bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Domains of quality of life and symptoms in male veterans treated for posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: Lunney Carole A. , Schnurr Paula P.
Published: December 2007

This study examined the relationship between domains of quality of life and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in 319 male veterans in a randomized trial of group psychotherapy. Confirmatory factor analyses suggested a 4‐factor model of quality of life (achievement, self‐expression, relationships, and surroundings) fit better than a unidimensional model. Clinically meaningful symptom change was associated with greater change in all quality of life domains. At pretreatment, numbing symptoms uniquely predicted all quality of life domains. Change in avoidance and hyperarousal uniquely predicted change in achievement. Change in reexperiencing uniquely predicted change in self‐expression. Change in numbing uniquely predicted change in relationships. Examining change in PTSD symptoms and quality of life domains may provide important information for treatment planning and evaluation.
Contrasting approaches to psychological screening with U.S. combat soldiers
Authors: Wright Kathleen M. , Bliese Paul D. , Thomas Jeffrey L. , Adler Amy B. , Eckford Rachel D. , Hoge Charles W.
Published: December 2007

Psychological screening can be conducted using global screens, single items, symptom‐based scales, or composite measures. These four different approaches were evaluated against structured clinical interviews in studies with U.S. soldiers preparing to deploy and returning from combat operations in Iraq. Three samples (N = 337, N = 574, and N = 348) were screened to assess the effectiveness of a short global measure of distress, a single self‐referral item, symptom‐specific scales selected for the target population, and a composite instrument that included a combination of clinical domains. A composite screen with measures of posttraumatic stress, depression, and alcohol problems, along with a single self‐referral item, performed most effectively.
The relationship between acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder in injured children
Authors: Bryant Richard A. , Salmon Karen , Sinclair Emma , Davidson Patricia
Published: December 2007

This study indexed the relationship between acute stress disorder (ASD) and subsequent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in injured children. Consecutive children between 7–13 years admitted to a hospital after traumatic injury (n = 76) were assessed for ASD. Children were followed up 6‐months posttrauma (n = 62), and administered the PTSD Reaction Index. Acute stress disorder was diagnosed in 10% of patients, and 13% satisfied criteria for PTSD. At 6‐months posttrauma, PTSD was diagnosed in 25% of patients who were diagnosed with ASD. Acute stress reactions that did not include dissociation provided better prediction of PTSD than full ASD criteria. These findings suggest that the current ASD diagnosis is not optimal in identifying younger children who are high risk for PTSD development.
Ad framing effects for consumption products: An affect priming process
Authors: Chang Chingching
Published: December 2007

This research examines why positively framed messages work more effectively than negatively framed messages in product advertising by establishing an affect priming process model. Findings from Experiment 1 showed that positively framed ad messages evoked higher levels of positive affect and lower levels of negative affect than did negatively framed ad messages. Accordingly, positively framed ad messages generated more favorable ratings on ad believability, ad liking, and brand attitudes. Most importantly, this research demonstrated the process by which frame‐evoked affect exerted influence on brand attitudes via its impacts on priming affect‐congruent cognitive responses. Experiment 1 also found that positively framed ads encouraged participants to be attentive to and elaborate on messages more so than negatively framed ads. Findings from Experiment 2 further showed that ad framing effects were moderated by the type of product attributes being featured. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Decision delegation: A conceptualization and empirical investigation
Authors: Aggarwal Praveen , Mazumdar Tridib
Published: December 2007

This paper examines a purchase context in which consumers, instead of deciding on their own, delegate either a part of or the entire purchase decision to a surrogate. A path model linking the antecedent variables and delegation is tested in the context of personal computer purchases. It was found that the factors that ensure decision quality emanating from the surrogate's expertise differentials, trustworthiness, accountability, and willingness to customize increase the likelihood of decision delegation. In addition to its direct positive effect on delegation, trustworthiness mediates the effect of expertise difference, surrogate accountability, and customization on delegation. Perceived loss of control inhibits delegation, but only at the stage when the final choice decision is made. Also, if a decision task is repeatable, the high return on effort has a negative effect on delegation, but only at attribute set and choice set delegations. Contributions of the study and directions for future research are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of normal mice after microinjection of round spermatids into oocytes stored at room temperature for one day
Authors: Lei Zi‐Li , Huang Jun‐Cheng , Shi Li‐Hong , Miao Yi‐Liang , Nan Chang‐Long , OuYang Ying‐Chun , Sun Qing‐Yuan , Chen Da‐Yuan
Published: December 2007

Early studies have shown that some mouse cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) stored at room temperature for 24 hr still retained full developmental potential. In this study, we stored mouse COCs and denuded oocytes (DOs) at room temperature for 24 hr and activated these oocytes with 10 mM SrCl2 or injected the oocytes with round spermatids. We found that DOs were better than COCs when stored at room temperature for 1 day and more normal oocytes were obtained when COCs were stored in more H‐CZB medium at room temperature for 1 day. The rates of normal oocytes were significantly different after preservation with three schemes (90.01%, 55.81%, and 86.70%, P < 0.05). Our results also indicated that oocytes stored at room temperature for 1 day were fertilized normally (extrusion of the second polar body and formation of male and female pronuclei [PN]) after microinjection of round spermatid nuclei, and that the existence of cumulus cells (CCs) during oocyte storage did not significantly influence the early cleavage but had a detrimental effect on later embryo development and full‐term development. After fertilization, most embryos developed to two‐cell stage after being cultured for 24 hr, and the development rates of four‐ to eight‐cell embryos between two experiments were similar. However, the rates of morula/blastocyst formation were significantly different (47.44% and 26.27%, respectively, P < 0.05). The birth of four healthy pups from stored DOs indicated that the storage of DOs at room temperature for 1 day might become a practical procedure in mammalian reproduction. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 795–800, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nicotine induces multinuclear formation and causes aberrant embryonic development in bovine
Authors: Liu Ying , Li Guang‐Peng , Sessions Benjamin R. , Rickords Lee F. , White Kenneth L. , Bunch Thomas D.
Published: December 2007

