bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Secure Electronic Transactions (
SET
)
Authors: Merkow Mark S.
Published: July 2008

One of the primary risks of conducting business on the Internet is the insecurity of credit card data and the associated fraudulent use of credit card numbers stolen from merchant commerce systems. One of the earliest attempts by the major credit card associations, Visa and Mastercard, was the Secure Electronic Transactions (SET) specification for online payments. From its inception in 1997 to its announced death in 2000, SET had a rich and interesting lifetime despite the general inability of banks, merchants, and consumers to implement the system as it was designed. Although the problems of Internet credit card theft and fraud have not yet disappeared, what the Internet community learned from the experience of trying to implement SET has been priceless. This chapter explores the requirements that brought about SET, its history, its participants, and its complexity. Although SET never truly saw the light of day, it leaves in its wake an environment for secure electronic payments and a shopping and buying landscape improved over the earliest days of Internet E‐commerce.
Software Design and Implementation in the Web Environment
Authors: Offutt Jeff
Published: July 2008

In only 4 or 5 years, the World Wide Web changed from a static collection of HTML (hypertext markup language) Web pages to a dynamic engine that powers e‐business, collaborative work, and distribution of information and entertainment. These exciting changes have been fueled by many changes in software technology, the software development process, and how software is deployed. Although the word “heterogeneous” is commonly used to describe Web software, we might easily forget to notice in how many ways it can be applied. In fact, the synonymous term “diverse” is more general and familiar, and may be more appropriate. Web software applications use diverse types of hardware, they include a diverse collection of types of implementation languages (including traditional programs, HTML, interpreted scripts, and databases), they are composed of software written in diverse languages, and they are built by collections of people with diverse sets of skills. Although these changes in how Web applications are built are interesting and fascinating, one of the most unique aspects of Web software applications is in terms of the needs they must satisfy. Web applications have very high requirements for a number of quality attributes. Some of these quality attributes have been important in other (mostly relatively small) segments of the industry, but some of them are relatively new. This chapter discusses some of the technologies and design strategies used to build Web software in the context of how they contribute to satisfying the high‐quality requirements.
Speech and Audio Compression
Authors: Kroon Peter
Published: July 2008

Many people enjoy Internet streaming of audio and video, or the ability to make free phone calls using a PC connected to the Internet. Audio compression is one of the fundamental technologies underlying these applications. This technology allows one to digitally represent speech and audio signals in an efficient manner. In this chapter we provide an overview of various speech and audio compression technologies, discuss the principles of their operation, and describe their attributes and limitations. We also explain the use of these technologies in several applications, such as Internet telephony and audio streaming.
Standards and Protocols in Data Communications
Authors: Cook David E.
Published: July 2008

This chapter focuses on the importance of open standards in the development of today's interoperable and global Internet. It provides an introduction to the most important standards bodies and their historical background in the world of data communications. The standard protocols and, in particular, those associated with the Internet are covered in detail. A variety of applications have been spawned specifically for the Internet as it has matured; these vary from the functionality required for good system management to the WWW. This chapter discusses the new and emerging standards associated with e‐ and m‐commerce. Currently the demand for wireless applications is spawning a considerable number of variations on existing protocols and several emerging new ones. These later applications are dependent upon a variety of multimedia approaches to file interchange that have become increasingly popular as Web services.
Supply Chain Management
Authors: Burke Gerard J. , Vakharia Asoo J.
Published: July 2008

Supply chain management (SCM) facilitates delivery of the right products or services to the right place in the right quantity for the right price. It also uncovers dormant synergies or enhances existing synergies among trading partners. This chapter outlines the fundamental strategies, members, and activities of a supply chain, and how information technologies enable better management of the supply chain. Currently, basic challenges in improving supply chain performance are embedded in the adversarial tension of competitive markets. Overcoming inherent distrust and fostering collaboration among decentralized supply chain members is a major challenge faced by today's supply chain managers. The capability to provide visibility of the entire supply chain's status to each supply chain member through SCM software fosters cooperation, and thus information technology can be viewed as a critical enabler of supply chain coordination.
Virtual Reality on the Internet: Collaborative Virtual Reality
Authors: Johnson Andrew , Leigh Jason
Published: July 2008

Collaborative virtual reality holds the promise of creating an environment for collaboration that is “better than being there.” Rather than try to replicate the conditions of a face‐to‐face meeting, collaborative virtual reality gives us the opportunity to go beyond what is possible in the real world and to share space not only with our collaborators scattered around the world, but also with the topic of collaboration—a new car design, a simulation of a thunderstorm, the structure of the inner ear. Each collaborator brings his or her past experience to the collaboration, and the virtual environment can tailor itself to give users a representation appropriate for their background. Because the shared virtual world is maintained by a computer, the computer can “remember” all the interactions in that world, providing opportunities for asynchronous as well as synchronous collaboration.
Voiceover Internet Protocol (IP)
Authors: Morris Roy
Published: July 2008

