bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ladder π‐Conjugated Materials Containing Main‐Group Elements
Authors: Fukazawa Aiko , Yamaguchi Shigehiro
Published: July 2009

Ladder π‐conjugated compounds, which have fully ring‐fused polycyclic skeletons, are an important class of materials possessing significant potentials for application in organic electronics. The incorporation of main‐group elements, such as B, Si, P, S, and Se, into the ladder skeletons as bridging moieties is a powerful strategy to endow unusual electronic structures as well as suitable molecular arrangements in the solid state, giving rise to attractive photophysical and electronic properties. Recent efforts have produced a number of fascinating ladder materials, some of which indeed showed high performance as light‐emitting materials and charge carrier transporting materials. This Focus Review is an overview of the progress in this chemistry, focusing on several important π‐conjugated skeletons.
Purification of hemoglobin by tangential flow filtration with diafiltration
Authors: Elmer Jacob , Harris David R. , Sun Guoyong , Palmer Andre F.
Published: July 2009

A recent study by Palmer, Sun, and Harris (Biotechnol. Prog., 25:189–199, 2009) demonstrated that tangential flow filtration (TFF) can be used to produce HPLC‐grade bovine and human hemoglobin (Hb). In this current study, we assessed the quality of bovine Hb (bHb) purified by introducing a 10 L batch‐mode diafiltration step to the previously mentioned TFF Hb purification process. The bHb was purified from bovine red blood cells (RBCs) by filtering clarified RBC lysate through 50 nm (stage I) and 500 kDa (stage II) hollow fiber (HF) membranes. The filtrate was then passed through a 100 kDa (stage III) HF membrane with or without an additional 10 L diafiltration step to potentially remove additional small molecular weight impurities. Protein assays, SDS‐PAGE, and LC‐MS of the purified bHb (stage III retentate) reveal that addition of a diafiltration step has no effect on bHb purity or yield; however, it does increase the methemoglobin level and oxygen affinity of purified bHb. Therefore, we conclude that no additional benefit is gained from diafiltration at stage III and a three stage TFF process is sufficient to produce HPLC‐grade bHb. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009
Adaptive haptic rendering for time‐varying haptic and video frame rates in multi‐modal interactions
Authors: Hwang Sun‐Uk , Lee Beom‐Chan , Ryu Jeha , Lee Kwan H. , Lee Yong‐Gu
Published: July 2009

In multi‐modal interactions including haptics, problems such as input sensor noise, temporal mismatch between graphics and haptics, and non‐constant refresh rates may cause non‐smooth force/torque display. This paper proposes temporal smoothing technique for haptic interaction using a sensing glove in multi‐modal applications. The proposed technique employs two processes: (1) a noise reduction method is applied to reduce jitter noise at the sensors in the sensing glove and (2) an adaptive force extrapolation is applied for time‐varying haptic and video frame rates. To demonstrate the performance of the proposed method, we developed a test platform to assess a simple box model and relatively complex models such as gamephone, portable media player (PMP). It was subsequently demonstrated that the proposed method can support smooth haptic interactions in multi‐modal applications where a haptic device and a sensing glove are used. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Endangered Medicinal Species of the Indian Ocean: Radical Need for Conservation
Authors: Pandey Pt. Kartikay
Published: July 2009

Life originated in the Oceans, which are also the most fertile source of chemically distinctive natural products that are mainly accumulated in living organisms. Several of these compounds show pharmacological activities, and are helpful for the invention and discovery of bioactive compounds, primarily for several fatal diseases. The Indian Ocean is home to several exotic species of flora and fauna. Several environmental and man‐made factors are responsible for deterioration of several precious biodiversity areas of the Ocean. The author, while highlighting the medicinal importance of these organisms, underlines the need for comprehensive conservatory measures on the part of the international community to be taken in order to maintain the rich Oceanic biodiversity.
Volatile Compounds in Fruits of Peucedanum cervaria (Lap.) L.
Authors: Skalicka‐Wozniak Krystyna , Los Renata , Glowniak Kazimierz , Malm Anna
Published: July 2009

The volatile compounds from Peucedanum cervaria (Lap.) L. were obtained by hydrodistillation (HD) and headspace solid‐phase microextraction techniques (HS‐SPME), and then analyzed by GC/MS methods. The composition of samples from a botanical garden was compared with plants collected in the wild. The main compounds of the essential oils of P. cervaria were identified as α‐pinene, sabinene, and β‐pinene (more than 80% of oil). The content of β‐myrcene, limonene+β‐phellandrene, and germacrene D was higher than 1%. The in vitro antibacterial activity of the essential oil was evaluated by the agar dilution method against ten reference strains of Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria.
Cancer Chemopreventive Activity of Oleanane‐Type Triterpenoids from the Stem Bark of Betula ermanii
Authors: Yamaguchi Chiharu , In Yasuko , Wada Shun‐ichi , Yamada Takeshi , Tokuda Harukuni , Tanaka Reiko
Published: July 2009