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of nicotine on development of bovine embryos derived from parthenogenetic activation (PA) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Nicotine caused disfigured secondary meiotic spindle structures and affected embryonic development in a dose‐dependent manner. Concentrations at 0.01–0.5 mM resulted in cleavage and blastocyst rates similar to the controls for both PA and IVF embryos. Nicotine at 2.0 and 4.0 mM significantly decreased the cleavage rates and none of the embryos developed beyond the 16‐cell stage. Nicotine might disrupt the polymerization of microfilaments leading to impaired chromosome alignment or segregation, and induce the formation of polynuclei with a variety of abnormal nuclear structures such as 2–6 nuclei, 2–4 metaphase plates, 2–4 sets of anaphase/telophase plates, and the co‐existence of polynuclei and 2–4 sets of anaphase/telophase plates. Nicotine adversely affected blastocyst chromosomal composition. Fifty‐six to 70% of the IVF blastocysts and 71–88% of the PA blastocysts were polyploid and/or mixoploid after culture in 0.2–1.0 mM nicotine‐containing media, which were higher (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) than the controls. Cell numbers of the nicotine‐cultured blastocysts were significantly lower than the control. In conclusion, nicotine induced disfigured spindles and irregular chromosome alignment and possibly impaired cytokinesis, which lead to decreased quality of the yielded blastocysts. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 801–809, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ceramide inhibits development and cytokinesis and induces apoptosis in preimplantation bovine embryos
Authors: Luiz Augusto de Castro e Paula , Hansen Peter J.
Published: December 2007

Ceramide is a second messenger induced by various cellular insults that plays a regulatory role in apoptosis. The objective of the present study was to determine whether ceramide signaling can occur in the preimplantation embryo by testing (1) effects of ceramide on development, cytokinesis, and apoptosis and (2) whether heat shock, which can induce apoptosis in embryos, causes activation of neutral or acidic sphingomyelinases responsible for generation of ceramide. Treatment of embryos ≥16 cells collected at Day 5 after insemination with 50 µM C(2)‐ceramide increased caspase‐9 activity and the proportion of blastomeres undergoing apoptosis but did not increase caspase‐8 activity. Induction of apoptosis was more extensive when culture with ceramide was for 24 hr than for 9 hr. Ceramide also reduced the proportion of embryos that developed to the blastocyst stage when exposure was for 24 hr. At the two‐cell stage, a period in development when apoptosis responses are blocked, culture of embryos with ceramide did not increase caspase‐9 activity or the proportion of blastomeres that were apoptotic. However, culture with ceramide for 24 hr reduced cell proliferation and caused an increase in multinucleated cells because of inhibition of cytokinesis. Exposure of Day 5 embryos to a heat shock of 41°C for 15 hr increased neutral sphingomyelinase activity but did not change acid sphingomyelinase activity. In conclusion, ceramide can regulate embryo development and apoptosis in a time and stage‐of‐development dependent manner and ceramide generation can be activated by cellular insult. Thus, the ceramide signaling pathway is present in the preimplantation embryo. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 1063–1070, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Feasibility of fluid volume conductance to assess bladder volume
Authors: Gill Bradley C. , Fletter Paul C. , Zaszczurynski Paul J. , Perlin Alfred , Yachia Daniel , Damaser Margot S.
Published: December 2007

Aim

Ambulatory urodynamics has the potential to provide measurements of bladder function during activities of daily living; however, no method of real‐time continuous bladder volume measurement exists. The present study was conducted to determine the feasibility of using fluid volume conductance to continuously assess bladder volume.

Methods

Prototype devices consisted of four electrodes mounted on a polymer body. Each was tested in an in vitro organ bath system using latex vessels filled to 500 ml with saline matching the conductivity of urine. One device was selected and used to test the effects of fluid concentration (25%, 50%, 100%, 200%, and 400% physiological saline) in latex vessels as well as the effects of fluid concentration (25%, 50%, 100%, 200%, and 400% Tyrodes solution) and temperature (32, 37, and 42°C) in excised pig bladders.

Results

Conductance demonstrated a linear increase at low volumes but approached an asymptotic value at high volumes. Conductivity increased with increased temperature or concentration. With the exception of the differences between 25% and 50% concentrations, 32°C and 37°C, and 37°C and 42°C temperatures, each concentration and temperature produced statistically different conductance measurements from all others.

