sizes and functional connections to encode various information. It therefore follows that, if synchronized firing reflects cell-assembly coding, it should show dynamic changes that depend on the tasks and events being processed and on the distance between the neurons. By using unique spike-sorting and multi-neuronal recording methods, we investigated such dynamics of synchrony in the prefrontal cortex of monkeys while they were successively performing two tasks in which working memory for either stimulus duration or color was required. Forty-eight percent of 1405 neuronal pairs showed firing synchrony during the performance of the tasks. Almost half of such neuronal pairs showed fixed synchrony and constantly fired together in both tasks. However, some neuronal pairs showed task-dependent synchrony that appeared in only one of the tasks. Moreover, the other neuronal pairs showed event-task-dependent synchrony that appeared during stimulus or retention periods in the tasks, but the periods showing synchrony varied between the tasks. Fixed synchrony and task-dependent synchrony were mostly observed among neighboring neurons and showed little variation of spike timings; the event-task-dependent synchrony, in contrast, was more often detected among distant neurons with larger variation of spike timings than the other two types of synchrony. These results suggest that some closely neighboring neurons have dynamic and sharp synchrony to represent certain situations (tasks), whereas some distant neurons show more dynamic and unstable synchronous firing to represent quickly changing events being processed in working memory.
Conference Reports
Authors: Bedőházi Zita , Török Máté
Published: October 2006

(1) Conference on International Financial Reporting Standards. The conference held on 29-30 July 2005 at the London Business School, Reviewed by Zita Bedõházi.  (2) What should the public transport of the future be like? 56th UITP World Congress. Reviewed by Máté Török.
Growth mechanism of Ag-foil-based artificially superconducting joints of YBa2Cu3O7 monoliths
Authors: Iliescu S. , Granados X. , Puig T. , Obradors X.
Published: October 2006

A new method was developed allowing large superconducting YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO) monoliths having complex shapes to be obtained. This method consists of joining two or more YBCO monoliths, and it is based on the interfacial melting induced by metallic Ag thin foils inserted between YBCO pellets. Studies of the microstructure and the superconducting properties of the joints obtained by using this technology have shown that a perfect interface can be obtained without agglomerations of non-superconducting phases and with a critical current density as high as that of the original blocks. No evidence of Ag precipitates was detected either at the interface or into the YBCO solid matrix, suggesting a migration of Ag. For a better understanding of the interface growth mechanism, we studied the influence of the cooling rate. The knowledge on the Ag diffusion process has enabled us to propose a model for the growth mechanism of the YBCO/Ag/YBCO interfaces.
An analogy between reaction and heat transfer
Authors: Churchill Stuart W.
Published: October 2006

A relationship between the Nusselt number and the chemical conversion arising from an energetic reaction in fully developed laminar or turbulent flow through a heated or cooled tube is formulated by the speculative adaptation and extension of a closed‐form solution for an idealized case. This relationship may be interpreted as an analogy between reaction and heat transfer. It has a wider scope than the classical analogies between momentum and heat transfer but is inferior to them in the sense that it incorporates an arbitrary coefficient whose dependencies have not yet been completely resolved. The analogy was derived for a single first‐order irreversible equimolar homogeneous reaction (restrictions that can be relaxed) and neglects entrance effects and changes in density and viscosity. The primary and unique contribution of the analogy is the mathematical representation and functional explanation of the chaotic and gross variation of the Nusselt number resulting from the combination of an energetic reaction and compensatory heat exchange. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
The prevalence of low hemoglobin values among new infantry recruits and nonlinear relationship between hemoglobin concentration and physical fitness
Authors: Novack Victor , Finestone Aharon S. , Constantini Naama , Shpilberg Ofer , Weitzman Shimon , Merkel Drorit
Published: October 2006

