bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plugging grids into computing portals: the PROGRESS grid resource broker plug‐in mechanism
Authors: Bogdanski Maciej , Kosiedowski Michal , Mazurek Cezary , Rabiega Marzena , Wolniewicz Malgorzata
Published: August 2007

The grid research that has been intensely undertaken in the recent years has resulted in a long list of excellent solutions for the access to and utilization of powerful remote computing resources. Some of these solutions have emerged into standards or good practices widely accepted by the grid community. However, a lot of other important standards are yet to be found and the range of available middleware, protocols and services causes not only a serious problem when deciding on the technology to be used for a particular grid environment, but also poses a major challenge when trying to solve some ongoing issues. The lack of standards and heterogeneity of the grid middleware used is, for example, a big challenge when designing science gateways that are set to provide the scientific community with means of accessing the vast amount of the powerful grid resources delivered by multiple independent grid infrastructures administered by different types of grid management systems. In this paper, we present a method by which we addressed this problem within the PROGRESS project and how it resulted in the design of the grid resource broker plug‐in mechanism, which allows the enabling of resources belonging to heterogeneous grid infrastructures within a computing portal. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of CdCl2 treatment on properties of CdTe thin films grown by evaporation at low substrate temperatures
Authors: Bacaksiz E. , Altunbaş M. , Yılmaz S. , Tomakin M. , Parlak M.
Published: August 2007

The structural, morphological and optical properties of vacuum‐evaporated CdTe thin films were investigated as a function of substrate temperature and post‐deposition annealing without and with CdCl2/treatment at 400°C for 30 min. Diffraction patterns are almost the same exhibiting higher preferential orientation corresponding to (111) plane of the cubic phase. The intensity of the (111) peak increased with the CdCl2/annealing treatment. The microstructure observed for all films following the CdCl2/annealing treatment are granular, regardless of the as‐deposited microstructure. The grain sizes are increased after the CdCl2/annealing treatment but now contain voids around the grain boundaries. The optical band gaps, Eg, were found to be 1.50, 1.50 and 1.48 eV for films deposited at 200 K and annealed without and with CdCl2/treatment at 400°C for 30 min respectively. A progressive sharpening of the absorption edge upon heat treatment particularly for the CdCl2/treated was observed. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Controlled synthesis of various morphologies of nanostructured zinc oxide: flower, nanoplate, and urchin
Authors: Shang Tong‐Ming , Sun Jian‐Hua , Zhou Quan‐Fa , Guan Ming‐Yun
Published: August 2007

Nanoplates, flower‐like nanostructure of ZnO were successfully synthesized by employing ZnSO4·7H2O, NaOH as the starting materials at 120°C under hydrothermal condition. Keeping the same parameters, ZnO urchin shape was obtained by addition of vitamin C at 190°C. Characterizations were carried out by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) at room temperature. Selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern confirms that the product is single crystalline nature. The possible formation mechanisms for synthesized ZnO nanosturcture with various morphologies have also been proposed. PL spectrum from the ZnO flower‐like structures reveals weak UV emission and strong green emission. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Synthesis and crystal structure of langbeinite related mixed‐metal phosphates K1.822Nd0.822Zr1.178(PO4)3 and K2LuZr(PO4)3
Authors: Ogorodnyk I. V. , Zatovsky I. V. , Baumer V. N. , Slobodyanik N. S. , Shishkin O. V.
Published: August 2007

Two potassium lanthanide zirconium orthophosphates with general composition K1.822Nd0.822Zr1.178(PO4)3 (KNdZrP) and K2LuZr(PO4)3 (KLuZrP) were prepared using the flux technique. Original synthetic procedure has been examined for the flux growth of the complex phosphates containing zirconium and lanthanide. Both compounds have been synthesized in the complex melts containing at the same time potassium phosphates and transition metal fluorides. The structures were solved from the single crystal (KNdZrP) and powder (KLuZrP) X‐ray diffraction data. Both compounds are isotypic to langbeinite mineral and crystallize in cubic system (sp. gr. P213) with the cell parameters a = 10.3228(2) and a = 10.29668(5) Å respectively. The rigid framework is built up from the isolated [MO6] octahedra and [PO4] tetrahedra interlinked via vertices. The potassium cations are located in the large closed cavities of the framework. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Two Novel Species, (Methoxycarbonyl)sulfenyl Thiocyanate and (Methoxycarbonyl)sulfenyl Selenocyanate: Spectroscopic Characterization by Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Investigation
Authors: Du Lin , Yao Li , Ge Maofa
Published: August 2007

Two novel dichalcogens, (methoxycarbonyl)sulfenyl thiocyanate, CH3OC(O)SSCN, and (methoxycarbonyl)sulfenyl selenocyanate, CH3OC(O)SSeCN have been generated in a convenient way by gas‐solid reactions between CH3OC(O)SCl and AgSCN or AgSeCN. Photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical calculations have been performed to investigate their electronic and geometrical structures. Both compounds are theoretically predicted to prefer gauche structure as the most stable conformation. In CH3OC(O)SSCN, the S–S bond length and the dihedral angle around the S–S bond for the most stable conformer are 2.075 Å and 80.5°, respectively. And the S–Se bond length and the dihedral angle around the S–Se bond in CH3OC(O)SSeCN are predicted to be 2.210 Å and 80.4°, respectively. The first vertical ionization energies of CH3OC(O)SSCN and CH3OC(O)SSeCN are determined to be 10.19 and 9.84 eV, respectively. The HOMOs correspond to the electron mainly localized on the S 3p or Se 4p lone pair MOs: {38a(nS(SCN))}–1 and {47a(nSe)}–1, respectively. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
The source of dietary fatty acids alters the activity of secretory sphingomyelinase in the rat
Authors: Drachmann Tue , Mathiessen Jacob H. , Pedersen Maiken H. , Hellgren Lars I.
Published: August 2007

