bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection and Quantification of the Age‐Related Point Mutation A189G in the Human Mitochondrial DNA
Authors: Thèves Catherine , Keyser‐Tracqui Christine , Crubézy Eric , Salles Jean‐Pierre , Ludes Bertrand , Telmon Norbert
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT: Mutation analysis in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region is widely used in population genetic studies as well as in forensic medicine. Among the difficulties linked to the mtDNA analysis, one can find the detection of heteroplasmy, which can be inherited or somatic. Recently, age‐related point mutation A189G was described in mtDNA and shown to accumulate with age in muscles. We carried out the detection of this 189 heteroplasmic point mutation using three technologies: automated DNA sequencing, Southern blot hybridization using a digoxigenin‐labeled oligonucleotide probe, and peptide nucleic acid (PNA)/real‐time PCR combined method on different biological samples. Our results give additional information on the increase in mutation frequency with age in muscle tissue and revealed that the PNA/real‐time PCR is a largely more sensitive method than DNA sequencing for heteroplasmy detection. These investigations could be of interest in the detection and interpretation of mtDNA heteroplasmy in anthropological and forensic studies.
Varicella vaccination update Neuere Erkenntnisse zur Varizellenimpfung
Authors: Nürnberg Wolf , Schneeweiß Burkhard
Published: June 2006

Varicella is the most common infection which is preventable by vaccination. Even though varicella usually runs a mild course, some patients require hospitalization and a small number die. The German Immunization Commission (STIKO) in 2004 recommended varicella vaccination for all children.The discussion remains controversial. We review the most frequently asked questions about varicella vaccination, with emphasis on its effectiveness with the possibilities for use after incubation or exposure to limit the spread, as well as its effects on the prevalence of herpes zoster. The average age of varicella patients has not increased in the USA after 10 years of childhood vaccination. In addition, there has not been an expected increase of herpes zoster in non‐immunized individuals. Vaccinated children have a lower incidence of herpes zoster than those who have had varicella. Finally, a recent study using a live zoster vaccine with increased antigenicity in older adults halved the incidence of herpes zoster and reduced that of post‐herpetic neuralgia to one‐third.
The effect of various concentrations of human recombinant epidermal growth factor on split‐thickness skin wounds
Authors: Hong Joon Pio , Kim Yun Wha , Jung Heun Don , Jung Kwon Il
Published: June 2006

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a potent stimulant of epithelialisation. However, topical application of EGF to achieve facilitated re‐epithelialisation in partial thickness wounds has been controversial. A total of 10 pigs, each with eight 4 × 4 cm partial thickness wounds, were treated twice a day for 10 days to observe the effect of human recombinant EGF in concentrations of 0·1, 1, 5, 10, 25 ug/g, vehicle only and two controls. The control and the vehicle‐only wounds each demonstrated 100% healing time (HT100) of 9·31 ± 1·34 and 8·5 ± 1·12 while the wounds treated with EGF ointment with concentrations of 0·1 (HT100 = 6·4 ± 0·71), 1 (HT100 = 5·2 ± 0·63), 5 (HT100 = 5·8 ± 0·85), 10 (HT100 = 7·1 ± 1·45) and 25 ug/g (HT100 = 7·4 ± 0·57) demonstrated significant reduction in time to achieve re‐epithelialisation. Among the EGF‐treated wounds, the wounds treated with EGF concentrations of 1 and 5 ug/g achieved the fastest re‐epithelialisation with evidence of substantial increase in basal keratinocyte activity observed through Ki‐67 activity. In conclusion, this article demonstrates the efficacy of human recombinant EGF in facilitating re‐epithelialisation of partial thickness wounds with the most efficient healing found in EGF concentrations of 1 and 5 ug/g.
Advances in the management of leg ulcers – the potential role of growth factors
Authors: Khan Muhammad N , Davies Christopher G
Published: June 2006

Venous ulcers are a major health problem because of the increased costs of the treatment and the refractory nature of the ulcers. The treatment cost is estimated to be around 1 billion dollars per year in the United States (US), and the average cost for one patient over a lifetime exceeds $400 000. There has been an increasing trend in the use of growth factors in their management. Genetic engineering has revolutionised the research of wound healing, as the majority of recombinant growth factors are now available for in vitro and in vivo studies. Online searches of Medline, Pub Medical and Embase were carried out using the terms venous ulcers, leg ulcers, growth factors and growth hormone. The literature regarding the potential role of growth factors in the management of leg ulcers is reviewed. The important clinical studies are critically analysed with a view to appreciate the emerging therapies and the further research possibilities in the management of venous leg ulcers. Clinical results with the use of growth factors in non‐healing wounds are encouraging. However, small sample sizes and inconsistent end points in different clinical studies have been the main hurdle in reaching a definite conclusion. Further research is needed to provide the definite evidence. Future developments may include different delivery methods for the growth factors, use of different combinations of growth factors administered simultaneously or, sequentially, bioengineered skin grafts and chemical induction of angiogenesis with the use of gene transfer techniques.
Variant of estimation method of aboveground plant biomass in grassland with the gamma model. 2. Proposal of a modified method with visual observation and tests in Zoysia pastures
Authors: Itano Shiro , Tsutsumi Michio , Sakanoue Seiichi , Nakagami Koji , Shiyomi Masae
Published: June 2006

