bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thick-Film Carbon Dioxide Sensor via Anodic Adsorbate Stripping Technique and Its Structural Dependence
Authors: Photinon Kanokorn , Wang Shih-Han , Liu Chung-Chiun
Published: September 2009

A three-electrode based CO2 sensor was fabricated using thick-film technology. The performance of this sensor was further enhanced by incorporating platinum nanoparticles onto the working electrode surface. An eight-fold increase in the signal output was obtained from the electrode with the platinum nanoparticles. The sensing output was linearly related to the CO2 presented. Stability measurements demonstrated that the decline of the active surface area and the sensitivity of the sensor were 8% and 13%, respectively, over a two week period of time. The sensor response appeared to be a structural dependence of the crystallographic orientation of platinum electrode.
Soft tissue mixed tumor of the hand
Authors: Shimosawa Hiroshi , Susa Michiro , Honma Takayuki , Hiraishi Eiichi , Sakihara Hiroshi
Published: September 2009

Mixed tumors are relatively common in the skin and salivary glands, but extremely rare in soft tissues, often resulting in diagnostic problems. The occurrence of these tumors in the hand is especially limited. In this article we report the clinical, radiological, and histological features of a mixed tumor of the hypothenar region of the right hand.
Primary sarcoma of the liver and transplantation: a case study and literature review
Authors: Bismuth Benjamin , Castel Hélène , Boleslawski Emmanuel , Buob David , Lambert Marc , Declerck Nicole , Canva Valérie , Zafrani Eli-Serge , Mathurin Philippe , Pruvot François-René , Dharancy Sébastien
Published: September 2009

Primary sarcomas of the liver are rare tumors and their diagnosis is difficult to assess, particularly on percutaneous liver biopsy. Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is an infrequent indication for liver transplantation, and angiosarcoma (AS) is a widely recognized contraindication because of its poor prognosis. We report the case of a young woman who underwent liver transplantation (LT) for an infiltrative hepatic tumor with several features suggestive of EHE, although the analysis of the native liver revealed AS. Everolimus was used as the main immunosuppressive drug. More than two years after LT, her physical condition remained stable despite a local recurrence at 10 months. In this setting, the ranking of new immunosuppressive agents belonging to the family of the proliferation signal inhibitors will need to be precise, but their intrinsic properties suggest a potential use in treatments after LT for atypical malignancies.
Heat‐Activatable Primers for Hot‐Start PCR: Oligonucleotide Synthesis and Basic PCR Setup
Authors: Lebedev Alexandre
Published: September 2009

2′‐Deoxyribonucleoside‐3′‐O‐(4‐oxotetradec‐1‐yl) phosphoramidites (OXT phosphoramidites) are used to prepare modified oligodeoxyribonucleotide primers containing heat cleavable OXT phosphotriester protecting groups at 3′‐ultimate and penultimate internucleotide linkages. The OXT‐modified primers significantly improve performance of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) compared to standard DNA primers by substantially reducing or eliminating the accumulation of PCR artifacts such as dimerized primers and misprimed amplicons. Basic protocols for synthesis of OXT‐modified oligonucleotide primers and for performing hot‐start PCR are described. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 38:4.35.1‐4.35.17. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Nucleoside Modification with Boron Clusters and Their Metal Complexes
Authors: Wojtczak Blazej A. , Olejniczak Agnieszka B. , Lesnikowski Zbigniew J.
Published: September 2009

General methods for the synthesis of nucleosides modified with borane clusters and metallacarborane complexes are presented. These include: (1) the click chemistry approach based on Huisgen 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition and (2) tethering of the metallacarborane group to the aglycone of a nucleoside via a dioxane ring opening in oxonium metallacarborane derivatives. The proposed methodologies broaden the availability of nucleoside‐borane cluster conjugates and open up new areas for their applications. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 38:4.37.1‐4.37.26. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Basic Elements of Toxicology
Authors: Ballantyne Bryan , Marrs Timothy C. , Syversen Tore
Published: September 2009

Toxicology is a multidisciplinary science concerned with determining the potential of chemicals and certain physical agents, such as ionizing radiation, to produced adverse effects in living organisms. Adverse effects in the context of this definition are those that are detrimental to the normal functioning or survival of the organism. If such effects occur, it is necessary to know their nature, incidence, mechanism of production, factors influencing their development and reversibility. This overview chapter discusses the following major elements in the science of toxicology: historical aspects; definitions and scope; subdisciplines; routes of exposure; dosage‐response relationships; factors influencing toxicity; biohandling of xenobiotics; toxicity of mixtures; conduct and review of toxicology studies; hazard evaluation and risk assessment; professional and ethical issues.
Clinical Toxicology
Authors: Vale Alister , Bradberry Sally
Published: September 2009

