bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a Novel Fiber Composite Material for Mechanotransduction Research of Fibrous Connective Tissues
Authors: Screen Hazel R. C. , Byers Scott R. , Lynn Aaron D. , Nguyen Vien , Patel Dharmesh , Bryant Stephanie J.
Published: February 2010

Mechanotransduction is the fundamental process by which cells detect and respond to their mechanical environment, and is critical for tissue homeostasis. Understanding mechanotransduction mechanisms will provide insights into disease processes and injuries, and may support novel tissue engineering research. Although there has been extensive research in mechanotransduction, many pathways remain unclear, due to the complexity of the signaling mechanisms and loading environments involved. This study describes the development of a novel hydrogel‐based fiber composite material for investigating mechanotransduction in fibrous tissues. By encapsulating poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) rods in a bulk poly(ethylene glycol) matrix, it aims to create a micromechanical environment more representative of that seen in vivo.

Results demonstrated that collagen‐coated rods enable localized cell attachment, and cells are successfully cultured for one week within the composite. Mechanical analysis of the composite indicates that gross mechanical properties and local strain environments could be manipulated by altering the fabrication process. Allowing diffusion between the rods and surrounding matrix creates an interpenetrating network whereby the relationships between shear and tension are altered. Increasing diffusion enhances the shear bond strength between rods and matrix and the levels of local tension along the rods. Preliminary investigation into fibroblast mechanotransduction illustrates that the fiber composite upregulates collagen I expression, the main protein in fibrous tissues, in response to cyclic tensile strains when compared to less complex 2D and 3D environments. In summary, the ability to create and manipulate a strain environment surrounding the fibers, where combined tensile and shear forces uniquely impact cell functions, is demonstrated.
Blutspuren. Zur Bedeutung des Blutes in der Kriminalwissenschaft um 1900
Authors: Bachhiesl Christian
Published: February 2010

Traces of Blood. The Significance of Blood in Criminology at the Turn of the 19th Century. In late 19th and early 20th century, criminology became institutionalized as an independent branch of science. Methodologically it focused on the ‘exact’ methods of the natural sciences, but also it tried to integrate the methods of the humanities. This mix of methods becomes visible in the treatment of blood, which on the one hand was an object of then brand new methods of scientific analysis (identification of human blood by the biological or precipitin method), and on the other hand was analyzed as a product of the magic and superstitious mentalities of criminals. The methodical tension resulting from this epistemological cross‐breeding did not disturb the criminologists, for whom the reconciliation of opposite ways of thinking and researching seemed to be possible. In this encyclopaedic analysis of blood early criminology tried to combine the anthropological exploration of vampirism with the chemical and microscopic detection of antibodies and haemoglobin, thus mirroring the positivistic optimism that was then prevalent.
Directed Evolution of an Antitumor Drug (Arginine Deiminase PpADI) for Increased Activity at Physiological pH
Authors: Zhu Leilei , Tee Kang Lan , Roccatano Danilo , Sonmez Burcu , Ni Ye , Sun Zhi‐Hao , Schwaneberg Ulrich
Published: February 2010

Arginine deiminase (ADI; EC 3.5.3.6) has been studied as a potential antitumor drug for the treatment of arginine‐auxotrophic tumors, such as hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and melanomas. Studies with human lymphatic leukemia cell lines confirmed that ADI is an antiangiogenic agent for treating leukemia. The main limitation of ADI from Pseudomonas plecoglossicida (PpADI) lies in its pH‐dependent activity profile, its pH optimum is at 6.5. A pH shift from 6.5 to 7.5 results in an approximately 80 % drop in activity. (The pH of human plasma is 7.35 to 7.45.) In order to shift the PpADI pH optimum, a directed‐evolution protocol based on an adapted citrulline‐screening protocol in microtiter‐plate format was developed and validated. A proof of concept for ADI engineering resulted in a pH optimum of pH 7.0 and increased resistance under physiological and slightly alkaline conditions. At pH 7.4, variant M2 (K5T/D44E/H404R) is four times faster than the wild‐type PpADI and retains ∼50 % of its activity relative to its pH optimum, compared to ∼10 % in the case of the wild‐type PpADI.
Amminelithium Amidoborane Li(NH3)NH2BH3: A New Coordination Compound with Favorable Dehydrogenation Characteristics
Authors: Xia Guanglin , Yu Xuebin , Guo Yanhui , Wu Zhu , Yang Chuanzhen , Liu Huangkun , Dou Shixue
Published: February 2010

The monoammoniate of lithium amidoborane, Li(NH3)NH2BH3, was synthesized by treatment of LiNH2BH3 with ammonia at room temperature. This compound exists in the amorphous state at room temperature, but at −20 °C crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with lattice parameters of a=9.711(4), b=8.7027(5), c=7.1999(1) Å, and V=608.51 Å3. The thermal decomposition behavior of this compound under argon and under ammonia was investigated. Through a series of experiments we have demonstrated that Li(NH3)NH2BH3 is able to absorb/desorb ammonia reversibly at room temperature. In the temperature range of 40–70 °C, this compound showed favorable dehydrogenation characteristics. Specifically, under ammonia this material was able to release 3.0 equiv hydrogen (11.18 wt %) rapidly at 60 °C, which represents a significant advantage over LiNH2BH3. It has been found that the formation of the coordination bond between ammonia and Li+ in LiNH2BH3 plays a crucial role in promoting the combination of hydridic BH bonds and protic NH bonds, leading to dehydrogenation at low temperature.
Stereoselective Formation of Triphenylene Ketals
Authors: Boshta Nader M. , Bomkamp Martin , Schnakenburg Gregor , Waldvogel Siegfried R.
Published: February 2010

