bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A nation wide investigation of the rate of diffusion of computerized medical records as reported by nursing staff
Authors: KURODA Yuko , KASHIWAGI Kimikazu , HAYASHI Miyoko , NAKAYAMA Eijun , ODA Masae , YAMASE Hiroaki , NAKAKI Takao
Published: July 2007

Aim:  Nursing records maintained by nurses have begun to be computerized in Japan. This study was intended to identify the rate of diffusion of computerized medical records, as reported by nursing staff on the basis of bed size, organizational category, and area with an accessible population of hospitals with ≥100 beds.

Methods:  A quantitative, descriptive design was employed. A total of 4738 hospitals registered in Japan as of June 2004 with ≥100 beds were examined for this study. A reply paid postcard was mailed and the questions on the response card consisted of four demographic variables in relation to the hospitals and the electronic medical record (EMR) implementation status. SPSS V.12 was used for the statistical analysis.

Results:  A majority of hospitals reported that they had no plan for implementation. Complete and partial implementation peaked in 2004. A high percentage of medium‐sized hospitals indicated complete or partial implementation. A high percentage of large hospitals was preparing implementation or had an implementation plan. There was no relationship between city and rural groups in terms of implementation status.

Conclusions:  The study results indicated that an overwhelming majority of the hospitals had no plan for the implementation of EMRs. The hospital size and organizational type were linked to the prevalence of EMRs rather than the region. As a result of the limits of the study method, the full details regarding computerized nursing records were not investigated. Relativity among computerization, quality of health care, and health achievements also was not researched. In the future, the interrelationships among the issues arising from computerizing medical records in hospital information systems (HISs), the functions and roles of nurses and physicians, and health achievements should be studied, while capturing the HIS status in other occupations.
Photosynthesis on individual leaves of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) during the ontogeny at variable water regimes
Authors: Monti A. , Barbanti L. , Venturi G.
Published: July 2007

It is well known that the extent of yield reduction depends not only on the severity of water stress but also on the stage of plant development. Assessing photosynthetic response of individual leaves to water deficit during the ontogeny may, therefore, offer a clue to better understand the whole plant behaviour. This research aimed at investigating the influence of early and late water stress on net photosynthesis (Pn), carbon‐isotope discrimination and other related traits on individual leaves during ontogeny. Sugar beet plants were grown in rain‐sheltered soil columns of relevant volume (300  L), subdivided into well‐watered (WW); early (S1) and late (S2) stress. In general, water stress significantly reduced leaf lifespan and Pn. Relieving the stress at about one‐third and two‐thirds of potential leaf life substantially restored Pn at the levels of WW. Stressing a previously WW leaf brought about a comparatively heavier loss than stressing a leaf since the beginning. As for leaves at different phenological times, the early leaves had higher initial photosynthetic peaks but steeper falls during their lives. An insight into the relationships between Pn and substomatal CO2 concentration (Ci) shows that in mature leaves the photosynthetic restoration following stress relief did not entail a full recovery of the electron transport rate, the parameter most severely affected by the stress. The partial reversibility of the effects of water deficiency, associated to the anticipated leaf senescence and to the natural slow‐down of net assimilation during leaf life, may be seen as a key factor in predicting to what extent the plant can tolerate drought and the damages caused by water stress.
What Is a Natural River?
Authors: Wohl Ellen , Merritts Dorothy J.
Published: July 2007

Form and process in rivers around the world reflect a long history of human influences, but the effects of these influences are often not readily apparent to the casual observer. Progressive alteration of rivers over a period of decades to centuries as a result of land‐use patterns influences expectations for the appearance of natural rivers. These expectations in turn help to govern strategies of river restoration, which is being increasingly practiced in industrialized countries. This article uses examples from three regions in the United States – headwater streams in the Rocky Mountains, streams in the mid‐Atlantic piedmont region of the eastern United States, and coastal rivers of the Puget Lowland in the western United States – to explore how historical land‐use patterns continue to influence contemporary river form and process, and the implications of these historical effects for understanding and managing rivers. If restoration is designed to facilitate natural river form and process, then it becomes critical to understand how human activities have altered rivers. Such an understanding defines the limits within which restoration can be undertaken and provides a conceptual framework for adaptive management of river restoration.
Artificial Intelligence for the Diagnostics of Gas Turbines—Part I: Neural Network Approach
Authors: Bettocchi R. , Pinelli M. , Spina P. R. , Venturini M.
Published: July 2007

In the paper, neural network (NN) models for gas turbine diagnostics are studied and developed. The analyses carried out are aimed at the selection of the most appropriate NN structure for gas turbine diagnostics, in terms of computational time of the NN training phase, accuracy, and robustness with respect to measurement uncertainty. In particular, feed-forward NNs with a single hidden layer trained by using a back-propagation learning algorithm are considered and tested. Moreover, multi-input/multioutput NN architectures (i.e., NNs calculating all the system outputs) are compared to multi-input/single-output NNs, each of them calculating a single output of the system. The results obtained show that NNs are sufficiently robust with respect to measurement uncertainty, if a sufficient number of training patterns are used. Moreover, multi-input/multioutput NNs trained with data corrupted with measurement errors seem to be the best compromise between the computational time required for NN training phase and the NN accuracy in performing gas turbine diagnostics.
Confidence Interval Simulation for Systems of Random Variables
Authors: Cruse Thomas A. , Brown Jeffrey M.
Published: July 2007

