bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formação de professores e educação em direitos humanos e cidadania: dos conceitos às ações
Authors: Carvalho José Sérgio , Sesti Adriana Pereira , Andrade Julia Pinheiro , Santos Luciano da Silva , Tibério Wellington
Published: April 2005

Este artigo relata a experiência do Projeto Direitos Humanos nas Escolas na elaboração e realização de um curso de formação de professores voltado para a difusão dos ideais e valores dos direitos humanos, da democracia e da cidadania como eixos norteadores de toda e qualquer prática escolar e não apenas de discursos pedagógicos. Cabe destacar que se trata de um desafio de grande envergadura dada as características históricas tanto da escola brasileira quanto da nossa sociedade em sentido amplo. Considerando tal desafio, apresenta de forma sintética os princípios, atividades e reflexões resultantes das experiências mais significativas dos três primeiros anos de trabalho desse projeto com escolas da rede estadual e municipal nos municípios de Osasco e São Paulo. Entre outras coisas, este artigo expõe as diferentes formas que o referido curso assumiu dada a dificuldade da criação de um formato de atividades capazes de tornar as práticas do cotidiano escolar um objeto de reflexão para os envolvidos diretamente com a ação educativa, assim como para as instituições escolares como um todo, e aponta importantes características que essa proposta de formação continuada de professores gerou na busca da elucidação dos desafios que a atual escola brasileira deve enfrentar na realização de sua função pública.
Polylactide copolymers: Effect of copolymer ratio and end capping on their properties
Authors: Bigg D. M.
Published: April 2005

Racemic copolymers of polylactic acid were investigated to determine the effect of copolymer ratio on melting point, degree of crystallinity, mechanical properties, and processing behavior. The copolymer ratio was found to have a strong influence on the crystallization behavior of the polymer. In addition to the ratio of the L‐form to a random mixture of the D and L forms of the lactic acid in the copolymer, the effect of the polymer's molecular weight was examined. The copolymers were produced from the lactide form of the monomer to achieve weight average molecular weights above 100,000. The molecular weight had a profound influence on processability and rate of crystallization. Other notable factors influencing the properties and processing of the copolymers were the concentration of residual monomer in the polymer, the processing time‐temperature history, and the extent of molecular weight degradation during processing. An important factor in the commercial development of biodegradable polymers is the ability to control the rate of degradation. Ideally, the polymer should not degrade during functional use, but degrade quite rapidly when discarded. This paper discusses various aspects associated with the control of the rate of degradation of polylactide copolymers; both from the perspective of stabilizing the polymer during processing and product use, and subsequently accelerating the rate of degradation after disposal. Of particular interest are the influences of molecular weight, crystallinity, end capping, and plasticization. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 24:69–82, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20032
Network density control in epoxy–silica hybrids by selective silane functionalization of precursors
Authors: Prezzi Luca , Mascia Leno
Published: April 2005

Following previous work on the compatibilization of organic–inorganic hybrids through coupling reactions with the precursor components, the present study evaluates the relative efficiency of different types of coupling agents on the morphology and properties of epoxy–silica hybrids. In particular, this investigation compares the effects of introducing trialkoxysilane functional groups at the chain end (using amine‐ and mercapto‐silanes) with similar types grafted in the middle of the chain of the constituent resin (using an isocyanate silane). The use of coupling agents with a basic character (amine silane type) brings about the formation of denser networks in both constituent phases of the resulting epoxy–silica hybrid, which is manifest through a large increase in the Tg and a more extensive suppression of the molecular relaxations within the glass transition regions. Increasing the number of alkoxysilane functional groups at the chain end, with the use of a bis‐aminosilane, has a relatively minor effect on the morphology and dynamic mechanical spectra of the resulting epoxy–silica hybrids. It was also found that while the incorporation of small amounts of a high molecular weight epoxy resin causes considerable plasticization of the organic phase, much larger amounts of organic (aliphatic) co‐agent within the siloxane phase are required to deteriorate those properties that are related to the inorganic character of the hybrid material. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 24:91–102, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20033
Crystallization behavior and properties of exfoliated isotactic polypropylene/organoclay nanocomposites
Authors: Avella Maurizio , Cosco Simona , Volpe Gaetano Della , Errico Maria Emanuela
Published: April 2005

Isotactic polypropylene/organoclay nanocomposites were prepared by a solution methodology and characterized by structural, morphological, and mechanical analysis. X‐ray and microscopic analyses (SEM) have revealed a homogeneous dispersion of the nanoclay in the iPP matrix and good adhesion between the two phases, especially in nanocomposites containing lower organoclay amounts ( 1% and 3%). Particularly it was observed that the sample with 1% clay content maintains the exfoliated structure during processing, while the sample with 3% clay evolves from an intercalated structure toward an exfoliated structure when processed by compression molding. The influence of the modified organoclay nanoparticles on the iPP crystallization process was also investigated. The results have shown that while the nanoparticles increase the rate of crystallization there is a delay in the onset of the solidification process. A regime II‐III transition temperature was also observed which decreases with increasing organoclay content. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 24:132–144, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20036
Investigation of fiber organization and damage during single screw extrusion of natural fiber reinforced thermoplastics
Authors: Grande C. , Torres F. G.
Published: April 2005

