bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A potential signal of Bell's palsy after parenteral inactivated influenza vaccines: reports to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)—United States, 1991–2001,
Authors: Zhou Weigong , Pool Vitali , DeStefano Frank , Iskander John K. , Haber Penina , Chen Robert T.
Published: August 2004

Purpose

Post‐licensure experience with a new intranasal inactivated influenza vaccine in Switzerland recently identified an increased risk for Bell's palsy. We reviewed reports in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) to assess if parenteral inactivated influenza vaccines (influenza vaccines) may also increase the risk for Bell's palsy.

Methods

Reports of Bell's palsy after influenza vaccines in VAERS from 1/1/1991 to 12/31/2001 were identified by searching the Coding Symbols for Thesaurus of Adverse Reaction Terms (COSTART) for ‘paralysis facial’ and by text string search in the automated database. The text descriptions on each report were reviewed to verify the diagnosis. The proportional reporting ratio (PRR) was calculated to aid signal detection.

Results

We found a total of 197 reports of Bell's palsy after receipt of influenza vaccines. The diagnosis was verified for 154 (78.2%), of which 145 (94.2%) had received influenza vaccines alone. The verified reports were submitted from 35 states; 58% of the reports involved persons living in states where the risk of Lyme disease, which can also cause facial paralysis, was low, minimal or none. The PRRs in all age groups exceeded the criteria for a signal of possible association. The highest PRR was 3.91 in the ≥65 years age group.

Conclusions

Our findings revealed a signal of possible association between influenza vaccines and an increased risk of Bell's palsy. A population‐based controlled study is needed to determine whether this association could be causal and to quantify the risk. Published in 2004 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Automated, on‐line two‐dimensional nano liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for rapid analysis of complex protein digests
Authors: Mitulović Goran , Stingl Christoph , Smoluch Marek , Swart Remco , Chervet Jean‐Pierre , Steinmacher Ines , Gerner Christopher , Mechtler Karl
Published: August 2004

Evaluation of cellular processes and their changes at the level of protein expression and post‐translational modifications may allow identification of novel proteins and the mechanisms involved in pathogenic processes. However, the number of proteins and, after tryptic digestion, of peptides from a single cell can be tremendously high. Separation and analysis of such complex peptide mixtures can be performed using multidimensional separation techniques such as two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis or two‐dimensional‐high‐performance liquid chromatography (2‐D‐HPLC). The aim of this work was to establish a fully automated on‐line 2‐D‐HPLC separation method with column switching for the separation of complex tryptic digests. A model mixture of five proteins as well as a nuclear matrix protein sample were digested with trypsin and separated using a strong cation exchange (SCX) column in the first dimension and nano reversed phase in the second dimension. Separated peptides were detected using an ion trap mass spectrometer. The advantages of this new fully automated method are rapid sample loading, the possibility of injecting large volumes and no introduction of salt into the mass spectrometer. Furthermore, column switching allows the independent control and optimization of the two dimensions independently.
A simple and inexpensive approach to interfacing high‐performance liquid chromatography and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Fung Kim Y. C. , Askovic Srdjan , Basile Franco , Duncan Mark W.
Published: August 2004

The ability to obtain the accurate mass of a protein in a complex sample mixture aids in determining its correct in vivo form. This is important when identifying post‐translationally modified proteins, protein variants or isoforms. The central technique used to separate proteins, 2‐dimensional gel electrophoresis offers excellent separation capabilities but does not provide adequate mass accuracy. In this study, an alternative method, liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight (MALDI‐TOF)‐MS (LC‐MALDI) is described. LC‐MALDI‐MS was used to separate and determine the mass of proteins and peptides in a complex biological sample (i.e., human pituitary gland homogenate). Peptides and proteins were first separated by capillary chromatography and the eluent mixed post‐column with sinapinic acid matrix. The flow was then deposited directly onto a standard MALDI target via a capillary nebulizer. In addition to offering high mass accuracy, this method can be applied to peptide and protein quantification.
Proteomic and functional characterization of endogenous adiponectin purified from fetal bovine serum
Authors: Wang Yu , Lu Gang , Wong Winifred P. S. , Vliegenthart Johannes F. G. , Gerwig Gerrit J. , Lam Karen S. L. , Cooper Garth J. S. , Xu Aimin
Published: August 2004

Adiponectin is a plasma protein exclusively secreted from fat tissue. Many recent pharmacological studies suggest that recombinant adiponectin has multiple therapeutic potentials for obesity‐related metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. However, the physiological relevance of these findings remains to be further established. In the present study, we have purified endogenous adiponectin from fetal bovine serum and characterized its post‐translational modifications and physiological functions in animal models. Endogenous bovine serum adiponectin consists predominantly of full‐length proteins that form multiple oligomeric complexes, including trimers, hexamers and higher molecular species. Two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed that bovine serum adiponectin exists as multiple post‐translationally modified isoforms with distinct molecular weight and isolectric point. Further analysis using mass spectrometry and Edman degradation sequencing demonstrated that five conserved lysine residues (Lys 28, 60, 63, 72 and 96) within the collagenous domain of bovine adiponectin are hydroxylated and glycosylated by a glucosylα(1–2)galactosyl group. Injection of endogenous bovine adiponectin into C57 mice potently decreased circulating glucose levels and enhanced lipid clearance after a high fat meal. Chronic administration of this protein for a period of two weeks significantly increased insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, and depleted hepatic lipid accumulation in high‐fat fed mice. These results provide direct evidence that endogenous bovine adiponectin is a physiological hormone that can regulate lipid and glucose metabolism.
A proteomic approach to cisplatin resistance in the cervix squamous cell carcinoma cell line A431
Authors: Castagna Annalisa , Antonioli Paolo , Astner Hubert , Hamdan Mahmoud , Righetti Sabina Carla , Perego Paola , Zunino Franco , Righetti Pier Giorgio
Published: August 2004