Bayesian network models are seen as important tools in probabilistic design assessment for complex systems. Such network models for system reliability analysis provide a single probability of failure value whether the experimental data used to model the random variables in the problem are perfectly known or derive from limited experimental data. The values of the probability of failure for each of those two cases are not the same, of course, but the point is that there is no way to derive a Bayesian type of confidence interval from such reliability network models. Bayesian confidence (or belief) intervals for a probability of failure are needed for complex system problems in order to extract information on which random variables are dominant, not just for the expected probability of failure but also for some upper bound, such as for a 95% confidence upper bound. We believe that such confidence bounds on the probability of failure will be needed for certifying turbine engine components and systems based on probabilistic design methods. This paper reports on a proposed use of a two-step Bayesian network modeling strategy that provides a full cumulative distribution function for the probability of failure, conditioned by the experimental evidence for the selected random variables. The example is based on a hypothetical high-cycle fatigue design problem for a transport aircraft engine application.
Phase-Resolved Laser Diagnostic Measurements of a Downscaled, Fuel-Staged Gas Turbine Combustor at Elevated Pressure and Comparison to LES Predictions
Authors: Geigle Klaus Peter , Meier Wolfgang , Aigner Manfred , Willert Chris , Jarius Marc , Schmitt Patrick , Schuermans Bruno
Published: July 2007

A technical gas turbine combustor has been studied in detail with optical diagnostics for validation of large-eddy simulations (LES). OH* chemiluminescence, OH laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and particle image velocimetry (PIV) have been applied to stable and pulsating flames up to 8 bar. The combination of all results yielded good insight into the combustion process with this type of burner and forms a database that was used for the validation of complex numerical combustion simulations. LES, including radiation, convective cooling, and air cooling, were combined with a reduced chemical scheme that predicts NOx emissions. Good agreement of the calculated flame position and shape with experimental data was found.
Performance of Gas Turbine Power Plants Controlled by the Multiagent Scheme
Authors: Dambrosio Lorenzo , Mastrovito Marco , Camporeale Sergio M.
Published: July 2007

In recent years the idea of artificial intelligence has been focused around the concept of rational agent. An agent is an (software or hardware) entity that can receive signals from the environment and act upon that environment through output signals, trying to carry out an appropriate task. Seldom agents are considered as stand-alone systems; on the contrary, their main strength can be found in the interaction with other agents, constituting the so-called multiagent system. In the present work, a multiagent system was chosen as a control system of a single-shaft heavy-duty gas turbine in the multi input multi output mode. The shaft rotational speed (power frequency) and stack temperature (related to the overall gas turbine efficiency) represent the controlled variables; on the other hand, the fuel mass flow (VCE) and the variable inlet guide vanes (VIGV) have been chosen as manipulating variables. The results show that the multiagent approach to the control problem effectively counteracts the load reduction (including the load rejection condition) with limited overshoot in the controlled variables (as other control algorithms do) while showing a good level of adaptivity, readiness, precision, robustness, and stability.
SPTPL: A NEW PULSED LATCH TYPE FLIP-FLOP IN HIGH-PERFORMANCE SYSTEM-ON-A-CHIP (SoC)
Authors: JUNG INHWA , KIM MOO-YOUNG , KIM CHULWOO
Published: July 2007

In many VLSI chips, the power dissipation of the clocking system that includes clock distribution network and flip-flops is often the largest portion of total chip power consumption. In the near future, this portion is likely to dominate total chip power consumption due to higher clock frequency and deeper pipeline design trend. Traditionally, two approaches have been used: (1) to reduce power consumption in the clock tree, several low-swing clock flip-flops and double-edge flip-flops have been introduced; (2) to reduce power consumption in flip-flops, conditional capture, clock-on-demand, data-transition look-ahead techniques have been developed. Recently, pulsed latch type flip-flops are introduced in several high-performance microprocessors to reduce E × D. In this paper, these flip-flops are described with their pros and cons. Then, a new circuit technique is described along with simulation results. The proposed pulsed latch reduces E × D by 82.6% to 95.4% compared to conventional flip-flops.
FPGA ACCELERATION FOR DNA SEQUENCE ALIGNMENT
Authors: CAFFARENA GABRIEL , PEDREIRA CARLOS , CARRERAS CARLOS , BOJANIC SLOBODAN , NIETO-TALADRIZ OCTAVIO
Published: July 2007

In this paper, we present two new hardware architectures that implement the Smith–Waterman algorithm for DNA sequence alignment. Previous low-cost approaches based on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology are reviewed in detail and then improved with the goal of increased performance at the same cost (i.e., area). This goal is achieved through low level optimizations aimed to adapt the systolic structure implementing the algorithm to the regular structure of FPGAs, essentially finding the optimum granularity of the systolic cells. The proposed architectures achieve processing rates close to 1 Gbps, clearly outperforming previous approaches. Comparing to the reported FPGA results of the computation of the edit-distance between two DNA sequences, throughput is doubled for the same clock frequency with a minimum area penalty. The design has been implemented on an FPGA-based prototyping board integrated into a bioinformatics system. This has allowed validating the approach in a real system (i.e., including I/O and database access), and comparing the proposed hardware solution to purely software approaches. As shown in the paper, the results are outstanding even for slow-rate buses.
A NEW CURRENT-MODE CURRENT-CONTROLLED ALL-PASS SECTION
Authors: MAHESHWARI SUDHANSHU
Published: July 2007