Clinical toxicology is a discipline within toxicology which is concerned with the impact of drugs and other chemicals on humans. The role of the clinical toxicologist encompasses the traditional therapeutic role, that is the management of patients with acute and chronic poisoning. In addition, the clinical toxicologist will usually provide expert advice via a poisons information service and will be familiar with the occupational and environmental impact of a wide range of chemicals. Clinical toxicologists are also likely to be involved in the development of strategies for the management of major chemical disasters, the evaluation of antidotes used against chemical warfare agents and the assessment of the adverse effects of pesticides and other chemicals whether resulting from a single exposure or chronic low‐level exposure. This chapter describes the components that should make up a comprehensive clinical toxicology service. These include the provision of advice through a poisons information service, an in‐patient treatment service, an out‐patient clinical, occupational and environmental toxicology service, advice to Government, Regulatory and other international bodies, analytical support and the provision of an interpretive service for toxicological analyses, and opportunities for research and training in toxicology. The chapter also describes the presentation and complications of poisoning and details the general assessment and management of the poisoned patient. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the role of toxicovigilance.
Toxicology of Chemical Warfare Agents
Authors: Maynard Robert L. , Chilcott Robert P.
Published: September 2009

Irritant or toxic chemicals have been used in warfare since ancient times and a number of international laws have attempted to prevent the use of such weapons. However, chemical warfare agents remain to be a global threat and so it is important to maintain an understanding of their mechanism of action, their clinical effects and to identify effective treatment regimes. Chemical warfare agents have traditionally been classified according to their medical effect(s) or military application. Vesicant agents (for example, sulphur mustard and lewisite) are highly potent acute contact irritants and may cause severe skin damage following dermal exposure as well as extensive damage to other epithelial surfaces (such as the lungs and eyes). Vesicants are generally considered to be non‐lethal in that they cause debilitating (rather than fatal) injuries. Indeed, some chemicals are used specifically for their irritating (rather than lethal) effects. For example, the riot control agents CS and CR are potent lachrymators but generally lack any significant, systemic toxicity following respiratory or dermal exposure. In contrast, a number of chemicals have been specifically developed or used on account of their lethality and these include the nerve agents (such as sarin, tabun, soman and VX), lung damaging agents (phosgene and chlorine) and other systemic poisons such as cyanides. A large miscellany of other, more exotic chemicals exist and these include endogenous bioregulators as well as plant, animal, marine and fungal toxins.
Mycotoxins and Mycotoxicoses: Significance, Occurrence and Mitigation in the Food Chain
Authors: Bryden Wayne L.
Published: September 2009

Mycotoxins are secondary fungal metabolites, which when ingested cause disease syndromes called mycotoxicoses. Fungi are ubiquitous and formation of mycotoxins can occur in all agricultural and food commodities under appropriate field or storage conditions. In this increasingly complex area the salient features of fungal growth and mycotoxin production are described, with strategies to mitigate their accumulation in the food chain. As mycotoxins can be elaborated in food commodities, especially cereal grains prior to harvest, preventive measures begin with good agronomic practices, including cultivating to improve plant vigour, judicious use of insecticides to reduce insect damage, irrigation to avoid drought conditions, harvesting at maturity and, more recently, application of genomics to improve genetic resistance to fungal attack. Storage and food processing conditions can assist in reducing mycotoxin occurrence. Human populations in developing countries are more likely than people in developed economies to be exposed to mycotoxins in their food and strategies have been proposed for education and intervention to reduce the health and economic burden of these toxins.
Social learning, sexual and physical abuse, and adult crime
Authors: Felson Richard B. , Lane Kelsea Jo
Published: September 2009

This research examines the relationship between childhood physical and sexual abuse and the types of crimes committed by male adult offenders. We use the method of discriminant prediction to determine whether independent and dependent variables are related in ways that theories predict. Our analyses of data from the Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities suggest that offenders model specific behaviors to which they have been exposed. Male offenders who were sexually abused as a child are more likely to commit sexual offenses, particularly sexual offenses against children, than nonsexual offenses. Offenders who were physically abused are more likely to engage in violent offenses than nonviolent offenses. Further analyses show that sexual offenders, and to a lesser extent violent offenders, are likely to specialize in those offenses. Our results are consistent with a social learning approach. They address a heretofore neglected issue: what exactly do children model when they are mistreated. Aggr. Behav. 35:489–501, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
When a man hits a woman: moral evaluations and reporting violence to the police
Authors: Felson Richard B. , Feld Scott L.
Published: September 2009

We use experimental data from a nationally representative sample to examine whether gender and the victim's relationship to the offender affect attitudes about the seriousness of the offense and whether the offense should be reported to the police. We find that respondents are particularly likely to condemn men's assaults on women, and to favor reporting them. The pattern appears to reflect both greater moral condemnation of men's assaults on women and the belief that the victims of these assaults are in greater danger. In general, moral judgments and attitudes toward reporting do not depend on the gender, age, level of education, or political ideology of the respondent. Condemnation of men's violence against women, and support for police intervention when it occurs, are apparently widespread across different segments of the population. Aggr. Behav. 35:477–488, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Research and Prospects of Iron‐Based Superconductors
Authors: Ren Zhi‐An , Zhao Zhong‐Xian
Published: September 2009