This chapter provides an overview of the voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) and the many changing issues that it faces. VOIP merges the most dynamic and efficiency‐creating technologies of the last several years, namely low‐cost communications transmission, personal computers, and widespread deployment of the Internet. A tutorial on conventional telephony provides a foundation upon which a discussion of VOIP is built. VOIP deployment issues, including competing signaling schemes, internetworking with the public switched telephone network (PSTN), security, and quality are also discussed. Although VOIP is evolving, the fundamental issues will remain the same for a long time to come.
Web Content Management
Authors: Qin Jian
Published: July 2008

Web sites have become increasingly important for organizations of all kinds. While a wide variety of content is created, stored, and used by organization members, efficient and effective Web content management is vital to assuring the quality and deployment of Web content. This chapter briefly reviews the history of Web content development and focuses on the content creation and organization processes. Content creation starts the life cycle of Web content. A well‐rounded planning process is necessary to set policies and procedures. Web content authoring and management is an activity‐intensive process in which interactions and collaboration among different groups of people need to be supported by a carefully designed workflow and technology. Metadata and taxonomies are important tools to organize the content for easy access. Finally, issues and trends on content and technical requirements, access control, economic and legal aspects, security, digital rights management, and knowledge‐driven approach in organizing Web content are discussed.
Web Search Fundamentals
Authors: Wisman Raymond
Published: July 2008

Search engines are the new guides to information. The rapid growth of the Web has provided the information fodder for the search engine to become the single most used reference source in many developed countries. What is a search engine? How does a search engine work? How can Web site designers attract search engines? Because search engines are the source of potentially valuable information, these have become important personal, business, and research questions. The chapter offers three perspectives on the Web search engine: the searcher view on using search engines to find information, the search engine view of how search engines work, and the site designer view on how to influence search engines to find a site and the intended information and how to build a searchable Web site.
Windows 2000 Security
Authors: Schultz E. Eugene
Published: July 2008

ReferencesMicrosoft's Windows 2000 (W2K) has become virtually a “fixture” in many computing environments. Despite the availability of many security features in W2K, many security breaches involving W2K systems have occurred over the years. Many systems that are critical to organizations' missions are W2K systems. For these reasons and others, security in W2K systems is a major concern. The concern over W2K security is legitimate despite the fact that W2K security capabilities are in general better than W2K's predecessor, Windows NT (NT). This chapter covers W2K security by first focusing on W2K itself, and then on basic considerations related to W2K security, and then on the many security features built into W2K, and then finally on baseline measures that can elevate W2K security. Securing W2K systems requires considerable effort in not only configuring these systems appropriately after they are installed, but also in maintaining security.
Intramolecular Donor–Acceptor Regioregular Poly(3‐hexylthiophene)s Presenting Octylphenanthrenyl‐Imidazole Moieties Exhibit Enhanced Charge Transfer for Heterojunction Solar Cell Applications
Authors: Chang Yao‐Te , Hsu So‐Lin , Chen Guan‐Yu , Su Ming‐Hsin , Singh Thounaojam Avinash , Diau Eric Wei‐Guang , Wei Kung‐Hwa
Published: July 2008

Intramolecular donor–acceptor structures prepared by covalently binding conjugated octylphenanthrenyl‐imidazole moieties onto the side chains of regioregular poly(3‐hexylthiophene)s exhibit lowered bandgaps and enhanced electron transfer compared to the parent polymer, e.g., conjugation of 90 mol% octylphenanthrenyl‐imidazole moieties onto poly(3‐hexylthiophene) chains reduces the optical bandgap from 1.91 to 1.80 eV, and the electron transfer probability is at least twice as high as that of pure poly(3‐hexylthiophene) when blended with [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester. The lowered bandgap and the fast charge transfer both contribute to much higher external quantum efficiencies, thus much higher short‐circuit current densities for copolymers presenting octylphenanthrenyl‐imidazole moieties, relative to those of pure poly(3‐hexylthiophene)s. The short‐circuit current density of a device prepared from a copolymer presenting 90 mol% octylphenanthrenyl‐imidazole moieties is 13.7 mA · cm−2 which is an increase of 65% compared to the 8.3 mA · cm−2 observable for a device containing pure poly(3‐hexylthiophene). The maximum power conversion efficiency of this particular copolymer is 3.45% which suggest that such copolymers are promising polymeric photovoltaic materials.
Stability of Doped Transparent Carbon Nanotube Electrodes
Authors: Jackson Roderick , Domercq Benoit , Jain Rishabh , Kippelen Bernard , Graham Samuel
Published: July 2008

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of p‐doping transparent single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) films via chemical treatment with HNO3 and SOCl2. Stability of the improvement in electrical conductivity after doping is investigated for different doping treatments as a function of exposure time to air and as a function of temperature. Doped films were found to have a greater than twofold increase in conductivity with sheet resistance values as low as 105 Ω sq−1 with an optical transmittance of 80% at 550 nm. However, doping enhancements demonstrated limited stability in air and under thermal loading. The application of a thin capping layer of PEDOT/PSS is shown to stabilize the improvements in conductivity, evidenced by sustained lower sheet resistance in both air and under thermal loading.
Relational contracts and adaptation: application to a pork producer contract
Authors: Karantininis Kostas , Graversen Jesper T.
Published: July 2008