This paper presents a new translinear-C current-mode first order all-pass filter suited for high frequency operation. The new circuit offers a simpler structure than the available translinear-C works. The pole-frequency of the circuit is controllable over a wide range through external bias current of CCCII and the circuit possesses low THD for a wide range of signal amplitudes. Extensive simulations are performed to verify the utility of the proposed circuit.
A NOVEL SCHEME OF IMPLEMENTING HIGH-SPEED HIGH-PROBABILITY-RESOLUTION DIGITAL AWGN GENERATORS
Authors: ZHANG JIANLIANG , ZHANG SHENG , WANG SHUO , ZHOU RUNDE
Published: July 2007

Digital noise generators are basic components in communication channel emulators which are used to make the test and verification of communication systems easy and fast. In this paper, a novel scheme of implementing high-speed high-probability-resolution digital AWGN generator is proposed based on a derived universal algorithm for any white f(x)-distributed noise generation. The precision and the hardware complexity of the proposed AWGN generator are discussed in detail. Implemented with FPGA, the presented AWGN generator is utilized to test a high-speed UWB communication system and performs well with excellent precision in noise probability distribution. The proposed novel scheme of implementing digital noise generators is important and helpful in building communication channel emulators to test and verify communication systems.
Acute and chronic microvascular alterations in a mouse model of ischemic acute kidney injury
Authors: Hörbelt Markus , Lee So-Young , Mang Henry E. , Knipe Nicole L. , Sado Yoshikazu , Kribben Andreas , Sutton Timothy A.
Published: July 2007

Functional and structural abnormalities in the renal microvasculature are important processes contributing to the pathophysiology of ischemic acute kidney injury (AKI). In this study, we examine the contribution of endothelial cell loss via apoptosis on microvascular permeability and rarefaction in a mouse model of ischemic AKI. Three-dimensional reconstructions of microvascular networks obtained 24 h following acute ischemic injury demonstrate an intact endothelial monolayer in areas of increased microvascular permeability. A 45% decrease in microvascular density was observed 4 wk after acute ischemic injury. Examination of microvascular endothelial cells following acute ischemic injury did not reveal evidence of positive terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP-mediated nick-end labeling staining at 1, 2, 8, and 16 days following ischemia; however, activation of caspase-3 was evident in endothelial cells following acute ischemic injury. Examination of angiopoietin (Ang) protein expression in the kidney 24 h after ischemic injury revealed an eightfold increase in Ang-1 but no significant change in Ang-2. No significant difference in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor or Ang-2 was observed 4 wk after ischemic injury, although an almost twofold elevation in Ang-1 was observed. An increase in angiostatic breakdown products of collagen IV was observed at both 24 h and 4 wk after ischemic injury. Taken together, these findings indicate that the loss of endothelial cells following ischemic injury is not a major contributor to altered microvascular permeability, although renal microvascular endothelial cells are vulnerable to the initiation of apoptotic mechanisms following ischemic injury that can ultimately impact microvascular density.
Application of Dorsal Preputial Island Flap in Meatoplasty
Authors: Radopoulos Demetrios , Dimitriadis Georgios , Tahmatzopoulos Anastasios , Vasilakakis Ioannis , Malioris Apostolos
Published: July 2007

Introduction and Objectives: Meatal stenosis usually presents in adults with a history of urethral trauma or inflammation or as a complication after hypospadias repair. The objective of this study is to present the correction of meatal stenosis using a preputial island flap, created on the dorsal surface of the penis. Methods: During the last 3 years 12 patients were subjected to meatoplasty using a preputial flap. A meatotomy was performed and a preputial island flap was raised on the dorsal surface of the penis, that was brought to the ventral surface and anastomosed to the opened fossa navicularis. Results: Mean follow-up is 22.3 (range 6–40) months and urethral meatus remains normal with good caliber in routine examination mainly with dilators and uroflowmetry. Conclusions: The described method was based on the on-lay preputial island flap procedure (Duckett’s method) for correction of anterior hypospadias. The cosmetic result is excellent and normal penile morphology and function are well preserved.
Angiographic Correlates of the Treadmill Scores in Non-High-Risk Patients with Unstable Angina
Authors: Alvarez Tamargo José A. , Simarro Martín-Ambrosio Eugenio , Romero Tarín Enrique , Martín Fernández María , Hevia Nava Sergio , Barriales Alvarez Vicente , Morís de la Tassa Cesar
Published: July 2007