There is limited information regarding the optimal hemoglobin level for physical activity and most studies followed relatively few participants. The object of this study was to assess iron storage levels in a population of healthy young males and their impact on physical fitness. Blood samples were drawn from 358 consenting infantry recruits for hemoglobin, iron, ferritin, transferrin, folic acid, and B12 levels. A detailed medical and nutritional history was noted. Recruits performed a field fitness test including a 2,000‐m run. Mean hemoglobin was 13.8 ± 1.0 g/dl. Level of hemoglobin lower than 14 and 12 g/dl were found in 53.6% and 4.5% of the recruits, respectively. Mean ferritin was 57 ± 34 ng/ml, with 15% of the recruits under 25 ng/ml. On multivariate analysis, after adjusting for pre‐induction sports activity (P < 0.001), intermediate pre‐induction hemoglobin level (12–14 g/dl) was associated with significantly faster 2,000‐m running time (530 ± 69 s, n = 176) than both the lower hemoglobin group (570 ± 77 s, n = 16) and the higher hemoglobin group (552 ± 86 s, n = 166, P < 0.05). The subjects in this study were non‐athletic healthy young men. The high rate of abnormally low hemoglobin and ferritin values probably indicates a nutritional deficit in this population. The slower running results in the group with hemoglobin below 12 g/dl are in line with previous work, indicating the need for iron supplementation. The decrease in running ability with increased hemoglobin above 14 g/dl is surprising and will need further evaluation. Am. J. Hematol., 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sensenbrenner syndrome: A new member of the hepatorenal fibrocystic family
Authors: Zaffanello Marco , Diomedi‐Camassei Francesca , Melzi Maria Luisa , Torre Giuliano , Callea Francesco , Emma Francesco
Published: October 2006

Cranioectodermal dysplasia (CED, Sensenbrenner syndrome; OMIM #218330) is an autosomal recessive disorder reported only in 15 cases, which is characterized by dolichocephaly, rhizomelic dwarfism, dental and nail dysplasia, and progressive tubulo‐interstitial nephritis (TIN) leading to end‐stage renal failure. Herein, we describe a new patient with cranio‐ectodermal dysplasia. Unlike previously reported cases, this 4‐year‐old child presented with tubulo‐interstitial nephropathy associated with liver cystic disease and elevated liver enzymes. The liver biopsy demonstrated congenital hepatic fibrosis secondary to ductal plate malformation. The coexistence of a chronic tubulo‐interstitial renal disease with lesions associated to malformations of the hepatic ductal plate indicates that CED as a new member of the congenital hepatorenal fibrocystic syndromes. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of cyclo-oxygenase 1 and 2, prostaglandin E synthase and transforming growth factor β1, and their relationship with vascular endothelial growth factors A and C, in primary adenocarcinoma of the small intestine
Authors: von Rahden B H A , Brücher B L D M , Langner C , Siewert J R , Stein H J , Sarbia M
Published: October 2006

Background

Primary adenocarcinomas of the small intestine are rare. The prostaglandin biosynthetic pathway plays a major role in carcinogenesis and is linked with angiogenesis in various tumours. Promotion of tumour growth by transforming growth factor (TGF) β may be mediated through the prostaglandin pathway.

Methods

Expression of cyclo-oxygenase (COX) 1 and 2, prostaglandin E synthase (PGES), TGF-β1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A and C genes was analysed in 54 primary adenocarcinomas of the small intestine and corresponding normal intestinal mucosa. All patients had undergone surgical resection without previous antineoplastic therapy. Target gene expression was analysed at the mRNA level by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction and correlated with clinicopathological parameters as well as survival. COX-2 protein expression was examined by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Expression of COX-2 protein was detected immunohistochemically in 98 per cent of the carcinomas. COX-1, COX-2, VEGF-A, VEGF-C, PGES and TGF-β1 mRNA expression varied markedly in different tumours, but all were overexpressed compared with levels in normal intestinal mucosa. There were significant associations between levels of COX-1, COX-2, TGF-β1 and PGES mRNAs and those of VEGF-A and VEGF-C.

