bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decreased Cardiac Glutathione Peroxidase Levels and Enhanced Mandibular Apoptosis in Malformed Embryos of Diabetic Rats
Authors: Wentzel Parri , Gäreskog Mattias , Eriksson Ulf J.
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE— To characterize normal and malformed embryos within the same litters from control and diabetic rats for expression of genes related to metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or glucose as well as developmental genes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— Embryos from nondiabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were collected on gestational day 11 and evaluated for gene expression (PCR) and distribution of activated caspase-3 and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx)-1 by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS— Maternal diabetes (MD group) caused growth retardation and an increased malformation rate in the embryos of MD group rats compared with those of controls (N group). We found decreased gene expression of Gpx-1 and increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (Vegf-A) in malformed embryos of diabetic rats (MDm group) compared with nonmalformed littermates (MDn group). Alterations of messenger RNA levels of other genes were similar in MDm and MDn embryos. Thus, expression of copper zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), and sonic hedgehog homolog (Shh) were decreased, and bone morphogenetic protein-4 (Bmp-4) was increased, in the MD embryos compared with the N embryos. In MDm embryos, we detected increased activated caspase-3 immunostaining in the first visceral arch and cardiac area and decreased Gpx-1 immunostaining in the cardiac tissue; both findings differed from the caspase/Gpx-1 immunostaining of the MDn and N embryos.

CONCLUSIONS— Maternal diabetes causes growth retardation, congenital malformations, and decreased general antioxidative gene expression in the embryo. In particular, enhanced apoptosis of the first visceral arch and heart, together with decreased cardiac Gpx-1 levels, may compromise the mandible and heart and thus cause an increased risk of developing congenital malformation.
β-Cell Proliferation, but Not Neogenesis, Following 60% Partial Pancreatectomy Is Impaired in the Absence of FoxM1
Authors: Ackermann Misfeldt Amanda , Costa Robert H. , Gannon Maureen
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE—This study was designed to determine whether the transcription factor FoxM1 was required for regeneration of β-cell mass via proliferation and/or neogenesis in the adult after 60% partial pancreatectomy (PPx).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Adult mice with a pancreas-wide deletion of Foxm1 (Foxm1flox/flox;Pdx1-Cre [FoxM1Δpanc]) and their control littermates (Foxm1flox/flox) were subjected to PPx or a sham operation, after which islet expression of Foxm1 and several target genes, β-cell mass, proliferation, β-cell size, islet size, islet density, and neurogenin-3 expression were analyzed.

RESULTS—In control mice, PPx stimulated β-cell proliferation and neogenesis and upregulated Foxm1 and several of its known targets (Plk1, Cenp-a, Birc5/Survivin, and Ccnb1) in islets. Within 1 week post-PPx, control mice underwent significant regeneration of β-cell mass, and average islet size within the regenerating lobe was similar to that after a sham operation. However, FoxM1Δpanc mice exhibited specific impairments in β-cell mass regeneration and islet growth after PPx, with reduced proliferation of α- and β-cells but no impairments in acinar or ductal cell proliferation. Interestingly, FoxM1 was not required for proliferation of β-cells within small endocrine cell clusters located in the regenerating portion of the pancreas but was specifically required for proliferation of β-cells within larger islets. Additionally, FoxM1 was not required for β-cell neogenesis following PPx.

CONCLUSIONS—Our results indicate that FoxM1 is partially required for increased β-cell proliferation, but not β-cell neogenesis, stimulated by PPx. Furthermore, FoxM1 seems to be dispensable for proliferation of β-cells following neogenesis but is required for proliferation of preexisting β-cells.
Diabetes-Related Symptom Distress in Association With Glucose Metabolism and Comorbidity
Authors: Adriaanse Marcel C. , Pouwer Frans , Dekker Jacqueline M. , Nijpels Giel , Stehouwer Coen D. , Heine Robert J. , Snoek Frank J.
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE—The purpose of this study was to determine the associations between diabetes-related symptom distress, glucose metabolism status, and comorbidities of type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—This was a cross-sectional sample of 281 individuals with normal glucose metabolism (NGM), 181 individuals with impaired glucose metabolism (IGM), and 107 subjects with type 2 diabetes. We used the revised type 2 Diabetes Symptom Checklist (DSC-R) to assess diabetes-related symptom distress.

RESULTS—The total symptom distress score (range 0–100) was relatively low for diabetic subjects (mean ± SD 8.4 ± 9.4), although it was significantly different from that for subjects with IGM (6.5 ± 7.1) and NGM (6.1 ± 7.9) (F = 3.1, 2 d.f., P = 0.046). Ischemic heart disease was associated with elevated DSC-R scores on three subscales, whereas depression showed higher symptom distress levels across all DSC-R domains.

CONCLUSIONS—Worsening glucose metabolism is associated with increasing diabetes-related symptom distress. This relationship is attenuated by ischemic heart disease and particularly by depression.
Screening Uptake in a Well-Established Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Program
Authors: Leese Graham P. , Boyle Paul , Feng Zhiqiang , Emslie-Smith Alistair , Ellis John D.
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE—To identify criteria that affect uptake of diabetes retinal screening in a community screening program using mobile retinal digital photography units.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Data from the regional diabetes population-based retinal screening program and regional ophthalmology laser database were linked to patient postal code (zip code) data. We used distance from retinal screening event, social deprivation scores, and demographic information to identify risk factors for nonattendance at a diabetes retinal screening event. Patients were subdivided into urban (>125,000 population), other urban (3,000–125,000 population), or rural (<3,000 population) depending on where they lived. Data were collected from 2004 to 2006 inclusive and included 15,150 patients and 32,621 eye screening records.