In search for cancer chemopreventive agents from natural sources, three oleanane‐ and four known lupane‐type triterpenoids, and sitosterol from the stem bark of Betula ermanii were tested for their inhibitory effects on Epstein–Barr virus early antigen (EBV‐EA) activation induced by 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA). Among them, 3β‐acetoxy‐12α‐hydroxyoleanan‐13β,28‐olide (1) and 3β‐acetoxy‐11α,12α‐epoxyoleanan‐13β,28‐olide (2) were investigated for the inhibitory effect in a two‐stage carcinogenesis test on mouse skin using 7,12‐dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) as an initiator and TPA as a promoter. 3β‐Acetoxy‐11α,12α‐epoxyoleanan‐13β,28‐olide (2) was found to exhibit the potent antitumor promoting activity in the in vivo carcinogenesis test.
Surface Chemical Composition of Diatoms
Authors: Tesson Benoit , Genet Michel J. , Fernandez Vincent , Degand Simon , Rouxhet Paul G. , Martin‐Jézéquel Véronique
Published: July 2009

Among diatoms, Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a peculiar species that exists in three morphotypes with distinct cell wall structures and low silica content. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis was performed on P. tricornutum and compared with diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana; the results provide new information on the chemical composition (elements, chemical functions, classes of biochemical compounds) of the cell surface. Two types of silicon were found: condensed silica (SiO2) and weakly polymerised silicate. Cells of T. pseudonana showed the highest concentration of silicon, with a majority in the form of condensed silica. For the fusiform and triradiate morphotypes of P. tricornutum, the majority of the small concentration of silica found was in the form of weakly polymerised silicate. For all morphotypes of P. tricornutum, higher polysaccharide concentrations replaced silica as a structural part of the cell wall. In both diatoms, a high concentration of lipids was measured, in the form of carboxylic esters. Protonated nitrogen and phosphate were found in correlated amounts and attributed not only to phospholipids but also to phosphoproteins. Chloride ions characterised by a high electron density might be associated to these moieties. Sulfate groups were also detected, principally in P. tricornutum, and attributed to monoesters of polysaccharides.
NMR Spectroscopic Characterization of the Adenine‐Dependent Hairpin Ribozyme
Authors: Buck Janina , Li Yan‐Li , Richter Christian , Vergne Jacques , Maurel Marie‐Christine , Schwalbe Harald
Published: July 2009

Time‐resolved NMR spectroscopy was applied to study ribozyme‐mediated RNA catalysis in a mutant of the hairpin ribozyme, the adenine‐dependent hairpin ribozyme (ADHR; M. Meli, et al. J. Biol. Chem. 2003, 278, 9835–9842) with atomic resolution. The mutant ADHR was designed to investigate the role of cofactors in RNA catalytic mechanisms in order to understand cellular processes that could have been present in the archaic “RNA world” and of their evolution towards functional RNAs in modern cellular processes, as for example, found in the glmS ribozyme. Conformational changes due to RNA cleavage were analyzed following spectral changes of the NMR imino proton resonances that could be assigned both for the pre‐ and postcleaved conformation for this 80‐nucleotide long RNA. 31P NMR spectroscopic studies allowed us to confirm the formation of a cyclic phosphodiester as a result of the cleavage process. For ADHR, both metal ions and the cofactor adenine are essential for self‐cleaving activity. The interaction of the ribozyme with the cofactor adenine is found to be transient and too weak to significantly change the RNA structure or to modulate the spectroscopic characteristics of the cofactor. ADHR therefore represents a ribozyme in which high activation barriers have to be overcome to populate cleavage‐competent states that exhibit short life times. We show that conformational dynamics, but not the chemistry, constitute the rate‐limiting step in catalysis of the adenine‐dependent hairpin ribozyme.
A comparison of nine PLS1 algorithms
Authors: Andersson Martin
Published: July 2009

Nine PLS1 algorithms were evaluated, primarily in terms of their numerical stability, and secondarily their speed. There were six existing algorithms: (a) NIPALS by Wold; (b) the non‐orthogonalized scores algorithm by Martens; (c) Bidiag2 by Golub and Kahan; (d) SIMPLS by de Jong; (e) improved kernel PLS by Dayal; and (f) PLSF by Manne. Three new algorithms were created: (g) direct‐scores PLS1 based on a new recurrent formula for the calculation of basis vectors yielding scores directly from X and y; (h) Krylov PLS1 with its regression vector defined explicitly, using only the original X and y; (i) PLSPLS1 with its regression vector recursively defined from X and the regression vectors of its previous recursions. Data from IR and NIR spectrometers applied to food, agricultural, and pharmaceutical products were used to demonstrate the numerical stability. It was found that three methods (c, f, h) create regression vectors that do not well resemble the corresponding precise PLS1 regression vectors. Because of this, their loading and score vectors were also concluded to be deviating, and their models of X and the corresponding residuals could be shown to be numerically suboptimal in a least squares sense. Methods (a, b, e, g) were the most stable. Two of them (e, g) were not only numerically stable but also much faster than methods (a, b). The fast method (d) and the moderately fast method (i) showed a tendency to become unstable at high numbers of PLS factors. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sintering behavior of ZnO:Al ceramics fabricated by sol‐gel derived nanocrystalline powders
Authors: Bahşi Z. B. , Aslan M. H. , Ozer M. , Oral A. Y.
Published: July 2009

