bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exposure to Interparental Conflict and Psychological Disorder Among Young Adults
Authors: Turner Heather A. , Kopiec Kathleen
Published: January 2006

This article examines the effect of exposure to interparental conflict on the mental health of young adults. Based on a diverse sample of 649 students from three New England colleges, the authors investigate the association between nonviolent interparental conflict during childhood, subsequent distress and disorder, and identified factors that mediate the relationship. Results indicate that exposure to interparental conflict significantly increases the odds of experiencing a subsequent episode of major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse or dependency disorder, controlling for demographic factors, parental divorce, and any incident of parent to parent or parent to child physical assault. Exposure to interparental conflict in childhood or adolescence is also associated with current levels of depressive symptoms in young adults. This association is partially mediated by ongoing strain in parent and child relationships, greater strain within offspring’s own romantic relationships, and reduced self-esteem. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Environmental assessment of solid waste systems and technologies: EASEWASTE
Authors: Kirkeby Janus T. , Birgisdottir Harpa , Hansen Trine Lund , Christensen Thomas H. , Bhander Gurbakhash Singh , Hauschild Michael
Published: January 2006

A new model has been developed for evaluating the overall resource consumption and environmental impacts of municipal solid waste management systems by the use of life cycle assessment. The model is named EASEWASTE (Environmental Assessment of Solid Waste Systems and Technologies) and is able to compare different waste management strategies, waste treatment methods and waste process technologies. The potential environmental impacts can be traced back to the most important processes and waste fractions that contribute to the relevant impacts. A model like EASEWASTE can be used by waste planners to optimize current waste management systems with respect to environmental achievements and by authorities to set guidelines and regulations and to evaluate different strategies for handling of waste. The waste hierarchy has for decades been governing waste management but the ranking of handling approaches may not always be the most environmentally friendly. The EASEWASTE model can identify the most environmentally sustainable solution, which may differ among waste materials and regions and can add valuable information about environmental achievements from each process in a solid waste management system.
Changing coalitions in social policy reforms: the politics of new social needs and demands
Authors: Häusermann Silja
Published: January 2006

Recent reforms in Swiss and German old-age insurance and family policy included elements directed at both ‘old’ and ‘new’ social needs. ‘Old risks’, such as old age and unemployment, are mainly covered by income-related insurance schemes for standard industrial breadwinners. By contrast, ‘new’ needs, such as infrastructure to reconcile work and care or insurance of atypical employment biographies, concern mainly ‘new’ risk groups, such as young people or women. While reforms directed at ‘old risks’ mainly focused on cost containment, ‘new’ social policies aimed at gender equality or the increase of labour-market participation. In this article, I argue that the emergence of modernizing policies covering new social needs leads to new conflict lines in social policy making, which differ from the distributional class conflict. Instead, I expect value coalitions and cross-class alliances on these policies. In addition, I argue that in a consensus-democratic institutional context, such new alliances form more easily. These hypotheses are tested with reference to recent reforms in pension and family policy in Germany and Switzerland. Coalition dynamics are examined by means of process analysis and multidimensional scaling. Empirical evidence largely confirms the hypotheses, but also points out the need for further differentiation of policies covering new social needs.
Improving the Nutritional Quality of Microwave-vacuum Dried Strawberries: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Böhm V. , Kühnert S. , Rohm H. , Scholze G.
Published: January 2006

Microwave-vacuum drying is an up-to-date technique for the conservation of fruits and vegetables, resulting in products with improved texture and colour. In order to evaluate the effects on the content of ascorbic acid, anthocyanins and phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity, three strawberry varieties were subjected to microwave-vacuum (MV) drying combined with convective pre- and post-drying, convective drying, and freeze-drying. The MV drying procedure comprised immersion in a pretreatment bath, pre-drying in a belt dryer to a moisture load of approx 45 g/100 g dry matter, and microwave treatment at 4 kPa for 8 min, leading to products with 5 g/100 g moisture. During post-drying, the moisture content was further reduced to approx 2 g/100 g. Convective drying and MV drying decreased the content of ascorbic acid to approx 40% of the initial value, phenolic compounds to approx 35%, and the antioxidative capacity to approx 60%. No reduction was observed in freeze-dried strawberries. Bypassing the pre-treatment bath, extending residence time in the pre-dryer to reduce temperature peaks, and reducing MV treatment time increased the recovery of ascorbic acid to approx 65%. Phenolic compounds remained stable, and the reduction of the antioxidative capacity was limited to 10% – 25%. Except ascorbic acid, the residual concentration of nutritionally relevant compounds after improving the processing conditions was close to the values as observed for freeze-dried products.
Vacuum Cooling of Cooked Mussels (Perna perna)
Authors: Huber E. , Soares L. P. , Carciofi B. A. M. , Hense H. , Laurindo J. B.
Published: January 2006