Conclusion

Correlations between levels of mRNA for COX-1, COX-2, TGF-β1 and PGES and those for proangiogenic factors VEGF-A and VEGF-C suggest a role for these factors in the propagation of primary adenocarcinomas of the small intestine.
Napoleons Kontinentalsperre und ihre Folgen: Hochkonjunktur der Ersatzstoffe
Authors: Vaupel Elisabeth
Published: October 2006

Vor 200 Jahren, im Jahr 1806, begann die von Napoleon gegen Großbritannien verhängte Kontinentalsperre. Diese Wirtschaftsblockade löste auf dem europäischen Kontinent eine intensive Suche nach inländischen Ersatzstoffen für rar und teuer gewordene britische Manufaktur‐ und Kolonialwaren aus. Chemiker, Pharmazeuten und Technologen entwickelten damals zum ersten Mal im großen Stil Ersatzstoffe für Kaffee, Chinarinde, Indigo, Cochenille, Gummi arabicum, Rohrzucker und andere ausbleibende Importgüter. Der durch Napoleons Politik ausgelöste politisch‐ökonomische Druck und die daraus resultierenden Autarkiebestrebungen der französischen Wirtschaft förderten die Entwicklung von (Naturstoff)Chemie und chemischer Industrie, nicht nur in Frankreich, sondern auch in Deutschland.
Focal and craniospinal irradiation for patients with intracranial germinoma and patterns of failure
Authors: Nguyen Quynh‐Nhu , Chang Eric L. , Allen Pamela K. , Maor Moshe H. , Ater Joann L. , Mahajan Anita , Wolff Johannes E. A. , Weinberg Jeffrey S. , Woo Shiao Y.
Published: October 2006

BACKGROUND.

The authors compared the patterns of failure in patients with intracranial germinoma who were managed with either chemotherapy and focal irradiation or with craniospinal irradiation (CSI).

METHODS.

A retrospective review was conducted on 21 patients with intracranial germinoma and treated with radiotherapy (RT) to the central nervous system at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center from 1981 to 2002. The study group was comprised of 13 males and 8 females with a median age at diagnosis of 19 years. Nine patients received chemotherapy prior to focal RT. Twelve patients received CSI.

RESULTS.

The actuarial 10‐year survival rate for all patients was 86%. The overall survival rate at 10 years was 89% for patients who received focal RT and 83% for patients who received CSI (P = .73). The 10‐year local control rate in the brain for patients who received focal irradiation was 59% compared with 100% for patients who received CSI (P = .08). The rate of distant control in the spine at 5 years was 62% for patients who received focal irradiation and 100% for patients who received CSI (P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS.

Although focal techniques of irradiation with chemotherapy are attractive methods that limited the volume irradiated, the strategy appeared to be associated with increased rates of failures in the brain and spine. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Online acid barrage stacking anti‐salt injection for capillary electrophoresis of 9‐fluorenylmethylchloroformate‐derivatized amino acids in high ionic strength solutions by UV detection
Authors: Han Yanli , Zuo Min , Qi Li , Liu Kun , Mao Lanqun , Chen Yi
Published: October 2006

An acid barrage stacking (ABS) method has been shown to be feasible for online anti‐salt injection in CE of 9‐fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC)‐labeled amino acids (AAs) detected by common UV absorption. The operation was performed on normal polar CE by sucking in an extra plug of acid following a sample zone, serving as a selective acid barrage to block the backward migration of weak anionic analytes due to a sudden mobility reduction via acid‐base reaction which does not affect strong co‐ions such as Cl− to penetrate the barrage freely. By CE‐UV of FMOC‐AAs in various NaCl solutions, the effectiveness of ABS was firmly validated, able to stand up to 500 mM NaCl and to stack analytes by 103‐fold calculated from the UV detection limits, that is 0.01 µM for ABS and 10 µM for non‐stacking injection. The method was also validated by determining trace Glu and Asp in real samples of rat brain microdialysate, rat serum and human saliva. The intraday RSDs were 0.33–4.9% for migration time and 1.8–9.6% for peak area. The recoveries measured by spiking technique were 82–115% for Glu and 86–116% for Asp. Working equations were obtained by plotting peak height vs. concentration at 0.1–50 µM, with correlation coefficients of >0.999. The contents of Glu and Asp were thus found at 0.26–0.83 µM and 0.24–0.64 µM respectively, in rat brain microdialyste; 37–40 µM and 8.4–10 µM, respectively, in rat serum; and 3.5–5.8 µM and 1.0–4.1 µM, respectively in human saliva. They were consistent with the data from other methods.
Microchip‐based CEC of nitroaromatic and nitramine explosives using silica‐based sol–gel stationary phases from methyl‐ and ethyl‐trimethoxysilane precursors
Authors: Giordano Braden C. , Terray Alex , Collins Greg E.
Published: October 2006

