bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Functionalized Indoles with an α‐Stereogenic Ketone Moiety Through an Enantioselective Friedel–Crafts Alkylation with (E)‐1,4‐Diaryl‐2‐butene‐1,4‐diones
Authors: Blay Gonzalo , Fernández Isabel , Monleón Alicia , Muñoz M. Carmen , Pedro José R. , Vila Carlos
Published: September 2009

Chiral complexes of BINOL‐based ligands with hafnium tert‐butoxide catalyze the enantioselective Friedel–Crafts alkylation of indoles with (E)‐1,4‐diaryl‐2‐butene‐1,4‐diones at room temperature, with good yields and ee up to 94%. Hafnium(IV) was found to be a more effective Lewis acid than other frequently used metal ions such as titanium(IV) or zirconium(IV). Unlike the enantioselective Friedel–Crafts alkylation of indoles with α,β‐unsaturated compounds where the stereogenic center is generated in the β‐position to a carbonyl group, the Friedel–Crafts alkylation with 2‐butene‐1,4‐diones described here generates an α‐stereogenic center with respect to one of the carbonyl groups. This can be regarded as an inversion of the normal reactivity pattern or umpolung. The enantioselective Friedel–Crafts alkylation of indoles with (E)‐4‐oxo‐4‐phenylbutenoates using a zirconium(IV)‐BINOL catalyst is also reported. This reaction takes place regioselectively at the carbon in the β‐position to the ketone carbonyl group, generating an α‐ester stereogenic center.
Control of the release of digestive enzymes in the larvae of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda
Authors: Lwalaba Digali , Hoffmann Klaus H. , Woodring Joseph
Published: September 2009

There is a basal level of enzyme activity for trypsin, aminopeptidase, amylase, and lipase in the gut of unfed larval (L6) Spodoptera frugiperda. Trypsin activity does not decrease with non‐feeding, possibly because of the low protein levels in plants along with high amino acid requirements for growth and storage (for later reproduction in adults). Therefore, trypsin must always be present so that only a minimal protein loss via egestion occurs. Larvae, however, adjust amylase activity to carbohydrate ingestion, and indeed amylase activity is five‐fold higher in fed larvae compared to unfed larvae. Gut lipase activity is low, typical of insects with a high carbohydrate diet. A flat‐sheet preparation of the ventriculus was used to measure the release of enzymes in response to specific nutrients and known brain/gut hormones in S. frugiperda. Sugars greatly increase (>300%) amylase release, but starch has no effect. Proteins and amino acids have little or no effect on trypsin or aminopeptidase release. The control of enzyme release in response to food is likely mediated through neurohormones. Indeed, an allatostatin (Spofr‐AS A5) inhibits amylase and trypsin, and allatotropin (Manse‐ AT) stimulates amylase and trypsin release. Spofr‐AS A5 also inhibits ileum myoactivity and Manse‐AT stimulates myoactivity. The epithelial secretion rate of amylase and trypsin was about 20% of the amount of enzyme present in the ventricular lumen, which, considering the efficient counter‐current recycling of enzymes, suggests that the secretion rate is adequate to replace egested enzymes. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Integrated solution to purification challenges in the manufacture of a soluble recombinant protein in E. coli
Authors: Caparon Maire H. , Rust Kevin J. , Hunter Alan K. , McLaughlin Joseph K. , Thomas Kristen E. , Herberg John T. , Shell Robert E. , Lanter Paul B. , Bishop Bruce F. , Dufield Robert L. , Wang Xing , Ho Sa V.
Published: September 2009

Apolipoprotein A 1 Milano (ApoA‐1M), the protein component of a high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) mimic with promising potential for reduction of atherosclerotic plaque, is produced at large scale by expression in E. coli. Significant difficulty with clearance of host cell proteins (HCPs) was experienced in the original manufacturing process despite a lengthy downstream purification train. Analysis of purified protein solutions and intermediate process samples led to identification of several major HCPs co‐purifying with the product and a bacterial protease potentially causing a specific truncation of ApoA‐1M found in the final product. Deletion of these genes from the original host strain succeeded in substantially reducing the levels of HCPs and the truncated species without adversely affecting the overall fermentation productivity, contributing to a much more efficient and robust new manufacturing process. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010; 105: 239–249. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inhibition of the In Vitro Replication of DNA by an Aptamer–Protein Complex in an Autonomous DNA Machine
Authors: Zhu Changfeng , Wen Yanqin , Li Di , Wang Lihua , Song Shiping , Fan Chunhai , Willner Itamar
Published: September 2009

DNA replication plays a central role in living organisms. Unregulated or uncontrollable DNA replication is well known to result in many pathological states, such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, and viral/bacterial infections. We report that an aptamer–protein complex could indirectly inhibit in vitro replication of DNA. An isothermal DNA machine based on the strand‐displacement amplification is employed to support our assumption. An antithrombin aptamer sequence is rationally encoded into the DNA replication template. Once thrombin binds to the template, the as‐formed aptamer–protein complexes can, in turn, become a barrier to the polymerase and inhibit the DNA replication activities in both static and dynamic modes. The inhibition is successfully confirmed by both fluorescence and gel‐electrophoresis experiments. Considering the availability of a broad library of aptamers and the existence of various DNA/protein interactions, our results imply the possibility for the rational regulation of DNA replication in vivo.
Performance analysis of an experimental wireless relay sensor network
Authors: Zhang Gu‐Chun , Peng Xiao‐Hong , Gu Xuan‐Ye
Published: September 2009