Mussels pass through a thermal treatment during industrial processing with hot water or steam and then are pre-cooled before the manual extraction of the meat. This pre-cooling is classically accomplished by the immersion of the cooked mussels in cold water. In this work, vacuum cooling of mussels after the cooking stage was used as a technique to quickly decrease the product temperature and to avoid a possible microbial contamination by the cooling water or by manipulation. In about 3 minutes, mussels were cooled from about 90 °C to 20 °C. The relative weight loss during the vacuum cooling of the whole sample (meat and shell) was about 8% of the initial sample’s weight, for temperatures drop cited above. In this way, there was a 8.7 0.26 °C temperature drop for each 1% of weight loss. For separated meat (without shell), the ratio was 7.5 0.30 ºC per 1% weight loss, which agreed with the literature for vacuum cooling of meats in general. A simple numerical simulation was able to determine weight loss during the vacuum cooling process, providing data that agreed very well with experimental results. The vacuum cooling technique is a promising alternative for processing pre-cooked mussels, because process time is shortened and cross-contamination risk is significantly reduced in the cooling stage. The water loss is not a serious problem when the cooled mussels are canned in brine.
The kindness of prisoners
Authors: Burnett Ros , Maruna Shadd
Published: January 2006

This article explores the notion of so-called ‘strengths-based’ offender reintegration for prisoners returning to the community. First, we briefly explore the normative and empirical theory underlying this approach. Next, we present evidence from a case study the authors have undertaken on a particularly interesting example of strengths-based resettlement in action. It illustrates the tensions that occur when risk-based policies collide with strengthsbased opportunities. The lessons learned in this case study are then used to develop further the theoretical understanding behind a strengths-based resettlement approach.
Motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities in Yucatan minipigs
Authors: Hort-Legrand C , Noah L , Mériguet E , Mésangeau D
Published: January 2006

Motor and/or sensory conduction velocities are used to assess peripheral nervous system disorders. Although the miniature pig represents a model of choice for long-term pharmacological experimentation, no study has so far been reported on this model in relation to the measurement of nerve conduction velocities. We developed the present technique and applied it to 34 3–18-month-old Yucatan minipigs. Motor and sensory conduction velocities were measured using the anterior tibial nerve and the internal plantar nerve, a branch of the posterior tibial nerve, respectively. The nerve conduction velocity data of motor (MNCV) and sensory (SNCV) nerves, together with the amplitude of the sensory nerve signal, were logarithmically dependent on the age of the tested animals ( r2=0.92, 0.81 and 0.76, respectively). The mean values of MNCV and SNCV were 70.9 ± 1.1 and 67.9 ± 0.2 m/s, respectively, at the age of 16 months for these miniature pigs. In order to validate this model, we compared it with other known models when the velocities reached a plateau at the end of the study. These values were found to be higher than those in humans or rats, but are comparable to those of the baboon, one of the best large animal models for human pathologies. Because the physiology and metabolism of the minipig resemble those of humans, and due to its long lifetime, this animal represents a good model for studying the development of neuropathology.
Helicobacter typhlonius was detected in the sex organs of three mouse strains but did not transmit vertically
Authors: Scavizzi Ferdinando , Raspa Marcello
Published: January 2006

Helicobacter typhlonius, one of the most recently identified members of this rapidly expanding genus of bacteria, was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in an animal facility and studied for tissue distribution in sentinel mice ( Helicobacter-free, barrier maintained). Immunodeficient athymic nude- nu ( nu/nu), Helicobacter-sensitive C3H/HeJ and Helicobacter-resistant C57BL/6J mouse strains were used to study whether Helicobacter species could spread to the sex organs and be transmitted vertically. Sentinel mice of these three strains became infected at different times after first exposure and Helicobacter was detected by PCR for a brief period in the sex organs. The potential for PCR-positive tissues from the ovary, uterus, testis and epididymis to transmit infection was investigated via in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo transfer (ET) or ovary transplantation in immunodeficient athymic nude- nu mice and did not result in contamination of the recipient females.
Relationship of bispectral index values, haemodynamic changes and recovery times during sevoflurane or propofol anaesthesia in rabbits
Authors: Martín-Cancho M F , Lima J R , Luis L , Crisóstomo V , Carrasco-Jiménez M S , Usón-Gargallo J
Published: January 2006

The aim of this study was to determine and compare the degree of hypnosis achieved during propofol or sevoflurane anaesthesia in rabbits using bispectral index (BIS), and to evaluate its usefulness as a predictor of both haemodynamic changes during anaesthesia and recovery times. Twenty adult male New Zealand White rabbits, average weight 4.4 ± 0.4 kg, were used for this study. Animals were randomly allocated to one of two groups with 10 rabbits/group. An electroencephalographic recording was obtained from each conscious rabbit prior to drug administration. All animals received buprenorphine as a preanaesthetic medication (0.05 mg/kg, intravenous [i.v.]). Anaesthesia was induced with propofol (8 mg/kg, i.v.) in all animals; 10 rabbits were maintained with sevoflurane via inhalation (1 minimum alveolar concentration – end-tidal sevoflurane concentration of 3.7% – at a fresh gas flow rate of 3 L/min; group I), and 10 were maintained with i.v. propofol (0.6 mg/kg/min; group II). The rabbits were orotracheally intubated and spontaneous ventilation was maintained throughout the study (100% oxygen). After abdominal surgery through a ventral midline laparotomy, rabbits were allowed to recover from anaesthesia. Cardiovascular variables and BIS values were recorded at intervals throughout the procedure, as was the duration of recovery from anaesthesia.

