bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stability‐indicating methods for the determination of a mixture of almitrine and raubasine by derivative spectrophotometry
Authors: El‐Sayed Mohammad A.
Published: October 2009

A second‐derivative spectrophotometric method (2D) and a derivative ratio spectrum zero crossing (1DD) method were used to determine raubasine and almitrine dismesylate in the presence of raubasine degradation product, using methanol as a solvent. Linear relationships were obtained in the range from 6–20 µg ml−1 raubasine for the (2D) method and 12–24 µg ml−1 almitrine dismesylate for the (1DD) method.

By applying these methods it was possible to determine raubasine in its pure powdered form with an accuracy of 99.93 ± 1.116 (n = 8) for the (2D) method and almitrine dismesylate with an accuracy of 99.98 ± 0.602 (n = 7) for the (1DD) method.

Laboratory‐prepared mixtures containing different ratios of raubasine, almitrine dismesylate and raubasine degradation product were analysed and the proposed methods were valid up to 50% of raubasine degradation product. They were found to be suitable stability‐indicating assay methods for raubasine and almitrine dismesylate in pharmaceutical formulations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The hunt for gene dopers
Authors: Mansour Mai M. H. , Azzazy Hassan M. E.
Published: October 2009

Gene doping, the abuse of gene therapy for illicit athletic enhancement, is perceived as a coming threat and is a prime concern to the anti‐doping community. This doping technique represents a significant ethical challenge and there are concerns regarding its safety for athletes. This article presents the basics of gene doping, potential strategies for its detection and the role of promising new technologies in aiding detection efforts. These include the use of lab‐on‐a‐chip techniques as well as nanoparticles to enhance the performance of current analytical methods and to develop new doping detection strategies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Automatic generation of passerby record images using Internet camera
Authors: Terada Kenji , Atsuta Koji
Published: October 2009

Recently, many brutal crimes have shocked us. In addition, we have seen a decline in the number of solved crimes. Therefore, the importance of security and self‐defense has increased steadily. As an example of self‐defense, many surveillance cameras are set up in buildings, homes, and offices. But even if we want to detect a suspicious person, we cannot check the surveillance videos immediately so that a huge number of image sequences is stored in each video system. In this paper, we propose an automatic method of generating passerby record images by using an Internet camera. In the first step, the process of recognizing a passerby is carried out using an image sequence obtained from the Internet camera. Our method classifies the subject region of each person by using the space‐time image. In addition, we obtain the information of the time, direction, and number of passersby from this space‐time image. Next, the present method detects five characteristics: the center of gravity, the position of the person's head, the brightness, the size, and shape of the person. Finally, an image of each person is selected among the image sequence by integrating five characteristics, and is added into the passerby record image. Some experimental results using a simple experimental system are also reported, which indicate the effectiveness of the proposed method. In most scenes, every person was able to be detected by the proposed method and the passerby record image was generated. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 92(11): 42–50, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10146
A matching method using edges with the rigid body assumption
Authors: Tanaka Shiho , Ito Toshio , Ohkawa Takenao
Published: October 2009

In this paper, we propose the matching method using the edge image with the rigid‐body assumption. We introduce the virtual intensity added to the edge image and regard it as the energy function. It is assumed that the objects to match each other are rigid. The edges are repeatedly moved to the direction which the energy function is reduced by parallel translation and rotation. The corresponding point between two images can be found when the function is minimum. Real images include the areas which have no or extreme intensity change. The proposed method is available in those cases since it uses features of the image, that is, the edges. We showed this advantage by experiments on motion estimation. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 92(11): 28–33, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10148
Detection of skin region from multiband near‐IR spectral characteristics
Authors: Suzuki Yasuhiro , Yamamoto Kazuhiko , Kato Kunihito , Andoh Michinori , Kojima Shinichi
Published: October 2009

Many active safety technologies for the driver support system are developing. Most traffic accidents are caused by the driver's inattentiveness or drowsiness. We are developing a driver support system that protects against traffic accidents due to these causes. Our purpose is to detect the driver's face region with a camera. Many face detection methods are proposed, but there is no technique addressing every environment inside the car. For example, skin color segmentation cannot detect the skin region in the night, because it has to light up the driver by bright light. In this paper, we propose a skin detection method using the unique reflection characteristics of the materials. Our method is a very simple algorithm. We developed a skin detection system, and confirmed its effectiveness by an evaluation experiment in an indoor environment, and showed its effectiveness by a nighttime driving experiment. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 92(11): 19–27, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10149
Real‐time measurement of cycloduction movement based on fast ellipse detection
Authors: Sakashita Yuusuke , Fujiyoshi Hironobu , Hirata Yutaka , Takamaru Hisanori , Fukaya Naoki
Published: October 2009