Secretory sphingomyelinase (sSMase) has been suggested to be involved in the development of cardiovascular diseases as well as other human pathologies. To deduce whether dietary fatty acid composition affects the circulating activity of this enzyme, we have compared its activity in serum from rats that had been given a diet containing either butter or a highly n‐6 polyunsaturated [grapeseed oil (GSO)] fat source for 14 wk. The results show that intake of GSO increases the activity of this ceramide‐producing enzyme by about 45%, when compared with intake of butter (387 ± 16 pmol/mL·h vs. 266 ± 15 pmol/mL·h; p <0.001). Furthermore, there was a strong negative correlation between sSMase activity and n‐3 PUFA concentration in serum (p <0.001). Despite the substantial increase in activity, there was no difference in either the circulating substrate (sphingomyelin) or product (ceramide) in the serum. However, since the sSMase activity in the endothelial wall has been implicated to be involved in both atherogenesis and thrombosis, these findings are of interest in the interpretation of dietary fatty acid effects on cardiovascular health.
Influence of native antioxidants on the formation of fatty acid hydroperoxides in model systems
Authors: Nogala‐Kalucka Malgorzata , Kupczyk Bogumila , Polewski Krzysztof , Siger Aleksander , Dwiecki Krzysztof
Published: August 2007

The effect of alpha‐tocopherol (alpha‐T) and quercetin on the formation of hydroperoxides of linoleic and linolenic acids during autoxidation at 60 ± 1 °C was investigated. Three isomers of hydroperoxides were detected using HPLC. Of isomers of linoleic acid hydroperoxides, 13‐hydroperoxy‐octadecadienoic acid trans‐trans (13‐HPODE t‐t), 9‐HPODE cis‐trans (9‐HPODE c‐t) and 9‐HPODE trans‐trans (9‐HPODE t‐t) were identified, constituting 64, 19 and 17% of the total amount, respectively. For linolenic acid, the components 13‐hydroperoxy‐octadecatrienoic acid trans‐trans (13‐HPOTE t‐t), 9‐HPOTE c‐t and 9‐HPOTE t‐t contributed 7, 33 and 60% to the total, respectively. The different dominant hydroperoxide isomers detected in linoleic and linolenic acids during oxidation are related to their chemical structure and the microenvironment of emulsion droplets. The ratios between specific isomers for both fatty acid hydroperoxides did not change during oxidation with or without antioxidants. Alpha‐T effectively inhibited the oxidation of fatty acids and reduced the formation of hydroperoxides. The total amount of the hydroperoxides decreased along with the increase in the concentration of alpha‐T, 1–40 µM. Quercetin inhibited the oxidation of both fatty acids at similar efficiency only at 40 µM concentration. A synergistic antioxidant effect of quercetin with alpha‐T in a binary system on both fatty acids was observed.
Preparation and Reactivity of Chalcogenyl Phosphonates and Phosphane Oxides
Authors: Silveira Claudio C. , Rinaldi Francieli , Guadagnin Rafael C.
Published: August 2007

The preparation of new bis[(diphenylphosphinoyl)methyl] sulfides, selenides, and tellurides is described by the reaction of (diphenylphosphinoyl)methyl p‐toluenesulfonate with sodium chalcogenides. The title compounds are subjected to Horner–Wittig‐type reactions with aldehydes and ketones to give symmetrical divinylic sulfides, selenides, and tellurides with preferential (E) stereochemistry. Unsymmetrical divinylic sulfides can be prepared by the use of an appropriate carbonyl compound.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Ambiphilic Compounds: Synthesis and Structure of a Phosphane–Borane with a Flexible Diphenyl Ether Tether
Authors: Bebbington Magnus W. P. , Bouhadir Ghenwa , Bourissou Didier
Published: August 2007

The preparation of desired phosphane–borane 1 involves selective lithiation trapping of 2‐bromo‐2′‐iododiphenyl ether 3 to give bromophosphane 4 followed by a second lithiation/electrophilic trapping to install the boron fragment. The structure of the new phosphane–borane was verified by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. A problematic intramolecular cyclization of lithiated intermediate 7 in THF was prevented by the use of toluene as the solvent. This result will also be of interest to chemists seeking to prepare related unsymmetrical diphosphanes. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
In‐column fiber‐optic laser‐induced fluorescence detection for CE
Authors: Yang Xiupei , Yuan Hongyan , Wang Chunlin , Zhao Shulin , Xiao Dan , Choi Martin M. F.
Published: August 2007

