bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and characterization of soluble copolyimides containing chalcone and phosphine oxide moieties in the main chain
Authors: Wang Wei , Wu Qunrong , Ding Liqin , Yang Zhilan , Zhang Aiqing
Published: September 2007

The functional diamines 3,3′‐diaminochalcone and bis(3‐aminophenyl)‐3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl phosphine oxide were successfully prepared by simple and convenient procedures with short reaction times, and the overall yields were 78 and 70%, respectively. Copolyimides prepared from 3,3′‐diaminochalcone, bis(3‐aminophenyl)‐3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl phosphine oxide, and 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride exhibited excellent solubility in several organic solvents, such as dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N‐dimethylformamide, N‐methyl pyrrolidone, tetrahydrofuran, and acetone. They also showed very good thermal stability even up to 450°C for 5% weight loss (by thermogravimetric analysis) in nitrogen and a high glass‐transition temperature up to 274°C (by differential scanning calorimetry) in nitrogen. The copolymers' adhesive and photoreactive properties were also investigated, and it was confirmed that the copolyimide containing chalcone and phosphine oxide moieties in the main chain had good adhesiveness and photoreactivity. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Formation of honeycomb films based on a soluble polyimide synthesized from 2,2′‐bis[4‐(3,4‐dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]hexafluoropropane dianhydride and 3,3′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane
Authors: Han Xutong , Tian Ye , Wang Lihua , Xiao Changfa
Published: September 2007

A soluble polyimide was synthesized from 2,2′‐bis[4‐(3,4‐dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]propane dianhydride (BPADA) and 3,3′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane (DMMDA) by a two‐step method, and it had good solubility both in strong bipolar solvents and in common low‐boiling‐point solvents. The BPADA–DMMDA polyimide was dissolved in chloroform (CHCl3) and cast onto a glass substrate in a humid atmosphere. The BPADA–DMMDA/CHCl3 solution easily formed honeycomb films. Some affecting factors, such as the polymer solution concentration, atmospheric humidity, and solvent volatility, were tested. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Mechanical and thermal properties of blends of low‐density polyethylene and ethylene vinyl acetate crosslinked by both dicumyl peroxide and ionizing radiation for wire and cable applications
Authors: Basfar A. A. , Mosnáček J. , Shukri T. M. , Bahattab M. A. , Noireaux P. , Courdreuse A.
Published: September 2007

Formulations of chemically crosslinked and radiation‐crosslinked low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) containing an intumescent flame retardant such as ammonium polyphosphate were prepared. The influence of blending LDPE with a poly(ethylene vinyl acetate) copolymer (EVA) and the effects of various coadditives, including polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PEgMA), vinyl silane with boric acid, and talc, on the mechanical and thermal properties were investigated. Chemical crosslinking by dicumyl peroxide and crosslinking by ionizing radiation from an electron‐beam accelerator were both used and compared. Improved mechanical properties were observed by the partial replacement of LDPE with EVA. Similar mechanical or thermal properties were observed with coadditives such as PEgMA and vinyl silane with boric acid. The addition of a small amount of talc improved the tensile strength of the formulations. All crosslinked formulations showed good thermal stability on the basis of the retention of mechanical properties after thermal aging for 168 h at 135°C and a hot‐set test. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Synthesis of a novel polymerizable surfactant and its application in the emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate, butyl acrylate, Veova 10, and hexafluorobutyl methacrylate
Authors: Mingyue Zhu , Weihong Qiao , Hongzhu Liu , Yingli Sun
Published: September 2007

A novel anionic, polymerizable fumaric surfactant (surfmer) was synthesized. The chemical structure of the surfactant was confirmed with 1H‐NMR, IR, and mass spectrometry. The surfmer was then used with constant addition profiles in the semicontinuous polymerization of vinyl acetate, butyl acrylate, Veova 10, and hexafluorobutyl methacrylate. The particle size, amount of coagulum, and stability against electrolytes and freezing/thawing were evaluated. Films were cast from latices; then, photographs were taken of the films after immersion in water for days, and the water adsorption was assessed. As a reference, an unreactive surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate) was also used for the polymerization. Compared with sodium dodecyl sulfate, the surfmer behaved much better with respect to the stability of the latices and the water sensitivity of the films. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Effect of photosensitivity in acrylic photoreactive electrode pastes on line width uniformity for large‐sized plasma display panels
Authors: Kim Soon Hak , Kwon Younghwan , Han Yoon Soo , Hur Youngjune , Kwak Giseop , Woo Chang Min , Hur Byung Ki , Park Lee Soon
Published: September 2007