Background: There has been no clear consensus regarding the optimum definition of a high-risk exercise ECG test. The aim of this study is to compare the diagnostic accuracy of several treadmill scores [American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) High-Risk Criteria for exercise testing, Duke Treadmill Score, Veterans Affairs and West Virginia Prognostic Score, ST/Heart Rate Index] with the ST-segment depression analysis in the detection of significant and severe coronary disease as determined by coronary angiography. Methods: The study included a cohort of 248 consecutive patients admitted to hospital for unstable angina. Results: The sensitivities of the ACC/AHA High-Risk Criteria and the ST depression ≧1 mm were 89.02 and 76.83%, respectively, for the detection of significant coronary artery disease, and 96.15 and 86.54% for the detection of severe coronary artery disease. The specificities of the Duke Treadmill Score and the ST depression ≧1 mm were 96.43 and 73.81%, respectively, for the detection of significant coronary artery disease, and 81.63 and 47.45% for the detection of severe coronary artery disease. Conclusions: The ACC/AHA High-Risk Criteria and Duke Treadmill Score provided relevant diagnostic information not available from the ST segment analysis alone.
Screening Cellular Proteins Binding to the Core Region of Hepatitis C Virus RNA Genome with Digoxin-Labeled Nucleic Acids
Authors: Su Hai-Xia , Xu De-Zhong , Zhang Yu-Hai , Men Ke , Zhao Xiao-Ning , Li Duan , Zhang Lei , Zhang Jing-Xia , Yan Yong-Ping
Published: July 2007

Objective: To screen and identify cellular proteins binding to the core region of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA genome. Methods: The plasmid pHCV core was constructed to generate in vitro transcripts of the core region of HCV RNA genome. Ultraviolet (UV) cross-linking experiment and competition analysis were performed to screen HepG2 cellular proteins, which interact with digoxin-labeled transcripts of the core region of HCV RNA genome. RNA-binding proteins were separated by immunoprecipitation, analyzed by electrophoresis on SDS-PAGE and detected by immunoblotting with anti-digoxingenin-AP. After being excised from SDS-PAGE, the proteins bands were analyzed by MALDI-TOF-MS. Results: Several cellular proteins of hepG2 cell specifically bound to the core region of HCV RNA genome. The binding of cellular proteins to digoxin-labeled HCV core RNA was competed out in proportion to the increasing amount of unlabeled RNA. One of the HCV RNA-binding proteins was the B (brain) isozyme of human phosphoglycerate mutase (PGAM-B) identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. Conclusion: PGAM-B could specifically bind to the core region of HCV RNA genome in vitro.
Arachidonic Acid Can Significantly Prevent Early Insulin Resistance Induced by a High-Fat Diet
Authors: Wu Mianyun , Wang Ximing , Duan Qiuhong , Lu Tao
Published: July 2007

Aim: To investigate whole-body metabolic disorder and hepatic glucose output (HGO) disturbance in rats with insulin resistance induced by a short-term high-fat diet, and the effect of arachidonic acid (AA). Methods: Twenty-four normal male Wistar rats (230–250 g) were randomly divided into 3 groups according to their weight and fed for 12 weeks: control group, n = 8, fed with standard chow diet; high-fat (HF) group, n = 8, fed with a high-fat diet; HF+AA group, n = 8, fed with a high-fat diet and administered orally 3 mg·kg–1·day–1AA. Results: Early insulin resistance was successfully induced in HF-fed rats with hyperinsulinemia (p < 0.05), higher plasma triglyceride (TG) (p < 0.05), higher fasting liver glycogen content (p < 0.01) and higher glucose-insulin index (p < 0.01) during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The AA treatment significantly decreased the glucose-insulin index (p < 0.01), blood TG (p < 0.05) and glycogen content (p < 0.05) in liver. Both activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) (p < 0.05) and mRNA levels of PEPCK (p < 0.05) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) (p < 0.01) in liver were also observed to be significantly decreased. But there were significant differences in the glucose-insulin index (p < 0.01) during OGTT, and glycogen content (p < 0.01) between the HF+AA and control groups. Conclusion: AA can significantly prevent whole-body insulin resistance induced by a high-fat diet, as well as accompanied HGO disturbance in the overnight fasting state, but not thoroughly.
Noninvasive Assisted Pressure-Controlled Ventilation: As Effective as Pressure Support Ventilation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?
Authors: Kirakli Cenk , Cerci Tutku , Ucar Zeynep Zeren , Erer Onur Fevzi , Bodur Hakan Alp , Bilaceroglu Semra , Ozkan Serir Aktogu
Published: July 2007

Background: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is being increasingly used in hypercapnic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients but the most appropriate ventilation mode is still not known. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate if assisted pressure-controlled ventilation (APCV) can be a better alternative to pressure-support ventilation (PSV) for NIV in COPD patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF). Methods: In this prospective randomized study, we evaluated the early effects of noninvasive APCV and PSV in 34 consecutive COPD patients with AHRF. Patients were randomized into 1 of the 2 modes, and respiratory and hemodynamic values were compared before and after 1 h of NIV. Results: Baseline values did not differ between the 2 groups. There were significant improvements in partial arterial carbon dioxide pressure and pH levels in the APCV group when compared with baseline (p < 0.05). Cardiac output and cardiac index decreased in both groups (p < 0.05) but more significantly in the PSV group (p < 0.0001). The decreases in stroke volume index and increases in arterial oxygen content after NIV were also considerable in both groups (p < 0.05). Central venous pressure and systemic vascular resistance index values increased notably only after PSV (p < 0.05). Conclusions: From these data, we deduce that APCV can be a better alternative to PSV for NIV in COPD patients with AHRF owing to its more beneficial physiological effects.
The Jahn–Teller Effect in Chemistry
Authors: Ceulemans Arnout , Lijnen Erwin
Published: July 2007