In both groups, mean BIS values were significantly decreased immediately after induction, compared with baseline values obtained during consciousness. Anaesthetic depth (evaluated by clinical observation) was similar in both groups; however, group II rabbits had significantly higher ( P<0.001) BIS values from 30 s before incision until anaesthesia was discontinued. There was no significant difference in BIS recorded 1 and 5 min after incision as compared with values obtained 30 s before incision in either group.

During sevoflurane or propofol administration, correlations were found between BIS values and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), and between BIS values and heart rate (HR).

Mean BIS values at discontinuation of administration of the anaesthetic agent were greater in group II (69.1 ± 6.0) than in group I (49.3 ± 2.2). However, recovery from anaesthesia was significantly longer in group II (38.4 ± 7.2 min) than in group I (11.5 ± 2.5 min).

In conclusion, BIS can be used to differentiate between conscious and unconscious states during anaesthesia in rabbits. BIS values derived from an electroencephalogram at the end of anaesthesia were not useful for predicting the speed of anaesthetic recovery in sevoflurane or propofol-anaesthetized rabbits undergoing abdominal surgery. Despite the correlation found between BIS and haemodynamic parameters, its usefulness as a predictor of clinically important changes in arterial blood pressure and HR in anaesthetized rabbits was limited.
Rat embryo quality and production efficiency are dependent on gonadotrophin dose in superovulatory treatments
Authors: Cornejo-Cortés M A , Sánchez-Torres C , Vázquez-Chagoyán J C , Suárez-Gómez H M , Garrido-Fariña G , Meraz-Ríos M A
Published: January 2006

The present study was performed to optimize a superovulation protocol in rats in order to produce a large number of good-quality embryos suitable to develop rat embryonic stem (rES) cells. We first evaluated the ovulation kinetics of three rat strains: Wistar, Fisher and ACI/N. Animals ( n=30 per strain) were treated with 50 IU of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG), and ovulation was induced with 50 IU of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) 50 h apart. Next, we evaluated the dose–response curves of PMSG and hCG in Wistar rats in order to obtain the highest number of embryos. The parameters evaluated for superovulation efficiency were: percentage of mated females, percentage of pregnant females and the average number of embryos collected per female. The results of these experiments suggested that the best dose combination was 50 IU for each hormone. Subsequent experiments, again with Wistar rats, were designed to test which of four hormonal combination treatments (30/30, 30/50, 50/30, and 50/50 IU of PMSG/hCG) will produce the largest numbers of good-quality embryos. Embryo quality was evaluated by embryo development uniformity, embryo morphology, embryo survival in an in vitro culture and embryo ability to generate rES-like cells. Results from these experiments showed that 30/50 IU of PMSG/hCG was the treatment that induced the best embryo quality. In conclusion, our results indicated that, in Wistar rats, the most appropriate hormonal combination dose for superovulation protocols with high number of good-quality embryos was 30 IU of PMSG and 50 IU of hCG given 50 h apart. We are performing further studies with rES-like cells produced with the present methodology to evaluate if they are able to participate in the production of germ-line chimeras.
Pyrrolo-C as a fluorescent probe for monitoring RNA secondary structure formation
Authors: TINSLEY REBECCA A. , WALTER NILS G.
Published: January 2006

Pyrrolo-C (PC), or 3-[β-D-2-ribofuranosyl]-6-methylpyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2(3H)-one, is a fluorescent analog of the nucleoside cytidine that retains its Watson-Crick base-pairing capacity with G. Due to its red-shifted absorbance, it can be selectively excited in the presence of natural nucleosides, making it a potential site-specific probe for RNA structure and dynamics. Similar to 2-aminopurine nucleoside, which base-pairs with uridine (or thymidine), PC’s fluorescence becomes reversibly quenched upon base-pairing, most likely due to stacking interactions with neighboring bases. To test its utility as an RNA probe, we examined PC’s fluorescent properties over a wide range of ionic strengths, pH, organic cosolvents, and temperatures. Incorporation of PC into a single-stranded RNA results in an ~60% reduction of fluorescence intensity, while duplex formation reduces the fluorescence by ~75% relative to the free ribonucleoside. We find that the fluorescence intensity of PC is only moderately affected by ionic strength, pH, and temperature, while it is slightly enhanced by organic cosolvents, making it a versatile probe for a broad range of buffer conditions. We demonstrate two applications for PC: fluorescent measurements of the kinetics of formation and dissociation of an RNA/DNA complex, and fluorescent monitoring of the thermal denaturation of the central segment of an RNA duplex. Taken together, our data showcase the potential of pyrrolo-C as an effective fluorescent probe to study RNA structure, dynamics, and function, complementary to the popular 2-aminopurine ribonucleoside.
Characterization of multimeric complexes formed by the human PTB1 protein on RNA
Authors: CLERTE CAROLINE , HALL KATHLEEN B.
Published: January 2006

Polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB or hnRNP I) has several known functions in eukaryotic cells, including exon exclusion during alternative splicing events, mRNA stabilization, and regulation of viral translation and replication. PTB contains four RNA Binding Domains (RBDs, or RRMs), all of which can potentially bind RNA, but their roles in the various biological functions of PTB are not clear. We investigate the properties of the complexes formed by human PTB1 on two target RNAs: the rat GABAA receptor γ2 subunit pre-mRNA and the Hepatitis C Virus 3′ NonTranslated RNA. The GABA RNA contains four polypyrimidine tracts in the intron and exon, while the HCV NTR contains a 75-nt U-rich tract and a highly structured 3′-terminus. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays show that PTB1 protein first binds to both RNAs with nanomolar affinities, but subsequent protein addition leads to formation of higher-order complexes. Stoichiometry experiments show that the ultimate complexes contain up to eight PTB1 proteins per RNA strand. Protein constructs containing two tandem RBDs also bind the two RNAs, but with different affinities and stoichiometries. Nuclease protection assays show that PTB1 protects the polypyrimidine tracts in the GABA RNA, as does a construct consisting of RBD3 and RBD4; however, a construct containing RBD1 and RBD2 enhances cleavage of bound RNA. The binding mechanisms of PTB1 are unique to the full-length protein; these modes appear to include direct association with the RNA as well as weaker intermolecular protein associations.
The use of the Ilizarov method as a salvage procedure in infected nonunion of the distal femur with bone loss
Authors: Saridis A. , Panagiotopoulos E. , Tyllianakis M. , Matzaroglou C. , Vandoros N. , Lambiris E.
Published: January 2006

We reviewed 13 patients with infected nonunion of the distal femur and bone loss, who had been treated by radical surgical debridement and the application of an Ilizarov external fixator. All had severely restricted movement of the knee and a mean of 3.1 previous operations. The mean length of the bony defect was 8.3 cm and no patient was able to bear weight.

The mean external fixation time was 309.8 days. According to Paley’s grading system, eight patients had an excellent clinical and radiological result and seven excellent and good functional results. Bony union, the ability to bear weight fully, and resolution of the infection were achieved in all the patients. The external fixation time was increased when the definitive treatment started six months or more after the initial trauma, the patient had been subjected to more than four previous operations and the initial operation had been open reduction and internal fixation.
Evolutionary approaches for the discovery of functional synthetic small molecules
Authors: Gartner Zev J.
Published: January 2006

Directed evolution is a powerful method for the laboratory discovery of nucleic acids and proteins with desired functional properties. A hallmark of this approach is the iterative translation, selection, amplification, and diversification of genetic information. The potential of evolutionary methods to impact the discovery of synthetic small molecules has recently been explored by a variety of laboratories. Four methods encompassing some or all of the hallmarks of evolution are discussed, including dynamic combinatorial chemistry (DCC), genetic algorithms (GAs), DNA display, and DNA-templated synthesis (DTS).
A dozen years of N-confusion: From synthesis to supramolecular chemistry
Authors: Maeda Hiromitsu , Furuta Hiroyuki
Published: January 2006

The chemistry of N-confused porphyrin (NCP) and its analogs started in 1994. Since then, considerable progress has been made in understanding the unique properties of NCP and its analogs, which confer characteristic reactivity and metal complex formation. The evolved isomers, multiply NCPs, and expanded N-confused derivatives, have opened up new realms of NCP chemistry. Cis- and trans-doubly N-confused porphyrin (N2CP) stabilizes higher oxidation states such as CuIII in square-planar fashion in the core. Confused isomers with five or more pyrrole rings can coordinate several cations owing to their larger cavities compared to tetrapyrrolic system. The peripheral nitrogen(s) of NCP and its analogs can serve as hydrogen-bonding donor and acceptor, and metal coordination site as well. For example, NCP forms versatile dimers with the assistance of metal ions. The square-planar divalent metal complexes of C6F5-substituted NCP act as efficient anion-binding receptors. Furthermore, CuIII complexes of N2CP, possessing both N and NH at the periphery, form self-assembled one-dimensional (1D) hydrogen-bonding networks, whose orientations differ in cis (zigzag) and trans (straight) isomers.
Method of Specific Detection of Apoptosis Using Formamide-induced DNA Denaturation Assay
Authors: Ito Yuko , Shibata Masa-Aki , Kusakabe Ken , Otsuki Yoshinori
Published: January 2006

We compared the reliability between apoptosis detection methods, namely, the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method and formamide-induced DNA denaturation assay using a monoclonal antibody (MAb) to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) (formamide-MAb assay). Reaction targets in these methods are different: the TUNEL method recognizes free 3′-OH DNA ends, whereas the formamide-MAb assay detects ssDNA itself (25-30 bp). We found that the formamide-MAb assay immunohistochemically detected apoptotic cells, whereas the TUNEL method detected apoptotic cells as well as mitotic and necrotic cells. The TUNEL method recognized not only 3′-OH DNA ends cleaved by DNase during apoptosis but also constitutive physiological nicking that occurs in DNA duplication and histone posttranslational modifications during mitosis and random DNA breaks during necrotic execution. By electron microscopy, the mean labeling density (the number of 3′-OH DNA ends/nuclear area) obtained by the TUNEL method was determined to be consistently higher than that (the number of ssDNAs/nuclear area) obtained by the formamide-MAb assay. On the basis of these findings, we conclude that the formamide-MAb assay was more specific than the TUNEL method for the detection of apoptotic cells using electron microscopy; however, the labeling intensity of the formamide-MAb assay was slightly weaker than that of the TUNEL method.
Presence of SERCA and Calcineurin during Fetal Development of Porcine Skeletal Muscle
Authors: de Jonge Henriëtte W. , van der Wiel Cornelia W. , Eizema Karin , Weijs Wim A. , Everts Maria E.
Published: January 2006