The oxidative trimerization of catechol ketals by MoCl5 or MoCl5/TiCl4 mixtures leads preferentially to the all‐syn stereoisomer of the corresponding triphenylene ketal. The concomitant metal salts of the oxidative coupling most probably form a multinuclear template that directs the diastereoselectivity in a subsequent isomerization step under electrophilic conditions. Several functionalities can serve as coordination sites for the multinuclear metal chloro clusters. Suitable functional groups have to be stable towards the strong electrophilic and oxidizing conditions. Therefore, esters, nitriles, nitro derivatives, triazoles, and pyridines are successfully employed. Based on the flexibility and size of the substrate, different reagent mixtures lead to the stereoselective formation of the all‐syn derivatives.
Metal Ion Extraction with Bipyridine Derivatives as Chelating Ligands in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Yang Hai‐Jian , Kim Hakwon , Guo Cun‐Yue
Published: February 2010

Three fluorinated bipyridine ligands have been designed and synthesized as chelating agents for the extraction of metal ions in supercritical CO2 (sc‐CO2). The ligand solubilities in sc‐CO2 were investigated at different temperatures and pressures, and the measured data have been correlated using a semiempirical model. The calculated results showed satisfactory agreement with the experimental data. Based on these data, metal ion extraction with the three compounds as chelating agents in sc‐CO2 was performed from spiked filter paper, whereby ligand 1 showed the highest extraction efficiency, especially for Ni2+ and Cu2+. The extraction constants, Kex, of the three chelating ligands were seen to increase with increasing extraction efficiency for the same metal ion in the same extraction system.
A Structure‐Based Virtual Screening Approach toward the Discovery of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors: Identification of Promising Zinc‐Chelating Groups
Authors: Park Hwangseo , Kim Sukyoung , Kim Yong Eun , Lim Soo‐Jeong
Published: February 2010

The inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACs) have drawn a great deal of attention due to their promising potential as small‐molecule therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. By means of virtual screening with docking simulations under consideration of the effects of ligand solvation, we were able to identify six novel HDAC inhibitors with IC50 values ranging from 1 to 100 μM. These newly identified inhibitors are structurally diverse and have various chelating groups for the active site zinc ion, including N‐[1,3,4]thiadiazol‐2‐yl sulfonamide, N‐thiazol‐2‐yl sulfonamide, and hydroxamic acid moieties. The former two groups are included in many drugs in current clinical use and have not yet been reported as HDAC inhibitors. Therefore, they can be considered as new inhibitor scaffolds for the development of anticancer drugs by structure–activity relationship studies to improve the inhibitory activities against HDACs. Interactions with the HDAC1 active site residues responsible for stabilizing these new inhibitors are addressed in detail.
Disturbances in the habitat of Macrocotyla glandulosa (Kenk)
Authors: Wicks Carol , Noltie Douglas B. , Peterson Eric W. , Dogwiler Toby
Published: February 2010

Disturbances lead to the displacement or mortality of organisms or communities. In stream ecosystems, hydrologic disturbances (floods, spates, freshets) can dislodge organisms from the streambed habitat and in some cases dislodge the sediment itself (scour). The primary aim of this study was to characterize the relation between the scour and the magnitude of freshets through the sediment size distribution and the depth of water at numerous locations along a cave stream in the habitat of the imperilled Macrocotyla glandulosa (Kenk), the pink planarian. Our hypothesis is that areas of stable streambed sediment would serve as habitat, whereas areas of mobile streambed sediment would not serve as habitat. We have combined the use of a numerical model of a cave stream with the size distribution of streambed sediment to designate locations of streambed stability or instability. Using pink planaria census data collected since 1988, we have identified locations that the pink planaria occupy and locations where the pink planaria have not been found. Our results show that five locations along the cave stream that lacked scour corresponded with locations of pink planaria occurrence, that two locations that experienced scour correspond with locations where the pink planaria were not found and that one location experienced scour and planaria were found. Thus, there seems to be a relation between the stability of streambed sediment and the use of that sediment as habitat. Conservation efforts aimed at increasing the population of the imperilled pink planarian should account for the stability of the streambed sediment. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transformative ecosystem change and ecohydrology: ushering in a new era for watershed management
Authors: Wilcox Bradford P.
Published: February 2010

As a result of human activities, forests and rangelands across the globe have undergone dramatic changes that have fundamentally altered ecosystem processes. Examples of these kinds of transformational changes include increasingly hot and extensive forest fires, die‐off over vast areas of forest from insect infestations, large‐scale encroachment of rangelands by woody plants and non‐native invasive plants, and desertification. These changes have accelerated in pace, scale and magnitude in recent decades and have the potential to alter water, energy, and biogeochemical cycles in important but not fully understood ways. The related disciplines of ecohydrology and watershed management are being shaped and transformed by the need to understand the ecohydrological consequences of transformative landscape change as well as the need to mitigate and manage for these changes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Benzo[h]quinoline Pincer Ruthenium and Osmium Catalysts for Hydrogenation of Ketones
Authors: Baratta Walter , Fanfoni Lidia , Magnolia Santo , Siega Katia , Rigo Pierluigi
Published: February 2010