The present work studies single screw extrusion processing for different systems of natural fiber reinforced thermoplastics. In the present study the mechanisms of fiber organization and fiber degradation have been investigated. The polymer matrix employed has been high density polyethylene (HDPE) with an MFI of 0.1. Fibers including jute and sisal have been used as discrete reinforcements with initial lengths varying from 5 to 10 mm. The extrusion process has been investigated using an open‐barrel single screw extruder. The issues of fiber distribution and bubble formation have been related to the mechanical properties of these composites, particularly tensile strength. Fiber degradation has been assessed after processing by microscopic examination of the extruder contents. The effect of the processing temperature on the level of fiber degradation is also discussed here. Fiber length after processing has been measured, and unimodal and bimodal fiber length distributions have been obtained. However, the issue of adequate sample preparation for the fiber length characterization procedure still requires further work in order to reduce the experimental error. Fiber orientation distributions have been estimated for some of the samples. It has been found that at higher processing temperatures the fibers show more alignment in the flow direction. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 24:145–156, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20037
Single‐collector experiments and modeling of acoustically aided mesh filtration
Authors: Grossner Michael T. , Feke Donald L. , Belovich Joanne M.
Published: April 2005

A model for the motion of particles driven by acoustic and hydrodynamic effects in the vicinity of a cylindrical collector has been previously reported. This trajectory model was developed to describe the essential physics that underlies an ultrasonically aided particle‐filtration process in which a porous mesh is used to capture particles two orders of magnitude smaller than the pore size. To validate this trajectory model, experiments were performed to elucidate the detailed motion of particles in the neighborhood of a single cylindrical collector. Images of 54‐μm‐diameter polystyrene particles in aqueous suspension responding to acoustic and hydrodynamic forces were analyzed. Particle trajectories, calculated using only experimentally measured parameters as model inputs, well predicted the experimental observations. Adjustment of the local magnitude of the acoustic field, which accounts for spatial nonuniformities in the field, results in improvements in the correspondence between the trajectory predictions and the experimental observations. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2005
Pore and crosslinking structures of cotton cellulose crosslinked with DMDHEU‐maleic acid
Authors: Wang Chang , Chen Jui‐Chin , Yao Wei‐Hua , Chen Cheng‐Chi
Published: April 2005

Two dicarboxylic acids (maleic acid and tartaric acid) were used in conjunction with DMDHEU as the crosslinking agents to treat cotton fabric samples. The treated fabrics then were dyed with direct red 81. The results show that the values of the dye absorption, equilibrium absorption, rate constants, and the pore index of structural diffusion resistance constant for the various crosslinking agents are ranked as DMDHEU‐tartaric acid > DMDHEU‐maleic acid > DMDHEU alone at the same dyeing temperature. The activation energies for the three crosslinked fabrics are in the rank of DMDHEU > DMDHEU‐maleic acid > DMDHEU‐tartaric acid. The CL length values for the various crosslinking agent systems are in the series of DMDHEU‐tartaric acid > DMDHEU‐maleic acid > DMDHEU alone for a given number of CL/AGU. The values of the pore index of structural diffusion resistance constant and dyeing rate constant are increased with the increase of CL length. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 143–148, 2005
Cure behavior of UP/Org‐MMT/MEKP/cobalt octoate nanocomposites by the dynamic torsional vibration method
Authors: Cheng Yiyun , Chen Dazhu , Wang Chunlei , He Pingsheng
Published: April 2005

The cure behavior of unsaturated polyester(UP)/organo‐montmorillonite (Org‐MMT)/methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP)/cobalt octoate intercalated nanocomposites at varying temperatures and Org‐MMT loadings was investigated by the Dynamic Torsional Vibration Method (DTVM). The apparent kinetic parameters of the cure reaction, including the gelation time tg, apparent activation energy Ea, and curing rate, etc., were estimated by Flory's gelation theory, non‐equilibrium thermodynamic fluctuation theory, and Avrami equation. The theoretical prediction is in good agreement with the experimental results obtained by the DTVM. The gelation time tg increases, and the rate of curing reaction decreases, with increasing Org‐MMT loadings, but there is no obvious effect of Org‐MMT on the apparent activation energy Ea and the curing process of nanocomposites. A two‐step cure process of UP was observed due to the addition of Org‐MMT. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1–7, 2005
Silica/polyimide hybrids and their dielectric properties. I. Preparation with an improved sol–gel process with poly(amic acid) as the precursor
Authors: Zhang Jian , Zhu Bao‐Ku , Chu Hui‐Juan , Xu You‐Yi
Published: April 2005