ZnO:Al ceramics (Zn:Al, 0.95:0.05) were prepared by using sol‐gel derived nanocrystalline powders. XRD patterns of the doped ceramics revealed the existence of both zincite (JCPDS 36‐1451) and gahnite (JCPDS 5‐0669) phases. Gahnite phase (ZnAl2O4) was segregated along the ZnO grain boundaries. At the sintering temperature of 1200 °C, relative density of the undoped and Al doped ceramics were measured as 0.695 and 0.628, respectively. Both grain size and relative density of the ceramics decreased with Al doping. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Induction time of silver nanoparticles precipitation: Experiment and modeling
Authors: Hatami N. , Ghader S.
Published: July 2009

This paper describes the measurement of induction time in precipitation of silver nanoparticles at different temperatures and supersaturations, and models it with Smoluchowski's coagulation theory. Silver nanoparticles are synthesized by reaction of silver nitrate with hydrazine in the presence of sodium citrate as stabilizer. The rate of association between clusters is found to depend on temperature and their sizes. The activation energy for the association between two clusters and interfacial tension of silver nanoparticles were also estimated. The results also show that induction time decreases with increasing supersaturation and temperature. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Precipitation of nesquehonite from homogeneous supersaturated solutions
Authors: Cheng Wenting , Li Zhibao
Published: July 2009

The homogeneous (unseeded) precipitation of nesquehonite (MgCO3·3H2O) was studied over the temperature range of 10‐40 °C. Precipitation was triggered by the supersaturation created by mixing MgCl2 solution (0.5‐1.5 M) with Na2CO3 solution in the same concentration range. The Meissner's method was adopted in the calculation of supersaturations during the MgCl2‐Na2CO3 reaction to monitor the precipitation. Solids were identified using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. In the temperature range of 10‐40 °C, MgCO3·3H2O with needle‐like or gel‐like morphology was precipitated. It was seen that the length, width and surface smoothness of the particles changed with reaction temperature and supersaturation. The supersaturation (S) was in the range of 1.09‐58.68 during titration of Na2CO3 solution. The dimension of the crystals increased with longer addition time (or lower initial concentration of reactant) at the same temperature. Slower addition via titration of 2 h followed by 2 h of equilibration at 40 °C proved successful in producing well developed needle‐like MgCO3·3H2O crystals of 30‐50 μm long and 3‐6 μm wide. MgCO3·3H2O obtained were calcined to produce highly pure magnesium oxide (MgO) at 800 °C. The morphology of MgO was similar to that of their corresponding precursors. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Sustainable supply chain management and inter‐organizational resources: a literature review
Authors: Gold Stefan , Seuring Stefan , Beske Philip
Published: July 2009

On the basis of a content analysis, this paper explores the role of sustainable supply chain management as a catalyst of generating valuable inter‐organizational resources and thus possible sustained inter‐firm competitive advantage through collaboration on environmental and social issues. Drawing on the resource‐based view and its extension, the relational view, this paper highlights that partner‐focused supply management capabilities evolve to corporate core competences as competition shifts from an inter‐firm to an inter‐supply‐chain level. The ‘collaborative paradigm’ in supply chain management regards strategic collaboration as a crucial source of competitive advantage. Collaboration is even more essential when supply chains aim at ensuring simultaneously economic, environmental and social performance on a product's total life‐cycle basis. Inter‐firm resources and capabilities emerging from supply‐chain‐wide collaboration are prone to become sources of sustained inter‐firm competitive advantage, since they are socially complex, causally ambiguous and historically grown and hence particularly difficult to imitate by competitors. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
CSR and the environment: business supply chain partnerships in Hong Kong and PRDR, China
Authors: Cheung Dennis K. K. , Welford Richard J. , Hills Peter R.
Published: July 2009

Cross‐border relocation of the production lines of Hong Kong companies to the Pearl River Delta Region (PRDR) of China relocates the pollution source geographically. In contextualizing corporate social responsibility (CSR), more and better collaborations on environmental management between Hong‐Kong‐based companies and their supply chains within Hong Kong and the PRDR are needed. Using a qualitative approach, this research identifies and examines nine concerned business supply chain partnership cases. Stakeholders perceived that partnership is a good tool for improving corporate environmental management. However, although it has become more active since 2002, partnership is not yet popular. More time and support are needed to develop it. Businesses should take further steps to benefit themselves and the environment. Based on the first‐hand experiences and opinions of interviewees, this paper analyzes and presents recent partnership activities; their drivers and barriers; factors in their successes; and the possible roles of government and business associations in fostering partnership development. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
The UN Global Compact and the Enlightenment tradition: a rural electrification project under the aegis of the UN Global Compact
Authors: Egels‐Zandén Niklas , Kallifatides Markus
Published: July 2009

Despite extensive academic debate as to what corporate social responsibility (CSR) and other related conceptsoughtto encompass, there is a lack of critical analysis of what CSR in practice entails, i.e., whatactuallyconstitutes CSR practices. This paper critically addresses this question by focusing on one of the most influential CSR initiatives – the UN Global Compact. We demonstrate that the principles of the Global Compact are rooted in a European Enlightenment tradition and, based on a study of an Asea Brown Boveri (ABB) CSR project in a Tanzanian village, we illustrate how these principles translate into corporate projects that challenge local institutions, while remaining unquestioned. The paper concludes by opening a space for discussing the desirability of the Enlightenment ethos manifested in Global Compact projects. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Generation of cortactin floxed mice and cellular analysis of motility in fibroblasts
Authors: Tanaka Shinji , Kunii Masataka , Harada Akihiro , Okabe Shigeo
Published: July 2009