The discovery of a new superconductor, LaFeAsO1−xFx with a superconducting critical temperatureT,c, of 26 K in 2008, has quickly renewed interest in the exploration of iron‐based superconductors. More than 70 new superconductors have been discovered within several months, with the highest Tc of up to 55 K being observed in the SmFeAsO1−x compound. High Tcs have previously only been observed in cuprates; these new iron‐based superconductors have been added as second members of the high‐Tc family. The crystal structure of these compounds contains an almost 2D Fe–As layer formed by FeAs4 tetrahedrons, which can be separated by an oxide or metal layer that provides extra electrons to the Fe–As layer, and the itinerant iron 3d electrons form an antiferromagnetic (AFM) order state in the undoped parent compounds at around 100–200 K. Superconductivity can be induced by carrier doping, which destroys the AFM ground state. In this Review, the most recent findings on and basic experimental facts about this class of high‐Tc materials will be presented, including the various superconducting structures, the synthesis methods, the physical properties of the parent compounds, the doping methods that could produce superconductivity, pressure effects, and the prospects for this new iron‐based high‐Tc family.
Silica‐Supported Zirconium Complexes and their Polyoligosilsesquioxane Analogues in the Transesterification of Acrylates: Part 1. Synthesis and Characterization
Authors: Salinier Valérie , Corker J. M. , Lefebvre Frédéric , Bayard François , Dufaud Véronique , Basset Jean‐Marie
Published: September 2009

Various silica‐supported acetylacetonate and alkoxy zirconium(IV) complexes have been prepared and characterized by quantitative chemical measurements of the surface reaction products, quantitative surface microanalysis of the surface complexes, in situ infrared spectroscopy, CP‐MAS 13C NMR spectroscopy and EXAFS. The complex (SiO)Zr(acac)3 (acac=acetylacetonate ligand) (1) can be obtained by reaction of zirconium tetraacetylacetonate [Zr(acac)4] with a silica surface previously dehydroxylated at 500 °C. The complexes (SiO)3Zr(acac) (2) and (SiO)3Zr(O‐n‐Bu) (n‐Bu=butyl ligand) (3) can be synthesized by reaction of (SiO)3ZrH with, respectively, acetylacetone and n‐butanol at room temperature. The spectroscopic data, including EXAFS spectroscopy, confirm that in compound 1 the zirconium is linked to the surface by only one SiOZr bond whereas in the case of compounds 2 and 3 the zirconium is linked to 3 surface oxygen atoms which are sigma bonded. EXAFS data indicate also that the acetylacetonate ligands behave as chelating ligands leading to a hepta‐coordination around the zirconium atom in 1 and a penta‐coordination in 2. In order to provide a molecular analogue of 1, the synthesis of the following polyoligosilsesquioxane derivative (c‐C5H9)7Si8O12(CH3)2Zr(acac)3 (1′) was achieved. The compound 1′ is obtained by reacting (c‐C5H9)7Si8O11(CH3)2(OH), 4, with an equimolecular amount of Zr(acac)4. In the same manner, syntheses of complexes (c‐C5H9)7Si7O12Zr(acac) (2′) and of (c‐C5H9)7Si7O12Zr(O‐n‐Bu) (3′) were achieved by reaction of the unmodified trisilanol, (c‐C5H9)7Si7O9(OH)3, with respectively Zr(acac)4 and Zr(O‐n‐Bu)4 at 60 °C in tetrahydrofuran. Compounds 1′, 2′ and 3′ can be considered as good models of 1, 2 and 3 since their spectroscopic properties are comparable with those of the surface complexes. The synthetic results obtained will permit us to study the catalytic properties of these surface complexes and of their molecular analogues with the ultimate goal of delineating clear structure‐activity relationships.
Development of Molecular Sieves‐Supported Palladium Catalyst and Chemoselective Hydrogenation of Unsaturated Bonds in the Presence of Nitro Groups
Authors: Maegawa Tomohiro , Takahashi Tohru , Yoshimura Masatoshi , Suzuka Hiroyasu , Monguchi Yasunari , Sajiki Hironao
Published: September 2009

The chemoselective hydrogenation of unsaturated bonds and azide functionalities is achieved in the presence of nitro groups by a heterogeneous palladium catalyst supported on molecular sieves (MS3A). The present method shows a wide‐range of applicability with regard to substrates and the catalyst can be easily prepared and reused at least three times without any loss of activity.
Doubly Stereocontrolled Asymmetric Aza‐Henry Reaction with in situ Generation of N‐Boc‐Imines Catalyzed by Novel Rosin‐Derived Amine Thiourea Catalysts
Authors: Jiang Xianxing , Zhang Yifu , Wu Lipeng , Zhang Gen , Liu Xing , Zhang Hailong , Fu Dan , Wang Rui
Published: September 2009

The doubly stereocontrolled organocatalytic aza‐Henry reaction of nitroalkanes to N‐Boc‐imines generated in situ from a variety of substituted α‐amido sulfones was investigated for the first time, in general, affording the corresponding products with high to excellent yields (up to 93% yield) and enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee), and satisfactory diastereoselectivies (anti/syn up to 98:2). Furthermore, these organocatalysts based on rosin have been proved to be the very effective promoters for this catalytic asymmetric process along side the Cinchona alkaloid‐derived catalysts.
The ischial callosities of Sulawesi macaques
Authors: Juliandi Berry , Suryobroto Bambang , Perwitasari‐Farajallah Dyah
Published: September 2009