A series of hybrid polyimide–silica hybrids films were prepared by a sol–gel process via the blending of tetrathoxysilane and a coupling reagent in a pyromellitic anhydride/4,4′‐oxydianiline (ODA) based poly(amic acid) solution in N,N‐dimethylacetamide, the casting of the films, the evaporation of the solvent, and thermal imidization, in that order. Fourier transform infrared, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize the structure of the obtained hybrids. The dispersion of silica in the hybrids was suggested to be in two states: a dominant network structure and minor discrete aggregate particles. On the basis of the network structure, the mechanical behavior of the hybrids was interpreted. An investigation of the dielectric properties revealed that the dielectric constant of the hybrids increased slowly with the concentration of SiO2. For hybrid films containing 30 wt % SiO2, the constant increased to 4.2 from the value of 3.2 for pure polyimide. Moreover, the incomplete hydrolysis and decomposition of tetrathoxysilane and the coupling reagent were the main factors contributing to the thermal stability and the uncertainty of the dielectric constant of the hybrids. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 20–24, 2005
Polyethylene/grafted polyethylene/graphite nanocomposites: Preparation, structure, and electrical properties
Authors: Shen Jing‐Wei , Huang Wen‐Yi , Zuo Sheng‐Wu , Hou Jing
Published: April 2005

Polyethylene (PE)/maleic anhydride grafted PE (g‐PE)/expanded graphite (EG) electrically conductive nanocomposites were successfully prepared by solution intercalation (SI) and masterbatch melt mixing (MMM). Electrical conductivity (σ) measurements; transmission electron, scanning electron, and optical miscroscopy observations; and differential scanning calorimetry analyses were employed to examine the influences of the preparation methods, EG volume or weight fractions (ϕ or fw), and g‐PE weight contents (Cg) on the structure and σ of the nanocomposites, as compared to PE/g‐PE/EG composites and PE/EG control produced by direct melt mixing (DMM). The percolation thresholds (ϕc) of the SI, MMM, and DMM composites (Cg/fw = 1.5) and the DMM control were measured and found to be 2.19, 3.81, 4.68, and 5.35%, respectively. As the Cg/fw increases from 1 to 4, the σ of the MMM and DMM composites with fw = 9% rises from the order of 10−16 to 10−4 and 10−8 S/cm, respectively. These were closely associated with the morphology and microstructure of the composites varying with the preparation methods (ϕ and Cg/fw) and could also be interpreted in terms of percolation theory. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 51–59, 2005
Synthesis and characterization of novel dendritic poly(ester‐amine) with peripheral hydroxyl
Authors: Xu Dong‐Mei , Zhang Ke‐Da , Ning Chun‐Hua , Zhu Xiu‐Lin
Published: April 2005

Dendritic poly(ester‐amine) with a peripheral hydroxyl [PEA(OH)] was synthesized from dendritic PEA terminated with acrylic double bonds [PEA()] and diethanolamine (DEA) by a Michael addition reaction. The effects of the reaction temperature, time, and solvent on the purities of PEA(OH) were studied. It was found that when the mole ratio of PEA() to DEA was 1:8 and the reaction was carried out in methanol at 25°C for 22 h, the purity of PEA(OH) was 94.6%. The structure of PEA(OH) was identified by IR, 1H‐NMR, and elemental analysis. PEA(OH) is a surfactant and its aqueous form exhibits cloud points between the mass concentrations of 0.1 and 50 mass %. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 60–64, 2005
Water absorption characteristics of hybrid materials incorporating tetrabutyl titanate with acrylic polymer via sol–gel process
Authors: Perrin F. X. , Nguyen V. N. , Vernet J. L.
Published: April 2005

The sol–gel process was used to prepare organic/inorganic hybrids utilizing a terpolymer of n‐butyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate, and methacrylic acid as an organic phase and titanium tetrabutoxide as a precursor of the inorganic phase. Such hybrid materials may be of interest as primers for corrosion protection of metal substrates. In the absence of electrochemical influence, which is usually provided by anticorrosive pigments in current protective coatings, the barrier mechanism becomes one of the basic elements for protecting metals against atmospheric corrosion. In that context, we report the water uptake characteristics of hybrid films with titania content up to 16.3 wt %. The slow hydrolysis of butoxy, acetate, and carboxylate ligands, which becomes more and more obvious with an increase in titanium oxide cluster content, is found to produce a chemically driven force for water uptake in hybrids. The 4.6 wt % TiO2 hybrid results in the best balance of properties with a far lower diffusion coefficient and nearly the same amount of water absorbed at saturation compared to the polymer matrix. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 92–102, 2005
Effect of mixing process on electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of nickel/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene composites
Authors: Chou Kan‐Sen , Huang Kuo‐Cheng , Shih Zong‐Huai
Published: April 2005

This article reports the effect of the mixing process on the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness of nickel/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) composites. Nickel in either powder or filament form was used as the filler material. It was mixed with ABS by two mixing processes: one was the Brabender‐mixing method, in which nickel was mixed in the polymer melt by a strong shear at high temperatures, and the other was a simple dry mixing method performed in a centrifugal ball mill. Our results showed that the dry‐mixing method could produce EMI shielding effectiveness of 36 dB at the 3 vol % nickel filaments level. In contrast, we need 20 vol % nickel powder to exhibit some shielding effectiveness for the Brabender method. After the nondestructive X‐ray examination and four‐point probe resistivity measurements, we concluded that better EMI shielding effectiveness could be achieved when the mixing method provided a state of uniformity on the macroscale, but not on the microscale. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 128–135, 2005
Educating senior executives in a novel strategic paradigm: early experiences of the Sustainable Enterprise Academy
Authors: Wheeler David , Zohar Asaf , Hart Stuart
Published: April 2005