Mechanisms involved in skeletal myofiber differentiation during fetal development of large animals are poorly understood. Studies in small animals suggest that the calcineurin (Cn) pathway is involved in myofiber differentiation. Neural activity is a prerequisite for Cn activity, implying maintenance of sustained low intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. To study the role of Cn in fetal myofiber differentiation, we monitored the temporal and spatial distribution of Cn subunits, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA), phospholamban (PLB), and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms in relation to ingrowing nerves in porcine semitendinosus muscle (m. semitendinosus) at 55 and 75 days of gestation (dg) and at term. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed the presence of Cn subunits and SERCA isoforms at all analyzed stages. Cn distribution was not fiber-type specific, but expression became more prominent at term. At 75 dg, differential SERCA2 expression was accompanied by perinuclear PLB in primary fibers. SERCA1 was expressed in all fiber types at all stages. No specific MyHC isoform distribution was seen in relation to neuromuscular contacts, although neuromuscular contacts were present. From these results we speculate that in porcine m. semitendinosus differential SERCA2 expression precedes differential Cn expression. The question whether the Cn pathway is involved in prenatal myofiber differentiation needs further studies.
Laminin-311 (Laminin-6) Fiber Assembly by Type I-like Alveolar Cells
Authors: DeBiase Phillip J. , Lane Kimberly , Budinger Scott , Ridge Karen , Wilson Mindy , Jones Jonathan C.R.
Published: January 2006

Two epithelial cell types cover the alveolar surface of the lung. Type II alveolar epithelial cells produce surfactant and, during development or following wounding, give rise to type I cells that are involved in gas exchange and alveolar fluid homeostasis. In culture, freshly isolated alveolar type II cells assume a more squamous (type I-like) appearance within 4 days after plating. They assemble numerous focal adhesions that associate with the actin cytoskeleton at the cell margins. These alveolar epithelial cells lose expression of type II cell markers including SP-C and after 4 days in culture express the type I cell marker T1α. Those cells that express T1α also deposit fibers of laminin-311 in their matrix. The latter appears to be related to their development of a type I phenotype because freshly isolated, primary type I cells also assemble laminin-311-rich fibers in vitro. A β1 integrin antibody antagonist inhibits the assembly of laminin-311 matrix fibers. Moreover, the formation of laminin fibers is dependent on the activity of the small GTPases and is perturbed by ML-7, a myosin light chain kinase inhibitor. In summary, our data indicate that assembly of laminin-311 fibers by lung epithelial cells is integrin and actin cytoskeleton dependent, and that these fibers are characteristic of type I alveolar cells.
“The Doctors’ Choice Is America’s Choice”
Authors: Gardner Martha N. , Brandt Allan M.
Published: January 2006

In the 1930s and 1940s, smoking became the norm for both men and women in the United States, and a majority of physicians smoked. At the same time, there was rising public anxiety about the health risks of cigarette smoking. One strategic response of tobacco companies was to devise advertising referring directly to physicians. As ad campaigns featuring physicians developed through the early 1950s, tobacco executives used the doctor image to assure the consumer that their respective brands were safe.

These advertisements also suggested that the individual physicians’ clinical judgment should continue to be the arbiter of the harms of cigarette smoking even as systematic health evidence accumulated. However, by 1954, industry strategists deemed physician images in advertisements no longer credible in the face of growing public concern about the health evidence implicating cigarettes.
Composite Silica Spheres with Magnetic and Luminescent Functionalities
Authors: Salgueiriño‐Maceira V. , Correa‐Duarte M. A. , Spasova M. , Liz‐Marzán L. M. , Farle M.
Published: January 2006

A new class of highly fluorescent, photostable, and magnetic core/shell nanoparticles in the submicrometer size range has been synthesized from a modified Stöber method combined with the layer‐by‐layer (LbL) assembly technique. Luminescent magnetic nanoparticles are prepared via two main steps. The first step involves controlled addition of tetraethoxysilane to a dispersion of Fe3O4/γ‐Fe2O3 nanoparticles, which are thereby homogeneously incorporated as cores into monodisperse silica spheres. The second step involves the LbL assembly of polyelectrolytes and luminescent CdTe quantum dots onto the surfaces of the silica‐coated magnetite/maghemite particles, which are finally covered with an outer shell of silica. These spherical particles have a typical diameter of 220 ± 10 nm and a saturation magnetization of 1.34 emu g–1 at room temperature, and exhibit strong excitonic photoluminescence. Nanoparticles with such a core/shell architecture have the added benefit of providing a robust platform (the outer silica shell) for incorporating diverse functionalities into a single nanoparticle.
CFD‐based compartmental modeling of single phase stirred‐tank reactors
Authors: Guha Debangshu , Dudukovic M. P. , Ramachandran P. A. , Mehta S. , Alvare J.
Published: January 2006

Mechanically agitated reactors are widely used in variety of process industries. Traditional designs assume perfect mixing which often fails to predict the performance of large scale industrial reactors. The effect of mixing becomes pronounced when the time scales of some of the reactions are small compared to the time scale of mixing. The objective of this work is to predict the influence of mixing on the performance of stirred‐tank reactors by developing a compartmental model that incorporates the flow field simulated by CFD. This enables the coupling of the flow field, turbulent mixing and kinetics in an appropriate way, and bridges the existing gap between CFD and phenomenological models. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
Narrow‐disperse or monodisperse crosslinked and functional core–shell polymer particles prepared by two‐stage precipitation polymerization
Authors: Bai Feng , Yang Xinlin , Huang Wenqiang
Published: January 2006