In this article, we apply a formal theoretical model of adaptation to an empirical setting within specialized pig production. The objective is to allocate decision rights ex ante so that actual decisions taken ex post will optimize the profit accruing to both parties in a contractual or integrative relation. Motivated by the situation in the market for piglets in Denmark, we focus on an analysis of a vertical partnership between a piglet producer and a finisher. By applying a model of adaptation to the particular setting, we provide a solid basis for discussions on both the importance of efficiently allocating decision rights and the usefulness of the partnership as organizational form between specialized pig producers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The diffusion of organic food products: toward a theory of adoption
Authors: Shanahan Christopher J. , Hooker Neal H. , Sporleder Thomas L.
Published: July 2008

This study explores drivers influencing food processors' decisions to adopt organic practices and the constraints which may limit the availability of food products using the National Organic Program (NOP) organic seal as a marketing tool. A constrained diffusion model is applied to assess seal qualified adoption across food categories. A second model explores market forces that influence variations in the diffusion process. Results suggest that external factors, including new regulation, impact diffusion rates. Future adoption of organic practices will require enhanced informational and physical access for potential adopters. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Determinants of competitive advantage for German food processors
Authors: Schiefer Jan , Hartmann Monika
Published: July 2008

This article aims to explain the variation in firm performance in the German food processing industry. Building on the resource‐based view, both drivers and outcomes of firm performance were defined as relative concepts. Performance was measured as relative return on assets and sales, relative change in sales, and by combining these variables into an integrated performance measure. Data for the analysis was gathered in an online firm survey and analyzed by means of nonparametric correlation and regression analysis. The survey response was very low and the sample may not be a good representation of the population. However, the results indicate that the main drivers for firm advantages lie within technology and production‐related areas. They further suggest that with firm‐specific variables, it is possible to explain as much as two‐thirds of the variation in profitability. [Q130, L250, D240]. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Do recommendations matter? social networks, trust, and product adoption
Authors: House Lisa A. , House Mark C. , Mullady Joy
Published: July 2008

Social network analysis allows researchers to capture the dynamics of social interactions, which may influence the impact of word of mouth advertising. This research seeks to combine a regression analysis of stated willingness to try a new food product with social network analysis. The goal of this article is to determine if variables that represent different aspects of group structure can better explain why some participants choose to adopt new food products while others do not. Our findings indicate that social network variables are a significant influence on a person's willingness to listen to a recommendation from someone else within their social network. Both the subject and the recommender's position in the network are influential. Additionally, the characteristics that impact willingness to listen to the recommendation vary depending on the food product studied. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hygienic design: Effect of hydrodynamics on the cleanability of a food processing line
Authors: Blel W. , Legentilhomme P. , Legrand J. , Bénézech T. , Gentil‐Lelièvre C. Le
Published: July 2008

Hydrodynamic effect on the numbers of adhering Bacillus cereus spores before and after cleaning in place of part of a dairy processing line was investigated using nonintrusive flow characterization (local wall shear stresses and velocity profiles measurements). Geometrical changes, like gradual asymmetric pipe contractions and pipe expansions and bends, induce nonhomogeneous distribution of the initial and the residual soiling levels. Moreover, the recirculation zone resulting from the flow detachment after the expansion, allowed to explain the high level of adhered spores downstream of this geometrical change due to the generated shear stresses. The resistance to cleaning processes in the same zones is mainly governed by the adhesion strength of spores induced by the applied flow rate in the contamination step. Welding and gasket areas, located at different positions in the loop, constituted deposit spots for spores and remained difficult to clean despite high‐shear stress forces involved. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Linkage studies in familial idiopathic basal ganglia calcification: Separating the wheat from the chaff
Authors: Oliveira J.R.M. , Lemos R.R.
Published: July 2008

Idiopathic Basal Ganglia Calcification (IBGC) is a neuropsychiatric condition characterized by brain calcinosis, heterogeneous motor impairment and behavioral symptoms. The IBGC1 locus was the first region linked to this phenotype in an American family, but another kindred from Spain was also reported as possibly associated with this locus. Our group excluded this locus in additional families together with an independent study of an Australian pedigree with IBGC, but without clinical symptoms. Recently, a large Italian family from a population isolate was excluded from IBGC1. However, there are unusual aspects concerning this Tyrolean family, especially if we consider that almost all the clinically affected subjects manifested symptoms and signs suggestive of a dysmorphic syndrome, associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms. Curiously, some of the clinical features in this kindred match with the autosomal dominant chromosomal instability syndrome reported in Japan. Previous studies show that the definition of an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance is an assumption that might be considered cautiously in familial IBGC, due to the limited clinical penetrance for the brain calcifications and especially when there is no access to all the parents neuroimaging data. Families from an Italian isolate, such as Tyrol, with high inbreeding rates, are more likely to manifest recessive syndromes. Nevertheless, the current debate regarding the nosology of this heterogeneous phenotype demands the establishment of standard diagnostic criteria. The current identification of loci or mutations responsible for FIBGC might help to elucidate this intriguing neuropsychiatric condition. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Wild mouse lemurs revisit artificial feeding platforms: implications for field experiments on sensory and cognitive abilities in small primates
Authors: Joly Marine , Scheumann Marina , Zimmermann Elke
Published: July 2008

