bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sequence and expression of the zebrafish alpha‐actinin gene family reveals conservation and diversification among vertebrates
Authors: Holterhoff Christopher K. , Saunders Rebecca H. , Brito Erika E. , Wagner Daniel S.
Published: October 2009

alpha‐actinins are actin microfilament crosslinking proteins. Vertebrate actinins fall into two classes: the broadly‐expressed actinins 1 and 4 (actn1 and actn4) and muscle‐specific actinins, actn2 and actn3. Members of this family have numerous roles, including regulation of cell adhesion, cell differentiation, directed cell motility, intracellular signaling, and stabilization of f‐actin at the sarcomeric Z‐line in muscle. Here we identify five zebrafish actinin genes including two paralogs of ACTN3. We describe the temporal and spatial expression patterns of these genes through embryonic development. All zebrafish actinin genes have unique expression profiles, indicating specialization of each gene. In particular, the muscle actinins display preferential expression in different domains of axial, pharyngeal, and cranial musculature. There is no identified avian actn3 and approximately 16% of humans are null for ACTN3. Duplication of actn3 in the zebrafish indicates that variation in actn3 expression may promote physiological diversity in muscle function among vertebrates. Developmental Dynamics 238:2936–2947, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fzd3andFzd6deficiency results in a severe midbrain morphogenesis defect
Authors: Stuebner Sebastian , Faus‐Kessler Theresa , Fischer Thomas , Wurst Wolfgang , Prakash Nilima
Published: October 2009

Wnt/β‐catenin signaling controls the proper development of the mid‐/hindbrain region (MHR) and of midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons, but the Frizzled (Fzd) receptors transducing these signals are still unknown.Fzd3is expressed throughout the mouse anterior neural tube, whereasFzd6is restricted to the MHR. We show that the MHR is properly established and mDA neurons develop normally inFzd6−/−mutants, but the number of mDA neurons is initially reduced and recovers at later stages inFzd3−/−embryos.Fzd3−/−;Fzd6−/−double mutants exhibit a severe midbrain morphogenesis defect consisting of collapsed brain ventricles, apparent thickening of the neuroepithelium, focal disruption of the ventricular basal lamina and protrusion of individual cells, and increased proliferation at later stages, despite a normal closure of the anterior neural tube and the rescue of the mDA defect in these embryos. Fzd3 and Fzd6 thus control proper midbrain morphogenesis by a yet unknown mechanism in the mouse. Developmental Dynamics 239:246–260, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Magnetic and Electrochemical Properties of a Heterobridged μ‐Phenoxido–μ1,1‐Azide Dinickel(II) Compound: A Unique Example Demonstrating the Bridge Distance Dependency of Exchange Integral
Authors: Koner Rajesh , Hazra Susanta , Fleck Michel , Jana Arpita , Lucas C. Robert , Mohanta Sasankasekhar
Published: October 2009

The synthesis, structure, magnetic and electrochemical properties of the heterobridged μ‐phenoxido–μ1,1‐azide dinickel(II) compound [NiII2(HL1)3(μ1,1‐N3)]·3H2O (1) derived from the tetradentate Schiff base ligand N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐3‐methoxysalicylaldimine (H2L1) are described. The title compound crystallizes in the triclinic system (space group P$\bar {1}$). Electrochemical analyses reveal that compound 1 exhibits two‐step quasireversible couples in the reduction window with E1/2 values of –1412 and –1762 mV. The variable‐temperature (2–300 K) magnetic susceptibilities at 1 T of the title compound were measured. The interaction between the metal centres is weak ferromagnetic (J = 5.0 cm–1, g = 2.23, D1 = 29.2 cm–1 and D2 = 10.7 cm–1). Comparison of the exchange integral of 1 with that of the only reported μ‐phenoxido–μ1,1‐azide dinickel(II) compound results in the emergence of a unique example of the dependence of strength of magnetic exchange interaction on the metal–ligand bridge distance. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Epigenetic Regulation of Hepatic Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Pathways in the Ethanol-Fed Cystathionine Beta Synthase–Deficient Mouse
Authors: Esfandiari Farah , Medici Valentina , Wong Donna H. , Jose Soumia , Dolatshahi Maryam , Quinlivan Eoin , Dayal Sanjana , Lentz Steven R. , Tsukamoto Hidekazu , Zhang Yue Hua , French Samuel W. , Halsted Charles H.
Published: October 2009

We tested the hypothesis that the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver injury is mediated by epigenetic changes in regulatory genes that result from the induction of aberrant methionine metabolism by ethanol feeding. Five-month-old cystathionine beta synthase heterozygous and wild-type C57BL/6J littermate mice were fed liquid control or ethanol diets by intragastric infusion for 4 weeks. Both ethanol-fed groups showed typical histopathology of alcoholic steatohepatitis, with reduction in liver

S

-adenosylmethionine (SAM), elevation in liver

S

-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), and reduction in the SAM/SAH ratio with interactions of ethanol and genotype effects. Hepatic endoplasmic reticulum stress signals including glucose-regulated protein-78 (GRP78), activating transcription factor 4, growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible gene 153 (GADD153), caspase 12, and transcription factor sterol response element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) were up-regulated in ethanol-fed mice with genotype interactions and negative correlations with the SAM/SAH ratio. Immunohistochemical staining showed reduction in trimethylated histone H3 lysine-9 (3meH3K9) protein levels in centrilobular regions in both ethanol groups, with no changes in trimethylated histone H3 lysine-4 levels. The chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed a decrease in levels of suppressor chromatin marker 3meH3K9 in the promoter regions of GRP78, SREBP-1c, and GADD153 in ethanol-treated heterozygous cystathionine beta synthase mice. The messenger RNA expression of the histone H3K9 methyltransferase EHMT2 (G9a) was selectively decreased in ethanol-fed mice.