Narrow‐disperse and monodisperse cross‐linked core–shell polymer particles containing different functional groups, such as esters, hydroxyls, chloromethyls, carboxylic acids, amides, cyanos, and glycidyls, in the shell layers in the micrometer size range were prepared by a two‐stage precipitation polymerization in the absence of any stabilizer. Commercial divinylbenzene (DVB), containing 80% DVB, was precipitation polymerized in acetonitrile without any stabilizer as the first‐stage polymerization and was used as the core. Several functional monomers, including methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, t‐butyl acrylate, i‐octyl acrylate, acrylic acid, acrylamide, acrylonitrile, styrene, and p‐chloromethyl styrene, were incorporated into the shells during the second‐stage polymerization. The resulting core–shell polymer particles were characterized with scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1776–1784, 2006
Synthesis and property evaluations of photocrosslinkable chitosan derivative and its photocopolymerization with poly(ethylene glycol)
Authors: Tsai Bin‐Hong , Lin Chih‐Hsiu , Lin Jui‐Che
Published: January 2006

Photocrosslinkable polymers are clean and convenient materials for the biomedical uses. Chitosan, which owns excellent biocompatible and antimicrobial properties, is one of the choices while it is introduced with photosensitive functional groups. In this study, chitosan was N‐phthaloylated to react with acryloyl chloride in the organic solvent homogeneously and the result has been verified by the solubility test. Fourier transformed infrared spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer analysis indicated that the modification with the attachment of the photosensitive functional group, the acryloyl group, onto chitosan and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was feasible. The differential scanning calorimetry analysis further indicated that the melting points of the N‐phathaloylated chitosan were decreased as compared with the untreated chitosan control. Then photocrosslinkable chitosan derivative (CH‐PAA) was photocopolymerized with PEG diacrylate (PEGA) under UV irradiation. The adhesion strength characterization and swelling capacity evaluation for this photocopolymer have shown obvious raises of the adhesiveness and water‐adsorption abilities as compared with the photopolymer of CH‐PAA. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1794–1801, 2006
One‐pot synthesis of a few nanocomposites with poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) and CdS, Ag, Pd50–Ag50, and Pt50–Ru50 nanoparticles with γ irradiation
Authors: Kang Yun‐Ok , Choi Seong‐Ho , Gopalan A. , Lee Kwang‐Pill , Kang Hee‐Dong , Song Young Sang
Published: January 2006

The one‐pot synthesis of nanocomposites of a conductive poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) (PVK) with CdS, Ag, Pd50–Ag50, and Pt50–Ru50 nanoparticles was performed with γ irradiation in a tetrahydrofuran–water mixture (3/1 vol %). For comparison, the CdS, Ag, Pd50–Ag50, and Pt50–Ru50 nanoparticles were also prepared with γ irradiation with polyvinylpyrrolidone as a stabilizer. Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction analysis, and photoluminescence spectroscopy were used for the characterization of CdS, Ag, Pd50–Ag50, and Pt50–Ru50 nanoparticles and nanocomposites of PVK with CdS, Ag, Pd50–Ag50, and Pt50–Ru50 nanoparticles. The absorption spectrum of the CdS‐nanoparticle‐based composite revealed a quantum confinement effect. The emission spectrum of the composite with CdS nanoparticles and PVK indicated the block effect of PVK for surface recombination. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1809–1815, 2006
Deacetylation behavior of binary blend films of cellulose acetate and various polymers
Authors: Yamashita Yoichiro , Endo Takeshi
Published: January 2006

For binary blend films of cellulose acetate (CA) and various polymers, the elution behavior of the polymers from the CA films in different environments (i.e., soil, water) was examined. For the CA film containing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), the PEG eluted to the periphery of the film completely. On the other hand, polyvinylpyrrolidone blended with CA remained in the CA film. A CA film containing acrylic acid was prepared, and this film was heated. The elution of acrylic acid was inhibited by its polymerization. These results suggested that the internal polymers were capable of remaining in the CA film by polymer entanglement. Second, we examined the deacetylation and biodegradation behavior of CA films containing polymers with a phosphoric acid moiety in the side chain, such as poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate phosphoric acid ester) [poly(HEMA‐P)]. Poly(HEMA‐P) had the ability to deacetylate the CA, and the biodegradation rate of the CA films containing poly(HEMA‐P) increased in comparison with that of the nonadditive CA films. The elution of internal 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate phosphoric acid ester was inhibited by the copolymerization with 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate or crosslinking. In the case of both 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate phenyl phosphoric acid ester and 10‐methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate, the acetone‐soluble polymers were obtained by radical polymerization in a mixture of acetone and water. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1816–1823, 2006
An innovative approach to the theory and practice of organizational analysis: my journey with Elliott Jaques
Authors: Schlemenson Aldo
Published: January 2006