Microchip‐based CEC of nitroaromatic and nitramine explosives with UV absorbance detection is described. The stationary phase was deposited in the microchip using the sol–gel process. Unique to this work, is the exclusive use of alkylated‐trimethoxysilane precursors in the gel solution. Using alkylated precursors allows for the synthesis of a hydrophobic stationary phase in a single step. Three sol–gel formulations of increasing hydrophobicity and suitable for the separation of explosives are established from methyl‐ and ethyl‐trimethoxysilane precursors. Increasing the alkyl‐chain length improved the resolution significantly, allowing for the separation of up to seven analytes. Direct injection onto the head of the stationary phase for long injection times, results in sub‐mg/L detection limits with little effect on separation efficiency.
Morphological and X‐ray diffraction studies of crystalline hydroxyapatite‐reinforced polycaprolactone
Authors: Baji Avinash , Wong Shing‐Chung , Liu Tianxi , Li Tingcheng , Srivatsan T. S.
Published: October 2006

Morphological and mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite (HAP)‐reinforced polycaprolactone (PCL) were studied. The objective was to examine how morphological features alter the bulk mechanical properties in our laboratory‐synthesized HAP‐reinforced PCL. HAP crystals were synthesized by hydrolysis of mixtures of calcium and phosphate salts in the laboratory with wet chemical methods. The properties of the commercially available hydroxyapatite (HAP1) are compared with that of laboratory‐synthesized hydroxyapatite (HAP2). The HAP crystals and composition were characterized using X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR). The HAP1 and HAP2 crystals were dispersed into polymers to examine the mechanical behavior of bioactive composites, and the interfacial interactions between the polymer and HAP crystals are addressed. The FTIR results confirmed that the two forms of HAP crystals are consistent in terms of the functional chemical groups. The wide angle X‐ray diffraction study was performed to determine the crystallinity of the bioactive composites. It was observed that the crystallinty of HAP‐filled PCL steadily increased as the filler concentration increased. Generally, HAP2 has a particle size considerably smaller than HAP1 and the composite derived had higher modulus than conventional HAP‐filled polymers. This increase in modulus is attributed to better interfacial interaction. Bioresorbability tests performed on HAP particles found that the synthesized HAP had higher resorption rates. It is clear that the mechanical properties are influenced by the particle size and therefore by the processing method used. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
In vitro cytotoxicity of dental composites based on new and traditional polymerization chemistries
Authors: Brackett M. Goël , Bouillaguet S. , Lockwood P. E. , Rotenberg S. , Lewis J. B. , Messer R. L. W. , Wataha J. C.
Published: October 2006

