bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inline/online‐Untersuchungen der Gerinnungsverfahren von Milch
Authors: Senge B.
Published: July 2008

In der Lebensmittelindustrie ablaufende stoffwandelnde Prozesse bzw. Verfahrensschritte werden nur in wenigen Ausnahmen mit prozessbegleitenden Methoden verfolgt. Aus diesem Grunde wurden materialwissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zur Erfassung des Strukturierungsverlaufes für die Labkäse‐, Frischkäse‐ und Sauermilchproduktion durchgeführt. Die Viskosität kann am Beispiel der Prozessviskosität in Abhängigkeit von der Zeit als objektive Messgröße zur Kontrolle des Produktionsprozesses herangezogen werden. Die Ergebnisse sollen dazu beitragen, den Kenntnisstand über die Milchgerinnung und die Bildung von Milchgelen zu erweitern, so dass die Herstellung von fermentierten Milchprodukten objektiviert bzw. verbessert werden kann. Der Einfluss verschiedener Gerinnungsparameter auf den Prozessviskositätsverlauf der in der Molkereitechnologie wichtigen Gerinnungsverfahren soll erfasst und bewertet werden. Untersuchungen zum Koagulationsverhalten der Caseine in Abhängigkeit von der Produktvorbehandlung, der Zusammensetzung und der Fermentationsführung werden aus milchwissenschaftlicher und strukturtheoretischer Sicht beschrieben.
High Pressure Processing – a Database of Kinetic Information
Authors: Buckow R. , Heinz V.
Published: July 2008

Hydrostatic high pressure technology is relatively new to food industry and is more and more considered as an alternative to traditional preservation methods like heat processing. The inactivation of bacteria, spores, viruses and enzymes has been demonstrated in numerous papers, and various schemes for modelling the experimental inactivation data have been suggested. Although there are similarities to heat inactivation kinetics it is generally agreed that the heat process safety assessment with its typical indicator organisms cannot simply be transferred to high pressure treatment. In this paper a database is introduced which aims at the comparison of published kinetic high pressure inactivation data by using suitable mathematical modelling tools. For the sake of clarity, the functional associations of pressure, temperature and exposure time is presented by means of pressure‐temperature diagrams (pT‐diagrams), which show pressure‐temperature combinations yielding to a desired reaction (e.g. inactivation) rate constant. Thus, the database software was particularly designed to enable the user to call up pressure‐temperature dependent function equations for a number of micro‐organisms, enzymes and food constituents and to visualize them in pT‐diagrams for predetermined treatment times or as kinetics under predetermined p‐T conditions. In addition, the database also features a simple calculator tool which allows the user to make an entry in three of the four process conditions (pressure level, temperature level, inactivation level, dwell time) and calculate the remaining forth process condition. The database is accessible through the internet and is continuously updated on the basis of the most recent publications and own experimental data.
Kinetische Modellierung der thermischen Denaturierung von α‐Lactalbumin im sauren pH‐Bereich und in Anwesenheit eines Calciumkomplexbildners
Authors: Tolkach A. , Kulozik U.
Published: July 2008

Selektive thermische Denaturierung von α‐Lactalbumin (α‐La) ist die meist verwendete Methode zur Fraktionierung und Anreicherung von majoren Molkenproteinen. Einen deutlichen Nachteil dieser Methode stellt die relativ lange Zeit der thermischen Behandlung des Molkenproteinkonzentrates dar, da die Denaturierungsreaktion von α‐La bei Temperaturen unter 60 °C im auffaltungslimitierten Bereich stattfindet. Durch eine Einstellung des pH‐Wertes mittels Citronensäure konnte die Behandlungszeit bisher auf 30 min reduziert werden. Jedoch ist diese Verkürzung der Behandlung nicht ausreichend, um den Denaturierungsprozess kontinuierlich zu gestalten. Daher ist eine weitere Optimierung des Prozesses notwendig. Jedoch fehlen zurzeit kinetische Grundlagen für die Beschreibung der thermischen Denaturierung von α‐La im sauren pH‐Bereich und in Anwesenheit von Citrat‐Ionen bzw. anderen Calciumkomplexbildnern. Die klassische Formalkinetik kann in diesem Fall nicht angewendet werden, da es sich um einen asymptotischen Prozess handelt. Daher war das Ziel dieser Arbeit, formalkinetische Gesetze speziell für den Denaturierungsmechanismus von α‐La zu adaptieren und damit Grundlagen für weitere Optimierungsaufgaben zu schaffen. Das in dieser Arbeit entwickelte kinetische Modell ist in der Lage, die thermische Denaturierung von α‐La im sauren pH‐Bereich zu beschreiben und die Anwesenheit einer Gleichgewichtskonzentration mathematisch zu begründen. Einflüsse von Proteinkonzentration, Citrat‐ sowie Calciumgehalt können damit ebenfalls berücksichtigt werden.
Ultrasound‐facilitated electro‐oxidation for treating cyan ink effluent
Authors: Chua Chee‐Yong , Loh Kai‐Chee
Published: July 2008

