bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concentration effect of γ‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane on the mechanical properties of glass fiber–epoxy composites
Authors: Sever Kutlay , Sarikanat Mehmet , Seki Yoldas , Tavman Ismail H.
Published: July 2008

In this study, glass fibers were modified using γ‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane of different concentrations to improve the interfacial adhesion at interfaces between fibers and matrix. Effects of γ‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane on mechanical properties and fracture behavior of glass fiber/epoxy composites were investigated experimentally. Mechanical properties of the composites have been investigated by tensile tests, short beam tests, and flexural tests. The short‐beam method was used to measure the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of laminates. The tensile and flexural properties of composites were characterized by tensile and three‐point bending tests, respectively. The fracture surfaces of the composites were observed with a scanning electron microscope. On comparing the results obtained for the different concentrations of silane solution, it was found that the 0.5% GPS silane treatment provided the best mechanical properties. The ILSS value of heat‐cleaned glass fiber reinforced composite is enhanced by ∼59% as a result of the glass fiber treatment with 0.5% γ‐GPS. Also, an improvement of about 37% in tensile strength, about 78% in flexural strength of the composite with the 0.5% γ‐GPS treatment of glass fibers was observed. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Polymer/metal interpenetrating phase composites prepared via γ‐ray initiated in‐situ emulsion polymerization
Authors: Wang Mozhen , Geng Hongwei , Ge Xuewu , Li Jianrong , Kou Dongpeng
Published: July 2008

The poly(methylmethacrylate)/metal and poly(butylacrylate‐co‐styrene)/metal interpenetrating phase composites (IPCs) were prepared via γ‐ray irradiation in‐situ bulk and emulsion polymerization, respectively. The monomers were first introduced into open‐cell aluminum foam and aluminum alloy foam and were in‐situ polymerized by γ‐ray irradiation at room temperature. The characterization and compressive test results showed that this method expands the variety of the polymer component resulting in a useful range of physical properties of the IPCs, such as density and porosity. The PMMA/metal IPC has a high polymer filling ratio, modulus and exhibits a similar compressive behavior to that of PMMA. On the other hand, the P(BA‐co‐St)/metal IPC has a relatively low polymer filling ratio and its compressive behavior is similar to that of metal foam matrix, but it has wider plastic plateau than the component metal foams, like the case of metal foam filled with rubber. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Application of Scion image software to the simultaneous determination of curcuminoids in turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Authors: Sotanaphun Uthai , Phattanawasin Panadda , Sriphong Lawan
Published: August 2008

Introduction

Curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin and bisdesmethoxycurcumin are bioactive constituents of turmeric (Curcuma longa). Owing to their different potency, quality control of turmeric based on the content of each curcuminoid is more reliable than that based on total curcuminoids. However, to perform such an assay, high‐cost instrument is needed.

Objective

To develop a simple and low‐cost method for the simultaneous quantification of three curcuminoids in turmeric using TLC and the public‐domain software Scion Image.

Methodology

The image of a TLC chromatogram of turmeric extract was recorded using a digital scanner. The density of the TLC spot of each curcuminoid was analysed by the Scion Image software. The density value was transformed to concentration by comparison with the calibration curve of standard curcuminoids developed on the same TLC plate.

Results

The polynomial regression data for all curcuminoids showed good linear relationship with R2 > 0.99 in the concentration range of 0.375–6 µg/spot. The limits of detection and quantitation were 43–73 and 143–242 ng/spot, respectively. The method gave adequate precision, accuracy and recovery. The contents of each curcuminoid determined using this method were not significantly different from those determined using the TLC densitometric method.

Conclusion

TLC image analysis using Scion Image is shown to be a reliable method for the simultaneous analysis of the content of each curcuminoid in turmeric. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diagnostic conundrums of bipolar disorder
Authors: Pandarakalam James Paul
Published: July 2008

Bipolar disorder can be a destructive psychiatric condition with many faces. Diagnosing bipolar disorder can be a psychiatric detective mystery: early detection and appropriate treatment would help allow the illness to run a benign course, although complete recovery is the exception rather than the rule. Here, Dr Pandarakalam describes the main features of type I and type II bipolar disorder and discusses how diagnostic confusion may occur. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
National Phobics Society
Authors: O'Neill Catherine
Published: July 2008

The National Phobics Society (NPS) is a charity led by sufferers and ex‐sufferers of anxiety to support fellow sufferers. Here, Catherine O'Neill, Service Co‐ordinator for the NPS, outlines the main aims of the society and discusses some of the work it is focusing on in 2008. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
Primhe Annual Conference 2008
Authors: Elswood Matthew , Hammond Phil
Published: July 2008

Creating Mental Wealth

Creating Mental Wealth was the theme of Primhe's Annual Conference held jointly with Wales Mental Health in Primary Care Network (WaMHinPC) in Cardiff in April. Matthew Elswood, a Mental Health Pharmacist from Milton Keynes, reports on some of the highlights.