A modified method with visual observation for estimating biomass distribution on grasslands is proposed. This labor‐saving technique facilitates surveys for estimating herbaceous biomass distribution for grasslands. It is based on the principle of Shiyomi's visual observation method. The procedure is performed as follows. (i) Set two points with biomass of c1 g and c2 g used as criteria in a pasture (c1 < c2). (ii) In the first visual observation, divide herbaceous biomass in the pasture into two classes that are more or less than c1 g. (iii) In the second visual observation, divide herbaceous biomass in the same pasture into two classes that are more or less than c2 g. Then, match the trial numbers obtained in the first and second observations. (iv) Measure the biomass weights of c1 and c2 with cutting. (v) From the data obtained above, infer the herbaceous biomass distribution using the gamma model. The procedure was conducted in a Zoysia grazed pasture. The following are discussed: advantages and regulations of the current method with a gamma model; some problems of the cutting method, as viewed from the shape of herbaceous biomass distribution; and the influence of grazing pressure on herbaceous biomass distribution.
MAXIMAL ORNESS WEIGHTS WITH A FIXED VARIABILITY FOR OWA OPERATORS
Authors: MARCHANT T.
Published: June 2006

When using the ordered weighted average operator, it can happen that one wants to optimize the variability (measured by the entropy (maximal) or by the variance (minimal)) of the weights while keeping the orness of this operator at a fixed level. This has been considered by several authors. Dually, there might be some contexts where one wishes to maximize the orness while guaranteeing some fixed variability. In this paper, we present two algorithms for finding such weights, when the variability is captured by the entropy and by the variance.
AN APPROACH FOR SOLVING FUZZY GAMES
Authors: LIU WEI YI , LI JIN , YUE KUN , SONG NING , YAO HONG
Published: June 2006

This paper is to compute a Nash equilibrium in a fuzzy environment, which is represented by a fuzzy approximate Nash equilibrium in a space of discrete mixed strategies. For discrete mixed strategies, the relationship between the discrete degree and the approximate degree is discussed. Based on the fuzzy regret degree, a genetic algorithm for computing a fuzzy Nash equilibrium is given.
HISTORY AND TERRITORY HEURISTICS FOR MONTE CARLO GO
Authors: BOUZY BRUNO
Published: June 2006

Recently, the Monte Carlo approach has been applied to computer go with promising success. INDIGO uses such an approach which can be enhanced with specific heuristics. This paper assesses two heuristics within the 19 × 19 Monte Carlo go framework of INDIGO: the territory heuristic and the history heuristic, both in their internal and external versions. The external territory heuristic is more effective, leading to a 40-point improvement on 19 × 19 boards. The external history heuristic brings about a 10-point improvement. The internal territory heuristic yields a few points improvement, and the internal history heuristic has already been assessed on 19 × 19 boards in previous publications. Most of these heuristics were used by INDIGO at the 2004 Computer Olympiad.
THE SEPARATION GAME
Authors: CAZENAVE TRISTAN
Published: June 2006

The separation game is different from the connection game, but has some similarities. In the game of Go, it is often useful because it helps to enclose groups and areas. An evaluation function, moves generation functions and a search algorithm for the separation game are described in this paper.
On monotone solutions of some classes of difference equations
Authors: Stevic Stevo
Published: June 2006

We describe a method for finding monotone solutions of some
classes of difference equations converging to the corresponding
equilibria. The method enables us to confirm three conjectures
posed by the present author in a talk, which are extensions of
three conjectures by M. R. S. Kulenović and G. Ladas,
Dynamics of Second Order Rational Difference Equations.
With Open Problems and Conjectures. Chapman and Hall/CRC, 2002.
It is interesting that the method, in some cases, can be applied
also when the parameters are variable.
The Federal Trade Commission, Clinical Integration, and the Organization of Physician Practice
Authors: Casalino Lawrence P.
Published: June 2006

This article examines Federal Trade Commission (FTC) policy—in particular, the agency's controversial 1996 statements on clinical integration—toward joint negotiations for nonrisk contracts with health plans by physicians organized into independent practice associations (IPAs) and (with hospitals) into physician-hospital organizations (PHOs). The article concludes that the policy is consistent with anti-trust principles, consistent with current thinking on the use of organized processes to improve medical care quality, specific enough to provide guidance to physicians wanting to integrate clinically, and general enough to encourage ongoing innovations in physician organization. The FTC should consider stronger sanctions for IPAs and PHOs whose clinical integration is nothing more than a sham intended to provide cover for joint negotiations, should give the benefit of the doubt to organizations whose clinical integration appears to be reasonably consonant with the statements, and should clarify several ambiguities in the statements. Health plans should facilitate IPA and PHO efforts to improve care by rewarding quality and efficiency and by providing clinically integrated organizations with claims information on individual patients. Though creating clinically integrated organizations is difficult and expensive, physicians should recognize that clinical integration can help them both to gain some negotiating leverage with health plans and to improve the quality of care for their patients.
Side Effects: A Dose of Competition and Access to Care
Authors: Glied Sherry
Published: June 2006

The Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice 2004 report Improving Health Care: A Dose of Competition argues in favor of increasing competition among health care providers. Several of the proposals within the report, however, may pose risks for access to care. The report urges that the current system of implicit cross-subsidies for indigent care be replaced with insurance expansions that provide coverage to individuals. Such a substitution would certainly enhance access, but would be very costly and likely require considerable government intervention in the health care system. In the absence of a substantial expansion in coverage, reductions in cross-subsidies could limit access to care through the existing safety net. The report argues that insurance mandates limit access to care by driving up cost and reducing choice. In some cases, such as mental health and substance abuse, however, the unregulated market may not cover a benefit at all, leaving people with less coverage and less choice. Finally, the report stresses the importance of linking costs to quality. Such a linkage is likely to lead to a health care system in which poor people obtain poor-quality care at low prices—a result that many would find disturbing.
Overall Water Splitting by RuO2-dispersed Divalent-ion-doped GaN Photocatalysts with d10 Electronic Configuration
Authors: Arai Naoki , Saito Nobuo , Nishiyama Hiroshi , Inoue Yasunobu , Domen Kazunari , Sato Kazunori
Published: June 2006

Divalent-metal-ion (Zn2+ or Mg2+)-doped GaN with d10 electronic configuration was found to make a high and stable photocatalyst for overall water splitting when combined with RuO2 as a promoter, whereas neither undoped nor tetravalent-metal-ion (Si4+ or Ge4+)-doped GaN showed photocatalytic activity upon loading of RuO2. The present work clearly demonstrated the marked effects of dopants on photocatalytic performance of the metal nitride GaN for water splitting.
Stability of Thermophilic Cytochrome P450 Modified with Poly(ethylene oxide) in Ionic Liquid
Authors: Wiwatchaiwong Supranee , Matsumura Hirotoshi , Nakamura Nobuhumi , Yohda Masafumi , Ohno Hiroyuki
Published: June 2006

Cytochrome P450 from the thermoacidophilic crenarchaeon Sulfolobus tokodaii strain 7 (P450st) was chemically modified with activated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) to make it more soluble in ionic liquid and in which Raman spectra results show the structural stability in the five coordinate high-spin state even at a temperature of 120 °C.
Conditions, Preferences and Race in Organ Donation
Authors: Scott Niall
Published: June 2006

Acts of gift giving or donation carry the possibility of being inclusive as well as exclusive in terms of effects and agency. In this paper, I will discuss the problem that arises when an agent stipulates certain conditions on organ donation, such as race. In such a case, the general act of donation may be commendable, but the conditions stipulated as to the nature of the recipient may be subject to criticism. This is a problematic issue in the difference between stipulating obligations to humanity as a whole, and identifying particular communities according to features such as race, culture nationality and religious belief. Questions such as whether or not a donor can place restrictions on the nature of the recipient or whether the hospital as an institution should accept a donation with conditions attached present challenges to current legislation in the UK on conditional donation. This is further complicated where there is a greater need for organs in particular ethnic groups, and that although race and ethnicity do not pose barriers to transplant success, tissue type matches are better suited to those of similar ethnic background. I will address whether such limits of a person or group's ability to be altruistic is morally acceptable and whether conditions put on gift giving can be legitimately rejected through law.
Evolution of Hypervariable Microsatellites in Apomictic Polyploid Lineages of Ranunculus carpaticola: Directional Bias at Dinucleotide Loci
Authors: Paun Ovidiu , Hörandl Elvira
Published: June 2006

Microsatellites are widely used in genetic and evolutionary analyses, but their own evolution is far from simple. The mechanisms maintaining the mutational patterns of simple repeats and the typical stable allele-frequency distributions are still poorly understood. Asexual lineages may provide particularly informative models for the indirect study of microsatellite evolution, because their genomes act as complete linkage groups, with mutations being the only source of genetic variation. Here, we study the direction of accumulated dinucleotide microsatellite mutations in wild asexual lineages of hexaploid Ranunculus carpaticola. Whereas the overall number of contractions is not significantly different from that of expansions, the within-locus frequency of contractions, but not of expansions, significantly increases with allele length. Moreover, within-locus polymorphism is positively correlated with allele length, but this relationship is due solely to the influence of contraction mutations. Such asymmetries may explain length constraints generally observed with microsatellites and are consistent with stable, bell-shaped allele-frequency distributions. Although apomictic and allohexaploid, the R. carpaticola lineages show mutational patterns resembling the trends observed in a broad range of organisms, including sexuals and diploids, suggesting that, even if not of germline origin, the mutations in these apomicts may be the consequence of similar mechanisms.
Gastric ulceration subsequent to partial invagination of the stomach in a dog with gastric dilatation-volvulus
Authors: Parton Amanda T. , Volk Susan W. , Weisse Chick
Published: June 2006

Case Description—An 8-year-old castrated male German Shepherd Dog was evaluated because of abdominal distension, retching, and vomiting.