The feasibility of using ultrasonication in combination with the Fenton's reaction was investigated for treating cyan ink effluent. A two‐step treatment process was developed—the first step was an ultrasound‐assisted electro‐oxidation, while the second was chemical oxidation through the addition of hydrogen peroxide. The use of electro‐oxidation in the first step significantly reduced the amount of iron needed compared with the conventional Fenton's reaction, resulting in a 98% reduction in the amount of sludge produced. A simple technique based on refractive index measurements was introduced as a rapid way to quantify the amount of sludge produced. It was postulated that ultrasonication in the presence of iron (from electrolysis) in the first step converted the ink components into reaction intermediates which were more amenable to peroxide oxidation in the second step. These intermediates were quantified by ultra‐violet absorption at wavelengths of 275–400 nm. The two‐step treatment process was able to reduce the COD and copper contents in the ink waste water to within the discharge limit, which conventional Fenton's reaction was unable to meet for copper discharge. The same COD removal was also achieved in about half the time. Kinetics study performed to further understand the reaction mechanisms show second‐order kinetics for both steps with activation energies of 18.2 and 20.4 kJ/mol for steps 1 and 2, respectively.
Auto‐thermal combustion of lean gaseous fuels utilizing a recuperative annular double‐layer catalytic converter
Authors: Budzianowski Wojciech M. , Miller Ryszard
Published: July 2008

The results of the investigations on the auto‐thermal combustion of lean gaseous fuels in a recuperative annular double‐layer catalytic converter were reported in the current contribution. Several modifications were proposed to improve the stationary and transient behaviour of the converters. The miniaturized recuperative converter exhibited reduced resistances to the mass and heat transfer and attractive bifurcation changes of a very low combustible content, that is, the histeresis for Tin and Cin and isola for mfin and hg. It was revealed that the utilization of an adiabatic recuperative converter led to an autothermal operation for Tin = 300 K and Cin = 177 ppmv of propane. The inlet fuel mass flow rate range to apply was wider than earlier reported in the literature, that is, 0.63–2.94 × 10−6 kg s−1 for Cin = 200 ppmv. Transient experiments showed that recuperative converter was able to transfer short‐time inlet disturbances of parameters due to the energy accumulation and temporal reversed recuperation counteracting to extinction or to destructive overheating of the catalysts. Stability analysis was performed showing location of folds, stable and unstable branches of solutions for the different parameters of the recuperative converter. A two‐dimensional process model was developed.
Lattice‐Boltzmann simulation of sago (Metroxylon sagu) starch solutions in porous media
Authors: Velázquez‐Ortega Luis , Rodríguez‐Romo Suemi
Published: July 2008

From rheological experiments in gelatinized sago starch solution already reported in the literature and a Lattice‐Boltzmann simulation, we provide some insight into the understanding of the non‐Newtonian fluid dynamics of sago‐starch‐type solutions in porous media. In this paper, permeability and wall shear stress in arbitrarily generated and randomly generated porous media are predicted in the range of the modified Darcy's law. Additional results on flow paths, velocity, shear‐stress tensor, and pressure fields are provided. We prove that our LBE model for sago starch solutions reproduces Blake‐Kozeny and Ergun laws. The model presented in this paper is intended to be used for simulating packed beds.
Mathematical modelling of an industrial furnace for high‐temperature heat treatment of wood
Authors: Osma Afet Aysegul , Kocaefe Duygu , Kocaefe Yasar S.
Published: July 2008

There are various high‐temperature treatment methods for wood. In the “Bois Perdure” process, the thermal treatment of wood is carried out in a furnace by contacting it with hot combustion gases over 200°C without the addition of any chemicals in order to improve its dimensional stability and durability. The treatment eliminates free and bound water in the wood and modifies its molecular structure. In this study, a mathematical model describing the industrial furnace has been developed. The overall model consists of a 3‐D unsteady‐state sub‐model which solves for the flow, heat, and mass transfer in the gas coupled with a 1‐D unsteady‐state sub‐model which calculates the heat and mass transfer in the wood. The 3‐D gas sub‐model was developed using the commercial CFD code CFX. The 1‐D wood sub‐model is based on the solution of simultaneous heat and mass transfer equations (Luikov equations) using the implicit finite difference formulation. The model predicts the temperature and moisture distributions in the wood as well as the flow, heat, and moisture profiles in the gas. The model results are compared with the data obtained from the industrial furnace, and a good agreement was found between them.
Amorphous Ni‐P Hollow Spheres Prepared by Self‐assembly of Ni‐P Nanoparticles on Polystyrene Beads
Authors: WANG Shuai , YANG Wu‐Li , YU Guo‐Bin , XIE Song‐Hai , QIAO Ming‐Hua , FAN Kang‐Nian
Published: July 2008

The first preparation of amorphous Ni‐P/PS (polystyrene) core‐shell and Ni‐P hollow microspheres was performed using a surface seeding‐electroless plating method. The preliminary magnetic properties of the amorphous Ni‐P hollow sphere were investigated and compared with those of the Ni hollow sphere.
Determination of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Water Samples by Headspace Solid‐Phase Microextraction
Authors: TIAN Meng‐Kui , FENG Xi‐Lan
Published: July 2008