What value health care?

GP, writer and broadcaster, Phil Hammond, who chaired Primhe's annual conference, offers these observations on the meeting. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
Synthesis and LCST‐type phase separation behavior in organic solvents of poly(vinyl ethers) with pendant imidazolium or pyridinium salts
Authors: Seno Ken‐Ichi , Kanaoka Shokyoku , Aoshima Sadahito
Published: July 2008

Vinyl ether polymers with imidazolium or pyridinium salt pendants underwent sensitive lower critical solution temperature (LCST)‐type phase separation in organic media. Well‐defined poly(salts) were quantitatively prepared by reaction with corresponding imidazoles or pyridines and poly(2‐chloroethyl vinyl ether), which was synthesized by living cationic polymerization. For example, a solution of the homopolymer with butyl imidazolium salts exhibited a sharp and reversible transition in chloroform upon heating. Sensitive phase separation was also observed in nonpolar solvents, such as toluene, ethyl acetate, THF, containing a small amount of a good solvent, such as 1‐butanol (10–15 wt %). The dependency of the salt structures, molecular weight, and the concentration on this behavior was demonstrated. The cleavage of the hydrogen bond is a key factor in this phase separation, as indicated by DSC and 1H‐NMR measurements. On increasing the temperature, the interaction between the polymer pendant and the solvent became weaker, hence the pendant–pendant interaction was, in turn, induced through the counter anion. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5724–5733, 2008
Large‐scale synthesis of arborescent polystyrenes
Authors: Munam Abdul , Gauthier Mario
Published: July 2008

A method was developed for the large (100 g) scale synthesis of arborescent polystyrenes using acetyl coupling sites. Successive generations of dendritic graft polymers were obtained from cycles of polystyrene substrate acetylation with acetyl chloride and coupling in the presence of LiCl with “living” polystyryllithium chains capped with 2‐vinylpyridine units. The grafting yield for the synthesis of a generation zero (G0 or comb‐branched) arborescent polystyrene under the conditions previously reported for the 10 g scale reactions decreased from 95 to 75% when scaled up to 100 g. The lowered yield was linked to side chain dimerization and deactivation of the macroanions. The modified 100 g scale procedure, using end‐capping of the polystyryllithium with 1,1‐diphenylethylene and the addition of 3–6 equivalents per living end of 2‐vinylpyridine as a dilute solution, eliminated side chain dimerization and provided grafting yields of up to 95%. The large‐scale procedure developed was applied to the synthesis of arborescent polystyrenes of generations up to G2 with low polydispersity indices (Mw/Mn ≤ 1.04) and molecular weights increasing in an approximately geometric fashion for each cycle. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5742–5751, 2008
Polyurethane–oligo(phenylenevinylene) random copolymers: π‐Conjugated pores, vesicles, and nanospheres via solvent‐induced self‐organization
Authors: Deepa P. , Jayakannan M.
Published: July 2008

We report a new series of polyurethane–oligo(phenylenevinylene) (OPV) random copolymers and their self‐assembled nanomaterials such as pores, vesicles, and luminescent spheres. The polymers were synthesized through melt transurethane process by reacting a hydroxyl‐functionalized OPV with diurethane monomer and diol under solvent‐free and nonisocyanate conditions. The amount of OPV was varied up to 50 mol % in the feed to incorporate various amounts of π‐conjugated segments in the polyurethane backbone. The π‐conjugated segmented polymers were subjected to solvent induced self‐organization in THF or THF+water to produce variety of morphologies ranging from pores (500 nm to 1 μm) to spheres (100 nm to 2 μm). Upon shining 370‐nm light, the dark solid nanospheres of the copolymers transformed into blue luminescent nanoballs under fluorescence microscope. The mechanistic aspects of the self‐organization process were studied using solution FTIR and photophysical techniques such as absorption and emission to trace the factors which control the morphology. FTIR studies revealed that the hydrogen bonding plays a significant role in the copolymers with lower amount of OPV units. Time resolved fluorescent decay measurements of copolymers revealed that molecular aggregation via π‐conjugated segments play a major role in the samples with higher OPV content in the random block polymers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 46: 5897–5915, 2008
Shifting patterns of inhaled antibiotic use in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Moskowitz Samuel M. , Silva Stefanie J. , Mayer‐Hamblett Nicole , Pasta David J. , Mink David R. , Mabie Jenny A. , Konstan Michael W. , Wagener Jeffrey S.
Published: July 2008

Rationale:

Antibiotic inhalation has become widely accepted as a standard treatment for cystic fibrosis (CF) airway infection. We assessed the prevalence and context of inhaled antibiotic use in the North American CF population. Our working hypothesis was that a shift from acute to chronic use of inhaled antibiotics has coincided with increased prevalence of use among CF patients.

Methods:

Descriptive statistics were collected for 30,833 patients enrolled in the Epidemiologic Study of CF (ESCF) during 1996 through 2005. A multivariate analysis was performed on data from a subgroup of 18,021 patients enrolled in ESCF during 2003 through 2005.