This article highlights the author's experience working with Elliott Jaques and his theory for over 35 years in Argentina. It examines the development of Jaques' theoretical approach to organizational theory over two decades, transforming from a psychological to a social theoretical framework. Emphasis is put in the notions of the organizational structure, the hierarchical managerial system, stratification, and the managerial accountability in a manner that allows for a systematic analysis. The “time‐span of discretion” instrument is the means for evaluating jobs and for having access to extant organization. This approach allows a process of change combining effectiveness with a humanistic democratization of the workplace and ethics. This article provides examples of projects implemented in the public administration area, verifying the consistency of the theory and its practical applications, in particular concerning individual capabilities, the talent pool, and their evaluation. It contains a Foreword by Dr Carlos Silvani, International Monetary Fund, Washington, D.C. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In Situ Spectroelectrochemical Studies on Ladder‐Type Oligomers in Solution and the Solid State
Authors: Rapta Peter , Schulte Niels , Schlüter A. Dieter , Dunsch Lothar
Published: January 2006

A series of thermally stable fluoranthenopyracylene oligomers with extended π conjugation were studied by in situ ESR‐UV/Vis/NIR spectroelectrochemistry with respect to their application in devices such as organic light‐emitting diodes and field‐effect transistors. The oligomers are both soluble in o‐dichlorobenzene and form thin films by evaporation in the temperature range of 300–500 °C in vacuum. Their electrochemical behavior was studied in reduction (n doping) and oxidation (p doping) under standard voltammetric and thin‐layer conditions. The HOMO and LUMO energies and the band gaps of all compounds under study were estimated from both electrochemical and UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopic data. The fluorene‐type oligomers A2–A6 and B2 bearing flexible alkyl chains exhibit both reversible multistep reductions and oxidations. The spectroelectrochemistry indicates substantial differences in delocalization of the positive and negative charges in these ladder‐type oligomers. The formation of doubly charged σ dimers was observed for the first time for both the radical anion and radical cation of the same molecule (B1). The redox behavior of the oligomers was studied in the solid state and in solution.
Development of vacuum‐ultraviolet circular dichroism measurement system using a polarizing undulator
Authors: Tanaka Masahito , Yagi‐Watanabe Kazutoshi , Yamada Toru , Kaneko Fusae , Nakagawa Kazumichi
Published: January 2006

We have developed an improved circular dichroism (CD) and linear dichroism (LD) simultaneous measurement system for the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) region by polarization modulation techniques using a four‐period Onuki‐type crossed undulator as a polarized light source. The system has been constructed at the VUV beamline BL‐5 in the electron storage ring TERAS, at AIST. Our improvements, in particular the adoption of an optical chopper as the detection method of incident light, have resulted in a flat baseline and a consequent simplification of the Mueller matrix calculation for our optical system. Based on the Mueller matrix calculation, we have successfully measured real VUV‐CD and LD spectra of leucine films for wavelengths down to 160 nm with absolute optical constants. The obtained spectra show good consistency with spectra measured by conventional methods. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.Chirality
Preferential enrichment: Significant influence of minor molecular modification on the mode of polymorphic transition during crystallization
Authors: Fujimoto Daisuke , Takahashi Hiroki , Ariga Tomomi , Tamura Rui
Published: January 2006

The relationship between the molecular structure and the occurrence of Preferential Enrichment, an unusually symmetry‐breaking enantiomeric resolution phenomenon observed upon simple recrystallization of a certain kind of racemic crystals from organic solvents, has been investigated with respect to a new series of racemic ammonium sulfonate compounds. Racemic [2‐[4‐(3‐ethoxy‐2‐hydroxypropoxy)phenylcarbamoyl]ethyl]trimethylammonium p‐iodobenzenesulfonate [(±)‐1a] can show preferential enrichment by simple recrystallization from EtOH, whereas its terminal methoxy and propoxy derivatives [(±)‐1b and (±)‐1c] are unable to do so. The influence of such a minor molecular modification on Preferential Enrichment has been rationalized in terms of the change of the mode of polymorphic transition during crystallization, which has been confirmed by in situ ATR‐FTIR (ReactIR) spectroscopy in solution and in the solid state and by X‐ray crystallographic analysis of their single crystals. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Chirality
Preparation of enantiopure Wieland–Miescher ketone and derivatives by the MαNP acid method. Substituent effect on the HPLC separation
Authors: Kasai Yusuke , Shimanuki Kumiko , Kuwahara Shunsuke , Watanabe Masataka , Harada Nobuyuki
Published: January 2006

Enantiopure Wieland–Miescher ketone (4, W‐M ketone) and derivatives were prepared by the enantioresolution with 2‐methoxy‐2‐(1‐naphthyl)propionic acid (MαNP acid 1). Various racemic derivatives of 4 were esterified with acid (S)‐(+)‐1 yielding diastereomeric MαNP esters, which were separated by HPLC on silica gel. It was clarified that the HPLC separation of diastereomers depended on the substituent of the derivatives, leading to the working hypothesis that MαNP acid esters of alcohols with less polar and more bulky aliphatic substituents are more effectively separated. The best separation was obtained in the case of tert‐butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS) ether derivative (12a/12b): separation factor α = 1.80, and resolution factor, Rs = 1.30. The 1H NMR spectra of separated MαNP esters showed anomalously large magnetic anisotropy effects, from which their absolute configurations were determined. Solvolysis or reduction of the separated MαNP esters yielded alcohols, which were converted to enantiopure W‐M ketones 4. The results thus provided another route for preparation of enantiopure ketones (8aR)‐(−)‐4 and (8aS)‐(+)‐4. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Chirality
Roles of phenylalanine at position 120 and glutamic acid at position 222 in the oxidation of chiral substrates by cytochrome P450 2D6
Authors: Masuda Kazufumi , Tamagake Keietsu , Katsu Takashi , Torigoe Fumihiro , Saito Keita , Hanioka Nobumitsu , Yamano Shigeru , Yamamoto Shigeo , Narimatsu Shizuo
Published: January 2006