Conclusion:

The pathogenesis of alcoholic steatohepatitis is mediated in part through the effects of altered methionine metabolism on epigenetic regulation of pathways of endoplasmic reticulum stress relating to apoptosis and lipogenesis. (Hepatology 2009.)
Contemporary Clinical Research of Traditional Chinese Medicines for Chronic Hepatitis B in China: An Analytical Review
Authors: Zhang Lingyi , Wang Guqi , Hou Weihong , Li Ping , Dulin Andrea , Bonkovsky Herbert L.
Published: October 2009

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is major global health problem. In China, where about 120,000,000 persons are chronically infected, CHB has been treated for centuries with traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). This review summarizes and meta-analyzes the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of TCM formulations reported in China in 1998-2008 for treatment of CHB. RCTs comparing either TCM formulations alone or in combination with interferon (IFN) or lamivudine (LAM) versus IFN or LAM were included. Chinese electronic databases were searched. The methodological quality of RCTs was assessed using the Jadad scale. TCMs had a greater beneficial effect (

P

= 0.0003) than IFN and a slightly better effect (

P

= 0.01) than LAM on the normalization of serum alanine aminotransferase. TCMs had a similar beneficial effect when compared with IFN or LAM for CHB on antiviral activity as evidenced by the loss of serum hepatitis B e antigen and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA. TCMs enhanced IFN and LAM antiviral activities and improvements of liver function. The quality of many studies was poor; reports often lacked information regarding methods of randomization or blinding and adverse events.

Conclusion:

Some TCMs seem effective as alternative remedies for patients with CHB, suggesting that further study of TCMs in the treatment of CHB is warranted, both in preclinical models of HBV infection and in higher quality RCTs worldwide. (Hepatology 2010;51:690–698.)
Bidesmosidic Oleanane Saponins from Xerospermum noronhianum
Authors: Jean Tan Pei , Shaari Khozirah , Paetz Christian , Ismail Intan Safinar , Abas Faridah , Lajis Nordin H. , Ahmad Viqar Uddin
Published: October 2009

Three new oleanane‐type triterpenoid saponins, 3‐O‐(α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)‐β‐D‐fucopyranosyl)‐28‐O‐{[α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)] [β‐D‐fucopyranosyl(1→6)]‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl} oleanolic acid (1), 3‐O‐[α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→3)‐β‐D‐fucopyranosyl]‐28‐O‐[α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→4)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl] oleanolic acid (2), and 3‐O‐{α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)‐[3′,4′‐diacetoxy‐β‐D‐fucopyranosyl]}‐28‐O‐[α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl] oleanolic acid (3) have been isolated from the stems of Xerospermum noronhianum. The structures of the saponins were determined as a series of bidesmosidic oleanane saponins based on spectral evidence. The anticholinesterase activity of the saponins 1–3 was also evaluated.
Photochemical Reactions of Regioisomeric 2,2‐Dimethyl‐5,5‐diphenyl‐ and 5,5‐Dimethyl‐2,2‐diphenyl‐Substituted Diazo Ketones of a Tetrahydrofuran Series
Authors: Rodina Ludmila L. , Malashikhin Sergey A. , Galkina Olesya S. , Nikolaev Valerij A.
Published: October 2009

The principal direction of conventional photolysis of the regioisomeric 2,2‐dimethyl‐5,5‐diphenyl‐ and 5,5‐dimethyl‐2,2‐diphenyl‐substituted 4‐diazodihydrofuran‐3(2H)‐ones 1a and 1b, respectively, is the Wolff rearrangement, while other photochemical processes, which are giving rise to the formation of CH‐insertion, 1,2‐alkyl‐ or ‐aryl‐shifts, as well as H‐atom‐abstraction products occur to a much lower degree (Schemes 2 and 3). The ratio of similar reaction products from both regioisomers 1a and 1b is essentially independent of their structure, and a substantial effect of the relative position of the Ph and diazo group to each other on the yield of CH‐insertion products does not occur. Based on stereochemical considerations, the Wolff rearrangement of diazodihydrofuran‐3(2H)‐ones apparently proceeds in a concerted manner, whereas the appearance in the reaction mixture of 1,2‐shift and H‐atom‐abstraction products points to the parallel generation during photolysis of singlet and triplet carbenes (Schemes 4 and 5).
Reactivity of 3‐Methylbenzenediazonium Ions with Gallic Acid. Kinetics and Mechanism of the Reaction
Authors: Losada‐Barreiro Sonia , Bravo‐Díaz Carlos
Published: October 2009