A highly sensitive in‐column fiber‐optic LIF detector for CE has been constructed and evaluated. In this detection system, a 457‐nm diode‐pumped solid‐state blue laser was used as the excitation light source and an optical fiber (40 μm od) was used to transmit the excitation light. One end of the optical fiber was inserted into the separation capillary and was in situ positioned at the detection window. The other end of the fiber was protruded from the capillary to capture the excitation light beam from the blue laser. Fluorescence emission was collected by a 40×microscope objective, focused on a spatial filter, and passed through a yellow color filter before reaching the photomultiplier tube. The present CE‐fluorescence detection is a simple and compact optical system. It reduces the laser scattering effect from the capillary and fiber as compared to the conventional LIF detection for CE. Its utility was successfully demonstrated by the separation and determination of D‐penicillamine labeled with naphthalene‐2,3‐dicarboxaldehyde. The detection limit was 0.8 nM (S/N = 3). The present detection scheme has been proven to be attractive for sensitive fluorescence detection for CE.
Immobilized capillary enzyme reactor based on layer‐by‐layer assembling acetylcholinesterase for inhibitor screening by CE
Authors: Tang Zhongmei , Wang Tongdan , Kang Jingwu
Published: August 2007

A method for creating an immobilized capillary acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reactor based on a layer‐by‐layer (LBL) assembly for inhibitor screening is described. The unique capillary AChE reactor was easily prepared by the instrument in three steps: first, a 0.5 cm long plug of a solution of the cationic polyelectrolyte polydiallyldimethylammonium (PDDA) was injected into the capillary to produce a positively charged coating on the surface of the capillary; subsequently, the enzyme solution with the same plug length was injected into the capillary and incubated for 10 min to immobilize the enzyme on the capillary wall via electrostatic interaction; third, PDDA solution with the same plug length was injected again into the capillary to cover the immobilized enzyme by forming PDDA–AChE–PDDA sandwich‐like structure. The enzyme reactor can be easily renewed after removing the immobilized enzyme by flushing the column with 1 M NaCl solution. Activity of the immobilized enzyme can be assayed simply by carrying out an electrophoretic separation, i.e., the substrate solution was injected and incubated for a short time, followed by applying a voltage to separate the product from the unreacted substrate. The measured peak area of the product then represented the enzyme activity. For enzyme inhibitor screening, the mixture solution of the substrate and the inhibitor was injected and assayed the reduction of the enzyme activity. The immobilized enzyme could withstand 100 consecutive assays by only losing 10% activity. The reproducibility in terms of time‐to‐time, day‐to‐day, and batch‐to‐batch was measured with RSD% less than 4.7%. Furthermore, the screening system was validated by a known inhibitor. Finally, screening a small compound library containing four known AChE inhibitors and 42 natural extracts was demonstrated, and species with inhibition activity can be straightforwardly identified with the system.
PKCε upregulates voltage‐dependent calcium channels in cultured astrocytes
Authors: Burgos M. , Pastor M. D. , González J. C. , Martinez‐Galan J. R. , Vaquero C. F. , Fradejas N. , Benavides A. , Hernández‐Guijo J. M. , Tranque P. , Calvo S.
Published: August 2007

Astrocytes express voltage‐gated calcium channels (VGCCs) that are upregulated in the context of the reactive astrogliosis occurring in several CNS pathologies. Moreover, the ability of selective calcium channel blockers to inhibit reactive astrogliosis has been revealed in a variety of experimental models. However, the functions and regulation of VGCC in astrocytes are still poorly understood. Interestingly, protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε), one of the known regulators of VGCC in several cell types, induces in astrocytes a stellated morphology similar to that associated to gliosis. Thereby, here we explored the possible regulation of VGCC by adenovirally expressed PKCε in astrocytes. We found that PKCε potently increases the mRNA levels of two different calcium channel α1subunits, CaV1.2 (L‐type channel) and CaV2.1 (P/Q‐type channel). The mRNA upregulation was followed by a robust increase in the corresponding peptides. Moreover, the new calcium channels formed as a consequence of PKCε activation are functional, since overexpression of constitutively‐active PKCε increased significantly the calcium current density in astrocytes. PKCε raised currents carried by both L‐ and P/Q‐type channels. However, the effect on the P/Q‐type channel was more prominent since an increase of the relative contribution of this channel to the whole cell calcium current was observed. Finally, we found that PKCε‐induced stellation was significantly reduced by the specific L‐type channel blocker nifedipine, indicating that calcium influx through VGCC mediates the change in astrocyte morphology induced by PKCε. Therefore, here we describe a novel regulatory pathway involving VGCC that participates in PKCε‐dependent astrocyte activation. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Aging in rat causes hepatic hyperresposiveness to interleukin-1β which is mediated by neutral sphingomyelinase-2
Authors: Rutkute Kristina , Karakashian Alexander A. , Giltiay Natalia V. , Dobierzewska Aneta , Nikolova-Karakashian Mariana N.
Published: August 2007