This paper presents a method for real‐time cycloduction measurement based on fast ellipse detection. The Hough transform framework is known to be effective for ellipse fitting, but most of the existing methods have a high computational cost. We therefore present a novel technique for detecting a region of the pupil by fitting an ellipse based on parallelogram. Since our method eliminates outliers due to lighting, it is possible to obtain the ellipse parameters in high accuracy. Once the ellipse parameter for pupil image is detected, we can generate a projected image of iris pattern, and then estimate a rotation angle of the cycloduction by SAD matching considering the temporal information. Our experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of our method. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 92(11): 9–18, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience. wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10150
Horizontal heterogeneity in the frequency of plant‐available water with woodland intercanopy–canopy vegetation patch type rivals that occuring vertically by soil depth
Authors: Breshears David D. , Myers Orrin B. , Barnes Fairley J.
Published: October 2009

Soil moisture integrates and drives ecohydrological processes in dryland ecosystems. However, despite the central importance of soil moisture, relevant field studies have not holistically assessed key inter‐related aspects of ecohydrological spatiotemporal variation: the threshold‐like manner in which soil texture controls the frequency at which soil water is readily available for plants, assessment of horizontal heterogeneity associated with vegetation patches in addition to vertical heterogeneity associated with depth, seasonal variation associated with precipitation type (snow vs rain) and inter‐annual variation spanning notably wet and dry periods. We measured soil water content by neutron probe in a semiarid piñon‐juniper woodland (Pinus edulis and Juniperus monosperma) in northern New Mexico, USA, over 15 years and evaluated an ecohydrological metric–plant‐available water, estimated as the percentage of time that soil water content was sufficiently wet to be generally available to plants. The frequency of plant‐available water varied significantly across all variables assessed: precipitation amount (across years or seasons), precipitation type, vertically with soil depth and horizontally with vegetation patch type (canopy patches beneath trees, intercanopy patches between trees and edges between the two patch types). Notably, in many cases, horizontal heterogeneity in plant‐available water associated with vegetation patch was as substantial as vertical heterogeneity associated with depth, yet such horizontal heterogeneity is not included in most ecological or hydrological models. Our results highlight spatiotemporal variation in the frequency of plant‐available water that is substantial, often overlooked, and may need to be explicitly considered for predicting dryland vegetation responses to land use and climate change. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vegetation impacts on near bank flow
Authors: Hopkinson Leslie , Wynn Theresa
Published: October 2009

Vegetation is an important component of stream restoration designs used to control streambank retreat, but vegetation effects on near bank flows need to be quantified. The goal of this research was to evaluate how three‐dimensional velocity structure and turbulence characteristics vary with three vegetation treatments: tree, shrub and grass. A second order prototype stream (Tom's Creek in Blacksburg, Virginia, USA) with individual reaches dominated by each vegetation treatment was modelled in a research flume using a fixed‐bed Froude‐scale modelling technique. One model streambank of the prototype stream was constructed for each vegetation type and compared to a bare control (only grain roughness). Velocity profiles perpendicular to the flume model boundary were measured using a three‐dimensional acoustic Doppler velocimeter. Three‐dimensional velocity records, turbulent kinetic energy characteristics, and Reynolds stresses were analysed. The addition of vegetation on a sloping streambank increased the free stream streamwise velocity as compared to a bare streambank. Velocity in the downstream direction decreased in the area close to the streambank boundary for all vegetation treatments. Tree turbulence intensity and Reynolds stress distributions were similar to the bare condition due to the sparse tree placement characteristic of mature forests. The turbulence caused by the upright shrub treatment increased turbulent kinetic energy and Reynolds stresses near the streambank, particularly at the toe. The flexible grass vegetation folded and protected the streambank, reducing shear stress near the boundary. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular Interaction between a Gadolinium–Polyoxometalate and Human Serum Albumin
Authors: Zheng Li , Ma Ying , Zhang Guangjin , Yao Jiannian , Bassil Bassem S. , Kortz Ulrich , Keita Bineta , de Oliveira Pedro , Nadjo Louis , Craescu Constantin T. , Miron Simona
Published: October 2009

Polyoxometalates (POMs) show promising antibacterial, antiviral (particularly anti‐HIV), antitumor, and anticancer activities, but the mechanism of these potential therapeutic effects remains to be elucidated at the molecular level. The interaction between the Gd‐containing tungstosilicate [Gd(β2‐SiW11O39)2]13– and human serum albumin (HSA) was studied by several techniques. Fluorescence spectroscopy showed an energy transfer between the single tryptophan residue of HSA and the POM. Circular dichroism led to the conclusion that the POM significantly altered the secondary structure of HSA. Isothermal titration calorimetry revealed an enthalpy‐driven binding reaction between HSA and the POM, resulting in the formation of a 1:1 complex.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Conversion of Carbon–Fluorine Bonds α to Transition Metal Centers to Carbon–Hydrogen, Carbon–Carbon, and Carbon–Heteroatom Bonds
Authors: Hughes Russell P.
Published: October 2009

Pseudo‐tetrahedral primary fluoroalkyl complexes of iridium provide a template on which to study the stereoselectivity of carbon–fluorine bond activation α to iridium by external protic acids. Coupled with migration of internal nucleophiles, this reaction leads to diastereoselective formation of new carbon–oxygen, carbon–sulfur, carbon–hydrogen, and carbon–carbon bonds. Stereochemical studies of the conformational properties of starting fluoroalkyl complexes and relativestereocenter configurations for diastereomeric products, together with kinetic studies of reactions in different solvents, allow a self‐consistent mechanism for these reactions to be established. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Synthesis of New Chiral Ketones from D‐Glucose Derivatives and Their Use in the Enantioselective Epoxidation of Arylalkenes
Authors: Vega‐Pérez José Manuel , Vega Holm Margarita , Martínez M. Luisa , Blanco Eugenia , Iglesias‐Guerra Fernando
Published: October 2009