We investigated the kinetics and mechanism of the reaction between the 3‐methylbenzenediazonium ions (3MBD), and gallic acids (=3,4,5‐trihydroxybenzoic acid; GA) in aqueous buffer solution under acidic conditions by employing spectrometric, electrochemical, and chromatographic techniques and computational methods. To discern which of the three OH groups of GA is the first one undergoing deprotonation, the geometries of the resulting dianions were optimized by using B3LYP hybrid density‐functional theory (DFT) and a 6‐31G(++d,p) basis set, and the results suggest that the OH group at the 4‐position is the first one which is deprotonated. The variation of the observed rate constant, kobs, with the acidity at a given [GA] follows an upward curve suggesting that the reaction takes place with the dianionic form of gallic acid, GA2−, and rate enhancements of ca. 23000 fold are obtained on going from pH 3.5 up to pH 7.5. At relatively high acidities, the variation of kobs with [GA] is linear with an intercept very close to the value for the thermal decomposition of 3MBD; however, a decrease in the acidity leads to saturation‐kinetics profiles with nonzero, pH‐dependent intercepts. The saturation‐kinetics patterns found suggest the formation of an intermediate in a rapid pre‐equilibrium step, but the nonzero, pH‐dependent intercepts cause the double reciprocal plots of 1/kobs vs. 1/[GA] to curve. This prompts us to propose an alternative reaction mechanism comprising consecutive equilibrium processes involving the bimolecular, reversible formation of a highly unstable (Z)‐diazo ether which undergoes isomerization to the (E)‐isomer through a unimolecular step. The results obtained indicate the complexity of reactions of arenediazonium ions with nucleophilic arenes containing three or more OH groups.
Novel Flavonoids in Dragon's Blood of Daemonorops draco
Authors: Nakashima Ken‐ichi , Abe Naohito , Kamiya Fumiko , Ito Tetsuro , Oyama Masayoshi , Iinuma Munekazu
Published: October 2009

The three novel methylene bis[flavonoids] 1–3, the novel 2‐flavene 4, the new naturally occurring flavan 5, and the new retro‐dihydrochalcone 6 were isolated from dragon's blood of Daemonorops draco, together with seven known compounds. The structures were elucidated by extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopic analysis.
Two New Polyoxypregnane Glycosides from Marsdenia tenacissima
Authors: Huang Xue‐Di , Liu Ting , Wang Shu
Published: October 2009

Two new polyoxypregnane glycosides, marsdenosides L and M (1 and 2, resp.), along with five known polyoxypregnane glycosides, 3–7, were isolated from the stem of Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Wight et Arn. (Asclepiadaceae). The structures and relative configurations of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy.
Juncenolides H – K, New Briarane Diterpenoids from Junceella juncea
Authors: Wang Shih‐Sheng , Chen Yu‐Hui , Chang Jiun‐Yang , Hwang Tsong‐Long , Chen Chung‐Hsiung , Khalil Ashraf Taha , Shen Ya‐Ching
Published: October 2009

Chemical investigation of the Taiwanese gorgonian coral Junceella juncea resulted in the isolation of four new briarane‐type diterpenoids, juncenolides H, I, J, and K (1–4). Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, especially 1‐ and 2D‐NMR. The inhibitory effects of compounds 1–4 on superoxide‐anion generation and elastase release by human neutrophils were evaluated.
Irciformonins E – K, C22‐Trinorsesterterpenoids from the Sponge Ircinia formosana
Authors: Shen Ya‐Ching , Shih Pei‐Show , Lin Yun‐Sheng , Lin Yu‐Chi , Kuo Yao‐Haur , Kuo Yuh‐Chi , Khalil Ashraf Taha
Published: October 2009

Chemical investigation of the sponge Ircinia formosana resulted in the isolation of seven new linear C22‐sesterterpenoids, irciformonins E–K (1–7) in addition to irciformonin A (8), a previously isolated furanosesterterpenoid (=a furan‐moiety‐containing sesterterpenoid) from the same species. The structures were determined by interpretation of HR‐ESI‐MS and 2D‐NMR spectra. The structure of irciformonin A (8) was revised. Compound 5 exhibited significant inhibition of peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation induced by phytohemaglutinin.
Verticillane and Norverticillane Diterpenoids from the Formosan Soft Coral Cespitularia hypotentaculata
Authors: Chang Jiun‐Yang , Abd El‐Razek Mohamed H. , Shen Ya‐Ching
Published: October 2009

Five new diterpenes, cespihypotins W–Z (1–4, resp.) and cespihypotone (5) have been isolated from the AcOEt‐soluble fraction of the Formosan soft coral Cespitularia hypotentaculata. Two of them having the norverticillane skeleton, i.e., 1 and 2, and the other three, 3–5, possessing a verticillane skeleton. The structures were established as (+)‐(1βH,7E)‐6β,11β‐dihydroxynorverticilla‐4(18),7‐diene‐10,12‐dione (1), (+)‐(1βH,7E)‐6β‐acetoxy‐11β‐hydroxynorverticilla‐4(18),7‐diene‐10,12‐dione (2), (−)‐(1βH,7E)‐6β‐acetoxyverticilla‐4(18),7,11‐triene‐10,12‐γ‐lactone (3), (+)‐(1βH,7E)‐6β‐acetoxy‐10‐hydroxyverticilla‐4(18),7,11‐triene‐10,12‐γ‐lactone (4), and (+)‐(1βH,3Z)‐10β‐hydroxy‐6‐oxoverticilla‐3,11‐diene‐10,12‐γ‐lactone (5), respectively, on the basis of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopic analyses.
Overland flow generation in chaparral ecosystems: temporal and spatial variability
Authors: Valeron B. , Meixner T.
Published: October 2009