Chiral orthometalated osmium complexes [OsCl(CN′N)(PP)] {PP = (S,R)‐Josiphos type diphosphane} based on 2‐aminomethylbenzo[h]quinoline ligands (HCN′N) were prepared by reaction of [OsCl2(PPh3)3] with a Josiphos diphosphane and a HCN′N ligand in the presence of NEt3. Ruthenium and osmium complexes [MX(CN′N)(PP)] {M = Ru, Os; X = Cl, OCH(p‐C6H4F)2; PP = dppb, (S,R)‐Josiphos}, in the presence of KOtBu, efficiently catalyze the chemoselective hydrogenation (H2 = 5 atm) of aromatic and aliphatic ketones to secondary alcohols in methanol or methanol/ethanol mixtures, when a S/C ratio of 10000–50000 is used. With use of these chiral phosphanes, alkyl aryl ketones have been reduced with ee values up to 99 % and turnover frequencies (TOFs) up to 5.6 × 104 h–1.
The latest Permian mass extinction in the Alborz Mountains (North Iran)
Authors: Angiolini Lucia , Checconi Alessio , Gaetani Maurizio , Rettori Roberto
Published: February 2010

The Elikah River section in the Alborz Mountains (North Iran) is a fossiliferous, continuous, marine section spanning the Permian–Triassic (P–T) boundary interval. Sixty‐eight taxa of brachiopods, foraminifers and algae have been collected bed‐by‐bed from the topmost 36 m of the Nesen Formation and the basal 2 m of the Elikah Formation, across the P–T boundary that is located in the basal metre of the latter formation. Forty‐six of these taxa from 62 samples have been considered for statistical analyses to unravel the pattern of extinction. First, their range extensions have been determined, which should be added to the highest stratigraphic occurrence of each taxon to identify the extinction level within a certain confidence interval (95%). Then the pattern of the extinction has been analysed, plotting the stratigraphic abundance versus last occurrence below the extinction horizon. The resulting pattern is of a sudden extinction occurring 30 cm below the biostratigraphically defined base of the Triassic. The confidence interval (95%) for the mass extinction is 30 cm thick. As predicted by the ‘Signor–Lipps effect’, brachiopod last occurrences underestimate the time of extinction, as their abundance is below 15%. Therefore, also in North Iran located at equatorial palaeolatitudes along the southern shore of the Palaeotethys Ocean, the pattern of the latest Permian mass extinction is abrupt as observed in South China, in peri‐Gondwana and in the Southern Alps. One of the most plausible mechanisms of the latest Permian sudden mass extinction could have been the emissions of tholeiitic magmas (Siberian Traps), which could have caused greenhouse gases emission into the atmosphere and thus global warming and ozone depletion, triggering the crisis (Svensen et al. 2008). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Water content of the mantle xenoliths from Kimberley and implications for explaining textural variations in cratonic roots
Authors: Katayama Ikuo , Michibayashi Katsuyoshi , Terao Ryuji , Ando Jun‐Ichi , Komiya Tsuyoshi
Published: February 2010

Water contents estimates based on infrared spectroscopy and deformation microstructures are used to constrain the origin of textural variations observed in mantle xenoliths from Kimberley, South Africa. Infrared spectra indicate water contents of 10–370 ppm (H2O by weight) in olivine, 20–370 ppm in orthopyroxene, up to 340 ppm in garnet and 30–550 ppm in clinopyroxene, although no systematic differences are detected among texturally distinct xenoliths (i.e. granular and sheared peridotites). In contrast, active slip systems in olivine, as inferred from tilt boundaries, are different between the granular and sheared peridotites; the former deformed via the [100](010) slip system, which is commonly active under hot, dry conditions, whereas the latter deformed via the [001](100) slip system, which is commonly activated in water‐rich environments. The discrepancy in water contents estimates based on infrared spectroscopy and deformation microstructures may reflect different stages of the evolution of water content: the present water contents, as analysed by infrared spectroscopy, may have been modified by the most recent events (e.g. eruption by kimberlite magma), whereas the water contents inferred from tilt boundaries may have resulted from the various deformation processes in the deep cratonic mantle. Accordingly, we suggest that the observed heterogeneity in water content within cratonic roots facilitates local deformation, and gives rise to the range of textures seen in cratonic mantle xenoliths. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A pilot randomized controlled trial of sleep therapy in Parkinson's disease: effect on patients and caregivers
Authors: Leroi Iracema , Baker Peter , Kehoe Pam , Daniel Emily , Byrne E Jane
Published: February 2010

Objective

By means of a controlled trial, to investigate the efficacy, tolerability and feasibility of a multi‐component sleep therapy intervention versus basic sleep hygiene education in PD patients with sleep disturbances and their live‐in carers.

Methods

Patient‐carer dyads were randomised to either of the two interventions. Quantitative measures of sleep, psychiatric and overall functioning were administered at baseline and two weeks after the intervention to patients and carers.

Results

Sleep disturbances in the PD patients improved significantly in both the groups. Between group comparisons in both carers and patients revealed no significant differences on any outcome measures. The intervention was found to be well tolerated, feasible and could easily be translated into the clinical setting.