A new backbone model for a chiral carbohydrate‐derived ketone for asymmetric epoxidation is presented. The oxo function is sited in a seven‐membered ring fused to the sugar moety. The synthesized compound is an effective chirality‐transfer agent in dioxirane‐mediated epoxidation, giving ees of up to 74 %. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Iso‐seco‐tanapartholides: Isolation, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation
Authors: Makiyi Edward F. , Frade Raquel F. M. , Lebl Tomas , Jaffray Ellis G. , Cobb Susan E. , Harvey Alan L. , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Hay Ronald T. , Westwood Nicholas J.
Published: October 2009

The isolation, identification and total synthesis of two plant‐derived inhibitors of the NF‐κB signaling pathway from the iso‐seco‐tanapartholide family of natural products is described. A key step in the efficient reaction sequence is a late‐stage oxidative cleavage reaction that was carried out in the absence of protecting groups to give the natural products directly. A detailed comparison of the synthetic material with samples of the natural products proved informative. Biological studies on synthetic material confirmed that these compounds act late in the NF‐κB signaling pathway. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Structural analysis of glycosphingolipid analogues obtained by the saccharide primer method using CE‐ESI‐MS
Authors: Zhu Xingyu , Hatanaka Kenichi , Yamagata Tatsuya , Sato Toshinori
Published: October 2009

A glycosphingolipid analogue (12‐azidododecyl β‐lactoside) as a saccharide primer has been shown to be useful for the synthesis of oligosaccharide libraries by mammalian cells. In the present study, CE‐ESI‐MS was employed to elucidate the structure of glycosphingolipid analogues derived from 12‐azidododecyl β‐lactoside (Lac‐C12N3) by mammalian cells. MDCK cells and COLO201 cells were cultured with Lac‐C12N3, and the glycosylated products secreted into the medium were collected and separated into acidic and neutral products by column chromatography. The acidic products could be directly analyzed by CE‐ESI‐MS, while the neutral products were converted to anionic derivatives via a reaction with propiolic acid. With this method, it was possible to analyze both acidic and neutral products glycosylated by MDCK cells and COLO201 cells at high sensitivity.
Evaluation of fault relative location algorithms using voltage sag data collected at 25‐kV substations
Authors: Núñez Victor Barrera , Frigola Joaquim Melendez , Jaramillo Sergio Herraiz , Losada Jorge Sánchez
Published: October 2009

Source location algorithms, recently proposed in the literature as a means to determine the origin of sags upstream or downstream from the measuring point, have been compared. Testing has been carried out using 471 records of asymmetrical voltage sags gathered from HV/MV substations of the Catalan power network, in the northeast of Spain. Six different algorithms have been included in the test, and the significance of their attributes has been analysed using a data mining approach. Multivariate statistical theory (MANOVA) has been used in this analysis. The work has been completed by improving the performance of the algorithms applying a machine learning induction algorithm (CN2), designed to extract new classification rules dealing with the combination of the attributes defined by the algorithms analysed. The study considers phase‐to‐ground and phase‐to‐phase faults separately. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparison between a collocation and weak implementation of the rigid‐body motion constraint on a particle surface
Authors: D'Avino G. , Hulsen M. A.
Published: October 2009

In this work, we implemented and compared two different methods to impose the rigid‐body motion constraint on a solid particle moving inside a fluid. We consider a fictitious domain method to easily manage the particle motion. As the solid as well as the fluid inertia are neglected, the particle can be discretized through its boundary only. The rigid‐body motion is imposed via Lagrange multipliers on the boundary. In the first method, such constraints are imposed in discrete points on the boundary (collocation), whereas in the second the constraint is imposed in a weak way on elements dividing the particle surface.

Two test problems, that is, a spherical and an ellipsoidal particle in a sheared Newtonian fluid, are chosen to compare the methods. In both cases, the analysis is carried out in 2D as well as in 3D.

The results show that for the collocation method an optimal number of collocation points exist leading to the smallest error. However, small variations in the optimal value can generate large deviations. In the weak implementation, the error is only mildly affected by the number of elements used to discretize the particle boundary and by the Lagrange multiplier's interpolation space. A further analysis is carried out to study the effect of an approximated integration of weak constraints.