The process of aging has recently been shown to substantially affect the ability of cells to respond to inflammatory challenges. We demonstrate that aging leads to hepatic hyperresponsiveness to interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and we examine the factors that could be responsible for this phenomenon. IL-1β-induced phosphorylation of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in hepatocytes isolated from aged rats was 3 times more potent than that in hepatocytes from young rats. Moreover, JNK was activated by substantially lower doses of IL-1β. These age-related changes in JNK phosphorylation correlated with diminished IL-1β–induced degradation of interleukin-1 receptor–associated kinase-1 (IRAK-1). Expression levels of IL1β receptor I, total JNK, IRAK-1, and transforming growth factor-β–activated kinase-1 (TAK-1) were not affected by aging. However, increased neutral sphingomyelinase activity was observed in hepatocytes from old animals, which we show is caused by induction of the plasma membrane localized neutral sphingomyelinase-2 (NSMase-2). We provide evidence that NSMase-2 is both required and sufficient for the onset of IL-1β hyperresponsiveness during aging. Overexpression of NSMase-2 in hepatocytes from young rats leads both to a reduction in IRAK-1 degradation and potentiation of JNK phosphorylation, mimicking that seen in hepatocytes from old animals. More importantly, inhibition of NSMase activity in hepatocytes from aged rats using either scyphostatin or short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) leads to reversion to the “young” phenotype of IL-1β response.

Conclusion:

These results show that the process of aging causes increased basal NSMase-2 activity in hepatocytes, which in turn leads to IRAK-1 stabilization, JNK potentiation, and ultimately IL-1β hyperresponsiveness. (HEPATOLOGY 2007.)
Fibroblast growth factor 10 is critical for liver growth during embryogenesis and controls hepatoblast survival via β-catenin activation
Authors: Berg Tove , Rountree Bart C. , Lee Lily , Estrada Joaquin , Sala Fréderic G. , Choe Andrea , Veltmaat Jacqueline M. , De Langhe Stijn , Lee Rene , Tsukamoto Hide , Crooks Gay M. , Bellusci Saverio , Wang Kasper S.
Published: August 2007

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling and β-catenin activation have been shown to be crucial for early embryonic liver development. This study determined the significance of FGF10-mediated signaling in a murine embryonic liver progenitor cell population as well as its relation to β-catenin activation. We observed that

Fgf10

−/− and

Fgfr2b

−/− mouse embryonic livers are smaller than wild-type livers;

Fgf10

−/− livers exhibit diminished proliferation of hepatoblasts. A comparison of β-galactosidase activity as a readout of

Fgf10

expression in

Fgf10

+/LacZ mice and of β-catenin activation in

TOPGAL

mice, demonstrated peak

Fgf10

expression from E9 to E13.5 coinciding with peak β-catenin activation. Flow cytometric isolation and marker gene expression analysis of

LacZ

+ cells from E13.5

Fgf10

+/LacZ and

TOPGAL

livers, respectively, revealed that

Fgf10

expression and β-catenin signaling occur distinctly in stellate/myofibroblastic cells and hepatoblasts, respectively. Moreover, hepatoblasts express

Fgfr2b,

which strongly suggests they can respond to recombinant FGF10 produced by stellate cells.

Fgfr2b

−/−/

TOPGAL

+/+ embryonic livers displayed less β-galactosidase activity than livers of

Fgfr2b

+/+/

TOPGAL

+/+ littermates. In addition, cultures of whole liver explants in Matrigel or cell in suspension from E12.5

TOPGAL

+/+mice displayed a marked increase in β-galactosidase activity and cell survival upon treatment with recombinant FGF10, indicating that FGFR (most likely FGFR2B) activation is upstream of β-catenin signaling and promote hepatoblast survival.

Conclusion:

Embryonic stellate/myofibroblastic cells promote β-catenin activation in and survival of hepatoblasts via FGF10-mediated signaling. We suggest a role for stellate/myofibroblastic FGF10 within the liver stem cell niche in supporting the proliferating hepatoblast. (HEPATOLOGY 2007.)
On the feasibility of a monetary union in the Southern Africa Development Community
Authors: Agbeyegbe Terence D.
Published: August 2007

This paper investigates the feasibility of a monetary union in Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) by looking at evidence of nominal exchange rate and inflation convergence. Using a methodology based on estimating time‐varying parameters, the evidence suggests non‐convergence. The non‐convergence of nominal exchange rate and consumer price inflation suggests that presently the chances of SADC member countries satisfying some form of Maastricht‐type criteria is quite low. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fluid shear‐induced activation and cleavage of CD18 during pseudopod retraction by human neutrophils
Authors: Shin Hainsworth Y. , Simon Scott I. , Schmid‐Schönbein Geert W.
Published: August 2007