Conclusions

This pilot study makes the case for further, more rigorous study of pragmatic, non‐pharmacological interventions for sleep disturbances in PD. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of high‐Tg polymers via ROMP of oxanorbornene dicarboximides with halogen groups
Authors: Çetinkaya Sevil , Bayram Rifat
Published: February 2010

This paper describes the synthesis of exo‐N‐phenyl‐7‐oxanorbornene‐5, 6‐dicarboximides with different substituents at para positions in the aromatic ring and their polymerization by ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) leading to high‐Tg polymers. Exo‐N‐4‐chlorophenyl‐7‐oxanorbornene‐5,6‐dicarboximide (ClPhONDI, 3a), exo‐N‐4‐bromophenyl‐7‐oxanorbornene‐5,6‐dicarbo‐ ximide (BrPhONDI, 3b), and exo‐N‐4‐iodophenyl‐7‐oxanorbornene‐5,6‐dicarboximide (IPhONDI, 3c) monomers were synthesized. Polynorbornene dicarboximides were obtained via ROMP using a first‐generation ruthenium alkylidene catalyst, Cl2PCy3)2Ru(CHPh). The resulting amorphous polymers with trans configuration of the double bonds were characterized by NMR, SEM, DSC, and GPC. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 21:36–43, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20576
Is representative elementary area defined by a simple mixing of variable small streams in headwater catchments?
Authors: Asano Yuko , Uchida Taro
Published: February 2010

The spatial variability of hydrology may decrease with an increase in catchment area as a result of mixing of numerous small‐scale hydrological conditions. At some point, it is possible that a threshold area, the representative elementary area (REA), can be identified beyond which an average hydrologic response occurs. This hypothesis has been tested mainly via numerical simulations, with only a few field studies involving simple mixing. We tested this premise quantitatively using dissolved silica (SiO2) concentrations at 96 locations that included zero‐order hollow discharges through sixth‐order streams, collected under low‐flow conditions within the 4·27‐km2 Fudoji catchment. The catchment possesses a simple topography consisting almost solely of hillslopes and stream channels, uniform bedrock geology, soil type and land use in the Tanakami Mountains in central Japan. Dissolved SiO2 provides a useful tracer in hydrological studies insofar as it is responsive to flowpath depth on hillslopes of uniform geology. Our results demonstrate that even in a catchment with an almost homogeneous geology and simple topography, dissolved SiO2 concentrations in zero‐order hollow discharges largely varied in space and they became similar among sampling locations with area of more than 10−1–100 km2. Relationships between stream order and standard deviation of SiO2 concentration closely matched the theoretical predictions from simple mixing of random fields. That is, our field data supported the existence of the REA and showed that the REA was produced by the simple mixing of numerous small‐scale hydrological conditions. The study emphasizes the need to consider both the heterogeneous nature of small‐scale hydrology and the landscape structure when assessing the characteristics of catchment runoff. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetics and thermodynamics of glucoamylase inhibition by lactate during fermentable sugar production from food waste
Authors: Qiang Wang Xiao , Hui Wang Qun , Ying Liu Ying , Zhi Ma Hong , Ming Wang Xu
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND: Glucoamylase hydrolysis is a key step in the bioconversion of food waste with complicated composition. This work investigated the effect of lactate on glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger UV‐60, and inhibition mechanisms of glucoamylase by lactate during food waste hydrolysis.

RESULTS: For 125 min hydrolysis of food waste (10%, dry basis), reducing sugars produced in the absence of lactate were 15%, 26% and 56% more than those produced in the presence of 24 g L−1 lactate at 60, 50 and 40 °C, respectively. Kinetic study showed that the type of glucoamylase inhibition by lactate was competitive, and Km (Michaelis‐Menten constent), Vmax (maximum initial velocity), KI (inhibition constant) were 103.2 g L−1, 5.0 g L−1 min−1, 100.6 g L−1, respectively, for food waste hydrolysis at 60 °C and pH 4.6. Lactate also accelerated glucoamylase denaturation significantly. Activation energy of denaturation without inhibitor was 61% greater than that of denaturation with inhibitor (24 g L−1 lactate). Half‐lives (t1/2) without inhibitor were 7.6, 2.7, 2.6, 1.7 and 1.2 times longer than those with inhibitor at temperature 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 °C, respectively.

CONCLUSION: These results are helpful to process optimization of saccharification and bioconversion of food waste. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
A full‐scale trickling filter for the simultaneous removal of ammonium, iron and manganese from potable water
Authors: Tekerlekopoulou Athanasia G. , Papazafiris Panagiotis G. D. , Vayenas Dimitris V.
Published: February 2010

Ammonium, iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide are a serious problem for water reservoirs all over the world. The aim of this work was the design, construction and operation of a full‐scale trickling filter for the simultaneous removal of the above pollutants. The long‐term removal efficiency and the effect of environmental and operating conditions on filter performance were studied. Start‐up time of the filter was minimized using as inoculum backwash water from an existing pilot‐scale plant, while natural advection was adequate to provide sufficient aeration. Redox potential variation throughout the filter depth enhanced simultaneous removal of the pollutants. Under steady operating conditions the filter presented perfect performance, while under pollutant concentration and/or hydraulic loading shocks the filter retained high removal efficiency. Seasonal or daily temperature variations did not affect filter performance since raw water temperature was constant at 20 °C. The proposed system exhibited high pollutant removal rates for all hydraulic and pollutant loadings tested, under various environmental conditions. The simplicity of the installation and the minimal operating cost provide an effective solution to a serious environmental and social problem. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Mycorrhizal colonization and grain Cd concentration of field‐grown durum wheat in response to tillage, preceding crop and phosphorus fertilization
Authors: Gao Xiaopeng , Akhter Fardausi , Tenuta Mario , Flaten Donald N , Gawalko Eugene J , Grant Cynthia A
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND: A 3‐year field trial was conducted to investigate the effect of agricultural management practices including tillage, preceding crop and phosphate fertilization on root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and grain cadmium (Cd) concentration of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L.). The relationship between grain Cd and soil and plant variables was explored to determine the primary factors affecting grain Cd concentration.