A comparison between the two methods showed that the same accuracy can be achieved by using less constraints if the weak discretization is used. Finally, the rigid‐body motion imposed via weak constraints leads to better conditioned linear systems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An explicit level set approach for generalized shape optimization of fluids with the lattice Boltzmann method
Authors: Kreissl Sebastian , Pingen Georg , Maute Kurt
Published: October 2009

This study is concerned with a generalized shape optimization approach for finding the geometry of fluidic devices and obstacles immersed in flows. Our approach is based on a level set representation of the fluid–solid interface and a hydrodynamic lattice Boltzmann method to predict the flow field. We present an explicit level set method that does not involve the solution of the Hamilton–Jacobi equation and allows using standard nonlinear programming methods. In contrast to previous works, the boundary conditions along the fluid–structure interface are enforced by second‐order accurate interpolation schemes, overcoming shortcomings of flow penalization methods and Brinkman formulations frequently used in topology optimization. To ensure smooth boundaries and mesh‐independent results, we introduce a simple, computationally inexpensive filtering method to regularize the level set field. Furthermore, we define box constraints for the design variables that guarantee a continuous evolution of the boundaries. The features of the proposed method are studied by two numeric examples of two‐dimensional steady‐state flow problems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Technical Analysis of an Eco‐Friendly Hybrid Plant With a Microgas Turbine and an MCFC System
Authors: De Lorenzo G. , Fragiacomo P.
Published: October 2009

This article refers to a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC) system coupled to a plant with a microgas turbine and a heat recovery system for obtaining a small sized hybrid system in co‐generative arrangement.

MCFC are devices capable of concentrating carbon dioxide (CO2) produced in anode exhaust gases. If they are handled conveniently, it is possible to separate and store the surplus CO2 produced by the plant instead of emitting it into the atmosphere.

From the simulation model of the MCFC system, previously developed by the authors, a zero‐dimensional and stationary simulation model for the whole hybrid system was formulated and implemented in the same language.

By the simulation model of the MCFC system it has been possible to make a parametric analysis of the hybrid plant to find some optimal operating conditions of the fuel cell(s) that maximise the performance of the entire hybrid plant. In addition, the separation of the CO2 surplus produced by the hybrid plant was simulated by the model and then the emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from the same plant were evaluated.
The Rheology of Stabilised Lanthanum Strontium Cobaltite Ferrite Nanopowders in Organic Medium Applicable as Screen Printed SOFC Cathode Layers
Authors: Burnat D. , Ried P. , Holtappels P. , Heel A. , Graule T. , Kata D.
Published: October 2009

The production and optimisation of screen printing (SP) pastes containing La0.58Sr0.42Co0.21Fe0.79O3 – δ and La0.61Sr0.41Co0.19Fe0.79O3 – δ (LSCF) were investigated. The application of these nanopowders is supposed to improve the cathode's microstructure and increase its mechanical strength. Thirty seven pastes containing LSCF were carried out with variation in binders, dispersants and different particle size distribution. The rheological behaviour of these pastes was investigated. It was found that commercially available dispersant Solsperse 3000 resulted in the best suspension stability, achieving almost 55 times lower viscosity value for pastes containing 20 vol.‐%, than pastes without any dispersants. The shear thinning behaviour was found to be favourable for the LSCF cathode deposition. A cathode made from the mixture of nano and submicron powder exhibits a polarisation resistance as low as 0.76 Ω cm2 at 592 °C.
A Direct Electron Transfer‐Based Glucose/Oxygen Biofuel Cell Operating in Human Serum
Authors: Coman V. , Ludwig R. , Harreither W. , Haltrich D. , Gorton L. , Ruzgas T. , Shleev S.
Published: October 2009

We report on the fabrication and characterisation of the very first direct electron transfer‐based glucose/oxygen biofuel cell (BFC) operating in neutral glucose‐containing buffer and human serum. Corynascus thermophilus cellobiose dehydrogenase and Myrothecium verrucaria bilirubin oxidase were used as anodic and cathodic bioelements, respectively. The following characteristics of the mediator‐, separator‐ and membrane‐less, a priori, non‐toxic and simple miniature BFC, was obtained: an open‐circuit voltage of 0.62 and 0.58 V, a maximum power density of ca. 3 and 4 μW cm–2 at 0.37 and 0.19 V of cell voltage, in phosphate buffer and human serum, respectively.
Morphological Radiation with Reference to the Carapace Valves of the Anomopoda (Crustacea: Cladocera)
Authors: Smirnov Nikolai N. , Kotov Alexey A.
Published: October 2009

Diversity of the carapace valve structure in the Anomopoda (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) is described. We found that transformations of shape, modifications of the surface and valve margins, and thickening or thinning of the valves, take place independently in different families, sometimes resulting in a convergent similarity. The limits of morphological diversity in these features determine the range of adaptive radiation in general form of the group. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
False Correlates of Nested Patterns: A Case Study Using Temporary Pond Microcrustaceans
Authors: Fernández Ana I. , Viedma Olga , Angeler David G.
Published: October 2009

Nestedness analysis is a popular tool for inferring spatial species distributions, and therefore has management and conservation relevance. Ecologists frequently compute nestedness and subsequently use Spearman rank correlations for inferring relationships between the observed nested ranks of sites with biogeographic and environmental variables. Using temporary pond microcrustaceans hatched from microcosms as a case study, this paper shows that the application of this method can be problematic. While the overall degree and significance of nestedness was robust against a statistical error, the results obtained from randomly generated matrices, in which community structure from the original microcrustacean incidence matrix was maintained (fixed rows –fixed columns constraints), showed that rank correlations of observed nested patterns can be vulnerable to a Type 1 error (detecting an effect when there is none). Using expected nestedness patterns derived from rarefied original matrices to control for sample size effects did not change this result. This problem may have arisen as a result of a quantitative bias related to the disproportionate impact of rank positions of individual ponds in the analysis. Future extensive simulations studies, involving different community structures, should help identify the general reliability of rank correlation results in nestedness analyses. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
PCR‐DGGE Fingerprinting Analysis of Plankton Communities and Its Relationship to Lake Trophic Status
Authors: Wu Li , Yu Yuhe , Zhang Tanglin , Feng Weisong , Zhang Xiang , Li Wei
Published: October 2009