Fire is an important and natural process in the lifecycle of chaparral systems, removing old growth and recycling nutrients. Recent catastrophic wildfires in southern California chaparral have heightened concerns about increased runoff and nutrient export. The goal of this study was to improve understanding of how overland flow is generated in unburned and post‐fire chaparral watersheds. Samples of overland flow were collected from burned and unburned watersheds after rainfall events and multiple regression analysis was used to examine the influence of individual storm characteristics and system moisture on overland flow volume. The results indicate that variation in overland flow generation in the unburned watershed is best explained by storm size, while overland flow in the burned watershed was positively related to storm size and time between storms. These findings suggest that the burned system had decreased infiltration rates and increased soil water repellency. In contrast, there is a statistically significant negative relationship between overland flow 1 year after a fire against different system and precipitation factors revealed a negative correlation with drying period and a positive relationship with rainfall intensity, a combination that suggests reduced repellency. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comprehensive approach to characterization of the nonlinearity of runoff in the headwaters of the Tarim River, western China
Authors: Xu Jianhua , Li Weihong , Ji Minhe , Lu Feng , Dong Shan
Published: October 2009

Nonlinear characteristics of the runoff processes in the headwaters of the Tarim River were identified and evaluated using several selected methods, including wavelet analysis, correlation dimension, and R/S analysis. Time‐series of annual data describing runoff, average temperature, and precipitation from 1957 to 2005 were used to construct and test empirical models. The primary findings of this study were as follows: (1) The annual runoff of the headwaters are complex and nonlinear in nature, and they each presented periodic, nonlinear trends at the chosen time scales, chaotic dynamics, and long‐memory characteristics. (2) These nonlinear trends appeared to have resulted from the regional climatic changes that occurred during the study period. The periodicity of changes in runoff occurred on an approximately 25‐year cycle, which appeared to be correlated with temperature and precipitation cycles. In addition, the annual runoff exhibited a significant, positive correlation with the temperature and precipitation factors at the 4‐, 8‐, 16‐, and 32‐year temporal scales. (3) The correlation dimensions of the attractor derived from the runoff time series for the Hotan, Yarkand, and Aksu rivers were all greater than 3·0 and non‐integral, implying that all three rivers are dynamic chaotic systems that are sensitive to initial conditions, and that the dynamic modelling of their annual runoff requires at least four independent variables. (4) The computed Hurst exponents indicate that a long‐term memory characteristic exists in the annual runoff processes. However, there were some differences observed, with the Aksu and Yarkand rivers demonstrating a persistent trait, and the Hotan River exhibiting an anti‐persistent feature. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiplex identification of bacteria in bacterial mixtures with surface‐enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Cam Dilek , Keseroglu Kemal , Kahraman Mehmet , Sahin Fikrettin , Culha Mustafa
Published: October 2009

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a technique capable of identifying each component in a mixture because of its intrinsically narrow spectral bands. In a clinical setting, the identification of bacteria from its initial culture by collecting the colonies on the culture plate significantly decreases the analysis time and the cost. The identification of bacteria from their mixtures is attempted using SERS. A simple mixing procedure of bacterial samples and concentrated colloidal suspension is proven to be mostly satisfactory for the generation of the reproducible SERS spectra that can be used for bacterial identification. The mixture of three different but related bacterial species Shigella sonnei, Proteus vulgaris, and Erwinia amylovara and three Escherichia coli strains (BFK13, BHK7, DH5 α) are used as model systems to test the feasibility of the approach. The results indicate that it is possible to identify the composition of a bacterial mixture. This approach can easily be utilized for the bacteria originating from the same source with similar growth profiles. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural, vibrational spectra and normal coordinate analysis for two tautomers of 4(5)‐(2′‐furyl)‐imidazole
Authors: Ledesma A. E. , Zinczuk J. , López González J. J. , Ben Altabef A. , Brandán S. A.
Published: October 2009

We have synthesized both the 4 and 5 tautomeric forms of 4(5)‐(2′‐furyl)‐imidazole (1) and investigated their molecular vibrations by infrared and Raman spectroscopies as well as by calculation based on the density functional theory (DFT) approach. Examination of the temperature dependence of IR intensity revealed the band characteristics of the 4 and 5 tautomers of (1). Comparison of experimental and calculated chemical shifts in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was made in order to identify the two tautomeric forms. The assignment of vibrational normal modes was performed, and the force field obtained reproduced the experimental vibrational wavenumbers with a root mean‐square deviation (RMSD) value of ca. 13 cm−1 for both tautomers. The natural bond orbital (NBO) study reveals the characteristics of the electronic delocalization of the two tautomeric structures. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy coupled with dendritic silver nanosubstrate for detection of restricted antibiotics
Authors: He Lili , Lin Mengshi , Li Hao , Kim Nam‐Jung
Published: October 2009

Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) coupled with dendritic silver nanosubstrates was used in this study for rapid detection and characterization of restricted antibiotics. Dendritic silver nanosubstrates were prepared through a simple replacement reaction and stored in deionized water for months. SERS methods with near‐IR excitation at 785 nm using silver nanosubstrates were evaluated for detection of three restricted antibiotics (i.e. enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and chloramphenicol) prepared in standard solutions. SERS was capable of identifying and characterizing three antibiotics quickly and accurately. Silver dendrites exhibit satisfactory and consistent performance with an analytical enhancement factor of ∼104. The limit of detection and limit of quantification for antibiotics could reach the level of 20 ppb. Silver dendrites can be kept in deionized water for up to 6 months with no signs of degradation in SERS performance. These results demonstrate a great potential of using SERS coupled with silver dendrites for rapid detection, classification, and quantification of chemical contaminants. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman probe to estimate surface energies of embedded semiconductor nanostructures
Authors: Dhara S. , Magudapathy P. , Nair K. G. M. , Raj Baldev
Published: October 2009