Surface membrane expression and conformational activation of CD18 integrins into an open molecular configuration play critical roles in neutrophil ligand binding, membrane attachment, spreading on the endothelium, and cell migration to sites of inflammation. Previously, we observed pseudopod retraction and concomitant cleavage of CD18 by human neutrophils upon exposure to fluid shear stress. But the underlying cellular mechanism(s) linking these phenomena remains unknown. We hypothesize here that activation of CD18 under the influence of fluid shear stress leads to its increased susceptibility to proteolytic cleavage by lysosomal proteases such as cathepsin B and is a requirement for CD18 cleavage and subsequent pseudopod retraction. Specifically, we report conformational changes in the CD18 extracellular domain on neutrophils exposed to physiological fluid shear stresses. Western blot analysis using a CD18 antibody targeted against the intracellular domain revealed reduced levels of full‐length CD18 after stimulation of neutrophils with either fluid shear stress or with the Ca2+ ionophore phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA; 100 nM) in the presence of exogenous cathepsin B (0.5 U/ml). Moreover, we identified cathepsin B as one protease that may be released by neutrophils under flow and required for shear‐induced pseudopod retraction. These results suggest that a putative mechanotransduction mechanism involving shear‐induced changes in the conformation of CD18 and its subsequent cleavage from the cell surface serves to regulate pseudopod activity of neutrophils under physiologic shear stress. J. Cell. Physiol. 214: 528–536, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sonographic detection of intrapulmonary shunting of venous gas bubbles during exercise after diving in a professional diver
Authors: Obad Ante , Palada Ivan , Ivancev Vladimir , Valic Zoran , Fabijanic Damir , Brubakk Alf O. , Dujic Zeljko
Published: August 2007

We report a case of right‐to‐left intrapulmonary (IP) shunting of venous gas bubbles at a high level of exercise after diving. The diagnosis was made using a 4‐chamber view of the heart via echocardiography during exercise. This case is the first in which we could find evidence of IP shunt recruitment during exercise after diving, and the bubble grade was the highest ever seen in our laboratory. Venous bubbles crossing over through IP shunts during exercise after diving is a very rare event. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2007
The business cycle in postwar Lebanon
Authors: Dibeh Ghassan
Published: August 2007

The postwar business cycle in Lebanon was dominated by the exchange rate based stabilization (ERBS) program implemented by the successive postwar governments. In the early period 1993–2002, a boom‐bust dynamics was generated during which the economy exhibited the well‐documented stylised facts of ERBS programs. The paper develops a cyclical index (ci) for Lebanon during this period and a VAR model shows that real interest rates (rr) had a significant impact on the dynamics of the business cycle during the early ERBS period. The second period 2002–2005 was marked by a recovery generated by foreign aid given to Lebanon in the Paris II international donors' conference held in November 2002. The period ended in a recession in 2005 brought about by the assassination of Lebanon's ex‐prime minister Rafic Hariri. The third phase of the business cycle was caused by the Israel–Lebanon war in the summer of 2006 which led to widespread civilian and infrastructure damage and ended a brief recovery in early 2006. Throughout the period 2002–2006, foreign aid was instrumental in the resilience of the ERBS program. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of methods for spatially estimating station temperatures in a quality control system
Authors: You Jinsheng , Hubbard Kenneth G. , Goddard Steve
Published: August 2007

The inverse distance weighting (IDW) and spatial regression test (SRT) methods provide data estimates for a station of interest based on the measurements at neighbouring stations. This paper evaluates the performance of the two approaches across the USA in estimating maximum and minimum daily temperature where the estimates are compared to actual measured data. The performance of these approaches was assessed using the coefficient of efficiency, explained variance, root mean square error, systematic and non‐systematic errors. The t‐test and variance test were also used to compare the performances of the two methods. In addition, two other versions of the IDW were tested. The first IDW modification was intended to determine the importance of adding a lapse rate correction to the surrounding stations. The second IDW modification used the intermediate estimates from the SRT method and therefore, by comparison to SRT, showed the relative importance of using SRT weights. The spatial regression approach was found to be superior to all versions of the IDW method especially in the coastal and mountainous regions. The spatial regression approach successfully resolves the systematic differences caused by temperature lapse rate with elevation, which is not accounted for in the inverse distance weighting method. Both the SRT and the IDW methods are found to perform relatively poorly when the weather station density is low. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
A framework for developing high‐resolution multi‐model climate projections: 21st century scenarios for the UK
Authors: Vidal Jean‐Philippe , Wade Steven
Published: August 2007

This article proposes a framework for building climate projections from an ensemble of global circulation models (GCMs) at the local scale required for impact studies. The proposed method relies on a fine‐scale gridded baseline climatology and consists of the following steps: (1) building appropriate precipitation and temperature time series from land areas covered by GCM sea cells; (2) correction of GCM outputs inherent biases through ‘quantile‐based mapping’; and (3) disaggregation of bias‐corrected outputs with monthly spatial anomalies between GCM‐specific and observed spatial scales. The overall framework is applied to derive 21st century seasonal climate projections and inter‐annual variability for the UK based on an ensemble of six GCMs run under two different emissions scenarios. Results show a large dispersion of changes within the multi‐GCM ensemble, along with a good comparison between scenarios from individual ensemble members and from previous UK and European studies using dynamically downscaled outputs from corresponding GCMs. The framework presented in this article provides appropriate outputs to take account of the uncertainty in global model configuration within impacts studies that are influencing current decisions on major investments in flood risk management and water resources. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Accelerated fracture healing in the geriatric, osteoporotic rat with recombinant human platelet‐derived growth factor‐bb and an injectable beta‐tricalcium phosphate/collagen matrix
Authors: Hollinger Jeffrey O. , Onikepe Andrew O. , MacKrell Jim , Einhorn Thomas , Bradica Gino , Lynch Samuel , Hart Charles E.
Published: August 2007

