bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resource distribution and group size in the common langur Semnopithecus entellus in southern India
Authors: Vasudev Divya , Kumar Ajith , Sinha Anindya
Published: May 2008

We investigated the influence of resource abundance and distribution on the group size and composition of the common langur Semnopithecus entellus in the contiguous forests of Bandipur National Park, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and Nagarahole National Park in southern India. We also explored any additional effect of predator pressure and the risk of take‐over on the same attributes. Data on group composition and vegetation were collected from January to May 2006. The size and composition of 94 bisexual groups were obtained. The group size varied from 7 to 40 and the groups included unimale and multimale groups. Thirty‐five all‐male groups were encountered. Vegetation was sampled from 17 grids of dimension 1 km × 1 km, each containing twelve 25 m × 25 m plots. The list of food species was compiled from previous studies and observations made during the study period. The mean basal area of all the food trees within each plot and its coefficient of variation at the level of the grid were used to represent resource abundance and distribution, respectively. The number of adult females and males within groups were analyzed separately to test for differential effects on age–sex categories. Group size increased as resources became spatially more heterogeneous. The abundance of resources had a negative effect on group size. This study did not find evidence supporting the direct effect of predator presence or of the risk of take‐over. Contrary to what were expected, adult males reacted more strongly and predictably to resources than did adult females. The group attributes and their relationship with food resource abundance and distribution differed between two sites in the study area possibly owing to langur subspecies differences. Am. J. Primatol. 70:680–689, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Novel methods for synthesis of high‐impact polystyrene with bimodal distribution of rubber particle size
Authors: Li Daishuang , Peng Jing , Zhai Maolin , Qiao Jinliang , Zhang Xiaohong , Wei Genshuan
Published: May 2008

By using in situ prepolymerization and radiation curing, high‐impact polystyrene (HIPS) with a bimodal distribution of the size of the rubber particles (bimodal HIPS) was synthesized in the presence of ultrafine full‐vulcanized powdered styrene–butadiene rubber (UFPSBR) and polybutadiene rubber (BR). TEM photographs indicated that UFPSBR was dispersed uniformly as a single particle with a diameter of about 100 nm. On the other hand, bimodal HIPS with different rubber particle size distributions could also be obtained by blending HIPS and UFPSBR grafting styrene (UFPSBR‐g‐St) with different grafting yields. The bimodal HIPS with the smallest rubber particle size, at about 100 nm, could be prepared by blending the monomodal HIPS containing big rubber particles with polystyrene/UFPSBR. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Synthesis and phase behavior of new cholesteric liquid‐crystalline copolymers containing chiral mesogenic groups derived from menthol derivatives
Authors: Hu Jian‐She , Ren Shi‐Chao , Zhang Bao‐Yan , Chao Chun‐Ying
Published: May 2008

The synthesis of a new chiral mesogenic monomer (M1), a nematic monomer (M2), and a series of side chain cholesteric copolymers (P2–P6) containing the mesogenic menthyl groups is described. The chemical structures of the compounds were confirmed by FTIR and 1H NMR. The mesomorphic properties and phase behavior were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and polarizing optical microscopy. M1 showed an enantiotropic cholesteric phase, and M2 revealed a nematic phase. The homopolymers P1 and P7, respectively, displayed a chiral smectic A (SA) phase and a nematic phase, while the copolymers P2–P6 exhibited the Grandjean texture of the cholesteric phase. Tg, Ti, and ΔT of P1–P7 increased with increasing the concentration of M2 in the polymers. All of the obtained polymers displayed very good thermal stability and the wide mesophase temperature range. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
An approach for complete molecular weight distribution calculation: Application in ethylene coordination polymerization
Authors: Pontes Karen V. , Maciel Rubens , Embiruçu Marcelo
Published: May 2008

The objective of this article is to present an approach to ascertain the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of polymeric systems and its application to an industrial polyethylene reactor. Ascertaining the complete MWD can provide more reliable predictions of polymer end‐use properties, as some of them may depend on specific molecular weight ranges, instead of solely on the averages of the distribution. The proposed method is based on differentiation of the cumulative MWD, where the accumulated concentrations, evaluated at a finite number of chain lengths, are considered components in a reaction medium. Therefore, the dimension of the mathematical model may be suited to the desired level of detail on the MWD. The ethylene polymerization in solution with Ziegler–Natta catalyst is taken as a case study because of the lack of studies in this field. The reaction takes place in continuously stirred and tubular reactors. The results show the potential of the proposed approach and its usefulness in ascertaining the whole MWD, which in turn can be used to predict the polymer end‐use properties. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Synthesis and drug‐release properties of hyperbranched polyesters grafted with biocompatible poly(ϵ‐caprolactone)
Authors: Xia Wei , Jiang Guohua , Chen Wenxing
Published: May 2008

A hyperbranched, functional, and biocompatible polymer, poly(ϵ‐caprolactone)‐grafted hyperbranched polyester (HPCL), was synthesized via a facile two‐step routine as a prospective nontoxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible drug delivery system. 1H‐NMR measurements provided direct evidence that ϵ‐caprolactone was grafted by a reaction with the peripheral functional hydroxyl groups of hyperbranched polyesters. pH‐responsive HPCL in different synthetic body fluids (SBFs) could controllably incubate aspirin. In the different SBFs, the release rates were diverse. In SBF with a pH of 7.4, the release time was nearly 110 h, whereas in SBF with a pH of 6.4 and SBF with a pH of 7.8, it was 185 and 71 h, respectively. In comparison with previously reported systems, our system had a longer release life. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
On a generalization of the expected discounted penalty function in a discrete‐time insurance risk model
Authors: Landriault David
Published: May 2008

In this paper, we propose a generalization of the expected discounted penalty function and analyze the proposed analytic tool in the framework of the compound binomial model with a general premium rate c (c ∈ ℕ+) received per period. We derive an explicit expression for this generalized analytic tool in terms of the zeros of a matrix determinant. We then examine the original expected discounted penalty function in the compound binomial model with a general premium rate c, generalizing the results of Cheng et al. (Insur. Math. Econ. 2000; 26:239–250) in the framework of the compound binomial model with a unit premium rate. A numerical example is then considered to compare the original expected discounted penalty function with its generalized analytic tool. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Co‐conjugating chondroitin‐6‐sulfate/dermatan sulfate to chitosan scaffold alters chondrocyte gene expression and signaling profiles
Authors: Chen Yen‐Lin , Chen Huang‐Chi , Chan Hing‐Yuen , Chuang Ching‐Kuang , Chang Yu‐Han , Hu Yu‐Chen
Published: May 2008

Co‐conjugating chondroitin‐6‐sulfate (CSC) and dermatan sulfate (DS) to chitosan scaffolds improves chondrocyte differentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) production. To further elucidate the cellular responses to CSC/DS conjugation, gene expression profiles for the rat chondrocytes cultured on the CSC/DS/chitosan and chitosan‐only scaffolds were compared by reverse‐transcription PCR (RT‐PCR) and quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR (qRT‐PCR). Our data unraveled that the CSC/DS/chitosan scaffold resulted in low‐level expression of collagen I, IIA and X and potentiated the aggrecan, collagen II (including collagen IIB) and TIMP3 expression, but downregulated the decorin expression. Therefore CSC/DS/chitosan scaffold maintained the chondrocyte differentiation while minimized de‐differentiation and hypertrophy. Furthermore, CSC/DS conjugation affected the expression of 11 genes implicated in 9 signaling pathways (as unveiled by cDNA microarray) and upregulated the expression of TGF‐β1, Sox9, BMP2, PTHrP and Ihh (as confirmed by qRT‐PCR). These data suggested that the CSC/DS/chitosan scaffold potentiated the TGF‐β and Hedgehog pathways, which activated the expression of PTHrP and its downstream Sox9. The signals were transduced to elevate the expression of aggrecan, collagen II and TIMP3, and contributed to the well‐differentiated chondrocyte phenotype. Altogether, this study for the first time elucidated the roles of GAGs‐conjugated biomaterials in matrix production and breakdown, cellular differentiation and signal transduction at the molecular levels. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 821–830. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
NMR studies of chiral organic compounds in non‐isotropic phases
Authors: Potrzebowski Marek J. , Jeziorna Agata , Kaźmierski Sławomir
Published: May 2008

In this article, new applications and perspectives of one‐ and two‐dimensional NMR spectroscopy for study of chiral organic compounds in the non‐isotropic phases (solid state and liquid crystals) are presented. The review is organized into five sections. In the first part, theoretical background and short introduction to solid state NMR are shown. The second part presents how NMR isotropic chemical shift can be used for distinguishing of racemates and enantiomers. In the third section, the power of the ODESSA pulse sequence for investigation of racemates, enantiomers and establishing of enantiomeric excess are discussed. The fourth part shows the application of analysis of principal elements of chemical shift tensors obtained by means of 2D NMR techniques for searching of absolute configuration and conformational changes in the solid state. The final part presents recent achievements of chiral liquid crystals NMR methodology for study of chiral compounds. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 32A:201–218, 2008.
Beyond excitation NMR relaxation
Authors: Ariza‐Castolo Armando
Published: May 2008

The understanding of NMR relaxation processes allows us to comprehend a variety of experiments ranging from the recording of spectra to the determination of images. A brief history of NMR spectroscopy, the state of the art of this technique, as well as its comparison with the coupling constants and chemical shifts measured in the condensed phase are presented in this paper. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Concepts Magn Reson Part A 32A: 168–182, 2008.
Examining economies of scale and cost‐benefit of small multi‐purpose storage ponds in the Zhanghe irrigation system, China
Authors: Mushtaq Shahbaz , Khan Shahbaz , Hafeez Mohsin
Published: May 2008

Ponds are small reservoirs located in irrigation areas that allow farmers to capture rainfall, store surplus water from irrigation canals, recycle and use water on a needs basis. Though ponds have been widespread in some irrigated areas in China for many years, recent increases in the construction of ponds due to growing water shortages and government policies generate interest in understanding the economies of scale and effectiveness of the investment.

The results of a multi‐output, multi‐input translog cost function show that moderate economies of scale exist for large‐size ponds (>10 000 m3) and trivial economies of scale exist for medium‐size ponds (>1000 m3 to <10 000 m3). Small‐size ponds (<1000 m3) reveal diseconomies of scale. The economic evaluation indices indicate that all ponds were profitable with healthy internal rates of return, positive net present values and cost–benefit ratios >1. However, when family labour cost was included, small and medium ponds failed to justify their investment. Overall, larger ponds offer higher economic benefits than small and medium‐size ponds. Efficiency gains could result by constructing large size community ponds that are also economically viable. However, technical guidelines and optimum size limits may effectively need to be established to reduce the possible occurrence of serious environmental and social problems. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bilateral renal lymphangiomatosis: Sonographic findings
Authors: Bagheri Mohammad Hadi , Zare Zahra , Sefidbakht Sepideh , Nabavizadeh Seyed Ali , Meshksar Arash , Roozbeh Jamshid , Salehipour Mehdi
Published: May 2008

Renal lymphangiomatosis is an exceedingly rare disorder characterized by developmental malformation of the lymphatic system surrounding the kidneys. We report a case of bilateral renal lymphangiomatosis in a 21‐year‐old man who underwent abdominal sonographic examination that revealed numerous cystic areas of varyious sizes around both kidneys with extension along the renal hilum. Subsequent abdominal CT examination demonstrated bilateral, multilocular, fluid‐filled cystic masses with thin walls in the perirenal and peripelvic region. MRI of the patient revealed bilaterally enlarged kidneys with multiple hyperintense lesions in both perirenal spaces and the peripelvic area on T2‐weighted images. These cystic spaces appeared hypointense on T1‐weighted images with no enhancement in postcontrast images. The diagnosis of renal lymphangiomatosis was made based on typical imaging findings. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2009
Oogenesis of Diadegma semiclausum (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) and its associated polydnavirus
Authors: Huang Fang , Shi Min , Chen Ya‐Feng , Cao Ting‐Ting , Chen Xue‐Xin
Published: May 2008

We present a detailed ultrastructural analysis of ovary and calyx cell differentiation of Diadegma semiclausum. Numerous gametangia in various developmental stages were examined with electron microscopy to characterize the ultrastructure features of oogenesis, the most important of which is the development of nurse cells. In the germarium, the undifferentiated germ cells diversify, and one of the central cells of the cluster differentiates into an oocyte while the remaining become nurse cells. Germ cells continue developing in the vitellarium until mature and then enter into the calyx region. The calyx epithelium contains typical ichneumonid polydnaviruses with the following characteristics: (1) the virus particles assemble in the nuclei of calyx cells where they acquire an initial (inner) membrane, then migrate through the cytoplasm and budd out into the lumen of the ovary, at which time they acquire a second envelope (outer membrane); (2) the particle has a genome comprising several DNA segments. However, this new polydnavirus (Diadegma semiclausum polydnavirus) in the genus ichnovirus was not attached to the surface of the egg chorion. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of amino acid modifications on the molecular structure of adsorbed and nonadsorbed bombesin 6–14 fragments on an electrochemically roughened silver surface
Authors: Podstawka Edyta
Published: May 2008

This work used infrared absorption and Raman spectroscopy to determine the structure of seven modified fragments (residues 6–14 of the polypeptide chain) of bombesin (BN6–14). The peptides studied are cyclo[D‐Phe6, His7, Leu14]BN6–14, [D‐Phe6, Leu‐NHEt13, des‐Met14]BN6–14, [D‐Phe6, Leu13‐®‐p‐chloro‐Phe14]BN6–14, [D‐Phe6, β‐Ala11, Phe13, Nle14]BN6–14, [D‐Tyr6, β‐Ala11, Phe13, Nle14]BN6–14, [D‐Tyr6, β‐Phe11, Phe13, Nle14OH]BN6–14 and [D‐Cys6, Asn7, D‐Ala11, Cys14]BN6–14. These peptides are potent bombesin agonists useful in the treatment of tumors.

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy was also used to examine the behavior of these molecules on an electrochemically roughened silver surface. The SERS spectra reveal that substituting native amino acids in these molecules with synthetic ones changes their adsorption state slightly on an electrochemically roughened surface of silver. The peptides [D‐Tyr6, β‐Ala11, Phe13, Nle14]BN6–14 and [D‐Tyr6, β‐Phe11, Phe13, Nle14OH]BN6–14 tend to adsorb strongly on this surface via C fragment (∼1400 cm−1). The observed medium enhancement of the Trp8 residue and amide bond Raman signals indicate further interactions between these fragments and the surface. [D‐Phe6, Leu‐NHEt13, des‐Met14]BN6–14 and [D‐Cys6, Asn7, D‐Ala11, Cys14]BN6–14 are shown to be coordinated to the silver through CONH, CO, and the indole ring. The strongest SERS bands (∼1506, ∼1275, ∼1149, and ∼1007 cm−1) of [D‐Phe6, Leu13‐®‐p‐chloro‐Phe14]BN6–14 and [D‐Phe6, β‐Ala11, Phe13, Nle14]BN6–14 suggest that these two peptides bind to the silver via Trp8 and CONH. In the case of cyclo[D‐Phe6, His7, Leu14]BN6–14, the formation of a peptide/Ag complex is confirmed by the strong SERS bands involving Trp8 and CONH vibrations, which are accompanied by a SERS signal due to the CO vibrations.

For these analogs, the relative potency for inhibition of binding of 125I‐[Tyr4]BN to rat pancreas acini cells was correlated with the behavior of the amide bond on the silver surface, while the contribution of the structural components to the ability to interact with the rGRP‐R was correlated with the SERS patterns. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of an aliphatic spacer group on the adsorption mechanism on the colloidal silver surface of L‐proline phosphonodipeptides
Authors: Podstawka Edyta , Kafarski Paweł , Proniewicz Leonard M.
Published: May 2008

A comparative study of molecular structures of five L‐proline (L‐Pro) phosphonodipeptides: L‐Pro‐NH‐C(Me,Me)‐PO3H2 (P1), L‐Pro‐NH‐C(Me,iPr)‐PO3H2 (P2), L‐Pro‐L‐NH‐CH(iBu)‐PO3H2 (P3), L‐Pro‐L‐NH‐CH(PA)‐PO3H2 (P4) and L‐Pro‐L‐NH‐CH(BA)‐PO3H2 (P5) has been carried out using Raman and absorption infrared techniques of molecular spectroscopy. The interpretation of the obtained spectra has been supported by density functional theory calculations (DFT) at the B3LYP; 6–31 + + G** level using Gaussian 2003 software. The surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) on Ag‐sol in aqueous solutions of these phosphonopeptides has also been investigated. The surface geometry of these molecules on a silver colloidal surface has been determined by observing the position and relative intensity changes of the Pro ring, amide, phosphonate and so‐called spacer (−R) groups vibrations of the enhanced bands in their SERS spectra. Results show that P4 and P5 adsorb onto the silver as anionic molecules mainly via the amide bond (∼1630, ∼1533, ∼1248, ∼800 and ∼565 cm−1), Pro ring (∼956, ∼907 and ∼876 cm−1) and carboxylate group (∼1395 and ∼909 cm−1). Coadsorption of the imine nitrogen atom and PO group with the silver surface, possibly by formation of a weaker interaction with the metal, is also suggested by the enhancement of the bands at 1158 and 1248 cm−1. P1, P2 and P3 show two orientations of their main chain on the silver surface resulting from different interactions of the CCH3, NH and CONH fragments with this surface. Bonding to the Ag surface occurs mainly through the imino atom (1166 cm−1) for P2, while for P1 and P3 it occurs via the methyl group(s) (1194–1208 cm−1). The amide group functionality (CONH) is practically not involved in the adsorption process for P1 and P2, whereas the CsP bonds do assist in the adsorption. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In situ monitoring of the solution‐mediated polymorphic transformation of glycine: characterization of the polymorphs and observation of the transformation rate using Raman spectroscopy and microscopy
Authors: Yang Xia , Lu Jie , Wang Xiujuan , Ching Chi Bun
Published: May 2008

The aim of this work was to investigate the mechanism and progression of the solution‐mediated polymorphic transformation and crystallization of glycine. The identification of the α‐ and γ‐forms of glycine crystals was performed using powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), Raman microscopy and in situ probe Raman spectroscopy. The influence of the addition of NaCl and of the process parameters such as saturation temperature, seed size and stirring speed on the transformation behavior from the metastable α‐ form to the stable γ‐ form was examined. In situ probe Raman spectroscopy was used to monitor the solid‐phase properties—polymorphic composition. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) with a ZnSe window was used to track the liquid‐phase concentration at different times. Besides, the polymorphic transformation of glycine in the solvent was also examined in situ using a microscope with a heating/cooling stage. The integration of the different offline and in situ analytical measurement techniques greatly assisted in accurately and quantitatively perceiving the fundamental phenomena that govern the transformation process. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polypropylene composites filled by magnesium hydroxide coprecipitated with foreign ions
Authors: Chen Dehong , Zhang Huaiping , Zheng Qiukai , Liu Feiyue , Xu Kai , Chen Mingcai
Published: May 2008

Rod‐like magnesium hydroxide (MH) particles were prepared via coprecipitation of the magnesium salt with foreign ions, such as copper(II), zinc(II), iron(III), and nickel(II). Flame retardant polypropylene (PP) composites were fabricated using these particles. The microstructure, flame retardation, mechanical properties, thermal behavior, and oxidation‐induced temperature were characterized. It was found that foreign ion compounds increased the flame retardancy. MH containing a zinc compound presented a similar performance as that of neat MH. The presence of a copper compound decreased the thermal behavior and mechanical properties of the flame retardant composite, while iron and nickel compounds brought some improvements. In addition, the thermal degradation mechanisms of the flame retardant composites were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy at different temperatures. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PATIKAmad: Putting microarray data into pathway context
Authors: Babur Ozgun , Colak Recep , Demir Emek , Dogrusoz Ugur
Published: May 2008

High‐throughput experiments, most significantly DNA microarrays, provide us with system‐scale profiles. Connecting these data with existing biological networks poses a formidable challenge to uncover facts about a cell's proteome. Studies and tools with this purpose are limited to networks with simple structure, such as protein–protein interaction graphs, or do not go much beyond than simply displaying values on the network. We have built a microarray data analysis tool, named PATIKAmad, which can be used to associate microarray data with the pathway models in mechanistic detail, and provides facilities for visualization, clustering, querying, and navigation of biological graphs related with loaded microarray experiments. PATIKAmad is freely available to noncommercial users as a new module of PATIKAweb at http://web.patika.org.
DigesTip: A new device for a rapid and efficient in‐solution protein digestion
Authors: Marangoni Roberto , Chiarini Riccardo , Iannone Giorgio , Salerno Massimiliano
Published: May 2008

DigesTip is a new device for in‐solution protein digestion, based on a patent pending technology, able to immobilize enzymes (trypsin, in this case) on a solid surface, keeping their activity preserved. DigesTip is a standard pipette tip, usable both by human and by robots. Its main performances are: very short digestion time (1 min) and usability with low protein sample concentrations (5 μg/mL). DigesTip obtains a clear signal in MS measurements and its usage rules out several preparative steps.
The HUPO Brain Proteome Project Wish List – Summary of the 9th HUPO BPP Workshop 9–10 January 2008, Barbados
Authors: Hamacher Michael , Eisenacher Martin , Tribl Florian , Stephan Christian , Marcus Katrin , Hardt Tanja , Wiltfang Jens , Martens Lennart , Desiderio Dominic , Gutstein Howard , Park Young Mok , Meyer Helmut E.
Published: May 2008

The Human Brain Proteome Project (HUPO BPP) aims at advancing knowledge and the understanding of neurodiseases and aging with the purpose of identifying prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers, as well as to push new diagnostic approaches and medications. The participating groups meet in semi‐annual workshops to discuss the progress, as well as the needs, within the field of proteomics. The 9th HUPO BPP workshop took place in Barbados from 9–10 January, 2008. Discussing the future HUPO BPP Roadmap, the attendees drafted the so called HUPO BPP wish list containing timelines, suggestions and missions. This wish list will be updated regularly and will serve as a guideline for the next phase.
Hormonal regulation of β2‐adrenergic receptor level in prostate cancer
Authors: Ramberg Håkon , Eide Turid , Krobert Kurt Allen , Levy Finn Olav , Dizeyi Nishtman , Bjartell Anders S , Abrahamsson Per‐Anders , Taskén Kristin Austlid
Published: May 2008

BACKGROUND

Androgen deprivation is the only effective systemic therapy available for patients with prostatic carcinoma, but is associated with a gradual transition to a hormone‐refractory prostate cancer (HRCAP) in which ligand‐independent activation of the androgen receptor has been implicated. The β2‐adrenergic receptor (β2‐AR) is a well‐known activator of the androgen receptor.

METHODS

Prostatic cell lines were analyzed using cDNA micro‐array, real time RT‐PCR, radioligand binding assay, cAMP measurements, transfection and thymidine incorporation assay. Clinical specimens were studied by immunohistochemistry and Affymetrix microarrays.

RESULTS

Here, we show that β2‐AR was transiently down‐regulated both at mRNA‐ and protein levels when hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer cells, LNCaP, were cultured in steroid stripped medium (charcoal‐stripped fetal calf serum) or when the cells were treated with the anti‐androgen, bicalutamide (Casodex). The number of β‐adrenergic receptors was modestly up‐regulated in androgen independent cell lines (LNCaP‐C4, LNCaP‐C4‐2 and DU145) compared to LNCaP. Triiodothyronine (T3) increased the level of β2‐AR and the effect of T3 was inhibited by bicalutamide. Immunohistochemical staining of human prostate specimens showed high expression of β2‐AR in glandular, epithelial cells and increased expression in malignant cells compared to benign hyperplasia and normal tissue. Interestingly, β2‐AR mRNA was strongly down‐regulated by androgen ablation therapy of prostate cancer patients.

CONCLUSION

The level of β2‐AR was increased by T3 in prostatic adenocarcinoma cells and reduced in prostate cancer patients who had received androgen ablation therapy for 3 months. Prostate 68:1133–1142, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Strong enhancement of emissions from nanostructured ZnO thin films grown by plasma‐assisted molecular‐beam epitaxy on nanopored Si(001) substrates
Authors: Choi Jun‐Ho , Han Seok Kyu , Hong Soon‐Ku , Song Jung‐Hoon , Jeong Se Young , Cho You Suk , Kim Dojin , Nam Yoon Sung , Baek Kyung‐Seon , Chang Soo‐Kyung , Yao Takafumi
Published: May 2008

Nanostructured ZnO films were fabricated on nanopored Si(001) surfaces through reactive ion etching and plasma‐assisted molecular‐beam epitaxy techniques. Nanowall‐like nanostructures were formed on the ZnO film surfaces depending on the thickness of the ZnO films. Significant enhancement of the photoluminescence intensity up to 15 fold was observed from the nanostructured ZnO films. We found that the emission properties of the film changed very sensitively with the nanostructure on the surface and the enhancement is closely related to the formations of nanostructures on the surface of the ZnO films, not at the interface between the films and the substrate. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Synthesis of dendrimer–carbon nanotube conjugates
Authors: García A. , Herrero M. A. , Frein S. , Deschenaux R. , Muñoz R. , Bustero I. , Toma F. , Prato M.
Published: May 2008

We describe the coupling between Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) and a second‐generation cyanophenyl‐based dendrimer. The goal of our work is the synthesis of highly functionalized CNTs without provoking damage to the conjugated π‐system. One approach is the attachment of dendrimers with a high density of functional groups to the CNTs. These groups serve as anchor points for further reactions. With this aim, we have carried out a primary modification on CNTs by the use of 1,3 dipolar cycloaddition reaction. We have employed Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWNTs) as well as Multi Wall Carbon Nanotubes (MWNTs) obtaining 238 μmol and 511 μmol of pyrrolidine groups per gram, respectively. The amount of amino groups introduced in the system was measured by the Kaiser test as well as thermogravimetric analyses. As a second step, dendrimer incorporation was performed by carbodiimide chemistry. Thermogravimetric Analysis, Raman Spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy characterization techniques are reported for the characterization of the final CNT–dendrimer conjugate.

The results show that the dendrimer has been attached covalently to the previously generated amine groups. Morphologically, the attached dendrimer with an estimated theoretical molecular length of 6.4 nm, generates a wrapping of 8 nm thick around the CNTs walls. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Lupin protein concentrates by extraction with aqueous alcohols
Authors: Blaicher F. M. , Nolte R. , Mukherjee K. D.
Published: May 2008

In order to remove the toxic quinolizidine alkaloids and other nonprotein constituents, hexane‐defatted flakes of lupin (Lupinus mutabilis) were extracted under various conditions with ethanol, methanol or their aqueous solutions. Lupin protein concentrates containing more than 70% protein and 0.1–0.2% alkaloids were obtained in high yields by consecutive extractions, countercurrent extraction or semicountercurrent extraction of the defatted lupin flakes with either 80% ethanol or 80% methanol.
Studies of chemical methods for assessing oxidative quality and storage stability of feeding oils
Authors: Hung S. S. O. , Slinger S. J.
Published: May 2008

Peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid number (TBA), anisidine value (AV), percent free fatty acids (FFA), and carbonyl value (CV) methods were compared in different experiments for their sensitivity and practicality in assessing the oxidative quality of four feeding oils: salmon oil, soybean oil, canola oil (oil from low erucic acid, low glucosinolate rapeseed), and canola soap stocks. In the first experiment, among the four methods (PV, AV, TBA and FFA) studied, PV appeared to be the most practical for its sensitivity, simplicity, and economy when the four oils were oxidized by bubbling air through at room temperature for 792 hr. In the second experiment, using herring oil, all four methods tested (PV, AV, TBA and FFA) were sufficiently sensitive once the oxidation of herring oil had passed the induction period and the oil was highly oxidized. In the third experiment, of the four methods (PV, AV, TBA and CV) compared, AV was the most sensitive for measuring the oxidative quality of canola oil aerated at 100 C for 240 hr. Results of further studies suggested that herring and canola oils stored under commercial conditions were stable for at least one year.
Alteration of phenolic antioxidants in heated vegetable oil
Authors: Lin F. S. , Warner C. R. , Fazio T.
Published: May 2008

Studies were conducted to follow the fate of antioxidants in heated vegetable oil at temperatures approximating those of frying conditions. Samples of vegetable oils spiked with 0.02% [14C] BHA or 0.02% [14C] TBHQ were heated at ca. 180–190 C for 4.5 hr. It was found that 24 and 48% of the radioactivity added as BHA and TBHQ, respectively, remained in the oils. Normal‐phase HPLC analyses revealed that 55% of the radiolabel in the heated BHA‐oil and 95% in the heated TBHQ‐oil were not eluted as parent substances. The as‐yet unidentified alteration products in the heated oil appear to be less polar than the added antioxidants.
Production and use of natural antioxidants
Authors: Bracco U. , Löliger J. , Viret J. ‐L.
Published: May 2008

We have developed a new industrial process for obtaining natural antioxidants from spices and other vegetables by primarily adapting mechanical and physical treatments. Rosemary, sage, paprika, nutmeg and cocoa shells have been submitted to a mechanical treatment (micronization), and the finely powdered material was extracted with an edible vegetable oil, i.e., groundnut. The antioxidant dissolved in the lipid phase was collected by two‐stage falling film molecular distillation to separate the lipid phase to be recycled) from the active, low molecular weight fraction. Antioxidant activity was measured for fats, oils and fat‐containing foods by oxygen absorption, head‐space analysis (i.e., pentane) extent of secondary degradation products and organoleptic evaluations. Results obtained indicate that molecular distillates from spices, i.e., rosemary derivatives, effectively protect foods against oxidative rancidity.
Detection of adulteration of olive oil with seed oils by a combination of column and gas liquid chromatography
Authors: Kapoulas V. M. , Passaloglou‐Emmanouilidou S.
Published: May 2008

Samples of virgin olive oil and refined seed oils, as well as mixtures of olive oil with 10 and 5% seed oils were fractionated by column chromatography on silicic acid impregnated with ammoniacal silver nitrate. It was possible to isolate a characteristic fraction enriched in polyunsaturated triglycerides. Its linoleic acid content in pure olive oil never exceeds 9.3%, whereas in pure seed oils, it varies between 38.1 and 70.1%; in mixtures of olive oil with 10 and 5% of seed oils, the respective values are 22.3–38.2% and 15.6–32.1%. The oleic‐to‐linoleic acid ratios of the same fraction are more than 7.6 (olive oil), 0.2–0.8 (seed oils), 1.1–2.0 (olive oil with 10% seed oils) and 1.4–3.6 (olive oil with 5% seed oils). These analytical values may be used as a safe criterion for the eventual adulteration of olive oil with seed oils.
Effect of planting date on sunflower seed oil content, fatty acid composition and yield in Florida
Authors: Robertson J. A. , Green V. E.
Published: May 2008

Plantings of sunflower,Heliantbus annuus L., were made 5 times between Feb. 2 and Nov. 15 in Florida so that the effect of planting date on the fatty acid composition of sunflower oil might be assessed. Eleven popular hybrids were planted at Gainesville, FL, on Feb. 2 and 28, April 2, and Aug. 14, and 15 hybrids were planted at Lake Worth, FL, on Nov. 15. Sunflower planted on Nov. 15 would be subjected to freezing temperatures if grown in Gainesville. Yields of sunflower achenes for the four planting dates at Gainesville declined with lateness of planting date. Oleic acid content of the oil (17.6–58.4%) was intermediate for the February plantings, highest for the April planting, and lowest for the late plantings. The linoleic acid content (32.5–71.0%) varied inversely with the oleic acid content. Because sunflower oil is needed for different purposes, such as for salad oil, for deep frying and for making margarines, oil low in linoleic acid (high in oleic acid) as well as oil high in linoleic acid (low in oleic acid) are needed. In Florida, adjusting the planting dates should result in the production of oil of the desired fatty acid composition.
Heterogeneity within commercial contract analysis samples of shea‐nut kernels
Authors: Kershaw S. J. , Hardwick E.
Published: May 2008

Shea‐nuts are a commercial oilseed crop with relatively large mean kernel weight. Results are presented to demonstrate that the individual kernels making up single contractual samples are heterogeneous in their individual analyses for oil, free fatty acids in oil and moisture contents. These results are discussed and an effective technique giving reproducible results is described.
Chemical studies on corn embryos infected by various fungi
Authors: Farag R. S. , Youssef A. M. , Sabet K. A. , Fahim M. M. , Khalil F. A.
Published: May 2008

The occurrence of various fungi in corn kernels obtained from eight localities in Egypt in two successive years was studied. Values for refractive index, color, acid value, saponification value, iodine value, peroxide value and unsaponifiable matter content of oils extracted from corn embryos that were deliberately infected by various fungi were compared to those for oil extracted from healthy embryos. Spectrometric analyses (UV, visible and IR) were done to deduce differences in the functional groups of the oils. Corn oil extracted from embryos infected with various fungi contained the same lipid classes as the oil extracted from healthy embryos. Contents of mono‐ and diglycerides and free fatty acids were much smaller for the oil extracted from healthy embryos. The fatty acid and unsaponifiable compositions of oils were studied by gas liquid chromatography. The fatty acid composition of corn oil extracted from infected embryos showed that some new and short‐chain fatty acids had appeared and that some of the 18:2 was converted to 18:0. Analysis of the hydrocarbon fraction of the unsaponifiables showed also that some new compounds had appeared and others disappeared. The sterols were greatly influenced by the fungi and the ratio between different sterols might be used to characterize the effect of fungi. Aflatoxin B1 content of oil extracted from corn embryos infected byA. flavus was 300 µg/kg.
Characteristics of Minorities who are Entering Self-Employment
Authors: Bates Timothy
Published: May 2008

Self-employed minorities have, as a group, clearly become better educated and registered substantial income gains in recent years. They have shifted away from traditional fields, favoring such emerging industries as skill-intensive services. Many entrants to self-employment, however, are poorly educated minorities concentrating heavily in such traditional areas as retailing. This study investigates the apparent paradox of poorly educated entrants coexisting with general upgrading in the minority entrepreneur universe. An elusive group—defined as “part-timers”—is found to be vitally important to the growth dynamic of minority enterprise.
The Effect of Human Capital on the Economic Status of Divorced and Separated Women: Differences by Race
Authors: Mauldin Teresa , Koonce Joan
Published: May 2008

This study investigated the impact of investments in human capital on the economic well-being of black and white women immediately following marital disruption. It also explored the extent to which the observed differences in income between the two groups were due to differences in the levels of qualities (endowments) or differences in the impact of these qualities (discrimination). The average differences in endowments explained almost two-thirds of the income gap between black and white women. Most of this explanatory power was due to differences in educational attainment, work experience, and region.
Jtpa, Black Employment, and Occupational Change: Separating out Cyclical Changes from Program Changes
Authors: Mckinney Fred
Published: May 2008

Evidence from Bridgeport, Connecticut's Job Training and Partnership Act program is examined to determine if black employment and the occupational distribution of jobs held by blacks has been affected. Historical employment data is used to illustrate the cyclical nature of employment growth. It is concluded that the increases in black employment over the first nine months of the program are only partially the result of program. A second conclusion is that the occupational distribution of jobs in the program does not differ from the distribution of jobs of blacks not in the program. A third conclusion is that the program is underfunded.
Erratum to: “The Schrödinger–Maxwell system with Dirac mass” [Ann. Inst. H. Poincaré Anal. Non Linéaire 24 (5) (2007) 773–793]
Authors: Coclite G.M. , Holden H.
Published: May 2008

We correct the proof of [G.M. Coclite, H. Holden, The Schrödinger–Maxwell system with Dirac mass, Ann. Inst. H. Poincaré Anal. Non Linéaire 24 (5) (2007) 773–793, Lemma 4.1].
Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide‐mediated rat alveolar macrophage activation in vitro by antiflammin‐1
Authors: Han Jianzhong , Li Chen , Liu Huijun , Fen Dandan , Hu Wanxiang , Liu Yong , Guan Chaxiang , Luo Zi‐qiang
Published: May 2008

Antiflammin‐1 (AF‐1) is a synthetic nonapeptide with a similar sequence to the conserved sequence of CC10 secreted by lung Clara cells. Studies suggest that it is potent inhibitor of inflammation. We investigated the effects and possible mechanisms of AF‐1 on LPS‐induced alveolar macrophage (AM) activation in vitro. AMs harvested from the BALF of Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rat were treated with various concentrations of AF‐1 both simultaneously and after LPS stimulation. The concentrations of the cytokines IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐10 in the supernatant were detected by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA expression levels of these cytokines in AMs were analyzed using quantitative RT‐PCR. To investigate more fully the possible mechanisms by which AF‐1 modulates the expression of cytokines, cells were pretreated with anti‐IL‐10 antibody. Toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR‐4) expression on the cell surface was also detected using flow cytometry. The results showed that AF‐1 suppressed mRNA expression and protein production of IL‐1β and IL‐6, while it promoted IL‐10 expression in LPS‐stimulated AMs, in a dose‐dependent manner. The inhibitory effects of AF‐1 on IL‐1β were significantly decreased when endogenous production of IL‐10 was blocked. AF‐1 also showed an effect on downregulated TLR‐4 expression in LPS‐stimulated AMs. The data show for the first time that AF‐1 modulates the AM response to LPS by regulating TLR‐4 expression and upregulating IL‐10 secretion, which could be another important mechanism in the AF‐1 inhibiting effect on inflammation.
Equity and fixed income markets as drivers of securitised real estate
Authors: Cheong Chee Seng , Gerlach Richard , Stevenson Simon , Wilson Patrick J. , Zurbruegg Ralf
Published: May 2008

This paper re‐examines the sensitivity and importance of interest rates and stock market price behavior on securitised property by decomposing their long‐run impact between transient and permanent effects. This is achieved in a framework that accounts for endogenously determined structural breaks within the data. The results provide a different perspective on the relationship securitised property has with these markets and sheds new light on their long‐run interaction. Once structural breaks are accounted for the results show that securitised property is driven by both interest rate and stock market changes, regardless of the type of securitised property being examined. Evidence also points to companies with increased debt‐to‐asset ratios and companies that are tax‐exempt entities are still all influenced by both the equity and fixed income markets over the long‐run period, although the influence these factors have do vary across time.
Gerald D. Feldman (1937–2007)
Authors: Zatlin Jonathan R.
Published: May 2008

Whether it was his prodigious publication rate or the untiring help he extended to his students, the remarkable generosity he showed to colleagues or the anger he occasionally displayed over what he considered to be problematic scholarship, or merely his outsized appetite for good food, Gerry Feldman was a titanic force in the field of German history for more than forty years. His fascination with the past, love of the present, and concern for the future transformed his spacious home in the Oakland hills and his cramped office at the University of California at Berkeley into international destinations for itinerant intellectuals. His writing and his personal relations were infused with an exuberant delight in the most mundane of things and a wry appreciation of life's greatest challenges. With his passing, we have lost a great advocate of transnational scholarly relations, one of the profession's most talented economic historians, and our foremost expert on the Weimar Republic, its antecedents, and the men who dug its grave.
Miracles, physicalism, and the laws of nature
Authors: LARMER ROBERT A.
Published: May 2008

In his paper ‘Miracles: metaphysics, physics, and physicalism’,1Kirk McDermid appears to have two primary goals. The first is to demonstrate that my account of how God might produce a miracle without violating any laws of nature is radically flawed. The second is to suggest two alternative accounts, one suitable for a deterministic world, one suitable for an indeterministic world, which allow for the occurrence of a miracle without violation of the laws of nature, yet do not suffer from the defects of what McDermid terms the ‘Larmerian’ model. I briefly describe my model, reply to McDermid's criticism of it, and evaluate his alternative accounts.
Are causes of belief reasons for belief? Silver on evil, religious experience, and theism
Authors: SNIDER ERIC
Published: May 2008

David Silver has argued that there is an illegitimate circularity in Plantinga's account of how a Christian theist can defend herself against the potential defeater presented by Paul Draper's formulation of the problem of evil. The way out of the circle for the theist, thinks Silver, would be by adopting a kind of evidentialism: she needs to make an appeal to evidence that is independent of the reasons she has for holding theistic belief in the first place. I shall argue that Silver's argument is unsuccessful, mainly because he does not get Plantinga's thought right. Silver's confusion is in taking causes of belief as reasons for belief, and in failing to account for the impact of belief holism and our web of beliefs on the very hope for independent reasons.
Long‐term morphological evolution of funnel‐shape tide‐dominated estuaries
Authors: Todeschini Ilaria , Toffolon Marco , Tubino Marco
Published: May 2008

We investigate the long‐term morphological evolution of a tidal channel through a one‐dimensional numerical model. We restrict our attention to the case of tide‐dominated estuaries, which are usually characterized by a funnel shape, and neglect the effect of intertidal areas and river discharge, imposing a closed boundary at the landward end. If the estuary is relatively short and weakly convergent the equilibrium bottom profile extends over the entire length of the estuary, whereas a beach is formed inside the domain when the initial length of the channel exceeds a threshold value. Hence it is possible to define an intrinsic equilibrium length as the distance between the beach and the mouth. In our analysis we examine how such estuarine length, which is independent of the physical dimension imposed to the system, is affected by three main parameters, namely channel convergence, tidal amplitude at the mouth and friction. We show that the degree of convergence plays a crucial role, as the analysis of real estuaries seems to confirm: a strong degree of convergence implies shorter equilibrium lengths. We also show that increasing the tidal amplitude at the mouth or the channel friction produces shorter equilibrium profiles. Numerical results suggest that tidal asymmetries vanish as the system approaches the final equilibrium state.