RESULTS: Mycorrhizal colonization of the roots was reduced by conventional tillage or when the preceding crop was canola (Brassica napus L.), compared to minimum tillage or when the preceding crop was flax (Linum usitatissimum L.). In contrast, grain Cd was not consistently affected by any treatment. Grain Cd was generally below the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) of 100 µg Cd kg−1 proposed by WHO. Grain Cd varied substantially from year to year, and could be predicted with 70% of variance accounted for by using the model: grain Cd concentration = − 321.9 + 44.5× ln(grain yield) + 0.26× soil DTPA‐Cd + 182.5× soil electrical conductivity (EC)− 0.98× grain Zn concentration.

CONCLUSIONS: These common agricultural management practices had no effect on grain Cd concentration in durum wheat though they impacted mycorrhizal colonization of roots. Grain yield and to a lesser extent soil conditions of EC and DTPA‐Cd and grain Zn influenced grain Cd, whereas mycorrhizal colonization levels did not. Copyright © 2010 Crown in the right of Canada. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Effects of the β‐glycosidase reaction on bio‐conversion of isoflavones and quality during tofu processing
Authors: Ryu Young‐Gi , Won Bomi , Park Hae‐Ryung , Ghafoor Kashif , Park Jiyong
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND: Isoflavones are the most common group of phytoestrogens which are present in significantly large amounts in soybean and soy products such as tofu. Isoflavones occur naturally in glycoside forms having lower bioavailability than their aglycone forms. β‐Glycosidase acts as a bio‐catalyst for the conversion of isoflavone glycosides to isoflavone aglycones, raising the bioavailability of isoflavones; therefore, it can be used to improve the quality of tofu. We need to establish process conditions for the optimal outcome of the enzyme reaction in tofu.

RESULTS: By using the β‐glycosidase (0.02% w/v) reaction at 55 °C for 30 min, a maximum 84.5% conversion of isoflavone glycoside to isoflavone aglycone was obtained. The enzyme reaction caused no significant effects on the sensory acceptability of soft tofu. The hardness of enzyme‐treated hard tofu increased with the coagulant amount whereas prolonged heating resulted in decrease of hardness. Incorporation of enzyme reaction before the coagulation process during soft tofu processing provided a sufficient bio‐conversion of isoflavones at optimal conditions.

CONCLUSION: β‐Glycosidase can be effectively used for the bioconversion of isoflavones in soft tofu manufacturing process at optimal reaction conditions before the onset of coagulation process. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Strukturen und ihr Wandel: Was uns Kernspins erzählen
Authors: Buntkowsky Gerd , Breitzke Hergen
Published: February 2010

In den letzten zehn Jahren hat sich die Festkörper‐NMR‐Spektroskopie von einer eher exotischen Technik hin zu einem der wichtigsten Verfahren zur Strukturuntersuchung ungeordneter Festkörper entwickelt. Auch die Analyse der Dynamik im Festkörper und Untersuchungen von Grenzflächeneigenschaften nano‐ und mesostrukturierter Systeme sind mit ihr möglich.
Alternative Rohstoffversorgung
Authors: Bulmahn Maren , Guggolz Ernst
Published: February 2010

Infraleuna im mitteldeutschen Chemiedreieck möchte chemische Produkte, die auf lokaler Biotechnik und lokaler Braunkohle basieren, in die existierenden Wertschöpfungsketten einschleusen. Daraus soll eine Produktion entstehen, die unabhängiger von Erdöl und Erdgas über die Zeit des globalen Ölfördermaximums hinausreicht.
Kompaktes, NMR‐gestütztes Kapillarrheometer
Authors: Hardy Edme H. , Mertens Dirk , Hochstein Bernhard , Nirschl Hermann
Published: February 2010

Ein NMR‐gestütztes Kapillarrheometer mit Permanentmagneten detektiert die Geschwindigkeitshäufigkeitsverteilung einer strömenden Flüssigkeit. Daraus ergibt sich das Geschwindigkeitsprofil und so die die scherratenabhängige Viskosität.
Entsorgung sichern — Kreisläufe schließen
Authors: Bornewasser Ulrich
Published: February 2010

Mit eigenen Anlagen und mit Kooperationspartnern sichert Currenta die Entsorgung und die Reststoffverwertung im Chempark. So tragen Bayer Schering Pharma zur Wiederaufbereitung von Lösemitteln und Iod bei, Lanxess zur Schwefelsäurerückgewinnung und Currenta zum Recycling von Metallen und Kunststoffen.
Standortvorteil Engineering
Authors: Kramer Pierre
Published: February 2010

Infrastrukturleistungen und ein gutes Flächenangebot gehören in deutschen Chemieparks zum Standard. Wie Infraserv Knapsack die Prozesse der Kunden durch Engineering‐Lösungen voranbringt, zeigen die Beispiele von Bayer Cropscience und Vinnolit.
Misch‐ und Extrudierversuche
Authors: Jakob Bernd
Published: February 2010

Sieben Milliliter einer Probe reichen, um in einem miniaturisierten, konischen Doppelschnecken‐Extruder mit Rückstromkanal das Fließverhalten einer Polymerschmelze zu charakterisieren.
Nichtlineare Oszillationsexperimente
Authors: Nowak Maik
Published: February 2010