Plankton communities in eight lakes of different trophic status near Yangtze, China were charac‐terized by using denatured gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Various water quality parameters were also measured at each collection site. Following extraction of DNA from plankton communi‐ties, 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA genes were amplified with specific primers for prokaryotes and eu‐karyotes, respectively; DNA profiles were developed by DGGE. The plankton community of each lake had its own distinct DNA profile. The total number of bands identified at 34 sampling stations ranged from 37 to 111. Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes displayed complex fingerprints composed of a large number of bands: 16 to 59 bands were obtained with the prokaryotic primer set; 21 to 52 bands for the eukaryotic primer set. The DGGE‐patterns were analyzed in relation to water quality parameters by canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Temperature, pH, alkalinity, and the con‐centration of COD, TP and TN were strongly correlated with the DGGE patterns. The parameters that demonstrated a strong correlation to the DGGE fingerprints of the plankton community differed among lakes, suggesting that differences in the DGGE fingerprints were due mainly to lake trophic status. Results of the present study suggest that PCR‐DGGE fingerprinting is an effective and precise method of identifying changes to plankton community composition, and therefore could be a useful ecological tool for monitoring the response of aquatic ecosystems to environmental perturbations. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Carbon‐14 labeled methyl 2‐chloro‐2‐oxoacetate: a convenient carbon‐14 labeled oxalyl chloride equivalent
Authors: Burrell Richard C. , Easter John A. , Bonacorsi Samuel J. , Balasubramanian Balu
Published: October 2009

Oxalyl chloride is a versatile two‐carbon building block for synthesizing organic molecules. Carbon‐14 labeled oxalyl chloride should be a useful reagent for labeling many of these compounds. Unfortunately, its preparation suffers from low radiochemical yield and problems with stability, isolation and analysis. Because of these issues, the reagent is not a convenient or practical carbon‐14 label source. Synthetically, methyl 2‐chloro‐2‐oxoacetate reacts as an oxalyl chloride equivalent. This report describes a reliable and efficient two‐step synthesis of carbon‐14 labeled methyl 2‐chloro‐2‐oxoacetate ([14C]‐1) from readily available carbon‐14 labeled dimethyl oxalate ([14C]‐2). The labeled oxalate was first treated with aqueous base to give the mono‐potassium salt of 2‐methoxy‐2‐oxoacetate ([14C]‐3), which was then reacted with oxalyl chloride to give [14C]‐1 as a solution in dichloromethane. The overall radiochemical yield for this process was essentially quantitative, and [14C]‐1 was found to be stable and easy to use in further synthetic manipulations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Site‐specific addition of an 18F‐N‐methylaminooxy‐containing prosthetic group to a vinylsulfone modified peptide
Authors: Olberg Dag Erlend , Hjelstuen Ole Kristian , Solbakken Magne , Arukwe Joseph M. , Dyrstad Knut , Cuthbertson Alan
Published: October 2009

Numerous strategies employing prosthetic groups for the radiosynthesis of 18F‐fluorinated peptides for positron emission tomography have been investigated in recent years. We have previously reported a novel [18F]prosthetic group bearing the N‐methylaminooxy functionality capable of reacting in a site‐selective manner with peptides functionalized with Michael‐acceptors. In a further extension of this methodology we demonstrate that O‐[2‐(2‐[18F]fluoroethoxy)ethyl]‐N‐methyl‐N‐hydroxylamine, [18F]4, reacts chemoselectively with a vinylsulfone functionalized peptide. The conjugation yields were studied with respect to reaction time, level of radioactivity, peptide concentration and purity of the [18F]prosthetic group used in the conjugation reaction. Incubation at 70°C gave conjugation yields of around 80% with high radiochemical purity after 70 min at pH 5 in acetate buffer. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laser Raman spectroscopic investigations of biodegradable vehicle of active agents eluting LVM 316 stainless steel cardiovascular stents for in vivo degradation characteristics
Authors: Sudheer S. K. , Prathibha S. , Kothwala D. , Engineer C. , Raval A. , Jerriwala A. B. , Kotadia H.
Published: October 2009