Aging and osteoporosis contribute to decreased bone mass and bone mineral density as well as compromised fracture healing rates and bone repair quality. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to determine if recombinant human platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB (rhPDGF‐BB) delivered in an injectable beta‐tricalcium phosphate/collagen matrix would enhance tibial fracture healing in geriatric (>2 years of age), osteoporotic rats. A total of 80 rats were divided equally among four groups: Fracture alone; Fracture plus matrix; Fracture plus matrix and either 0.3 mg/mL or 1.0 mg/mL rhPDGF‐BB. At 3 and 5 weeks, rats were euthanized and treatment outcome was assessed histologically, radiographically, biomechanically, and by micro‐CT. Results indicated rhPDGF‐BB‐treated fractures in osteoporotic, geriatric rats caused a statistically significant time‐dependent increase in torsional strength 5 weeks after treatment. The healed fractures were equivalent in torsional strength to the contralateral, unoperated tibiae. Data from the study are the first, to our knowledge, to underscore rhPDGF‐BB efficacy in an injectable beta‐tricalcium phosphate/collagen matrix accelerated fracture repair in a geriatric, osteoporotic rat model. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Orthop Res 26:83–90, 2008
The growth differentiation factor 5 (GDF5) core promoter polymorphism is not associated with knee osteoarthritis in the greek population
Authors: Tsezou Aspasia , Satra Maria , Oikonomou Pagona , Bargiotas Konstantinos , Malizos Konstantinos N.
Published: August 2007

Genetic factors have been shown to play an important role in the etiology of osteoarthritis (OA). A functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) +104T/C; rs143383 in the 5′ UTR of the GDF5 gene was recently associated with susceptibility to osteoarthritis in the Japanese and Chinese population. Our objective was to assess whether this SNP was also associated with knee OA in a Greek Caucasian population sample. The +104T/C SNP was genotyped in a total of 519 case–control cohort; 251 patients with idiopathic knee OA and 268 controls were used. No significant differences were found in genotype or allele frequencies of the +104T/C SNP of GDF5 gene between cases and controls (p < 0.05). Also, no significant differences in allelic and genotypic frequencies were found when the individuals were stratified by sex. Our data implied that the +104T/C; rs143383 GDF5 core promoter polymorphism is not a risk factor for OA etiology in Greek Caucasians. Our study highlights the heterogeneous nature of OA genetic susceptibility. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Orthop Res 26:136–140, 2008
Multiple freeze‐thaw cycled meniscal allograft tissue: A biomechanical, biochemical, and histologic analysis
Authors: Lewis Paul B. , Williams James M. , Hallab Nadim , Virdi Amarjit , Yanke Adam , Cole Brian J.
Published: August 2007

Meniscus allografting has provided relief of meniscal injuries that were previously thought irreparable. However, meniscus allograft tissue remains limited and a significant problem. To improve allograft tissue yield, decrease processing costs, and increase graft availability, this study investigated the biomechanical changes of meniscal allograft tissue frozen and thawed multiple times. Specifically, our study compared the intrinsic compressive resistances of meniscus undergoing four Freeze‐Thaw cycles versus tissue undergoing a single Freeze‐Thaw cycle. Seven menisci that were originally procured and processed for allografting were donated for the study. Each meniscus was segmented and samples independently underwent novel constant slow‐rate compression testing, and histological and biochemical evaluation. The menisci that underwent a single Freeze‐Thaw cycle demonstrated a significantly higher Young's Modulus (14 megapascals) as compared to menisci undergoing multiple Freeze‐Thaw cycles (10 megapascals, p = 0.03). These results were maintained when medial and lateral menisci were compared independently. Histological and biochemical analyses supported, but did not provide an explanation for the change in intrinsic compressive resistance. From these results, transplantation of meniscal allograft tissue frozen and thawed four times may be compromised in its ability to resist compression; and thus may undermine its role in replacing native meniscal tissue. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:49–55, 2008
Role of osteoblast–fibroblast interactions in the formation of the ligament‐to‐bone interface
Authors: Wang I‐Ning E. , Shan Jing , Choi Rene , Oh Seongcheol , Kepler Christopher K. , Chen Faye H. , Lu Helen H.
Published: August 2007

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) inserts into bone through a characteristic fibrocartilagenous interface, which is essential for load transfer between soft and hard tissues. This multi‐tissue interface is lost post ACL reconstruction, and the lack of an anatomic fibrocartilage interface between graft and bone remains the leading cause of graft failure. Currently, the mechanism of interface formation is not known. As a fibrocartilage‐like tissue is found within the bone tunnel post ACL reconstruction, we hypothesize that fibroblast–osteoblast interactions at the graft‐to‐bone junction play a role in fibrocartilage formation. To test this hypothesis, a co‐culture model permitting osteoblast–fibroblast communications was used to determine the effects of heterotypic interactions on cell phenotype and the development of fibrocartilage‐relevant markers in vitro. It was found that co‐culture decreased cell proliferation and osteoblast‐mediated mineralization, while inducing fibroblast‐mediated mineralization. Moreover, the expression of interface‐relevant markers such as collagen type II and aggrecan were detected. Our findings suggest that osteoblast–fibroblast interactions may lead to cell trans‐differentiation and eventual fibrocartilage formation. These results provide new insight into the mechanism of fibrocartilage formation, which are critical for interface tissue engineering and achieving biological fixation of soft tissue grafts to bone. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25:1609–1620, 2007
Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium extract suppresses adipogenesis in 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes
Authors: Sheu Fuu , Chuang Wen‐I , Chien Po‐Jung
Published: August 2007