Results:

The prevalence of inhaled antibiotic use in the North American CF population increased during 1996 through 2005 due to increased chronic use, while acute use to treat pulmonary exacerbations decreased. In 2005, 50% of CF patients used inhaled tobramycin and 9% used inhaled colistin chronically; most of the latter used both agents concurrently. Airway obstruction severity and airway infection status were predictors of inhaled antibiotic use.

Conclusions:

Increased chronic use and decreased acute use of inhaled antibiotics presumably reflect a shift toward more proactive management of airway infections in the North American CF population. The effects of these usage patterns on long‐term clinical outcomes and emergence of antibiotic‐resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains warrant further study. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:874–881. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relative impact of respiratory muscle activity on tidal flow and end expiratory volume in healthy neonates
Authors: Hutten Gerard J. , van Eykern Leo A. , Latzin Philipp , Kyburz Manuela , van Aalderen Wim M. , Frey Urs
Published: July 2008

Introduction:

It has been suggested that infants dynamically regulate their tidal flow and end‐expiratory volume level. The interaction between muscle activity, flow and lung volume in spontaneously sleeping neonates is poorly studied, since it requires the assessment of transcutaneous electromyography of respiratory muscles (rEMG) in matched comparison to lung function measurements.

Methods:

After determining feasibility and repeatability of rEMG in 20 spontaneously sleeping healthy neonates, we measured the relative impact of intercostal and diaphragmatic EMG activity in direct comparison to the resulting tidal flow and FRC.

Results:

We found good feasibility, repeatability and correlation of timing indices between rEMG activity and flow. The rEMG amplitude was significantly dependent on the resistive load of the face mask. Diaphragm and intercostal muscle activity commenced prior to the onset of flow and remained active during the expiratory cycle. The relative contribution of intercostal and diaphragmatic activity to flow was variable and changed dynamically.

Conclusion:

Using matched rEMG, air flow and lung volume measurements, we have found good feasibility and repeatability of intercostal and diaphragm rEMG measurements and provide the first quantitative measures of the temporal relationship between muscle activity and flow in spontaneously sleeping healthy neonates. Lung mechanical function is dynamically regulated and adapts on a breath to breath basis. So, non‐invasive rEMG measurements alone or in combination with lung function might provide a more comprehensive picture of pulmonary mechanics in future studies. The data describing the timing of EMG and flow may be important for future studies of EMG triggered mechanical ventilation. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:882–891. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Using differential solubilization and 2‐D gel electrophoresis to visualize increased numbers of proteins in the human cortex and caudate nucleus and putamen
Authors: Dean Brian , Pavey Geoffrey , Smith A. Ian
Published: July 2008

The aim of this study was to determine if differential solubilization of human CNS proteins would increase the total number of proteins that could be visualized using 2‐D gel electrophoresis. Hence, proteins were solubilized into Tris, CHAPS and SB3‐10 before separation across a pH 4–7 IEF gradient and a 12–14% SDS polyacrylamide gel, which could be achieved with a run‐to‐run variation of 35% in spot intensity. Because Western blot analyses suggested proteins could be in more than one detergent fraction, we completed a conservative analyses of our 2‐D gels assuming spots that appeared on multiple gels at the same molecular weight and pI were the same protein. These analyses show that we had visualized over 3000 unique protein spots across three 2‐D gels generated from each sample of human frontal cortex and caudate‐putamen. This represented, at worst, a significant increase in the number of spots visualized in the acidic protein spectrum compared to what has been reported in other studies of human CNS. This study, therefore, supports the proposal that the analysis of the human CNS proteome using 2‐D gel electrophoresis, combined with appropriate sample preparation, can be used to expand the studies on the pathologies of neurological and psychiatric diseases.
Nonhuman primates as models for studies of prostate specific antigen and prostatic diseases
Authors: Mubiru James N. , Hubbard Gene B. , Dick Edward J. , Furman Jaime , Troyer Dean A. , Rogers Jeffrey
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND

Because prostate specific antigen (PSA) is released at increased levels into the blood early in the development of prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis, it is widely used as a marker for these diseases. However, PSA has clinical limitations as a screen for prostatic diseases due to its low sensitivity and specificity. There is a strong need to better understand the biology of PSA and factors affecting its serum levels.

METHODS

We evaluated cynomolgus macaques, rhesus macaques, baboons, and marmosets for their suitability as models for the study of PSA biology and prostatic diseases.

RESULTS

Prostates of several nonhuman primates are anatomically similar to the human counterpart. Anti‐human PSA antibody detected PSA antigens in all the Old World monkeys (cynomolgus macaques, rhesus macaques, and baboons) but not in marmosets. Of the Old World monkeys, cynomolgus macaques have the highest serum PSA levels; baboons have the lowest. Serum PSA levels from macaques includes a number of outlier samples with unusually high values. We also report two cases of abnormal pathologies in macaques accompanied by high serum PSA levels. One case consisted of prostatic hyperplasia involving both glandular and basal cells in a cynomolgus macaque and another of glandular hyperplasia and atrophy in a rhesus macaque. The finding that pathological changes in the prostate of macaques may lead to increases in serum PSA is worthy of further exploration.