Sulawesi island has a high level of endemism, including the seven species of monkey from the genus Macaca (macaques). These monkeys have a pair of sitting pads, termed ischial callosities that have diverse shapes and previously were described verbally only. Although useful, these verbal descriptions cannot fully describe shape variation and are somewhat subjective, and cannot directly be used to analyze relationships among species. Here, we report a quantitative analysis of shape of Sulawesi macaque ischial callosities using geometric morphometric tools to optimally describe shape variation and objectively reconstruct general pattern of callosity shapes. By quantification of shape variation, we compare the relationships of each Sulawesi macaque species with each other and with the two geographically neighboring macaque species, M. nemestrina and M. fascicularis, by consensus coordinates of the callosity outlines. The Sulawesi macaques have a wider degree of variation compared with M. fascicularis and M. nemestrina; variation exists in the dorsal part and in the bending of the callosity. There are three general types of callosity shape in Sulawesi macaques: oval without bending (M. tonkeana and M. maurus), oval with outward bending (M. ochreata and M. brunnescens), and oval or reniform with inward bending (M. hecki, M. nigrescens, and M. nigra). These types are congruent with their geographical distribution. The pathway of shape change may have started from oval without bending in the center and the southern peninsula, to outward bending in the southeastern species, and to oval or reniform with inward bending in the northern species. Am. J. Primatol. 71:1021–1031, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Membrane bioreactors for regenerative medicine: an example of the bioartificial liver
Authors: Morelli Sabrina , Salerno Simona , Piscioneri Antonella , Campana Carla , Drioli Enrico , Bartolo Loredana De
Published: September 2009

Liver transplantation is the only established treatment for liver failure. Because of the organ scarsity, liver support strategies are being developed with the aim of either supporting patients with the borderline functional liver cell mass until the organ transplantation or liver regeneration. A bioartificial liver (BAL) consisting of functional liver cells supported by an artificial cell culture material could provide a vital temporary support to patients with liver failure, and could serve as a bridge to transplantation while awaiting a suitable donor. In this paper, we discuss the critical issues for the development of BAL such as bioreactor configuration, mass transfer, cell source and culture technique. The characteristics of membrane BAL systems in clinical, preclinical and in vitro tests are reviewed. Membrane bioreactors used for the generation of in vitro physiological model systems for studying biological mechanisms and testing the efficacy of potential therapies are also discussed. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Remarks on studies for direct production of phenol in conventional and membrane reactors
Authors: Molinari Raffaele , Poerio Teresa
Published: September 2009

The great interest in the oxidation reaction of benzene to phenol is linked to some disadvantages of the cumene process, such as environmental impact, production of an explosive intermediate, a multi‐step process (which involves (1) difficulty to achieve high phenol yield, in relation to the benzene used and (2) high capital investment), and a high acetone production as a co‐product which results in an over supply in the market.

In this paper, we discuss various studies concerning a new approach based on a one‐step and acetone‐free method for phenol production. Particular attention is devoted to phenol production processes using various configurations of membrane reactors (MRs) and a photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR). In particular, the biphasic MR allowed to achieving high selectivity values (97–98%).

The described studies have been classified according to oxidant type such as N2O, O2, and H2O2. Each of them shows that direct oxidation of benzene to phenol is a difficult task and further efforts are needed to search and replace the three step traditional process of converting benzene into phenol with a process of direct oxidation. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A simplified method for limit conversion calculation in membrane reactors
Authors: Gallucci Fausto , De Falco Marcello , Basile Angelo
Published: September 2009

Membrane reactors (MRs) are often used to carry out equilibrium limited reactions. This is because the thermodynamic equilibrium is a strong constrain for traditional systems. Even with very active catalysts, traditional reactors (TRs) cannot give conversions higher than those allowed by the thermodynamic equilibrium. On the contrary, MRs are able to shift the equilibrium of a traditional system owing to the removal of at least one reaction product that takes place simultaneously to the reaction. In this work, a simplified method for the calculation of limit conversion in MR is discussed and compared with literature methods. The typical method for calculating equilibrium conversions in TR is also discussed. It has been demonstrated that the simplified method applied to two reaction systems gives fast predictions of the limit conversion for MR. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Syntheses of esters through poly(styrene sulfonic acid)/poly(vinyl alcohol) membrane reactor
Authors: Uragami Tadashi , Nishikawa Masanaga
Published: September 2009

Cation exchange membranes prepared from poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PSA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were cross‐linked by both glyoxal and gultaraledehyde and cross‐linked membranes furthermore were annealed. The ion exchange capacity of the resulting PSA/PVA membranes increased, and the water content and degree of swelling of PSA/PVA membrane decreased with increasing annealing time. The syntheses of esters from alcohol and acetic acid through various PSA/PVA membranes have been carried out in a diaphragm type cell consisting of two detachable parts in which the membrane was set in the middle of the two parts of cell. When an aqueous solution of alcohol and acetic acid on one part of cell and p‐chloro benzene (Cl‐Bz) on another part were set, esters formed by the catalytic action of PSA/PVA membrane increased on the Cl‐Bz phase with time. These results support that the PSA/PVA membrane could perform both the reaction and separation. The formation of esters in this membrane reactor was a secondary reaction as well as general the esterification between alcohols and acids. The catalytic action in the esterification of the PSA/PVA membranes prepared by changing the ratio of PSA/PVA and the amount of casting solution was also investigated. The rate of esterification reaction was significantly dependent on the number of sulfonic acid group in the effective membrane volume. The rate of reaction per mEq SO3H increased with an increase of the degree of swelling of the membrane and decreasing membrane thickness. In the esterifications of methanol, ethanol and n‐propanol with acetic acid, the reactivity through the PSA/PVA membrane was higher than that with HCl as catalyst. In that of n‐butanol with acetic acid, however, it was vice versa. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemical cleaning of reverse osmosis membrane fouled by sugar solution
Authors: Madaeni S. S. , Sasanihoma A. , Zereshki S.
Published: September 2009