A uniform view of electronic degeneracies, resulting from finite point group symmetries, is developed. It relates any n-fold degeneracy to the geometrical structure formed by the set of equidistant points in a space with exactly n dimensions. Jahn–Teller interactions within the degenerate manifold can simply be represented as bond stretchings of this structure. This approach thus can be qualified as the “chemical perspective” to the study of vibronic instabilities. The procedure is described for two-fold, three-fold, four-fold, and five-fold degeneracies. As a result a simple general proof of the Jahn–Teller theorem can be obtained. The electronic degeneracy is connected to the reaction graph of the stable minima on the surrounding Jahn–Teller surface. The findings are illustrated with some structural and dynamic molecular examples.
Role of Modified Nucleosides in the Translation Function of tRNAs from Extreme Thermophilic Bacteria and Animal Mitochondria
Authors: Watanabe Kimitsuna
Published: July 2007

This report characterizes the structure and function of four modified nucleosides first identified by myself or members of my research group in thermophilic bacteria and animal mitochondria over the past 30 years. I identified 2-thioribothymidine (s2T) (or 5-methyl-2-thiouridine (m5s2U)) in 1974 at position 54 in the T loop of tRNAs from an extreme thermophile, Thermus thermophilus, as well as related thermophiles, and a good deal of evidence has shown that it is required for thermostabilization of tRNAs, functioning at high temperatures. The functional roles and the biosynthetic pathway of s2T are outlined here. My research group has identified three novel modified nucleosides, 5-formylcytidine (f5C), N-(uridine-5-ylmethyl)taurine (τm5U), and N-(2-thiouridine-5-ylmethyl)taurine (τm5s2U), at the first anticodon position of mitochondrial (mt) tRNAs from higher animals (f5C is present in tRNAMet, τm5U in tRNALeu(UUR) and tRNATrp, and τm5s2U in tRNAGln, tRNALys, and tRNAGlu). Their chemical structures were determined and their functional roles in translation were examined. Additionally, f5C at the first anticodon position of mt tRNAMet plays a crucial role in decoding the AUA codon (decoded as isoleucine in the universal genetic code system) as methionine, which will form the second topic of this article. Defective modification of τm5U and τm5s2U at the first anticodon position in human mt tRNALeu(UUR) and tRNALys, respectively, is the result of point mutations in these tRNAs in mitochondria. It is strongly suggested that these defects are the direct cause of two mitochondrial diseases, MELAS (mitochondrial encephalomyopathies, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes) and MERRF (myoclonus epilepsy associated with ragged-red fibers). Their molecular mechanisms are also discussed here. These studies would serve to highlight again the importance of modified tRNA nucleosides in the structure and function of tRNAs.
Development and Industrialization of the Vapor-Phase Beckmann Rearrangement Process
Authors: Izumi Yoshitaka , Ichihashi Hiroshi , Shimazu Yasumoto , Kitamura Masaru , Sato Hiroshi
Published: July 2007

The development of a new catalyst effective for the vapor-phase Beckmann rearrangement of cyclohexanone oxime has made it possible to establish a commercial process for the production of ε-caprolactam without producing any ammonium sulfate. Through fundamental studies of the catalyst, it was discovered that an MFI-type zeolite composed exclusively of silica had a high selectivity and activity for the vapor-phase Beckmann rearrangement. Based on acidity measurements and on the reactivity of oximes with different sizes as well as the calculation results of the deprotonation energies of some silanols, we have suggested that the active sites are nest silanols located close to their mouth of the micro pores. By addition of methanol into the reaction system, the selectivity for ε-caprolactam was markedly improved to the levels required for industrialization. A fluidized bed reactor was used for the reaction system in order to maintain a continuous production. By combining the ammoximation process for production of cyclohexanone oxime using the TS-1 catalyst and the vapor-phase Beckmann rearrangement, a commercial plant has been operating on a 60000 tons per year scale since April 2003, without any troubles.
Monodispersed Dimerization of Isoleucine Zipper–Coiled Coil Trimer
Authors: Kashiwada Ayumi , Sakakibara Atsuko , Nakamura Yohei , Matsuda Kiyomi
Published: July 2007

We describe the synthesis and characterization of novel isoleucine zipper polypeptide dimers, connected with a maleimide-containing linker molecule, that can assemble into structurally defined heterotrimeric α-helical coiled coil dimers on the basis of architectural features of the polypeptide sequences. Linear- and crosslinked-isoleucine zipper polypeptide dimers were designed in this study. Circular dichroism spectroscopy, gel filtration, and HPLC analyses indicate that each polypeptide dimer can noncovalently assemble with four isoleucine zipper polypeptides and lead to heterotrimeric α-helical coiled coil dimer formation. Thus, we concluded that monodispersed dimerization of triple-stranded coiled coil was achieved for the first time. Moreover, the noncovalently assembled supramolecule may be useful as a the building-block for constructing artificial polypeptide fibrillogenesis systems.
Crystal Structures of Solid Solutions of a Symmetrical Ketone/n-Alkane Binary System
Authors: Nakasone Keiko , Nemoto Norio
Published: July 2007