Communication through relay channels in wireless sensor networks can create diversity and consequently improve the robustness of data transmission for ubiquitous computing and networking applications. In this paper, we investigate the performances of relay channels in terms of diversity gain and throughput via both experimental research and theoretical analysis. Two relaying algorithms, dynamic relaying and fixed relaying, are utilised and tested to find out what the relay channels can contribute to system performances. The tests are based on a wireless relay sensor network comprising a source node, a destination node and a couple of relay nodes, and carried out in an indoor environment with rare movement of objects nearby. The tests confirm, in line with the analytical results, that more relay nodes lead to higher diversity gain in the network. The test results also show that the data throughput between the source node and the destination node is enhanced by the presence of the relay nodes. Energy consumption in association with the relaying strategy is also analysed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A secure multipath routing protocol in mobilead hocnetworks
Authors: Yin Hao , Wang Yang , Min Geyong , Berton Sebastien , Guo Rui , Lin Chuang
Published: September 2009

Multipath routing can adapt to traffic changes, increase reliability and enhance the Quality of Service support in communication networks. This routing algorithm has been recognized as one of the salient features in MobileAd hocNetworks (MANETs). However, existing multipath routing protocols are often practically infeasible due to its security venerability if they suffer from attacks in MANETs, such as repudiation attacks, Denial of Service attacks. In this paper we propose a novel secure multipath routing protocol, referred to as SMRP, and investigate its feasibility and performance. SMRP applies a new heuristic algorithm increasing the number of disjoint paths and a smart authentication mechanism to enhance the security against the attacks in MANETs. The performance results from extensive analysis and experiments show that SMRP can efficiently enhance the security in MANETs while preserving the low overhead of computing and communication. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Short‐time postseismic deformation of 2001 Ms8.1 Kunlun (China) earthquake
Authors: Zhi‐Gang Shao , Rong‐Shan Fu , Changsheng Jiang
Published: September 2009

After the Ms 8.1 Kunlun earthquake, postseismic displacements were resolved with GPS. The observed data showed that there were significant differences between the deformations on the south and the north sides of the Kunlun fault. In addition, it is shown that the direction of deformation on the north side shifted from westward to eastward after a short‐time adjustment. Such GPS data are used as the constraints in finite element method (FEM) modeling of postseismic deformation. Using 3D poro‐viscoelastic model, we show that the horizontal inhomogeneous viscosities in lower crust can play an important role in the geodynamic behavior. The best‐fitting viscosities of lower crust are about 5.0×1017 Pa s, 9.0×1018 Pa s in Qiangtang block and Qaidam basin, respectively. The simulation suggests that the postseismic deformation of 2001 Kunlun Ms8.1 earthquake probably be caused by both the viscoelastic relaxation and poroelastic rebound. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of the cutting technique on the residual stress distribution of cut edges in FeSi3 transformer sheets
Authors: Böhling M. , Bauch J. , Ullrich H.‐J.
Published: September 2009

Samples of laser‐scratched FeSi3 transformer sheets have been investigated. The investigations were carried out by using the Kossel and EBSD techniques in our self‐designed multifunctional system. The results show residual stress mappings of the cut edges of FeSi3 transformer sheets and their dependence on the cutting process (conventional plate shears, abrasive water‐jet technique, laser cutting). (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
TEM analysis of the container effect of Au‐based catalyst droplets during vapour‐liquid‐solid growth of axial ZnTe/CdTe nanowires
Authors: Kirmse H. , Häusler I. , Kret S. , Janik E. , Karczewski G. , Wojtowicz T.
Published: September 2009

Axial heterostructure nanowires (NWs) of ZnTe/CdTe were grown by vapour‐liquid‐solid growth realized in a molecular beam epitaxial chamber. By alternative supply of Zn or Cd and constant Te the heterostructure was generated. The liquid phase is provided by a Au‐based eutectic droplet which stays at the tip of the NW during the entire growth. For structural and chemical characterization by TEM the NWs were harvested from the substrate and transferred to a holey carbon film. The NWs exhibit an expansion of the diameter correlated with the interface region between ZnTe and CdTe. Idiomorphic growth of the CdTe is evident from electron diffraction experiments. The growth rate of CdTe appears to be smaller compared to that of ZnTe at the same temperature. Both, quantitative high‐resolution TEM and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy line scans reveal a smeared ZnTe/CdTe interface along about 200 nm. The smearing is due to both, the liquid catalyst which buffers the supply of Cd instead of Zn at the liquid/solid interface and to the strain which is induced by the lattice mismatch. It forces the system to consume the remnant Zn for the NW growth in favour of Cd. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Time evolution of cholesteric fingers of the second species in an electric field
Authors: Pirkl S.
Published: September 2009

Different growth modes of isolated cholesteric fingers of the second species (CF‐2) in an electric field at voltages near a coexistence line (V2) between cholesteric and nematic mesophases are in detail described. Videomicroscopy and computer image analysis were used for investigation of the pattern in polarized light. It is shown how a drift, a lengthening and a shape of fingers depend on the voltage at which the growth sets in and three typical scenarios are distinguished. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Rahmenbedingungen und Gestaltungsmöglichkeiten für den Wohnungsbau in Deutschland und in Sachsen
Authors: Buttolo Albrecht
Published: September 2009

Nicht selten ist zu hören, der Wohnungsbau in Deutschland sei in einem beklagenswerten Zustand. Die Politik kümmere sich zu wenig um die Situation im Wohnungsbau. Tatsache ist, dass nach der Expansion der Baubranche in den 90er Jahren in Folge der Wiedervereinigung Deutschlands es zunächst zu einem massiven Rückgang der Bautätigkeit kam, diese sich allerdings seit einigen Jahren wieder auf einem gleich bleibenden Niveau bewegt. Dies trifft auch für den Teil bereich des Wohnungsbaus zu.