Laser Raman spectroscopy is an effective tool for the study of biodegradable polymers, which play a vital role in the new developments in coronary implants such as stents. There is much excitement around the potential capabilities of synthetic biodegradable polymers and the effect they will have on the design and function of implanted devices. In the present investigation, heparin‐conjugated biodegradable copolymers were evaluated for their durability as drug‐eluting stent coatings. Laser Raman spectroscopic studies were carried out and spectra recorded and analyzed of explanted stents coated with different amounts of polymer alone, showing the existence of different levels at different quantities of polymer. The polymer was detected on every stent analyzed. On the stents coated with a thick layer of polymer, a firm layer of polymer still existed on the stent. In contrast, this layer was degraded and spread around on the stents coated with only a thin layer of the polymer. This indicates that the polymers used in the stents in the present investigation exhibit acceptable biodegradability. Such polymers can be used as efficient drug carriers, as these materials show good degradation after the stipulated period. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering of silylated graphite oxide sheets sandwiched between colloidal silver nanoparticles and silver piece
Authors: Fu Xiaoqi , Bei Fengli , Wang Xin , Yang Xujie , Lu Lude
Published: October 2009

Graphite oxide (GO) was successfully silylated by 3‐mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane. The surface‐enhanced Raman scattering spectrum of the silylated GO sheets sandwiched between colloidal silver nanoparticles and silver piece is presented. The Raman signal shows a 104 enhancement compared to that of bulk GO. The large Raman enhancement is most likely a result of electromagnetic (EM) coupling between the colloidal silver nanoparticles (localized surface plasmon) and the silver piece (surface plasmon polariton), creating large localized EM fields at their interface, where the silylated GO sheets reside in this sandwich architecture. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A multi‐component optimisation of experimental parameters for maximising SERS enhancements
Authors: Yaffe Nicola R. , Ingram Andrew , Graham Duncan , Blanch Ewan W.
Published: October 2009

We present a multi‐component optimisation strategy for a range of commonly used Ag colloids as surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy substrates. The concentration‐dependent interactions of a wide range of parameters, including colloid and aggregating agent species, were considered in order to achieve optimal SERS enhancements. Few papers in the literature discuss the optimisation of these parameters, never mind multi‐component optimisation, and suboptimal responses result in SERS not being utilised to its true capabilities. Significant differences in enhancement factor were observed as a consequence of colloid–aggregating agent interactions and these are shown to be analyte specific. Both the cation and anion of the aggregating agent were found to play an important role in the optimisation process. We show that through the optimisation of experimental conditions, the reliability and applicability of SERS can be significantly improved. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measurement and prediction of the concentration of 1‐methylcyclopropene in treatment chambers containing different packaging materials
Authors: Rodríguez‐Pérez Luis C , Harte Bruce , Auras Rafael , Burgess Gary , Beaudry Randolf M
Published: October 2009

BACKGROUND: 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) has been shown to suppress ethylene response and extend the post‐harvest shelf life and quality of several fruits and vegetables. In the US and Canada, the label treatment dosage for apples is 1.0 and 0.6 µL L−1, respectively. It has been demonstrated that wood and corrugated fiberboard materials, commonly found in apple storage facilities, absorb 1‐MCP. Losses of 1‐MCP during the exposure period might compromise the effectiveness of the product. The effects of type of material (corrugated fiberboard and high density polyethylene), relative humidity (50%, 80%, and > 95%), ratios of mass of packaging material (kg) per unit volume (m3) of airspace in a treatment chamber, and initial concentration of 1‐MCP (10 and 20 µL L−1) on the available concentration of gaseous 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) in an enclosed chamber were studied.

RESULTS: The concentration of 1‐MCP declined in the presence of the materials tested, but the rate at which 1‐MCP gas was removed from the chamber headspace differed markedly. The average percentage loss for HDPE was between 10 and 12% at all conditions tested, while for corrugated fiberboard it ranged from 12 to 94%.

CONCLUSIONS: The concentration of 1‐MCP at any time, t, follows an exponential decay behavior. For corrugated boxes, the rate at which 1‐MCP is removed increased up to 10‐fold as the relative humidity increased from 50 to 80%. The 1‐MCP depletion rate doubled as the ratio of material was increased from 4 to 8 kg of corrugated fiberboard m−3 air. An increase of initial concentration from 10 to 20 µL L−1 reduced the rate by half. This trend was also observed for HDPE boxes. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Selective preconcentration of volatile mercaptans in small SPE cartridges: Quantitative determination of trace odor‐active polyfunctional mercaptans in wine
Authors: Mateo‐Vivaracho Laura , Cacho Juan , Ferreira Vicente
Published: October 2009

A general procedure for the selective preconcentration and purification of mercaptans has been developed. Mercaptans are strongly retained in a small (20 mg) SPE cartridge containing p‐hydroxymercurybenzoate. The cartridge can then be rinsed with relatively high volumes of polar (water/methanol mixtures) and non‐polar (pentane or pentane/ether mixtures) rinsing solutions to remove nearly all volatile compounds lacking a thiol functionality. Retained analytes are further eluted with a small volume of an organic solvent containing 1,4‐dithioerythritol. Some basic aspects of the strategy, such as the retention of p‐hydroxymercurybenzoate in the sorbent and its stability versus different rinsing and eluting systems, have been studied in depth. Light sulfur compounds contained in water or wine, including mercaptans such as methanethiol or thioethers, such as diethyl sulfide, can be quantitatively extracted, although only mercaptans can be quantitatively recovered if a polar rinsing is applied. The strategy has been applied to the GC‐MS quantitative determination of some trace polyfunctional mercaptans that are key aromas in wine, such as 2‐methyl‐3‐furanthiol, 2‐furfurylthiol, 4‐mercapto‐4‐methyl‐2‐pentanone, 3‐mercaptohexyl acetate or 3‐mercaptohexanol. The developed method reaches detection limits in the ng/L range and has a satisfactory analytical behavior, being quite simple and fast.
Ethyl caffeate from Verdicchio wine: Chromatographic purification and in vivo evaluation of its antifibrotic activity
Authors: Boselli Emanuele , Bendia Emanuele , Di Lecce Giuseppe , Benedetti Antonio , Frega Natale G.
Published: October 2009