Ag electrodes with line width uniformity for large‐sized plasma display panels were successfully fabricated through a photolithographic process using photosensitive Ag pastes with optimized photosensitive properties. The photosensitivity of the Ag electrode pastes in the photolithographic process was investigated as a function of the types and contents of photoinitiators, the molecular weights and acid values of acrylic binders with carboxylic acid groups, and the process variables, such as the UV‐light intensity and dose, with a step tablet. This study revealed that the photoinitiator was a major parameter for the photosensitivity of the Ag electrode pastes. With the photosensitivity of the photosensitive Ag electrode pastes optimized by the study of the photoinitiator contents, Ag electrodes with line width uniformity were achieved with an HSP‐188 photoinitiator content of 15 wt % on the basis of the reactive monomers, regardless of the variation of the light dose from 250 to 350 mJ/cm2 and intensity from 15 to 25 mW/cm2. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Pressure‐Assisted Hetero‐ and Homodialkylation of Sulfide in [Pt2(μ‐S)2(dppp)2]: One‐Pot Conversion of {Pt2(μ‐S)2} into {Pt2(SR)2} and {Pt2(SR)(SR′)}
Authors: Chong Siew Huay , Young David J. , Hor T. S. Andy
Published: September 2007

Heterodialkylation of [Pt2(μ‐S)2(dppp)2] (dppp=Ph2P(CH2)3PPh2) was achieved under high pressure (10 kbar). This enabled the synthesis of rare diplatinum complexes with structurally diverse thiolate bridges, such as [Pt2(μ‐SC5H10CO2CH2CH3)(μ‐SC3H7)‐(dppp)2](PF6)2, which was crystallographically identified. Complete homodialkylation was also achieved under similar conditions (6 kbar at room temperature), thus permitting the isolation of [Pt2(μ‐SC2H4CO2CH2CH3)2(dppp)2]‐(PF6)2. The isolation of these complexes extends the applications of high‐pressure chemistry to thiolato homo‐ and heterobridged complexes that are otherwise not accessible.
An Investigation into the Allylic Imidate Rearrangement of Trichloroacetimidates Catalysed by Cobalt Oxazoline Palladacycles
Authors: Nomura Hiroshi , Richards Christopher J.
Published: September 2007

Dimeric palladacycles, di‐μ‐X‐bis[{η5‐(S)‐(pR)‐2‐[2′‐(4′‐methylethyl)oxazolinyl]cyclopentadienyl,1‐C,3′‐N}(η4‐tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt]dipalladium (COP‐X), containing bridging groups X=OAc, Cl, Br, I, O2CCF3, p‐O2CC6H4F, were synthesised and compared as catalysts for the asymmetric allylic imidate rearrangement of (E)‐Cl3CC(NH)OCH2CHCHR with R=nPr. The enantiomeric excess of the product (S)‐Cl3CC(O)NHCHRCHCH2 was essentially invariant of X (93–96 %) and the yield increased in the sequence I<p‐O2CC6H4F<OAc<O2CCF3≈Br≈Cl. With X=Cl (COP‐Cl), the catalyst loading was reduced to 0.25 mol % (CH3CN/70 °C/48 h) and these conditions applied to various trichloroacetimidates (R=nPr, Me, CH2Ph, CH2CHCH2, CH2OTBDMS) to give the corresponding (S)‐trichloroacetamides (68–88 % yield, 84–94 % ee; ee=enantiomeric excess). Addition of COP‐Cl to triphenylphosphinobenzoyl NovaGel AM resin gave a recyclable catalyst in which the ee was maintained over three cycles (89–94 %). Catalysis with COP‐OAc displayed a small positive non‐linear effect. The factors responsible for the activity of COP‐X are discussed.
Self‐Assembling Phenylpropyl Ether Dendronized Helical Polyphenylacetylenes
Authors: Percec Virgil , Peterca Mihai , Rudick Jonathan G. , Aqad Emad , Imam Mohammad R. , Heiney Paul A.
Published: September 2007

The first example of a self‐assembling phenylpropyl ether based dendronized polymer has been reported and its preferred helical handedness has been determined. Dendronized polymer poly(10) and its nondendritic analogue poly(8) are high‐cis‐content polyphenylacetylenes (PPAs) prepared by using [Rh(nbd)Cl]2/NEt3 (nbd: 2,5‐norbornadiene). Both polymers possess a stereocenter in their side chain, which selects a preferred helical handedness. Based on negative exciton chirality observed in the CD spectra of poly(10), we have designated this molecule as a right‐handed helical polymer, which persists over a wide temperature range. Poly(10) self‐organizes into both ${{\Phi}{{{\rm io}\atop {\rm h}}}}$ and Φh lattices in bulk. The ${{\Phi}{{{\rm io}\atop {\rm h}}}}$‐to‐Φh transition is associated with thermoreversible cis‐cisoidal to cis‐transoidal isomerization of the helical PPA, accompanied by a dramatic decrease in the column diameter and a decrease in the π‐stacking correlation length along the column. A model for the right‐handed helical dendronized PPA has been proposed wherein dendrons from adjacent column strata interdigitate to effectively fill space.
Methodology for the Process Based Acquisition and Assessment of Non‐Intended Outputs in the Mining Industry
Authors: Bielig Tina , Rosenkranz Jan , Kuyumcu Halit Ziya
Published: September 2007