This paper describes the introduction of ‘ustainability’ as a novel strategic paradigm to senior executive learning. Specifically, we describe the Sustainable Enterprise Academy, an executive education initiative founded by the Schulich School of Business at York University (Canada) with the active support of a number of academic collaborators, five corporations and several business and civil society organizations. The Academy is dedicated to business transformation through the application of a strategic sustainability paradigm, which assumes the desirability of business simultaneously creating economic, social and environmental value. The paper recounts the Academy's journey between 1999 and 2003, during which time five successful senior executive Business Leader Seminars were held – four in Canada and one in the US. Evaluation data from participants are presented and lessons learned described. The paper also explores future avenues of development for the Academy. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Meta‐analysis combines Affymetrix microarray results across laboratories
Authors: Stevens John R. , Doerge R. W.
Published: April 2005

With microarray technology becoming more prevalent in recent years, it is now common for several laboratories to employ the same microarray technology to identify differentially expressed genes that are related to the same phenomenon in the same species. Although experimental specifics may be similar, each laboratory will typically produce a slightly different list of statistically significant genes, which calls into question the validity of each gene list (i.e. which list is best). A statistically‐based meta‐analytic approach to microarray analysis systematically combines results from the different laboratories to provide a single estimate of the degree of differential expression for each gene. This approach provides a more precise view of genes that are of significant interest, while simultaneously allowing for differences between laboratories. The widely‐used Affymetrix oligonucleotide array and its software are of particular interest because the results are naturally suited to a meta‐analysis. A simulation model based on the Affymetrix platform is developed to examine the adaptive nature of the meta‐analytic approach and to illustrate the utility of such an approach in combining microarray results across laboratories. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reassessing design and analysis of two‐colour microarray experiments using mixed effects models
Authors: Rosa Guilherme J. M. , Steibel Juan P. , Tempelman Robert J.
Published: April 2005

Gene expression microarray studies have led to interesting experimental design and statistical analysis challenges. The comparison of expression profiles across populations is one of the most common objectives of microarray experiments. In this manuscript we review some issues regarding design and statistical analysis for two‐colour microarray platforms using mixed linear models, with special attention directed towards the different hierarchical levels of replication and the consequent effect on the use of appropriate error terms for comparing experimental groups. We examine the traditional analysis of variance (ANOVA) models proposed for microarray data and their extensions to hierarchically replicated experiments. In addition, we discuss a mixed model methodology for power and efficiency calculations of different microarray experimental designs. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chiral ionic liquids: Synthesis and applications
Authors: Ding Jie , Armstrong Daniel W.
Published: April 2005

Over the last ten years, interest and publications involving ionic liquids have expanded exponentially. Thus far, they have predominantly been used in organic synthesis and separations. However, their use is rapidly expanding into other areas of science and technology. Research involving chiral ionic liquids has been much more limited and only recently has come to the forefront. In this work, we review the synthesis of chiral ionic liquids and their use. Today, this is an area of research that is poised for rapid development and expansion. Chirality 17:281–292, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enantioselective semipreparative HPLC separation of PCB metabolites and their absolute structure elucidation using electronic and vibrational circular dichroism
Authors: Pham‐Tuan Hai , Larsson Christina , Hoffmann Frank , Bergman Åke , Fröba Michael , Hühnerfuss Heinrich
Published: April 2005

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) remain one of the most important groups of environmental contaminants. The fate (transformation) as well as the toxicological implications of the different metabolism steps are subject to considerable debate. The aim of this study is to start a comprehensive investigation of atropisomeric PCB metabolites, i.e., hydroxy, methoxy, methylthionyl, and methylsulfonyl PCBs in different biota. For this purpose, enantioselective semipreparative liquid chromatography is used to obtain pure enantiomers of PCB metabolites. Electronic circular dichroism (UV‐CD) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) in combination with computational techniques were applied to determine their absolute structures. Approximately 18–25 mg of each enantiomer of the following metabolites were obtained using semipreparative HPLC on β‐cyclodextrin‐based columns: 4‐MeO‐CB149, 4‐MeS‐CB149, 4‐MeSO2‐CB149, 3‐MeS‐CB149, and 3‐MeSO2‐CB149. The enantiomeric purity of the separated enantiomers was in the range of 95.0–99.9%. Rotational angles and absolute configurations were also determined. This study establishes a sound method for future preparation and absolute structure determination of compounds belonging to the same class. Chirality 17:266–280, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Chemical History of a Candle ‐ Faradays Weihnachtsvorlesung im Chemieunterricht
Authors: Berg Johannes
Published: April 2005

Die curricularen Vorgaben des Niedersächsischen Kultusministeriums für die Schuljahrgänge 5/6, die seit dem Schuljahr 2003/2004 in Kraft sind, lassen bei dem Themenbereich Feuer spontan an die Vorlesungen von Michael Faraday, die er als Professor für Chemie an der Royal Institution in London im Dezember 1860 und Januar 1861 für die Jugend hielt, denken [1, S.17, 18]. In diesem Beitrag wird eine Gegenüberstellung von Teilen der Faraday‐Vorlesungen und Teilen der curricularen Vorgaben für die Schuljahrgänge 5/6 der allgemein bildenden Schulen in Niedersachsen gegeben. Die Konzeption und die Versuche Faradays lassen sich nach meiner Überzeugung auch in den Anfangsunterricht Chemie anderer Bundesländer übertragen.
Das Sweetzym. Möglichkeiten seines Einsatzes in einem Chemieunterricht mit fächerübergreifender Perspektive
Authors: Heimann Rebekka
Published: April 2005

Im Rahmen eines Unterrichts, der naturwissenschaftliche Fragestellungen integrativ erarbeitet, spielt die Enzymatik eine bedeutende Rolle. Chemische und biologische Aspekte können dabei vernetzt werden.
Postnatal development of alkaline phosphatase activity correlates with the maturation of neurotransmission in the cerebral cortex
Authors: Fonta Caroline , Negyessy Laszlo , Renaud Luc , Barone Pascal
Published: April 2005

We have shown previously that the tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) is selectively expressed in the synaptic cleft of sensory cortical areas in adult mammals and, by using sensory deprivation, that TNAP activity depends on thalamocortical activity. We further analyzed this structural functional relationship by comparing the developmental pattern of TNAP activity to the maturation of the thalamocortical afferents in the primate brain (Callithrix jacchus). Cortical expression of alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity reflects the sequential maturation of the modality‐specific sensory areas. Within the visual cortex, the regional and laminar distribution of AP correlates with the differential maturation of the magno‐ and parvocellular streams. AP activity, which is transiently expressed in the white matter, exhibits a complementary distributional pattern with myelin staining. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that AP activity is localized exclusively to the myelin‐free axonal segments, including the node of Ranvier. It was also found that AP activity is gradually expressed in parallel with the maturation of synaptic contacts in the neuropile. These data suggest the involvement of AP, in addition to neurotransmitter synthesis previously suggested in the adult, in synaptic stabilization and in myelin pattern formation and put forward a role of AP in cortical plasticity and brain disorders. J. Comp. Neurol. 486:179–196, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ionotropic glutamate receptors are expressed in GABAergic terminals in the rat superficial dorsal horn
Authors: Lu Chun‐Rong , Willcockson Helen H. , Phend Kris D. , Lucifora Simona , Darstein Melanie , Valtschanoff Juli G. , Rustioni Aldo
Published: April 2005

Ionotropic glutamate receptors (IGR), including NMDA, AMPA, and kainate receptors, are expressed in terminals with varied morphology in the superficial laminae (I–III) of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Some of these terminals can be identified as endings of primary afferents, whereas others establish symmetric synapses, suggesting that they may be γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐ergic. In the present study, we used confocal and electron microscopy of double immunostaining for GAD65, a marker for GABAergic terminals, and for subunits of IGRs to test directly whether IGRs are expressed in GABAergic terminals in laminae I–III of the dorsal horn. Although colocalization is hard to detect with confocal microscopy, electron microscopy reveals a substantial number of terminals immunoreactive for GAD65 also stained for IGRs. Among all GAD65‐immunoreactive terminals counted, 37% express the NMDA receptor subunit NR1; 28% are immunopositive using an antibody for the GluR2/4 subunits of the AMPA receptor; and 20–35% are immunopositive using antibodies for the kainate receptor subunits GluR5, GluR6/7, KA1, or KA2. Terminals immunoreactive for IGR subunits and GAD65 establish symmetric synapses onto dendrites and perikarya and can be presynaptic to primary afferent terminals within both type 1 and type 2 synaptic glomeruli. Activation of presynaptic IGR may reduce neurotransmitter release. As autoreceptors in terminals of Aδ and C afferent fibers in laminae I–III, presynaptic IGRs may play a role in inhibiting nociception. As heteroreceptors in GABAergic terminals in the same laminae, on the other hand, presynaptic IGRs may have an opposite role and even contribute to central sensitization and hyperalgesia. J. Comp. Neurol. 486:169–178, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chronic depolarization enhances the trophic effects of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor in rescuing auditory neurons following a sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Shepherd Robert K. , Coco Anne , Epp Stephanie B. , Crook Jeremy M.
Published: April 2005

The development and maintenance of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) appears to be supported by both neural activity and neurotrophins. Removal of this support leads to their gradual degeneration. Here, we examined whether the exogenous delivery of the neurotrophin brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in concert with electrical stimulation (ES) provides a greater protective effect than delivery of BDNF alone in vivo. The left cochlea of profoundly deafened guinea pigs was implanted with an electrode array and drug‐delivery system. BDNF or artificial perilymph (AP) was delivered continuously for 28 days. ES induced neural activity in two cohorts (BDNF/ES and AP/ES), and control animals received BDNF or AP without ES (BDNF/– and AP/–). The right cochleae of the animals served as deafened untreated controls. Electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses (EABRs) were recorded immediately following surgery and at completion of the drug‐delivery period. AP/ES and AP/– cohorts showed an increase in EABR threshold over the implantation period, whereas both BDNF cohorts exhibited a reduction in threshold (P < 0.001, t‐test). Changes in neural sensitivity were complemented by significant differences in both SGN survival and soma area. BDNF cohorts demonstrated a significant trophic or survival advantage and larger soma area compared with AP‐treated and deafened control cochleae; this advantage was greatest in the base of the cochlea. ES significantly enhanced the survival effects of BDNF throughout the majority of the cochlea (P < 0.05, Bonferroni's t‐test), although there was no evidence of trophic support provided by ES alone. Cotreatment of SGNs with BDNF and ES provides a substantial functional and trophic advantage; this treatment may have important implications for neural prostheses. J. Comp. Neurol. 486:145–158, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regionalization of the anterior hypothalamus in the chick embryo
Authors: Caqueret Aurore , Coumailleau Pascal , Michaud Jacques L.
Published: April 2005

Loss‐of‐function experiments in mice have shown that the transcription factors Sim1, Otp, Sim2, and Brn2 form a cascade essential for the differentiation of neuroendocrine cells of the anterior hypothalamus that produce vasopressin, oxytocin, somatostatin (SS), thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH), and corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH). Very little is known about how the differentiation of these cell types is regulated in chick. Here, we report the cloning of the chick homolog of Otp. Moreover, we have systematically compared the expression of Sim1, Sim2, Brn2, and Otp with that of the markers of terminal differentiation TRH, SS, CRH, vasotocin, and mesotocin during development of chick embryos. We have found that the cell types studied generally develop in domains expressing these transcriptional regulators but that the pattern of neuronal differentiation and the spatial distribution of some regulators were not the same as in mice. Our results provide a framework useful for the functional analysis of hypothalamus development in chick. Developmental Dynamics 233:652–658, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Organization of Hox genes in ascidians: Present, past, and future
Authors: Ikuta Tetsuro , Saiga Hidetoshi
Published: April 2005

Hox genes have been regarded to play a central role in anterior–posterior patterning of the animal body. Variations of Hox genes among animal species in the number, order on a chromosome, and the developmental expression pattern may reflect an evolutionary history. Therefore, it is definitely necessary to characterize Hox genes of wide variety of animal species, especially the species occupying key positions in the animal phylogeny. Ascidians, belonging to the subphylum Urochordata, are one of the sister groups of vertebrates in the phylum Chordata. Recent studies have shown that nine Hox genes of Ciona intestinalis, an ascidian species, are present on two chromosomes in the genome. In this review, we discuss the present state of Hox genes in ascidians, focusing on their novel chromosomal organization and expression pattern with unique features and how the novel organization has evolved in relation to the unique body plan of ascidians. Developmental Dynamics 233:382–389, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cardiac morphogenesis: Matrix metalloproteinase coordination of cellular mechanisms underlying heart tube formation and directionality of looping
Authors: Linask Kersti K. , Han Mingda , Cai Dong Hong , Brauer Philip R. , Maisastry Shyam M.
Published: April 2005

During heart organogenesis, the spatiotemporal organization of the extracellular matrix (ECM) undergoes significant remodeling. Because matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are known to be key regulators of cell–matrix interactions, we analyzed the role(s) of MMPs, and specifically MMP‐2, in early heart development. Both MMP‐2 neutralizing antibody and the broad‐spectrum MMP inhibitor Ilomastat in a temporal manner, when applied between chick embryonic stages 5 (primitive streak stage) to stage 12 (∼16‐somites), produced severe heart tube defects. Exposure to the MMP inhibitor at stage 5 produced various degrees of cardia bifida. At the seven‐somite stage, MMP‐2/Ilomastat inhibition caused a shift in normal left‐right patterning of cell proliferation within the dorsal mesocardium and mesoderm of the anterior heart field that correlated with a change in looping direction. MMP inhibition at the 10‐ to 12‐somite stage resulted in an arrest of heart tube bending by inhibiting the breakdown of the dorsal mesocardial ECM. The experimental observations suggest that MMP activity regulates the coordination of early heart organogenesis by affecting ventral closure of the heart and gut tubes, asymmetric cell proliferation in the dorsal mesocardium to drive looping direction, and ECM degradation within the dorsal mesocardium allowing looping to proceed toward completion. Developmental Dynamics 233:739–753, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Contractile activity of skeletal musculature involved in breathing is essential for normal lung cell differentiation, as revealed in Myf5−/−:MyoD−/− embryos
Authors: Inanlou Mohammad Reza , Kablar Boris
Published: April 2005

In the current study, the role of contractile activity of respiratory muscles in fetal lung growth and cell differentiation was examined using Myf5−/−:MyoD−/− mouse embryos. As previously found, Myf5−/−:MyoD−/− mouse embryos had no respiratory musculature. Consequently, they suffered from pulmonary hypoplasia and died shortly after birth. The hypoplastic lung had decreased proliferation and increased apoptotic index as early as embryonic day 14.5. By contrast, only at the last gestational day, the number of lung cells expressing platelet derived growth factor B and insulin growth factor I was decreased, while the gradient of the thyroid transcription factor 1 was not maintained. Type II pneumocytes had a failure in glycogen utilization and surfactant storage and secretion but were able to synthesize the surfactant‐associated proteins. Type I pneumocytes were readily detectable using an early differentiation marker (i.e., Gp38). However, the late differentiation of type I pneumocytes never occurred, as revealed by transmission electron microscopy. Together, our findings suggest that pulmonary distension due to fetal breathing‐like movements plays an important role not only in lung growth but also in lung cell differentiation. Developmental Dynamics 233:772–782, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Splanchnic (visceral) mesoderm has limb‐forming ability according to the position along the rostrocaudal axis in chick embryos
Authors: Yonei‐Tamura Sayuri , Ide Hiroyuki , Tamura Koji
Published: April 2005

Positioning of the limb is one of the important events for limb development. In the early stage of embryogenesis, the lateral plate mesoderm splits into two layers and the dorsal layer (the somatic mesoderm) gives rise to a series of distinct structures along the rostrocaudal axis, including the forelimb bud, flank body wall, and hindlimb bud. To determine whether positional information in the somatic mesoderm for regionalization along the rostrocaudal axis is also inherited by the ventral layer of the lateral plate mesoderm (the splanchnic mesoderm), experiments in which the splanchnic mesoderm was transplanted under the ectoderm in an in ovo chick system were carried out. Transplantation of the wing‐, flank‐, and leg‐level splanchnic mesoderm resulted in the formation of wings, nothing, and legs, respectively. These results suggest that the splanchnic mesoderm possesses the ability to form limbs and that the ability differs according to the position along the rostrocaudal axis. The position‐specific ability to form limbs suggests that there are some domains involved in the formation of position‐specific structures in the digestive tract derived from the splanchnic mesoderm, and results of cell fate tracing supported this possibility. In contrast, analysis of shh expression suggested that the anteroposterior polarity in the limb region seems not to be inherited by the splanchnic mesoderm. We propose that the positioning of limb buds is specified and determined in the very early stage of development of the lateral plate mesoderm before splitting and that the polarity in a limb bud is established after the splitting of the mesoderm. Developmental Dynamics 233:256–265, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adaptive video filtering framework
Authors: Lukac Rastislav , Fischer Viktor , Motyl Guy , Drutarovsky Milos
Published: April 2005

We present a new 3D adaptive filtering approach capable of detecting and removing impulsive noise in image/video sequences. The proposed method takes advantage of switching median schemes and robust lower‐upper‐middle (LUM) smoothing characteristics. Simulation studies reported in this article indicate that the proposed filtering scheme achieves an excellent trade‐off between noise attenuation and detail preserving characteristics, and clearly outperforms previously introduced approaches in terms of subjective and objective image quality measures. Besides the filter analysis and the testing of its performance, an important part of this article discusses the filter implementation in Altera field programmable logic devices (FPLD). Simulation studies indicate that the proposed method can be efficiently implemented in hardware and is suitable for real‐time image/video processing applications. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Imaging Syst Technol 14, 223–237, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ima.20027
Motion compensation by phase correction for synthetic‐aperture side‐scan sonar imaging
Authors: Lee Hua
Published: April 2005

This article presents a robust motion estimation and correction technique for the realization of synthetic‐aperture side‐scan sonar imaging. It utilizes the redundancy provided by the multiple‐element receiver array configuration. Physical‐array subimages are used for the estimation of the motion errors between adjacent receiver positions. Subsequently, the motion errors are formulated in the form of phase perturbations and are corrected accordingly by making adjustments to the wave‐field data samples prior to the formation of synthetic‐aperture images. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 14, 259–261, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ima.20029
Apoptosis and release of CD44s in bleomycin‐treated L132 cells
Authors: Koslowski R. , Fichtner F. , Barth K. , Roehlecke C. , Seidel D. , Kasper M.
Published: April 2005

The anti‐cancer drug bleomycin (BLM) induces lung injury and triggers apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells. In epithelia, among other functions, the adhesion protein CD44 promotes the contact to components of the extracellular matrix like hyaluronate. A functional link between apoptosis and the loss of CD44 has been observed in colon carcinoma cells and involvement of CD44 in apoptosis of lung cells has been reported in several studies. The present in vitro study examined the expression of CD44s (CD44 standard) in two human epithelial lung cell lines, L132 and A549, during BLM‐induced apoptosis. A loss of CD44s by lung epithelial cells and an increase of the soluble form of this adhesion protein in culture supernatants upon exposure to BLM were observed. Apoptosis was characterized by an activation of caspase‐3 as well as by release of cytochrome C into the cytosol as shown for L132 cells. Inhibition of apoptosis by the broad‐range caspase inhibitor Z‐VAD‐fmk reduced CD44 release by both cell lines demonstrating that CD44 release is a result of apoptotic processes. Kinetic experiments failed to discriminate between the initiation of apoptosis and CD44 release. Blocking experiments using antagonistic anti‐CD95 receptor antibodies revealed that BLM may cause apoptosis and CD44 release in a CD95‐independent manner. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Significance of serum S‐100B in melanoma patients before and after sentinel node biopsy
Authors: Smit Léonie H.M. , Nieweg Omgo E. , Korse Catharina M. , Bonfrer Johannes M.G. , Kroon Bin B.R.
Published: April 2005

Background and Objectives

The clinical utility of the tumor marker serum S‐100B has been described in determining prognosis, for early diagnosis of recurrence and for disease monitoring in melanoma patients. Sentinel node biopsy is increasingly used as staging procedure for patients with clinically localized melanoma. The aim of this study was to determine the value of serum S‐100B in melanoma patients before and after sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Methods

S‐100B values were measured prior to sentinel node biopsy in 89 patients and during follow‐up (median 41 months; range 7–73 months) in 88 patients. The detection limit is ≤0.08 μg/L. In our laboratory levels of 0.16 μg/L and above are classified as increased.