Cortactin is an F‐actin binding protein that has been suggested to play key roles in various cellular functions. Here, we generated mice carrying floxed alleles of the cortactin (Cttn) gene (Cttnflox/flox mice). Expression of Cre recombinase in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) isolated from Cttnflox/flox embryos depleted cortactin within days, without disturbing F‐actin distribution and localization of multiple actin‐binding proteins. Cre‐mediated deletion of Cttn also did not affect cell migration. To obtain mice with a Cttn null allele, we next crossed Cttnflox/flox mice with transgenic mice that express Cre recombinase ubiquitously. Western blot and immunocytochemical analysis confirmed complete elimination of cortactin expression in MEFs carrying homozygously Cttn null alleles. However, we found no marked alteration of F‐actin organization and cell migration in Cttn null‐MEFs. Thus, our results indicate that depletion of cortactin in MEFs does not profoundly influence actin‐dependent cell motility. genesis 47:638–646, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Generation of conditional Hoxc8 loss‐of‐function and Hoxc8→Hoxc9 replacement alleles in mice
Authors: Blackburn Jessica , Rich Melissa , Ghitani Nima , Liu Jeh‐Ping
Published: July 2009

The Hox family of transcription factors are expressed at different domains along the rostrocaudal (R‐C) body axis during development. To examine the function of Hoxc8 and Hoxc9 in specific cell types and at different developmental times, we have generated and characterized loxP flanked (floxed) Hoxc8 and Hoxc8→Hoxc9 replacement alleles of mice, with either GFP or LacZ reporters. Although all four alleles of mice behave like wild‐type controls in motor behavioral testing, slight differences in endogenous Hox gene expression were observed among these alleles depending on the type of reporters used and the presence of Hoxc9 cDNA in the targeting constructs. The efficiency of Cre‐mediated recombination was evaluated by crossing these mice with the Nestin‐cre and Isl1‐cre mice, and the loss of Hoxc8 expression with or without Hoxc9 misexpression was confirmed in embryonic spinal cord. In addition, an upregulation of reporter gene expression was observed after Cre‐mediated recombination. These mice will be useful tools to analyze Hox gene function in a cell type‐specific manner. genesis 47:680–687, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Generation of a conditional CREB Ser133Ala knockin mouse
Authors: Wingate Andrew D. , Martin Kirsty J. , Hunter Chris , Carr Julia M. , Clacher Carol , Arthur J. Simon C.
Published: July 2009

Phosphorylation of Ser133 in the transcription factor CREB is an important mechanism for regulating its transcriptional activity, however recent work has suggested significant roles for other regulatory inputs into CREB. To allow study of this in vivo, we have generated a Ser133 to alanine knockin mutation in the mouse CREB locus. As CREB knockout is perinatal lethal, a minigene strategy was used to allow conditional knockin of the Ser133Ala mutation in adult mice using Cre recombinase. While some expression of the mutated protein was observed prior to Cre expression, following Cre expression in either T cells or neurons only the mutated CREB protein was detected. genesis 47:688–696, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Solution method for multi‐product two‐stage logistics network with constraints on delivery route
Authors: Ataka Shinichiro , Gen Mitsuo
Published: July 2009

The logistics network design is one of the important phases of Supply Chain Management (SCM) and it is a problem that should be optimized for long‐term promotion of efficiency of the whole supply chain. Usually a plant produces different types of products. Even if it is a factory of the same company, delivery differs according to the kind of produced product. The restrictions which this model has are deeply concerned with TP in the real world. In this paper, we consider the logistics network design problems with multiple products and constraints for delivery course. To solve the problem, we used a hybrid priority‐based genetic algorithm (h‐priGA), and we tried comparison experiments with priority‐based genetic algorithm (priGA) and h‐priGA, and show the effectiveness of h‐priGA. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 92(8): 18–24, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10102
Starting procedure of rotation sensorless PMSM at coasting condition for railway vehicle traction
Authors: Yamakawa Toshifumi , Wakao Shinji , Kondo Keiichiro , Yoneyama Takashi , Taniguchi Shun , Mochizuki Shinsuke
Published: July 2009

This paper investigates the procedure for starting a rotation sensorless PMSM under coasting condition for railway vehicle traction. To achieve restarting, the initial rotor position and speed at restart are needed. The existing algorithm for estimation of the initial position and speed cannot be applied to railway vehicle traction because of the greater speed range and the longer current sampling time. We propose a novel method for estimation of the initial speed. The estimation method is verified experimentally to assure that it is suitable for application to the railway vehicle traction system. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 169(2): 56–63, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20764
Power assist control of robotic wheelchair based on visual feedback
Authors: Oda Naoki , Shimizu Hiroyuki
Published: July 2009

This paper describes a method of vision‐based self‐velocity estimation and its feedback system in force/torque sensorless power assisting control of a wheelchair robot. In this method, three‐dimensional information obtained from stereo images is used along with optical flow vectors for self‐velocity estimation in real time. The human force is also estimated by a sensorless reaction force observer, and the assisting force is calculated by using an estimated force and virtual impedance model. In the paper, the force‐based assist function is integrated into a visual feedback motion controller. This approach using vision‐ and force‐based assist control makes it possible to facilitate direct intelligent interactions between human force and environments such as human following assistance, obstacle avoidance assistance, and so on. Such assistance functions are changeable by selection of the weighting matrix used in velocity estimation, which is based on weighted least square solutions obtained from optical flow vectors. The validity of the proposed approach is verified by several experimental results. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 169(2): 21–28, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20887
Metal Complexes of 4,11‐Dimethyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane‐1,8‐bis(methylphosphonic acid) – Thermodynamic and Formation/Decomplexation Kinetic Studies
Authors: Svobodová Ivona , Havlíčková Jana , Plutnar Jan , Lubal Přemysl , Kotek Jan , Hermann Petr
Published: July 2009

The macrocyclic ligand with two methylphosphonic acid pendant arms, 4,11‐dimethyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane‐1,8‐bis(methylphosphonic acid) (1,8‐H4Me2te2p, H4L3), was synthesized by a new simple approach. The product of the reaction of quarternized formaldehyde cyclam aminal with the sodium salt of diethyl phosphite was hydrolyzed to give a very high yield of the title ligand. The (H6L3)2+ cation in the solid state is protonated on all ring nitrogen atoms and on each phosphonate group. In the solid‐state structure of [Cu(H3L3)][Cu(H2L3)]PF6·3H2O, neutral as well as positively charged complex species are present. Molecular structures of both species are very similar having the copper(II) ion in a coordination environment between square‐pyramidal and trigonal‐bipyramidal arrangements (τ = 0.43 and 0.48) with one pendant arm non‐coordinated. The ligand forms stable complexes with transition‐metal ions showing a high selectivity for divalent copper atoms. The formation of complexes of the ligand with CuII, ZnII and CdII is fast, confirming the acceleration of complexation due to the presence of the strongly coordinating pendant arms. Acid‐assisted decomplexation is fast for all three metal ions. Therefore, the copper(II) complex is not suitable for medicinal applications employing copper radioisotopes, but the title ligand motive can be employed in copper(II) separation. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Facile Synthesis of Anatase–Brookite Mixed‐Phase N‐Doped TiO2 Nanoparticles with High Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Li Li , Liu Chun‐yan
Published: July 2009

N‐Doped anatase–brookite bicrystal TiO2 nanocatalysts were successfully synthesized by a facile solvothermal route. The ratio of brookite to anatase can be easily tuned by changing the composition of the phase‐selective agents (acetylacetone). The samples were fully characterized. The band‐gap energy, chemical states of Ti, O, and N species, and photocatalytic activity of the as‐prepared catalysts were affected by the mixed‐phase effect of brookite and anatase. In the optimum ratio range of the phase effect from 24.6 to 75.4 % (brookite to anatase), the N‐doped TiO2 bicrystal catalyst exhibits maximum activity under both visible and UV light, which can be attributed to high quantum efficiency induced by the high concentration of OHsurface, the relatively low amount of Ti3+ sites, active N– species concentration, the relatively large surface areas, and a moderate band‐gap energy.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Binuclear Magnesium, Calcium, and Zinc Complexes Based on Nitrogen–Nitrogen‐Coupled Salicylaldiminate and β‐Diketiminate Ligands
Authors: Piesik Dirk F. ‐J. , Stadler Robert , Range Sven , Harder Sjoerd
Published: July 2009

The diprotic bis(salicylaldimine) ligand N,N′‐bis(3,5‐di‐tBu‐salicylidene)diimine, (1‐NN)H2, was smoothly deprotonated by reaction with two equivalents of a metal amide M[N(SiMe3)2]2 (M = Mg, Ca or Zn) to form a bimetallic metal amide complex (1‐NN)[MN(SiMe3)2]2. This heteroleptic complex was only stable in the case of Mg and (1‐NN)[MgN(SiMe3)2·thf]2 was structurally characterized by X‐ray diffraction. For Ca and Zn homoleptic products could be obtained: (1‐NN)Ca·(thf)2 and (1‐NN)Zn. The latter crystallized as a trimer with approximate C3‐symmetry. The diprotic N–N coupled bis(β‐diketimine) ligand [RHN–C(Me)=C–C(Me)=N–N=C(Me)–C=C(Me)–NHR, R = 2,6‐di‐iPr‐C6H3], which is abbreviated as (2‐NN)H2, can be deprotonated only under much harsher reaction conditions. Attempted synthesis of (2‐NN)[Mg(nBu)]2 gave after ligand exchange the homoleptic species (2‐NN)Mg and Mg(nBu)2. For Ca, the complexes [(2‐NN)Ca]2 and (2‐NN)[CaN(SiMe3)2·thf]2 both have been prepared and structurally characterized by X‐ray diffraction. The latter heteroleptic complex is in benzene solution in equilibrium with [(2‐NN)Ca]2 and Ca[N(SiMe3)2]2·(thf)2. Reaction of (2‐NN)H2 with excess of Et2Zn gave the heteroleptic complex (2‐NN)[ZnEt]2 and is stable towards ligand exchange reactions. The complex is not active in CO2/cyclohexene oxide copolymerization. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Mono‐ and Dinuclear Coordination Compounds with Directional Bis(bidentate) Ligands
Authors: Dömer Johannes , Hupka Florian , Hahn F. Ekkehardt , Fröhlich Roland
Published: July 2009

The benzene‐o‐dithiol/salicylimine (S‐S/N‐O) ligands H3‐1and H3‐2have been synthesized, representing the first examples of a new type of polydentate heterodonor ligands. Schiff‐base condensation of salicylaldehyde with an amine linked to a benzene‐o‐dithiol donor group leads to the formation of the ligands. Bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride reacts selectively at the S‐S donor groups of H3‐1and H3‐2to yield complexes [Cp2Ti(H‐1)] and [Cp2Ti(H‐2)], respectively. Ligand H3‐1reacts with [Ni(OAc)2]·4H2O to yield the mononuclear complex (Bu4N)2[Ni(H‐1)2] or the dinuclear complex (Bu4N)2[Ni2(1)2] depending on the stoichiometric conditions employed. While (Bu4N)2[Ni(H‐1)2] possesses a nickel(II) center with an S4coordination environment, the double‐stranded dinuclear complex (Bu4N)2[Ni2(1)2] contains two {NiIIS2NO} centers and shows an antiparallel orientation of the ligand strands. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
High content of zerumbone in volatile oils of Zingiber zerumbet from southern India and Malaysia
Authors: Baby Sabulal , Dan Mathew , Thaha Abdul R. M. , Johnson Anil J. , Kurup Rajani , Balakrishnapillai Prasanth , Lim Chong Keat
Published: July 2009

Zerumbone is a sesquiterpene phytochemical with potential anticancer, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐HIV and other biological activities, most abundantly found in Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith. Previous studies reported 12.6–73.1% of zerumbone in Z. zerumbet rhizome oils from various geographical locations. In a careful review of the literature, we found that most of the previous gas chromatographic profiling studies on volatile oils of Z. zerumbet were inadequate, since they were based on poor identification and quantification procedures and also on single‐sample data. In this study, we report the chemical profiles of volatile oils of Z. zerumbet rhizomes from six locations in the southern Indian state of Kerala and also from Penang in Malaysia. Chemical profiling of volatiles was carried out by extensive GC–FID, GC–MS and associated techniques, supported by 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, FABMS and HPTLC. The full chemical profiles of rhizome oils of these seven accessions of Z. zerumbet were elucidated. The south Indian accessions of Z. zerumbet reported 76.3–84.8% zerumbone content in their rhizome oils. The Malaysian accession recorded the lowest content of zerumbone (68.9%). This study reveals the high content of the bioactive compound zerumbone in Z. zerumbet from Kerala. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expiration‐day effects on individual stocks and the overall market: Evidence from Taiwan
Authors: Hsieh Wen‐Liang Gideon
Published: July 2009

On expiration days of the MSCI‐TW index futures, the Taiwan spot market is associated with abnormally large volume and high index volatility, along with mild index reversal. The effects concentrate only in the last five minutes of expiration days and appear to be strengthened by the adoption a call auction closing procedure by the Taiwan Stock Exchange. Individual index stocks show high volatility and strong tendency of price reversal, with large‐ and small‐cap stocks being affected more than the medium‐sized stocks. The highest‐weighted stocks exhibit excessive volume and volatility, which is disproportionate to the impact on all other index stocks, indicating that the expiration‐day effects may have been amplified by the attempt of price manipulation using large‐cap stocks. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 29:920–945, 2009
Estimation and hedging effectiveness of time‐varying hedge ratio: Flexible bivariate garch approaches
Authors: Park Sung Yong , Jei Sang Young
Published: July 2009

Bollerslev's (1990, Review of Economics and Statistics, 52, 5–59) constant conditional correlation and Engle's (2002, Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, 20, 339–350) dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) bivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (BGARCH) models are usually used to estimate time‐varying hedge ratios. In this study, we extend the above model to more flexible ones to analyze the behavior of the optimal conditional hedge ratio based on two (BGARCH) models: (i) adopting more flexible bivariate density functions such as a bivariate skewed‐t density function; (ii) considering asymmetric individual conditional variance equations; and (iii) incorporating asymmetry in the conditional correlation equation for the DCC‐based model. Hedging performance in terms of variance reduction and also value at risk and expected shortfall of the hedged portfolio are also conducted. Using daily data of the spot and futures returns of corn and soybeans we find asymmetric and flexible density specifications help increase the goodness‐of‐fit of the estimated models, but do not guarantee higher hedging performance. We also find that there is an inverse relationship between the variance of hedge ratios and hedging effectiveness. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 30:71–99, 2010
The performance of traders' rules in options market
Authors: Kim Sol
Published: July 2009

This study focuses on the usefulness of the traders' rules to predict future implied volatilities for pricing and hedging KOSPI 200 index options. There are two versions of this approach. In the “relative smile” approach, the implied volatility skew is treated as a fixed function of moneyness. In the “absolute smile” approach, the implied volatility skew is treated as a fixed function of the strike price. It is found that the “absolute smile” approach shows better performance than Black, F. and Scholes, L. (1973) model and the stochastic volatility model for both pricing and hedging options. Consistent with Jackwerth, J. C. and Rubinstein, M. (2001) and Li, M. and Pearson, N. D. (2007), the traders' rules dominate mathematically more sophisticated model, that is, the stochastic volatility model. The traders' rules can be an alternative to the sophisticated and complicated models for pricing and hedging options. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 29:999–1020, 2009
Evidence for sea‐level falls in the Permian‐Triassic transition in the Ziyun area, South China
Authors: Ya‐Sheng Wu , Hong‐Xia Jiang , Jia‐Song Fan
Published: July 2009

The sedimentology of three sections showing the Permian–Triassic (P–T) transition on an Upper Permian reef in Ziyun, Guizhou Province, southwest China provides evidence of sea‐level fall in this area. The P–T transition in the Gendan section, which covers a reef‐front sequence, contains a subaerial exposure surface and various desiccation cracks (including rolled‐up chips, in‐chip cracks, pyramid cracks, vertical cracks and sheet cracks), indicating sea‐level falls. The P–T transition in the Shitouzhai section, which covers a reef‐core sequence, contains three micritic beds with abundant pseudomorphs of tabular gypsum crystals replaced by calcite. The underlying centimetres of deposits are composed of fine‐crystalline dolostone, and have a sharp contact with the underlying reef‐core facies. The association of gypsum pseudomorphs and fine‐crystalline dolostone suggests an origin related to a supratidal evaporative environment. The P–T transition in the Tanluzhai section, which covers a back‐reef sequence, is fine‐crystalline dolostone, and shows a laminated algal structure indicating tidal‐flat environments. The middle part of the dolostone interval has become a collapse breccia composed of dolostone fragments and a matrix of micrites or crustose multi‐generation calcite cements. The formation of the collapse breccia is interpreted to be related to the dissolution of the evaporite interbeds originally present between the thin dolostone beds. The formation of the evaporite deposits requires a supratidal condition. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bone stable isotopic signatures (15N, 18O) as tracers of temperature variation during the Late‐glacial and early Holocene: case study on red deer Cervus elaphus from Rochedane (Jura, France)
Authors: Drucker D.G. , Bridault A. , Iacumin P. , Bocherens H.
Published: July 2009

Stable isotopes in mammal bones are mainly used to reconstruct dietary preferences and their use as palaeoclimatic indicators is less developed. However, important variations in 15N abundances observed in the bone collagen of large mammals during the Late‐glacial and early Holocene have been tentatively linked to a general increase in temperature. In order to test this hypothesis, we analysed nitrogen and oxygen isotopic abundances from bones of red deer (Cervus elaphus) from the Rochedane site (Jura, France). We observe a clear linear relationship between 15N and 18O that demonstrates the effect of temperature on the abundance of 15N in red deer bone collagen. These results suggest that an increase in soil maturation during global warming of the Late‐glacial and early Holocene led to an increase of 15N in soils and plants that was passed on to their consumers. Red deer seem to be particularly suited for palaeoclimatic reconstruction based on the isotopic signatures of their bones. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The long‐term efficacy and tolerability of donepezil in patients with vascular dementia
Authors: Wilkinson David , Róman Gustavo , Salloway Stephen , Hecker Jane , Boundy Karyn , Kumar Dinesh , Posner Holly , Schindler Rachel
Published: July 2009

Objective

To determine the long‐term tolerability and efficacy of donepezil in patients with vascular dementia (VaD).

Methods

International, multicentre, open‐label, 30‐week extension study of two 24‐week, randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled studies. Participants were ambulatory adults (59% female; mean age, 74.7 ± 0.3) with a diagnosis of possible or probable VaD and without a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, who were medically stable and had completed one of two double‐blind studies. All patients received donepezil 5 mg/day for the first 6 weeks, then 10 mg/day (clinician approval required). Assessments were performed at week 6 and every 12 weeks thereafter. The main outcome measure was the Alzheimer's disease Assessment Scale‐cognitive subscale (ADAS‐cog). Safety/tolerability measures included adverse events (AEs) and physical and laboratory evaluations.

Results

Of 1219 eligible patients, 885 (72.6%) were enrolled, of which 707 (79.9%) completed the study; 127 (14.4%) patients discontinued due to AEs. A mean reduction (0.6–1.15 points) from double‐blind study baseline score to week 54 (end of open‐label study) on the ADAS‐cog was observed for patients who received donepezil continuously for 54 weeks. ADAS‐cog scores remained stable in the group that initiated donepezil treatment during the extension study. Most common donepezil‐related AEs were nausea (occurring in 5.3%) and diarrhoea (8.8%); no unexpected AEs attributable to donepezil occurred.

Conclusion

These data suggest that donepezil improves cognition for up to 54 weeks in patients with VaD. Patients initiating donepezil in this extension study did not perform as well on the primary outcome measure as those initiating donepezil in the double‐blind study. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Environmental novelty elicits a later theta phase of firing in CA1 but not subiculum
Authors: Lever Colin , Burton Stephen , Jeewajee Ali , Wills Thomas J. , Cacucci Francesca , Burgess Neil , O'Keefe John
Published: July 2009

The mechanism supporting the role of the hippocampal formation in novelty detection remains controversial. A comparator function has been variously ascribed to CA1 or subiculum, whereas the theta rhythm has been suggested to separate neural firing into encoding and retrieval phases. We investigated theta phase of firing in principal cells in subiculum and CA1 as rats foraged in familiar and novel environments. We found that the preferred theta phase of firing in CA1, but not subiculum, was shifted to a later phase of the theta cycle during environmental novelty. Furthermore, the amount of phase shift elicited by environmental change correlated with the extent of place cell remapping in CA1. Our results support a relationship between theta phase and novelty‐induced plasticity in CA1. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synaptogenesis in adult‐generated hippocampal granule cells is affected by behavioral experiences
Authors: Ambrogini Patrizia , Cuppini Riccardo , Lattanzi Davide , Ciuffoli Stefano , Frontini Andrea , Fanelli Mirco
Published: July 2009

Adult‐generated hippocampal immature neurons play a functional role after integration in functional circuits. Previously, we found that hippocampus‐dependent learning in Morris water maze affects survival of immature neurons, even before they are synaptically contacted. Beside learning, this task heavily engages animals in physical activity in form of swimming; physical activity enhances hippocampal neurogenesis. In this article, the effects of training in Morris water maze apparatus on the synapse formation onto new neurons in hippocampus dentate gyrus and on neuronal maturation were investigated in adult rats. Newborn cells were identified using retroviral GFP‐expressing virus infusion. In the first week after virus infusion, rats were trained in Morris water maze apparatus in three different conditions (spatial learning, cue test, and swimming). Properties of immature neurons and their synaptic response to perforant pathway stimulation were electrophysiologically investigated early during neuronal maturation. In controls, newborn cells showing GABAergic and glutamatergic responses were found for the first time at 8 and 10 days after mitosis, respectively; no cell with glutamatergic response only was found. Twelve days after virus infusion almost all GFP‐positive cells showed both synaptic responses. The main result we found was the anticipated appearance of GABAergic synapses at 6 days in learner, cued and swimmer rats, supported also by immunohistochemical result. Swimmer rats showed the highest percentage of GFP‐positive neurons with glutamatergic response at 10 and 12 days postmitosis. Moreover, primary dendrites were more numerous at 7 days in learner, cued and swimmer rats and swimmer rats showed the greatest dendritic tree complexity at 10 days. Finally, voltage‐dependent Ca2+ current was found in a larger number of newborn neurons at 7 days postinfusion in learner, cued and swimmer rats. In conclusion, experiences involving physical activity contextualized in an exploring behavior affect synaptogenesis in adult‐generated cells and their early stages of maturation. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Medial temporal lobe functioning and structure in the spontaneously hypertensive rat: Comparison with Wistar–Kyoto normotensive and Wistar–Kyoto hypertensive strains
Authors: Wells Audrey M. , Janes Amy C. , Liu Xiaoxu , Deschepper Christian F. , Kaufman Marc J. , Kantak Kathleen M.
Published: July 2009

The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is used as an animal model of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It displays deficits in frontostriatal functioning, but it is unclear if medial temporal lobe functioning and structure are affected. We used behavioral tasks that evaluate functioning of the amygdala and hippocampus to compare male SHR to male rats from two inbred comparator strains, the normotensive Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) and the hypertensive Wistar–Kyoto (WKHT) rat (n = 8/strain). The three strains showed similar levels of amygdala‐related stimulus‐reward learning during conditioned cue preference testing. In the ambiguous T‐maze task, which dissociates between spatial and habit learning, significantly more WKHT than SHR or WKY used a response (indicative of habit learning) versus a place (indicative of spatial learning) strategy during an early probe test on day 8. During a later probe test on day 24, WKY progressed significantly from using a place strategy to a response strategy. Throughout all probe tests, a place strategy was used predominately by SHR and a response strategy by WKHT. Thus, SHR exhibited deficits in dorsal striatum‐related habit learning, whereas WKHT exhibited deficits in hippocampus‐related spatial learning. Following behavioral testing, fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging scans were conducted in subgroups of rats from each strain (n = 4/strain). FLAIR imaging detected bilateral hippocampal hyperintensities in three of four WKHT and unilateral hippocampal atrophy in one of four SHR. The association between response strategy use during the initial probe test to forage for food in the ambiguous T‐maze task and bilateral hippocampal abnormalities was significant. Collectively, while medial temporal lobe functioning appears to be normal in SHR exhibiting an ADHD‐like phenotype, WKHT rats display both hippocampal functioning deficits and signs of bilateral hippocampal cell loss. The latter characteristics might be used to develop a new animal model of age‐ or disease‐related decline in hippocampal functioning. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cellular localization of epidermal‐type and brain‐type fatty acid‐binding proteins in adult hippocampus and their response to cerebral ischemia
Authors: Ma Dexuan , Zhang Minmin , Mori Yoshimi , Yao Chengjun , Larsen Christian P. , Yamashima Tetsumori , Zhou Liangfu
Published: July 2009

This study aimed at an analysis of expression of epidermal‐type and brain‐type fatty acid‐binding proteins (E‐FABP and B‐FABP, also called FABP5 and FABP7, respectively) in adult hippocampus and their potential value as neuroprotective factors after ischemic brain damage in monkey model. The immunostaining and Western blotting results show that FABP5 was mainly expressed in neurons, whereas FABP7 was primarily expressed in astrocytes and progenitors of the subgranular zone (SGZ). Interestingly, FABP5 expression in neurons increased in cornu Ammonis 1 (CA1) and remains stable within dentate gyrus (DG) after ischemia; FABP7 expression increased within both CA1 and SGZ. This indicates a potential role for FABP5 and FABP7 in intracellular fatty acid transport within different neural cells. The change in FABP5–7 expression within CA1 and DG of the adult postischemic hippocampus was compatible with previous findings of downregulation in CA1 neurons and upregulation in SGZ progenitor cells after ischemia. Altogether, the present data suggest that polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid, may act via FABP5 or 7 to regulate adult postischemic hippocampal neuronal antiapoptosis or neurogenesis in primates. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.