An X-ray diffraction study on the crystal structures of binary mixtures of very pure long-chain symmetrical ketone (K39) and n-alkane (C39) with an odd carbon number of 39 is presented. When the samples were prepared with the solution-crystallization method, which form two different types of solid solutions for the molar fraction (fm) of K39 above and below fm,c=0.204. From composition and temperature dependencies of a long period (L) and two subcell lengths (as and bs) determined from (00l), (200), and (110) reflections, respectively, we show that nearly the same crystal structure as that of pure C39 is maintained for the solid solutions in regime S1 where fmfm,c. When temperature was raised above the solidus line of the phase diagram in the S2 regime, recrystallization occurred to form a solid solution very rich in the K39 component in the liquid–solid solution coexisting phase before final melting of K39. The solid–solid phase transition behaviors and resulting chain packing in the S1 regime are discussed in relation to anomalous anisotropy of linear thermal expansion coefficients along two lattice directions.
Effects of Ionic Surfactants and Cyclodextrins on Hydride-Transfer Reaction of 1-Benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide with Methylene Blue
Authors: Matsumoto Takeshi , Liu Yingjin , Sueishi Yoshimi , Yamamoto Shunzo
Published: July 2007

The kinetics of the hydride-transfer reaction between methylene blue (MB+) and 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronictinamide (BNAH) were studied in media containing cyclodextrins (β- and γ-CD) and surfactants (sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide, tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide, and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide). Cationic surfactants decreased the apparent first-order rate constant (kobsd) above the cmc, while SDS increased kobsd just above the cmc and then decreased kobsd with increasing surfactant concentration. This behavior for cationic surfactants was typical of micellar effects due to a separation of the reactants by the micelles. BNAH associated with micelles, whereas MB+ ions were repelled from the cationic interface of the micelles. Binding of BNAH and MB+ to the same SDS micelle enhanced the reaction, but dilution of reagents within the micellar interface with the increase in [SDS] caused a decrease in kobsd. In β-CD–cationic surfactant mixtures, the results were interpreted in terms of the model which takes into account the formation of CD–BNAH, CD–MB+, and CD–surfactant complexes and the association of BNAH with micelles. The decrease in kobsd with increasing surfactant concentration observed in γ-CD–cationic surfactant mixtures can be explained by the decrease in the concentration of free γ-CD by the formation of 1:1 and 2:1 complexes of surfactant monomer with γ-CD.
The Alkylation of Biphenyl over Fourteen-Membered Ring Zeolites. The Influence of Zeolite Structure and Alkylating Agent on the Selectivity for 4,4′-Dialkylbiphenyl
Authors: Sugi Yoshihiro , Maekawa Hiroyoshi , Mulla Shafeek Abdul Rashid , Ito Akira , Naitoh Chikayo , Nakagawa Kazunori , Komura Kenichi , Kubota Yoshihiro , Kim Jong-Ho , Seo Gon
Published: July 2007

Alkylation, i.e. isopropylation, s-butylation, and t-butylation, of biphenyl (BP) was examined over fourteen-membered ring (14-MR) zeolites, CIT-5, UTD-1, and SSZ-53, in order to elucidate the relationships between structure of zeolites and bulkiness of alkylating agents on the shape-selective catalysis. CIT-5 zeolite (CFI) yielded 4,4′-diisopropylbiphenyl (4,4′-DIPB) in the level of 50–60% in the isopropylation in the range of 150–300 °C. 2,2′-, 2,3′-, and 2,4′-DIPB (2,x′-DIPB) isomers were obtained as the predominant DIPB isomers at lower temperatures, and the formation of 3,4′- and 3,3′-DIPB isomers increased with an increase in the temperature. However, the selectivities were in the level of 10–15% for UTD-1 (DON) and SSZ-53 (SFH) zeolites in the range of 150–350 °C. The s-butylation with 1-butene gave results similar to the isopropylation, although the selectivities for 4,4′-di-s-butylbiphenyl (4,4′-DSBB) were higher than those for 4,4′-DIPB at 250 °C: 80–85% for CFI, 40–50% for DON, and 30–40% for SFH. High selectivity for 4,4′-di-t-butylbiphenyl (4,4′-DTBB) was observed in the t-butylation at 250 °C: 95% for CFI, 90% for DON, and 80% for SFH. These differences are due to the spatial difference in their channels, and also due to bulkiness of alkylating agents, propene, 1-butene, and 2-methylpropene. The selectivity for 4,4′-dialkylbiphenyl (4,4′-DABP) was governed by the exclusion of the bulky DABP isomers at the transition state by steric restriction in the zeolite channels.
Spatial and temporal changes in non-structural carbohydrate reserves in eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) in Danish coastal waters
Authors: Vichkovitten Tritep , Holmer Marianne , Frederiksen Morten S.
Published: July 2007

The spatial and seasonal changes of total non-structural carbohydrate (TNC) reserves in above- and belowground tissues in eelgrass (Zostera marina) were assessed at four different sampling sites in Danish waters. The study consisted of annual field sampling, where sites differed in water depth and nutrient content in sediments. The TNC concentrations varied considerably in all tissues, and rhizomes generally represented the major storage organ. Sucrose was the main sugar contributing to TNC whilst starch represented the minor (<15%) reserves. Trehalose, which is reported in Z. marina here for the first time, due to the use of a recently developed HPLC method, was found in low concentrations (up to ∼2%) and showed a reverse seasonal variation compared to other sugars, with maximum concentrations in winter. Plants growing near depth limits (5.5 m) had significantly higher reserves, whereas no significant effect of sediment nutrient contents on the TNC concentrations was observed, reflecting the ability of Z. marina to tolerate a range of different growth conditions.
New records of benthic marine algae from the Canary Islands (eastern Atlantic Ocean): morphology, taxonomy and distribution
Authors: Afonso-Carrillo Julio , Sansón Marta , Sangil Carlos , Díaz-Villa Tania
Published: July 2007