Dealing effectively with space to find important resources in a natural environment is a fundamental ability necessary for survival. Evidence has already been provided that wild gray mouse lemurs revisit stationary feeding sites regularly. In this study, we explore to what extent two sympatric mouse lemur species, Microcebus murinus and M. ravelobensis, revisited artificial feeding sites during a period of food scarcity. As the tested populations are marked with individual transponders, we built up artificial feeding platforms equipped with a transponder reader at nine different locations where mouse lemurs had been previously caught. We baited them with a liquid reward and recorded the visitors' ID, the time and frequency of their visits, as well as all encounters that occurred on the platforms. Only mouse lemurs visited platforms and a total of sixteen individuals across both species were identified. Mouse lemurs visited a platform with a frequency of 2.02 (±0.95, range: 1–3.4) times in a night and they revisited it on several consecutive nights following their first visit (percentage of revisits 90.6%±11.7, range: 73.3–100%). First visits on a platform occurred on average 44 min (±35; range: 13–131) after sunset. We identified encounters between mouse lemurs on platforms: all of them were agonistic and within a species. Within a dyad, chasers were significantly heavier than chasees (N=7 dyads). Our design of platform experiments offers the advantage of observing wild individually known small primates in their natural environment and of setting up controlled experiments to gain insight into their sensory and cognitive abilities. Am. J. Primatol. 70:892–896, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polymorphic microsatellite loci for the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) designed using a cost‐ and time‐efficient method
Authors: Raveendran M. , Tardif S. , Ross C.N. , Austad S.N. , Harris R.A. , Milosavljevic A. , Rogers J.
Published: July 2008

We describe a cost‐ and time‐efficient method for designing new microsatellite markers in any species with substantial genomic DNA sequence data available. Using this technique, we report 14 new polymorphic dinucleotide microsatellite loci isolated from the common marmoset. The relative yield of new polymorphisms was higher with less labor than described in previous marmoset studies. Of 20 loci initially evaluated, 14 were polymorphic and amplified reliably (70% success rate). The number of alleles ranged from 3 to 9 with heterozygosity varying from 0.48 to 0.83. Am. J. Primatol. 70:906–910, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Kinetic analysis and modeling of the liquid–liquid conversion of emulsified di‐rhamnolipids by Naringinase from Penicillium decumbens
Authors: Magario I. , Vielhauer O. , Neumann A. , Hausmann R. , Syldatk C.
Published: July 2008

The enzymatic conversion of an aggregate‐forming substrate was kinetically analyzed and a model was applied for the prediction of reaction‐time courses. An L‐rhamnose molecule from a di‐rhamnolipid is cleaved by Naringinase from Penicillium decumbens leading to a mono‐rhamnolipid. Optimal reaction rates were found when both, substrate and product build large co‐aggregates in a slightly acidic aqueous phase. On the other hand, reaction rates were independent of initial di‐rhamnolipid concentration and this was interpreted by assuming that the reaction occurs in the aqueous phase according to Michaelis–Menten kinetics in combination with competitive L‐rhamnose inhibition. Rhamnolipids were therefore assumed to be highly concentrated in aggregates, a second liquid phase, whereas diffusive rhamnolipid transport from and to the aqueous phase occurs due to the enzymatic reaction. Furthermore, ideal surfactant mixing between di‐ and mono‐rhamnolipid was assumed for interpretation of the negative effect of the last on the reaction rate. A model was created that describes the system accordingly. The comparison of the experimental data, were in excellent agreement with the predicted values. The findings of this study may beneficially be adapted for any bioconversion involving aggregate‐forming substrate and/or product being catalyzed by hydrophilic enzymes. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 9–19. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis of Substituted Benzenes and Phenols by Ring‐Closing Olefin Metathesis
Authors: Yoshida Kazuhiro , Takahashi Hidetoshi , Imamoto Tsuneo
Published: July 2008

New synthetic approaches to substituted aromatic compounds are reported. Ring‐closing olefin metathesis (RCM)/dehydration and RCM/tautomerization are the key processes in the synthesis of substituted benzenes 3 and phenols 6, respectively. Readily accessible 1,5,7‐trien‐4‐ols 7, which are the precursors of benzenes, were prepared from β‐halo‐α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes 11 or β‐halo‐α,β‐unsaturated esters 19 by utilizing reliable transformations in which cross‐coupling with vinylic metal reagents 12 and allylation with allylic metal reagents 13 were employed as carbon–carbon bond forming reactions. RCM of 7, followed by dehydration, afforded a wide variety of substituted benzenes 3. In addition, RCM of 1,5,7‐trien‐4‐ones 9, which were prepared by oxidation of 7, furnished various substituted phenols 6 by automatic tautomerization.
Lanthanum Nitride Endohedral Fullerenes La3N@C2n (43≤n≤55): Preferential Formation of La3N@C96
Authors: Chaur Manuel N. , Melin Frederic , Ashby Jarryd , Elliott Bevan , Kumbhar Amar , Rao Apparao M. , Echegoyen Luis
Published: July 2008