A headspace solid‐phase microextraction (HS‐SPME) method was developed for gas chromatography with electron‐capture detection (GC‐ECD) of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in water samples. Silicon fibers coated with multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) with a 35 µm thickness were prepared for the SPME. Various parameters affecting the efficiency for the SPME of PBDEs, such as extraction time, temperature, agitation, volume of headspace, pH of sample, addition of salt and acetone were studied and optimized. The extraction efficiencies by HS‐SPME and SPME at 25 and 100 °C were compared. At room temperature (ca. 25 °C) the response obtained with SPME was 2–10 times higher than with HS‐SPME. However, at 100 °C HS‐SPME gave responses 1–8 times higher than SPME. The responses obtained with SPME and HS‐SPME at 100 °C were higher than those at room temperature by a factor of 0.7–1.4 for SPME and by a factor of 2–40 for HS‐SPME. The linear range of the developed method was 50–1600 ng/L with the linear correlation coefficients (r) ranging from 0.995 to 0.998. The limits of detection (S/N=3) for the five PBDEs were in the range of 1.1–16.0 ng/L and the precision (RSD, n=5) for peak area was 5.0% –9.1%. The developed method was successfully applied to the analysis of real water samples with recovery of 74.2% –98.7%.
Identification of Explosives 2,4‐DNT and 2,6‐DNT Using Terahertz Time‐domain Spectroscopy
Authors: LIU Gui‐Feng , MA Xiao‐Jing , MA Shi‐Hua , ZHAO Hong‐Wei , MA Ming‐Wang , GE Min , WANG Wen‐Feng
Published: July 2008

The absorption spectra and refractive index of 2,4‐dinitrotoluene (2,4‐DNT) and 2,6‐dinitrotoluene (2,6‐DNT) were measured in the region of 0.3–2.0 THz by terahertz time‐domain spectroscopy (THz‐TDS) at room temperature. Gaussian 03 program was applied to predict geometric structure and vibrational frequencies of 2,6‐DNT. Three absorption peaks at 1.09, 1.36 and 1.55 THz of 2,6‐DNT were obtained and assigned to intermolecular interactions. Quantitative analysis with THz‐TDS was undertaken for the mixture of 2,4‐DNT and 2,6‐DNT. The analytic weight ratio of 2,4‐DNT to 2,6‐DNT is consistent with the actual one with an analytic error of about 8%.
Synthesis of 3‐Allyl‐4‐phosphachromones by Cyclized Coupling of Ethylo‐Hydroxyphenyl(ethynyl)phosphinate with Allyl Bromide
Authors: XIE Liang , MA Jing , DING Yi‐Xiang
Published: July 2008

3‐Allyl‐4‐phosphachromones as the phosphorus analogues of chromone were firstly prepared in good yields and high regioselectivity by the palladium(??)‐catalyzed cyclized coupling reaction of ethylo‐hydroxyphenyl(ethynyl)‐ phosphinate with allyl bromide.
Synthesis, Fluorescence Properties and Biological Activity of 8‐Hydroxyquinoline Conjugate Bonded Aromatic Heterocyclic Derivatives
Authors: WEI Jie‐Ping , ZENG He‐Ping , XU Dan‐Feng , LIU Jian
Published: July 2008

Four kinds of 8‐hydroxyquinoline conjugate bonded aromatic heterocyclic derivatives were designed and synthesized for potential use in the emission and electron conduction layers in organic light emitting devices, and as luminescent probes for metal ions. These novel compounds were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, Mass and UV‐visible spectra. The photoluminescent properties of the new compounds including the spectra (shape of bands, λex, λem), quantum yield (ϕf) and lifetime (τ) were investigated. Moreover, density functional theory method was used to study the relationship between the geometric configuration and emission wavelength. MTT assays of cell proliferation of rMSC and DPPH radical‐scavenging tests suggested that the new compounds generate a significant increase of rMSC and demonstrate a good antioxidant activity.
Coupling of Carbon Dioxide with Epoxides Catalyzed by Amino Acid Hydrochloride Salts
Authors: JIANG Huan‐Feng , YUAN Bi‐Zhen , QI Chao‐Rong
Published: July 2008

Using amino acid hydrochloride salt as a catalyst, the coupling reaction of CO2 with epoxides could proceed smoothly to give cyclic carbonates in very good yields and high selectivity. The reaction conditions such as the pressure of carbon dioxide, reaction temperature, time and catalyst loading were carefully investigated.
A Review of Research and Development of Wind Energy in Turkey
Authors: Sahin Ahmet Duran
Published: July 2008

During the end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st centuries, interest has risen in new and renewable energy sources, and especially wind energy for electricity generation. In a short time, wind energy has been welcomed by society, industry and politicians as a clean, practical, economical and environmentally friendly alternative to existing fossil fuels. As a result of extensive studies on this topic, wind energy has recently been applied in various industries, and has started to compete with other energy resources. Wind energy applications and turbine installations at different scales have increased since the beginning of this millennium. Technically installed wind turbines capacity factors have high values in most areas of Turkey. It is seen that, in general, the modeling of wind speed and its parameters have been studied and researched rather than wind power technological development in Turkey. Wind investors had doubts about uncertainties in the renewable energy policies. After May 2007, an energy efficiency law was accepted and 10 years of electricity generation by renewable sources is considered as guaranteed by the Turkish government. The installed wind power has reached 131.35 MW in Turkey and it is expected that this value will be increased to 808.81 MW by the end of 2008. The dependence of strong technological and economical development on Turkey's energy needs have increased and new national or international sources have to be taken into account for the energy sector of the country. It is clear that this source gap could be filled by using the high potential of wind power, which is estimated at 58 GW. It is expected that installed wind power to supply up to 5% of electricity consumption by 2015 and for the end of 2008 this ratio will increase to 2% (it is currently ca. 1.0%). However, unexpected and unpredicted wind power applications have occurred on November 1st, 2007 in Turkey. It has been announced that 78,000.00 MW wind power investments have been applied by the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA). This is a new era for the Turkish energy sector and there is no model for this new situation. Therefore, in this paper, wind energy in Turkey is reviewed and opened up for further discussion.
Effect of Visitor Activities on Surface Soil Environmental Conditions and Aboveground Herbaceous Biomass in Ayder Natural Park
Authors: Yüksek Turan
Published: July 2008