CONCLUSION

Cynomolgus macaques and rhesus macaques are promising animal models for PSA biology studies. Prostate 68: 1546–1554, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rational design of novel antiandrogens for neutralizing androgen receptor function in hormone refractory prostate cancer
Authors: Singh Pratap , Hallur Gurulingappa , Anchoori Ravi K. , Bakare Oladapo , Kageyama Yukio , Khan Saeed R. , Isaacs John T.
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND

The standard hormonal therapy with currently available antiandrogens and the leutinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) analogs is not effective in the hormone‐refractory stage of prostate cancer due to changes in androgen receptor (AR) signaling axis. In this refractory stage, AR continues to play a significant role in the growth of cancer cells even though the cancer cells are no longer dependent on the level of circulating androgens.

METHODS

A series of 11β‐Δ9‐19 nortestosterone compounds were designed through structure‐based rationale and tested for their binding affinity against AR and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) using fluorescence polarization assays, their agonistic ability to induce AR dependent transcription using PSA‐driven report gene assays, and their growth inhibitory affects against a series of AR positive (LAPC4, LNCap, and CWR22R) and negative human prostate cancer cell lines (PC3) using MTT cell proliferation assays.

RESULTS

This study proposes the design of novel bifunctional antiandrogens based on the conjugation of 11β and/or 7α‐Δ9‐19 nortestosterone class of steroidal compounds to the synthetic ligand for FK506‐binding proteins. As a critical step towards the development of bifunctional antiandrogens, highly potent and AR‐specific lead compounds were identified using in vitro data. The lead compounds identified in this study possessed low binding affinity for GR, indicating the absence of undesirable antiglucocorticoid activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study validate our drug discovery rationale based on the structural biology of AR and pave the pay for future development of bifunctional compounds in order to block AR function in hormone refractory stage of prostate cancer. Prostate 68: 1570–1581, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Combination of vitamin E and selenium causes an induction of apoptosis of human prostate cancer cells by enhancing Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio
Authors: Reagan‐Shaw Shannon , Nihal Minakshi , Ahsan Haseeb , Mukhtar Hasan , Ahmad Nihal
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND

The Selenium and Vitamin E Chemoprevention Trial (SELECT) is aimed at determining the usefulness of a combination of vitamin E and selenium for Prostate cancer (PCa) prevention in humans. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and mechanistic basis of this combination.

METHODS

We determined the effect of vitamin E (+‐α‐tocopheryl succinate, VES) and selenium (methylselenic acid, MSA), alone and in combination, on the proliferation of LNCaP, DU145, and PC‐3 cells as well as normal prostate PrEC cells. We also determined the involvement of Bcl‐2 family proteins as a mechanism of the biological effects of vitamin E and selenium combination.

RESULTS

VES or MSA alone led to a modest inhibition in the viability and growth of PCa cells. However, a combination of these two agents resulted in a dramatic increase in growth inhibition of PCa cells. Interestingly, VES and/or MSA were not found to have any effect on the growth or viability of normal PrEC cells. VES and MSA treatment to human PCa cells resulted in (i) induction of apoptosis, (ii) increase in Bax, Bak, and Bid proteins, and (iii) decrease in Bcl‐2 protein. Furthermore, Bax knockdown via shRNA and Bcl‐2 overexpression via Bcl‐2 plasmid resulted in a rescue of PCa cells from apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggested that vitamin E and selenium combination may be more effective than either of these agents alone. Further, our data demonstrated a causal connection between Bax and Bcl‐2 modulation and induction of apoptosis by VES and MSA combination. Prostate 68: 1624–1634, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Radiation modulation of MicroRNA in prostate cancer cell lines
Authors: Josson Sajni , Sung Shian‐Ying , Lao Kaiqin , Chung Leland W.K. , Johnstone Peter A.S.
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are gene regulators and play an important role in response to cellular stress.

METHODS

Using multiplexed quantitative real‐time PCR we performed global miRNA screening of prostate cancer cells in response to radiation treatment.

RESULTS

Several miRNA were significantly altered in response to radiation treatment. Significant changes were observed in miR‐521 and miR‐34c. To determine the role of miR‐521 in radiation response we transiently overexpressed miR‐521 using miR‐521 mimic. The miR‐521 mimic significantly sensitized prostate cancer cells to radiation treatment. Conversely, ectopic inhibition of miR‐521 resulted in radiation resistance of prostate cancer cells. To determine the mechanism by which miR‐521 modulates radiation sensitivity we measured the expression levels of one of its predicted target protein, Cockayne syndrome protein A (CSA). CSA is a DNA repair protein, and its levels correlated inversely with the levels of miR‐521. Radiation treatment downregulated the levels of miR‐521 and upregulated CSA protein. Similarly, ectopic inhibition of miR‐521 resulted in increased CSA protein levels. Therefore by altering the levels of CSA protein, miR‐521 sensitized prostate cancer cells to radiation treatment.