For the activities of the mining industry land, equipment, material, and energy are used. During operation material and energy flows such as overburden, dead rock, tailings, wastewater, exhaust air, dust, energy, abrasion, coolant and lubricant losses, are released. These released material and energy flows are nearly always without value for the raw material supply chain as they are not production targets. Instead, they have negative effects on the economy and ecology and are, therefore, referred to as ‘non‐intended’. The knowledge of the quantities and qualities of these non‐intended outputs as a function of the processes and their parameters is the basis for technical and economical measures. A methodology for the acquisition and assessment of the material and energy flows in the mining industry was developed and tested at the Technical University Berlin, Germany. For that purpose and based on a system analysis in different mines, all relevant material and energy flows were assigned to individual processes. Causal relationships, possible interactions, quantities, and qualities were examined as functions of system parameters. Finally, a technical and economic evaluation was performed.
Occurrence and Resistance of Pathogenic Bacteria Along the Tietê River Downstream of São Paulo in Brazil
Authors: Abraham Wolf‐Rainer , Macedo Alexandre José , Gomes Luiz Humberto , Tavares Flavio C. A.
Published: September 2007

The load of pathogenic bacteria, their fate and their dangerousness in the Tietê River were assessed along 100 km starting from the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The data were compared with those from two German rivers. High loads of pathogens were found in the Tietê River near the city of São Paulo (Escherichia coli O157:H7, Shigella flexneri, and Shigella boydii), which were absent 30 km downstream of São Paulo. The antibiotic resistances observed in the Tietê river were rather low and decreased after the major input in São Paulo to significantly lower levels about 30 km downstream. While the Brazilian isolates were more susceptible for ampicillin than the German ones, the reverse was observed for gentamycin. For optimal control of infections in humans critical areas where these bacteria survived longer and their elimination mechanisms should be identified as well as the extent and the origin of antibiotic resistance should be determined.
Sustainable Management of Electronic Waste (e‐Waste)
Authors: Herat Sunil
Published: September 2007

Electronic waste or e‐waste is one of the fastest growing areas of the international waste stream and is increasing at a much higher rate than all other waste streams. Fast growing electronics industries arising from the demands of information and communication technologies around the world coupled with the rapid product obsolescence and lack of end‐of‐life management options, have all led to the unsustainable management of the waste stream. Computers are manufactured from over 1,000 materials, many of which are toxic, and they contribute significantly to the e‐waste stream, which is estimated to be ca. 20 to 50 million tonnes annually. Design for environment cleaner production, extended producer responsibility, standards and labeling, product stewardship, recycling and remanufacturing are some of the practices adopted by various countries around the world to deal with the e‐waste stream. An overview of these practices is presented and the manner in which they contribute to the sustainable management of e‐waste is discussed.
Exergetic and Sustainability Aspects of Green Energy Systems
Authors: Dincer Ibrahim
Published: September 2007

This paper discusses current environmental problems caused by energy utilization, energy‐use patterns, and the role of green (renewable) energy systems as one of the potential solutions to challenging environmental problems, particularly global warming. It also presents some key aspects of green energy systems in terms of energy, exergy, environmental impact, and sustainable development and their linkages. The results show that assessments of green energy processes and systems though exergy analysis are essential to increase efficiency and decrease environmental impact, and hence contribute to sustainable development.
A randomized controlled trial of the impact of targeted and tailored interventions on colorectal cancer screening
Authors: Myers Ronald E. , Sifri Randa , Hyslop Terry , Rosenthal Michael , Vernon Sally W. , Cocroft James , Wolf Thomas , Andrel Jocelyn , Wender Richard
Published: September 2007

BACKGROUND.

Colorectal cancer screening is underutilized. The objective of the current study was to determine whether targeted and tailored interventions can increase screening use.

METHODS.

A total of 1546 primary care practice patients completed a baseline telephone survey and were randomized to 4 study groups: control (387 patients), Standard Intervention (SI) (387 patients), Tailored Intervention (TI) (386 patients), or Tailored Intervention plus Phone (TIP) (386 patients). The control group received usual care throughout the study. The SI group received a targeted intervention by mail (ie, screening invitation letter, informational booklet, stool blood test, and reminder letter). The TI group received the targeted intervention with tailored “message pages.” The TIP group received the targeted intervention, tailored message pages, and a telephone reminder. Intervention group contacts were repeated 1 year later. Screening was assessed 24 months after randomization.

RESULTS.

Screening rates in study groups were 33% in the control group, 46% in the SI group, 44% in the TI group, and 48% in the TIP group. Screening was found to be significantly higher in all 3 intervention groups compared with the control group (odds ratio [OR] of 1.7 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.3–2.5], OR of 1.6 [95% CI, 1.2–2.1], and OR of 1.9 [95% CI, 1.4–2.6], respectively), but did not vary significantly across intervention groups. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that older age, education, past cancer screening, screening preference, response efficacy, social support and influence, and exposure to study interventions were positive predictors of screening. Having worries and concerns about screening was found to be a significant negative predictor.

CONCLUSIONS.