In Oszillationsexperimenten mit großer Deformationsamplitude (Laos) verhalten sich viskoelastische Fluide wesentlich realitätsnäher als in Experimenten, die normalerweise rheologisches Material‐ verhalten beschreiben. Dies verdeutlicht das Beispiel Hyaluronsäure, die in Gelenken schmierende und dämpfende Funktion übernimmt.
Die Mitteldeutsche Chemieregion: Wie Phönix aus der Asche
Authors: Bürger Nicole , Moll Rainer , Gerhartz Wolfgang
Published: February 2010

Einen Chemiestandort zu präsentieren, der sich im Laufe der letzten zwei Jahrzehnte stark entwickelt hat, das ist das Ziel beim dritten Jahrestreffen der Seniorexperten Chemie (SEC). Im mitteldeutschen Chemie‐Dreieck findet die SEC‐Tagung vom 3. bis 5. Juni in Bitterfeld‐Wolfen statt.
Stability of information‐sharing alliances in a three‐level supply chain
Authors: Sošić Greys
Published: February 2010

In their recent article, Leng and Parlar (L&P) (2009) analyze information‐sharing alliances in a three‐level supply chain (consisting of a manufacturer, a distributor, and a retailer) that faces a nonstationary end demand. Supply chain members can share demand information, which reduces information distortion and thus decreases their inventory holding and shortage costs. We expand the results from L&P by considering dynamic (farsighted) stability concepts. We use two different allocation rules and show that under some reasonable assumptions there should always be some information sharing in this supply chain. We also identify conditions under which the retailer in a stable outcome shares his demand information with the distributor, with the manufacturer, or with both remaining supply chain members. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2010
Mechanical and shape‐memory behavior of shape‐memory polymer composites with hybrid fillers
Authors: Lu Haibao , Yu Kai , Sun Shouhua , Liu Yanju , Leng Jinsong
Published: February 2010

Shape‐memory polymer (SMP) materials have several drawbacks such as low strength, low stiffness and natural insulating tendencies, which seriously limit their development and applications. Much effort has been made to improve their mechanical properties by adding particle or fiber fillers to reinforce the polymer matrix. However, this often leads to the mechanical properties being enhanced slightly, but the shape‐memory effect of reinforced SMP composites being drastically reduced. The experimental results reported here suggested that the mechanical resistive loading and thermal conductivity of a composite (with hybrid filler content of 7.0 wt%) were improved by 160 and 200%, respectively, in comparison with those of pure bulk SMP. Also, the glass transition temperature of the composite was enhanced to 57.28 °C from the 46.38 °C of a composite filled with 5.5 wt% hybrid filler, as determined from differential scanning calorimetry measurements. Finally, the temperature distribution and recovery behavior of specimens were recorded with infrared video in a recovery test, where a 28 V direct current circuit was applied. The effectiveness of carbon black and short carbon fibers being incorporated into a SMP with shape recovery activated by electricity has been demonstrated. These hybrid fillers were explored to improve the mechanical and conductive properties of bulk SMP. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Tetraacetyl‐dibenzyl‐hexaazaisowurtzitane Nitrosation – Studies on Scale‐up Synthesis of HNIW
Authors: Maksimowski Paweł , Fabijańska Agnieszka , Adamiak Joanna
Published: February 2010

A study made on 2,4,6,8‐tetraacetyl‐10,12‐dibenzyl‐2,4,6,8,10,12‐hexaazaisowurtzitane (TADBIW) nitrosation in acetic acid to 2,4,6,8‐tetraacetyl‐10,12‐dinitroso‐2,4,6,8,10,12‐hexaazaisowurtzitane (TADNOIW) allows the reaction time to be considerably shortened. During the study, the reaction yield was found to be affected by variables such as temperature, time and UV radiation. The major factor controlling the reaction rate was found to be the concentration of NO2 molecules in the reaction mixture. Under optimal conditions the product is obtained in a 90–93% yield after 6 h of the reaction conducted at 70 °C. UV radiation increases the reaction rate, yet the product obtained is of inferior purity on account of the by‐product formed.
First‐order phase transition between one‐third magnetization plateau states in an anisotropic (S, S′) = (1, 2) spin‐alternating chain
Authors: Tonegawa Takashi , Okamoto Kiyomi , Sakai Tôru
Published: February 2010

In recent studies we find that three kinds of magnetization plateaux appear at one‐third of the saturation magnetization in the ground‐state magnetization curve of an anisotropic (S, S′) = (1, 2) spin‐alternating chain, in which S = 1 and S′ = 2 spins with on‐site anisotropies are alternatingly arranged and coupled antiferromagnetically. One of these plateaux is a quantum plateau, while the other two are classical plateaux. We here show that the first‐order phase transition between the two classical one‐third plateau states occurs when the on‐site anisotropy for the S = 1 spin is of easy‐axis type and its magnitude is sufficiently large. We numerically determine the phase transition line for this first‐order transition and briefly discuss the origin of its occurrence.
Diagnosis of quantum criticality by nuclear spin‐echo decay method
Authors: Kambe S. , Sakai H. , Tokunaga Y. , Chudo H. , Walstedt R. E.
Published: February 2010