Membrane fouling is a complex phenomenon and typically results from several reasons. Chemical cleaning is a strategy for regeneration of the fouled membranes. In this work, BW30 reverse osmosis membranes were fouled with sugar solution. The effect of different cleaning agents on the revival of the fouled membrane was studied. The role of chemical and physical interactions on chemical cleaning of organic‐fouled RO membranes using a wide variety of cleaning agents including acids (HCl and HNO3), bases (NH3 and NaOH), complexing agents [ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA)], surfactants [cetyle three methyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)], and water have been systematically investigated. Resistance removal (RR) and flux recovery (FR) were used for demonstration of the cleaning efficiency. Membrane fouling is customarily indicated and measured by permeate decline at constant operating conditions. It has been shown that the cleaning efficiency changes with increasing the concentration of the cleaning agent. NH3 was the best cleaning agent for removing sucrose from membrane surface. EDTA and SDS were quite effective in reacting with organic foulants in the fouling layer. Moreover, pure water was used as cleaning agent with acceptable results. Water is safe, cheap, and broadly available in most plants and could be considered as a good recommendation. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of recycled fiber addition on high‐density fiberboard for laminated flooring bonded with phenol‐formaldehyde resin adhesive
Authors: Oh Yong‐Sung
Published: September 2009

The effects of old corrugated cardboard (OCC) fiber addition on high‐density fiberboard (HDF) were investigated in this study. A phenol‐formaldehyde (PF) resin was synthesized in the laboratory with resin solids at 50% content as an HDF binder. The physical characteristics and molecular weight of the PF resin are described herein. The laboratory HDFs were made using the OCC fiber based on 0, 20, 40, and 60% oven‐dry weight addition with the laboratory‐synthesized PF resin. The HDFs were tested for physical strength and dimensional stability properties according to the procedure of ASTM D 1037‐99. Evaluation of the HDFs manufactured using the PF resin showed that the internal bond and bending strength properties were decreased gradually with increasing OCC fiber content. Overall, the OCC fiber can be used at a content of 40% in the substitution of raw materials for HDF manufacture. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Investigation of water vapor permeability and antimicrobial property of zinc oxide nanoparticles‐loaded chitosan‐based edible film
Authors: Bajpai S. K. , Chand Navin , Chaurasia Varsha
Published: September 2009

This study is focused on the investigation of moisture uptake properties of chitosan films. The GAB isotherm model is found to fit well to the experimental moisture uptake data obtained at 10, 25, and 37°C. The water vapor permeability is found to increase with temperature. The use of plasticizer enhances the water vapor permeability. Finally, the films have been loaded with ZnO nanoparticles and characterized by X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, surface plasma resonance, and scanning electron microscopic analyses. The crystal size as determined using Scherrer's equation is found to be around 15 nm. The films have shown excellent antibacterial action against the model bacteriumEscherichia coli. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Recent progress in the preparation, characterization, and applications of nanofibers and nanofiber membranes via electrospinning/interfacial polymerization
Authors: Feng C. , Khulbe K. C. , Matsuura T.
Published: September 2009

Significant progress has been made recently in the fabrication of polymeric nanofibers, their characterization and applications, new polymeric materials, theoretical analysis, and so forth. Hence, in this brief review, we report the progress made in these subjects during the last 5 years. Most of the work concerns nanofibers related to the field of medicine. On the other hand, negligibly few reports have been found on nanofibers related to membrane separation processes. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Preparation and electrical characterization of poly(vinyl amine) hydrogels, crosslinked with Cu(II) ions, and evaluation of their potentiality as water sensor material
Authors: Mendoza‐Payan Jesus G. , Flores‐Gallardo Sergio , Marquez‐Lucero Alfredo
Published: September 2009

A method to prepare water sensitive composites employing crosslinked poly(vinyl amine) (PVAm) and Cu(II) ions as reticulation agent is disclosed in this work. This article presents in detail, the reticulation reaction and its pH dependence, as well as its electrical, rheological, and thermal properties of the PVAm‐Cu(II) composites obtained. The complex bonds formed between the Cu(II) ions and the amine groups of PVAm produce an interesting network of crosslinked structures that generate a microporous morphology when the material is extruded. This characteristic favors fast absorption of water when it is wetted, and a concomitant decrease in its apparent resistivity in a very short period of time. Furthermore, they present an excellent thermal stability and suitable processability. These characteristics make them interesting candidates to design ultra fast water sensors. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Degradation of biomedical polydimethylsiloxanes during exposure to in vivo biofilm environment monitored by FE‐SEM, ATR‐FTIR, and MALDI‐TOF MS
Authors: Kaali Peter , Momcilovic Dane , Markström Agneta , Aune Ragnhild , Czel Gyorgy , Karlsson Sigbritt
Published: September 2009