The effects of visitor activities on surface soil environmental conditions and aboveground herbaceous biomass in Ayder Natural Park, Turkey, were investigated. Soil properties and aboveground herbaceous biomass were identified and characterized as heavily trafficked site (HTS), moderately trafficked sites (MTS) and control (non‐trafficked site) in grassland in a forest gap. Some soil properties were measured on 60 pits at 0–5 and 5–10 cm soil depths. The intensity of visitor activities had a negative impact on both surface soil properties and the aboveground herbaceous plant biomass and root mass in the study area in Ayder. The soil bulk density and soil penetration resistance increased from 0.94 to 1.47 g cm–3 and 0.55 to 1.65 MPa, respectively, saturated hydraulic conductivity decreased from 77.98 to 8.85 mm h–1, and soil organic matter decreased from 6.71 to 1.77% in moderately and heavily trafficked sites, respectively, at 0–5 cm soil depth. The soil properties were degraded at both the surface layer and the subsurface layer and the greatest degradation was measured in the heavily trafficked site followed by the moderately trafficked site. There was a strong negative linear relationship between soil degradation and aboveground herbaceous plant biomass, which decreased by 50.05 and 78.19% in moderately and heavily trafficked sites, respectively.
Spectroscopic Investigation on Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Fractions of Dissolved Organic Matter Extracted from Soils at Different Salinities
Authors: Provenzano Maria Rosaria , Cilenti Antonella , Gigliotti Giovanni , Senesi Nicola
Published: July 2008

Organic matter can be considered one of the most important indicators of the extent of soil desertification processes. Among the causes of desertification, salinization induced by different factors is raising the greatest concern in the Mediterranean area. In the present research, hydrophilic (HI) and hydrophobic (HO) fractions of dissolved organic matter (DOM) extracted from soils at different degrees of salinization have been investigated by means of spectroscopic techniques such as tridimensional fluorescence spectroscopy in the mode of emission excitation matrix (EEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). The FT‐IR spectra were distinctive in differentiating HI from HO fractions and each DOM fraction as a function of soil salinity. The EEM spectra of HO fractions exhibited a shift toward longer emission wavelengths and higher fluorescence intensity (FI) values as compared to that of the HI fractions. These results could be ascribed to the different molecular complexities of HI and HO fractions. Further, a marked quenching effect was observed in the FI of both the DOM fractions with increasing soil salinity, which allowed to obtain immediate information on the soil salinity degree by comparing the fluorescence intensity.
Hip bone density predicts breast cancer risk independently of Gail score
Authors: Chen Zhao , Arendell Leslie , Aickin Mikel , Cauley Jane , Lewis Cora E. , Chlebowski Rowan
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND.

The Gail model has been commonly used to estimate a woman's risk of breast cancer within a certain time period. High bone mineral density (BMD) is also a significant risk factor for breast cancer, but it appears to play no role in the Gail model. The objective of the current study was to investigate whether hip BMD predicts postmenopausal breast cancer risk independently of the Gail score.

METHODS.

In this prospective study, 9941 postmenopausal women who had a baseline hip BMD and Gail score from the Women's Health Initiative were included in the analysis. Their average age was 63.0 ± 7.4 years at baseline.

RESULTS.

After an average of 8.43 years of follow‐up, 327 incident breast cancer cases were reported and adjudicated. In a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, the hazards ratios (95% confidence interval [95% CI]) for incident breast cancer were 1.35 (95% CI, 1.05‐1.73) for high Gail score (≥1.67%) and 1.25 (95% CI, 1.11‐1.40) for each unit of increase in the total hip BMD T‐score. Restricting the analysis to women with both BMD and a Gail score above the median, a sharp increase in incident breast cancer for women with the highest BMD and Gail scores was found (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS.

The contribution of BMD to the prediction of incident postmenopausal breast cancer across the entire population was found to be independent of the Gail score. However, among women with both high BMD and a high Gail score, there appears to be an interaction between these 2 factors. These findings suggest that BMD and Gail score may be used together to better quantify the risk of breast cancer. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Serum HER‐2/neu and relative resistance to trastuzumab‐based therapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Ali Suhail M. , Carney Walter P. , Esteva Francisco J. , Fornier Monica , Harris Lyndsay , Köstler Wolfgang. J. , Lotz Jean‐Pierre , Luftner Diana , Pichon Marie‐France , Lipton Allan
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND.

Previous reports based on small patient numbers suggested that changes in serum HER‐2/neu levels may predict response or lack of response to trastuzumab‐based therapies in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The objectives of this study were to pool data from 307 patients with MBC from 7 medical institutions to validate that the serum HER‐2/neu profile predicts patient resistance to trastuzumab and to establish a clinically relevant cutoff.