The Gaussian spin–spin relaxation time T2G, as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spin‐echo decay measurements, is found to be useful for diagnosis of quantum critical behaviour in heavy‐fermion systems. Combining T2G with the spin–lattice relaxation time T1, the exponent ϕ of the quantity $T_1 T/T_{2G}^2 \sim T^\phi$ is predicted to be sensitive to the type of quantum criticality in the system concerned. In fact, in the heavy‐fermion system USn3 near the quantum critical point, $T_1 T/T_{2G}^2$ is found to be constant, as expected for a 3D‐SDW magnetic instability.
Studies of inertio‐gravity waves on midlatitude beta‐plane without the traditional approximation
Authors: Kasahara Akira , Gary John M.
Published: February 2010

The role of the Rossby parameter β due to the meridional variation of the Coriolis parameter f is investigated for inertio‐gravity waves in midlatitudes based on a linear Boussinesq model without the traditional approximation, namely including the role of the horizontal component of the Coriolis vector of the Earth's rotation. Without the β‐effect, it is well established that the non‐traditional Coriolis effects give rise to an additional mode of inertio‐gravity (IG) waves whose frequencies are slightly smaller than the local Coriolis frequency f unlike the traditional IG‐mode whose frequencies are larger than f. The addition of the β‐effect modifies the properties of the sub‐inertial and super‐inertial IG‐modes. These modifications are examined by calculating the model normal modes for a given vertical profile of the buoyancy frequency N. Inclusion of the β‐effect yields the external and internal Rossby modes in addition to the IG‐modes. Presence of the external Rossby mode in this model is a new result, since it does not occur in the traditional version with β nor in the non‐traditional version without β. The normal‐mode properties, including wave frequencies and eigenfunctions, are presented for various values of N. The normal‐mode analysis is complemented by the initial‐value approach to study the evolution of waves generated by forcing. The results of numerical time‐integrations of wave generation in the ocean forced by atmospheric disturbances and by the interaction of tidal flows with bottom topography are presented to reveal a notable role of β for the IG‐waves. Application to atmospheric problems is proposed. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
The first case of mitochondrial acetoacetyl‐CoA thiolase deficiency identified by expanded newborn metabolic screening in Italy: the importance of an integrated diagnostic approach
Authors: Catanzano Francesca , Ombrone Daniela , Di Stefano Cristina , Rossi Anna , Nosari Norberto , Scolamiero Emanuela , Tandurella Igor , Frisso Giulia , Parenti Giancarlo , Ruoppolo Margherita , Andria Generoso , Salvatore Francesco
Published: February 2010

A pilot expanded newborn screening programme to detect inherited metabolic disorders by means of liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) began in the Campania region, southern Italy, in 2007. By October 2009, >8,800 dried blood samples on filter paper from 11 hospitals had been screened. Within this screening programme, we identified a case of mitochondrial acetoacetyl‐coenzyme A (CoA) thiolase deficiency [β‐ketothiolase (β‐KT) deficiency] by analysing the acylcarnitine profile from a dried blood spot with LC‐MS/MS. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry analysis of urinary organic acids and LC‐MS/MS analysis of urinary acylcarnitines were in line with this disorder. In fact, concentrations were well beyond the cut‐off values of tiglyl carnitine, 3‐hydroxybutyrylcarnitine and 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxybutyrylcarnitine, 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxybutyric acid and tiglyl glycine. The absence of 2‐methylacetoacetic acid in urine may be attributed to: (i) the instability of this β‐ketoacid because it undergoes spontaneous decarboxylation to 2‐butanone, which is highly volatile and thus difficult to detect, and (ii) the good health of the patient in the first days of life. β‐KT deficiency was subsequently diagnosed in the patient's older sister, who showed increased levels of the same metabolites but also small amounts of 2‐methylacetoacetic acid, which is considered a key marker for β‐KT diagnosis. Genomic analysis revealed mutation c.1189C >G in exon 12 of the ACAT1 gene, which results in a severe defect because of the p.H397D amino acid change in both alleles of both patients.
Chorionic villi ultrastructure in the prenatal diagnosis of glycogenosis type II
Authors: San Millan Beatriz , Teijeira Susana , Domínguez Carmen , Vieitez Irene , Navarro Carmen
Published: February 2010

Objective

To perform the ultrastructural examination of a chorionic villi biopsy as a predictor of foetal involvement in the infantile form of glycogenosis type II (Pompe disease).

Methods

Ultrastructural, biochemical and genetic analyses were performed on chorionic villi biopsies of three consecutive pregnancies in a woman with a previous child affected by Pompe disease.

Results

In the only affected foetus, glycogen storage was observed in fibrocytes and endothelial cells of a chorionic villi sample at 11 week's gestation. Severe multi‐organ involvement was demonstrated in the tissues of the aborted foetus. No abnormal material was found in the chorionic samples of two subsequent pregnancies, and a healthy boy and girl were born at term and remain unaffected. Both exhibited a partial reduction in acid maltase and were carriers of the maternal mutation.