Polymers used for biomedical purposes in medical devices are usually requested to be inert to degradation. This article describes that slow irreversible changes were observed in silicone surfaces exposed to in vivo biofilms even if silicone, in general, is supposed to have excellent long‐term properties. Tracheostomy tubes made of silicone rubber were exposed to in vivo biofilm environments in clinical tests for periods of 1, 3, and 6 months. The chemical degradation was monitored by MALDI‐TOF MS, ATR‐FTIR, and FE‐SEM. In addition, the physical changes were monitored by contact angle and hardness measurements. Cyclic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was detected on the surfaces of new (unaged) silicones. On the surfaces of the in vivo samples new compounds, presumably linear methyl‐hydroxyl‐terminated PDMS, were detected in addition to cyclic PDMS. These compounds may be formed as a result of the hydrolysis of linear dimethyl terminated PDMS, which is also present in the silicone rubber. ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy confirmed that hydrolysis had indeed occurred during the in vivo exposure, since SiOH groups were detected. Furthermore, significant changes in the topography were detected by FE‐SEM, indicating the initiation of degradation. No significant changes in the contact angle of the in vivo used samples were observed, but this information may be shielded by the fact that biofilm may remain on the surface, despite the thorough cleaning before the analysis. It is also possible that the surface hydrophobicity was recovered by the diffusion of linear low‐molecular‐weight compounds from the bulk. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Formulation and release of doxycycline HCL from an ion activated in situ gelling delivery system for the treatment of periodontal disease
Authors: Obaidat Aiman A. , Altamimi Riham M. , Hammad Mohammad M.
Published: September 2009

This study reports on the formulation of doxycycline HCL in an ion activated in situ gelling delivery system and its implications for the treatment of periodontal disease. The system is based on the use of alginate as the gelling agent and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as a viscosity enhancing agent. The ion activated gelling mechanism in this system is based on the concept of interaction with the divalent calcium ions present in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). The gelling capacity of the prepared formulations was assessed visually and by investigating their rheological behavior upon mixing with human blood serum since it has the same composition as the GCF. The rheological behavior of all formulations was not affected by incorporation of the drug. In vitro release studies showed that the alginate/HPMC mixture, upon gelling after mixing with serum, can sustain the release of doxycycline HCL for an extended period of time which was more than 12 days. These results indicated that this system can be used as an in situ gelling local delivery system for the treatment of periodontal disease. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
High dose methotrexate population pharmacokinetics and Bayesian estimation in patients with lymphoid malignancy
Authors: Min Ye , Qiang Fu , Peng Li , Zhu Zhu
Published: September 2009

The purpose of present study was to develop a population pharmacokinetic model of high dose methotrexate (HD‐MTX) infusion in patients with lymphoid malignancy, to investigate the biological and clinical covariates related to the drug distribution and elimination. It is also the purpose to propose a limited sampling strategy (LSS) for the estimation of the time above the threshold (0.2 µmol·L−1). A total 82 patients with lymphoid malignancy were involved in the study. A pharmacokinetic model was developed using nonlinear mixed‐effect model. The influence of demographic characteristics, biological factors, and concurrent administration were investigated. The final predictive performance was validated by bootstrap and cross‐validation. Bayesian estimation was evaluated. The pharmacokinetics of HD‐MTX was described by a two‐compartment model. The pharmacokinetic parameters and the inter‐individual variability were as follows: the clearance CL, 7.45 L·h−1 (inter‐individual variability 50.6%), the volume of the central and peripheral compartment V1, 25.9 L (22.5%), V2, 9.23 L (97.8%), respectively, and the intercompartmental clearance Q, 0.333 L·h−1 (70.4%). The influence of serum creatinine on CL and weight on V1 was retained in the final model. The protocol involved one sampling time at 44 h after the start of the infusion, allowing one to predict the time at which the MTX concentration reached the expected threshold (0.2 µmol·L−1). Serum creatinine and weight showed significant influence on methotrexate CL and V1, respectively. Furthermore, a Bayesian estimation based on the covariates and 44 h sample was developed, allowing prediction of the individual methotrexate pharmacokinetic parameters and the time to 0.2 µmol·L−1. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensitive determination of gentiopicroside in medicine and bio‐fluids using luminol‐myoglobin chemiluminescence combined with flow injection technique
Authors: He Xili , Xie Xiaofeng , Shao Xiaodong , Song Zhenghua
Published: September 2009

A novel chemiluminescence method for the determination of gentiopicroside is presented, which was based on the inhibitory effect of gentiopicroside on the chemiluminescence reaction between luminol and myoglobin in a flow‐injection system. The decrement of chemiluminescence intensity was linear with the logarithm of gentiopicroside concentration over the range from 10.0 pg mL−1 to 500.0 ng mL−1 (r2 = 0.9992), with a detection limit of 3.0 pg mL−1 (3σ). At a flow rate of 2.0 mL min−1, a complete analytical process could be performed within 0.5 min, including sampling and washing, with a relative standard deviation of less than 3.0% (n = 5). The proposed procedure was applied successfully in the determination of gentiopicroside in pharmaceutical preparations, human urine and serum without any pretreatment procedure. The possible mechanism of the reaction was also discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Luminescence studies on Ba2ZnSi2O7 : Eu2+ phosphors crystals
Authors: Yao Shan‐shan , Li Yuan‐yuan , Xue Li‐hong , Yan You‐wei , You Yan
Published: September 2009

A novel blue green‐emitting phosphor Ba2ZnSi2O7 : Eu2+ was prepared by combustion synthesis method and an efficient bluish green emission under from ultraviolet to visible light was observed. The emission spectrum shows a single intensive band centered at 503 nm, which corresponds to the 4f65d1 → 4f7 transition of Eu2+. The excitation spectrum is a broad band extending from 260 to 465 nm, which matches the emission of ultraviolet light‐emitting diodes (UV‐LEDs). The effect of doped Eu2+ concentration on the emission intensity of Ba2ZnSi2O7 : Eu2+ was also investigated. The result indicates that Ba2ZnSi2O7 : Eu2+ can be potentially useful as a UV radiation‐converting phosphor for white light‐emitting diodes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Characterisation of a New Series of Bistable Iron(II) Spin‐Crossover 2D Metal–Organic Frameworks
Authors: Martínez Víctor , Gaspar Ana Belén , Muñoz M. Carmen , Bukin Gennadiy V. , Levchenko Georgii , Real José Antonio
Published: September 2009

Twelve coordination polymers with formula {Fe(3‐Xpy)2[MII(CN)4]} (MII: Ni, Pd, Pt; X: F, Cl, Br, I; py: pyridine) have been synthesised, and their crystal structures have been determined by single‐crystal or powder X‐ray analysis. All of the fluoro and iodo compounds, as well as the chloro derivative in which MII is Pt, crystallise in the monoclinic C2/m space group, whereas the rest of the chloro and all of the bromo derivatives crystallise in the orthorhombic Pnc2 space group. In all cases, the iron(II) atom resides in a pseudo‐octahedral [FeN6] coordination core, with similar bond lengths and angles in the various derivatives. The major difference between the two kinds of structure arises from the stacking of consecutive two‐dimensional {Fe(3‐Xpy)2[MII(CN)4]}∞ layers, which allows different dispositions of the X atoms. The fluoro and chloro derivatives undergo cooperative spin crossover (SCO) with significant hysteretic behaviour, whereas the rest are paramagnetic. The thermal hysteresis, if X is F, shifts toward room temperature without changing the cooperativity as the pressure increases in the interval 105 Pa–0.5 GPa. At ambient pressure, the SCO phenomenon has been structurally characterised at different significant temperatures, and the corresponding thermodynamic parameters were obtained from DSC calorimetric measurements. Compound {Fe(3‐Clpy)2[Pd(CN)4]} represents a new example of a “re‐entrant” two‐step spin transition by showing the Pnma space group in the intermediate phase (IP) and the Pnc2 space group in the low‐spin (LS) and high‐spin (HS) phases.
Centriole symmetry: A big tale from small organisms
Authors: Riparbelli Maria Giovanna , Dallai Romano , Mercati David , Bu Yun , Callaini G.
Published: September 2009

Centrioles are microtubule‐based cylindrical organelles with a 9‐fold symmetry. They are essential for axoneme formation in cilia and flagella and for centrosome organization. In the basal hexapods Acerentomon microrhinus, we discovered unusually large centrioles composed of 14 doublet microtubules that serve as templates for cilia and flagella and organize mitotic and meiotic spindles. These observations challenge the long‐standing view that centriole symmetry is highly conserved among eukaryotes. Strikingly, daughter centrioles contain a transient cartwheel that is lost after maturation. The length of radial spokes is like that found in 9‐fold cartwheels, whereas the diameter of the hub varies according to the dimensions of the centriole cylinder. This suggests that the hub may dictate the master plan for centriole geometry. Finally, the finding that 14‐doublet centrioles arise from 9‐doublet mothers points to an alternative model for centriole assembly. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Complex version of high performance computing LINPACK benchmark (HPL)
Authors: Barrett R. F. , Chan T. H. F. , D'Azevedo E. F. , Jaeger E. F. , Wong K. , Wong R. Y.
Published: September 2009

This paper describes our effort to enhance the performance of the AORSA fusion energy simulation program through the use of high‐performance LINPACK (HPL) benchmark, commonly used in ranking the top 500 supercomputers. The algorithm used by HPL, enhanced by a set of tuning options, is more effective than that found in the ScaLAPACK library. Retrofitting these algorithms, such as look‐ahead processing of pivot elements, into ScaLAPACK is considered as a major undertaking. Moreover, HPL is configured as a benchmark, but only for real‐valued coefficients. We therefore developed software to convert HPL for use within an application program that generates complex coefficient linear systems. Although HPL is not normally perceived as a part of an application, our results show that the modified HPL software brings a significant increase in the performance of the solver when simulating the highest resolution experiments thus far configured, achieving 87.5 TFLOPS on over 20 000 processors on the Cray XT4. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Automated organelle‐based colocalization in whole‐cell imaging
Authors: Woodcroft Ben J. , Hammond Luke , Stow Jennifer L. , Hamilton Nicholas A.
Published: September 2009

The use of fluorescence microscopy to investigate protein colocalization is an invaluable tool for understanding subcellular structures and their associated proteins. However, current techniques are largely limited to two‐dimensional (2D) imaging and often require manual segmentation. Here, we present OBCOL, a methodology to automatically segment and quantify protein colocalization not within an image as a whole but on all individual punctuate organelles within a 3D multichannel image. A wide variety of colocalization statistics may then be calculated on the objects found, and features reported for each such as position, degree of overlap between channels, and number of component objects. OBCOL was validated on imaging of two fluorescent markers (Dextran, EGF) in 3D microscopy imaging. OBCOL's application was then exemplified by investigating the colocalization of three fluorescently tagged proteins (VAMP3, Rab11, and transferrin) on recycling endosomes in mammalian cells. The methodology showed for the first time the diversity of endosomes labeled with one or more of these proteins and quantitatively demonstrated the degree of overlap among these proteins in individual recycling endosomes. The consistent segregation of these markers provides novel evidence for the subcompartmentalization of recycling endosomes. OBCOL is a flexible methodology for 3D multifluorophore image analysis. This study clearly demonstrated its value for investigating subcellular structures and their constituent proteins. © 2009 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Tm3+‐Doped Y2O3 Nanocrystals: Rapid Hydrothermal Synthesis and Luminescence
Authors: Devaraju Murukanahally Kempaiah , Yin Shu , Sato Tsugio
Published: September 2009

Tm3+‐doped Y2O3 nanocrystals were prepared via hydrothermal conditions at high autogenous pressure (ca. 40 MPa) using batch reactors at 220 and 250 °C for very short periods of reaction time (10 min). The as‐prepared materials were identified as Y(OH)3 nanoparticles. The precursor materials with two types of morphologies, such as sphere and rod‐shaped particles were prepared at 220 and 250 °C within 10 min. The sizes of the as‐prepared sphere particles are 10–15 nm in diameter, whereas the rod‐shaped particles show 15–20 nm in diameter and 0.1–0.2 μm in lengths. The precursor materials were calcined at 500 and 800 °C for 5 h in air to obtain (3 mol‐%) Tm3+‐doped Y2O3 nanocrystals. For the characterization, XRD, FESEM, EDS and TG‐DTA were employed. The photoluminescence spectra of sphere and rod‐shaped particles show higher blue emission at 450 nm than the reference sample. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Molecular and Crystal Structures of Cp*M(S2N2) (M = Co, Rh, Ir) and Related Compounds
Authors: Matuska Vit , Tersago Karla , Kilian Petr , Van Alsenoy Christian , Blockhuys Frank , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Woollins J. Derek
Published: September 2009

Cp*Rh(S2N2) was prepared as a microcrystalline solid by using [S4N3]Cl in liquid ammonia or [nBu2Sn(S2N2)]2. It was characterised by NMR, IR and Raman spectroscopy andmass spectrometry. Low‐temperature crystal structures of Cp*Co(S2N2) and Cp*Ir(S2N2) were determined. The experimental characterisation of the Cp*M(S2N2) complexes was complemented by calculated geometries and bond orders at the DFT/B1B95 level of theory. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
16‐Electron (Arene)ruthenium Complexes with Superbasic Bis(imidazolin‐2‐imine) Ligands and Their Use in Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation
Authors: Glöge Thomas , Petrovic Dejan , Hrib Cristian , Jones Peter G. , Tamm Matthias
Published: September 2009

The ligands N,N′‐bis(1,3,4,5‐tetramethylimidazolin‐2‐ylidene)‐1,2‐ethanediamine (BLMe) and N,N′‐bis(1,3‐diisopropyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazolin‐2‐ylidene)‐1,2‐ethanediamine(BLiPr) react with [(η5‐C5Me5)RuCl]4 to afford cationic 16‐electron half‐sandwich complexes [(η5‐C5Me5)Ru(BLR)]+ (R = Me, 3; R = iPr, 4), which resist coordination of the chloride counterion because of the strong electron‐donating ability of the diimine ligands. Upon reaction with [(η6‐C6H6)RuCl2]2 or [(η6‐C10H14)RuCl2]2, these ligands stabilize dicationic 16‐electron benzene and cymene complexes of the type [(η6‐C6H6)Ru(BLR)]2+ (R = Me, 5; R = iPr, 6) and [(η6‐C10H14)Ru(BLR)]2+ (R = Me, 7; R = iPr, 8). The X‐ray crystal structure of [5]Cl2 reveals the absence of any direct Ru–Cl interaction, whereas a long Ru–Cl bond, supported by two CH···Cl hydrogen bonds, is observed for [(6)Cl]Cl in the solid state. Treatment of the dichlorides of 6 and 8 with NaBF4 affords [6](BF4)2 and [8](BF4)2, which are composed of individual dications and tetrafluoroborate ions with no direct Ru–F interaction. All complexes catalyze the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone in boiling 2‐propanol. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Polyurethane Membranes Used in Integrated Electronic Tongue for the Recognition of Tea and Herbal Products
Authors: Ciosek Patrycja , Kraszewska Zofia , Wròblenski Wojciech
Published: September 2009

Polyurethane membranes as polymeric materials doped with various electroactive components are applied to the fabrication of miniaturized electrodes on solid‐state support. The responses of the prepared integrated sensor array are analyzed with the use of principal components analysis and principal components regression, in order to perform the recognition of various types of beverages (black tea/red tea/green tea/herbals) and the discrimination among various kinds of them (brand of a product).