The biological response to dental restorative polymer composites is mediated by the release of unpolymerized residual monomers. Several new composite formulations claim to reduce unpolymerized residual mass. The current study assessed the cytotoxic responses to several of these new formations and compared them with more traditional formulations. Our hypothesis predicted that if these new polymerization chemistries reduce unpolymerized residual mass, the cytotoxicity of these materials also should be reduced relative to traditional formulations. Methods: Materials (HerculiteXRV, Premise, Filtek Supreme, CeramxDuo, Hermes, and Quixfil) were tested in vitro in direct contact with Balb mouse fibroblasts, initially, then after aging in artificial saliva for 0, 1, 3, 5, or 8 weeks. The toxicity was determined by using the MTT assay to the estimate SDH activity. Knoop hardness of the materials also was measured at 0 and 8 weeks to determine whether surface breakdown of the materials in artificial saliva contributed to cytotoxic responses. Results: Materials with traditional methacrylate chemistries (Herculite, Premise, Filtek Supreme) were severely (>50%) cytotoxic throughout the 8‐week interval, but materials with newer chemistries or filling strategies (Hermes, CeramXDuo, and Quixfil) improved over time of aging in artificial saliva. Hermes showed the least cytotoxicity at 8 weeks, and was statistically equivalent to Teflon® negative controls. Hardness of the materials was unaffected by exposure to artificial saliva. Conclusions: Newer polymerization and filling strategies for dental composites show promise for reducing the release of unpolymerized components and cytotoxicity. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Effect of in‐season calcium applications on cell wall physicochemical properties of nectarine fruit (Prunus persica var. nectarina Ait. Maxim) after harvest or cold storage
Authors: Manganaris George A , Vasilakakis Miltiadis , Diamantidis Grigorios , Mignani Ilaria
Published: October 2006

Pre‐harvest calcium sprays with calcium chloride or with a commercial chelated calcium form at equivalent calcium rate were applied in nectarine trees at weekly intervals beginning 4 or 8 weeks before harvest, respectively. The fruits were harvested at commercial maturity stage and cold stored (0 °C, 95% RH) for 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks, prior to their ripening at room temperature (20 °C) for 1 and 5 days. The interrelations between calcium content (total, cell wall and pectin‐bound), cell wall components (polyuronide, neutral sugar and cellulose content) and tissue firmness of the nectarine fruits were examined. The two strategies (four or eight calcium sprays) were equally effective at increasing the fruit calcium content. Calcium increased by 14–25% in the peel and by 8–11% in the flesh, whereas cell wall calcium increased by 7–17% in calcium‐sprayed compared to non‐sprayed fruits after harvest. Cell wall and pectin calcium increased with the increase of storage time both in sprayed and non‐sprayed fruits without a corresponding increase of total calcium and uronic acid content, indicating the formation of more sites for calcium binding as storage period increased. Neutral sugar and cellulose content remained unaffected by the application of calcium sprays. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Improved shelf‐life of rice bran by domestic heat processing and assessment of its dietary consumption in experimental rats
Authors: Ahmed Faiyaz , Platel Kalpana , Vishwanatha Suryanarayanaiyer , Puttaraj Shashikala , Srinivasan Krishnapura
Published: October 2006

Rice bran, a valuable byproduct of the rice milling industry, in spite of being a rich nutrient, has limitations in food application, being highly susceptible to rancidity caused by the inherent enzyme lipase. In the present investigation, three simple heat treatment procedures, namely pan roasting, pan roasting with oil and microwave roasting, were examined to extend the shelf‐life of three varieties of rice bran. In the heat‐treated rice brans, the increase in free fatty acid content at the end of a 3‐month storage period was 1.6‐ to 2.5‐ fold as a result of heat treatment, while it was 12‐ to 23‐fold in the absence of heat treatment. In an animal experiment, pan‐roasted rice bran was fed to rats at 5% and 10% levels to study the palatability and safety of its consumption. The mean food intake was slightly higher in the 10% rice bran group (13.57 ± 0.2 g compared to 12.31 ± 0.52 g in control). Rats in the 10% rice bran group gained higher body weight when compared to the control group, which can be attributed to the higher food consumption by these animals. Dietary rice bran did not have any adverse effect on any of the hematological parameters. Serum protein level was similar to that of the control group except for an increase in serum albumin in rice bran‐fed groups, which is indicative of liver sufficiency in rice bran treatment. The weights of liver, kidney, heart and testes were not affected by rice bran either at the 5% or 10% level. It is inferred that simple domestic heat treatment procedures such as pan roasting and microwave heating can effectively check the rancidity in rice bran for a considerable period of storage, making it suitable for possible animal/human consumption. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Polyadic and cylindric algebras of sentences
Authors: Amer Mohamed , Sayed Ahmed Tarek
Published: October 2006