This study examined how Citrus herbal medicines—Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP), Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium (CRVP), Aurantii Immaturus Fructus (AIF) and Aurantii Fructus (AF)—affect the differentiation of 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. Eight days after induction for differentiation with 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine, dexamethasone and insulin (MDI) medium and simultaneously with the tested CRP, intracellular triacylglycerol accumulations of 3T3‐L1 cells were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced compared with those for CRVP, AIF and AF and those of the vehicle control. This suppression affect was dose‐dependent, and decreases in triacylglycerol production of 12.6, 18.7, 34.05 and 49.6% were observed for CRP at concentrations of 50, 100, 150 and 200 µg mL−1 respectively. Additionally, the expression of key transcription factors for the 3T3‐L1 adipogenesis gene, including PPAR‐γ, C/EBP‐α and SREBP‐1, was markedly reduced by CRP treatment. These results suggest that dietary CRP suppresses 3T3‐L1 differentiation by down‐regulation of adipogenic transcription factors. Experimental data may prove useful in further medical examination of the use of CRP for body weight control. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Impact of wheat and oat polysaccharides provided as rolls on the digestion and absorption processes in the small intestine of pigs
Authors: Bach Knudsen Knud Erik , Jørgensen Henry
Published: August 2007

The objective of the present investigation was to study the impact of wheat and oat polysaccharides provided as rolls with contrasting dietary fibre characteristics on ileal digesta and portal and arterial plasma glucose concentrations. The diets were offered as baked rolls to eight pigs fitted with a T‐shaped cannula for total collection in a crossover design and to four portal vein‐ and mesenteric artery‐catheterised pigs. Ileal digesta were collected at 2 h intervals during an 8 h sampling period and portal and arterial blood at 10 min intervals from − 10 min up to 120 min and then at 30 min intervals up to 240 min post‐feeding. There was substantial variation in the flow of ileal digesta during the 8 h sampling period, but the flow was more uniform when feeding the oat rolls compared with the wheat rolls. Carbohydrates were the predominant ileal constituent, with most of them present as non‐starch polysaccharides and with starch in both diets almost completely digested at the end of the small intestine. Ingestion of the two diets was followed by a rapid rise in postprandial glucose concentration but with no significant difference in either portal or arterial glucose concentration pattern between the two diets. The recovery of glucose in the portal vein up to 240 min after feeding represented 47–64% of consumed starch. Cellulose, resistant starch and arabinoxylans were almost completely recovered at the ileum, while there was a substantial loss of mixed linkage (1 → 3)(1 → 4)‐β‐D‐glucan. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Polyphenolic composition of a permanent pasture: variations related to the period of harvesting
Authors: Fraisse Didier , Carnat Andrée , Viala Didier , Pradel Philippe , Besle Jean‐Michel , Coulon Jean‐Baptiste , Felgines Catherine , Lamaison Jean‐Louis
Published: August 2007

Phenolics contribute to the micronutrient composition of forages, which in turn may affect animal product composition. To assess the importance of these compounds, the polyphenolic and botanical composition of a permanent mountain pasture in the Massif Central (France) were studied at three stages of growth. Phenolic fractions (acids, flavonoids and total) were analysed using HPLC and specific colorimetric methods over the whole pasture and in nine main species. On a botanical level, 43 species including 31 dicotyledons composed a mountain variant ofCynosuriongrouping. Over time, the species growing on the field changed, the main plants beingFestuca nigrescensand eight dicotyledons. In whole pasture, about 170 different compounds were separated by HPLC, of which only 30 were common to all stages. The total polyphenolic content was estimated as 31, 32 and 19 g kg−1DM for the three stages. They were mainly composed of dihydroxycinnamic derivatives (3,5‐di‐O‐caffeoylquinic, chlorogenic, 1,5‐di‐O‐caffeoylquinic acids), and of flavonoids in lesser proportions. Some polyphenols were peculiar to a few species and others were ubiquitous. The two major dicaffeoylquinic acids were identified for the first time inAchillea millefoliumandKnautia arvernensis. Colorimetric measurements of phenolic fractions were in good agreement with HPLC analysis (P< 0.01) for all species studied. Thus, on the mountain pasture studied, a cow would be expected to ingest up to 500 g of polyphenols daily, which could affect the quality of animal products. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Anthocyanin dyes extracted from grape pomace for the purpose of textile dyeing
Authors: Bechtold Thomas , Mahmud‐Ali Amalid , Mussak Rita
Published: August 2007

BACKGROUND: Pomace from different grape varieties was studied with regard to the content of extractable anthocyanins.

RESULTS: Total anthocyanin concentrations of 24.5–126 mg dm−3 were found in the extracts. The amount of extractable pigment was dependent on the variety of grape. The extracts were applied in textile dyeing operations using cotton fabric pre‐mordanted with tannin as textile substrate. Red/violet shades were obtained that showed good water‐fastness; however, limited light‐fastness indicated need for improvement to fulfil requirements for textile application.