While the trimetallic nitrides of Sc, Y and the lanthanides between Gd and Lu preferentially template C80 cages, M3N@C80, and while those of Ce, Pr and Nd preferentially template the C88 cage, M3N@C88, we show herein that the largest metallic nitride cluster, La3N, preferentially leads to the formation of La3N@C96 and to a lesser extent the La3N@C88. This is the first time that La3N is successfully encapsulated inside fullerene cages. La3N@C2n metallofullerenes were synthesized by arcing packed graphite rods in a modified Krätschmer–Huffman arc reactor, extracted from the collected soot and identified by mass spectroscopy. They were isolated and purified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Different arcing conditions were studied to maximize fullerene production, and results showed that yields have a high La2O3/C dependence. Relatively high yields were obtained when a 1:5 ratio was used. Three main fractions, La3N@C88, La3N@C92, and La3N@C96, were characterized by UV/Vis‐NIR and cyclic voltammetry. Unlike other trimetallic nitride metallofullerenes of the same carbon cage size, La3N@C88 exhibits a higher HOMO–LUMO gap and irreversible reduction and oxidation steps.
Propagation delay of an RC‐circuit with a ramp input: An analytical very accurate and simple model
Authors: Mita Rosario , Palumbo Gaetano
Published: July 2008

In this letter, one of the models reported in Mita et al. (IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst.—II: Express Briefs 2007; 54(1):66–70) for estimating the propagation delay of an RC‐chain with a linear input is revised and improved. The extended model, while maintaining the same simplicity, has a reduced error which is six times lower than the original model, being always as low as 1%. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Across array comparative genomic hybridization: A strategy to reduce reference channel hybridizations
Authors: Buffart Tineke E. , Israeli Daniëlle , Tijssen Marianne , Vosse Sjoerd J. , Mršić Alan , Meijer Gerrit A. , Ylstra Bauke
Published: July 2008

Array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) is widely used for studying chromosomal copy number aberrations (CNAs) on a genome‐wide and high‐resolution scale in heritable disorders and cancers. The aim of this study was to test if the separate channels of dual channel arrays can be interchanged (across array) to either make array CGH more sensitive and cost effective and/or to generate profiles of CNAs and copy number variations (CNVs). Therefore the BT474 breast cancer cell line was compared with a mix of normal reference DNAs hybridized on different arrays and days and DNA copy number profiles were evaluated. Quality was assessed, using regular dual channel array CGH as a standard, using four quality measures, i.e., the median absolute deviation value of chromosome 2, the amplitude of the ERBB2 gene amplification, a deletion on chromosome 9, and the deflection on chromosome 8. The quality of the across array CGH profiles matched or even surpassed the quality of regular dual channel array CGH. In addition, this across array approach was tested for genomic DNA derived from formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tumors tissue samples, resulting in high‐quality copy number profiles, comparable to regular dual channel arrays. Finally, we demonstrated this approach to obtain both CNA and CNV profiles. In summary, across array CGH avoids redundant hybridizations of the same reference material in every experiment either allowing hybridization of two test samples on one array or producing both CNA and CNV profiles simultaneously. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Amphibolite and blueschist–greenschist facies metamorphism, Blue Mountain inlier, eastern Jamaica
Authors: Abbott Richard N. , Bandy Betsy R.
Published: July 2008

Cretaceous (possibly older) metamorphic rock occurs mainly in the Blue Mountain inlier in eastern Jamaica. Fault‐bounded blocks reveal two styles of metamorphism, Westphalia Schist (upper amphibolite facies) and Mt. Hibernia Schist (blueschist (BS)–greenschist (GS) facies). Both Westphalia Schist and Mt. Hibernia Schist preserve detailed records of retrogradeP–Tpaths. The paths are independent, but consistent with different parts of the type‐Sanbagawa metamorphic facies series in Japan. For each path, phase relationships and estimatedP–Tconditions support a two‐stageP–Thistory involving residence at depth, followed by rapid uplift and cooling. Conditions of residence vary depending on the level in a tectonic block. For the critical mineral reaction (isograd) in Westphalia Schist, conditions wereP∼7.5 kbars,T∼600°C (upper amphibolite facies). Retrograde conditions in Hibernia Schist wereP = 2.6–3.0 kbars,T = 219–237°C for a(H2O) = 0.8–1.0 (GS facies). Mt. Hibernia Schist may represent a volume of rock that was separated and uplifted at an early time from an otherwise protractedP–Tpath of the sort that produced the Westphalia Schist. Reset K–Ar ages for hornblende and biotite indicate only that retrograde metamorphism of Westphalia Schist took place prior to 76.5 Ma (pre‐Campanian). Uplift may have commenced with an Albian–Aptian (∼112 Ma) orogenic event. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomic profiling reveals the prognostic value of adenomatous polyposis coli–end-binding protein 1 in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Orimo Tatsuya , Ojima Hidenori , Hiraoka Nobuyoshi , Saito Shigeru , Kosuge Tomoo , Kakisaka Tatsuhiko , Yokoo Hideki , Nakanishi Kazuaki , Kamiyama Toshiya , Todo Satoru , Hirohashi Setsuo , Kondo Tadashi
Published: July 2008