Embedded semiconductor nanoclusters (nc‐) of GaN, Si and InN were grown using the ion‐implantation technique and subsequent annealing. Detailed phonon properties were studied for the identification of the grown phases as well as to estimate the stress developed in these embedded structures. The surface energies of the embedded nanoclusters were calculated in analogy with the stressed spherical nanoclusters and excess pressure in a liquid drop. The estimated surface energies for nc‐GaN ∼4 Nm−1, nc‐InN ∼2.7 Nm−1 and nc‐Si ∼1.4 Nm−1 are discussed in the light of possible phase transition in the nanocrystalline systems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopy of gallium‐based hydrotalcites of formula Mg6Ga2(CO3)(OH)16· 4H2O
Authors: Frost Ray L. , Palmer Sara J. , Grand Laure‐Marie
Published: October 2009

Insight into the unique structure of hydrotalcites has been obtained using Raman spectroscopy. Gallium‐containing hydrotalcites of formula Mg4Ga2(CO3)(OH)12· 4H2O (2:1 Ga‐HT) to Mg8Ga2(CO3)(OH)20· 4H2O (4:1 Ga‐HT) have been successfully synthesized and characterized by X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The d(003) spacing varied from 7.83 Å for the 2:1 hydrotalcite to 8.15 Å for the 3:1 gallium‐containing hydrotalcite. Raman spectroscopy complemented with selected infrared data has been used to characterize the synthesized gallium‐containing hydrotalcites of formula Mg6Ga2(CO3)(OH)16· 4H2O. Raman bands observed at around 1046, 1048 and 1058 cm−1 are attributed to the symmetric stretching modes of the CO32− units. Multiple ν3 CO32− antisymmetric stretching modes are found at around 1346, 1378, 1446, 1464 and 1494 cm−1. The splitting of this mode indicates that the carbonate anion is in a perturbed state. Raman bands observed at 710 and 717 cm−1 assigned to the ν4 (CO32−) modes support the concept of multiple carbonate species in the interlayer. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of inulin/oligofructose on the acid‐induced cold aggregation and gelation of preheated soy proteins
Authors: Tseng Yen‐Chang , Xiong Youling L. , Yang Fuqian
Published: October 2009

BACKGROUND: In recent years inulin‐type prebiotics have attracted much attention due to consumers' awareness of the health benefits of functional foods. Currently no information is available about the possible texture‐modifying effect of these non‐ionizable polar carbohydrates in different soy‐based food systems. In this study, the effect of inulin/oligofructose on the cold aggregation and gelation of preheated soy protein isolate (SPI) and its fractions (7S, 11S, and their mixture), induced by glucono‐δ‐lactone (GDL), were evaluated by turbidity (A600) and dynamic rheological measurements.

RESULTS: Oligofructose significantly delayed the aggregation of all protein samples and decreased the end‐point optical density of 11S fraction and SPI. Inulin, a long‐chain fructan, only delayed the aggregation of 7S globulin and reduced the capacity of aggregation (A600) of SPI. While oligofructose showed no significant effect, the addition of 5% (w/v) inulin enhanced the gelation of SPI and the 7S/11S mixture, which was demonstrated by the increase in gel storage modulus up to 13.6% and 10.1% (P < 0.05), respectively.

CONCLUSION: Inulin was found to enhance the viscoelastic properties of GDL‐induced cold‐set soy protein gels. It is expected that ‘functional’ cold‐set gel products with improved texture can be prepared from preheated soy proteins and inulin. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Modeling the effects of different mobile phase compositions and temperatures on the retention of various analytes in HPLC
Authors: Jouyban Abolghasem , Soltanpour Shahla , Acree William E. , Thomas Dimitris , Agrafiotou Panagiota , Pappa‐Louisi Adriani
Published: October 2009

A mathematical model is proposed for representing the combined effects of mobile phase solvent composition and temperature on the retention of various analytes in HPLC. The applicability of the model in describing the retention of four macrolides in aqueous mixtures of methanol and acetonitrile determined at 20–80°C in various volume fractions of the organic modifiers was shown. The mean percentage deviation (MPD) was computed as an accuracy criterion in which the overall MPD of four analytes investigated in this work was 3.9±1.5% (N=72). The proposed model could be reduced to two simpler versions. The first version concerning the retention data of analytes in one organic modifier at various temperatures produced for the retention description of the above experimental system as well as for the retention of three benzodiazepines in aqueous mixtures of methanol at 25–40°C an overall MPD of 3.6±1.8%. The more reduced version of the model for calculating the retention factor of one analyte in a given organic modifier at various temperatures produced an overall MPD of 1.7±1.1% for both the experimental systems studied. The accuracy of the proposed model is compared with recent models to predict the retention of an analyte with respect to solvent component of the mobile phase and the temperature of column in which the results were comparable. The main advantage of the proposed model is its capability to predict the retention of various analytes considering (i) temperature of the column, (ii) the mobile phase solvent composition, (iii) the chemical structure of the analytes and (iv) the nature of organic modifier.
GC separation of amino acid enantiomers via derivatization with heptafluorobutyl chloroformate and Chirasil‐L‐Val column
Authors: Zahradníčková Helena , Hušek Petr , Šimek Petr
Published: October 2009