Ethyl caffeate (CfE, caffeic acid ethyl ester) was extracted from dealcoholized Verdicchio, a white wine from Marche (Italy) with ethyl acetate and then purified with semipreparative reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC) using an ODS2 column (25 cm×20 mm id) at an isocratic flow of 5 mL/min (the mobile phase A was formic acid 4.5% in water and the mobile phase B was acetonitrile). The CfE extract administered intraperitoneally at 1 μmol/L in rats previously treated with 10 mg/kg dimethylnitrosamine was able to prevent the dimethylnitrosamine‐induced loss in body and liver weight, as well as to reduce the degree of liver injury, as determined by alanine aminotransferase values and necroinflammatory score, after a 1‐week treatment. This was associated with a reduced hepatic stellate cells activation (from 16.8 to 8.3% of smooth muscle actin positive parenchyma) and proliferation (from 11.3 to 5.5 cells/mm2). The collagen synthesis was also reduced: the percentage of Sirius Red positive parenchyma decreased from 21.7 to 7.2%. The CfE levels of Verdicchio wine determined with RP‐HPLC‐DAD were about 14 times the active levels tested in the in vivo test. CfE can be considered as a promising natural compound for future application in chronic liver disease.
Determination of metaflumizone residues in cabbage and soil using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/ESI‐MS/MS
Authors: Dong Fengshou , Liu Xingang , Cheng Li , Chen Wuying , Li Jing , Qin Dongmei , Zheng Yongquan
Published: October 2009

A simple confirmatory method for the determination of metaflumizone in cabbage tissues and soil samples using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐ESI/MS/MS is presented. Metaflumizone residues in cabbage and soils were extracted with acetonitrile and an aliquot was cleaned up with primary and secondary amine. Two precursor product ion transitions for metaflumizone were measured and evaluated to provide the maximum degree of confidence in results. Under ESI negative conditions, quantitation was achieved by monitoring the fragment m/z=302 and qualitative fragment m/z=116.5 while also collecting their parent ion m/z=505.5. Average recoveries for cabbage and soil at four different levels (0.01, 0.05, 1 and 5 mg/kg) ranged from 77.6 to 87.9% with RSD of 3.5–7.9% and RSDR of 4.5–7.1%. The coefficients of determination of R2⩾0.9991 were achieved for metaflumizone calibration curves from 0.01 to 5.0 μg/mL. The metaflumizone LODs in cabbage and soil were determined to be both 0.001 mg/kg with a LOQ of 0.004 mg/kg. This method was able to demonstrate quantitative recoveries and provide confirmatory data for the identification of metaflumizone residues in cabbage tissues and the surrounding soils following commercial application.
Why do I identify with thee? Let me count three ways: How ad context influences race‐based character identification
Authors: Brumbaugh Anne M.
Published: October 2009

Three quasi‐experimental studies with nonstudent samples reveal that one's ability to identify with a character shown in an ad based on shared race depends on the construction of the ad and the context in which characters are depicted. Results show that race‐based identification overshadows both gender‐ and role‐based identification for a racially targeted ad for distinctive black subjects but occurs for both black and white subjects for a culturally ambiguous ad. Further, results show that race‐based character identification is absent when black and white characters are depicted in a mainstream inclusive ad and that dominant cultural norms predominate. Theoretical and managerial implications regarding the contextuality of race‐based identification, processing of source cues, and construction of ads in a pluralistic society are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Using emotional benefits as a differentiation strategy in saturated markets
Authors: Barrena Ramo , Sánchez Mercedes
Published: October 2009

The high level of product substitution in most consumer markets often makes it difficult to match supply with demand, especially in sectors with mature, saturated markets with intense competition and a high degree of product differentiation. The difficulty of using technical characteristics such as quality and/or price to differentiate products suggests that marketers could profit from gaining more insight into the way in which consumers' purchase decisions are influenced by their perceived emotions. This paper investigates this issue in the wine market, a highly saturated market with homogeneous supply, obtaining results that appear to support the notion that emotions do indeed play a part in consumer choice structures, which show a higher degree of abstraction in those segments that report a greater number of perceived emotions. This considerably complicates the task of creating a differentiated marketing strategy, in the sense that suppliers need to give much greater consideration to consumers' self‐awareness. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Star‐Shaped Polyacrylates: Highly Functionalized Architectures via CuAAC Click Conjugation
Authors: Lammens Mieke , Fournier David , Fijten Martin W. M. , Hoogenboom Richard , Prez Filip Du
Published: October 2009

Well‐defined functional star‐shaped polymer structures with up to 29 arms have been successfully synthesized by the combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and click chemistry. First, azide end‐functionalized poly(isobornyl acrylate) (PiBA) star‐shaped polymers were prepared by successive ATRP and bromine substitution. Subsequently, alkyne end‐functionalized molecules and polymers were introduced onto the star‐shaped PiBA bearing pendant azide moieties by copper‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). The possibilities and limits for the CuAAC on such highly branched polyacrylates are described.

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Scattering of a 2D Schrödinger equation with exponential growth in the conformal space
Authors: Saanouni Tarek
Published: October 2009

We investigate the asymptotic behavior of global solutions for nonlinear Schrödinger equation with a defocusing exponential nonlinearity in two space dimensions. We prove that any (global) solution approaches a unique free Schrödinger solution at the time infinity in the conformal space. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prolonged compound muscle action potential duration in critical illness myopathy
Authors: Goodman Brent P. , Harper C. Michel , Boon Andrea J.
Published: October 2009

Critical illness myopathy (CIM) is a frequent cause of generalized weakness in the intensive care unit. Prolonged compound muscle action potential (CMAP) durations have been described in this patient population, and this study presents further data on CMAP duration in normal controls and patients with CIM. The findings highlight the importance of testing multiple nerve muscle combinations in weak, critically ill patients. Recognition of this pattern, which has not been widely described, can facilitate the diagnosis of CIM. Muscle Nerve, 2009
In vivo assessment of HCN channel current (Ih) in human motor axons
Authors: Tomlinson Susan , Burke David , Hanna Mike , Koltzenburg Martin , Bostock Hugh
Published: October 2009

The “Trond” protocol of nerve excitability tests has been used widely to assess axonal function in peripheral nerve. In this study, the routine Trond protocol was expanded to refine assessment of cAMP‐dependent, hyperpolarization‐activated current (Ih) activity. Ih activity is generated by hyperpolarization‐activated, cyclic nucleotide–modulated (HCN) channels in response to hyperpolarization. It limits activity‐dependent hyperpolarization, contributes to neuronal automaticity, and is implicated in chronic pain states. Published data regarding Ih activity in motor nerve are scant. We used additional strong, prolonged hyperpolarizing conditioning stimuli in the threshold electrotonus component of the Trond protocol to demonstrate the time‐course of activation of Ih in motor axons. Fifteen healthy volunteers were tested on four occasions during 1 week. Ih action was revealed in the threshold electrotonus by the limiting and often reversal, after about 100 ms, of the threshold increase caused by strong hyperpolarizing currents. Statistical analysis by repeated‐measures analysis of variance enabled confidence limits to be established for variation between subjects and within subjects. The results demonstrate that, of all the excitability parameters, those dependent on Ih were the most characteristic of an individual, because variance between subjects was more than four times the variance within subjects. This study demonstrates a reliable method for in vivo assessment of Ih, and also serves to document the normal variability in nerve excitability properties within subjects. Muscle Nerve, 2010
Linearity and reliability of the mechanomyographic amplitude versus dynamic torque relationships for the superficial quadriceps femoris muscles
Authors: Stock Matthew S. , Beck Travis W. , DeFreitas Jason M. , Dillon Michael A.
Published: October 2009

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the linearity and reliability of the mechanomyographic (MMG) amplitude versus dynamic torque relationships for the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), and vastus medialis (VM) muscles. Nine healthy men and 11 healthy women performed submaximal to maximal, concentric, isokinetic muscle actions of the leg extensors at 30° s−1 on two occasions. Surface MMG signals were detected from the VL, RF, and VM of the dominant thigh during both trials. The ranges of the coefficients of determination for the MMG amplitude versus dynamic torque relationships were 0.01–0.94 for the VL, 0.01–0.84 for the RF, and 0.19–0.96 for the VM. The intraclass correlation coefficients for the linear MMG amplitude versus torque slope coefficients were 0.823 (VL), 0.792 (RF), and 0.927 (VM). These results indicate that, when analyzed for individual subjects, the MMG amplitude versus dynamic torque relationships demonstrated inconsistent linearity. When using MMG in the clinical setting, dynamic muscle actions of the superficial quadriceps femoris muscles do not appear to be appropriate for assessing changes in muscle function during strength training. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Sensory ataxic neuropathy dysarthria and ophthalmoparesis (SANDO) in a sibling pair with a homozygous p.A467T POLG mutation
Authors: McHugh John C. , Lonergan Roisin , Howley Rachel , O'Rourke Killian , Taylor Robert W. , Farrell Michael , Hutchinson Michael , Connolly Sean
Published: October 2009

Two siblings who developed fifth‐decade‐onset, concurrent progressive sensory ataxia, dysarthria, and ophthalmoparesis were found to be homozygous for the p.A467T mutation of the polymerase gamma (POLG) gene. The clinical course in both subjects was progression to severe disability. The enlarging spectrum of sensory ataxic neuropathies associated with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) instability and POLG mutations should be recognized and considered in the differential diagnosis of this unusual presentation. Muscle Nerve, 2010