Since drug resistance is a complex and multifactorial event involving activation/repression of multiple biochemical pathways, we used a proteomic approach to study cisplatin resistance and drug response in human tumor cell lines. The cervix squamous cell carcinoma cell line A431 and its cisplatin‐resistant subline, A431/Pt, were used as a model system. The experimental set‐up involved not just a two‐way comparison of the control vs. the drug‐resistant cell line, but also an acute cisplatin treatment of both cell lines, leading to a four‐way comparison, as follows: 1) A431 vs. A431/Pt cells; 2) A431 vs. A431 cisplatin exposed cells; 3) A431/Pt vs. A431/Pt cisplatin exposed cells; 4) A431 cisplatin exposed cells vs. A431/Pt cisplatin exposed cells. We found modulation of proteins, which could be classified under various categories, such as molecular chaperones (e.g. heat‐shock proteins HSP60, HSP90, HSC71, heat‐shock cognate 71 kDa protein), Ca2plus;‐binding proteins (e.g. calmodulin, calumenin), proteins involved in drug detoxification (such as peroxiredoxins PRX 2 and PRX 6, and glutathione‐S‐transferase, GST), anti‐apoptotic proteins (such as 14‐3‐3 switched on in cisplatin‐exposed cells) and ion channels (such as VDAC‐1, voltage‐dependent anion‐selective channel). In particular, the basal levels of HSC71 and HSP60 were increased in A431/Pt cells as compared to A431 cells, and cisplatin exposure resulted in up‐regulation of HSP60 and HSP90 only in A431 cells. Moreover, cisplatin exposure up‐regulated the anti‐apoptotic 14‐3‐3 protein in both cell lines, GST in sensitive cells and PRX6 in A431/Pt cells. These findings are consistent with a constitutive expression of defence factors by resistant cells and with activation by cisplatin of mechanisms acting to protect cells from drug‐induced damage. This pattern of response, also observed in parental cells, could reflect an intrinsic resistance of this tumor type.
Molecular classification of liver cirrhosis in a rat model by proteomics and bioinformatics
Authors: Xu Xiu‐Qin , Leow Chon K. , Lu Xin , Zhang Xuegong , Liu Jun S. , Wong Wing‐Hung , Asperger Arndt , Deininger Sören , Eastwood Leung Hon‐chiu
Published: August 2004

Liver cirrhosis is a worldwide health problem. Reliable, noninvasive methods for early detection of liver cirrhosis are not availabe. Using a three‐step approach, we classified sera from rats with liver cirrhosis following different treatment insults. The approach consisted of: (i) protein profiling using surface‐enhanced laser desorption/ionization (SELDI) technology; (ii) selection of a statistically significant serum biomarker set using machine learning algorithms; and (iii) identification of selected serum biomarkers by peptide sequencing. We generated serum protein profiles from three groups of rats: (i) normal (n = 8), (ii) thioacetamide‐induced liver cirrhosis (n = 22), and (iii) bile duct ligation‐induced liver fibrosis (n = 5) using a weak cation exchanger surface. Profiling data were further analyzed by a recursive support vector machine algorithm to select a panel of statistically significant biomarkers for class prediction. Sensitivity and specificity of classification using the selected protein marker set were higher than 92%. A consistently down‐regulated 3495 Da protein in cirrhosis samples was one of the selected significant biomarkers. This 3495 Da protein was purified on‐chip and trypsin digested. Further structural characterization of this biomarkers candidate was done by using cross‐platform matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS) peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight/time of flight (MALDI‐TOF/TOF) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Combined data from PMF and MS/MS spectra of two tryptic peptides suggested that this 3495 Da protein shared homology to a histidine‐rich glycoprotein. These results demonstrated a novel approach to discovery of new biomarkers for early detection of liver cirrhosis and classification of liver diseases.
Highly phosphorylated bacterial proteins
Authors: Rosen Ran , Becher Dörte , Büttner Knut , Biran Dvora , Hecker Michael , Ron Eliora Z.
Published: August 2004

We show in Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria the appearance of highly acidic proteins, which are highly phosphorylated. This group of proteins includes many cellular proteins, such as chaperones, biosynthetic, and metabolic enzymes. These proteins accumulate under stress conditions or under conditions, which overload the proteolytic system. Pulse chase experiments using radioactive phosphate indicate that the phosphorylated proteins have a short half‐life, suggesting that they could be degradation intermediates. Moreover, results from in vitro experiments in Escherichia coli indicated that ribosomal proteins become susceptible to proteolysis after polyphosphorylation. Therefore, it is possible that the highly phosphorylated proteins represent a group of proteins tagged for degradation by phosphorylation. Such a tagging process may be involved in a general bacterial degradation pathway.
Helicobacter pylori vaccine development based on combined subproteome analysis
Authors: Bumann Dirk , Jungblut Peter R. , Meyer Thomas F.
Published: August 2004