Conclusions

The conductance method is sensitive to changes in both concentration and temperature of the intravesical solution, likely due to changes in solution conductivity. Clinical application of conductance for measurement of bladder volume will require real‐time conductivity compensation for the dynamically varying properties of urine. However, improved sensitivity at high volumes is necessary before this method has the potential to provide real‐time bladder volume measurement for use in ambulatory urodynamics. Neurourol. Urodynam. 27:525–531, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Solvent effects on ion pairing of tetra‐n‐butylammonium cyanide. A conductometric study
Authors: MacMillar Susanna , Fang Yao‐ren , Westaway Kenneth C. , Matsson Olle , Beronius Per
Published: December 2007

Tetra‐n‐butylammonium cyanide (n‐Bu4NCN) is a commonly used reagent, for example, for the synthesis of nitriles. Recently n‐Bu4NCN has been used as the nucleophilic reagent in kinetic isotope effect studies of nucleophilic aliphatic substitution reactions. The present research concerns the aggregation status (dissociated ions, ion pairs, higher aggregates) and transport properties of n‐Bu4NCN in water, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and tetrahydrofuran (THF), at 25°C as studied by means of precision conductometry. These properties are of great importance since both non‐polar and dipolar aprotic solvents are commonly used in the applications. In water as solvent the equilibrium constant for ion‐pair formation, Kp = 10.1 and the limiting molar conductivity, Λo = 102.4 cm2 Ω−1 mol−1. The corresponding values for DMSO are Kp = 1.98 ± 0.19 and Λo = 34.59 ± 0.03 cm2 Ω−1 mol−1. These data imply that the degree of dissociation, in contrast to the expectations, is higher in DMSO than in water at the same salt concentration. In THF, the conductance as a function of concentration shows a minimum typical for solvents with low relative permittivity, indicating the formation of higher aggregates. The equilibrium constant for ion‐pair formation and conductivity in THF is Kp = 58.4 × 103 and Λo = 9.81 cm2 Ω−1 mol−1. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and electro‐optical properties of light‐emitting polymers containing oxadiazole derivatives for light‐emitting diodes applications
Authors: Kim Sung‐Chul , Park Seung‐Min , Park Jin Soo , Lee Seung‐Joon , Jin Sung‐Ho , Gal Yeong‐Soon , Lee Jae Wook
Published: December 2007

Two PPV‐based bipolar polymers containing 1,3,4‐oxadiazole pendant groups were synthesized via the Gilch polymerization reaction for use in light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). The resulting polymers were characterized using 1H and 13C NMR, elemental analysis, DSC, and TGA. These polymers were found to be soluble in common organic solvents and are easily spin‐coated onto glass substrates, producing high optical quality thin films without defects. The electro‐optical properties of ITO/PEDOT/polymer/Al devices based on these polymers were investigated using UV‐visible, PL, and EL spectroscopy. The turn‐on voltages of the OC1Oxa‐PPV and OC10Oxa‐PPV devices were found to be 8.0 V. The maximum brightness and luminescence efficiency of the OC1Oxa‐PPV device were found to be 544 cd/m2 at 19 V and 0.15 cd/A, respectively. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1098–1110, 2008
Measuring the regret of bereaved family members regarding the decision to admit cancer patients to palliative care units
Authors: Shiozaki M. , Hirai K. , Dohke R. , Morita T. , Miyashita M. , Sato K. , Tsuneto S. , Shima Y. , Uchitomi Y.
Published: December 2007

Objective: The purposes of this study were to develop a bereaved family regret scale measuring decision‐related regret of family members about the admission of cancer patients to palliative care units (PCUs) and to examine the validity and reliability of this scale.

Method: Bereaved families of cancer patients who had died in one regional cancer center from September 2004 to February 2006 received a cross‐sectional questionnaire by mail. The questionnaire contained seven items pertaining to decision‐related regret about the patient's admission to the PCU, the Care Evaluation Scale (CES), an overall care satisfaction scale, and a health‐related quality‐of‐life (QOL) scale (SF‐8). One month after receiving a completed questionnaire, we conducted a retest with the respondent.

Results: Of the 216 questionnaires successfully mailed to the bereaved families, we received 137 questionnaires and were able to analyze the responses for 127 of them, as the other 10 had missing data. By exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, we identified two key factors: intrusive thoughts of regret and decisional regret. This scale had sufficient convergent validity with CES, overall care satisfaction, SF‐8, sufficient internal consistency, and acceptable test–retest reliability.

Conclusion: We have developed and validated a new regret scale for bereaved family members, which can measure their intensity of regret and their self‐evaluation about their decision to admit their loved ones to PCUs. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ab‐initio thermodynamic calculations of Mg2BIV (BIV = Si, Ge, Sn) solid solutions
Authors: Zhang Q. , Zhao X. B. , Zhu T. J. , Tu J. P.
Published: December 2007

The thermodynamic properties of ternary Mg2BIV (BIV = Si, Ge, Sn) solid solutions were first calculated by the ab‐initio density functional method. The results showed that there exist composition regions with d2G /dx2 < 0 in Mg2Si1–x Snx and Mg2Ge1–x Snx systems, implying the possibility of spinodal decomposition of the pseudobinary solid solutions. It is suggested that the spinodal decomposition would be a potential way to obtain Mg2BIV based bulk in‐situ nanocomposites with reduced grain sizes and enhanced phonon scattering, and hence an improved thermoelectric figure of merit. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The tall buildings initiative for alternative seismic design
Authors: Moehle Jack P.
Published: December 2007

Whereas current building codes legally apply to the seismic design of tall buildings, their prescriptive provisions do not adequately address many critical aspects. The alternative provisions clause of building codes provides an alternative to the prescriptive provisions through a performance‐based approach. Application of performance‐based procedures requires a clear definition of performance objectives, procedures for selecting and scaling earthquake ground motions for design, nonlinear modelling and simulation methods that produce reliable estimates of the design demands, criteria for measuring whether calculated demands are acceptable, and a framework for the design and review of alternative‐design buildings. The Tall Buildings Initiative was initiated among a consortium of interested parties to develop the required information, including written guidelines, through a series of research tasks and workshops. The activities of the Tall Buildings Initiative are described. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance‐based design of ductile concrete core wall buildings—issues to consider before detailed analysis
Authors: Klemencic Ron , Fry J. Andrew , Hooper John D. , Morgen Brian G.
Published: December 2007

Based on experience from the design of 20 concrete ductile core wall buildings using performance‐based design concepts and a sample design for a high‐rise concrete core wall building performed for the Los Angeles Tall Buildings Structural Design Council, several important issues to be considered before embarking on a detailed analysis have been identified. Nonlinear response history analysis for large, complicated structures can consume many hours of engineering effort. It is always advisable to understand as much as possible about the anticipated building behaviour before beginning this analysis. Performance objectives should be clearly identified for both frequent and maximum considered earthquakes. In particular, acceptable performance at serviceability levels should be understood, as current building codes do not provide much guidance. Factors such as anticipated demand on the lateral system, building height, soil type and seismic hazard should all be considered before running computer models, so appropriate cracking assumptions can be made. Even the design spectra themselves can be indicators of anticipated higher mode effects that may govern design. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Imaging of gynecological disease (2): clinical and ultrasound characteristics of Sertoli cell tumors, Sertoli–Leydig cell tumors and Leydig cell tumors
Authors: Demidov V. N. , Lipatenkova J. , Vikhareva O. , Van Holsbeke C. , Timmerman D. , Valentin L.
Published: December 2007

Objective

To describe the clinical history and ultrasound findings in women with ovarian Sertoli cell, Sertoli–Leydig cell and Leydig cell tumors.

Methods

Women with a histological diagnosis of Sertoli cell tumor, Sertoli–Leydig cell tumor or Leydig cell tumor who had undergone preoperative ultrasound examination were identified from the databases of each of three participating ultrasound centers. The tumors were characterized on the basis of ultrasound images, ultrasound reports and research protocols (when applicable) using the terms and definitions published by the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) group. In addition, all images were reviewed and described using pattern recognition.

Results

Of 22 patients identified, 15 had Sertoli–Leydig cell tumors, two had Sertoli cell tumors and five had Leydig cell tumors. Four patients were postmenopausal, one 48‐year‐old woman had undergone hysterectomy, 16 were of fertile age and one was a 4‐year‐old girl. Most patients (82%, 18/22) had endocrine symptoms, the most common being bleeding disturbance (64%, 14/22) and hirsutism (32%, 7/22). Twenty‐two (96%) of 23 tumors (one woman had bilateral tumors) contained a solid component; 16 (70%) were purely solid. Pattern recognition showed that the Leydig cell tumors were small solid tumors (four of five had a largest diameter of 1–3 cm) and the two Sertoli cell tumors were somewhat larger solid tumors (4 cm and 7 cm); the Sertoli–Leydig cell tumors were either small (3–4 cm) or medium‐sized (6–7 cm) solid tumors, or multilocular solid tumors of any size (3–18 cm) with purely solid areas mixed with areas of innumerable closely packed small cyst locules.

Conclusions

On the basis of endocrine symptoms, the woman's age and ultrasound findings, it should be possible to suggest a correct preoperative diagnosis of Sertoli cell, Sertoli–Leydig cell or Leydig cell tumors in many cases. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Automated retrieval of standard diagnostic fetal cardiac ultrasound planes in the second trimester of pregnancy: a prospective evaluation of software
Authors: Abuhamad A. , Falkensammer P. , Reichartseder F. , Zhao Y.
Published: December 2007

Objective

To evaluate prospectively the performance of software that automatically retrieves, from a three‐dimensional (3D) volume of the fetal chest, three diagnostic cardiac planes in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Methods

3D static volumes of the fetal chest were acquired at the level of the four‐chamber view in 72 fetuses between 18 and 23 weeks of gestation. Standardization of 3D volumes was performed in Plane A (the reference plane: four‐chamber view) alone. Tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI) was added to the display of each diagnostic plane. The left ventricular outflow plane (Cardiac plane 1: five‐chamber view, aorta), the right ventricular outflow plane (Cardiac plane 2: pulmonary artery) and the abdominal circumference plane (Cardiac plane 3: abdominal circumference, stomach) were retrieved by the software from the 3D volumes and the data were analyzed to determine whether Cardiac planes 1–3 were displayed correctly in each volume.

Results

The automated software displayed, in at least one TUI plane, target Cardiac plane 1 in 94.4% of volumes, target Cardiac plane 2 in 91.7% of volumes and target Cardiac plane 3 in 97.2% of volumes.

Conclusion

Our results validate the concept of automated sonography and its potential clinical applicability. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maternal cardiovascular function in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction
Authors: Prefumo F. , Muiesan M. L. , Perini R. , Paini A. , Bonzi B. , Lojacono A. , Agabiti‐Rosei E. , Frusca T.
Published: December 2007

Objective

To investigate maternal cardiovascular function in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Methods

Maternal echocardiography and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were performed in pregnancies complicated by IUGR (n = 12) and controls (n = 12), all of whom were normotensive at enrollment.

Results

Compared to controls, maternal blood pressure (P = 0.016) and total vascular resistance (P = 0.008) were higher in IUGR pregnancies. Heart rate was lower (P = 0.003), as was systolic function expressed by midwall fractional shortening (P = 0.04). No significant differences between the two groups were observed for left atrial or left ventricular dimensions, nor for left ventricular geometry. Assessment of diastolic function by means of transmitral Doppler flow measurements revealed a significantly longer isovolumetric relaxation time in pregnancies with IUGR (P = 0.006).

Conclusions

In normotensive pregnancies complicated by IUGR, as compared to controls, there is decreased diastolic and systolic maternal cardiac function, and a higher blood pressure. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis, Structures and Properties of Four Coordination Polymers Constructed from 5‐Nitroisophthalate and Benzimidazole Ligand
Authors: Ye Jun‐Wei , Li Di , Ye Kai‐Qi , Liu Yu , Zhao Yun‐Feng , Zhang Ping
Published: December 2007

Four coordination polymers, [Cu(NIPH)(Bim)2]n (1), [Co(NIPH)(Bim)2]n (2), [Zn(NIPH)(Bim)]n (3), and [Cd(NIPH)(Bim)(H2O)]n (4) (NIPH = 5‐nitroisophthalate and Bim = benzimidazole) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, TGA and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The crystal structural analyses reveal that 1 and 2 are composed of zig‐zag chains and straight line chains, respectively. 3 and 4 are constructed by double‐stranded loop‐like chains. All these chain‐like structures are finally packed into three‐dimensional networks through hydrogen bonds. Thermogravimetic analyses (TGA) of 1–4 and temperature‐dependent magnetic susceptibilities of 1 have been performed.
Manganese(II) Coordination Polymers [{Mn(tren)}(As2Se4)] and [{Mn(tren)}(As4Se7)] with Infinite Selenidoarsenate(III) Chains $^{1}_{\infty}\rm [AsSe_{2}^{-}]$ and $^{1}_{\infty}\rm [As_{4}Se_{7}^{2-}]$
Authors: Kromm Anna , Sheldrick William S.
Published: December 2007

Solvothermal reaction of [MnCl2(tren)] with elemental As and Se at 1:1:2 and 1:6:12 molar ratios in H2O/tren (10:1) affords the 1D coordination polymers [{Mn(tren)}(As2Se4)] (1) and [{Mn(tren)}(As4Se7)] (2), respectively. 1 contains vierer infinite $^{1}_{\infty}\rm [AsSe_{2}^{-}]$ chains, which coordinate [(tren)Mn]2+ fragments through every second terminal Se atom of their corner‐sharing pyramidal AsSe3 building units. The $^{1}_{\infty}\rm [As_{4}Se_{7}^{2-}]$ double chains of compound 2 are related to the $^{1}_{\infty}\rm [AsSe_{2}^{-}]$ chains 1 by a simple rearrangement of the connectivity pattern between the participating AsSe3 pyramids and contain condensed centrosymmetric As8Se8 and As4Se4 rings.
Coordination Chemistry of Acrylamide. 6 Synthesis and Coordination Compounds of N‐Pyrazolylpropanamide – a Versatile Acrylamide‐derived Ligand
Authors: Girma Kibatu B. , Lorenz Volker , Blaurock Steffen , Edelmann Frank T.
Published: December 2007

The syntheses, spectroscopy and single crystal X‐ray structures of the multifunctional acrylamide‐derived ligand N‐pyrazolylpropanamide (= L) (1), and its complexes [L2CuCl2] (2) and [L4Co3Cl6] (3) with copper(II) and cobalt(II) chlorides, respectively, are described. The ligand 1 is easily obtained in one step by the reaction of pyrazole with acrylamide in a 1:1 molar ratio in the presence of trimethylbenzylammonium hydroxide as a basic catalyst. The reaction of CuCl2·2H2O with 1 in a 1:2 metal salt:ligand molar ratio in ethanol/‐triethylorthoformate solution gave coordination compound 2. The crystal structure of 2 contains two seven‐membered chelate rings formed by two nitrogen atoms of the pyrazolyl groups and two weakly coordinated carbonyl oxygen atoms of the substituted amide moieties. Two chloride ions in the axial positions complete a distorted octahedral coordination environment around the CuII atom. The reaction of CoCl2·6H2O with 1 in a 1:2 metal salt:ligand molar ratio afforded the unusual zwitterionic complex 3. The crystal structure of 3 contains a central cobalt atom in an octahedral coordination surrounded by four ligands in which two of them act as chelate ligands and the other two, coordinated via the carbonyl oxygen atoms of the amide moieties to this metal center, act as bridging ligands bonded to two CoCl3− units.
Hydrothermal Syntheses, Crystal Structures and Properties of Two Novel 3‐D Lanthanide(III) Coordination Polymers Constructed with Mixed Heterocyclic Carboxylic Acid
Authors: Xie Chengzhi , Zhang Baofeng , Wang Xiaoqing , Yu Bin , Wang Ruji , Shen Guangqiu
Published: December 2007

The hydrothermal reactions of Ln2O3 (Ln = Nd and Eu) with pyridine‐2,5‐dicarboxylic acid (H2pydc) resulted in the formation of two isomorphic three‐dimensional (3D) polymeric LnIII complexes, [Ln(pydc)(nic)·H2O]n (Ln = Nd(1) and Eu(2)), in which nic (nicotinate; also named as pyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid) might have been formed from the pydc ligands through the C–C bond cleavage and CO2 molecules releasing. Pydc ligands bridge lanthanide centers to form the three‐dimensional framework featuring hexagonal channels along the axis a which are occupied by bridging nic anions and mono‐coordinated water molecules. From the topological point of view, two three‐dimensional nets are binodal with six‐ and three‐connected nodes, which display a distorted rutile (4.62)2(42·610·83) topology. Magnetic measurements (2‐300 K) reveal that all polymers possess weak antiferromagnetic property. A strong fluorescence emission spectrum of compound 2 was observed.
Interannular Nitrogen‐Lithium Bridges in Ferrocenophanes
Authors: Wrackmeyer Bernd , Klimkina Elena V. , Milius Wolfgang
Published: December 2007

1,1′‐Bis(trimethylsilylamino)ferrocene (1) reacts with two equivalents of butyllithium to give the N,N′‐dilithiated amide (2) which has already served in the synthesis of various 1,n‐diaza‐(n)ferrocenophanes (n ≥ 3). Addition of pyridine affords the dipyridine adduct 3 which could be isolated and characterised in the solid state by X‐ray crystallography. An N2Li2 bridge is present in 3, and each lithium atom bears one pyridine ligand. From multinuclear magnetic resonance studies (1H, 7Li, 13C, 29Si, 31P NMR) it appears that important features of the solid state structure of 3 are retained in solution, in particular in the presence of ether or HMPTA [O=P(NMe2)3], whereas the structure is likely to be different in the absence of donor ligands. The optimised gas phase structures [B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p) level of theory] of the parent compound fc(NHLi‐NH3)2 corresponds closely to that of 3, whereas that of fc(NHLi)2 reveals an unsymmetrical N2Li2 bridge with one of the lithium atoms in closer contact to the substituted carbon atoms (C1 and C1′) of the cyclopentadienyl rings.
Molekülkomplexe und Koordinationspolymere des zweiwertigen Quecksilbers mit dem 4‐N‐Liganden 6,7‐Dimethyl‐2,3‐di‐(2′‐pyridyl)‐chinoxalin (Dpc)
Authors: Nolte Matthias , Pantenburg Ingo , Meyer Gerd
Published: December 2007

Molecular Complexes and Coordination Polymers of Divalent Mercury with the 4‐N‐Ligand 6,7‐Dimethyl‐2,3‐di‐(2′‐pyridyl)‐chinoxaline (Dpc)

Single crystals of six 6,7‐dimethyl‐2,3‐di‐(2′‐pyridyl)‐chinoxaline (Dpc) complexes of divalent mercury with –CF3, ‐SCN, ‐NO3, ‐I, ‐Br, and ‐Cl as the ligands have been obtained mostly by slow evaporation of solutions of the mercuric salts Hg(CF3)2, Hg(SCN)2, Hg(NO3)2, HgI2, HgBr2, or HgCl2 and Dpc. The crystal structures were determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction: [Hg(CF3)2(Dpc)] (1) [monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 815.7(1), b = 2780.2(4), c = 1036.5(1) pm, β = 99.78(1)°, V = 2316.5(4) 106 pm3, Z = 4, R1 [I0 > 2σ(I0)] = 0.0334], [Hg(SCN)2(Dpc)] (2) [triclinic, $\rm P{\bar 1}$ (no. 2), a = 817.4(2), b = 1075.8(2), c = 1427.0(3) pm, α = 110.48(2), β = 103.02(3), γ = 94.42(3)°, V = 1128.5(4) 106 pm3, Z = 2, R1 [I0 > 2σ(I0)] = 0.0425], [(HgCl2)2(Dpc)](CH3CN) (3) [triclinic, $\rm P{\bar 1}$ (no. 2), a = 942.8(1), b = 950.6(1), c = 1486.9(2) pm, α = 80.18(1), β = 79.57(1), γ = 87.73(1)°, V = 1291.3(3) 106 pm3, Z = 2, R1 [I0 > 2σ(I0)] = 0.0469], [HgBr2(Dpc)] (4) [monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 792.9(1), b = 2411.5(5), c = 1261.5(2) pm, β = 102.11(2)°, V = 2358.5(6) 106 pm3, Z = 4, R1 [I0 > 2σ(I0)] = 0.0354], [HgI2(Dpc)] (5), [monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 4162.2(17), b = 747.8(2), c = 1509.4(5) pm, β = 111.16(3)°, V = 4369.0(20) 106 pm3, Z = 8, R1 [I0>2σ(I0)] = 0.0547], [Hg(NO3)2(Dpc)](H2O) (6) [monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 1256.1(2), b = 1257.8(2), c = 1482.1(3) pm, β = 116.44(1)°, V = 2096.6(6) 106 pm3, Z = 4, R1 [I0 > 2σ(I0)] = 0.0414]. The crystal structures of 2, 3 and 5 consist of molecular complexes, those of 1, 4 und 6 exhibit coordination polymers. In all cases, HgII has a characteristic coordination number of, essentially, CN = 2, to different ligator atoms, C in 1, S in 2, Cl, Br, and I in 3‐5 as well as N in 6.
Anhydrous Neodymium(III) Acetate
Authors: Gomez Torres Sonia , Meyer Gerd
Published: December 2007

Anhydrous neodymium(III) acetate, Nd(OAc)3 was obtained as light purple single crystals by direct oxidation of neodymium metal with malonic acid in a glass ampoule at 180 °C. It crystallizes with the monoclinic space group P21/a (no. 14) with a = 2201.7(2), b = 1850.0(1), c = 2419.0(3) pm, β = 96.127(8)°, V = 9796.8(1)·106·pm3, Z = 40 [Nd(OAc)3], R1 = 0.0430 [I0 > 2σ(I0)]. Most of the Nd3+ cations are coordinated by nine (or eight) oxygen atoms of acetate ligands which bridge these polyhedra to slightly waved layers which are stacked in the [010] direction.
Mono‐ and Dimethyl‐1,2,4‐Triazolate as Ligands for the Mercuric Ion in the Cationic Three‐dimensional Coordination Polymer of [Hg2(Mmt)(Dmt)2](NO3)(H2O)
Authors: Nockemann Peter , Pantenburg Ingo , Meyer Gerd
Published: December 2007

Colourless crystals of [Hg2(Mmt)(Dmt)2](NO3)(H2O) were obtained from a reaction of mercuric nitrate with monomethyl‐ and dimethyl‐1,2,4‐triazolate (Mmt− and Dmt−, respectively). In the crystal structure (monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 2579.4(4), b = 1231.1(2), c = 1634.8(2) pm, β = 128.32(1)°, V = 4073.3(11)·106·pm3, Z = 8, R1 [I0 > 2σ(I0)]: 0.0355), half of the mercuric ions are essentially two‐coordinate (Hg–N: 210‐215 pm), the other half are tetrahedrally surrounded by N‐donor atoms (Hg–N: 221, 225 pm) of the Mmt− and Dmt− anions. These three‐N ligands construct a three‐dimensional framework.
Crystal Structures and Spectral Studies of [Ph3Sn(O2AsMe2)], [Bu2ClSn(O2AsMe2)] and [PhClSn(O2AsMe2)(μ‐OMe)]2
Authors: Shihada Abdel‐Fattah , Weller Frank
Published: December 2007

[Ph3Sn(O2AsMe2)] (1) and [PhClSn(O2AsMe2)(μ‐OMe)]2 (3) have been synthesized by treatment of Ph3SnCl and Ph2SnCl2 with Na(O2AsMe2) in methanol, respectively. [Bu2ClSn(O2AsMe2)] (2) has been prepared by the reaction of Bu2SnCl2 with HO2AsMe2 in methanol. X‐ray diffraction studies show 1 to crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/n with a = 699.8(1), b = 1961.4(2), c = 1433.6(2) pm, β = 95.17(1)°, and Z = 4. 2 also crystallizes monoclinic in the space group P21/m, the cell parameters being a = 480.6(1), b = 1992.7(2), c = 808.8(1) pm, β = 103.726(5)°, and Z = 2. Both compounds form infinite chains with alternating (Me2AsO2)− and (R3Sn)+ or (R2ClSn)+ units. The dimer 3 consists of 8‐membered (OSnOAs)2 rings in which the tin atoms are bridged by methanolate bridges. It crystallizes triclinic in the space group $\rm P{\bar 1}$ with a = 822.8(2), b = 910.4(2), c = 929.2(2) pm, α = 77.04(3)°, β = 82.35(3)°, γ = 68.69(3)°, and Z = 1 for the dimer. The vibrational and mass spectra of 1, 2 and 3 are given and discussed.
Do psychosocial factors predict disability and health at a 3‐year follow‐up for patients with non‐acute musculoskeletal pain? A validation of the Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire
Authors: Westman A. , Linton S.J. , Öhrvik J. , Wahlén P. , Leppert J.
Published: December 2007

Purpose: Early identification and intervention with those that run the risk of developing long‐term disability would offer a great opportunity for reducing costs and personal suffering associated with long‐term work absenteeism. The Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire (ÖMPSQ) has been used and validated in several studies for participants with mainly acute pain problems. The aim of this study was to validate the ÖMPSQ for patients with non‐acute pain problems (e.g. 1–6 months sick leave) and compare to other relevant questionnaires.

Method: One hundred and fifty‐eight patients with musculoskeletal pain and disability recruited to a multidisciplinary rehabilitation project completed a battery of questionnaires at baseline and at 3‐year follow‐up visits. The main analysis involved the relationship between risk levels in the questionnaire and sick leave and perceived health after 3 years.

Results: The ÖMSPQ predicted future sick leave and health and was found to have six factors. The function and pain factors were the best predictors of sick leave after 3 years, while the distress factor was the best predictor of perceived mental health and return to work‐expectancy was borderline significant. Perceived physical health at 3 years was best predicted by the function and pain factors with the fear‐avoidance factor being marginally significant.

Conclusion: The results demonstrate that psychosocial factors as measured by ÖMPSQ are related to work disability and perceived health even 3 years after treatment for patients with non‐acute pain problems. The ÖMSPQ was a good predictor of outcome.
Executive deficits in psychotic and bipolar disorders – Implications for our understanding of schizoaffective disorder
Authors: Szoke Andrei , Meary Alexandre , Trandafir Anca , Bellivier Frank , Roy Isabelle , Schurhoff Franck , Leboyer Marion
Published: December 2007

Objective

Schizoaffective disorder could be considered as a form of schizophrenia, a form of bipolar disorder, an independent disorder or a disorder intermediate between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, within a psychotic continuum. The study of cognitive deficits in subjects with those diagnoses could help differentiate between these possibilities.

Methods

We compared cognitive performances of schizoaffective (SZAff) subjects with those of subjects with schizophrenia (SZ), bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms (life-time) (BDP), bipolar disorder without life-time occurrence of psychotic symptoms (BD) and normal controls (NC). We used two tests of executive functions – the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and the Trail-making Test (TMT) – that are known to be impaired in those disorders.