Heptafluorobutyl chloroformate (HFBCF), a recently introduced derivatization reagent, was examined in enantioseparation of amino acids (AAs) by GC. Twenty proteinogenic AAs, plus ornithine, cystine and 4‐fluorophenylalanine (internal standard) were treated with the reagent and separation properties of the derivatives were assessed on a Chirasil‐Val capillary column. Nineteen AA enantiomers were efficiently separated in 43 min except proline, arginine and cystine. The HFBCF derivatives of the studiedDL‐AAs show improved separation over other chloroformate‐based derivatives hitherto reported. A combination of the improved and faster separation with a simple derivatization protocol, involving an immediate one‐step reaction–extraction in two‐phase aqueous‐organic medium, and low elution temperatures extend application of HFBCF to chiral AA analysis.
Fabrication of Complex Micelles with Tunable Shell for Application in Controlled Drug Release
Authors: Wu Chenglin , Ma Rujiang , He Huan , Zhao Lizhi , Gao Hongjun , An Yingli , Shi Linqi
Published: October 2009

At room temperature, diblock copolymers of PLA‐b‐PNIPAM and PEG‐b‐PLA self‐assembled into complex micelles with a PLA core and a mixed PEG/PNIPAM shell. By increasing the temperature, these complex micelles could be converted into a core‐shell‐corona structure composed of a PLA core, a collapsed PNIPAM shell and a soluble PEG corona, and the PEG chains stretched from the inner core to outside, leading to the formation of PEG channels. The PEG channels could be used for the exchange of substance between the core and the external environment. Compared with core‐shell micelles, complex micelles with a core‐shell‐corona structure could avoid the burst diffusion in the release of ibuprofen and inhibit the degradation of PLA by lipase to a certain extent.

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Mark–Houwink Parameters for the Universal Calibration of Acrylate, Methacrylate and Vinyl Acetate Polymers Determined by Online Size‐Exclusion Chromatography—Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Gruendling Till , Junkers Tanja , Guilhaus Michael , Barner‐Kowollik Christopher
Published: October 2009

Size exclusion chromatography coupled online to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (SEC/ESI‐MS) is employed to establish universal calibration (UC) relationships for a number of linear poly(alkyl acrylates) and poly(alkyl methacrylates) as well as poly(vinyl acetate) synthesized via radical chain transfer polymerization. It is demonstrated that in the analyzed molecular weight range, Mark–Houwink–Kuhn–Sakurada (MHKS) coefficients can be successfully determined in relation to values of pMMA. The agreement between the UC model using mass spectrometry‐derived MHKS coefficients and the measured data was generally better than 10%. The MHKS values reported herein are expected to remain valid up to 20 kDa. A comparison with the outcome of UC using literature reported MHKS coefficients determined by intrinsic viscosity—molecular weight (IV‐MW) measurements is provided. Errors of more than 30% can result when these literature values are employed in the low molecular weight range ( < 20 kDa). Use of MHKS coefficients derived from IV‐MW measurements in UC is, therefore, strongly discouraged at molecular weights below 20 kDa.

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Transparent and Conductive Polyethylene Oxide Film by the Introduction of Individualized Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Jung Yong Chae , Muramatsu Hiroyuki , Park Ki Chul , Shimamoto Daisuke , Kim Jin Hee , Hayashi Takuya , Song Sung Moo , Kim Yoong Ahm , Endo Morinobu , Dresselhaus Mildred S.
Published: October 2009

It is demonstrated that an optically transparent and electrically conductive polyethylene oxide (PEO) film is fabricated by the introduction of individualized single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The incorporated SWNTs in the PEO film sustain their intrinsic electronic and optical properties and, in addition, the intrinsic properties of the polymer matrix are retained. The individualized SWNTs with smaller diameter provide high transmittance as well as good electrical conductivity in PEO films.

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Role of dietary patterns for dioxin and PCB exposure
Authors: Kvalem Helen E. , Knutsen Helle K. , Thomsen Cathrine , Haugen Margaretha , Stigum Hein , Brantsæter Anne Lise , Frøshaug May , Lohmann Nina , Päpke Olaf , Becher Georg , Alexander Jan , Meltzer Helle M.
Published: October 2009

Dietary patterns were related to intake and blood concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDFs), dioxin‐like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl‐PCBs) and selected non‐dioxin‐like‐PCBs (ndl‐PCBs). Intake calculations were based on an extensive food frequency questionnaire and a congener‐specific database on concentrations in Norwegian foods. The study (2003) applied a two‐step inclusion strategy recruiting representative (n=73) and high consumers (n=111) of seafood and game. Estimated median intakes of sum PCDD/PCDFs and dl‐PCBs of the representative and high consumers were 0.78 and 1.25 pg toxic equivalents (TEQ)/kg bw/day, respectively. Estimated median intakes of ndl‐PCBs (sum chlorinated biphenyl (CB)‐28, 52, 101, 138, 153, 180) were 4.26 and 6.40 ng/kg bw/day. The median blood concentrations of PCDD/PCDFs/dl‐PCBs were 28.7 and 35.1 pg TEQ/g lipid, and ndl‐PCBs (sum of CB‐101, 138, 153 and 180) 252 and 299 ng/g lipid. The Spearman correlations between dietary intake and serum concentration were r=0.34 (p=0.017) for dl‐compounds and r=0.37 (p<0.001) for ndl‐PCBs. Oily fish was the major source of dl‐compounds and ndl‐PCBs in high and representative consumers. Four dietary patterns were identified by principal component analysis. Two were related to high intakes, one dominated by oily fish ((Ω‐3)), the other by fish liver and seagull eggs (“northern coastal”). Only the latter was closely associated with high blood concentrations of dioxins and PCBs.
Anticancer actions of natural and synthetic vitamin E forms: RRR‐α‐tocopherol blocks the anticancer actions of γ‐tocopherol
Authors: Yu Weiping , Jia Li , Park Sook‐Kyung , Li Jing , Gopalan Archana , Simmons‐Menchaca Marla , Sanders Bob G. , Kline Kimberly
Published: October 2009