Results

Twenty‐four patients had tumor‐positive sentinel nodes, 65 had tumor‐free sentinel nodes. The median S‐100B value prior to the operation was ≤0.08 μg/L for all patients. Sensitivity and specificity of S‐100B to predict the tumor‐status of the sentinel node were 13% and 98%, respectively. Eighteen patients developed a melanoma‐related recurrence. Sensitivity for early diagnosis of recurrence was 55% and 33%, respectively for patients with a positive versus a negative sentinel node. Specificity was 100% in both patient groups.

Conclusions

S‐100B is not useful in predicting the tumor‐status of the sentinel node, and questionable for early diagnosis of recurrence afterwards. Elevation of serum S‐100B is highly specific for melanoma recurrence. J. Surg. Oncol. 2005;90:66–69. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ductal carcinoma in situ in core biopsies containing invasive breast cancer: correlation with extensive intraductal component and lumpectomy margins
Authors: Dzierzanowski Martin , Melville Karen A , Barnes Penny J , MacIntosh Rebecca F , Caines Judy S , Porter Geoffrey A
Published: April 2005

Background and Objectives

The diagnosis of invasive breast cancer is most commonly made on image‐guided core biopsy (CB). The presence of extensive intraductal component (EIC), as identified on subsequent lumpectomy, is associated with an increased risk of positive margins and need for further surgery. CBs demonstrating invasive breast cancer may also contain ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), although the significance of this finding is unclear. The objective of this study was to examine the implications of DCIS found in the original CB, specifically related to the risk of EIC and/or positive lumpectomy margins.

Methods

All patients at a single academic institution who underwent initial breast conserving surgery for invasive breast cancer diagnosed on image‐guided CB between 05/00 and 04/02 were included in the study. A systematic, blinded review of all CB and lumpectomy specimens was performed using standardized criteria for DCIS, EIC, and margins.

Results

A total of 95 patients were included in the study, with a mean of 5 (median 5) CB/patient. Of these, 43 (45%) patients had DCIS identified in their CB; in 34 (79%) of these patients, the DCIS was mixed with the invasive cancer. No differences in tumor size or lumpectomy volume were identified between patients with or without DCIS on CB. However, patients with DCIS were noted to be significantly younger. Overall, EIC was identified in 13 (14%) patients; the risk of EIC was significantly higher in patients with DCIS identified in CB than in those with invasive carcinoma alone (30% vs. 0%, respectively; P < 0.0001). Expectedly, the incidence of positive margins on lumpectomy was higher in patients with EIC (38% vs. 16%; P = 0.05). A trend, although not statistically significant, towards positive margins was also noted in patients with DCIS on CB compared to those with invasive carcinoma alone (24% vs. 15%, P = 0.3).

Conclusions

The identification of DCIS in conjunction with invasive cancer on CB appears important; the absence of DCIS in a CB sample excludes the possibility of eventually identifying EIC. Knowledge of DCIS in CBs with invasive carcinoma may be helpful for surgeons in planning gross resection margins at lumpectomy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2005;90:71–76. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cytoreductive surgery and intraoperative hyperthermic chemoperfusion for advanced ovarian carcinoma
Authors: Reichman Trevor W. , Cracchiolo Bernadette , Sama Jahir , Bryan Margarette , Harrison Jonathan , Pliner Lillian , Harrison Lawrence E.
Published: April 2005

Background

Optimal cytoreductive surgery combined with intraoperative hyperthermic chemoperfusion (IHCP) is a therapy that potentially could improve survival in a select group of patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The purpose of this study was to review the results of cytoreductive surgery and IHCP for advanced ovarian cancer and to identify factors that may predict which patients maximally benefit from this aggressive treatment.

Methods

Patients treated with cytoreduction followed by IHCP for ovarian cancer were identified from an IHCP database from 1/2001 through 3/2004. Several factors including resection status, peritoneal cancer index (PCI), and prior surgery were evaluated for their ability to predict survival in our cohort of patients.

Results

Thirteen patients with ovarian cancer treated with cytoreductive surgery followed by IHCP were identified. The 3‐year overall survival rate for all thirteen patients was 55%. The median disease‐free survival was 15.4 months (3‐year disease‐free survival, 11%). Several factors including PCI score (<6), ability to resect all gross disease, and previous surgical exploration appeared to impart an overall survival advantage.

Conclusions

The use of IHCP coupled with optimal cytoreduction is a safe and effective treatment for advanced ovarian carcinoma. However, the proper selection of patients who will benefit most from the therapy is essential for the success of the treatment. J. Surg. Oncol. 2005;90:51–56. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.