Effective vaccines could provide long‐term solutions to many important infectious diseases, however, vaccine development has been hampered by the slow identification of protective antigens. Proteomics provides global information about relevant antigen properties and thus might be ideally suited for identifying promising vaccine antigen subsets. Helicobacter pylori proteomics data are stored in a proteomics database (http://www.mpiib‐berlin.mpg.de/2D‐PAGE/). In this review, we describe how a combined Helicobacter subproteome analysis resulted in the rapid identification of novel, highly protective antigens. This illustrates the great potential of pathogen proteomics for vaccine development.
The Helicobacter pylori CagA protein induces tyrosine dephosphorylation of ezrin
Authors: Selbach Matthias , Moese Stefan , Backert Steffen , Jungblut Peter R. , Meyer Thomas F.
Published: August 2004

Helicobacter pylori is one of the most wide‐spread bacterial pathogens and infects the human stomach to cause diseases, such as gastritis, gastric ulceration, and gastric cancer. A major virulence determinant is the H. pylori CagA protein (encoded by the cytotoxin‐associated gene A) which is translocated from the bacteria into the cytoplasm of host cells by a type IV secretion system. In the host cell, CagA is phosphorylated on tyrosine residues and induces rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton. We have previously shown that tyrosine‐phosphorylated CagA inhibits the catalytic activity of Src family kinases and induces tyrosine dephosphorylation of several host cell proteins. Here, we identified one of these proteins as ezrin by a combination of preparative gel electrophoresis, two‐dimensional electrophoresis (2‐DE) and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS). Specific pharmacological inhibition of Src family kinases also induces ezrin dephosphorylation. Therefore, ezrin dephosphorylation appears to be induced by CagA‐mediated Src inactivation. Ezrin is the founding member of the ezrin‐radixin‐moesin (ERM) family of proteins which are signalling integrators at the cell cortex. Since ezrin is a component of microvilli and a linker protein between actin filaments and membrane proteins, this observation has important implications for H. pylori pathogenesis and might also help to explain the development of gastric cancer.
Short Communication – Presentation of differentially regulated proteins within a web‐accessible proteome database system of microorganisms
Authors: Pleißner Klaus‐Peter , Schmelzer Peter , Wehrl Wolfgang , Jungblut Peter R.
Published: August 2004

Web‐accessible proteome databases represent indispensable tools for quantitative and comparative proteomics research. The majority of two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) databases contains clickable 2‐DE gel images and descriptive textual information such as protein name, Mr/pI values, methods of identification, cellular localization and other information on proteins. Although a great part of the work in comparative proteomics consists of the analysis of 2‐DE gels using image analysis approaches, most proteome databases lack the ability to present protein abundance data and their alterations within experiments via the web. Now, differentially regulated proteins detected in microbial experiments by quantitative gel image analysis are presented in a web‐accessible relational database DIFF (Differentially Regulated Proteins). The DIFF database is a part of the proteome database system for microbial research available at http://www.mpiib‐berlin.mpg.de/2D‐PAGE.
Preparation of the enantiopure 1,2‐diamine monomer and its polymerization: The efficient polymeric chiral ligand of an asymmetric hydrogenation catalyst
Authors: Itsuno Shinichi , Tsuji Atsushi , Takahashi Miyuki
Published: August 2004

An enantiopure 1,2‐diamine monomer possessing a p‐vinylbenzyl group as a polymerizable group was synthesized from chiral 1,2‐bis(p‐hydroxyphenyl)‐N,N′‐bis(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)‐1,2‐diaminoethane. The chiral monomer was copolymerized with styrene, and this was followed by the deprotection of the tert‐butoxycarbonyl group, which yielded the polymer‐supported chiral 1,2‐diamine. The polymeric catalyst system was established with the polymeric chiral 1,2‐diamine complexed with 2,2′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl/RuCl2. In the presence of potassium tert‐butoxide (t‐BuOK), the polymeric catalyst system worked well in the asymmetric hydrogenation of aromatic ketones. The corresponding chiral secondary alcohols were obtained in quantitative yields with a high level of enantioselectivity. The insolubility of the catalyst, caused by the crosslinked structure of the polymer, made it recyclable. The polymeric catalyst was reused several times without a loss of catalytic activity. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4556–4562, 2004
Coordinate anionic ring‐opening polymerization of oxetanes with aluminum benzyl alcoholate bis(2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenolate)
Authors: Kanoh Shigeyoshi , Takemura Atsushi , Fukuda Koh‐ichi , Chinwanitcharoen Charoen , Motoi Masatoshi
Published: August 2004

Aluminum benzyl alcoholate bis(2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenolate) (BnOAD), which was prepared through the mixing of equimolar amounts of benzyl alcohol and methylaluminum bis(2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenolate) (MAD), successfully polymerized four‐membered cyclic ethers in a coordinate anionic ring‐opening manner. The polymerization of 3‐(4‐bromobutoxymethyl)‐3‐methyloxetane (OxBr) with 5 mol % BnOAD proceeded slowly in toluene at 25 °C and produced sufficiently high‐molecular‐weight poly(OxBr) in a moderate yield in 24 h. The polymerization was greatly accelerated by the addition of a sterically hindered Lewis acid such as MAD, and this resulted in a nearly quantitative polymer yield within 24 h. In sharp contrast, conventional cationic polymerization with boron trifluoride etherate as a typical Lewis acid initiator produced low‐molecular‐weight poly(OxBr) along with a substantial amount of the cyclic tetramer. The polymerization of the simplest unsubstituted oxetane with BnOAD resulted in failure. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4570–4579, 2004
Synthesis of asymmetric star‐branched polymers consisting of three or four different segments in composition by means of living anionic polymerization with a new dual‐functionalized 1,1‐bis(3‐chloromethylphenyl)ethylene
Authors: Higashihara Tomoya , Hirao Akira
Published: August 2004

A series of four‐armed A2BC, AB2C, and ABC2 asymmetric star‐branched polymers with a three‐component system, the A, B, and C segments of which are polystyrene, polyisoprene, and poly(4‐trimethylsilylstyrene), respectively, have been successfully synthesized with a methodology based on living anionic polymerization with dual‐functionalized 1,1‐bis(3‐chloromethylphenyl)ethylene (1). These star‐branched polymers have well‐defined architectures and precisely controlled chain lengths, as confirmed by size exclusion chromatography, 1H and 13C NMR, vapor pressure osmometry, and static light scattering analyses. A simple and convenient one‐pot process for star‐branched polymer synthesis is an additional advantage of this methodology. One problem to be solved is that the synthetic route is limited in some cases by the inherently low reactivity of polyisoprenyllithium toward the 1,1‐diphenylethylene functionality of in‐chain‐functionalized polymers. A new four‐armed ABCD star‐branched polymer, the A, B, C, and D segments of which are polyisoprene, poly(4‐methoxystyrene), polystyrene, and poly(4‐trimethylsilylstyrene), could also be synthesized through the extension of the methodology using 1 to a four‐component system. The successful results strongly demonstrate the synthetic versatility and potential of this methodology for a wide variety of well‐defined asymmetric star‐branched polymers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4535–4547, 2004
Asymmetric oxidative coupling polymerization affording polynaphthylene with 1,1′‐bi‐2‐naphthol units
Authors: Habaue Shigeki , Ajiro Hiroharu , Yoshii Yasuhiro , Hirasa Tetsuya
Published: August 2004

The oxidative coupling polymerizations of racemic‐, (R)‐, and (S)‐2,2′‐dimethoxymethoxy‐1,1′‐binaphthalene‐3,3′‐diols were carried out with a copper catalyst with various ligands, such as N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA), (S)‐(+)‐1‐(2‐pyrrolidinylmethyl)pyrrolidine, (−)‐sparteine, and (S)‐(−)‐2,2′‐isopropylidenebis(4‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline) [(−)‐Phbox], under an O2 atmosphere. For example, a 10/1 (v/v) MeOH · H2O‐insoluble polymer with a number‐average molecular weight of 3.8 × 103, from a polymerization with CuCl–TMEDA followed by acetylation of the hydroxyl groups, was obtained in a 71% yield. Polymerization with (−)‐Phbox proceeded in an S‐selective manner to give a polymer with the highest negative specific rotation from the (S)‐monomer. The obtained polymer was successfully converted into a polymer with the optically pure 1,1′‐bi‐2‐naphthol unit based on the original monomer structure, which could be used as a polymeric chiral auxiliary and showed catalytic activity for the asymmetric diethylzinc addition reaction to aldehydes. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4528–4534, 2004
Spectroscopic evidence for diastereomeric helical segments of polysilane bearing enantiopure (S)‐ and (R)‐3,7‐dimethyloctyl groups
Authors: Saxena Anubhav , Rai Roopali , Ohira Akihiro , Fujiki Michiya
Published: August 2004

We synthesized two optically active helical polysilanes, poly[(S)‐3,7‐dimethyloctyl‐3‐phenylpropylsilane] (PS1) and poly[(R)‐3,7‐dimethyloctyl‐3‐phenylpropylsilane] (PS2), bearing a flexible and rodlike silicon main chain and enantiopure alkyl side chains with (S)‐ and (R)‐chiral centers, respectively, at the γ‐positions. PS1 and PS2 underwent a thermodriven helix–helix transition at 10 °C in isooctane. Circular dichroism (CD) and UV studies demonstrated the transition characteristics, such as the transition temperature, population of right‐ and left‐handed helical motifs, global shape, and screw pitch. At −80 °C, the dissymmetry ratio suggested that a preferential right‐handed or left‐handed screw sense was present in the polymer chains of PS1 and PS2, respectively. However, above the transition temperature, the appearance of a bisignate cotton band in the CD spectra suggested that both right‐handed screw‐sense, tight helical segments and left‐handed screw‐sense, loose helical segments coexisted in the same chains of PS1 and PS2. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4518–4527, 2004
Asymmetric anionic polymerization of 2,6‐dimethyl‐7‐phenyl‐1,4‐benzoquinone methide
Authors: Uno Takahiro , Minari Masaya , Kubo Masataka , Itoh Takahito
Published: August 2004

Asymmetric anionic polymerizations of 2,6‐dimethyl‐7‐phenyl‐1,4‐benzoquinone methide (1) were performed with various chiral anionic initiators, and the specific rotations of the obtained polymers were investigated. Optically active poly(1)s with configurational chirality were obtained with all the initiators, and a complex of fluorenyllithium (FlLi) with (−)‐sparteine [(−)‐Sp] produced poly(1) with the largest negative specific rotation ([α]435 = −26.8°). The specific rotations of poly(1)s obtained with FlLi/(−)‐Sp depended on the initiator concentration and the solvent polarity. The maximum specific rotations were obtained at an almost constant initiator concentration (ca. 0.03 mol/L), regardless of the monomer concentration, in toluene, whereas a higher initiator concentration was required in more polar solvents. These results suggested that the aggregation state of the propagating chain end significantly affected the specific rotation of poly(1). © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4548–4555, 2004
Specific thermosensitive volume change of biopolymer gels derived from propylated poly(γ‐glutamate)s
Authors: Shimokuri Taiki , Kaneko Tatsuo , Akashi Mitsuru
Published: August 2004

Thermosensitive biopolymers with an amphipathic structure were synthesized through the propyl esterification of the carboxyl groups of poly(γ‐glutamic acid) (γ‐PGA). The clouding temperature on heating was controlled by the addition of different amounts of NaCl and by the degree of esterification. The clearing temperature on cooling was independent of the aqueous milieu, presumably because of the strong multiple hydrogen bonds between the polymer chains formed in the collapsed state. The hydrogel of γ‐PGA propylate crosslinked by a chemical reaction with hexamethylene diisocyanate also showed pH‐responsive and thermoresponsive shrinking, but the volume recovery was incomplete during the cooling process. A Fourier transform infrared/attenuated total reflection study showed that the incomplete volume recovery might be associated with the amide hydrogen bonding being strengthened by the chemical crosslinkage. The addition of urea made the volume change complete. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4492–4501, 2004
Preparation and characterization of polyfuran/poly(2‐fluoroaniline) conducting composites
Authors: Gök Ayşegül , Sari Beki̇r , Talu Muzaffer
Published: August 2004

This article deals with the chemical synthesis and characterization of poly(2‐fluoroaniline) (P2FAn) and polyfuran (PFu) homopolymers and PFu/P2FAn and P2FAn/PFu composites. P2FAn and PFu homopolymers were synthesized using ammonium persulfate and antimony (III) chloride as catalyst, respectively. These homopolymers and composites were studied in the doped state using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, four‐probe conductivity technique, and Gouy Scale measurements. PFu/P2FAn and P2FAn/PFu composites were found to possess different thermal, conductivity, electronic, and morphological properties from each other when synthesis order of guest and host polymers was varied. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 3359–3367, 2004
Generalizations of the AdS/CFT correspondence
Authors: Kirsch I.
Published: August 2004

We consider generalizations of the AdS/CFT correspondence in which probe branes are embedded in gravity backgrounds dual to either conformal or confining gauge theories. These correspond to defect conformal field theories (dCFT) or QCD‐like theories with fundamental matter, respectively. Moreover, starting from the dCFT we discuss the deconstruction of intersecting M5‐branes and M‐theory. We obtain the following results:

i) Holography of defect conformal field theories. We consider holography for a general D3‐Dp brane intersection in type IIB string theory (p ∈ {3,5,7}). The corresponding near‐horizon geometry is given by a probe AdS‐brane in AdS5 × S5. The dual defect conformal field theory describes 𝒩 = 4 super Yang‐Mills degrees of freedom coupled to fundamental matter on a lower‐dimensional space‐time defect. We derive the spectrum of fluctuations about the brane embedding and determine the behaviour of correlation functions involving defect operators. We also study the dual conformal field theory in the case of intersecting D3‐branes. To this end, we develop a convenient superspace approach in which both two‐ and four‐dimensional fields are described in a two‐dimensional (2,2) superspace. We show that quantum corrections vanish to all orders in perturbation theory, such that the theory remains a (defect) conformal field theory when quantized.

ii) Flavour in generalized AdS/CFT dualities. We present a holographic non‐perturbative description of QCD‐like theories with a large number of colours by embedding D7‐brane probes into two non‐supersymmetric gravity backgrounds. Both backgrounds exhibit confinement of fundamental matter and a discrete glueball and meson spectrum. We numerically compute the $\bar{\psi}\psi$ quark condensate and meson spectrum associated with these backgrounds. In the first background, we find some numerical evidence for a first order phase transition at a critical quark mass where the D7 embedding undergoes a geometric transition. In the second, we find a chiral symmetry breaking condensate as well as the associated Goldstone boson.