Clinical Findings—Gastric dilatation-volvulus was suspected on the basis of the dog's signalment, history, clinical signs, and results of clinicopathologic analyses and abdominal radiography. Celiotomy was performed, and gastric dilatation-volvulus was confirmed along with splenomegaly. Gastric invagination was performed over an area of gastric necrosis. The dog was reevaluated 21 days later after an episode of collapse. Findings of physical examination and clinicopathologic analyses were suggestive of internal hemorrhage. Abdominal ultrasonography and subsequent celiotomy revealed severe gastric ulceration at the gastric invagination site, splenic torsion, and a focal splenic infarct.

Treatment and Outcome—Splenectomy and gastrectomy of the necrotic tissue were performed. The dog was discharged from the hospital, and the owner was instructed to administer gastroprotectants and feed the dog a bland diet. The dog was reported to be healthy 3.25 years after surgery.

Clinical Relevance—Findings suggest that complications associated with the gastric invagination procedure include severe gastric ulceration that may require subsequent surgery. Prolonged treatment with gastroprotectants following gastric invagination surgery may be necessary to avoid gastric ulceration in dogs.
The Increase of Iron Phytoavailability in Soils Ammended with Paper Mill Sludge
Authors: Calace Nicoletta , Croce Gianluca , Petronio Bianca Maria , Pietroletti Marco
Published: June 2006

In soils characterized by low organic matter and high pH values (7.5–8.59) iron availability to plants is limited even if the content of total Fe(III) is high. We have studied by Hordeum distichum plants the capability of paper mill sludge to increase the iron phytoavailable fraction in an alkaline soil. The effect of paper mill sludges adding to an iron‐deficient soil was evaluated both considering the phyto‐available fraction of iron and the distribution of organic carbon (hydrophobic, fulvic and humic carbon) in the soil before and after sludge adding. Iron concentration was determined in the different portions of Hordeum distichum plants grown on soils with and without paper mill sludges. Application of paper mill sludge induces an increase in the concentration of available Fe. This effect is probably due to the production of Fe chelators by soil microorganisms acting on sludge organic matter. The Fe chelators produced result in the solubilization of not soluble Fe‐complexes present in the soil.
Influence of Plasticizers on Ion‐Selective Polyimide Membranes
Authors: Totu Eugenia , Ruse Elena , Josceanu Ana Maria
Published: June 2006

Polyimide–based membranes containing calcium synthetic ionophores and different type plasticizers were characterized in terms of surface morphology, glass transition temperature (Tg), a. c. impedance, and thermo gravimetric behaviour. The study aimed to identify correlations between structural parameters and ion–selective performances of polyimide when introduced in macro and micro ion–selective devices.
What Hanuman langur males know about female reproductive status
Authors: Ostner Julia , Chalise Mukesh K. , Koenig Andreas , Launhardt Kristin , Nikolei Julia , Podzuweit Doris , Borries Carola
Published: June 2006

In species with a high risk of infanticide, a conflict of interest exists between the sexes over the amount of paternity information that is available to males. While females are expected to keep males unaware of their reproductive status in order to confuse paternity, selection should favor those male traits that enhance the males' assessment of female status and consequently of paternity probability. In Hanuman langurs (Semnopithecus entellus), a species that is extremely vulnerable to infanticide, females have been shown to successfully conceal the exact timing of ovulation from males‐‐perhaps because they exhibit no sexual swelling and mate during all reproductive phases, including gestation. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether males have hitherto unrecognized information about females' reproductive condition on a broader level that could still enhance male reproductive success. We investigated male assessment of female reproductive states in a population of wild Hanuman langurs as indicated by changes in male behavior, such as rates of copulations, anogenital inspections, and consortships, in relation to different female receptive periods (pregnant, fertile‐nonconceptional, and conceptional). Our data indicate that males were able to discern qualitatively distinct reproductive states. Males were more interested in fertile than pregnant females, as indicated by higher copulation rates. Based on consortships, males distinguished fertile from nonfertile phases, as well as fertile, nonconceptional receptive periods from conceptional ones. Hanuman langur males are thus not as unaware of female reproductive condition as previously thought, supporting the idea of an ongoing battle of the sexes over paternity information. However, granting some knowledge while at the same time concealing the exact day of ovulation may also reflect a pure female strategy of balancing paternity concentration with paternity confusion, which is the most likely strategy in this system with high infanticide risk and male defense of infants. Am. J. Primatol. 68:701–712, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Methylthioadenosine reverses brain autoimmune disease
Authors: Moreno Beatriz , Hevia Henar , Santamaria Monica , Sepulcre Jorge , Muñoz Javier , García‐Trevijano Elena R. , Berasain Carmen , Corrales Fernando J. , Avila Matias A. , Villoslada Pablo
Published: June 2006

Objective

To assess the immunomodulatory activity of methylthioadenosine (MTA) in rodent experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Methods

We studied the effect of intraperitoneal MTA in the acute and chronic EAE model by quantifying clinical and histological scores and by performing immunohistochemistry stains of the brain. We studied the immunomodulatory effect of MTA in lymphocytes from EAE animals and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy control subjects and multiple sclerosis patients by assessing cell proliferation and cytokine gene expression, by real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and by nuclear factor‐κB modulation by Western blot.