Conclusions

Ultrastructural findings correlated with biochemical and genetic results, providing a clear and early indicator of the definite diagnosis for future pregnancy management or an early therapeutic approach.
Environment–richness relationships for mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians at global and regional scales
Authors: Qian Hong
Published: February 2010

Climate has been routinely indicated as a major determinant of broad‐scale species richness patterns for a variety of taxa, but studies vary widely in attributing richness variation to the broad‐scale distribution of energy, water, ecosystem productivity, habitat heterogeneity, or some combination thereof. Here, I report global and regional environment–richness relationships for the four classes of terrestrial vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians) using identical sample units and the same set of climate (temperature, precipitation, annual actual evapotranspiration), productivity (normalized difference vegetation index), and topographic (elevation range) variables. My results strongly support concomitant availability of energy and water as the principal constraint on global richness for all vertebrate groups except reptiles, which are largely constrained by temperature. However, environment–richness models for all taxonomic groups varied widely when applied to single (continental‐scale) biogeographic realms. In particular, I found strong support for the ‘water–energy dynamics hypothesis’ that models richness as a function of ambient energy (temperature) in high latitudes and water availability (precipitation) at low latitudes, partially independent of productivity. Ectotherm groups were more constrained by temperature than endotherms, and amphibians were more constrained by water availability than other groups. Although habitat heterogeneity, measured as elevation range, was a consistent contributor to global and regional richness models for all groups, its contribution was always minor compared to other variables. I conclude that temperature and water availability are key variables for modeling broad‐scale vertebrate richness, but there remains significant room for taxon‐specific modeling approaches and for the inclusion of non‐climate factors related to evolutionary history and faunal assembly in different regions.
A Novel Method for Monitoring the Transesterification Reaction of Oil in Biodiesel Production by Estimation of Glycerol
Authors: Reddy Sabbasani Rajasekhara , Titu Devamani , Chadha Anju
Published: February 2010

A quantitative method is reported for the estimation of glycerol during transesterification of oil to form biodiesel. The reagent used to derivatize glycerol was 9,9‐dimethoxyfluorene. Glycerol is estimated by both UV–visible spectrophotometric and high performance liquid chromatography methods. Using the former method, detection limits of 0.05% w/w of glycerol in biodiesel was established. Validation of the developed method was done using the Greenhill method for determination of free glycerol formed during the transesterification reaction.
Solitary waves in Abelian Gauge Theories with strongly nonlinear potentials
Authors: Mugnai Dimitri
Published: February 2010

We study the existence of radially symmetric solitary waves for a system of a nonlinear Klein–Gordon equation coupled with Maxwell's equation in presence of a positive mass. The nonlinear potential appearing in the system is assumed to be positive and with more than quadratical growth at infinity.
Identification and characterization of the novel protein CCDC106 that interacts with p53 and promotes its degradation
Authors: Zhou Jianlin , Qiao Xi , Xiao Ling , Sun Wei , Wang Lin , Li Hong , Wu Yuan , Ding Xiaofeng , Hu Xiang , Zhou Chang , Zhang Jian
Published: February 2010

MINT‐7681212: p53 (uniprotkb:P04637) and CCDC106 (uniprotkb:Q9BWC9) colocalise (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416)
Cutaneous mycoflora and CD4:CD8 ratio of cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus
Authors: Reche Archivaldo , Daniel Alexandre GT , Strauss Telma C. P. Lazaro , Taborda Carlos P. , Vieira Marques Shirlei A. , Haipek Kátia , Oliveira Lilian J. , Monteiro Janaína M. , Kfoury José R.
Published: February 2010

This study was designed to compare cutaneous mycoflora isolation and CD4+:CD8+ ratio in feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-infected cats with that in FIV-uninfected cats. Sixty cats were examined. Twenty-five were FIV-infected cats and 35 were FIV-uninfected cats. All 60 cats were FeLV-negative. Fungi were speciated and immunophenotyping of peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes was performed. At least one fungal colony was isolated from 22/25 (88%) FIV-infected cats. Among the FIV-uninfected cats fungal colonies were recovered from 13/35 (37%) specimens. Dermatophytes were recovered from 2/25 (8%) FIV-infected cats (one Microsporum gypseum, one Microsporum canis) and 3/35 (8.5%) FIV-uninfected cats ( M gypseum). Malassezia species was the most commonly isolated organism from both groups of cats (51.6%). Malassezia species was more commonly isolated from FIV-infected cats than FIV-uninfected cats (84% vs 28.6%). The CD4+ to CD8+ lymphocyte ratio for FIV-infected cats was significantly lower than the CD4+ to CD8+ ratio in the FIV-uninfected cats. The CD4+ to CD8+ lymphocyte ratio for FIV-infected cats with cutaneous overall fungal isolation was significantly lower than the CD4:CD8 lymphocyte ratio in the FIV-infected cats but without cutaneous fungal isolation. We can conclude that immunologic depletion due to retroviral infection might represent a risk factor to cutaneous fungal colonization in cats.
Relative expression of the 14-3-3 gene in different morphotypes of cysts of Echinococcus granulosus isolated from the Indian buffalo
Authors: Pan D. , Bera A.K. , De S. , Bandyopadhyay S. , Das S.K. , Manna B. , Sreevatsava V. , Bhattacharya D.
Published: February 2010

The metacestode stage of Echinococcus granulosus is of zoonotic importance. In general, the 14-3-3 protein is involved in multiplication and survival of eukaryotes. Therefore, this communication presents succinct information on relative expression of the 14-3-3 protein in six different morphotypes of cysts of E. granulosus. All isolated E. granulosus belonged to the common sheep strain (G1). Relative expression of the 14-3-3 protein was higher in fertile cysts when compared to sterile cysts. The predicted amino acid sequence of the 14-3-3 protein was closely clustered with zeta-type isoforms 1 and 2 of the 14-3-3 protein. In addition, the present study demonstrates the presence of the 14-3-3 protein which until now had not been detected in the germinal layer. Our findings indicate that the expression of this biomolecule in the germinal layer of sterile organisms may contribute to the development and survival of the parasite in the host. The uniform expression of actin II conclusively proves the survivability of the harvested organisms.