METHODS.

This was an international, multicenter, retrospective analysis of individual pooled data from 307 patients with MBC who were treated with first‐line trastuzumab‐based therapy. Serum was collected at baseline and 30 to 120 days after the initiation of trastuzumab therapy. A serum HER‐2/neu decrease ≥20% (receiver operating curve analysis) was defined as a significant HER‐2/neu change.

RESULTS.

Of the 307 patients with MBC, 191 patients (62%) had a significant decline (>20%) in serum HER‐2/neu and 116 patients (38%) did not. The objective response rate was 57% for patients who achieved this decline in serum HER‐2/neu (>20%) compared with 28% for patients who did not. Patients who achieved this decline in serum HER‐2/neu also had a significantly longer time to disease progression (320 days vs 180 days; P < .0001), longer duration of response (369 days vs 230 days; P = .008), and longer overall survival (898 days vs 593 days; P < .018).

CONCLUSIONS.

In this pooled analysis of 307 patients with MBC, individuals who did not achieve a significant decline (≥20%) in serum HER‐2/neu levels had decreased benefit from trastuzumab‐based therapy, and these patients should be considered for clinical trials evaluating additional HER‐2/neu‐targeted interventions. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Editorial comment on: Agent Orange exposure, Vietnam War veterans, and the risk of prostate cancer
Authors: Shah Sagar R. , Terris Martha K.
Published: July 2008

Correlation of Agent Orange exposure and prostate cancer risk is difficult due to the myriad of methods utilized to document exposure. Chamie and colleagues employ the Veterans Affairs Agent Orange Registry as confirmation of Agent Orange exposure. Despite the fact that use of registry data introduces several biases that might under‐estimate the number of exposed veterans, Chamie and colleagues demonstrate significant findings supporting the theory that Agent Orange exposure plays a role in prostate cancer pathogenesis.
A randomized study assessing the efficacy of communication skill training on patients' psychologic distress and coping
Authors: Fukui Sakiko , Ogawa Keiko , Ohtsuka Masao , Fukui Naoshi
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND.

Although studies have shown the usefulness of improving health professionals' communication skills by training, to the authors' knowledge none have demonstrated the efficacy of communication skill training (CST) for health professionals in terms of improving patient outcomes. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of CST for nurses in improving psychologic distress and coping among patients after being informed of a cancer diagnosis.

METHODS.

Nurses who mainly provide patients with psychologic and informational support after being informed of their cancer diagnosis by physicians at a cancer screening center were randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group; patients were supported by either group of nurses. Patient selection criteria were: age >18 years with gastric, colorectal, or breast cancer that was not in advanced stage. Intervention consisted of 3 1‐on‐1 nurses' interviews (on the day of, 1 week after, and 1 month after diagnosis). Efficacy was assessed through patients' psychologic distress and coping by administering the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale (MAC), at 3 time points (1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after diagnosis).

RESULTS.

Eighty‐nine patients participated. Repeated measures analysis of variance demonstrated a significant group‐by‐time decrease in patients' psychologic distress on HADS (P = .03), and significant group‐by‐time increase in fighting spirit and decrease of fatalism (P = .01 and P = .04, respectively), in addition to significant between‐group difference of anxious preoccupation on the MAC (P = .003).

CONCLUSIONS.

Support by nurses who completed the CST program was found to reduce psychologic distress and improved coping long term among patients informed of their cancer diagnosis. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Assessing outcomes in prostate cancer clinical trials
Authors: Gignac Gretchen A. , Morris Michael J. , Heller Glenn , Schwartz Lawrence H. , Scher Howard I.
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND.

Because of the osseous distribution of prostate cancer metastases, progression is more readily identified than response in prostate cancer clinical trials. As a result, there is an increased focus on progression‐free survival (PFS) as a phase 2 endpoint. PFS, however, is vulnerable to inter‐study design variability. The authors sought to identify and quantify this variability and the resultant error in PFS across prostate cancer clinical trials.

METHODS.

The authors reviewed phase 2 clinical trials of cytotoxic agents in castration‐resistant metastatic prostate cancer over 5 years to evaluate the policies determining extent of disease and the definitions of disease progression. A simulation model was created to define the degree of error in estimating PFS in 3 hypothetical cohorts (median PFS of 12, 24, and 36 weeks) when the frequency of outcome assessments varies.

RESULTS.

Imaging policies for trial entry were heterogeneous, as were the type, timing, and indications for outcome assessments. In the simulation, error in the reported PFS varied according to the interval between assessments. The difference between the detected and the true PFS could vary as much as 6.4 weeks per cycle, strictly resulting from the variability of assessment schedules tested.

CONCLUSIONS.

Outcome assessment policies are highly variable in phase 2 studies of castration‐resistant prostate cancer patients, despite published guidelines designed to standardize authentication of disease progression. The estimated error in PFS can exceed 6 weeks per cycle, exclusively because of variations in the assessment schedules. Comparisons of PFS times from different studies must be made with circumspection. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Intracystic papillary carcinoma
Authors: Grabowski Julia , Salzstein Sidney L. , Sadler Georgia Robins , Blair Sarah
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND.

Intracystic papillary carcinoma (IPC) is an uncommon breast neoplasm. To the authors' knowledge there are limited data regarding its epidemiology and only small studies focusing on outcomes. By using a large, population‐based database, this study aimed to identify specific characteristics of patients with IPC, investigate its natural history, and determine its long‐term prognosis.

METHODS.

The California Cancer Registry (CCR), a population‐based registry, was reviewed from the years 1988 through 2005. The data were analyzed with regard to patient sex, age at presentation, tumor stage, and overall survival. Cumulative relative actuarial survival was determined using a Berkson‐Gage life table method. The CCR classifies IPC as either in situ (CIS) or invasive, as determined by the local pathologist.

RESULTS.

A total of 917 cases of IPC were identified. Approximately 47% of cases (n = 427) were CIS, whereas 53% of cases had invasion (n = 490). The majority of the invasive cases were localized at the time of diagnosis (89.6%; n = 439). At 10 years, patients with CIS and invasive disease had a similar relative cumulative survival (96.8% and 94.4%; P = .18).

CONCLUSIONS.

IPC is a rare disease. There is no apparently significant difference in the long‐term survival of patients in the 2 histologically derived subgroups of IPC. There is an excellent prognosis for patients diagnosed with IPC regardless of whether the tumor is diagnosed as in situ or invasive. Clinicians should keep this in mind when planning surgical and adjuvant treatments. Sentinel lymph node biopsy may be a prudent way to evaluate axillary involvement in patients with IPC. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Stoichiometric single crystal growth of AgGaS2 by iodine transport method and characterization
Authors: Prabukanthan P. , Dhanasekaran R.
Published: July 2008

High quality single crystals of ternary AgGaS2 (AGS) semiconductor with chalcopyrite structure have been grown by chemical vapor transport (CVT) technique using iodine as a transporting agent at different growth zone temperatures. The powder X‐ray diffraction and single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies indicate that the as‐grown AGS crystals belong to the tetragonal (chalcopyrite) system with (112) plane as the dominant peak. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the X‐ray rocking curve for the as‐grown AGS single crystal is 5 arcsec. The energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDAX) and optical transmission spectra of as‐grown AGS single crystals grown at different conditions show the almost same composition and band gap (2.65 eV). Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of as‐grown AGS single crystals show prominent band edge emission at 2.61 eV. The resistivity of the as‐grown AGS single crystal has been measured. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Polychloro‐alkanes used as templates in solvothermal synthesis of selenium microrods
Authors: Ma Jianmin , Peng Peng , Wu Liyan , Liu Xiaodi , Zheng Wenjun
Published: July 2008

Polychloro‐alkanes, including dichloromethane (CH2Cl2), chloroform (CHCl3) and tetrachloromethane (CCl4), were first introduced to synthesize trigonal selenium (t‐Se) microrods as a new kind of coordinating solvent, which played two important roles in the formation of Se nuclei and templated effect of Se microrods. The possible formation mechanism of t‐Se microrods was proposed. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Growth of barium oxalate crystals in agar–agar gel and their characterization
Authors: Dalal P. V. , Saraf K. B. , Shah S.
Published: July 2008

Single crystals of barium oxalate have been grown by gel method using agar‐agar gel as media of growth at ambient temperature. The optimum conditions were established by varying various parameters such as concentration of gel, concentration of reactant, gel setting time etc. Prismatic platy shaped transparent crystals were obtained. The grown crystals were characterized through powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) studies, Thermogravimetric (TGA) and Differential thermal analysis (DTA). The compound crystallizes under monoclinic structure with lattice parameters a = 6.6562 Å, b = 8.0464 Å, c = 2.8090 Å, β= 96.832°, and V = 149.38 Å3. The FT‐IR spectrum indicates OH and carbonyl group along with the presence of metal‐oxygen bond. The TGA indicates 17.75% weight loss at 550°C from which the decomposition pattern is formulated. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Cross‐correlation‐based trans‐impedance amplifier for current noise measurements
Authors: Giusi Gino , Pace Calogero , Crupi Felice
Published: July 2008

This work proposes a cross‐correlation‐based trans‐impedance amplifier for current noise measurements in the low‐frequency range. The proposed solution is compared with the classical cross‐correlation trans‐impedance amplifier showing a lower background noise. Furthermore, a three‐step measurement method, based on the new trans‐impedance amplifier, is proposed to cancel the residual background noise. SPICE simulations and noise measurements performed on prototype circuits demonstrate the validity of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Btg1 and Btg2 gene expression during early chick development
Authors: Kamaid Andrés , Giráldez Fernando
Published: July 2008

Btg/Tob genes encode for a new family of proteins with antiproliferative functions, which are also able to stimulate cell differentiation. Btg1 and Btg2 are the most closely related members in terms of gene sequence. We analyzed their expression patterns in avian embryos by in situ hybridization, from embryonic day 1 to 3. Btg1 was distinctively expressed in the Hensen's node, the notochord, the cardiogenic mesoderm, the lens vesicle, and in the apical ectodermal ridge and mesenchyme of the limb buds. On the other hand, Btg2 expression domains included the neural plate border, presomitic mesoderm, trigeminal placode, and mesonephros. Both genes were commonly expressed in the myotome, epibranchial placodes, and dorsal neural tube. The results suggest that Btg1 and Btg2 are involved in multiple developmental processes. Overlapping expression of Btg1 and Btg2 may imply redundant functions, but unique expression patterns suggest also differential regulation and function. Developmental Dynamics 237:2158–2169, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of the novel Golgi protein GoPro49 is developmentally regulated during mesenchymal differentiation
Authors: Takatalo Maarit , Järvinen Elina , Laitinen Saara , Thesleff Irma , Rönnholm Ragna
Published: July 2008

The Golgi complex is the major cell organelle responsible for protein glycosylation and secretion. In this article, we show thatGoPro49is a new gene expressed specifically in mesenchymal and cartilaginous tissues during development. The corresponding human homologue was identified in our previous Golgi proteomics study and was shown to localize to the Golgi complex as an EGFP‐fusion protein. Furthermore, we show using in situ hybridization thatGoPro49expression pattern is both restricted and developmentally regulated. It is specific in vertebrae, ribs, and limbs, and in the craniofacial area in nasal septum and dental follicle. In the trunk,GoPro49expression decreases before final chondrocyte differentiation, while in the craniofacial area expression is still observed in postnatal tissues. This is the first time a Golgi membrane protein is shown to be expressed in a developmentally regulated manner during mesenchymal and cartilage development in mammals. Developmental Dynamics 237:2243–2255, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relationship between delta‐like and proneural bHLH genes during chick retinal development
Authors: Nelson Branden R. , Reh Thomas A.
Published: July 2008

Notch in the retina. Image was generated by rendering and rotating a confocal z‐stack taken from an embryonic chick retina transfected with Hes1GFP and constitutive RFP reporter plasmids that reveal Notch signaling activity in a subset of progenitor cells. See Nelson and Reh, Developmental Dynamics 237:1565–1580. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Syntheses, Characterization, and Reactivities of (μ‐η2:η2‐Disulfido)dicopper(II) Complexes with N‐Alkylated cis,cis‐1,3,5‐Triaminocyclohexane Derivatives
Authors: Kajita Yuji , Matsumoto Jun , Takahashi Isao , Hirota Shun , Funahashi Yasuhiro , Ozawa Tomohiro , Masuda Hideki
Published: July 2008

Three novel (disulfido)dicopper(II) complexes with N‐alkylated cis,cis‐1,3,5‐triaminocyclohexane derivatives, [Cu2(S2)(R3TACH)]X2 [(R, X) = (Et, CF3SO3) (1), (iBu, SbF6) (2), and (Bn, SbF6) (3)], have been synthesized and characterized by elemental, electrochemical, and X‐ray structure analyses, and electronic absorption, IR, ESI mass, and resonance Raman spectroscopic methods. The X‐ray crystal structures indicate that the two sulfur and two copper atoms of these complexes form a Cu2(S2) structure with slight bending of the two planes defined by the CuS2 plane at angles of 166.12° (the individual bending angles are 175.56° for 1a and 156.67° for 1b), 154.74°, and 180° for 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The UV/Vis absorption spectra of 1, 2, and 3 have a sharp band at ca. 360 nm with a broadened shoulder at 400–480 nm and low intensity d–d bands in the range 666–671 nm. The resonance Raman spectra of the complexes have peaks assignable to a ν(S–S) band at 483–484 cm–1. The complexes have reduction waves at –974 to –946 vs. [Fe(C5H5)2]/[Fe(C5H5)2]+ for 1, –993 to –976 for 2, and –948 to –928 mV for 3. These values are in a low‐potential region relative to bis(μ‐OH)dicopper complexes with R3TACH. This may be explained by the occurrence of strong π‐donation from the disulfide ligands as observed for previously reported (disulfido)Ru complexes. Compounds 1, 2, and 3 react with PPh3 to give S=PPh3 in yields of 65 ± 3.5, 76 ± 1, and 50 ± 2 %, respectively. These results are discussed in terms of the relationship between the dihedral angles in the Cu2(S2) core and the reactivity of S22–. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Effective Repression of the Fragmentation of a Hexadentate Ligand Bearing an Auto‐Immolable Pendant Arm by Iron Coordination
Authors: Stavila Vitalie , Stortz Yvon , Franc Cécile , Pitrat Delphine , Maurin Philippe , Hasserodt Jens
Published: July 2008

A diamagnetic ferrous complex (1) (MRI silent) is presented that consists of a macrocyclic hexadentate ligand (7) bearing an auto‐immolable arm, as seen in organic prodrug design. This arm constitutes a phenylogous N/O acetal “locked” by glycosylation. Enzymatic glycolysis is hypothesized to lead to a phenol intermediate (a phenylogous hemiaminal) that fragments spontaneously thereby liberating a paramagnetic ferrous complex (MRI active). This paper describes the synthesis of ligand 7 and complex 1, and their respective reaction with β‐galactosidase, the target enzyme. While ligand 7 alone fragments swiftly to the pentadentate ligand dptacn (monitored by LCMS analysis) upon in vitro enzymatic conversion, the phenol resulting from glycosyl removal from complex 1 accumulates in the buffered reaction mixture without any apparent fragmentation. Two independent explanations are put forward: metal coordination leads to rigidification of the ligand skeleton with concomitant kinetic inhibition of fragmentation or to the liberation of enough extra free energy to shift the thermodynamic equilibrium towards the starting material. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Differentiating Between Dipolarity and Polarizability Effects of Solvents Using the Solvatochromism of Barbiturate Dyes
Authors: Bauer Mirko , Rollberg Anja , Barth Anina , Spange Stefan
Published: July 2008