CONCLUSION

miR‐521 modulates the expression levels of DNA repair protein, CSA and plays an important role, in the radio‐sensitivity of prostate cancer cell lines. Thus miR‐521 can be a potential target for enhancing the effect of radiation treatment on prostate cancer cells. Prostate 68: 1599–1606, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reliability estimation based on operational data of manufacturing systems
Authors: Li Lin , Ni Jun
Published: August 2008

Maintenance management has a direct influence on equipment reliability and safety. However, a large portion of traditional maintenance models and reliability analysis methods usually assumes that only perfect maintenance is performed on the system and the system will restore to as good as new regardless of the kind of preventive maintenance work‐order that is performed. This is not practical in reality and may result in an inaccurate parametric estimation. The research objective of this paper is to develop a maximum likelihood estimation method to obtain more accurately estimated parameters based on the operational data of manufacturing systems, taking into consideration the difference between perfect and imperfect maintenance work‐orders. Weibull distribution is specifically studied for this purpose. A practical case study based on industrial operational data from an automotive assembly line is performed to illustrate the implementation and efficiency of the proposed reliability estimation method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modified QFD and problem‐solving techniques integrated approach implementing corrective actions: a case study in an Italian manufacturing plant
Authors: Carmignani Gionata
Published: August 2008

The ISO 9001:2000 and Total Quality Management models impose that organizations adopt structured procedures to implement corrective and preventive actions. In this paper, a structured framework to solve a non‐conformity in a product or in a process, selecting the best corrective actions, is proposed. Some problem‐solving techniques are applied in a structural method (i) to find the problem (product or process non‐conform), (ii) setting the problem (using data‐collecting instruments), (iii) analyzing the problem (with techniques such as Pareto charts, histograms, stratification analysis) and (iv) searching possible alternative solutions. Then, a modified quality function deployment technique is applied to evaluate and to classify the alternative solutions with respect to three different parameters (benefit, cost and impact). The framework has been developed to select and implement corrective actions in an Italian manufacturing plant. The case study is presented in this paper. However, the proposed approach is applicable in many other contexts. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Globalization of social entrepreneurship opportunities
Authors: Zahra Shaker A. , Rawhouser Hans N. , Bhawe Nachiket , Neubaum Donald O. , Hayton James C.
Published: July 2008

Social entrepreneurship has emerged as an important research topic in the literature. This interest stems from social entrepreneurs' role in addressing serious social problems on a worldwide scale while enhancing social wealth, often without regard for profits. In this article, we explain the forces contributing to the formation and rapid internationalization of social ventures. We use the behavioral theory of the firm to distill key attributes of social opportunities and show how these attributes influence the timing and geographic scope of social ventures' international operations. Copyright © 2008 Strategic Management Society.
Values and judgment under uncertainty: evidence from venture capitalist assessments of founders
Authors: Matusik Sharon F. , George Jennifer M. , Heeley Michael B.
Published: July 2008

We examine how judgments in the context of uncertainty vary, depending on the values of those making these judgments. We test these ideas in the context of venture capitalists' (VCs') evaluations of founders. Drawing on theoretical and empirical research on the role of values in judgment and decision making and on Schwartz's (1992, 1996) conceptualization of the basic motivational dimensions underlying human values, we hypothesize and find that decision makers' process values (i.e., values governing the types of means to an end that an individual values) influence the perceived worth of founders' human capital. We discuss implications of these findings for judgment and decision‐making research, as well as practical implications for entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. Copyright © 2008 Strategic Management Society.
How private enterprises respond to government bureaucracy in emerging economies: the effects of entrepreneurial type and governance
Authors: Luo Yadong , Junkunc Marc
Published: July 2008

This study examines how private enterprises in emerging economies politically respond to government bureaucracy they face. With an emphasis on two political responses, engagement and influence, we propose that private enterprises react to bureaucracy differently, depending on their entrepreneurial traits, and this leads to different susceptibilities to bureaucracy. Our analysis of 9,123 private enterprises in 72 emerging economies suggests that political engagement and influence are positively associated with bureaucracy for all firms, but the levels of political engagement and influence vary according to a firm's entrepreneurial type (new vs. established venture; venture of entrepreneurial origin vs. other private) and governance (family vs. nonfamily; with vs. without government or foreign ownership). Firms in different groups of emerging economies also display some different propensities to political engagement and influence. Copyright © 2008 Strategic Management Society.
The ethics of governance projects: ethics in personal and public lives
Authors: van Gigch Jean‐Pierre
Published: July 2008