iii) Deconstruction of extra dimensions. We apply the deconstruction method to the dCFT of intersecting D3‐branes to obtain a field theory description for intersecting M5‐branes. The resulting theory corresponds to two six‐dimensional (2,0) superconformal field theories which we show to have tensionless strings on their four‐dimensional intersection. Moreover, we argue that the SU(2)L R‐symmetry of the dCFT matches the manifest SU(2) R‐symmetry of the M5‐M5 intersection. We finally explore the fascinating idea of deconstructing M‐theory itself. We give arguments for an equivalence of M‐theory on a certain background with the Higgs branch of a four‐dimensional non‐supersymmetric (quiver) gauge theory: in addition to a string theoretical motivation, we find wrapped M2‐branes in the mass spectrum of the quiver theory at low energies.
Influence of phosphine on hatching of Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Cucujidae), Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Coleoptera: Silvanidae)
Authors: Rajendran Somiahnadar , Parveen Hajira , Begum Khamrunissa , Chethana Ramesh
Published: August 2004

The hatching and mortality response of 0‐ to 48‐h‐old eggs of field strains of the stored‐product insects Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), Lasioderma serricorne (F) and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L) following phosphine fumigation for 24, 48 or 120 h at 27 (±2) °C was investigated. Hatching was delayed and reduced in the first few days in a phosphine‐resistant strain of C ferrugineus that was treated with 2.0–7.0 mg litre−1 doses for 48 h (5–80% mortality) and with 1.0–2.0 mg litre−1 for 120 h (44–84% mortality). In both the exposures there were significant increases in hatching on later days when compared with the corresponding controls. Developmental delay was, however, not evident in susceptible strains of C ferrugineus, L serricorne and O surinamensis that were exposed to phosphine for 24 h. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Size effects in thin films of order–disorder ferroelectrics allowing for the depolarization field
Authors: Eliseev E. A. , Glinchuk M. D.
Published: August 2004

Films of order–disorder type ferroelectrics have been considered in the mean field approximation taking into account a depolarization field. It has been shown that size effects in this system could be described on the base of a bulk system equation of state with Curie temperature dependent on the film thickness. A comparison of different type ferroelectric film properties has been performed. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Ground‐state geometry and electronic structure of light atom clusters, especially H isotopes, Li, B, and C
Authors: March N. H.
Published: August 2004

The ground‐state geometry and electronic structure of light clusters remains an area of considerable current interest for both many‐body theory and experiment. We cite here recent experimental studies of H isotopes that may have important implications for energy production. Therefore a summary will first be given of quantum‐chemical results on the singly charged cationic clusters H(H2)m for some values of m ≤ 14, studied by Gobet et al. (2002). More recent theoretical work on doubly charged D clusters is also reported. Some attention is then given to results on small Li clusters, isolated in argon matrices by Kornath et al. (2003), in relation to many‐body theory. This is followed by a study of almost‐spherical cages of B and of C atoms: both neutral and charged clusters again being referred to in the case of boron. Finally, some mixtures of light atoms are considered, with special focus on BN cages and cationic hydrocarbons. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004
Overlap integrals with respect to quantum numbers over Slater‐type orbitals via the Fourier‐transform method
Authors: Öztekin Emin
Published: August 2004

A unified analytical treatment of overlap integrals over Slater‐type orbitals, using the Fourier transform method, is presented. Our approach leads to considerable simplification of the derivation of analytical representations for the overlap integrals over Slater type orbitals. In this approach, the representations of overlap integrals with both the same and different screening parameters have been obtained with the help of the Rayleigh expansion of a plane wave in terms of spherical Bessel functions and spherical harmonics. Analytical expressions obtained by this method have been expressed in terms of Gaunt coefficients, which are the product of spherical harmonics, Gegenbauer, and binomial coefficients. These overlap integrals have also been calculated with respect to the differences in n1 − l1 and n2 − l2 numbers that are even or odd. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004
Comparison of laser‐induced dissociation and high‐energy collision‐induced dissociation using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF/TOF) for peptide and protein identification
Authors: Macht Marcus , Asperger Arndt , Deininger Sören‐Oliver
Published: August 2004

The fragmentation of peptides under laser‐induced dissociation (LID) as well as high‐energy collision‐induced dissociation (CID) conditions has been investigated. The effect of the different fragmentation mechanisms on the formation of specific fragment ion types and the usability of the resulting spectra, e.g. for high‐throughput protein identification, has been evaluated. Also, basic investigations on the influence of the matrix, as well as laser fluence, on the fragment ion formation and the consequences in the spectral appearance are discussed.

The preconditions for obtaining ‘pure’ CID spectra on matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF/TOF) instruments are evaluated and discussed as well as the differences between LID and CID in the resulting fragment ion types. While containing a wealth of information due to additional fragment ions in comparison with LID, CID spectra are significantly more complex than LID spectra and, due to different fragmentation patterns, the CID spectra are of limited use for protein identification, even under optimized parameter settings, due to significantly lower scores for the individual spectra. Conditions for optimal results regarding protein identification using MALDI‐TOF/TOF instruments have been evaluated. For database searches using tandem mass spectrometric data, the use of LID as fragmentation technique in combination with parameter settings supporting the use of internal fragment ions turned out to yield the optimal results. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Formation of c1 fragment ions in collision‐induced dissociation of glutamine‐containing peptide ions: a tip for de novo sequencing
Authors: Lee Young Jin , Lee Young Moo
Published: August 2004

A c1 ion was observed with significant yield in the tandem mass (MS/MS) spectra of peptide ions containing glutamine as the second amino acid residue from the N‐terminus. The c1 fragment was generated independently of the N‐terminal residue of the peptide, but its abundance was strongly dependent on the side‐chain identity. This ion is not a common fragmentation product in low‐energy collision‐induced dissociation of peptide ions, but it assists in identification of the first two amino acid residues, often difficult due to a low or absent signal from the heaviest y ion. A consecutive fragmentation mechanism is proposed, involving a b2 ion with a six‐membered ring as an intermediate, to explain the exceptional stability of the c1 fragment ion. The utility of this information is discussed, especially in de novo sequencing of peptide ions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A dynamic model to predict responses of millets (Echinochloa sp.) to different hydrologic conditions for the Illinois floodplain–River
Authors: Ahn Changwoo , Sparks Richard E. , White David C.
Published: August 2004

Millets grow on floodplain mud flats exposed when seasonal floods recede, and the seeds of this plant are an important food source for waterfowl during their spring and autumn migrations in the Mississippi Flyway. Productivity of millets along the Illinois River has declined because of unnaturally frequent floods that inundate the mud flats and drown the plants during the summer growing season. These small floods are caused by operation of the navigation dams on the main channel and by alterations of the floodplain and tributary watersheds and channels. Predictive models are needed to evaluate the most cost‐effective combination of approaches for restoring plant productivity. We developed a moist‐soil plant model that simulates millet growth on 1 m2 in response to daily water levels during the summer growing season. The model responds to daily water depth, flood timing (within the growing season), and flood duration, and was qualitatively verified using historical (1938–1959) water levels and plant coverage for three areas along the Illinois River. In the absence of untimely floods, the model predicts net above‐ground primary productivity of ∼500 g m−2 yr−1 and plant heights of up to 130 cm by the end of the growing season. As expected, growth declines with decreasing land elevation or with more frequent flooding (or a shorter duration of the dry period) at the same elevation. A dry period of >85 days is required to achieve at least 50% of maximum production during the growing season, which is somewhat longer than the 70‐day recommendation based on reported field observations. The model predictions of plant success or failure agree with historical observations, indicating that water regime is a major factor limiting plant success. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bond strength and microstructure investigation on Al2O3/Al/Al2O3 joints
Authors: Ksiazek M. , Sobczak N. , Mikulowski B. , Radziwill W. , Winiarski B.
Published: August 2004

The subject of this work was the study of the mechanical strength, fracture character and microstructure of the Al2O3/Al/Al2O3 joints, formed by liquid‐state bonding of alumina using Al interlayers of two thicknesses (30 and 300 µm) at a temperature of 973 K under a vacuum of 0.2 mPa for 5 min. The bend strength of the joints was measured by a four‐point bending test at room temperature. Scanning electron microscopy was applied for detailed characterization of the interface structure and failure character on fractured joint surfaces. An analysis of results has shown that the decrease in the Al layer thickness leads to stronger Al2O3/Al/Al2O3 joints accompanied with the change of failure character. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study of the effect of different aluminium surface pretreatments on the deposition of thin non‐functional silane coatings
Authors: Franquet A. , Terryn H. , Vereecken J.
Published: August 2004

This paper focuses on the effect of aluminium surface pretreatment on the formation of thin non‐functional silane films. Three pretreatments were used to prepare the aluminium surface before the deposition of silane films. The generated surfaces were characterized before and after the silane film deposition by infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry (IRSE) and by the combination of SEM, AES and spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE), respectively. It is demonstrated that the amounts of hydroxyl groups at the aluminium surface provided by the different pretreatments strongly influence the initiation and the formation of the silane films. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancement of the durability of a polyamide coating: incorporation of an aminosilane into the powder formulation
Authors: Guichenuy Marianne , Watts John F. , Abel Marie‐Laure , Brown Andrew M. , Audenaert Marc , Amouroux Nicolas
Published: August 2004

Polymer‐based coatings are widely used to protect steel from corrosion. A high level of adhesion between the coating and the steel substrate is essential if good corrosion protection is to be achieved. In the current work we explore the use of a silane adhesion promoter added to the powder stock prior to coating.

A study has been undertaken on a polyamide 11 based powder coating on a steel substrate. Powders have been prepared, based on the reference product with addition of APS ((3‐aminopropyl) triethoxysilane, NH2(CH2)3Si(OCH2CH3)3) at different concentrations.

The extent of delamination after salt‐spray testing has been documented and, for all coatings which incorporated the aminosilane, is reduced. Characteristic features of the delamination process have been obtained by AES. The enhanced durability is shown to result from the segregation of a layer of the organosilane to the interfacial region. Using a microtome taper sectioning method, a profile of the aminosilane within the thickness of the coating has been obtained. The bond between aminosilane and steel is probably covalent in nature as indicated by the presence of a specific ion FeOSi+ observed by high‐mass resolution ToF‐SIMS. Thus, the effect is similar to that achieved by the deposition of a discrete silane layer prior to coating application. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface modification of cycloolefinic copolymers for optimization of the adhesion to metals
Authors: Nikolova D. , Dayss E. , Leps G. , Wutzler A.
Published: August 2004

Low‐pressure microwave plasma has been used to incorporate new functionalities onto the surface of cyclic olefin copolymers (COC). The main goal of the plasma treatment was to hydrophilize the COC's surface in order to enhance its adhesion to metals. The effect of two plasma parameters (treatment time and type of plasma gas) on the adhesion properties has been investigated. In order to investigate the opportunity for optimization of the adhesive strength in the COC–metal composite, an adhesion‐promoting layer of acrylic acid (AA), or inorganic SiO2, has been deposited. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of surface roughness on the adhesion force
Authors: Meine K. , Kloß K. , Schneider T. , Spaltmann D.
Published: August 2004

Adhesion measurements are presented which were carried out with an atomic force microscope between polymer balls attached to a cantilever and a silicon wafer under ultra high vacuum conditions. In using a silicon surface with a defined structure a correlation between adhesion force and contact area was found. This correlation could partly be explained by the Johnson–Kendall–Roberts model, if a change of the surface energy is assumed as a result of the structuring. For a constant geometric contact area an additional structuring leads to a decrease of the adhesion force. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subcellular imaging of cell cultures and tissue for boron localization with laser‐SNMS
Authors: Arlinghaus H. F. , Fartmann M. , Kriegeskotte C. , Dambach S. , Wittig A. , Sauerwein W. , Lipinsky D.
Published: August 2004

Non‐resonant laser secondary neutral mass spectrometry (NR‐laser‐SNMS) has been used for examining human melanoma cells grown in cell cultures and human glioblastoma xenografts grown in NMRI nude mice. Cells were incubated and mice were treated with boron‐containing drugs. Ion‐induced electron images were used to identify individual cells. Elemental and molecular images were obtained from the cancer cells with very high sensitivity and subcellular resolution. The measurement of the K/Na ratio demonstrated that for both cell cultures and tissue materials the preparation techniques used were appropriate for preserving the chemical and structural integrity of the living cell. The boron images show intra‐ and extracellular boron signals with different intensities. Molecular images show distinct features partly correlated with the cell structure. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Visualization of a plasma‐generated chemical micro‐pattern on polystyrene by XPS
Authors: Schröder K. , Babucke G. , Ohl A.
Published: August 2004

Chemical microstructures on polymer surfaces are of increasing interest for biological applications. Here, the potential of high‐resolution XPS (spatially as well as energetically) was investigated for characterization of these patterns. Chemical modifications obtained on non‐patterned samples were compared to chemical contrasts inside the 30–200 µm wide patterns on polystyrene (PS).

Chemical contrasts in micro‐patterns down to 30 µm could be verified by small‐spot XPS and imaging XPS. While features with typical dimensions of some hundred micrometres were reproduced with high contrasts and a chemical composition comparable to non‐patterned samples, blurred information was found for spectroscopy as well as imaging of micro‐patterns with typical dimensions less than 100 µm. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On surface distributions in natural cellulosic fibres
Authors: Johansson Leena‐Sisko , Campbell Joseph , Koljonen Krista , Kleen Marjatta , Buchert Johanna
Published: August 2004

In x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), knowledge of elemental depth distributions within the first 10 nm is often essential. However, none of the conventional XPS methods can reliably discern, for example, a thin overlayer from clusters on rough surfaces. Therefore, reliable experimental data on the actual distributions of lignin and extractives on the fibre surfaces is needed, although there are numerous XPS studies on cellulosic fibres and paper.

We have studied surface distributions of organic compounds on natural cellulosic fibre materials (cotton, flax and softwood pulps) with XPS, using a novel approach introduced by Tougaard. We were able to model the surface composition of rough fibre surfaces via simple spectral analysis of the O 1s signal. The simple spectral background analyses used show that in the case of cotton and flax, the non‐cellulosic compounds cover the cellulosic fibre surface much more effectively than in softwood pulps, in spite of the smaller amount of non‐cellulosic material present. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ToF‐SIMS and laser‐SNMS analysis of apatite formation in extracellular protein matrix of osteoblasts in vitro
Authors: Dambach S. , Fartmann M. , Kriegeskotte C. , Brüning C. , Hellweg S. , Wiesmann H. P. , Lipinsky D. , Arlinghaus H. F.
Published: August 2004

We have applied laser secondary neutral mass spectrometry (laser‐SNMS) for examining different states of biomineralization in vitro. Additionally, time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) was used to analyse fibronectin and collagen type I, the main matrix proteins involved in the mineralization process, in a model system.

Primary osteoblast‐like cells derived from bovine metacarpals were cultured for 5 weeks on clean smooth silicon substrates. For mass spectrometric investigations, cells and newly‐formed minerals were cryofixed, freeze‐fractured, and freeze‐dried.

The results indicate that extracellular enrichment of potassium typically occurs in the vicinity of single osteoblasts during the initial stages of mineralization. This interaction of potassium with matrix macromolecules may prevent uncontrolled apatite nucleation and control the transformation of the matrix into a nucleating system. Thus, monovalent cations seem to be involved in the regulation of mineral nucleation of the extracellular matrix. From the data obtained it can be concluded that ToF‐SIMS and laser‐SNMS are well suited for imaging trace element and molecule concentrations in biological samples as well as for identifying molecular fragments characteristic of matrix proteins. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.