The roles of Phe‐120 and Glu‐222 in the oxidation of chiral substrates bunitrolol (BTL) and bufuralol (BF) by CYP2D6 are discussed. Wild‐type CYP2D6 (CYP2D6‐WT) oxidized BTL to 4‐hydroxybunitrolol (4‐OH‐BTL) with substrate enantioselectivity of (R)‐(+)‐BTL > (S)‐(−)‐BTL. The same enzyme converted BF into 1″‐hydroxybufuralol with substrate enantioselectivity of (R)‐BF >> (S)‐BF and metabolite diastereoselectivity of (1″R)‐OH < (1″S)‐OH. The substitution of Phe‐120 by alanine markedly increased the apparent Km and Vmax values for enantiomeric BTL 4‐hydroxylation by CYP2D6. In contrast, the same substitution caused an increase only in Vmax values of (S)‐BF 1″‐hydroxylation without changing apparent Km values, while kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax values) for (R)‐BF 1″‐hydroxylation remained unchanged. Furthermore, the substitution of Glu‐222 as well as Glu‐216 by alanine remarkably decreased both the apparent Km and Vmax values without changing substrate enantioselectivity or metabolite diastereoselectivity. A computer‐assisted simulation study using energy minimization and molecular dynamics techniques indicated that the hydrophobic interaction of an aromatic moiety of the substrate with Phe‐120 and the ionic interaction of a basic nitrogen atom of the substrate with Glu‐222 in combination with Glu‐216 play important roles in the binding of BF and BTL by CYP2D6 and the orientation of these substrates in the active‐site cavity. This modeling yielded a convincing explanation for the reversal of substrate enantioselectivity in BTL 4‐hydroxylation between CYP2D6‐WT and CYP2D6‐V374M having methionine in place of Val‐374, which supports the validity of this modeling. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Chirality
Eine Methode zur Berechnung der Relativgeschwindigkeit von Gasblasen in Dreiphasenströmungen – Teil 2: Praxisrelevante Gasgehalte
Authors: John S. , Schlüter M. , Scheid S. , Parchmann H. , Räbiger N.
Published: January 2006

Auf der Grundlage physikalischer Modellvorstellungen wird eine Methode zur Berechnung der Relativgeschwindigkeit von Gasblasen in Dreiphasenströmungen erarbeitet. Hierfür wird ein bekannter Modellansatz für Gas/Flüssigkeitsströmungen bezüglich der komplexen Wechselwirkungen der dispersen Phasen in Dreiphasensystemen modifiziert. Rechnung getragen wird speziell der veränderten Blasenumströmung, dem hierdurch veränderten Blasenschleppengebiet und dem Phänomen der Feststoffeinlagerung gemäß den in Teil 1 dieses Beitrags erläuterten Phänomenologien. Der erarbeiteten Methode werden experimentell gewonnenen Daten aus Messungen in einem Treibstrahlschlaufenreaktor gegenübergestellt und hinsichtlich der Genauigkeit diskutiert. Dabei ergibt sich, dass die mit dem neuen Modell ermittelten und die experimentellen Daten gut übereinstimmen, besonders bei praxisrelevanten, hohen Dispersphasengehalten.
Verwendung und Modifikation eines kommerziellen Nioboxid‐ Hydrates als Katalysator für feststoffsäurekatalysierte Reaktionen
Authors: Frank B. , Yildiz A. , Schomäcker R. , Habel D. , Schubert H.
Published: January 2006

Ein kommerziell erhältliches Nioboxid‐Hydrat, das bei der Darstellung von Nioboxid als Zwischenprodukt anfällt, wird auf seine Eignung als Feststoffsäure‐Katalysator untersucht. Die Veresterung von Essigsäure mit Ethanol in der Gasphase dient für die Beurteilung der Aktivität als einfache Modellreaktion. Die kinetische Auswertung der Versuche umfasst sowohl eine mechanistische Studie als auch Abschätzungen über Stofftransporthemmungen.
Review of endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration cytology
Authors: Bardales Ricardo H. , Stelow Edward B. , Mallery Shawn , Lai Rebecca , Stanley Michael W.
Published: January 2006

This review, based on the Hennepin County Medical Center experience and review of the literature, vastly covers the up‐to‐date role of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and EUS‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) in evaluating tumorous lesions of the gastrointestinal tract and adjacent organs. Emphasis is given to the tumoral and nodal staging of esophageal, pulmonary, and pancreatic cancer. This review also discusses technical, pathological, and gastroenterologic aspects and the role of the pathologist and endosonographer in the evaluation of these lesions, as well as the corresponding FNA cytology and differential diagnosis. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2006;34:140–175. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.