Targeted and tailored interventions were found to increase colorectal cancer screening use. However, additional research is needed to determine how to increase the effect of such interventions in primary care. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Evolution of robotic radical prostatectomy
Authors: Badani Ketan K. , Kaul Sanjeev , Menon Mani
Published: September 2007

BACKGROUND

Robotic‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RAP) is the dominant minimally invasive surgical treatment for patients with localized prostate cancer. Only a few large series have been published to date, with few long‐term data available. The current study presents what to the authors' knowledge is the largest series of patients undergoing RAP with the longest follow‐up to data available to date. Using a continuous quality improvement initiative, several technical refinements were adopted, evaluating the impact of this on patient outcome.

METHODS

Over a 6‐year period, 2766 consecutive men underwent RAP at the study institution. Data were collected prospectively including demographic, surgical, oncologic, and functional outcomes with up to 5‐year follow‐up. The first 200 and most recent 200 patients were compared to determine the impact of experience and quality improvement for patients.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 60.2 years and the mean prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level at time of diagnosis was 6.43 ng/mL; 42.4% and 64.2% of patients, respectively, had a biopsy and pathologic Gleason sum of ≥7. The mean surgical and console time was 154 minutes and 116 minutes, respectively. Estimated blood loss was 100 mL; 96.7% of patients were discharged within 24 hours of surgery. At a median follow‐up of 22 months, 7.3% of men had a PSA recurrence. The 5‐year actuarial biochemical free survival rate was 84%.

CONCLUSIONS

To the authors' knowledge, the current study is the first report of 5‐year outcomes in men undergoing RAP. These data demonstrate that RAP can be performed with favorable outcomes while minimizing complications. As experience increases, further improvements in clinicopathologic and functional parameters are achieved. Cancer 2007;110:1951–8. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Decision analysis using individual patient preferences to determine optimal treatment for localized prostate cancer
Authors: Sommers Benjamin D. , Beard Clair J. , D'Amico Anthony V. , Dahl Douglas , Kaplan Irving , Richie Jerome P. , Zeckhauser Richard J.
Published: September 2007

BACKGROUND

Selecting treatment for clinically localized prostate cancer remains an ongoing challenge. Previous decision analyses focused on a hypothetical patient with average preferences, but preferences differ for clinically similar patients, implying that their optimal therapies may also differ.

METHODS

A decision model was constructed comparing 4 treatments for localized prostate cancer: 1) radical prostatectomy (RP); 2) external beam radiation (EB); 3) brachytherapy (BT); and 4) watchful waiting (WW). Published data were used regarding treatment success, side effects, and noncancer survival, and 156 men with prostate cancer were surveyed to elicit preferences in quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs). The clinical scenarios were determined (age, tumor grade, and prostate‐specific antigen [PSA]) for which variations in patient preferences led to different optimal treatments and those for which the optimal treatment was unaffected by preferences.

RESULTS

Patient preferences were critical in determining treatment for low‐risk cancers (Gleason score ≤6, PSA ≤10 ng/mL) and for patients aged 75 years and older. In younger patients with more aggressive tumors, RP and EB were always superior to WW or BT, regardless of preferences (average gain in quality‐adjusted life expectancy vs WW for a 60‐year‐old with a medium‐risk tumor = +1.4 years for RP and +1.7 for EB; for a high‐risk tumor = +2.1 years for RP and +2.4 for EB). BT was a reasonable option for low‐risk tumors at any age. WW was only reasonable for patients aged 70 and older with low‐risk tumors or those aged 80 years and older with medium‐risk tumors. Selecting treatment based on average preferences leads to suboptimal choices for 30% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The optimal treatment for prostate cancer depends on both the clinical scenario (patient age and tumor aggressiveness) and the patient's preferences. Decision analyses taking individualized preferences into account may be a useful adjunct in clinical decision‐making. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Nomogram use for the prediction of indolent prostate cancer
Authors: Roemeling Stijn , Roobol Monique J. , Kattan Michael W. , van der Kwast Theo H. , Steyerberg Ewout W. , Schröder Fritz H.
Published: September 2007

BACKGROUND

Screening for prostate cancer has resulted in an increased incidence‐to‐mortality ratio. Not all cancers deserve immediate treatment. It has therefore become more important to be able to identify those cases of screen‐detected prostate cancer most likely to show indolent behavior.

METHODS

The Kattan‐nomogram for the prediction of indolent prostate cancer was validated and recalibrated for use in a screening setting. The recalibrated nomogram was used to calculate the number of men who were predicted to have indolent cancer in a screen‐detected cohort from the European Randomized study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), section Rotterdam.

RESULTS

Of 1629 cancers detected in 2 subsequent screening rounds 825 were suitable for nomogram use. The remainder were very unlikely to have indolent cancer. A total of 485 men (485 of 825 = 59%) were predicted to have indolent cancer, which is 30% (485 of 1629) of all screen‐detected cases. Cancers found at repeated screening after 4 years had a higher probability of indolent cancer than cases from the prevalence screening (44% vs 23%; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The current nomogram can identify substantial groups of screen‐detected cancers that are likely indolent and can therefore be considered for active surveillance. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Palliative whole‐brain radiotherapy fractionation: Convenience versus cognition?
Authors: Lutz Stephen
Published: September 2007

Although the acute side effects of radiotherapy are influenced by total dose and length of the treatment course, the late effects on the central nervous system may be more pronounced with a larger daily fraction size. Nevertheless, palliative care physicians are calling for shorter treatment courses for their patients who will not likely live long enough to experience the consequences of those late effects.