Da liegt es nahe, nach den Rahmenbedingungen für den Wohnungsbau, der Lage des Wohnungsmarktes und den Möglichkeiten der Wohnraumförderung zu fragen.
Wohnen in Deutschland – Ware und Sozialgut
Authors: Günther Matthias
Published: September 2009

Die Wohnungen der Wiederaufbauphase sind in die Jahre gekommen, und auch viele der in den 1970er Jahren errichteten Geschosswohnungsbauten werden bereits seit längerem vor allem hinsichtlich ihrer sozialen Nachhaltigkeit hinterfragt. In Ostdeutschland wird bereits seit einigen Jahren überflüssige Bausubstanz mit öffentlicher Förderung abgerissen. Auch wir Deutschen bauen nicht für die Ewigkeit.

Spricht man mit Fachleuten, so wird von diesen häufig die Variante Abriss und Neubau gegenüber der Lösung Sanierung und Modernisierung bevorzugt. Im Neubau können die heutigen, differenzierten Anforderungen am besten erfüllt werden. Dagegen bleibt im Falle der Sanierung ein nach wie vor altes Gebäude mit zum Teil unabänderlichen Schwächen etwa im Schallschutz oder bei den Raumhöhen erhalten. Obwohl auch die Kosten häufig eher für Abriss und Neubau sprechen, sind wir nach wie vor ein Volk der Sanierer und Modernisierer.

Als ein Hindernis für den verstärkten Ersatz von Bestandsbauten durch Neubauten gilt die gegenwärtige Förderpolitik von Bund und Ländern, die zu einer Benachteiligung des Bestandsersatzes führt. Die Konzentration auf das Erhalten des Bestehenden erscheint vor dem Hintergrund einer zunehmenden Diskrepanz zwischen den Anforderungen an Wohnungen unter anderem hinsichtlich des Klimaschutzes oder der Eignung für Senioren zweifelhaft.

Gerade im Bereich der seniorengerechten Wohnungen besteht erheblicher Handlungsbedarf mit einem langfristig hohen Einsparpotenzial. Allerdings müssten die Wohnungsanbieter handeln, und die Sozialkassen hätten die Einsparungen.

Selbstverständlich kann Deutschland auch die Wohnungsmärkte einer rein marktwirtschaftlichen Lösung überlassen. Von der Politik muss allerdings erwartet werden, dass die Ergebnisse des Marktprozesses hinsichtlich ihrer gesellschaftlichen Akzeptanz hinterfragt werden. Dies mag kurzfristig – unter der noch vorhandenen Wirkung in der Vergangenheit gezahlter Subventionen – sogar der Fall sein. Hinsichtlich der längerfristigen Entwicklung sind Zweifel angebracht. Wenn bereits heute die Wohnkosten für 11 % der privaten Haushalte vollständig oder teilweise vom Staat übernommen werden, so wird dieser Anteil beim weiteren Abschmelzen des Sozialwohnungsbestandes und zunehmender Altersarmut kaum geringer werden.

Deutschland braucht mehr Wohnungsneubau. Die heute wohl schlechtesten Rahmenbedingungen für den Wohnungsneubau in der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland müssen dringend verbessert werden. Der Anstieg des Wohnungsneubaus auf den ermittelten Wohnungsbedarf in einer Größenordnung von 400000 Wohnungen pro Jahr hilft,

– die Klimaschutzziele zu erreichen

– das selbstbestimmte Wohnen bis ins hohe Alter für viele Menschen Realität werden zu lassen

– die aktuelle Krise schneller zur überwinden.
Generic sample preparation and dual polarity liquid chromatography—time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry for high‐throughput screening in doping analysis
Authors: Kolmonen Marjo , Leinonen Antti , Kuuranne Tiia , Pelander Anna , Ojanperä Ilkka
Published: September 2009

The requirements on initial testing in doping control are getting tighter regarding efficiency and speed while the scope of analytes is getting more diverse and, consequently, the need for high‐throughput methods is apparent. In this study, a comprehensive screening method for doping agents in human urine is presented, based on solid phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography–time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (LCTOFMS). The method covers most of the compound groups in the list of prohibited substances by World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA). Mixed‐mode SPE on two types of sorbent and the use of negative ionization mode besides the commonly used positive mode in electrospray ionization (ESI) allowed detection of acidic compounds, such as sulpho‐conjugated metabolites. A run time of 8 minutes for each of the two ESI polarities was achieved. The method was validated regarding relative ionization efficiency, selectivity and signal to noise at the WADA's minimum required performance limit (MRPL) level, resulting in the acceptance of 197 compounds. A selection of 20 compounds was submitted for a more thorough validation, including extraction recovery, repeatability and linearity. Recovery and linearity (R2) varied mainly between 83–115% and 0.78–0.99, respectively. Median values for repeatability at the MRPL and 10 × MRPL levels were below 20%. A mean and median mass accuracy of 1.2 and 0.80 mDa, respectively, was achieved. The present method represents at the moment the widest coverage of low molecular weight prohibited substances for the screening in sports, providing an approach for further rationalisation of the analytical work‐flow in the doping control laboratories. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Craniofacial skeletal defects of adult zebrafish Glypican 4 (knypek) mutants
Authors: LeClair Elizabeth E. , Mui Stephanie R. , Huang Angela , Topczewska Jolanta M. , Topczewski Jacek
Published: September 2009

The heparan sulfate proteoglycan Glypican 4 (Gpc4) is part of the Wnt/planar cell polarity pathway, which is required for convergence and extension during zebrafish gastrulation. To observe Glypican 4‐deficient phenotypes at later stages, we rescued gpc4−/− (knypek) homozygotes and raised them for more than one year. Adult mutants showed diverse cranial malformations of both dermal and endochondral bones, ranging from shortening of the rostral‐most skull to loss of the symplectic. Additionally, the adult palatoquadrate cartilage was disorganized, with abnormal chondrocyte orientation. To understand how the palatoquadrate cartilage normally develops, we examined a juvenile series of wild type and mutant specimens. This identified two novel domains of elongated chondrocytes in the larval palatoquadrate, which normally form prior to endochondral ossification. In contrast, gpc4−/− larvae never form these domains, suggesting a failure of chondrocyte orientation, though not differentiation. Our findings implicate Gpc4 in the regulation of zebrafish cartilage and bone morphogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 238:2550–2563, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An endoderm‐specific transcriptional enhancer from the mouse Gata4 gene requires GATA and homeodomain protein–binding sites for function in vivo
Authors: Rojas Anabel , Schachterle William , Xu Shan‐Mei , Black Brian L.
Published: September 2009

Several transcription factors function in the specification and differentiation of the endoderm, including the zinc finger transcription factor GATA4. Despite its essential role in endoderm development, the transcriptional control of the Gata4 gene in the developing endoderm and its derivatives remains incompletely understood. Here, we identify a distal enhancer from the Gata4 gene, which directs expression exclusively to the visceral and definitive endoderm of transgenic mouse embryos. The activity of this enhancer is initially broad within the definitive endoderm but later restricts to developing endoderm‐derived tissues, including pancreas, glandular stomach, and duodenum. The activity of this enhancer in vivo is dependent on evolutionarily‐conserved HOX‐ and GATA‐binding sites, which are bound by PDX‐1 and GATA4, respectively. These studies establish Gata4 as a direct transcriptional target of homeodomain and GATA transcription factors in the endoderm and support a model in which GATA4 functions in the transcriptional network for pancreas formation. Developmental Dynamics 238:2588–2598, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An immunity network with provision for diverse recognition in T‐cell receptors
Authors: Yamaguchi Takayuki , Fukata Masahiro , Aramaki Yasutaka , Tang Zheng , Tamura Hiroki , Ishii Masahiro
Published: September 2009

Recently, biological superior information processing ability has been researched to be able to be useful for a computer system. In particular, neural networks for the brain and nervous system have been researched. Immunity network models based on the biological immune response network also have been studied, but most of the researchers consider only a basic part of the interaction between B cells and T cells. Recent research has reported that the function of T cell receptors (TCR) is important in the practical immune response network. Therefore, we propose a new immunity network model which, unlike the traditional immunity networks, has the same function as that of a TCR. We applied the proposed immunity network model and the traditional immunity network model to the pattern recognition system. And we compared the performance of the proposed immunity network model with the traditional immunity network model, and showed the usability of the proposed immunity network model. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 92(10): 41–48, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10040
Synthesis and Aqueous Colloidal Solutions of RE2(OH)5NO3·nH2O (RE = Nd and La)
Authors: Lee Kyung‐Hee , Byeon Song‐Ho
Published: September 2009

A new, simple route leading to layered rare‐earth hydroxy nitrates was developed. The pH‐independent procedure uses ethanol containing alkali‐metal hydroxide (KOH, RbOH, or CsOH) as a solvothermal medium. Two new, layered rare‐earth hydroxy nitrates (LRHs), Nd2(OH)5NO3·nH2O and La2(OH)5NO3·nH2O, were prepared by this nonaqueous solvothermal reaction. Because the RE = Nd and La members have not yet been synthesized in an aqueous system, the successful synthesis of these compounds implies the completion of the RE2(OH)5NO3·nH2O (RE = rare earths) series. The typical properties of a layered structure was demonstrated by ready ion‐exchange reactions between NO3– and some organic anions such as decanoate, decanesulfonate, and decyl sulfate. In particular, the as‐synthesized hydroxide from solvothermal reaction, where the alkali‐metal nitrates are partially intercalated in the interlayer gallery, form an aqueous colloidal solution under ultrasonic treatment. Hydration of the LRHs intercalated with alkali‐metal salts results in the formation of colloidal LRH suspensions in water. The colloidal character of the LRH solutions is supported by the Tyndall effect, TEM, and AFM images.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Isolation and Crystallographic Characterization of Allylindium Species Generated from Allyl Halide and Indium(0)
Authors: Yasuda Makoto , Haga Masahiko , Baba Akio
Published: September 2009

The reaction of cinnamyl bromide with indium(0) gave two allylindium species, cinnamylindium dibromide and dicinnamylindium bromide. Either species were isolated after complexation of appropriate pyridine‐type Lewis bases. The use of 3,5‐dibromopyridine (Br2py) as a Lewis base gave cinnamylindium dibromide with two Br2py ligands. Dicinnamylindium bromide was isolated with 4‐(dimethylamino)pyridine (Me2Npy) ligands. In both cases, the indium atom showed a trigonal‐bipyramidal coordination sphere with the cinnamyl group(s) and bomine atom(s) in equatorial and the pyridine‐type ligands in axial positions. The cinnamylindium bromide transformed to dicinnamylindium bromide with formation of InBr3 in the presence of Me2Npy. The dicinnamylindium bromide had a higher reactivity than the monoallyl compound for carbonyl addition.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Prussian Blue/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Hybrids: Synthesis, Assembly and Electrochemical Behavior
Authors: Zhai Junfeng , Zhai Yueming , Wen Dan , Dong Shaojun
Published: September 2009

Prussian blue/carbon nanotube (PB/CNT) hybrids with excellent dispersibility in aqueous solutions were synthesized by adding CNTs to an acidic solution of Fe3+, [Fe(CN)6]3− and KCl. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were employed to confirm the formation of PB/CNT hybrids. The PB nanoparticles formed on the CNT surfaces exhibit a narrow size distribution and an average size of 40 nm. The present results demonstrate that the selective reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ by CNTs is the key step for PB/CNT hybrid formation. The subsequent fabrication of the PB/CNT hybrid films was achieved by layer‐by‐layer technique. The thus‐prepared PB/CNT hybrid films exhibit electrocatalytic activity towards H2O2 reduction.
Self‐Assembled Prussian Blue Nanoparticles Based Electrochemical Sensor for High Sensitive Determination of H2O2 in Acidic Media
Authors: Razmi H. , Mohammad‐Rezaei R. , Heidari H.
Published: September 2009

In this paper, self‐assembled Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) on carbon ceramic electrode (CCE) were developed as a high sensitive hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) electrochemical sensor. The PBNPs film was prepared by a simple dipping method. The morphology of the PBNPs‐modified CCE was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The self‐assembled PB film exhibited sufficient mechanical, electrochemical stability and high sensitivity in compare with other PB based H2O2 sensors. The sensor showed a good linear response for H2O2 over the concentration range 1 μM–0.26 mM with a detection limit of ca. 0.7 μM (S/N=3), and sensitivity of 754.6 mA M−1 cm−2. This work demonstrates the feasibility of self‐assembled PBNPs‐modified CCE for practical sensing applications.
Sensorimotor network rewiring in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Agosta Federica , Rocca Maria Assunta , Pagani Elisabetta , Absinta Martina , Magnani Giuseppe , Marcone Alessandra , Falautano Monica , Comi Giancarlo , Gorno‐Tempini Maria Luisa , Filippi Massimo
Published: September 2009

This study aimed at elucidating whether (a) brain areas associated with motor function show a change in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signal in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), (b) such change is linear over the course of the disease, and (c) fMRI changes in aMCI and AD are driven by hippocampal atrophy, or, conversely, reflect a nonspecific neuronal network rewiring generically associated to brain tissue damage. FMRI during the performance of a simple motor task with the dominant right‐hand, and structural MRI (i.e., dual‐echo, 3D T1‐weighted, and diffusion tensor [DT] MRI sequences) were acquired from 10 AD patients, 15 aMCI patients, and 11 healthy controls. During the simple‐motor task, aMCI patients had decreased recruitment of the left (L) inferior frontal gyrus compared to controls, while they showed increased recruitment of L postcentral gyrus and head of L caudate nucleus, and decreased activation of the cingulum compared with AD patients. Effective connectivity was altered between primary sensorimotor cortices (SMC) in aMCI patients vs. controls, and between L SMC, head of L caudate nucleus, and cingulum in AD vs. aMCI patients. Altered fMRI activations and connections were correlated with the hippocampal atrophy in aMCI and with the overall GM microstructural damage in AD. Motor‐associated functional cortical changes in aMCI and AD mirror fMRI changes of the cognitive network, suggesting the occurrence of a widespread brain rewiring with increasing structural damage rather than a specific response of cognitive network. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role of A‐type potassium currents in excitability, network synchronicity, and epilepsy
Authors: Fransén Erik , Tigerholm Jenny
Published: September 2009

A range of ionic currents have been suggested to be involved in distinct aspects of epileptogenesis. Based on pharmacological and genetic studies, potassium currents have been implicated, in particular the transient A‐type potassium current (KA). Epileptogenic activity comprises a rich repertoire of characteristics, one of which is synchronized activity of principal cells as revealed by occurrences of for instance fast ripples. Synchronized activity of this kind is particularly efficient in driving target cells into spiking. In the recipient cell, this synchronized input generates large brief compound excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs). The fast activation and inactivation of KA lead us to hypothesize a potential role in suppression of such EPSPs. In this work, using computational modeling, we have studied the activation of KA by synaptic inputs of different levels of synchronicity. We find that KA participates particularly in suppressing inputs of high synchronicity. We also show that the selective suppression stems from the current's ability to become activated by potentials with high slopes. We further show that KA suppresses input mimicking the activity of a fast ripple. Finally, we show that the degree of selectivity of KA can be modified by changes to its kinetic parameters, changes of the type that are produced by the modulatory action of KChIPs and DPPs. We suggest that the wealth of modulators affecting KA might be explained by a need to control cellular excitability in generaland suppression of responses to synchronicity in particular. Wealso suggest that compounds changing KA‐kinetics may be used to pharmacologically improve epileptic status. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Autoregulation of co‐chaperone BAG3 gene transcription
Authors: Gentilella Antonio , Khalili Kamel
Published: September 2009

The Bcl‐2‐associated athanogene, BAG, protein family through their BAG domain associates with the heat shock protein 70 (HSP‐70) and modulates its chaperone activity. One member of this family, BAG3, appears to play an important role in protein homeostasis, as its expression promotes cell survival. Expression of BAG3 is enhanced by a variety of stress‐inducing agents. Here we describe a role for BAG3 to modulate transcription of its own promoter through a positive feedback loop involving its 5′‐UTR sequence. Activation of the BAG3 promoter is mediated by the BAG domain and is independent of BAG3 association with the UTR sequence. Autoactivation of the BAG3 gene is observed in several cultures of human glial cells including gliomas, but not in several other non‐glial cell lines such as He La and others. Results from cell fractionation and immunocytochemistry showed BAG3 in the cytoplasm as well as the nuclei of glial cells. These observations suggest that BAG3 gene expression is controlled by its own product and that this may be critical for the biological activity of BAG3 in some cell types. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 1117–1124, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Compensatory induction of the TRPV6 channel in a calbindin‐D9k knockout mouse: Its regulation by 1,25‐hydroxyvitamin D3
Authors: Lee Geun‐Shik , Jung Eui‐Man , Choi Kyung‐Chul , Oh Goo Taeg , Jeung Eui‐Bae
Published: September 2009

Active calcium transport is carried out by calcium channel proteins, cytosolic buffering or transfer proteins, and pump proteins. Several components of this transport system have recently been verified using gene knockout (KO) models. We previously generated calbindin‐D9k (CaBP‐9k) KO mice and reported that induction of expression of some calcium transport proteins can compensate for the CaBP‐9k gene deficiency. In the current study, we have further clarified the compensatory regulation of calcium transport genes by two calcium regulating hormones, 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) and parathyroid hormone (PTH), in CaBP‐9k KO mice, because the levels of these hormones differ between the KO and wild‐type (WT) mice. The induction of transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 6 (TRPV6) in the duodenum was observed in adult KO male mice but induction was not modified by physiologic doses of 1,25(OH)2D3. Duodenal TRPV6 transcription in WT and female KO mice were modulated by 1,25(OH)2D3 in a dose‐dependent manner. This compensatory gene induction was not detected in the mice fed a vitamin D3‐deficient diet. Compensatory gene induction was not affected by PTH. Thus, the compensatory expression of duodenal TRPV6 in the KO male mice may be tightly correlated with serum 1,25(OH)2D3. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) transcription and protein levels were measured to examine whether VDR expression mediates differential regulation of duodenal TRPV6 between WT and KO mice, but expression and levels of VDR were similar in both genotypes. The compensatory TRPV6 transcripts in KO mice may be modulated by endogenous vitamin D3 via other factors of VDR signaling complexes. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 1175–1183, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression patterns of collagen types I and III in the capsule of a rat knee contracture model
Authors: Hagiwara Yoshihiro , Ando Akira , Onoda Yoshito , Matsui Hiroyuki , Chimoto Eiichi , Suda Hideaki , Itoi Eiji
Published: September 2009

Our objective was to determine the changes in expression of collagen types I and III in the capsule of a rat knee contracture model. The unilateral knee joints of adult male rats were rigidly immobilized at 150° of flexion using a rigid plastic plate and screws for 3 days, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks (immobilized group). Sham‐operated animals had holes drilled in the femur and tibia with screws inserted without a plate (control group). The expression patterns of collagen types I and III in the anterior and posterior capsule were evaluated by in situ hybridization (ISH), quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and Western blotting (WB). Expressions of collagen types I and III were decreased after immobilization compared to the control group by ISH and qPCR. The expression was not changed after immobilization compared to the control group by IHC and WB. The expression of mRNA and protein levels of collagen types I and III were not increased after immobilization, which indicated that accumulation of the two types of collagen was not the etiology of joint contracture. Another process, such as capsule and synovial adhesions, may be one possible cause of joint contracture. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:315–321, 2010
Functional properties of Lactobacillus acidophilus metabolites
Authors: Brzozowski Bartosz , Bednarski Włodzimierz , Dziuba Bartłomiej
Published: September 2009

BACKGROUND: This study addressed the characteristics of metabolites synthesized by Lactobacillus acidophilus 5e2, with particular attention paid to exopolysaccharides, biosurfactants, proline peptidases and antibacterial compounds.

RESULTS: The strain Lb. acidophilus 5e2 synthesizes low‐molecular‐mass polysaccharides (340 kDa) constituted by glucose, galactose and glucosamine at a ratio of 3.3:2.8:1.0, as well as biosurfactants with a molecular mass of 32 kDa built from a protein fraction, a polysaccharide fraction and phosphate groups. It additionally synthesizes extra‐ and intracellular proline peptidases, including prolyl endopeptidase and thermostable low‐molecular‐mass (<3.5 kDa) compounds with antimicrobiological activity against Escherichia coli strains.

CONCLUSION: The strain Lb. acidophilus 5e2 may be applied to the production of functional food. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
New SPE loading material for affinity‐based separation of cyclodextrins from drug:CD complexes in order to overcome Beer's law deviations
Authors: Rozou Stavroula , Raftopoulos Panayiotis , Hatziantoniou Sophia , Antoniadou‐Vyza Ekaterini
Published: September 2009

Molecular inclusion of guest molecules within CDs is known to alter guest molecule spectrophotometric absorptivity, making their determination, based on spectrophotometric data, inaccurate. Therefore specific analytical methods capable of quantifying the drugs as free molecules must be developed and validated. SPE was selected to simplify sample and avoid more time‐consuming alternatives. A new solid phase was synthesized and characterized by infrared spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry and elemental analysis. The competitive complexation of adamantane groups immobilized on the silica substrate facilitates drug:CD complex dissociation and elimination of CD from samples. The drug molecules, now free from CD, can be easily analysed by an already available HPLC method. This new SPE loading material was employed in the determination of ketoprofen in its CD complex as a representative example of the utility of this novel material. The calculated analytical errors were reduced from a maximum of 20.79% (without SPE) to a minimum of 3.99%.
A liquid chromatographic method optimization for the assessment of low and high molar mass carbonyl compounds in wines
Authors: de Azevedo Luciana C. , Reis Marina M. , Pereira Giuliano E. , da Rocha Gisele O. , Silva Luciana A. , de Andrade Jailson B.
Published: September 2009

Carbonyl compounds (CC) play an important role in beverage aroma since they may affect flavor of wines, brandies, and beers, among others. For this reason, it is necessary to identify and quantify CC through adequate analytical techniques. This study is a proposal of both developing and optimization of a new analytical methodology that allows investigate C1–C8 CC in wines simultaneously by quantifying even those ones that are predominantly present in the adduct form hydroxylalkylsulfonic acids (HASA). The HASA dissociation is undertaken by specific alkaline media (pH 11). The developed methodology employed the LC with UV/VIS detection (λ = 365 nm) technique under gradient elution in the way to reach both free‐CC and bound‐CC quantification. Results showed that binary gradient system using eluent A (MeOH/ACN/H2O 74.5:0.5:25% v/v/v) and eluent B (MeOH) reached the best separation condition of both lower and higher molecular mass CC. This proposed method allowed simultaneous quantification of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propanone, furfuraldehyde, butyraldehyde, benzaldehyde, hexanaldehyde, 2‐ethyl‐hexanaldehyde, E‐pent‐2‐en‐1‐al, and cyclohexanone – all of them were found in white wine (Moscato Canelli) and red wine (Shiraz) produced in the São Francisco Valley, in the Northeastern Region of Brazil – although this optimized method may probably be suitable for quantification of propionaldehyde, isobutyraldehyde, heptanaldehyde, octanaldehyde, benzaldehyde, and E‐hex‐2‐en‐1‐al as well. We could not prove if this method is also able to determine the latter CC group since we have not found these substances present in detectable levels in our real samples considered in this study.
Properties and Prospects of High Brightness Solid State Lasers
Authors: Vollertsen Frank
Published: September 2009

The new generation of solid state lasers like disc and fiber lasers showed an extraordinary quick development with respect to power, beam quality and price. It is shown that recent technology enables welding with a considerable lower energy consumption than for conventional gas metal arc welding. Besides the efficiency, the most important feature is the beam quality, which can be used for remote applications and welding at high speed. on the other hand, some challenges have to be solved, like thermal distortion of the beam shaping optics, humping and low homogeneity of the welds.
Fiber Lasers – Unlimited Opportunities?
Authors: Rütering Markus , Rath Wolfram
Published: September 2009

Technology is important as its interpretation is the base to consider costs. For the herewith discussed fiber lasers we should mainly look at the fiber laser module itself, being the power generator, the pump source for this generator and some accessories as well. Finally the application capabilities will round this picture. Fiber lasers are in competition to other technologies not being the answer to all questions. as rofin in its Macro division does manufacture almost all market relevant laser technologies, named CO2 lasers, disc‐lasers, rod‐lasers, diode lasers as well as the discussed fiber lasers, rofin serves as an unbiased consultant for the customers. Comparing those different lasers is not always possible. With differences in power level, beam quality and even more important wavelength, the application capability often tells the story and thus we'd like to rather concentrate on the fiber lasers than starting a comparison of products.
Joining with Transparency
Authors: Brunnecker Frank , Geiger René , Bühring Rico
Published: September 2009

Joining of homogeneous plastic parts is not only of great interest to medical engineering. Wherever transparent parts must be welded with an especially pure and gentle process due to biological or optical requirements, the use of laser will be the primary choice.
Fast computation of shielding effectiveness of metallic enclosures with apertures and inner elements
Authors: Lozano‐Guerrero Antonio J. , Díaz‐Morcillo Alejandro , García‐Fernández Miguel Á. , Balbastre‐Tejedor Juan V.
Published: September 2009

In this study, radiated immunity and emission of a metallic box with apertures have been evaluated through a fast approach. The influence of printed circuit boards inside the enclosure has been studied and also the effect of placing conductive polymer sheets in the housing to characterize the behavior of these materials used nowadays for shielding cabinets. Measurements have been carried out in anechoic chamber to evaluate the approximated technique showing its limitations and advantages. As good agreement has been found between simulations and measurements, this approach can be used for design or optimization purposes with the main advantage of reduced time calculations. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 2832–2836, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24745
Perfectly matched layers backed by the second‐order waveguide impedance boundary condition for the time‐domain finite‐element solution of waveguide problems
Authors: Du L. , Chen R. S. , Yang Y.
Published: September 2009

The second‐order waveguide impedance boundary condition is first combined with the perfectly matched layer (PML) for the time‐domain finite‐element (TDFE) simulation of waveguide problems. The formulation is validated by numerical examples. The results clearly show that the reflection errors obtained by the second‐order waveguide impedance boundary condition are less then −20 dB, and the PML backed with the second‐order waveguide impedance boundary condition has a better absorbing effect than the PML backed with the perfect electrically conducting (PEC) wall. Under the same constant conductivity situation, PML terminated with the second‐order waveguide impedance boundary condition can reduce about 10 cells of the PML thickness when compared with the PML terminated by PEC wall. Therefore, the proposed boundary conduction can reduce the number of the unknowns and provide an effective mesh truncation method for the time‐domain finite‐element method solution of waveguide problems. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 2870–2874, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24774
Toward a 60‐GHz wireless, low‐power, high‐throughput memory access system
Authors: Guidotti Daniel , Chowdhury Arshad , Chien Hung‐Chang , Fan Shu‐Hao , Chang Gee‐Kung
Published: September 2009

We propose a network of bidirectional, wireless data channels, operating in the frequency band of 55–65 GHz, as an efficient means to transfer data between processors and memory nodes distributed on separate boards within the computer box. We address channel throughput, power dissipation, form factor, and crosstalk abatement. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 2969–2973, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24779
Novel dual band‐notched ultra‐wideband antenna
Authors: Fan Fangfang , Yan Zehong , Zhang Tianling , Song Yue
Published: September 2009

This article presents the design of a novel ultra‐wideband microstrip‐fed planar monopole antenna with dual band‐notched characteristics. The proposed antenna achieved an impedance bandwidth of 3.1–11.7 GHz with VSWR <2, except the bandwidths of 3.3–4.0 GHz for WiMAX and 5.5–6.3 GHz for WLAN application. By etching a u‐shaped slot in the radiating patch and a u‐shaped defected ground structure in the ground plane, the dual stopbands for WiMAX and WLAN application can be obtained, respectively. The fabricated antenna shows the broadband impedance‐matching, stable gain, good group delay, and near omnidirectional radiation pattern. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 2973–2976, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24780
Wide‐band double‐ring resonator with transmission zeros and resonances using high permittivity aluminum nitride substrate
Authors: Liu Ji‐Chyun , Wang Jhih‐Wei , Das Atanu , Chang Liann‐Be
Published: September 2009

A novel double‐ring resonator of the double square loop configuration is introduced to achieve the performance of the wideband bandpass filter. To obtain lower insertion loss (0.97 dB), deeper transmission zero level (35.4/34.6 dB), and wider bandwidth (43.22%), using the double square loop and aluminum nitride substrate are proposed. The transmission zeros and resonances are determined and studied in this article. Simulation and measurement results including surface current distributions and frequency responses are presented and discussed. It can be applied to 1.8 to 2.7 GHz high thermal conductivity systems. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 2878–2882, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24787
Low‐cost active transceiver for WLAN applications
Authors: Amar N. , Tazón A. , García J. A. , Cabria L. , Rodriguez‐Tellez J.
Published: September 2009

In this article, a new low‐cost active antenna for WLAN sensor applications is presented. The proposed system operates as a transceiver whereby the received coded data signal from the broadside direction is retransmitted over a wide area in other directions. This is performed so that a null response at the main pointing angle is maintained. It is formed by a three elements series array connected to high‐ performance FET‐based down‐ and up‐converters. The performance of the proposed architecture is verified using experimental results. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 2882–2884, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24788
A high‐resolution wavefront compensating system using a liquid‐crystal on silicon chip
Authors: Eng Seow‐Hwang , Reinholz Fred , Chai Douglas
Published: September 2009

This article experimentally demonstrates an active adaptive optics system based on a liquid‐crystal on silicon chip to correct for aberrations in an artificial eye. By comparing the experimentally obtained and simulated PSF images before and after correction, results show that the chip can perform wavefront corrections in the optical system. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 2979–2985, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24794
A modified two‐strip monopole antenna for WiFi and WiMAX applications
Authors: Chung Kwok L. , Mak T. H. , Tam W. Y.
Published: September 2009

This article reports a modification of two‐strip monopole antenna, which was an undergraduate final year project. The modified antenna uses a thicker substrate when compared with the original design while maintaining the monopole radiation characteristics at the WiFi frequency bands of 2.4 and 5 GHz. One of the significant improvements of the antenna is the inclusion of the mobile WiMAX frequency band at 3.5 GHz. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 2884–2886, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24801