Results

We found that MTA prevents acute EAE and, more importantly, reverses chronic‐relapsing EAE. MTA treatment markedly inhibited brain inflammation and reduced brain damage. Administration of MTA suppressed T‐cell activation in vivo and in vitro, likely through a blockade in T‐cell signaling resulting in the prevention of inhibitor of kappa B (IκB‐α) degradation and in the impaired activation transcription factor nuclear factor‐κB. Indeed, MTA suppressed the production of proinflammatory genes and cytokines (interferon‐γ, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase) and increased the production of antiinflammatory cytokines (interleukin‐10).

Interpretation

MTA has a remarkable immunomodulatory activity and may be beneficial for multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. Ann Neurol 2006
Dielectric analysis for in‐situ monitoring of gelatin renaturation and crosslinking
Authors: Lefebvre Didier R. , Han Jun , Lipari John M. , Long Michelle A. , McSwain Rachel L. , Wells Heidi C.
Published: June 2006

This article probes the use of dielectric analysis (DEA) to monitor the physical changes that occur during gelatin renaturation and crosslinking. An interdigitated dielectric sensor was used to monitor ionic mobility in gelatin. In spite of the large concentration of water and ions in the gelatin model systems, a range of frequencies was found where DEA met all the requirements for ion viscosity measurements necessary to monitor aging gelatin. DEA was successful at detecting gelatin renaturation with a remarkably high signal‐to‐noise ratio. DEA was also capable of detecting crosslinking in the presence of formaldehyde, but only in the special case of fish gelatin. Unlike acid bone gelatin, which is semicrystalline at room temperature, fish gelatin remains fluid. Thus, fish gelatin provides a model system where crosslinking can be monitored in the absence of interference by renaturation processes. The dielectric response was also found to be sensitive to water transport between acid bone gelatin and a simulated pharmaceutical fill made of a PEG 600‐water solution. In the case of acid bone gelatin, the kinetics of renaturation as detected from DEA closely matched those measured by monitoring the evolution of the melting point and of the enthalpy of melting as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). With dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), the rise in the loss modulus with renaturation also closely tracked the increase in ionic viscosity. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2765–2775, 2006
Pyrolysis of an amorphous copolyester
Authors: Yu Aifang , Huang Xiang'An
Published: June 2006

The pyrolysis of the amorphous copolyester poly(ethylene glycol‐co‐cyclohexane 1,4‐dimethanol terephthalate) (PETG) was investigated. The applied technique was thermogravimetry/differential scanning calorimetry/mass spectrometry analysis. The pyrolysis products of PETG were ascertained. The results showed that the PETG mass loss was 90.36% from room temperature to 650°C, its thermal decomposition was mainly completed in one step at 425.2°C, and the aliphatic backbone of PETG played a dominant role in controlling the behavior of the pyrolysis. The pyrolysis mechanism was also examined. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2793–2797, 2006
Study of comparative tracking index on brominated epoxy and its application in copper clad laminates
Authors: Chiu Hsien‐Tang , Cheng Ming‐Feng
Published: June 2006

The study mainly investigates the improvement of the comparative tracking index (CTI) on brominated epoxy resins in a copper clad laminate. We compare the effects of the differences in structures of various epoxy resins on the CTI. In addition, on the basis of the proportion of inorganic fillers and type, we use Pauling's electronegativity theory to find inorganic materials that affect CTI. Experimental results show that the laminate surface CTI increases as the brominated epoxy resin content decreases. When looked at structurally, epoxys modified by phenolic resin systems had lower CTI values than those modified by bisphenol A type epoxy resin systems. Analyzing the effects of inorganic filler types, we found that the ideal bromide epoxy resin proportion and the CTI value of Al(OH)3 could exceed 600 V. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101:2814–2818, 2006
Functionalization of irradiated PTFE micropowder with methacryl‐ or hydroxy groups for chemical coupling of PTFE with different matrix polymers
Authors: Klüpfel B. , Lehmann D.
Published: June 2006