No governance project is complete unless it includes a concern for the ethics of the proposed actions and a concern for the way that recipients of the proposed actions will be treated. These concerns apply in particular to projects involving underprivileged groups such as immigrants, asylum seekers, Indigenous population and people displaced in disaster situations. This paper illustrates the ethical concerns of the people displaced by the hurricane Katrina which took place in the US in August 2005 and which, to this day, plays havoc with the lives of those affected. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reconsidering relationships across self, others, the environment and technology
Authors: McIntyre‐Mills Janet J.
Published: July 2008

The paper stresses the importance of understanding the connections across self, others (including sentient beings), the environment and technological applications, in order to ensure sustainable futures. It makes a case for ethical dialogue as a process to engage and co‐create shared meanings, in order to enhance democracy and rescue the enlightenment from its failings. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Systemic ethics: social, economic and environmental implications of eating our yellow cake in South Australia
Authors: Mcintyre‐Mills Janet. J.
Published: July 2008

An exploration of the ethical implications of mining uranium in South Australia by weighing up the impact on future generations in social, economic and environmental terms. In South Australia, we have ‘a knot of problems’ in the sense used by Bateson that can be described in a case study that illustrates the complexities for planners and policy makers. The paper suggests that one of the greatest challenges for policy makers is to match the right kind of knowledge to an issue. This requires ‘phronesis’ or a process of matching based on dialogue (see Aristotle in Nicomachean Ethics translated by Irwin). A score card needs to be developed to support ethical, sustainable governance. It is based on the assumption that we can create our own futures. This behooves us to develop sustainable approaches with future generations in mind. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A score card for ethical decision making
Authors: Parra‐Luna Francisco
Published: July 2008

General Systems Theory has not tackled the problem of a generally applicable model of human needs, although mention must be made of the works of Terleckyi, van Gigh, Hall, Buchanan and others, who have come closest to it. However, the sociosystemic approach as a whole, which could have been expected to focus on the theoretical and ultimately empirical teleology of social systems (the description and measurement of their goals and therefore their progression/regression as a core task) has not adopted necessarily a ‘sociologising’ point of view, that is to say, it does not contemplate the system from the point of view of the man in the street. This has led to forgetting the central and ultimate aim of Sociology as a science which has to account for collective as opposed to individual efficiency. With a view to merely suggesting an ethical reflection along these lines, I present an axiological approach for calculating the concept of Organizational Efficiency. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The ethics of emergence
Authors: Bausch Ken
Published: July 2008

Lawandpublic ethicsare derived by socialization processes and democratic processes of judgment formulation.Private ethics, in the direction of norms, which go beyond the minimum requirements of expected responsibility, derive not only from socialization processes but from innate desires that stem from our evolutionary history. By following those innate desires that have led to evolutionary emergence, we maximize growth and fulfilment for ourselves and our social circles.Emergencerefers to the process of self‐organization and evolution in which systems transcend previous limitations by creatively coupling with their environments. Living, psychic and social systems exist as patterns of relationships in physical substrates that are constantly shifting; they maintain their existence in time by continually reproducing those patterns in different materials. Theethics of emergencerefers to the strategies of successful emergence, which have brought us to where we are now in the evolutionary scheme of things and which can guide us into the future. The generic instruction for such ethical behaviour is to combine self‐preservation with openness to environmental influences. In the realm of human interaction, process leads to a progressionfrom morality(behaviour that is consistent with individual and ethnocentric standards)to ethics(behaviour that is consistent with standards democratically achieved through social interaction) by setting minimal standards of behaviour. By the same token, individuals and groups are freed to pursue their growth potential by internalizing elements of the ethics of emergence. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does health care for systemic development?
Authors: Sheffield James
Published: July 2008

The paper critically evaluates systems approaches to knowledge management to identify if health care professionals value systemic development. Research in knowledge management and health informatics is reviewed to see if multiple systems perspectives exist, and if and how concepts from multiple systems perspectives are integrated, or ‘swept in’ to a complex whole. The first finding is that knowledge management strategies in health do ‘sweep in’ insights from three systems perspectives: personal learning (knowledge creation); communities of practice (knowledge normalization) and the exercise of technical expertise and technology (knowledge application). The second finding is that health knowledge management has an architecture that does promote systemic development. An empirical case example of systemic intervention by an executive team is discussed in terms of micro evolution in social ecology. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How can we break the mould? Democracy, semiotics and regional governance
Authors: McIntyre‐Mills Janet J. , de Vries Denise , Christakis Aleco , Bausch Ken
Published: July 2008

Personal moral responsibility, public ethics and accountability in policy making and governance are the essential ingredients (supported by legal measures) which we need in order to institutionalize respectful dialogue across diverse stakeholders at the local, national and international level. The idea is to ensure that the process supports subsidiarity, namely those at the receiving end of a decision should be party to the decision making process, thereby ensuring that complex decisions can be made that represent the needs of the majority whilst taking into account the needs of the minority whose ideas could be vital for problem solving. By engaging in processes that enhance participatory democracy we can match decisions more appropriately and enable people to have ownership of the ideas. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mobius bands and Mandelbrot sets as metaphors for systemic praxis
Authors: McIntyre‐Mills Janet J.
Published: July 2008