See also pages 000–000.
Evaluation of 2 whole‐brain radiotherapy schedules and prognostic factors for brain metastases in breast cancer patients
Authors: Rades Dirk , Lohynska Radka , Veninga Theo , Stalpers Lukas J. A. , Schild Steven E.
Published: September 2007

BACKGROUND

The majority of breast cancer patients with brain metastases receive whole‐brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and have a survival of only a few months. A short WBRT regimen would be preferable if it provides survival that is similar to that achieved with longer programs. This retrospective study compared survival and local control within the brain resulting from short‐course WBRT with longer programs in 207 breast cancer patients.

METHODS

Sixty‐nine patients treated with 5 fractions of 4 grays (Gy) each given within 5 days were compared with 138 patients treated with 10 fractions of 3 Gy each given over 2 weeks or 20 fractions of 2 Gy each given over 4 weeks. Six additional potential prognostic factors were investigated: age, Karnofsky performance score (KPS), number of brain metastases, the presence of extracranial metastases, interval from tumor diagnosis to WBRT, and recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) class.

RESULTS

On univariate analysis, the WBRT regimen was not found to be associated with survival (P = .254) or local control (P = .397). Improved survival was associated with a KPS >70 (P < .001), single brain metastasis (P = .023), the absence of extracranial metastases (P < .001), and lower RPA class (P < .001). On multivariate analysis, which was performed without RPA class because this is a confounding variable, KPS (relative risk [RR] of 4.00; P < .001) and the presence of extracranial metastases (RR of 1.54; P = .024) maintained statistical significance. On univariate analysis, local control was associated with KPS (P < .001) and RPA class (P < .001). On multivariate analysis, local control was found to be associated with a KPS >70 (RR of 5.75; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Short‐course WBRT with 5 fractions of 4 Gy each resulted in survival and local control that were similar to longer programs in breast cancer patients with brain metastases. The dose of 5 fractions of 4 Gy each appears preferable for the majority of these patients because it is less time consuming and more convenient. (See editorial on pages 000–000, this issue.) Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Tunneling enhanced by web page content block partition for focused crawling
Authors: Peng Tao , Zhang Changli , Zuo Wanli
Published: September 2007

The complexity of web information environments and multiple‐topic web pages are negative factors significantly affecting the performance of focused crawling. A highly relevant region in a web page may be obscured because of low overall relevance of that page. Segmenting the web pages into smaller units will significantly improve the performance. Conquering and traversing irrelevant page to reach a relevant one (tunneling) can improve the effectiveness of focused crawling by expanding its reach. This paper presents a heuristic‐based method to enhance focused crawling performance. The method uses a Document Object Model (DOM)‐based page partition algorithm to segment a web page into content blocks with a hierarchical structure and investigates how to take advantage of block‐level evidence to enhance focused crawling by tunneling. Page segmentation can transform an uninteresting multi‐topic web page into several single topic context blocks and some of which may be interesting. Accordingly, focused crawler can pursue the interesting content blocks to retrieve the relevant pages. Experimental results indicate that this approach outperforms Breadth‐First, Best‐First and Link‐context algorithm both in harvest rate, target recall and target length. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
LSI and PCB unified noise analysis CAD system
Authors: Sato Toshiro , Orihara Hiroyuki , Fujimori Shogo , Tosaka Masaki , Inoue Atsuki
Published: September 2007

Accompanying the faster operating frequencies of digital devices and the lower voltages for the operating voltages of LSIs, the problems clearly are longer development times and increased costs caused by noise problems such as voltage ground bounce noise, simultaneous switching noise, and EMI in devices constructed from LSIs, PKGs, SIPs, and PCBs. We have constructed a CAD system capable of creating the designs of optimum noise measures by applying the LSI and PCB unified large‐scale analysis to all of the design stages from the upstream design stage to the verification stage after completion of the design. Therefore, the creation of design patches as the result of noise problems could be eliminated. In this paper, we discuss the features of this system, application examples, and the effects. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 90(10): 23–31, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.20335
Transmission characteristics of wireless baseband transmission under multipath environments using real‐valued signal analysis
Authors: Kitagawa Jun‐Ichi , Taniguchi Tetsuki , Karasawa Yoshio
Published: September 2007

Discussed here are real‐valued signal analysis and wireless baseband transmission, a system for transmitting baseband signals directly from an antenna, and transmission characteristics under a multipath environment. The field of wireless transmission generally handles band signals in which information rides on a carrier wave, and therefore signal analysis is not the direct analysis of real high‐frequency signals (real‐valued signals) and is performed with a system expressed using complex numbers, called an equivalent baseband system. However, wireless baseband transmission is based on a transmission system which does not use carrier waves and cannot be handled with an equivalent baseband system. Consequently, it is necessary to have a system of real‐valued signal analysis for handling baseband signals, which are real‐valued signals, without additional processing. The BER (bit error rate) was used as the standard for evaluating transmission characteristics under a multipath environment of wireless baseband transmission using measured channel characteristics with that algorithm. With a computer, the BER characteristics were found by varying the reflection coefficient, number of delay symbols, the ratio of direct wave power and reflected wave power, and the number of reflected waves. As a result, it was clear that the dominant factor in a multipath environment is the ratio of direct wave power and reflected wave power. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 90(10): 9–22, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.20347
Proposal on human detection systems using UHF‐band TV receiving waves
Authors: Nishi Masahiro , Kawaguchi Tatsuro , Takahashi Shigeru , Yoshida Teruaki
Published: September 2007

This paper proposes a new type of indoor human detection system using UHF‐band TV receiving waves (below referred to as “UHF‐TV waves”). Due to the use of TV broadcasting waves as radio transmission sources, the proposed systems need no transmitter; the systems are composed only of receiving systems, including a receiving antenna and a receiver. The proposed systems can detect the presence or absence of humans in a room, based on the principle that the received levels fluctuate due to multipath fading or shadowing with human presence. It is noteworthy that the proposed systems utilize the indoor multipath radio propagations of broadcasting waves to detect the human presence. In order to investigate the capabilities of human detection systems using UHF‐TV waves, we measured the received levels of UHF‐TV waves in a room with or without human presence. Our proposed systems were able to detect a human presence by using an appropriate threshold of the received level fluctuation. The monitoring time of only 7 seconds allows 100% detection probability in the proposed detection system. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 90(10): 32–39, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.20378
Multiple target detection for stepped multiple‐frequency interrupted CW radar
Authors: Inaba Takayuki
Published: September 2007

This paper proposes a multiple target detection system using stepped multiple frequency ICW (Interrupted Continuous Wave) radar. The proposed system can obtain a short observation time compared to a conventional up/down sweep FMCW (Frequency‐Modulated Continuous Wave) system or a two‐frequency CW system with less computational complexity than a two‐dimensional super‐resolution system by using a new transmission frequency sequence intended for short‐range targets and a single‐dimension super‐resolution system that preprocesses a target velocity detection process through the use of an ordinary Fourier transformation. In addition, the proposed system can obtain a desired target range and velocity resolution with a transmission frequency bandwidth less than a pulse compression system or an FMCW system. The proposed system can also avoid pairing malfunctions which lead to problems with FMCW systems. Range separation of multiple equal‐velocity targets, a principal problem in two‐frequency CW systems, can also be obtained. Computer simulations show that as a radar system, the proposed system is expected to improve the above‐mentioned problems of conventional radar systems at practical input SN values. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 90(10): 49–59, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.20388
Enhanced hybrid ARQ techniques for MC‐CDMA
Authors: Miyoshi Kenichi , Matsumoto Atsushi , Wengerter Christian , Uesugi Mitsuru , Homma Koichi
Published: September 2007

This paper considers a system in which hybrid ARQ (HARQ) is applied to multicarrier CDMA (MC‐CDMA), which is investigated as a wireless access method for the fourth‐generation mobile communication system. A method of improving the packet error rate and the system throughput performance by rearrangement of the data mapping in retransmission is discussed. Two methods of data mapping in retransmission are considered, namely, constellation rearrangement, in which the bit mapping of the multilevel modulation is rearranged for each retransmission, and spreading code rearrangement, in which the combination of the employed spreading codes is rearranged for each retransmission. The constellation rearrangement is a method which was proposed by the authors and standardized as an international specification in the downlink high‐speed packet transmission system (3GPP HSDPA) in the third‐generation mobile communication system. It is a method in which the signal point arrangement (constellation) of the multilevel modulation is rearranged and transmitted in each retransmission. This paper is the first to introduce and evaluate the constellation rearrangement in MC‐CDMA. Spreading code rearrangement is a method newly proposed in this paper, in which the combination of the spreading codes used to spread the signal is rearranged and transmitted in each retransmission. As a result of computer simulation, improvements in the packet error rate and the system throughput are verified. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 90(10): 60–72, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience. wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.20389
A key predistribution scheme for deployable sensor networks using the node deployment probability density function
Authors: Ito Takashi , Ohta Hidenori , Matsuda Nori , Yoneda Takeshi
Published: September 2007

In order to establish encrypted communications in deployable sensor networks, it is essential that encryption keys be shared between nodes. However, the sharing of keys is not simple given the restricted resources of such devices. In recent years, several random key predistribution schemes have been proposed; in the scheme proposed by Du and colleagues, improved performance is achieved by using information regarding the deployment location when predistributing keys. However, this scheme suffers from the problem that it is possible to apply only for the so‐called group deployment model whereby nodes are partitioned into groups and deployed from locations that are arranged systematically. In this paper we propose a random key predistribution scheme that can be applied to arbitrary deployment models by making use of probability distribution information regarding the deployment when the key predistribution is performed. In addition, we confirm from computational experiments that this method is able to construct networks that are more consolidated than those created by Du and colleagues' scheme. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 90(10): 73–83, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.20390
System for judgment of depressive tendency from speech analysis
Authors: Suzuki Tomoko , Tamura Naoyoshi
Published: September 2007

The objective of this investigation was to construct a system for judgment of depressive tendency. A sentence reading experiment was performed with 15 subjects with a highly depressive tendency and 15 subjects with a mildly depressive tendency selected using the BDI, a measure of depressive tendency. The spoken sentences were fed to a computer, and the amplitude, fundamental frequency, and utterance speed were calculated. Statistical tests were applied to each physical feature parameter of the speech, and the relation to the degree of depressive tendency of the subject in the sentence reading was determined. The objective was to identify index words that well express the depressive tendency. For three index word selection strategies, the important physical parameters of speech were extracted by logistic multiple regression analysis. The experiment and analysis indicated that the statistical index word selection strategy was more effective in judgment than the other two index word selection strategies. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 90(10): 103–114, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.20392
Pedestrian detection with a vehicle camera using fast template matching based on background elimination and active search
Authors: Mochizuki Daisuke , Yano Yoshikazu , Hashiyama Tomonori , Okuma Shigeru
Published: September 2007

Template matching using the silhouette shapes of pedestrians as features is widely used as a method for detecting pedestrians in images taken from an in‐vehicle camera. Because of the need to detect a variety of pedestrian shapes, the template matching involves scanning the entire image for a very large number of templates. A large number of computations are needed to utilize multiple templates, and so it is difficult to implement the processing at the video frame rate. Furthermore, because images of outdoor street scenes that are captured by an in‐vehicle camera consist of problematic backgrounds, false detections occur easily in the background area. A method is therefore proposed to perform highly efficient, high‐speed matching by removing the background region, as this region has a negative impact on the detection capabilities in template matching. The background removal is achieved by using difference calculations that use information about the motion of the observation measured by sensors. Furthermore, an active search is carried out on the images after removing the background to give an efficient search, and a broad reduction in the number of computations is achieved. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 90(10): 115–126, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.20393
Divalent Nickel, Cobalt and Iron Complexes of an Amide‐Appended N2S2 Ligand: Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity with Hydroxide Anion
Authors: Ingle Gajendrasingh K. , Makowska‐Grzyka Magdalena M. , Arif Atta M. , Berreau Lisa M.
Published: September 2007

Divalent nickel, cobalt and iron complexes {[(bmppa)Ni(CH3CN)](ClO4)2 (1), [(bmppa)Co(CH3CN)](ClO4)2 (2), [(bmppa)Fe(CH3CN)](ClO4)2 (3)} of an amide‐appended N2S2‐donor ligand {bmppa = N,N‐bis(2‐methylthio)ethyl‐N‐[(6‐pivaloylamido‐2‐pyridyl)methyl]amine} have been prepared and characterized using 1H NMR, IR, UV/Vis, elemental analysis and magnetic moment measurements. The complexes 2 and 3 were also characterized by X‐ray crystallography. When treated with 1 equiv. of Me4NOH·5H2O in methanol, 1 and 2 form deprotonated amide complexes {[(bmppa–)Ni]ClO4 (4), [(bmppa–)Co]ClO4·H2O (5)} which were isolated and characterized by 1H NMR, IR, UV/Vis, elemental analysis and magnetic moment measurements. Treatment of the FeII complex 3 with 1 equiv. of Me4NOH·5H2O in methanol produced the free bmppa chelate ligand and a precipitate of an unidentified iron species. Heating of 5 at 50 °C in methanol for 5 d resulted in a ca. 50 % yield of amide methanolysis products and a small amount of products resulting from oxidative N‐dealkylation of the bmppa ligand. It has been previously shown that a zinc analog of 5 undergoes quantitative amide methanolysis under milder conditions. Complex 4 does not undergo amide cleavage upon heating at 50 °C in methanol for 5 d. A rationale for the metal‐dependent amide methanolysis reactivity of these complexes is proposed on the basis of structural differences in the “parent” protonated complexes. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
The Influence of Ligand Substitution at the Electron Donor Center in Molecular Cyano‐Bridged Mixed‐Valent CoIII/FeII and CoIII/RuII Complexes
Authors: Bernhardt Paul V. , Bozoglian Fernando , Font‐Bardía Mercè , Martínez Manuel , Meacham Andrew P. , Sienra Beatriz , Solans Xavier
Published: September 2007

In this paper we report a new variety of dinuclear cyano‐bridged CoIII/MII (M = Fe or Ru) mixed‐valent complexes of the general formula [LnCoIII(μ‐NC)MII(CN)x(bpy)y]z+ (where Ln represents a pentaamine macrocycle and M = Fe or Ru with x = 4, y = 1 and z = 1 or x = 2, y = 2 and z = 3)]. The incorporation of the bpy ligand in place of cyano ligands within the coordination sphere raises the MIII/II redox potential significantly relative to the hexacyanometalate analogs we have reported previously. However, the metal‐to‐metal (MII to CoIII) charge‐transfer transitions are shifted to lower energies in accordance with Hush theory as a result of a decreased reorganizational energy component, which result in them overlapping with more intense MLCT (MII to bpy) transitions. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Solid/liquid extraction and isolation by molecular distillation of hydroxytyrosol from Olea europaea L. leaves
Authors: Rada Mirela , Guinda Ángeles , Cayuela Jose
Published: September 2007

Molecular distillation, or short‐path distillation (SPD), is particularly appropriate for processing of low‐volatility compounds, which are easily altered at high temperature. Olea europaea L. leaves constitute an olive tree by‐product very interesting for their natural antioxidants content. In this research, molecular distillation technology has been applied to obtain high‐value‐added compounds by the SPD fractionation of an olive tree leaf extract. The process consists of two stages: (a) ethanolic extraction of the olive leaves, followed by incorporation of the extract into glycerine and (b) molecular distillation of the glycerine enriched in olive leaf extract compounds (terpenic and phenolic compounds). Four molecular distillation tests under different conditions were carried out. Results showed that 80.9% 3,4‐dihydroxy‐phenylethanol (hydroxytyrosol) was recovered from the glycerine admixture under a pressure of 1.50–2.00 mbar, a temperature of 190 °C and a feed rate of 15 mL/min.
The Tautomerism of 5‐Amino‐3‐oxo‐1,2,4‐thiadiazole: An Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Encinas Arantxa , Castro Ana , Campillo Nuria E. , Páez Juan A.
Published: September 2007

The 1,2,4‐thiadiazole system was the subject of our research as a consequence of the pharmacological activity of some derivatives as GSK3 inhibitors. Therefore, in order to explore the active form responsible for receptor interaction, a systematic study of the tautomerism in the 5‐amino‐3‐oxo‐1,2,4‐thiadiazole system was performed by using experimental and theoretical methods. Thus, the relative stability of the possible tautomers was studied in the gas phase by density functional theory and local density functional methods. The theoretical study in solution was carried out by using severalcontinuum solvation models. Finally, experimental studies were carried out to unambiguously establish the tautomeric form.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Downregulation of the 18‐kDa translocator protein: Effects on the ammonia‐induced mitochondrial permeability transition and cell swelling in cultured astrocytes
Authors: Panickar K. S. , Jayakumar A. R. , Rama Rao K. V. , Norenberg M. D.
Published: September 2007

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a major neurological complication in patients with severe liver disease. While the pathogenesis of HE is unclear, elevated blood and brain ammonia levels are believed to be major etiological factors, and astrocytes appear to be the primary target of its toxicity. A notable feature of ammonia neurotoxicity is an upregulation of the 18‐kDa translocator protein (TSPO) (formerly referred to as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor or PBR), which is found on the outer mitochondrial membrane. However, the precise significance of this upregulation is unclear. To examine its potential role in ammonia‐induced astrocyte dysfunction, we downregulated the TSPO using antisense oligonucleotides, and examined whether such downregulation could alter two prominent features of ammonia gliotoxicity, namely, the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) and astrocyte swelling. Nontransfected cultures treated with NH4Cl (5 mM; 48 h) showed a significant increase in astrocyte cell volume (37.5%). In cultured astrocytes transfected with TSPO antisense oligonucleotides, such cell swelling was reduced to 17%, but this change was not significantly different from control cell volume. Similarly, nontransfected cultures treated with NH4Cl (5 mM; 24 h) exhibited a 40% decline in the cyclosporin A‐sensitive mitochondrial inner membrane potential (ΔΨm) (P< 0.01) (a measure of the MPT). By contrast, cells transfected with TSPO antisense oligonucleotides did not display a significant loss of the ΔΨmfollowing ammonia exposure. Our findings highlight the important role of the TSPO in the mechanism of ammonia neurotoxicity. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hydroclimate controls over seasonal sediment yield in two adjacent High Arctic watersheds
Authors: Cockburn Jaclyn M. H. , Lamoureux Scott F.
Published: September 2007

Interannual variations in seasonal sediment transfer in two High Arctic non‐glacial watersheds were evaluated through three summers of field observations (2003–2005). Total seasonal discharge, controlled by initial watershed snow water equivalence (SWE) was the most important factor in total seasonal suspended sediment transfer. Secondary factors included melt energy, snow distribution and sediment supply. The largest pre‐melt SWE of the three years studied (2004) generated the largest seasonal runoff and disproportionately greater suspended sediment yield than the other years. In contrast, 2003 and 2005 had similar SWE and total runoff, but reduced runoff intensity resulted in lower suspended sediment concentrations and lower total suspended sediment yield in 2005. Lower air temperatures at the beginning of the snowmelt period in 2003 prolonged the melt period and increased meltwater storage within the snowpack. Subsequently, peak discharge and instantaneous suspended sediment concentrations were more intense than in the otherwise warmer 2005 season. The results for this study will aid in model development for sediment yield estimation from cold regions and will contribute to the interpretation of paleoenvironmental records obtained from sedimentary deposits in lakes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.