Barbiturate dyes containing either a dipolar or polarizable chromophoric system have been synthesized and their solvatochromism investigated. The effect of specific and non‐specific solvent interactions on the position of their UV/Vis absorption bands has been evaluated by using the Kamlet–Taft and Catalán solvent parameter sets. Furthermore, the effect on the solvatochromic behaviour of different substitution patterns on the barbiturate moiety has been examined. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Catalytic Glycosylation with Glycosyl Thioimidate Donors
Authors: Lucas‐Lopez Cristina , Murphy Niamh , Zhu Xiangming
Published: July 2008

A new class of glycosyl thioimidates, glycosyl N‐phenyl‐trifluorothioacetimidates, were prepared from the readily available glycosyl thiols in excellent yields. These imidates exhibited very good donor properties under the action of catalytic amounts of BF3·Et2O, and the corresponding glycosidation products were formed in very good to excellent yields. Thus, the first catalytic glycosylations with glycosyl thioimidate donors were achieved. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
A Maltooctaose Derivative (“Acyclodextrin”) as a Chiral Stationary Phase for Enantioselective Gas Chromatography
Authors: Sicoli Giuseppe , Tomoyuki Ikai , Jicsinszky Laszlo , Schurig Volker
Published: July 2008

The enantiorecognition mechanism of several cyclodextrin derivatives is still not completely rationalized, and the application of acyclic selectors may aid to explain the role of the cavity (typical of the underivatized cyclic selectors) combined with the functional groups introduced by multistep synthesis. Octakis[(3‐O,‐4″O)‐butanoyl‐(1′‐O,2,6‐di‐O)‐n‐pentyl]maltooctaose was applied as a chiral stationary phase for gas chromatographic enantioseparation. Selected racemic compounds were enantioseparated also on the acyclic phase. The promising results of this chiral selector [and its direct comparison with the cyclic counterpart octakis(2,6‐di‐O‐n‐pentyl‐3‐O‐butanoyl)‐γ‐cyclodextrin (Lipodex E)] suggest the application of other well‐known spectroscopic techniques (CD, NMR) to point out further details on the mechanism of enantiorecognition.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
The Synthesis and Physical Properties of Novel Polyaromatic Profluorescent Isoindoline Nitroxide Probes
Authors: Fairfull‐Smith Kathryn E. , Bottle Steven E.
Published: July 2008

New profluorescent mono‐ and di‐isoindoline nitroxides (5, 11, 16 and 19) containing 9,10‐diphenylanthracene and 9,10‐bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene structural cores were synthesised by palladium‐catalysed Suzuki and Sonogashira couplings. These nitroxide‐fluorophore probes possess strongly suppressed fluorescence, even in the presence of only one nitroxide radical. Upon reduction, or reaction with other radicals, normal fluorescence emission is returned. The significant difference in fluorescence output between the nitroxides and their corresponding diamagnetic analogues makes these probes ideal tools for imaging polymer degradation using fluorescence microscopy. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Antecedents of entitativity in categorically and dynamically construed groups
Authors: Rutchick Abraham M. , Hamilton David L. , Sack Jeremy D.
Published: July 2008

The extent to which a set of people is perceived as a meaningful group, as one entity, is called entitativity. In this paper, we propose that there are two qualitatively different group construals, or ways of thinking, about groups: as dynamic groups or as categorical groups. Two experiments investigated this distinction. An analogy was used to induce these construals by having participants think of the same group (the group “bees”) either dynamically (as the interacting members of a hive) or categorically (as the members of the species). We then gave participants information about a social group and assessed the impact of the construal manipulation on how that information was processed. Study 1 showed that perceivers recall and report different perceptual cues (similarity and interaction characteristics, respectively) when groups are thought of in these different ways. Study 2 showed that judgments of entitativity are differentially based on a group's similarity versus interaction under these different group construals. The results suggest that group construals change the properties on which entitativity is based. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A lattice Boltzmann model for the compressible Euler equations with second‐order accuracy
Authors: Zhang Jianying , Yan Guangwu , Shi Xiubo , Dong Yinfeng
Published: July 2008

In this paper, we propose a new lattice Boltzmann model for the compressible Euler equations. The model is based on a three‐energy‐level and three‐speed lattice Boltzmann equation by using a method of higher moments of the equilibrium distribution functions. In order to obtain second‐order accuracy, we employ the ghost field distribution functions to remove the non‐physical viscous parts. We also use the conditions of the higher moment of the ghost field equilibrium distribution functions to obtain the equilibrium distribution functions. In the numerical examples, we compare the numerical results of this scheme with those obtained by other lattice Boltzmann models for the compressible Euler equations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new Navier–Stokes inverse method based on mass‐averaged tangential velocity for blade design
Authors: Rahmati M. T.
Published: July 2008

This paper presents a novel viscous inverse method for blade design. In this inverse design method the mass‐averaged tangential velocity and the blade thickness are prescribed, and the corresponding blade profile is sought. The blade profile is then computed iteratively using the discrepancies between the prescribed mass‐averaged tangential velocity distribution and its calculated distribution on an initial blade. The re‐design of an axial rotor blade, starting from an initial arbitrary profile in subsonic flow regimes, demonstrates the merits and robustness of this approach. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.