This article describes the modification of electron beam irradiated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material (500 kGy) into a functionalised micropowder, bearing methacrylate or hydroxy groups. The aim of this work is to achieve compatibilization of modified PTFE in a variety of matrix polymers, such as elastomers and duromers. It is well known that irradiation of high molecular PTFE in the presence of air, followed by annealing with water vapor, leads to a functionalization of the PTFE micropowder, containing carboxylic acid groups. For sufficient stability of the coupling of the functional groups that are to be introduced via these acid groups, a transformation into amide groups is necessary, and can be performed by the reaction of the electron beam irradiated PTFE with ε‐caprolactam in the first step. The corresponding acid‐terminated PTFE–oligoamide is then reacted with functional epoxy monomers, like glycidol or glycidyl methacrylate, to obtain the functionalised PTFE micropowders (PTFE‐OH and PTFE‐MA). As the number of COOH groups in the electron beam irradiated PTFE is not very high, IR‐spectroscopic identification of the functional groups is not very distinct. To find evidence for the existence/reactivity of the additionally introduced functional groups, model reactions have been performed, where PTFE‐MA is reacted with methyl methacrylate/AIBN. IR spectroscopic analysis of the reaction products shows characteristic absorption bands of PMMA, indicating successful graft polymerization of PMMA to PTFE‐MA. For PTFE‐OH, reaction with cyclohexylisocyanate leads to a bisurethane adduct, which shows a strong urethane absorption in the IR spectrum. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2819–2824, 2006
Graft copolymerization and characterization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate onto jute fiber by photoirradiation
Authors: Khan Ferdous , Ahmad S. R.
Published: June 2006

UV radiation induced graft copolymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate onto natural lignocellulose (jute) fiber was carried out by two methods: simultaneous irradiation and grafting and preirradiation grafting. 1‐Hydroxycyclohexyl‐phenylketone was used as the photoinitiator in both methods. In the former method, the variation of the graft weight was measured for different values of radiation exposure time and the concentrations of both the monomer and photoinitiator. The latter method produced up to 76% graft weight compared to 45% obtained with the former method. The preirradiation method offers better control of the homopolymerization reaction compared to that afforded by the other method. The optimum value of the reaction parameters on the graft weight was evaluated. The mechanical properties of grafted samples were found to be drastically different from those of the as‐received ones and the effect was proportional to the percentage of graft weight. Differential scanning calorimetry studies showed that the percentage of graft add‐on of hydroxyethyl methacrylate with jute had a significant effect on the thermal properties. IR studies indicated the degree of grafting could be estimated by correlating the band intensities with the graft weight. The jute samples grafted with poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) at a level of 12% graft weight exhibited a maximum 20% increase in hydrophilicity. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2898–2910, 2006
Processing and morphology of molecularly imprinted nylon thin films
Authors: Richter Asta , Gibson Ursula J. , Nowicki Marek , BelBruno Joseph J.
Published: June 2006

The characterization of thin, selectively imprinted films of nylon‐6 was performed. Amino acids were used as template molecules. Spin‐cast films were prepared with sizes ranging from 2 μm to 300 nm, depending on the nylon and template concentration in the casting solution. The morphological characteristics of the film surface were examined by atomic force microscopy, and the structure within the films was observed by freeze‐fracture scanning electron microscopy. The film activity was clearly coordinated with the appearance of nanometer‐sized pores both on the surface and within the film. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2919–2926, 2006
Curing kinetics and thermal property characterization of o‐CFER/MeTHPA/O‐MMT nanocomposite
Authors: Gao Jungang , Zhao Min , Li Gang
Published: June 2006

The kinetics of the cure reaction for a system of o‐cresol‐formaldehyde epoxy resin (o‐CFER), 3‐methyl‐tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MeTHPA), N,N‐dimethyl‐benzylamine, and organic montmorillonite(O‐MMT) were investigated by means of X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The XRD result indicates that an exfoliated nanocomposite was obtained. The analysis of DSC data indicated the behavior was shown in the first stages of the cure for the system, which could be well described by the model proposed by Kamal. In the later stages, the reaction is mainly controlled by diffusion, and diffusion factor, f(α), was introduced into Kamal's equation. In this way, the curing kinetics was predicted well over the entire range of conversion. Molecular mechanism for curing reaction was discussed. The thermal degradation kinetics of the system were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), which revealed that with the increase of O‐MMT content, TG curves shift to higher temperature. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3023–3032, 2006
Synthesis of sulfonated rubber ionomers by the ring‐opening reaction of epoxidized styrene–butadiene rubber, their characterization, and their properties
Authors: Xie Hong‐Quan , Chen Yong , Yang Wei , Xie Dong
Published: June 2006