Four species of marine algae are reported from the Canary Islands for the first time. Our report of the western Atlantic Gelidiella setacea (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta) is the first from the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Pseudotetraspora marina (Tetrasporales, Chlorophyta) previously known on the eastern side of the Atlantic Ocean from temperate saltmarshes only, is now reported growing in the shallow sublittoral zone, the habitat in which tropical western Atlantic populations also occur. The presence of Lomentaria chylocladiella (Rhodymeniales, Rhodophyta) represents the first report in the Atlantic Ocean of a species previously thought to be endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. The record of the widely distributed Acrochaetium hallandicum (Acrochaetiales, Rhodophyta) was not unexpected. Specimens of A. hallandicum have vegetative cells with a single lobate parietal chloroplast with a single pyrenoid, a feature that among acrochaetioid algae occurs exclusively in the genus Colaconema (Colaconematales), and consequently the species is transferred to this genus. Fertile sporophytes are described for Gelidiella setacea, a species previously known only in its vegetative condition. Cruciately to irregularly divided sporangia are regularly arranged in transverse rows in stichidia laterally formed on the axes. The species is transferred to the genus Parviphycus on the basis of the morphology of the stichidia and the distichous pattern of apical division exhibited by the axes, both exclusive features of this genus.
Distinct Structural and Ionotropic Roles of NMDA Receptors in Controlling Spine and Synapse Stability
Authors: Alvarez Veronica A. , Ridenour Dennis A. , Sabatini Bernardo L.
Published: July 2007

NMDA-type glutamate receptors (NMDARs) play a central role in the rapid regulation of synaptic transmission, but their contribution to the long-term stabilization of glutamatergic synapses is unknown. We find that, in hippocampal pyramidal neurons in rat organotypic slices, pharmacological blockade of NMDARs does not affect synapse formation and dendritic spine growth but does increase the motility of spines. Physical loss of synaptic NMDARs induced by RNA interference against the NR1 subunit of the receptor also increases the motility of spines. Furthermore, knock-down of NMDARs, but not their pharmacological block, destabilizes spine structure and over time leads to loss of spines and excitatory synapses. Maintenance of normal spine density requires the coexpression of two specific splice isoforms of the NR1 subunit that contain the C-terminal C2 cassette. Thus, although ionotropic properties of NMDARs induce synaptic plasticity, it is the physical interactions of the C-tail of the receptor that mediate the long-term stabilization of synapses and spines.
Induction of Calcium Influx through TRPC5 Channels by Cross-Linking of GM1 Ganglioside Associated with α5β1 Integrin Initiates Neurite Outgrowth
Authors: Wu Gusheng , Lu Zi-Hua , Obukhov Alexander G. , Nowycky Martha C. , Ledeen Robert W.
Published: July 2007

Previous studies demonstrated that cross-linking of GM1 ganglioside with multivalent ligands, such as B subunit of cholera toxin (CtxB), induced Ca2+influx through an unidentified, voltage-independent channel in several cell types. Application of CtxB to undifferentiated NG108-15 cells resulted in outgrowth of axon-like neurites in a Ca2+influx-dependent manner. In this study, we demonstrate that CtxB-induced Ca2+influx is mediated by TRPC5 channels, naturally expressed in these cells and primary neurons. Both Ca2+influx and neurite induction were blocked by TRPC5 small interfering RNA (siRNA). Pretreatment of NG108-15 cells with neuraminidase increased cell-surface GM1 and greatly enhanced the signal. GM1 was not directly associated with TRPC5 but rather with α5β1 integrin, which opened the channel through a signaling sequence after cross-linking of the GM1/integrin complex. This cascade included autophosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and subsequent activation of phospholipase Cγ (PLCγ) and phosphoinositide-3 kinase [PI(3)K]. Pharmacological blockers that inhibited tyrosine kinase, PLC, and PI(3)K suppressed both CtxB-induced Ca2+influx and neurite outgrowth. These were also suppressed by SK&F96365, a nonspecific transient receptor potential channel blocker. Confocal immunocytochemistry revealed that GM1 cross-linking induced colocalization of GM1 with these signaling elements in sprouting regions of plasma membrane. In primary cerebellar granular neurons (CGNs), TRPC5 was detected at 2 din vitro(2 DIV), a stage corresponding to CtxB-stimulated Ca2+influx. Neurite outgrowth in CGNs, determined at 3 DIV, was accelerated by CtxB and suppressed by TRPC5 siRNA and the above blockers. The crucial role of GM1 was indicated with CGNs from ganglio-series null mice, in which growth of axons was significantly retarded.
Community Economic Development Strategies in Rural Washington: Toward a Synthesis of Natural and Social Capital*
Authors: Crowe Jessica A.
Published: July 2007