This essay explores a ‘Linkage proposition’, to use Len Troncale's expression, that the universe—both social and natural—is a feedback/feed forward loop. Mathematically, it can be described as recursive Mobius Band (see Kauffman, 2006). Energy transfer and communication link social and natural systems. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Empirical Modeling of Starch Ester Synthesis from Octenylsuccinic Anhydride
Authors: Abdollahzadeh Elham , Mehranian Mehrnaz , Vahabzadeh Farzaneh
Published: July 2008

In the present work, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine the mathematical relationship between octenylsuccinic anhydride (OSA) treated maize starch and the octenylsuccinylation reaction conditions. A second‐order polynomial model was chosen to approximate the relationship between the response variable (y, as the degree of substitution “DS” used to define the extent of the octenylsuccinylation) and the three regressors, x1 as the temperature, x2 as the time and x3 as the pH. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a high R2 coefficient of 0.9905, thus ensuring a satisfactory adjustment of the selected model with the experimental data. Only temperature‐pH interaction was found to have a non‐significant effect. The positive sign for the regression coefficient of the temperature variable indicated that the yDS increased with the increased levels of this factor from 25 to 45°C. The negative sign for the coefficient of time and also pH indicated that yDS decreased as either the time or pH increased in the region of the tested range. The negative coefficients of the interaction between x2 and x3 indicated that a simultaneous increase in reaction time with decrease in pH of the esterification reaction led to an increase in yDS. Maize starch octenylsuccinate synthesis on basis of its DS value was optimized for the three independent variables tested in this study. The predicted value for the DS was 0.02 where temperature, time and pH of the reaction were 28.0°C, 8.1 h, and pH 7.11, respectively. Results of some of the selected physicochemical properties of starch, tested in the present work were also discussed.
Biodiversity of Legume Health‐promoting Starch
Authors: Mikulíková Daniela , Masár Štefan , Kraic Ján
Published: July 2008

The content of retrograded resistant starch (RS3) and RS3/total starch ratio was determined in 74 cultivars of six legumes currently found in human food. There were significant differences in individual crops as well as their cultivars. All analysed legumes (except soybean) are a suitable natural source of health‐promoting RS3. The highest levels of RS3 were found in peas. There were extensive differences in RS3 content and RS3/total starch ratio in the latter crop types. Higher resistant and lower total starch amounts were found in wrinkle seeded peas. Maximal RS3 content was detected in Ctirad, Dinara, Royal Salute and Elkan cultivars. In smooth seeded peas, lower resistant and higher total starch were estimated. High RS3 levels were also observed in lentils, especially in the LCMB12/58 and LCMB1941 cultivars. Similar RS3 values were found in the chickpea, faba bean and kidney bean. The highest RS3 levels were demonstrated in the kidney bean Ultima, Fabia, 545/97472 and 545/974532; chickpea Alfa, CM7185, BG004233, PK51814 and 88199; and faba bean Alfréd and Omar cultivars. No soybean cultivar was found to be a suitable source of RS3.
Physicochemical Properties of Starch in Sago Palms (Metroxylon sagu) at Different Growth Stages
Authors: Tie Adrina Pei‐lang , Karim Alias A. , Manan Dos Mohamed A.
Published: July 2008

This study was aimed to examine the physicochemical properties of starch extracted from two different points (base and mid heights) of the sago palms trunks (Metroxylon sagu) of different physiological growth stages namely, ‘Plawei’, ‘Bubul’, ‘Angau Muda’, ‘Angau Tua’ and ‘Late Angau Tua’ stages. The physicochemical properties of sago starch studied were the morphology of starch, amylose content, particle size and distribution profile, pasting, thermal and retrogradation profiles. The results showed significant differences in the amylose and amylopectin content as well as in the granule sizes of starch from the different growth stages. Variation was observed in the proportions of granule sizes and pasting properties of starch from base and mid heights of the different growth stages while slight or insignificant differences was observed in the thermal properties of sago starch.
Physicochemical and Biochemical Characterization of Starch Granules Isolated of Pigmented Maize Hybrids
Authors: Agama‐Acevedo Edith , de la Rosa Ana P. Barba , Méndez‐Montealvo Guadalupe , Bello‐Pérez Luís A.
Published: July 2008