Two naturally occurring dietary sources of vitamin E (i.e. RRR‐α‐tocopherol (αT) and RRR‐γ‐tocopherol (γT)), the manufactured synthetic form of vitamin E, all‐racemic‐α‐tocopherol (all‐rac‐αT), as well as a potent antitumor analog of vitamin E, RRR‐α‐tocopherol ether‐linked acetic acid analog (α‐TEA), were assessed for anticancer actions. Data showed that γT, all‐rac‐αT, and α‐TEA but not αT or αT+γT significantly inhibited tumor burden of human MDA‐MB‐231 cells in nude mice. Immunohistochemical analyses of tumor tissue showed that all‐rac‐αT and α‐TEA increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation in tumor cells while γT was associated with increased tumor cell apoptosis only. In vitro data showed α‐TEA and γT but not all‐rac‐αT or αT to inhibit colony formation and induce apoptosis. Anticancer actions of α‐TEA and γT involved death receptor 5 protein upregulation, Survivin protein downregulation and poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase cleavage, all of which were blocked by co‐treatment with αT. In summary, both γT and α‐TEA exhibited promising anticancer properties in vivo and in vitro, whereas all‐rac‐αT exhibited promising anticancer properties in vivo only. Importantly, αT not only failed to exhibit anticancer properties but it also reduced anticancer actions of γT in vivo and γT and α‐TEA in vitro.
SNDlib 1.0—Survivable Network Design Library
Authors: Orlowski S. , Wessäly R. , Pióro M. , Tomaszewski A.
Published: October 2009

This article describes the Survivable Network Design Library (SNDlib), a data library for fixed telecommunication network design available at http://sndlib.zib.de. In the current version 1.0, the library contains data related to 22 networks which, combined with a set of selected planning parameters, leads to 830 network design problem instances. In this article, we discuss the data concepts of SNDlib and describe a mathematical model for each design problem considered in the library. We also provide information on characteristic features and the origin of the SNDlib problem instances. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2010
IPM for fresh‐market lettuce production in the desert southwest: the produce paradox
Authors: Palumbo John C , Castle Steven J
Published: October 2009

In the ‘Integrated Control Concept’, Stern et al. emphasized that, although insecticides are necessary for agricultural production, they should only be used as a last resort and as a complement to biological control. They argued that selective insecticide use should only be attempted after it has been determined that insect control with naturally occurring biotic agents is not capable of preventing economic damage. However, they concluded their seminal paper by emphasizing that integrated control will not work where natural enemies are inadequate or where economic thresholds are too low to rely on biological control. Thus, it is no surprise that insect control in high‐value, fresh‐market lettuce crops grown in the desert southwest have relied almost exclusively on insecticides to control a complex of mobile, polyphagous pests. Because lettuce and leafy greens are short‐season annual crops with little or no tolerance for insect damage or contamination, biological control is generally considered unacceptable. High expectations from consumers for aesthetically appealing produce free of pesticide residues further forces vegetable growers to use chemical control tactics that are not only effective but safe. Consequently, scientists have been developing integrated pest management (IPM) programs for lettuce that are aimed at reducing the economic, occupational and dietary risks associated with chemical controls of the past. Most of these programs have drawn upon the integrated control concept and promote the importance of understanding the agroecosystem, and the need to sample for pest status and use action thresholds for cost‐effective insect control. More recently, pest management programs have implemented newly developed, reduced‐risk chemistries that are selectively efficacious against key pests. This paper discusses the influence that the integrated control concept, relative to zero‐tolerance market standards and other constraints, has had on the adoption of pest management in desert lettuce crops. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Three‐level and mixed‐level orthogonal arrays for lean designs
Authors: Ma Chang‐Xing , Ai Ming‐Yao , Chan L. Y. , Goh T. N.
Published: October 2009

Orthogonal arrays (OA's) are widely used in design of experiments. Each OA has a specific number of rows that is fixed by the number of factors in the OA and the number of levels in each factor. In a practical application of an industrial experiment, however, because of various operational constraints it could happen that the number of runs of the experiment cannot be set exactly equal to the number of rows of an OA. In this case, a lean design can be used. A lean design is obtained by removing some specific rows and columns from the extended design matrix formed from an OA, so that the resulting sub‐matrix still allows efficient estimation of the effects of some of the factors. Tables for 2‐level lean designs are already available in the literature. In this paper, the authors will investigate 3‐level lean designs and mixed‐level lean designs, and construct tables for such designs for convenient use. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robust CUSUM charts for monitoring the process mean and variance
Authors: Reynolds Marion R. , Stoumbos Zachary G.
Published: October 2009

This paper considers the problem of obtaining robust control charts for detecting changes in the mean µ and standard deviation σ of process observations that have a continuous distribution. The standard control charts for monitoring µ and σ are based on the assumption that the process distribution is normal. However, the process distribution may not be normal in many situations, and using these control charts can lead to very misleading conclusions. Although some control charts for µ can be tuned to be robust to non‐normal distributions, the most critical problem with non‐robustness is with the control chart for σ. This paper investigates the performance of two CUSUM chart combinations that can be made to be robust to non‐normality. One combination consists of the standard CUSUM chart for µ and a CUSUM chart of absolute deviations from target for σ, where these CUSUM charts are tuned to detect relatively small parameter shifts. The other combination is based on using winsorized observations in the standard CUSUM chart for µ and a CUSUM chart of squared deviations from target for σ. Guidance is given for selecting the design parameters and control limits of these robust CUSUM chart combinations. When the observations are actually normal, using one of these robust CUSUM chart combination will result in some reduction in the ability to detect moderate and large changes in µ and σ, compared with using a CUSUM chart combination that is designed specifically for the normal distribution. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Cumulative Sum scheme for monitoring frequency and size of an event
Authors: Wu Zhang , Liu Yafen , He Zhen , Khoo Michael B. C.
Published: October 2009