RESULTS—The mean ± SD age of patients was 63 ± 15 years, and 54% were male. Mean travel time to retinal screening event varied from 7.1 to 17.0 min. For 12% of missed appointments, patients were more likely to be younger, to have longer diabetes duration, to have poor A1C and blood pressure control, to be smokers, and to live in deprived areas. Poor attendance was not associated with sex or distance to retinal screening event.

CONCLUSIONS—Social deprivation is strongly associated with poor attendance at retinal screening events. Time traveled to screening event was not associated with attendance in this study of a mobile retinal screening service, which visited general practitioner surgeries. This data can help inform population-based diabetes retinal screening programs about improving patient uptake.
Screening for Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With Diabetes
Authors: Roelker Eve
Published: August 2008

In Brief

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes. Consequently, proper screening and diagnosis of CAD is crucial for the prevention and early treatment of coronary events. This review explains the variety of diagnostic exams available for the identification of CAD in patients with diabetes and will assist health care providers in determining the appropriate diagnostic tool for each patient.
Best Practices for Lowering the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Diabetes
Authors: Triplitt Curtis , Alvarez Carlos A.
Published: August 2008

In Brief

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common complication of diabetes; nearly 80% of all people with diabetes will die from macrovascular complications. Dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypercoagulability, poor glycemic control,smoking, obesity, and lack of physical activity are just some of the multiple risk factors responsible for the increased risk of CVD in diabetes. A multi-pronged approach to address these risk factors is imperative. Although nonpharmacological therapy is the cornerstone of treatment, some pharmacological treatments are almost always warranted. These may include statins for dyslipidemia and their pleiotropic effects, tight blood pressure control (especially with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers), antiplatelet therapy, and appropriately tight glycemic control based on comorbidities. Evidence has shown that this approach can reduce the risk of CVD in diabetes but that these strategies continue to be underutilized.
A Study Assessing an Injection Port for Administration of Insulin
Authors: Blevins Thomas , Schwartz Sherwyn L. , Bode Bruce , Aronoff Stephen , Baker Claire , Kimball Kay T. , Harrist Ronald B. , Donnelly Chris , Burns Lauren C. , Wooldridge Anna M.
Published: August 2008

Objective. To compare an injection port (I-Port), a disposable device through which multiple doses of insulin may be injected, to standard multiple dose insulin administration.

Design. Prospective, randomized crossover study.

Methods. Seventy-four patients with diabetes being treated with daily injections of insulin were recruited at five clinical sites. The patients were randomly assigned to two of three treatment regimens: 1) standard injection (SI), 2) a single I-Portdevice, or 3) two separate I-Port devices (Dual I-Port) with each treatment regimen lasting for 3 weeks. Participants in the single I-Port regimen injected both regular human or rapid-acting insulin and insulin glargine through the same device,whereas participants in the Dual I-Port regimen injected each type of insulin through two separate devices. Participants were evaluated by measurements of glycosylated albumin and study questionnaires.

Results. Participants' glycosylated albumin was not significantly different between SI, single I-Port, and Dual I-Porttreatment regimens (P = 0.99 for SI vs. single I-Port and P = 0.97 for single I-Port vs. Dual I-Port). Fifty of 72 participants (69.4%) reported that the I-Port was useful and helpful in the management of their diabetes.

Conclusions. This study supports the utility and efficacy of administering multiple doses of insulin through a single I-Portdevice and concludes that the I-Port is a viable alternative to SI.
Note on a subgroup of Levy’s group
Authors: Paštéka Milan
Published: August 2008

In the paper, there are proved some properties of the asymptotic density using the permutations.
Maximum principle and existence of solutions for non necessarily cooperative systems involving Schrödinger operators
Authors: Serag H. , Qamlo A.
Published: August 2008

In this paper, we obtain the necessary and sufficient conditions for having the maximum principle and existence of positive solutions for some cooperative systems involving Schrödinger operators defined on unbounded domains. Then, we deduce the existence of solutions for semi-linear systems. Finally we discuss the generalized maximum principle (gf
q-positivity) for non cooperative systems.
I and I*-convergence of double sequences
Authors: Das Pratulananda , Kostyrko Pavel , Wilczyński Władysław , Malik Prasanta
Published: August 2008

The idea of I-convergence was introduced by Kostyrko et al (2001) and also independently by Nuray and Ruckle (2000) (who called it generalized statistical convergence) as a generalization of statistical convergence (Fast (1951), Schoenberg(1959)). For the last few years, study of these convergences of sequences has become one of the most active areas of research in classical Analysis. In 2003 Muresaleen and Edely introduced the concept of statistical convergence of double sequences. In this paper we consider the notions of I and I*-convergence of double sequences in real line as well as in general metric spaces. We primarily study the inter-relationship between these two types of convergence and then investigate the category and porosity position of bounded I and I*-convergent double sequences.
Approximation of multivariate distribution functions
Authors: Pihlak Margus
Published: August 2008

In the paper the unknown distribution function is approximated with a known distribution function by means of Taylor expansion. For this approximation a new matrix operation — matrix integral — is introduced and studied in [PIHLAK, M.: Matrix integral, Linear Algebra Appl. 388 (2004), 315–325]. The approximation is applied in the bivariate case when the unknown distribution function is approximated with normal distribution function. An example on simulated data is also given.
The DCFR, the Avant-projet Catala and French Legal Scholars: A Story of Cat and Mouse?
Authors: Sefton-Green Ruth
Published: August 2008

In 2005 a French working group published an Avant-projet de réforme du droit des obligations et de la prescription (“Avant-projet Catala”).1 At the end of 2007 a Draft Common Frame of Reference (“DCFR”) was submitted to the European Commission by the Study Group on a European Civil Code and the Research Group on EC Private Law (Acquis Group).2 How much ink should we spill over such academic proposals for legislative reform, especially if there are misgivings as to substance, content and legitimacy and doubts as to the prospects for implementation? In an attempt to learn from these projects this paper aims to evaluate and reflect on the position of legal scholars on the political legal scene, and to compare the content of some selected provisions. The overall objective is to investigate how the Avant-projet Catala, a proposal to reform the French Civil Code, and the DCFR, a proposal which looks very much like a European Civil Code, fit together: do these projects have different goals or are they in competition with one another? More particularly, this paper investigates whether these French3 and European initiatives are conducive to creating a more European private law or, on the contrary, whether they reinforce legal nationalism.
‘From Both Sides Now’: Power and Powerlessness in Two Contemporary Novels of the Middle East
Authors: TAL EVE
Published: August 2008

The paper analyses the narrative techniques utilised in two contemporary young adult novels: Elizabeth Laird's A Little Piece of Ground (2003) and Pnina Moed Kass's Real Time (2004). Set in Palestine and Israel respectively, these novels present convincing psychological portraits of young people on both sides of the Middle East conflict. The paper analyses to what extent each novel allows readers the imaginative freedom to explore opposing points of view, arguing that a text that fails to present readers with a nuanced representation of reality leaves them open to intellectual manipulation by creating a self-contained world in which opposing points of view are in effect censored by their absence.
God, King and Country: The Depiction of National Identity in Danish Historical Novels for Children
Authors: SKYGGEBJERG ANNA KARLSKOV
Published: August 2008

This article charts the depiction of national identity in the historical novel for children. The introduction defines the historical novel in general (with a review of theories by Georg Lukács and Hayden White), and then reflects upon the function of this genre in children's literature (drawing on studies by John Stephens, Åsfrid Svensen and Anna Adamik Jáscó). To cast light on the structure and development of national identity there is an analysis of two Danish historical novels for children: Marius Dahlsgaard's Thorkilds Træl[Thorkild's slave] (1932) and Lars-Henrik Olsen's Sagaen om Svend Pindehugger [The saga of Svend Pindehugger] (1993). These books deal with the same historical event – the conquest of Estonia in the thirteenth-century – and both novels are based on a national historical legend about the Danish flag. The article argues that the historical novel for children has moved away from purely heroic images and eulogies of king and nation, but is still rooted in national history and incorporates a strong emphasis on power relations fought out in wars.
Political and Cultural Battles in a Postcolonial Picture Book from Wales
Authors: PANAOU PETROS
Published: August 2008

Nationalistic projects and bloody conflicts around the world testify to the nation's determination to fight the forces that threaten its sovereignty. The present discussion reads Cantre'r Gwaelod (1996) – a Welsh book from the European Picture Book Collection – as an attempt to defend the idea of national identity. The colonial and postcolonial cultural battles that have been taking place in Wales, and elsewhere, for the duration of centuries have not left children, or children's literature, unaffected. When the Welsh picture book is situated in its local environment, it becomes apparent that it advocates resistance to `foreign invasion'. The waves that drown the glorious ancient history of Wales are the waves of English colonialism. Younger generations are expected to amend this historical discontinuity and reclaim their nation's glory. The subjective positioning of both child-protagonist and child-reader is designed to facilitate national regeneration. I find resistance to colonialism important and legitimate, but I also find it problematical when it takes the form of monolithic nationalism. While children may prove capable of resisting nationalistic appropriation of their minds and bodies, the powerful institutions that support it often leave little space for resistance.
Space, Power and Knowledge: The Regulatory Fictions of Online Communities
Authors: MALLAN KERRY
Published: August 2008

This paper extends Donna Haraway's notion of ‘regulatory fictions’ to young people's participation in online communities. I argue that online communities produce a range of discursive practices and expectations, which attempt to constitute young people in particular ways. By combining recent empirical work on young people's participation in online communities with the representation of Internet culture in young adult literature, this paper examines how participation, both real and represented, involves young people in a negotiation of complex networks of space, power, and knowledge. The discussion highlights how these networks are shaped by regulatory practices, protocols, and politics. The paper posits that new technologies are contributing to the emergence of a new social paradigm, one that offers young people possibilities for construction of multiple identities and social networks. The empirical work derives from a current Australian Research Council grant. The primary texts examined are Destroying Avalon (2006) by Kate McCaffrey and ttyl (2004) by Lauren Myracle.
Toward a more informative psychological science of eyewitness evidence
Authors: Turtle John , Read J. Don , Lindsay D. Stephen , Brimacombe C. A. Elizabeth
Published: August 2008

Like Hugo Münsterberg, we believe that psychological science can inform the courts and police regarding eyewitness evidence. But 100 years into the enterprise, the body of knowledge acquired to date demands considerable circumspection, both in the claims expert psychological witnesses make in court and in the recommendations psychologists tender to investigating officers. There are a number of points regarding eyewitness evidence that psychologists can offer with considerable confidence, but many matters are as yet open to debate (and some issues are likely to remain unsettled for a long time). We encourage researchers, law enforcement and the legal community to (a) identify and prioritize the problems to be solved, (b) focus on a more integrative empirical approach, including more of the field experiments currently in use, as well as new descriptive research, especially on base rates and (c) use basic psychological theory and principles to consolidate the wide range of phenomena present in individual cases. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study space analysis for policy development
Authors: Malpass Roy S. , Tredoux Colin G. , Compo Nadja Schreiber , McQuiston‐Surrett Dawn , MacLin Otto H. , Zimmerman Laura A. , Topp Lisa D.
Published: August 2008

Transforming research findings into policy recommendations requires evaluative criteria beyond traditional academic review. Policy development involves entire literatures, and criteria for examining adequacy of the underlying research as a policy base are needed. At the level of the studies many are obvious: high quality studies, well reported and replicable, consensus on their validity, and ecological validity for application. At the research literature level the distribution of important variables in the literature is important. We discuss policy adequacy criteria and present the Study Space concept for evaluating breadth of coverage and gaps in our knowledge in policy research domains. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The importance (necessity) of computational modelling for eyewitness identification research
Authors: Clark Steven E.
Published: August 2008

Psychological science has a long tradition of formal modelling; however, the use of such models has begun to emerge only recently for eyewitness identification. Development and application of memory and decision models is critical to the advancement of eyewitness identification research. Formal modelling techniques are important not only to the advancement of the science but also to applications of the science through expert testimony and policy recommendations. Three examples of the interaction between model and eyewitness identification experimental research are discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Developments and Perspectives of Iron‐based High‐Temperature Superconductors
Authors: Wen Hai‐Hu
Published: August 2008

Since the first report on superconductivity at 26 K in F‐doped LaOFeAs at the end of February 2008, the superconducting transition temperature has been quickly raised to about 55 K and many new superconductors have been found, and superconductors with a higher condensing temperature are expected in this system. In this brief Research News article, the author will relate the enormous interest that has been generated towards new superconductor exploration, the refinement and tailoring of the single phase of the available superconductors, the growth of single crystals, and the theoretical and experimental efforts toward targeting the mechanism. Finally, a preliminary comparison between the iron‐based system and the cuprates is given, as well as perspectives on these new iron‐based superconductors.
Graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile onto allylated caesarweed fibres by ceric ion in the presence of 2‐mercaptoethanol
Authors: Eromosele C. O. , Afolabi Q. O. , Eromosele I. C.
Published: August 2008

Polyacrylonitrile was grafted onto caesarweed fibers and on the allyldervative in aqueous media by ceric ion‐2‐mercaptoethanol redox pair. The allylfibre was obtained by treatment of caesarweed fibers with sodium hydroxide followed by allylchloride in diisoproylether to yield an average degree of substitution of 3.24 allyl moieties per anhydroglucose unit (AGU). The graft yield dependence on 2‐mercaptoethanol concentration, in the range, 10.7–64.0 × 10−4M was characterized by a minimum followed by an enhanced yield. This suggested the existence of two initiating species, a thioglycol radical and mercaptoethoxyl radical. A fivefold increase in the concentration of 2‐mercaptoethanol was accompanied by reduction in the frequency of graft, Fg from 75.6–0.79 Ng/104 AGU and a concomitant increase, by two orders of magnitude, in the average molecular weight of grafted polymer Mv, with values of up to 11.78 × 105. Infrared spectroscopy of allylfibre‐g‐polyacrylonitrile copolymer showed evidence of radical coupling reaction involving thioglycol radical species and allylic macroradicals of the allylfibre. The unmodified fiber was more reactive than the allylfibre by as much as a factor of 2, and was ascribed to resonance stabilization of allylic macro radicals derived from the latter. For the allyl fiber, a 150% increase in monomer concentration resulted in nominal increase in graft yield, not higher than 7%. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Broader, Greener, and More Efficient: Recent Advances in Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation
Authors: Wang Chao , Wu Xiaofeng , Xiao Jianliang
Published: August 2008

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation has become a practically useful tool in reduction chemistry in the last decade or so. This was largely triggered by the seminal work of Noyori and co‐workers in the mid‐1990s and is driven by its complementing chemistry to hydrogenation employing H2. This Focus Review attempts to present a “holistic” overview on the advances in the area, focusing on the achievements recorded around the last three years. These include more‐efficient and “greener” metal catalysts, catalysts that enable hydrogenation as well as transfer hydrogenation, biomimetic and organocatalysts, and their applications in the reduction of CO, CN, and CC bonds. Also highlighted are efforts in the development of environmentally benign and reusable catalytic systems.
A Precoordination Complex of 1,2,3‐Trimethyl‐1,3,5‐triazacyclohexane with tert‐Butyllithium as Key Intermediate in Its Methylene Group Deprotonation
Authors: Strohmann Carsten , Gessner Viktoria H.
Published: August 2008

α‐Lithiated tertiary methylamines are important building blocks in all fields of chemistry, such as for the synthesis of new ligand or catalyst systems. However, the access to these compounds is still limited and the reaction mechanism, in general, not fully understood. We present herein X‐ray diffraction analyses of organolithium compounds with 1,2,3‐trimethyl‐1,3,5‐triazacyclohexane (1), such as a precoordination adduct of tert‐butyllithium, [(tBuLi)3⋅C6H15N3], which represents a potential intermediate of the lithiation of the methylene group of this ligand. By means of molecular structures and computational studies, the regioselectivity of this deprotonation reaction can be understood. Furthermore, the tBuLi adduct gives a hint to an alternative deaggregation process of organolithium compounds.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Long, Rigid Photoswitchable Cross‐Linker for Promoting Peptide and Protein Conformational Change
Authors: Zhang Fuzhong , Sadovski Oleg , Woolley G. Andrew
Published: August 2008

Azobenzene‐based photoswitchable compounds can be use to photocontrol a variety of biochemical systems. In some cases, their effectiveness may be limited by the size of the conformational change that the switch undergoes. To produce an azobenzene photoswitch that undergoes a large end‐to‐end distance change upon isomerization, we synthesized 3,3′‐diazene‐1,2‐diylbis{6‐[2‐sulfonato‐4‐(chloroacetylamino)phenylethynyl]benzene sulfonic acid} (DDPBA). This long, rigid, water‐soluble, thiol‐reactive cross‐linker undergoes an end‐to‐end distance change of ∼13 Å upon isomerization. DDPBA was successfully cross‐linked to peptides through cysteine side chains. The photoswitch undergoes trans‐to‐cis photoisomerization maximally when irradiated at 400 nm, although the efficiency of production of the cis isomer is lower than for simpler azobenzenes. Under steady‐state illumination conditions, the percentage of cis form produced increases as temperature increases; ∼56 % cis is obtained at 60 °C. Thermal relaxation occurs with a half‐life of approximately 75 min at room temperature. When DDPBA was attached to an α‐helical peptide with two cysteine residues at i and i+14 positions, an increase in helix content was observed after photoirradiation. When cross‐linked to another peptide with two cysteine residues spaced at i and i+21 positions, a decrease in helix content after trans‐to‐cis isomerization was observed. Due to the small percentage of cis form produced under the experimental conditions, the CD signal changes were small. However, the large structural change upon photoisomerization provided by this cross‐linker can potentially be used to photoswitch other biochemical systems.
Numerical Analysis of the Catalytic Combustion of Premixed Methane/Air Mixtures in Microtubes
Authors: Zhong B. J. , Jiao J.
Published: August 2008

The combustion characteristics and extinction limits for the catalytic combustion of a methane/air mixture in a microtube are investigated computationally using the commercial CFD code FLUENT coupled to an external subroutine DETCHEM. The effects of the microtube dimensions, conductivities of wall materials, external heat losses and flow velocity on the combustion stability, are also studied. The numerical model is set as either adiabatic or non‐adiabatic with a fixed exterior heat transfer coefficient. Numerical results indicate that thermal conductivity and wall thickness are vital to preheat the methane/air mixture through the conducting wall. Two types of extinction occur, i.e., thermal quenching and blow out. These extinction limits are characterized by wall surface temperature in the microtube and the ratio of Pt(s)/O(s).
Dividing Wall Distillation Columns: Optimization and Control Properties
Authors: Gómez‐Castro F. I. , Segovia‐Hernández J. G. , Hernández S. , Gutiérrez‐Antonio C. , Briones‐Ramírez A.
Published: August 2008

The optimal design of dividing wall columns is a non‐linear and multivariable problem, and the objective function used as optimization criterion is generally non‐convex with several local optimums. Considering this fact, in this paper, we studied the design of dividing wall columns using as a design tool, a multi‐objective genetic algorithm with restrictions, written in MatlabTM and using the process simulator Aspen PlusTM for the evaluation of the objective function. Numerical performance of this method has been tested in the design of columns with one or two dividing walls and with several mixtures to test the effect of the relative volatilities of the feed mixtures on energy consumption, second law efficiency, total annual cost, and theoretical control properties. In general, the numerical performance shows that this method appears to be robust and suitable for the design of sequences with dividing walls.
Effect ofcytochrome P450 3A5*3genotype on the stereoselective pharmacokinetics of amlodipine in healthy subjects
Authors: Kim Kyoung‐Ah , Park Pil‐Whan , Park Ji‐Young
Published: August 2008

Amlodipine is a racemic mixture composed ofS‐ andR‐form and metabolized stereoselectively. Cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) including CYP3A5 are involved in the metabolism of amlodipine and it was reported that polymorphicCYP3A5genotype modulates the plasma levels of amlodipine and thus affect its pharmacokinetics. This study was conducted to find whether stereoselective pharmacokinetics of amlodipine was affected by the polymorphicCYP3A5genotype. Seventeen healthy subjects were genotyped forCYP3A5*3variant. After a single dose of 10‐mg amlodipine, enantiomers of amlodipine were analyzed using HPLC‐MS/MS equipped with an AGP column. Amlodipine showed stereoselective pharmacokinetics.S‐amlodipine exhibited higher plasma levels thanR‐amlodipine in both genotype groups.S‐amlodipine showed 15% higher mean peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) inCYP3A5*1/*3carriers (3.28 ng/ml) thanCYP3A5*3/*3carriers (2.85 ng/ml) (P= 0.194) andR‐amlodipine also showed 21% higherCmaxinCYP3A5*1/*3carriers (3.33 ng/ml) thanCYP3A5*3/*3carriers (2.75 ng/ml) (P= 0.114).CYP3A5*1/*3carriers also have 23 and 12% higher mean area under the time versus concentration curve ofR‐amlodipine andS‐amlodipine thanCYP3A5*3/*3carriers, respectively (forR‐amlodipine, 147.1 ng*h/ml forCYP3A5*1/*3carriers versus 121.8 ng*h/ml forCYP3A5*3/*3carriers,P= 0.234; for S‐amlodipine, 161.6 ng*h/ml forCYP3A5*1/*3carriers vs. 144.2 ng*h/ml forCYP3A5*3/*3carriers,P= 0.353). Other pharmacokinetic parameters also showed no significant difference between them. In conclusion, the present study showed that despite the evidence that amlodipine is stereoselectively metabolized,CYP3A5*3genotype did not affect stereoselective disposition of amlodipine. It provides the evidence thatCYP3A5*3genotype plays a minor role in the interindividual variability of stereoselective disposition of amlodipine in humans. Chirality, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Asymmetric Michael addition of trisubstituted carbanion to nitroalkenes catalyzed by sodium demethylquinine salt in water
Authors: Chen Fu‐Xin , Shao Cheng , Liu Qian , Gong Pin , Liu Chun‐Liang , Wang Rui
Published: August 2008

A mild method for the asymmetric synthesis of quaternary and tertiary carbon centers has been developed through Michael addition of trisubstituted carbon nucleophile to nitroalkenes catalyzed by low loading sodium demethylquinine salt in water. Chirality, 2008. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dyson's nonintersecting Brownian motions with a few outliers
Authors: Adler Mark , Delépine Jonathan , van Moerbeke Pierre
Published: August 2008

Consider n nonintersecting Brownian particles on ℝ (Dyson Brownian motions), all starting from the origin at time t = 0 and forced to return to x = 0 at time t = 1. For large n, the average mean density of particles has its support, for each 0 < t < 1, on the interval ±√2nt(1 − t). The Airy process 𝒜(τ) is defined as the motion of these nonintersecting Brownian motions for large n but viewed from the curve 𝒞 : y = √2nt(1 − t) with an appropriate space‐time rescaling.

Assume now a finite number r of these particles are forced to a different target point, say a = ρ0√n/2 > 0. Does it affect the Brownian fluctuations along the curve 𝒞 for large n? In this paper, we show that no new process appears as long as one considers points (y, t) ∈ 𝒞 such that 0 < t < (1 + ρ)−1, which is the t‐coordinate of the point of tangency of the tangent to the curve passing through (ρ0√n/2, 1). At this point the fluctuations obey a new statistics, which we call the Airy process with r outliers 𝒜(r)(τ) (in short, r‐Airy process). The log of the probability that at time τ the cloud does not exceed x is given by the Fredholm determinant of a new kernel (extending the Airy kernel), and it satisfies a nonlinear PDE in x and τ, from which the asymptotic behavior of the process can be deduced for τ → −∞. This kernel is closely related to one found by Baik, Ben Arous, and Péché in the context of multivariate statistics. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the Validity of Stokes–Einstein and Stokes–Einstein–Debye Relations in Ionic Liquids and Ionic‐Liquid Mixtures
Authors: Köddermann Thorsten , Ludwig Ralf , Paschek Dietmar
Published: August 2008

Stokes–Einstein (SE) and Stokes–Einstein–Debye (SED) relations in the neat ionic liquid (IL) [C2mim][NTf2] and IL/chloroform mixtures are studied by means of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. For this purpose, we simulate the translational diffusion coefficients of the cations and anions, the rotational correlation times of the C(2)H bond in the cation C2mim+, and the viscosities of the whole system. We find that the SE and SED relations are not valid for the pure ionic liquid, nor for IL/chloroform mixtures down to the miscibility gap (at 50 wt % IL). The deviations from both relations could be related to dynamical heterogeneities described by the non‐Gaussian parameter α(t). If α(t) is close to zero, at a concentration of 1 wt % IL in chloroform, both relations become valid. Then, the effective radii and volumes calculated from the SE and SED equations can be related to the structures found in the MD simulations, such as aggregates of ion pairs. Overall, similarities are observed between the dynamical properties of supercooled water and those of ionic liquids.
A fast, fully automated cell segmentation algorithm for high‐throughput and high‐content screening
Authors: Fenistein D. , Lenseigne B. , Christophe T. , Brodin P. , Genovesio A.
Published: August 2008

High‐throughput, high‐content screening (HT‐HCS) of large compound libraries for drug discovery imposes new constraints on image analysis algorithms. Time and robustness are paramount while accuracy is intrinsically statistical. In this article, a fast and fully automated algorithm for cell segmentation is proposed. The algorithm is based on a strong attachment to the data that provide robustness and have been validated on the HT‐HCS of large compound libraries and different biological assays. We present the algorithm and its performance, a description of its advantages and limitations, and a discussion of its range of application. © 2008 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Myotonic dystrophy protein kinase is expressed in embryonic myocytes and is required for myotube formation
Authors: Harmon Erin B. , Harmon Michelle L. , Larsen Tricia D. , Paulson Alicia F. , Perryman M. Benjamin
Published: August 2008

Myotonic dystrophy (DM1) is a multi‐systemic disease caused by a triplet nucleotide repeat expansion in the 3′ untranslated region of the gene coding for myotonic dystrophy protein kinase (DMPK). The primary pathophysiology of DM1 is thought to result from RNA transport and processing defects. The function of DMPK in development or any potential role in DM1 remains unknown. Here we report a novel role for DMPK in myogenesis. We have discovered a specific expression pattern of DMPK in mouse and chick embryonic development. DMPK is expressed in postmitotic cardiac and skeletal myocytes and developmental signaling centers. During cardiac myocyte maturation, DMPK migrates from perinuclear to cellular membrane localization. Manipulating DMPK levels in cultured cardiac and skeletal myocytes has revealed a key role for DMPK in myocyte differentiation. Overexpression of DMPK induces cell rounding and apoptosis in myocytes. In addition, DMPK is necessary for myogenin expression in differentiating C2C12 myoblasts. Developmental Dynamics 237:2353–2366, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Monocilia in the embryonic mouse heart suggest a direct role for cilia in cardiac morphogenesis
Authors: Slough Jennifer , Cooney Laura , Brueckner Martina
Published: August 2008

Primary cilia are required for signaling, chemosensing and mechanosensing in many fluid‐filled organs, thus cilia could also have a direct role in heart development. They are essential to the development of cardiac left–right (LR) asymmetry by means of their function at the embryonic organizer (node). We show that cilia are found in the mouse embryo heart at embryonic day (e) 9.5–e12.5. We demonstrate abnormal development of the endocardial cushions (ECCs) and compact myocardium (CM) in e9.5 mouse embryos with absent cilia. In contrast, hearts from embryos with abnormal LR development due to paralyzed, but structurally normal, node cilia show less severe ECC defects and normal CM. These observations suggest that a subset of cilia called cardiac cilia are required in cardiac development independently from their function in LR development. One possible function of cardiac cilia is as mechanosensors, integrating flow, cardiac function, and morphogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 237:2304–2314, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Muscle development is disrupted in zebrafish embryos deficient for fibronectin
Authors: Snow Chelsi J. , Peterson Matthew T. , Khalil Andre , Henry Clarissa A.
Published: August 2008

After somitogenesis, skeletal muscle precursors elongate into muscle fibers that anchor to the somite boundary, which becomes the myotome boundary. Fibronectin (Fn) is a major component of the extracellular matrix in both boundaries. Although Fn is required for somitogenesis, effects of Fn disruption on subsequent muscle development are unknown. We show that fn knockdown disrupts myogenesis. Muscle morphogenesis is more disrupted in fn morphants than in a mutant where initial somite boundaries did not form, aei/deltaD. We quantified this disruption using the two‐dimensional Wavelet‐Transform Modulus Maxima method, which uses the variation of intensity in an image with respect to the direction considered to characterize the structure in a cell lattice. We show that fibers in fn morphants are less organized than in aei/deltaD mutant embryos. Fast‐ and slow‐twitch muscle lengths are also more frequently uncoupled. These data suggest that fn may function to regulate fiber organization and limit fast‐twitch muscle fiber length. Developmental Dynamics 237:2542–2553, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Zebrafish mutants with disrupted early T‐cell and thymus development identified in early pressure screen
Authors: Trede Nikolaus S. , Ota Tatsuya , Kawasaki Hirohide , Paw Barry H. , Katz Tammisty , Demarest Bradley , Hutchinson Sarah , Zhou Yi , Hersey Candace , Zapata Agustin , Amemiya Chris T. , Zon Leonard I.
Published: August 2008

Generation of mature T lymphocytes requires an intact hematopoietic stem cell compartment and functional thymic epithelium. We used the zebrafish (Danio rerio) to isolate mutations that affect the earliest steps in T lymphopoiesis and thymic organogenesis. Here we describe the results of a genetic screen in which gynogenetic diploid offspring from heterozygous females were analyzed by whole‐mount in situ hybridization for the expression of rag‐1. To assess immediately if a global defect in hematopoiesis resulted in the mutant phenotype, α‐embryonic globin expression was simultaneously assayed for multilineage defects. In this report, we present the results obtained with this strategy and show representative mutant phenotypes affecting early steps in T‐cell development and/or thymic epithelial cell development. We discuss the advantage of this strategy and the general usefulness of the zebrafish as a model system for vertebrate lymphopoiesis and thymic organogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 237:2575–2584, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Global optimization with the PSO coupling‐type discrete gradient chaos model
Authors: Okamoto Takashi , Aiyoshi Eitaro
Published: August 2008

In this paper, we propose a new multiagent discrete gradient chaos model using a coupling structure which PSO has. Concretely, first, we introduce a multiagent‐type optimization model whose agents search autonomously with the discrete gradient chaos model which is the simplest dynamical global search model, and they are coupled by convective coupling. Convective coupling in this model is used to aim at overcoming of emergence of boundary crisis which is a problem of the original discrete gradient chaos model. Second, we introduce PSO coupling structure, where population drifts to the “gbest” and the “pbest”, into discrete gradient chaos model. Then, we propose “PSO coupling‐type discrete gradient chaos model” with the search strategy based on objective function's value. In this paper, our proposed models are applied to several benchmark problems. The results show that our proposed models have better global optimization ability than the original discrete gradient chaos model and PSO model. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 165(4): 67–75, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20563
Spatial metrics and methods for riverscapes: quantifying variability in riverine fish habitat patterns
Authors: Le Pichon Céline , Gorges Guillaume , Baudry Jacques , Goreaud François , Boët Philippe
Published: August 2008

Defining the optimal configuration of all habitats required during a life cycle, called vital habitat, is a necessary step for effective management of riverine fishes and restoration of river habitats. Landscape ecology provides many metrics and methods to study the composition and configuration of habitats, but they need to be adapted for fishes in river environments or riverscapes. For example, hydrographic distance seems more appropriate than Euclidean distance for measuring distances between vital habitats in riverscapes. We adapted some metrics to assess habitats patterns of a threatened cyprinid species (Barbus barbus) for natural and artificial riverscapes of the Seine river, France. Composition metrics provided essential quantification of the relative abundance of the vital habitats, whereas configuration metrics were relevant to quantify their spatial arrangement and spatial relationships. Nearest‐neighbor hydrographic distance was useful to evaluate the influence of flow variability in the natural riverscape, but was not relevant to discriminate the artificial riverscape from the natural one. Conversely, a proximity index revealed high fragmentation in the artificial riverscape. Spatial habitat relationships between feeding and resting habitats, evaluated with a moving window analysis, provided a map of daily activity patches and emphasized the gaps in the biological continuity of the riverscape. The spatial metrics and methods we adapted to the particularities of the Seine river allowed us to detect natural and artificial variability in fish habitat patterns. They should help in evaluating impacts of habitat alteration and isolation and prioritize preservation and restoration policies in human‐impacted rivers. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling the Effect of Inhomogeneous Compression of GDL on Local Transport Phenomena in a PEM Fuel Cell
Authors: Nitta I. , Karvonen S. , Himanen O. , Mikkola M.
Published: August 2008

The effects of inhomogeneous compression of gas diffusion layers (GDLs) on local transport phenomena within a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell were studied theoretically. The inhomogeneous compression induced by the rib/channel structure of the flow field plate causes partial deformation of the GDLs and significantly affects component parameters. The results suggest that inhomogeneous compression does not significantly affect the polarisation behaviour or gas–phase mass transport. However, the effect of inhomogeneous compression on the current density distribution is evident. Local current density under the channel was substantially smaller than that under the rib when inhomogeneous compression was taken into account, while the current density distribution was fairly uniform for the model which excluded the effect of inhomogeneous compression. This is caused by the changes in the selective current path, which is determined by the combination of conductivities of components and contact resistance between them. Despite the highly uneven current distribution and variation in material parametres as a function of GDL thickness, the temperature profile was relatively even over the active area for both the modelled cases, contrary to predictions in previous studies. However, an abnormally high current density significantly accelerates deterioration of the membrane and is critical in terms of cell durability. Therefore, fuel cells should be carefully designed to minimise the harmful effects of inhomogeneous compression.
Modelling of Reaction and Diffusion Processes in a High‐surface‐area Biofuel Cell Electrode Made of Redox Polymer‐grafted Carbon
Authors: Tamaki T. , Ito T. , Yamaguchi T.
Published: August 2008

A mathematical model considering reaction and diffusion processes in biofuel cells, such as enzyme reactions, apparent electron diffusion in the redox polymer, and diffusion of a substrate in a redox polymer film, verified the effectiveness of a high‐surface‐area biofuel cell electrode with a thin, grafted redox polymer layer. The model calculation shows that the rate‐limiting step of apparent electron diffusion can be overcome by using the electrode with a thin redox polymer, even when the redox polymer used has a low apparent electron diffusion coefficient. In the electrode, increase in the second‐order rate constant for the reaction between an enzyme and a mediator above a certain value does not increase the current density, and thus the mediator used in the electrode should have an adequate second‐order rate constant and a more negative redox potential. In addition, increase in the turnover rate of the enzyme and the surface coverage of the enzyme allows an increase in the current density; the surface coverage of the enzyme has the most influence. Based on these calculations, it is important to realise high‐surface‐area electrodes with a thin redox polymer, and with high enzyme loading.