In this study, the morphological and physicochemical of pigmented maizes as well as the initial characterization of the corresponding starch granule enzymes are described. Starch granules were isolated from blue, black, and white maize. They were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, particle size distribution, pasting characteristics, sorption isotherms, differential scanning calorimetry, and two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis. The morphology of the starch granules of pigmented maizes was different from the granules of white maize; the pattern was related to the endosperm type of these varieties. The average starch granule size was higher for black than for white and blue maizes. The average gelatinization temperature was similar in the three starches, but the pigmented maizes had higher gelatinization enthalpy; black maize starch showed the lowest enthalpy of retrogradation. These results indicated that the starches from the three maizes analyzed had different organization level. Black maize starch showed the highest peak viscosity followed by white and blue maize starches. In the gel electrophoresis three starch granules presented one main spot at pI of 5 and MW of 60 kDa that corresponds to the granule‐bound starch synthase. Blue and white starches presented some spots near 97 kDa at pI of 5.3–5.7 (white maize) and 5.1–5.5 (blue maize), spots that were not observed for black maize starch. The morphological and physicochemical characteristics of maize starch are related to the enzymes involved in its biosynthesis.
Carboxymethyl Starch Octenylsuccinate: Microwave‐ and Ultrasound‐assisted Synthesis and Properties
Authors: Čížová Alžbeta , Sroková Iva , Sasinková Vlasta , Malovíková Anna , Ebringerová Anna
Published: July 2008

The synthesis of water‐soluble octenylsuccinates of carboxymethyl starch (OS‐CMS) was performed with octenylsuccinic anhydride by assistance of microwave and ultrasound irradiation using the dimethyl sulphoxide/p‐toluenesulphonic acid system and DMSO as solvents for activation of CMS as well as reaction medium of the following esterification. The prepared OS‐CMS derivatives were characterized with regard to their structural, surface‐active and performance properties. The application of both microwave and ultrasound irradiation as energy sources permitted to shorten the esterification time to several minutes from 24 h of the previously reported conventional heating [33], whereby the reaction efficiencies were high and the water‐soluble derivatives exhibited excellent emulsifying efficiency as well as surfactant performance properties tested by washing power and antiredeposition efficiency. The results indicate also the high potential of both microwave and ultrasound energy sources to innovate and increase the efficiency of technological polysaccharide esterification processes.
System modeling and traceability applications of the higraph formalism
Authors: Fogarty Kevin , Austin Mark
Published: August 2008

This paper examines the use of higraphs as a means of representing dependencies and relationships among multiple aspects of system development models (e.g., requirements, hardware, software, testing concerns). We show how some well‐known diagram types in UML have counterpart higraph representations, how these models incorporate hierarchy and orthogonality, and how each model can be connected to the others in a useful (and formal) manner. Present‐day visual modeling languages such as UML and SysML do not readily support: (1) the traceability mechanisms required for the tracking of requirements changes and (2) built‐in support for systems validation. Higraphs also deviate from UML and SysML in their ability to model requirements, rules, and domain knowledge relevant to the development of models for system behavior and system structure. To accommodate these demands, an extension to the basic mathematical definition of higraphs is proposed. Capabilities of the extended higraph model are examined through the model development for an office network computing system. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng
Fetal growth between the first and second trimesters and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcome
Authors: Pedersen N. G. , Wøjdemann K. R. , Scheike T. , Tabor A.
Published: July 2008

Objectives

To relate growth rate of the biparietal diameter (BPD) between the first and second trimesters to the risk of perinatal death, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), macrosomia, preterm/post‐term delivery and pre‐eclampsia.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we analyzed sonographic BPD measurements at 11–14 and 17–21 weeks from 8215 singleton pregnancies in the Copenhagen First Trimester Study. Growth rate was defined as millimeters of growth per day between the two measurements and was dichotomized into growth rates < 2.5th vs. 2.5th–97.5th centiles, and > 97.5th vs. 2.5th–97.5th centiles. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% CIs for adverse outcome were calculated.

Results

Fetuses with growth rates < 2.5th centile had an OR of 4.79 (95% CI, 1.43–15.99) for perinatal death and an OR of 2.64 (95% CI, 1.51–4.62) for birth weight < sonographically estimated mean fetal weight (adjusted for gestational age) − 2 SD. Fetuses with growth rates > 97.5th centile had an OR of 2.83 (95% CI, 1.58–5.06) for birth weight > mean + 2 SD and an OR of 2.30 (95% CI, 1.15–4.59) for delivery in weeks 34–36. Growth rate showed no association with pre‐eclampsia.

Conclusions

There is a significant relationship between the growth rate of BPD from the first to the second trimester and adverse pregnancy outcome. Low growth rates are associated with an increased OR for perinatal death and IUGR, while high growth rates are associated with an increased OR for macrosomia and preterm delivery. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: prenatal diagnosis and possible influence on fetal growth
Authors: Delle Chiaie L. , Neuberger P. , Von Kalle T.
Published: July 2008

Congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (IPSS) are abnormal vascular communications within the liver between branches of the portal vein and the hepatic veins. They have been recognized as an important disorder in children and should be differentiated from metabolic diseases, the symptoms of which may be similar. Several cases of prenatal diagnosis of abnormalities of the fetal venous system have been described in the literature, but the significance and prognosis of isolated congenital IPSS in prenatal life have not been reported and have only been derived from children. We present a case of congenital IPSS in which there was severe intrauterine growth restriction with a concomitant atypical fetal Doppler pattern. Findings on Doppler ultrasound indicate that the prenatal diagnosis of congenital IPSS is now feasible. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.