A novel method for the synthesis of the sulfonate ionomer of styrene‐co‐butadiene rubber (SBR) was developed. SBR was first epoxidized by performic acid formed from hydrogen peroxide and formic acid in situ in solution, and this was followed by a ring‐opening reaction with an aqueous solution of NaHSO3. The optimum conditions for the epoxidation of SBR in the presence of a phase‐transfer catalyst and for the ring‐opening reaction of epoxidized SBR with an aqueous solution of NaHSO3 were studied. During the epoxidation of SBR, a phase‐transfer catalyst, such as poly(ethylene glycol), could enhance the conversion of double bonds to epoxy groups. During the ring‐opening reaction, both the phase‐transfer catalyst and ring‐opening catalyst were necessary to enhance the conversion of the epoxy groups to ionic groups. The addition of Na2SO3 to the reaction mixture was important to obtain 100% conversion. The products were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, 1H‐NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). DSC showed that the sodium sulfonate SBR ionomer possessed a dissociation temperature of ionic domains at 110°C, which appeared as black spots under TEM, after the sodium ions of the ionomer were substituted by lead ions. Some properties of the sodium ionomer, such as the water absorbency, oil absorbency, and dilute solution behavior, were studied. With increasing ionic groups, the water absorbency of the ionomer increased, whereas the oil absorbency decreased. The dilute solution viscosity of the ionomer increased abruptly with increasing ionic group content. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3090–3096, 2006
The Role of the HPA Axis in Psychiatric Disorders and CRF Antagonists as Potential Treatments
Authors: Keller Paul A. , McCluskey Adam , Morgan Jody , O'Connor Sean M. J.
Published: June 2006

An overview of the links between the Hypothalamic‐Pituitary‐Adrenal (HPA) axis and psychiatric disorders is presented. The current treatments are outlined, indicating that they are insufficient to meet the needs of those that suffer from these affective disorders. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the generation of new therapeutics, in particular, against new targets. The association of the corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) and the HPA axis indicates that CRF antagonists should be beneficial as potential therapeutics.
3D Pharmacophore Models for 1,2,3,4‐Tetrahydroisoquinoline Derivatives Acting as Anticonvulsant Agents
Authors: De Luca Laura , Gitto Rosaria , Barreca Maria Letizia , Caruso Roberta , Quartarone Silvana , Citraro Rita , De Sarro Giovambattista , Chimirri Alba
Published: June 2006

A 3D pharmacophore model predicting anticonvulsant activity was obtained for a series of 6,7‐dimethoxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives recently disclosed as a new class of noncompetitive AMPA receptor antagonists. The training set included 17 compounds with varying potency against audiogenic seizures in DBA/2 mice. The best statistical hypothesis, generated with the HypoGen module of Catalyst 4.9, consisted of five features: two hydrogen bond acceptors, two hydrophobic features, and one hydrophobic aromatic region, providing a model with a correlation coefficient of 0.919. The obtained model was an efficient tool in the design of some new anticonvulsant agents containing the tetrahydroisoquinoline scaffold. Moreover, in order to explain the different degree of efficacy of the newly designedN‐substituted derivatives, excluded volumes were also considered.
Model‐based quantification of the volatility of options at transaction level with extended count regression models
Authors: Czado Claudia , Kolbe Andreas
Published: June 2006

In this paper, we elaborate how Poisson regression models of different complexity can be used in order to model absolute transaction price changes of an exchange‐traded security. When combined with an adequate autoregressive conditional duration model, our modelling approach can be used to construct a complete modelling framework for a security's absolute returns at transaction level, and thus for a model‐based quantification of intraday volatility and risk. We apply our approach to absolute price changes of an option on the XETRA DAX index based on quote‐by‐quote data from the EUREX exchange and find that within our Bayesian framework a Poisson generalized linear model (GLM) with a latent AR(1) process in the mean is the best model for our data according to the deviance information criterion (DIC). While, according to our modelling results, the price development of the underlying, the intrinsic value of the option at the time of the trade, the number of new quotations between two price changes, the time between two price changes and the Bid–Ask spread have significant effects on the size of the price changes, this is not the case for the remaining time to maturity of the option. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A mixed co‐rotational formulation of 2D beam element using vectorial rotational variables
Authors: Li Z. X.
Published: June 2006

Based on a co‐rotational framework, a three‐noded iso‐parametric mixed element formulation for large displacement analysis of 2D beam was presented, this formulation is free of membrane/shear locking problems. Firstly, the co‐rotational framework was fixed at the internal node of the element, which translates and rotates rigidly with this node, but does not deform with the element. Then, a set of vectorial rotational variables were defined to describe accurately the element deformation, these rotational variables may have different connotations in an incremental solution procedure. Thirdly, Green strain and independently assumed strain fields were introduced in calculating the mixed Hellinger–Reissner functional, and the internal force vector was derived by enforcing the stationarity to the mixed functional, thereafter, the element tangent stiffness matrix was calculated from the internal force vector by differentiating it with respect to local variables, and a symmetric element tangent stiffness matrix was achieved. Finally, several examples were analysed to illustrate the reliability and efficiency of the proposed procedure in modelling of 2D frame structures with large displacements and large rotations. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A lattice Boltzmann method for shock wave propagation in solids
Authors: Xiao Shaoping
Published: June 2006