In this note we give an interpretation of cylindric algebras as algebras of sentences (rather than formulas) of first order logic. We show that the isomorphism types of such algebras of sentences coincide with the class of neat reducts of cylindric algebras. Also we show how this interpretation sheds light on some recent results. This is done by likening Henkin's Neat Embedding Theorem to his celebrated completeness proof. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A note on unbounded metric temporal logic over dense time domains
Authors: Baratella Stefano , Masini Andrea
Published: October 2006

We investigate the consequences of removing the infinitary axiom and rules from a previously defined proof system for a fragment of propositional metric temporal logic over dense time (see [1]). (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A topological characterization of consistency of logic theories in propositional logic
Authors: Wang Guo‐Jun , She Yan‐Hong
Published: October 2006

The main purpose of this note is to characterize consistency of logic theories in propositional logic by means of topological concept. Based on the concepts of truth degree of formulas and similarity degree between formulas the concept of logic metric space has been proposed by the first author. It is proved in this note that a closed logic theory Γ is consistent if and only if it contains no interior point in the logic metric space. Moreover the relationship between logic closedness and topological closedness of a logic theory Γ is discussed. Finally, the concept of full divergency is also characterized by means of the topological concept of density. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Anti‐cancer properties of anthraquinones from rhubarb
Authors: Huang Qing , Lu Guodong , Shen Han‐Ming , Chung Maxey C.M. , Ong Choon Nam
Published: October 2006

Rhubarb has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine since ancient times and today it is still present in various herbal preparations. In this review the toxicological and anti‐neoplastic potentials of the main anthraquinones from Rhubarb, Rheum palmatum, will be highlighted. It is interesting to note that although the chemical structures of various anthraquinones in this plant are similar, their bioactivities are rather different. The most abundant anthraquinone of rhubarb, emodin, was capable of inhibiting cellular proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and prevention of metastasis. These capabilities are reported to act through tyrosine kinases, phosphoinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K), protein kinase C (PKC), NF‐kappa B (NF‐κB), and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades. Aloe‐emodin is another major component in rhubarb found to have anti‐tumor properties. Its anti‐proliferative property has been demonstrated to be through the p53 and its downstream p21 pathway. Our recent proteomic study also suggests that the molecular targets of these two anthraquinones are different. However, both components were found to be able to potentiate the anti‐proliferation of various chemotherapeutic agents. Rhein is the other major rhubarb anthraquinone, although less well studied. This compound could effectively inhibit the uptake of glucose in tumor cells, caused changes in membrane‐associated functions and led to cell death. Interestingly, all three major rhubarb anthraquinones were reported to have in vitro phototoxic. This re‐evaluation of an old remedy suggests that several bioactive anthraquinones of rhubarb possess promising anti‐cancer properties and could have a broad therapeutic potential. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 27, No. 5, 609–630, 2007
An X‐ray study of the influence of processing and thermal treatment on polycaproamide
Authors: Khaydarov Abbas A , Collins Stephen , Abdurazakov Muhitdin
Published: October 2006

Wide‐angle X‐ray scattering has been used to study the crystalline structure and some structural properties of untreated and thermally treated samples of polycaproamide obtained by hydrolytic and anionic polymerisation of caprolactam. For untreated samples of polycaproamide two crystalline forms exist: a stable α‐monoclinic form and an unstable γ*‐pseudohexagonal modification. There are initial differences in the crystalline parameters of polycaproamide, i.e. content of α‐ and γ*‐form, degree of crystallinity and size of lamellae. A more ordered structure has been observed for samples obtained by anionic polymerisation. Both temperature and duration of annealing have a considerable influence on the polymorph transition of the unstable γ*‐pseudohexagonal crystalline form into the stable α‐crystalline form, on the degree of crystallinity and on the lamellar thickness. It was found that the largest change in these parameters occurred at an annealing temperature at the lower end of the melting point range of polycaproamide. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Calcium‐binding and temperature induced transitions in equine lysozyme: New insights from the pCa–temperature “phase diagrams”
Authors: Permyakov Sergei E. , Khokhlova Tatyana I. , Nazipova Aliya A. , Zhadan Andrey P. , Morozova‐Roche Ludmila A. , Permyakov Eugene A.
Published: October 2006