Histological differentiation is a major pathological parameter associated with poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the molecular signature underlying HCC differentiation may involve key proteins potentially affecting the malignant characters of HCC. To develop prognostic biomarkers for HCC, we examined the global protein expression profiles of 45 surgically resected tissues, including 27 HCCs with different degree of histological differentiation, 11 adjacent nontumor tissues, and seven normal liver tissues. Unsupervised classification grouped the 45 samples according to their histological classification based on the protein expression profiles created by laser microdissection and two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE). Statistical analysis and mass spectrometry identified 26 proteins with differential expression, of which 14 were functionally linked to c-Myc, AP-1, HIF1A, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha, or the Ras superfamily (RhoA, CDC42, and Rac1). Among the proteins identified, we focused on APC-binding protein EB1 (EB1) because it was dominantly expressed in poorly differentiated HCCs, which generally correlate with the poor prognosis in patients with HCC. In addition, EB1 is controlled by c-Myc, RhoA, and CDC42, which have all been linked to HCC malignancy. Immunohistochemistry in a further 145 HCC cases revealed that EB1 significantly correlated with the degree of histological differentiation (

P

< 0.001), and univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that EB1 is an independent prognostic factor for recurrence (hazard ratio, 2.740; 95% confidence interval, 1.771–4.239;

P

< 0.001) and survival (hazard ratio, 2.256; 95% confidence interval, 1.337–3.807;

P

= 0.002) of patients with HCC after curative surgery.

Conclusion

: Proteomic profiling revealed the molecular signature behind the progression of HCC, and the prognostic value of EB1 in HCC. (Hepatology 2008;48:1851-1863.)
Genotype-dependent sensitivity of hepatitis C virus to inhibitors of the p7 ion channel
Authors: Griffin Stephen , StGelais Corine , Owsianka Ania M. , Patel Arvind H. , Rowlands David , Harris Mark
Published: July 2008

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) p7 protein plays a critical role during particle formation in cell culture and is required for virus replication in chimpanzees. The discovery that it displayed cation channel activity

in vitro

led to its classification within the “viroporin” family of virus-coded ion channel proteins, which includes the influenza A virus (IAV) M2 protein. Like M2, p7 was proposed as a potential target for much needed new HCV therapies, and this was supported by our finding that the M2 inhibitor, amantadine, blocked its activity

in vitro

. Since then, further compounds have been shown to inhibit p7 function but the relationship between inhibitory effects

in vitro

and efficacy against infectious virus is controversial. Here, we have sought to validate multiple p7 inhibitor compounds using a parallel approach combining the HCV infectious culture system and a rapid throughput

in vitro

assay for p7 function. We identify a genotype-dependent and subtype-dependent sensitivity of HCV to p7 inhibitors, in which results in cell culture largely mirror the sensitivity of recombinant protein

in vitro

; thus building separate sensitivity profiles for different p7 sequences. Inhibition of virus entry also occurred, suggesting that p7 may be a virion component. Second site effects on both cellular and viral processes were identified for several compounds in addition to their efficacy against p7

in vitro

. Nevertheless, for some compounds antiviral effects were specific to a block of ion channel function.

Conclusion:

These data validate p7 inhibitors as prototype therapies for chronic HCV disease. (Hepatology 2008;48:1779-1790.)
Groundwater and soil salinity variations in a canal command area in Pakistan
Authors: Latif Muhammad , Ahmad Muhammad Zakria
Published: July 2008

This three‐year study was undertaken to investigate the groundwater and soil salinity variation in a canal‐irrigated area. Water and soil samples were collected along 54 tertiary canals located on six secondary canals (two each at head, middle and tail end) of a main canal. Data of crop yield and income of the farmers were also collected. The results show that electrical conductivity (EC) of groundwater increased from head to lower reaches along all the irrigation channels, i.e. main, the secondary and the tertiary canals. Similarly, the soil water ECe also increased with increased distance from the head of the irrigation system. Reduced canal water supply at lower reaches of the irrigation system forced the downstream water users to pump more groundwater, thereby increasing their irrigation cost. The deteriorating groundwater quality further adds misery to the downstream farmers by degrading productivity of their lands caused by excessive use of saline groundwater. Location of the water users along the canal irrigation system had an impact on their crop yield as well as income and these parameters decreased with increased distance from the head of the irrigation channels. For example, the net income of the tail‐end farmers varied from 43% to 59% of the head‐end farmers. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A perfect one‐factorization of K52
Authors: Wolfe Adam J.
Published: July 2008

A starter derived even starter that induces a perfect one‐factorization of K52 is presented. This is the smallest order for which a perfect one‐factorization was not previously known and is the first new “small” order for which a perfect one‐factorization has been found in nearly 20 years. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 17: 190–196, 2009
Line spreads of PG(5, 2)
Authors: Mateva Zlatka T. , Topalova Svetlana T.
Published: July 2008

All line spreads of PG(5, 2) are constructed and classified up to equivalence by exhaustive generation considering the specific properties of the automorphism group, and the participation of the spread lines in the subspaces of dimension 3. There are 131,044 inequivalent spreads. The orders of the automorphism groups preserving the spreads, and the 2‐ranks of the related by Rahilly's construction affine 2‐(64,16,5) designs are also computed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 17: 90–102, 2009
Regular bipartite graphs are antimagic
Authors: Cranston Daniel W.
Published: July 2008

A labeling of a graph G is a bijection from E(G) to the set {1, 2,… |E(G)|}. A labeling is antimagic if for any distinct vertices u and v, the sum of the labels on edges incident to u is different from the sum of the labels on edges incident to v. We say a graph is antimagic if it has an antimagic labeling. In 1990, Hartsfield and Ringel conjectured that every connected graph other than K2 is antimagic. In this article, we show that every regular bipartite graph (with degree at least 2) is antimagic. Our technique relies heavily on the Marriage Theorem. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 60: 173–182, 2009
Polyamide 6 Filled with Melamine Cyanurate and Layered Silicates: Evaluation of Flame Retardancy and Physical Properties
Authors: Kiliaris Pantelis , Papaspyrides Constantine D. , Pfaendner Rudolf
Published: July 2008

The efficiency of melamine cyanurate and a clay filler for improving the flame retardancy and other physical properties of polyamide 6 was examined. Partially intercalated‐exfoliated morphologies were obtained. Nanocomposites suffered from polymer degradation during compounding, while the molecular weight was enhanced in the case of the flame retarded samples. Silicates were shown to restrain crystallization, whereas melamine cyanurate induced heterogeneous nucleation. Both additives positively influenced the tensile modulus of the prepared samples, decreasing their ability to elongate. With respect to the UL94 flammability test, melamine cyanurate was proved to be not sufficiently capable of increasing the tendency of nanocomposites to drip, negatively affecting flammability.

magnified image
Synthesis and characterization of polyaniline derivative and silver nanoparticle composites
Authors: Neelgund Gururaj M , Hrehorova Erika , Joyce Margaret , Bliznyuk Valery
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND: There has been a recent surge of interest in the synthesis and applications of electroactive polymers with incorporated metal nanoparticles. These hybrid systems are expected to display synergistic properties between the conjugated polymers and the metal nanoparticles, making them potential candidates for applications in sensors and electronic devices.

RESULTS: Composites of polyaniline derivatives—polyaniline, poly(2,5‐dimethoxyaniline) and poly(aniline‐2,5‐dimethoxyaniline)—and silver nanoparticles were prepared through simultaneous polymerization of aniline derivative and reduction of AgNO3 in the presence of poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PSS). We used AgNO3 as one of the initial components (1) to form the silver nanoparticles and (2) as an oxidizing agent for initiation of the polymerization reaction. UV‐visible spectra of the synthesized nanocomposites reveal the synchronized formation of silver nanoparticles and polymer matrix. The morphology of the silver nanoparticles and degree of their dispersion in the nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry results indicate an enhancement of the thermal stability of the nanocomposites compared to the pure polymers. The electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites is in the range 10−4 to 10−2 S cm−1.

CONCLUSION: A single‐step process for the synthesis of silver nanoparticle–polyaniline derivative nanocomposites doped with PSS has been demonstrated. The approach in which silver nanoparticles are formed simultaneously during the polymerization process results in a good dispersion of the nanoparticles in the conductive polymer matrix. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of catalyst partitioning in Co(II) mediated catalytic chain transfer miniemulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate
Authors: Smeets Niels M. B. , Heuts Johan P. A. , Meuldijk Jan , van Herk Alex. M.
Published: July 2008

The effect of catalyst partitioning over the organic and water phases in the catalytic chain transfer mediated miniemulsion polymerization was investigated and a mathematical model developed to describe the instantaneous degree of polymerization of the formed polymer. Experimental and predicted instantaneous degrees of polymerization prove to be in excellent agreement. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5839–5849, 2008
Improvement of thermal stability of sulfonated polyphosphazenes by introducing a self‐crosslinkable group
Authors: Song Hyeoncheol , Lee Seung Cheol , Heo Hye Young , Kim Dong Il , Lee Dong‐Hwal , Lee Ju Ho , Chang Ji Young
Published: July 2008