Results

The number of perseverative errors on WCST was highest in SZ subjects and gradually decreased in SZAff, BDP and, finally in BD subjects. By contrast, SZ and SZAff subjects obtained similar scores in the TMT, as did BD and BDP patients.

Conclusions

These results suggest that, for some deficits, there may be a continuum between SZ, SZAff and affective disorders, whereas SZAff patients most closely resemble SZ patients for other deficits. This implies that different conceptual views about schizoaffective disorder should be seen as complementary, rather than mutually exclusive.
Assessing changes in composition of intestinal microbiota in neonatal BALB/c mice through cluster analysis of molecular markers
Authors: Fujiwara Reiko , Watanabe Jun , Sonoyama Kei
Published: December 2007

The present study introduced a molecular biological approach to demonstrate changes in the composition of intestinal microbiota in neonatal mice. Female BALB/c mice were fed either a control diet or a diet supplemented with fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) at 50 g/kg diet, and then mated to male mice. A cultivation-independent approach, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of the PCR-amplified 16S rRNA gene, was performed to characterise changes in intestinal microbial populations in pups at 0, 7, 14 and 21 d old and their dams. Comparisons of DGGE profiles were performed using the Dice similarity coefficient and the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) cluster analysis based on numbers, positions and intensities of bands. DGGE profiles differed between dams fed control and FOS-supplemented diets. Although profiles in pups on the day of birth showed a high similarity with dams, profiles in 7-d-old pups differed from dams and showed high similarity to littermates. In 14- and 21-d-old pups, profiles again showed high similarity with dams. DGGE profiles in pups were divided into two large clusters of control and FOS-supplemented diet groups in the range of 0- to 21-d-old, suggesting modulation of intestinal microbiota in infants by manipulation of microbiota in dams. The present study shows a useful technique for demonstrating changes in intestinal microbiota and provides a mouse model for modulation of intestinal microbiota in neonatal life.
Electron Holography with aCs-Corrected Transmission Electron Microscope
Authors: Geiger Dorin , Lichte Hannes , Linck Martin , Lehmann Michael
Published: December 2007

Cscorrectors have revolutionized transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in that they substantially improve point resolution and information limit. The object information is found sharply localized within 0.1 nm, and the intensity image can therefore be interpreted reliably on an atomic scale. However, for a conventional intensity image, the object exit wave can still not be detected completely in that the phase, and hence indispensable object information is missing. Therefore, for example, atomic electric-field distributions or magnetic domain structures cannot be accessed. Off-axis electron holography offers unique possibilities to recover completely the aberration-corrected object wave with uncorrected microscopes and hence we would not need aCs-corrected microscope for improved lateral resolution. However, the performance of holography is affected by aberrations of the recording TEM in that the signal/noise properties (“phase detection limit”) of the reconstructed wave are degraded. Therefore, we have realized off-axis electron holography with aCs-corrected TEM. The phase detection limit improves by a factor of four. A further advantage is the possibility of fine-tuning the residual aberrations bya posterioricorrection. Therefore, a combination of both methods, that is,Cscorrection and off-axis electron holography, opens new perspectives for complete TEM analysis on an atomic scale.
Aberration-Corrected STEM Imaging of Ag on γ-Al2O3
Authors: Blom Douglas A. , Allard Lawrence F. , Narula Chaitanya K. , Moses-DeBusk Melanie J.
Published: December 2007

Ag on γ-alumina is a promising catalyst for hydrocarbon selective catalytic reduction in lean-burn gasoline and diesel engines for transportation applications. Although much is known about the mechanism of NOx reduction and the various intermediates, little agreement exists on the nature of the active silver species. In the present work, aberration-corrected STEM has provided new information about the nature of Ag on alumina both as impregnated and following treatments at various temperatures with exposure to simulated exhaust gas. Ex situ techniques have provided new insights into the evolution of Ag on alumina following exposure to temperature and simulated exhaust gas.
Loss of relativistic electrons: Evidence for pitch angle scattering by electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves excited by unstable ring current protons
Authors: Sandanger M. , Søraas F. , Aarsnes K. , Oksavik K. , Evans D. S.
Published: December 2007

During geomagnetic storms the flux of radiation belt electrons can increase, decrease, or stay constant, depending on the competition between acceleration and loss mechanisms. We focus on loss of relativistic electrons. We use low‐altitude polar‐orbiting spacecraft and analyze fluxes of tens to hundreds of keV protons and relativistic (>1.5 MeV) electrons during a moderate geomagnetic storm, with a long‐lasting recovery phase (4–5 d). Using data from four local times, we find that the loss of relativistic electrons is confined within the anisotropic proton zone and that a spatially limited loss of relativistic electrons is spatially collocated with increased loss of protons. The proton pitch angle distributions within these peaks are consistent with moderate to strong pitch angle scattering due to electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves. The loss of relativistic electrons collocated with protons is found at all four local times considered (0300, 0700, 1400, 1700 MLT). Since anisotropic proton distributions can under certain conditions generate EMIC waves, we find strong indications that the observed relativistic electrons are scattered into the atmospheric loss cone by EMIC waves. EMIC wave scattering is less efficient at high equatorial pitch angles but very efficient near the loss cone, thereby controlling the loss rate of relativistic electrons to the atmosphere. Our observations in and near the loss cone support theoretical work suggesting that EMIC waves can cause scattering loss to the atmosphere of relativistic electrons over the course of a geomagnetic storm.