AbstractRoutes to economic development attract considerable attention in community and rural sociology. Social scientists draw increasingly on studies of social capital and environmental surroundings as they examine the factors that facilitate and inhibit economic development. However, few empirical analyses exist that analyze the impact of the combination of social infrastructure and natural capital on different forms of economic development such as on industrial recruitment and self‐development. Using data collected from six communities in Washington State, the interaction of a community's social infrastructure and natural capital on industrial recruitment and self‐development efforts is examined. Results suggest that while natural capital positively impacts a community's successful recruitment of outside industries, it is not significant for a community's level of self‐development. However, a community's social infrastructure, measured by the existence of active civic organizations, local businesses that support local community projects, community‐wide fund‐raising capacity, and extra‐local linkages to nearby communities, state, and national agencies, positively affects both industrial recruitment and self‐development. These findings illustrate the need for communities and local activists to carefully weigh their advantages and potential shortcomings when deciding on an economic development strategy.
“Have You Ever Seen a Shrunken Head?”: The Early Modern Roots of Ecstatic Truth in Werner Herzog's Fitzcarraldo
Authors: Ascárate Richard John
Published: July 2007

Shortly into Werner Herzog's South American film Fitzcarraldo (1982), the Peruvian rubber baron Don Aquilino (José Lewgoy) asks the eponymous protagonist (Klaus Kinski) if he has ever seen a shrunken head. This paper argues that Fitzcarraldo's short, fumbling response (“Yes. I mean, no. Sort of …”) calls into question both the European tradition of representing the New World and the very status and nature of the film image. Close analysis of a single visual from the film also demonstrates the difficulty of constructing images endowed with what the director has called over the years “ecstatic truth.” Though critically praised for his unique vision, Herzog affiliates himself through Fitzcarraldo, however unknowingly, with a constellation of texts and practices having colonialist aims, extending all the way to Warhaftig Historia (1557), the controversial captivity narrative of the would-be German conquistador Hans Staden.
What Is New Formalism?
Authors: Levinson Marjorie
Published: July 2007

This review of new formalism poses challenges very different from those of the familiar compendium-review genre (e.g., “The Year's Work in Victorian Studies”). While all review essays face questions of inclusion, in an assignment of this kind, where the defining category is neither an established period nor topic but a developing theory or method emerging from the entire repertoire of literary and cultural studies, identifying the scholarly literature is a critical task in its own right. Moreover, because new formalism is better described as a movement than a theory or method, the work of selection is especially vexed and consequential. It is vexed because the practitioners' modes and degrees of identification with the movement are so various, and consequential because the reviewer's bibliographic decisions cannot help but construct the phenomenon being described.
Trends in Women's Risk Factors and Chronic Conditions: Findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health
Authors: Lucke Jayne , Waters Bree , Hockey Richard , Spallek Melanie , Gibson Richard , Byles Julie , Dobson Annette
Published: July 2007

Chronic diseases present a growing challenge to women's health. This paper presents data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health to show prevalence and incidence among three cohorts of women of six chronic conditions: hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, osteoporosis and arthritis. It also examines the role of five important risk factors (body mass index, level of physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption and level of education) on these chronic conditions. The most striking finding is that being overweight or obese is the most important risk factor for chronic disease for women in all three age groups.
Design and fabrication of an all-dielectric grating with top-hat high diffraction efficiency over a broad spectral range
Authors: Lyndin N. , Flury M. , Tonchev S. , Fechner R. , Parriaux O.
Published: July 2007

Between 98% and 100% flat top efficiency –1st order TE diffraction over a 40 nm wavelength range centered at 800 nm can be obtained by an all-dielectric grating structure where the corrugation is etched in a high index layer unlike in the state of the art. 98% maximum efficiency and a wide-band top-hat diffraction efficiency spectrum are demonstrated experimentally.
Determination of serum glucose by horseradish peroxidase‐catalysed imidazole chemiluminescence coupled to a micro‐flow‐injection system
Authors: Nozaki Osamu , Munesue Motonori , Kawamoto Hiroko
Published: July 2007

The reactivity of flow‐injection (FI)‐horseradish peroxidase (HRP)‐catalysed imidazole chemiluminescence (CL) was studied for continuous determination of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and serum glucose with immobilized glucose oxidase. Light emission by the HRP‐catalysed imidazole CL was obtained when immobilized HRP, alkaline imidazole (in Tricine solution, pH 9.3) and H2O2 were reacted at room temperature. The optimal pH for the CL reaction was 9.3 and the optimal concentration of imidazole was 100 µmol/L. When no imidazole was added, the light intensity of the same H2O2 specimen decreased to a level that could not be quantitatively determined. The spectrum of the light emitted by imidazole CL was in the range 400–600 nm with a peak at 500 nm. The calibration equation for determination of H2O2 was y = 9860x2 + 3830x + 11 700, where y = light intensity (RLU) and x = concentration of H2O2 (µmol/L). The detection limit of H2O2 was 5 pmol, and the reproducibility of the H2O2 assay was 2.3% of the coefficient of variation (H2O2 48 µmol/L, n = 13). The CL method was successfully applied to assay glucose after on‐line generation of H2O2 with the immobilized glucose oxidase column, resulting in good reproducibility (CV = 3.3% and 1.0% for the standard glucose and the control serum, respectively). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.