We prepared sulfonated polyphosphazenes having various aryloxy substituents, and studied their thermal stabilities and membrane properties. Sulfonated polyphosphazenes were synthesized by the reaction of polydichlorophosphazene with sodium aryloxides and subsequent sulfonation with fuming sulfuric acid. With increasing the degree of sulfonation, the polymers showed higher proton conductivity, but suffered more from swelling in an aqueous solution. We introduced a hydroxymethylphenoxy group onto the phosphazene backbone as a self‐crosslinkable group by reaction of poly(dichlorophosphazene) and a sodium salt of 4‐hydroxymethylphenol. When a film of a sulfonated polymer having a methylol group was heated at 80 °C under vacuum for 1 h, it became insoluble in NMP, indicating the formation of a network structure. We investigated the crosslinking reaction of the polymers by DSC and FTIR. The crosslinking reaction proceeded only in the sulfonated polymers. Because the sulfonated polymers provide acidic protons, the methylol groups became more electrophilic and reacted with neighboring aromatic rings. A condensation reaction between themselves could also occur. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5850–5858, 2008
Oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPC) exert anti‐proliferative and pro‐apoptotic effects on prostate cancer cells
Authors: Neuwirt Hannes , Arias Mercedes Cedeno , Puhr Martin , Hobisch Alfred , Culig Zoran
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND

Oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPC) are extracted from grape seeds or maritime pine bark and have been used for enhancement of capillary stability and lymphatic drainage. Since a role for OPC in cancer prevention was postulated, we asked whether they have an effect on prostate cancer cells.

METHODS

Cell proliferation was determined by 3H‐thymidine assay and cell cycle status was analyzed on a flow cytometer. Expression of regulators of proliferation and apoptosis was determined by Western blot.

RESULTS

We found that androgen‐responsive cells LNCaP are more sensitive to OPC in terms of inhibition of proliferation in comparison to androgen receptor‐negative PC3 or DU145 cells. Treatment with OPC resulted in a decrease in the percentage of LNCaP cells in the S phase and an increase in the percentage of cells in sub G1 phase. The anti‐proliferative and pro‐apoptotic effect of OPC in the LNCaP cell line was associated with down‐regulation of expression of the androgen receptor. Interestingly, similar regulatory effects of OPC, such as inhibition of expression of cyclin‐dependent kinases and cyclins and stimulation of tumor suppressors p21 and p27, were seen in LNCaP and PC3 cells. Favorable changes in the Bcl‐2/Bax ratio were observed in LNCaP and PC3 cells after the treatment with OPC. OPC caused an increase of phosphorylated mitogen‐activated protein kinase p44 and p42, thus suggesting induction of cellular differentiation.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that OPC is a candidate that fulfills criteria for chemopreventive strategies in prostate cancer that might be established in following in vivo studies. Prostate 68: 1647–1654, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
3D‐QSAR Studies on a Class of IKK‐2 Inhibitors with GALAHAD Used to Develop Molecular Alignment Models
Authors: Long Wei , Liu Peixun , Li Qi , Xu Yang , Gao Jing
Published: July 2008

Three‐Dimensional Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship (3D‐QSAR) studies were preformed on a class of Ikb Kinase‐2 (IKK‐2) inhibitors, which contained thiophene‐carboxamide series and their analogs. Before 3D‐QSAR, a pharmacophore‐based molecular alignment model was built by using Genetic Algorithm with Linear Assignment of Hypermolecular Alignment of Datasets (GALAHAD). At the same time, we constructed another molecular model by application of classical common structure alignment method as a comparative study. The results of the Comparative Molecule Field Analysis (CoMFA), the main 3D‐QSAR method applied in this paper, suggested that GALAHAD was a better tool for molecular alignment in this study. Based on the GALAHAD molecular alignment model, 3D‐QSAR analysis, including CoMFA and Comparative Molecule Similarity Indices Analysis (CoMSIA), was carried out. The leave‐one‐out cross‐validation correlation coefficient (q$\rm{ _{{\rm{CoMFA}}}^{\rm{2}} }$=0.642; q$\rm{ _{{\rm{CoMSIA}}}^{\rm{2}} }$=0.675) and the good correlation between the predicted and experimental activities of excluded test compounds revealed that CoMFA and CoMSIA models were robust. These models are useful tools for predicting the inhibitory activities of the new compounds against IKK‐2. Suggestions of structural modification were then derived from the analysis of the 3D‐QSAR, and these will probably lead to the more active IKK‐2 inhibitors.
Synthesis and Investigation of Swelling Behavior of Grafted Alginate/Alumina Superabsorbent Composite
Authors: Pourjavadi Ali , Farhadpour Bahareh , Seidi Farzad
Published: July 2008

In this study a novel alginate‐g‐poly(acrylic acid)/alumina composite was synthesized and characterized. Preparation of the composite hydrogels involved free radical polymerization of a combination of alginate, acrylic acid (AA) and distilled water, in appropriate amounts and N,N‐methylene bisacrylamide (MBA) as crosslinking agent. The composite formation was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FT‐IR). The surface morphologies of the synthesized hydrogels were assessed by scanning electron microscopy. Systematically, the different variables of the graft copolymerization were optimized to achieve maximum swelling capacity. The swelling of superabsorbent hydrogels was measured in various solutions with pH values ranging from 0 to 14. In addition, the pH reversibility, on–off switching behavior, swelling kinetics in distilled water and the absorbency under load (AUL) were investigated.