CONCLUSION: Colour measurement by means of CIE‐Lab coordinates and Kubelka–Munk value showed a direct correlation between extractable anthocyanin concentration and colour depth of the dyed material. Thus the analytically determined concentration of anthocyanins in the aqueous extract can serve as a measure of quality of grape pomace as raw material for textile dyeing application. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Actively Q-switched, diode pumped thulium laser
Authors: Jabczynski J K , Zendzian W , Kwiatkowski J , Jelínková H , Šulc J , Němec M
Published: August 2007

6 W of output power and near 50% slope efficiency with respect to absorbed pump power was demonstrated in free-running mode for a short, 40-mm long resonator. The uncoated, with 3.5% dopant of thulium YLF rod of ⌀ 3 × 8 mm size wrapped with indium foil was mounted in copper heat-sink maintaining 293 K temperature of coolant water and inserted in a short, 40-mm long resonator. For pumping the fiber coupled (0.4 mm core diameter) laser diode bar at 792-nm wavelength was deployed. The fused silica acousto-optic modulator with above 80% diffraction efficiency for 25-W power of RF was taken as the Q-switch for such a laser. In the best case of Q-switching mode up to 2-mJ output energy with 20-ns pulse duration corresponding to 100-kW peak power was demonstrated for rep. rate of a few Hz. Emission wavelength was around 1904 nm for both free-running and Q-switching regimes.
A New π‐Conjugated Polymer Containing Isothianaphthene and Dialkoxy‐p‐phenylene Units: Self‐Assembly and Electronic and Optical Properties
Authors: Yamamoto Takakazu , Ootsuka Haruki , Iijima Takayuki
Published: August 2007

A new π‐conjugated polymer consisting of isothianaphthene and bis(dodecyloxy)‐p‐phenylene units has been prepared by Pd‐catalyzed organometallic polycondensation. X‐ray diffraction analysis indicates that the polymer assumes an interdigitation‐type self‐assembled packing structure in the solid state and aligns on the surface of a platinum plate, with the dodecyloxy side chain oriented toward the surface of the platinum plate. The polymer undergoes facile electrochemical doping as well as chemical doping with iodine and NOBF4. BF‐doped polymer is also considered to assume an interdigitation‐type packing structure in the solid state. Electrical conductivities of the chemically doped polymer are also reported.

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Effect of the Molecular Weight of Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) on the Morphology and Performance of Polymer Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells
Authors: Ma Wanli , Kim Jin Young , Lee Kwanghee , Heeger Alan J.
Published: August 2007

The morphology and performance of bulk heterojunction solar cells comprised of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) have been investigated using P3HT with different molecular weights (MWs). It is concluded that the optimum annealing temperature for the bulk heterojunction material is related to the MW of P3HT. The best performance is obtained by using P3HT with an optimum ratio between high MW and low MW components. The corresponding ‘ideal morphology’ is comprised of highly ordered crystalline regions formed by low MW P3HT embedded and interconnected by a high MW P3HT matrix.

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Strategy for Better Ordering in Diblock Copolymer Based Nanocomposites
Authors: Lo Chieh‐Tsung , Lee Byeongdu , Rago Nancy L. Dietz , Winans Randall E. , Thiyagarajan P.
Published: August 2007

A simple approach to improve the structural ordering in block copolymer/nanoparticle nanocomposites is presented. It is to blend a small molecular weight homopolymer with the composites, which can uniformly swell the preferred domain where the nanoparticles locate and increase the conformational entropy of the domain. Consequently, the interfaces between the block copolymer domains become smooth that improves the long range order in the nanocomposites. Furthermore, the uniform swelling of the preferred domain by the homopolymer will allow higher loading of nanoparticles without adversely affecting the long range order.

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A continuum theory for first‐order phase transitions based on the balance of structure order
Authors: Fabrizio M. , Giorgi C. , Morro A.
Published: August 2007

First‐order phase transitions are modelled by a non‐homogeneous, time‐dependent scalar‐valued order parameter or phase field. The time dependence of the order parameter is viewed as arising from a balance law of the structure order. The gross motion is disregarded and hence the body is regarded merely as a heat conductor. Compatibility of the constitutive functions with thermodynamics is exploited by expressing the second law through the classical Clausius–Duhem inequality. First, a model for conductors without memory is set up and the order parameter is shown to satisfy a maximum theorem. Next, heat conductors with memory are considered. Different evolution problems are established through a system of differential equations whose form is related to the manner in which the memory property is represented. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analytical study of the buoyancy–drag equation
Authors: Bouquet Serge , Gandeboeuf Pierre , Pailhoriès Pierre
Published: August 2007

The buoyancy–drag equation (BDE) is used for describing the time evolution of the mixing zone, between two fluids, due to Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities in a highly non‐linear regime. The BDE is similar to an equation of motion for each fluid and, in addition to the inertial term, it contains a buoyancy term (proportional to the external acceleration experienced by the system) and a friction proportional to the square of the velocity. In this paper, the integrability of the BDE is studied using Lie point symmetries. Two relevant situations are studied analytically. First, for a constant acceleration, the general solution with two arbitrary constants is derived. On the other hand, for accelerations varying like a power of time, we obtain a one‐parameter family of solutions. These theoretical results can be compared with the various experimental results published in the current literature. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.