This paper proposes a new lattice Boltzmann (LB) method for the study of shock wave propagation in elastic solids. The method, which implements a flux‐corrected transport (FCT) algorithm, contains three stages: collision, streaming, and correction. In the collision stage, distribution functions are updated. In the streaming stage, the distribution functions are shifted between lattice points. Generally, a partial differential equation (PDE) is solved in the streaming stage, and finite element methods are employed to support the use of unstructured meshes in the LB method. The FCT algorithm is used in the correction stage to revise the distribution functions at lattice points, so fluctuations behind shock wave fronts can be eliminated efficiently. In this method, schemes for shock wave reflection at fixed and free boundaries are developed based on the bounce‐back technique. A similar technique is used to treat wave reflection and transmission at material interfaces of composites. Several one‐dimensional examples show that this LB‐FCT method can provide ideal depictions of shock wave propagation in structures, especially composite structures. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabrication of High‐Purity, Double‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Buckypaper
Authors: Kim Y. A. , Muramatsu H. , Hayashi T. , Endo M. , Terrones M. , Dresselhaus M. S.
Published: June 2006

Recently, much attention has been paid to double‐walled carbon nanotubes (DWNTs). This article highlights a recent advance in the fabrication of high‐purity DWNT buckypaper through a combination of a catalytic chemical vapor deposition and an optimized two‐step purification process. The DWNTs have small diameters (below 2 nm) and are packed in a hexagonal array. Their highly enhanced thermal stability (up to 2300 °C) is believed to derive from their coaxial structure. DWNT buckypaper exhibits superior mechanical and electrical properties, accessible surface area, and structural integrity, and may eventually replacing single‐walled carbon nanotubes in numerous applications.
Special Issue on Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Terranova M. L.
Published: June 2006

Carbon Nanotubes are the topic of this Special Issue of Chemical Vapor Deposition. In this introduction, Guest Editor Maria Letizia Terranova highlights the potential of nanostructured carbon materials and comments on the importance of CVD synthesis techniques in this ever‐ expanding field.
Cognitive integrated motion generation for environmental adaptive robots
Authors: Onishi Masaki , Odashima Tadashi , Luo Zhiwei
Published: June 2006

Recently, active researches have been performed to increase a robot's intelligence so as to realize dexterous tasks in complex environments such as in the street or homes. However, since skillful human‐like task ability is so difficult to formulate for the robot, not only the analytical and theoretical control researches but also the direct human motion mimetic approach is necessary. In this paper, we propose that to realize the environmental interactive task, it is insufficient to replay the human motion alone. We show a novel motion generation approach to integrate the cognitive information into mimickry of human motions so as to realize the final complex task by the robot. As a detailed example of the task, we consider how to carry up a human by cooperating two hands. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 156(3): 62–70, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20349
Modulating responsiveness of human TLR7 and 8 to small molecule ligands with T‐rich phosphorothiate oligodeoxynucleotides
Authors: Jurk Marion , Kritzler Andrea , Schulte Bettina , Tluk Sibylle , Schetter Christian , Krieg Arthur M. , Vollmer Jörg
Published: June 2006

Toll‐like receptors (TLR) 7 and 8 are closely related members of the TLR family of pathogen‐associated molecular pattern recognition receptors and have an important function in activation of innate immune responses upon viral infection. TLR7 can be activated selectively by the guanosine analogue loxoribine, whereas the imidazoquinoline derivative Resiquimod (R‐848) activates both TLR7 and TLR8. We demonstrate that co‐incubation of R‐848 with thymidine homopolymer oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) significantly increased activity of R‐848 on TLR8‐expressing HEK 293 cells, but abolished TLR7‐mediated signaling. Similarly, the combination of loxoribine and thymidine ODN redirected the stimulatory effect of loxoribine away from TLR7, and toward TLR8. This alteration in ligand specificity was demonstrated both in TLR‐transfected HEK cells, and also in human PBMC, with a corresponding change in cytokine production away from IFN‐α secretion by TLR7‐expressing plasmacytoid DC and toward IL‐12, TNF‐α and IFN‐γ secretion by TLR8‐expressing monocytes and NK cells. These results demonstrate an unexpected plasticity in the ligand specificities of TLR7 and TLR8, and suggest a novel sequence‐selective interaction between these receptors and synthetic phosphorothioate ODN.
Ionic Liquid as Catalyst and Reaction Medium – A Simple, Efficient and Green Procedure for Knoevenagel Condensation of Aliphatic and Aromatic Carbonyl Compounds Using a Task‐Specific Basic Ionic Liquid
Authors: Ranu Brindaban C. , Jana Ranjan
Published: June 2006

The basic ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hydroxide, [bmIm]OH, efficiently catalyzes Knoevenagel condensation without requirement of any organic solvent. A wide range of aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes and ketones easily undergo condensations with diethyl malonate, malononitrile, ethyl cyanoacetate, malonic acid and ethyl acetoacetate. The reactions proceed at room temperature and are very fast (10–30 min). However, the most significant feature of this methodology is the condensation of aliphatic aldehyde with diethyl malonate, which is not very easy to achieve by conventional reagents, and was not addressed adequately in literature providing a general and convenient procedure. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)