The most universal approach to the studies of metal binding properties of single‐site metal binding proteins, i.e., construction of a “phase diagram” in coordinates of free metal ion concentration–temperature, has been applied to equine lysozyme (EQL). EQL has one relatively strong calcium binding site and shows two thermal transitions, but only one of them is Ca2+‐dependent. It has been found that the Ca2+‐dependent behavior of the low temperature thermal transition (I) of EQL can be adequately described based upon the simplest four‐states scheme of metal‐ and temperature‐induced structural changes in a protein. All thermodynamic parameters of this scheme were determined experimentally and used for construction of the EQL phase diagram in the pCa–temperature space. Comparison of the phase diagram with that for α‐lactalbumin (α‐LA), a close homologue of lysozyme, allows visualization of the differences in thermodynamic behavior of the two proteins. The thermal stability of apo‐EQL (transition I) closely resembles that for apo‐α‐LA (mid‐temperature 25°C), while the thermal stabilities of their Ca2+‐bound forms are almost indistinguishable. The native state of EQL has three orders of magnitude lower affinity for Ca2+ in comparison with α‐LA while its thermally unfolded state (after the I transition) has about one order lower (K = 15M−1) affinity for calcium. Circular dichroism studies of the apo‐lysozyme state after the first thermal transition show that it shares common features with the molten globule state of α‐LA. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley–Liss, Inc.
Ocular dominance columns in strabismus
Authors: ADAMS DANIEL L. , HORTON JONATHAN C.
Published: October 2006

During development, the projection from the lateral geniculate nucleus to striate cortex becomes segregated into monocular regions called ocular dominance columns. Prior studies in cats have suggested that experimental strabismus or alternating monocular occlusion increases the width and segregation of columns. In the squirrel monkey, strabismus has been reported to induce the formation of ocular dominance columns. However, these studies are difficult to interpret because no animal can serve as its own control and the degree of inter-individual variability among normal subjects is considerable. We have re-examined the effect of strabismus on ocular dominance columns in a large group of strabismic and normal squirrel monkeys. Five animals rendered strabismic at age one week had well-developed, widely spaced columns. Among 16 control animals, a wide spectrum of column morphology was encountered. Some control animals lacked ocular dominance columns, whereas others had columns similar to those observed in strabismic animals. Natural variation in column expression in normal squirrel monkeys, and potential uncontrolled genetic influences, made it impossible to determine if strabismus affects ocular dominance columns. It was evident however, that strabismus does not affect the binocular projection from the lateral geniculate nucleus to each CO patch in the upper layers. In strabismic monkeys, just as in normal animals, each patch received input from geniculate afferents serving both the left eye and the right eye. In addition, in strabismic monkeys, as in normal animals, patches were not aligned with ocular dominance columns.
Equatorial Atmosphere Radar observations of short vertical wavelength gravity waves in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere region induced by localized convection
Authors: Dhaka S. K. , Yamamoto M. K. , Shibagaki Y. , Hashiguchi H. , Fukao S. , Chun H.‐Y.
Published: October 2006

Equatorial Atmosphere Radar (EAR) observations made at Koto Tabang (0.2°S, 100.32°E) revealed that gravity waves with a short vertical wavelength (∼2–4 km) were evident in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS). Results are based on two convective events observed on 11 April and 26 April 2004. Above the convective region (∼12–13 km heights) the decrease in the vertical wavelength (λz) found in vertical wind profiles was noticeable. Large portions of the induced gravity waves with short λz dissipated in the lower stratosphere and hence their role is considered to be of importance for the dynamics of UTLS region. Gradual decrease in λz of gravity waves between 12 km and 20 km heights is partly made by a steady increase in Brunt Väisälla frequency from ∼12 km to 20 km heights. The decrease in amplitude in UTLS may be due to damping mechanism.
Observations of triboelectric charging effects on Langmuir‐type probes in dusty plasma
Authors: Barjatya Aroh , Swenson Charles M.
Published: October 2006

Investigation of Earth's mesosphere using sounding rockets equipped with a myriad of instruments has been a highly active field in the last 2 decades. This paper presents data from three separate instruments: an RF impedance probe, a DC fixed bias Langmuir probe, and an electric field probe, that were flown on a mesospheric sounding rocket flight investigating the presence of charged dust within and/or around a sporadic metal layer. The combined data set indicates a case of payload surface charging, the causes of which are investigated within this paper. A generic circuit model is developed to analyze payload charging and behavior of Langmuir‐type instruments. The application of this model to the rocket payload indicates that the anomalous charging event was an outcome of triboelectrification of the payload surface from neutral dust particles present in the Earth's mesosphere. These results suggest caution in interpreting observations from the Langmuir class of instrumentation within dusty environments.
Tropospheric ozone determined from Aura OMI and MLS: Evaluation of measurements and comparison with the Global Modeling Initiative's Chemical Transport Model
Authors: Ziemke J. R. , Chandra S. , Duncan B. N. , Froidevaux L. , Bhartia P. K. , Levelt P. F. , Waters J. W.
Published: October 2006

Ozone measurements from the OMI and MLS instruments on board the Aura satellite are used for deriving global distributions of tropospheric column ozone (TCO). TCO is determined using the tropospheric ozone residual method which involves subtracting measurements of MLS stratospheric column ozone (SCO) from OMI total column ozone after adjusting for intercalibration differences of the two instruments using the convective‐cloud differential method. The derived TCO field, which covers one complete year of mostly continuous daily measurements from late August 2004 through August 2005, is used for studying the regional and global pollution on a timescale of a few days to months. The seasonal and zonal characteristics of the observed TCO fields are also compared with TCO fields derived from the Global Modeling Initiative's Chemical Transport Model. The model and observations show interesting similarities with respect to zonal and seasonal variations. However, there are notable differences, particularly over the vast region of the Saharan desert.
Probing chemical dynamics with negative ions
Authors: Neumark Daniel M.
Published: October 2006

Experiments are reviewed in which key problems in chemical dynamics are probed by experiments based on photodetachment and/or photoexcitation of negative ions. Examples include transition state spectroscopy of biomolecular reactions, spectroscopy of open shell van der Waals complexes, photodissociation of free radicals, and time-resolved dynamics in clusters. The experimental methods used in these investigations are described along with representative systems that have been studied.
Rare-earth ferroborates RFe3(BO3)4
Authors: Vasiliev A. N. , Popova E. A.
Published: October 2006

A brief review of the physical properties of the rare-earth ferroborate family RFe3(BO3)4 is given. At high temperatures some of these compounds exhibit a first-order structural phase transition from the high-symmetry R32 to the low-symmetry P3121 modification. The temperature of this transition decreases systematically with increasing radius of the rare-earth ion. All compounds of this family have antiferromagnetic ordering of the iron subsystem at low temperatures. The rare-earth subsystem, while remaining paramagnetic to the lowest temperatures, is magnetically biased by the magnetic field of the ordered iron subsystem. Although the antiferromagnetic transition temperature TN=20–40K depends weakly on the species of rare-earth ion, the orientation of the magnetic moments of the Fe3+ ions in the ordered state is determined by the R3+ ion. For example, in compounds with Y, Nd, Er, and Tm the magnetic moments of the iron are oriented in the ab plane, while in compounds with Tb and Dy they are parallel to the c axis. In GdFe3(BO3)4 a first-order spin-reorientation phase transition is observed at TSR∼9K. It is found that GdFe3(BO3)4 and NdFe3(BO3)4 are multiferroics; this is manifested in magnetoelectric and magnetoelastic effects that are dependent on the orientation and magnitude of the external magnetic field.