This article proposes a Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) scheme, called the TC‐CUSUM scheme, for monitoring a negative or hazardous event. This scheme is developed using a two‐dimensional Markov model. It is able to check both the time interval (T) between occurrences of the event and the size (C) of each occurrence. For example, a traffic accident may be defined as an event, and the number of injured victims in each case is the event size. Our studies show that the TC‐CUSUM scheme is several times more effective than many existing charts for event monitoring, so that cost or loss incurred by an event can be reduced by using this scheme. Moreover, the TC‐CUSUM scheme performs more uniformly than other charts for detecting both T shift and C shift, as well as the joint shift in T and C. The improvement in the performance is achieved because of the use of the CUSUM feature and the simultaneous monitoring of T and C. The TC‐CUSUM scheme can be applied in manufacturing systems, and especially in non‐manufacturing sectors (e.g. supply chain management, health‐care industry, disaster management, and security control). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fitting spending functions
Authors: Anderson Keaven M. , Clark Jason B.
Published: October 2009

Group sequential monitoring is used to provide guidance on stopping a clinical trial in progress based on interim evaluation of its efficacy objectives. A trial could stop because an experimental regimen (1) is efficacious, (2) lacks any sign of efficacy, or (3) is specifically less efficacious than a control. Group sequential methods using α‐ and β‐spending functions (Biometrika 1983; 70:659–663) are often used to create stopping boundaries for test statistics for efficacy hypotheses computed at interim analyses. This paper explores fitting α‐ and β‐spending functions that have specific values at specific interim analyses. Commonly used one‐parameter families may not provide an adequate fit to more than one desired critical value. We define new one‐ and two‐parameter families to provide additional flexibility along with examples to demonstrate their usefulness. The logistic family is one of these two‐parameter families, which has been applied in several trials. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Site‐Specific Self‐Assembled Liquid‐Gated ZnO Nanowire Transistors for Sensing Applications
Authors: Pachauri Vivek , Vlandas Alexis , Kern Klaus , Balasubramanian Kannan
Published: October 2009

A scalable bottom‐up solution‐based approach for the site‐specific realization of ZnO nanowire (ZnO‐NW)‐based field‐effect transistors for sensing applications in liquids is reported. The nanowires are grown across predefined electrodes patterned by photolithography. Site specificity is attained by the use of nanoparticles acting as seeds. Using integrated on‐chip microchannels and microfabricated gate electrodes, electrochemically gated ZnO‐NW network transistors functioning in liquids are demonstrated. The optimized devices are rendered sensitive to pH through chemical functionalization. The unique combination of the sensitivity, site specificity, scalability, and cost effectiveness of the technique opens up avenues for the routine realization of one‐dimensional nanostructure‐based chemical and biosensors for analytical and diagnostic applications.
Venture capital secondary funds—the third exit option
Authors: Swildens Hans
Published: October 2009

This article highlights some of the challenges associated with investing in private equity and, specifically, venture capital, as well as the opportunities presented by the availability of secondary market solutions. Today, the secondary market allows venture capital investors to align liquidity solutions with investment objectives similar to those used in other established markets like real estate and lending. Over the last ten years, it has become clear that exit opportunities for venture‐backed portfolio companies
correlate strongly with the state of the economy and its ability to support merger‐and‐acquisition (M&A) and initial public offering (IPO) market activity. Due to their experience and specialization, secondary funds know how to assess quickly potential investments and offer tailored investment solutions. Moreover, these funds offer an attractive exit option that is compelling not only in down economic cycles but also during periods of economic expansion. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sovereign wealth funds: National security risks in a global free trade environment
Authors: Hemphill Thomas A.
Published: October 2009

The proliferation of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) has resulted in an unstable political, legal, and regulatory environment for this form of foreign direct investment (FDI). This article explains SWF growth over the last half‐century; discusses issues surrounding SWF “transparency” and host‐country national security risk; reviews the legal and regulatory structures governing FDI in major national economies; examines proposed regulatory approaches to structure the FDI environment; and concludes with a discussion of SWF regulatory policy recommendations addressing corporate governance principles, national security restrictions on equity investment, and investment reciprocity, and suggests recommendations for executives considering engaging an SWF investment partner. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modification of waterproofing asphalt by PVC packaging waste
Authors: Fang Changqing , Zhou Shisheng , Zhang Maorong , Zhao Shijie
Published: October 2009

Recycled packaging waste poly(vinyl chloride), instead of an ordinary polymer modifier, was adopted for the modification of an asphalt waterproofing membrane. The physical performance of the membrane was studied. Results showed that the softening point of the modified asphalt was increased, while the penetration degree was reduced. Also, under natural aging conditions, the tension, the retention of extension under the greatest tension, and the retention of low‐temperature flexibility were all improved significantly. At the same time, the resistance to acid, alkali, and salt corrosion of the modified waterproofing membrane was improved. The mechanism of the modification was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and microstructure analysis. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers