bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ChemInform Abstract: Expedient Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of 5‐Benzoylamino‐2‐(aralkylsulfanyl)pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐ones.
Authors: Hansen Finn K. , Geffken Detlef
Published: November 2010

The amino compounds (II) are used as either hydrochlorides or hydrobromides.
ChemInform Abstract: Phosphine‐Catalyzed Reductions of Alkyl Silyl Peroxides by Titanium Hydride Reducing Agents: Development of the Method and Mechanistic Investigations.
Authors: Harris Jason R. , Haynes M. Taylor II , Thomas Andrew M. , Woerpel K. A.
Published: November 2010

Under conditions A), alkyl silyl peroxides undergo convenient reduction to silylated alcohols.
ChemInform Abstract: A Novel Organogermanium Protected Atopic Dermatitis Induced by Oxazolone.
Authors: Lim Doo Hyeon , Li Minghua , Seo Jung‐A , Lim Kyung‐Min , Ham Seung Wook
Published: November 2010

A novel organogermanium compound (IV) with ascorbic acid as hydrophilic moiety is synthesized and the anti‐inflammatory and barrier protecting effects are investigated for chronic oxazolone‐induced murine atopic dermatitis.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis of Quinoline‐Bearing Ferrocene Derivatives via Friedlaender Reaction of Acetyl‐ and 1,1′‐Diacetylferrocenes with o‐Amino Aryl Aldehydes.
Authors: Gao Wentao , Cheng Xiuping , Li Yang
Published: November 2010

Carrying out the reaction of acetylferrocene (I) with aminobenzaldehyde (IIa) under standard Friedlnder conditions using sodium ethoxide as a base provides product (IIIa) only in low yield.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and Structure Reassessment of Psammopemmin A.
Authors: Lebar Matthew D. , Baker Bill J.
Published: November 2010

Detailed synthetic and spectral investigations indicate that the correct structure of psammopemmin A, previously assigned as (I), is actually that of meridianin A (II).
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis of N‐Aminoglycosides Derived from Alkaloid Cytisine, Their Biological Activity and Crystal Structure of N‐(β‐D‐Galactopyranosyl)cytisine.
Authors: Kulakov I. V. , Nurkenov O. A. , Turdybekov D. M. , Mahmutova A. S. , Ahmetova S. B. , Sejdahmetova R. B. , Turdybekov K. M.
Published: November 2010

New N‐aminoglycosides (4 examples) of the alkaloid cytisine (I) are synthesized using commercially available monosaccharides.
ChemInform Abstract: JBIR‐83 and JBIR‐84, New Promothiocin Derivatives, Isolated from Streptomyces sp. RI9.
Authors: Takagi Motoki , Motohashi Keiichiro , Nagai Aya , Hashimoto Junko , Shin‐ya Kazuo
Published: November 2010

The new promothiocin derivatives JBIR‐83 (Ia) and JBIR‐84 (Ib) do not show cytotoxic or antibacterial activity.
ChemInform Abstract: Structure and Phase Stability of NiMnGa Ferromagnetic Shape Memory Alloys by Experimental and ab initio Techniques
Authors: Esling C. , Cong D. Y. , Bai J. , Zhang Y. D. , Raulot J. M. , Zhao X. , Zuo L.
Published: November 2010

Review: 13 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: An Alternative Mechanistic Concept for Homogeneous Selective Ethylene Oligomerization of Chromium‐Based Catalysts: Binuclear Metallacycles as a Reason for 1‐Octene Selectivity?
Authors: Peitz Stephan , Aluri Bhaskar R. , Peulecke Normen , Mueller Bernd H. , Woehl Anina , Mueller Wolfgang , Al‐Hazmi Mohammed H. , Mosa Fuad M. , Rosenthal Uwe
Published: November 2010

Review: 66 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Acidic Broensted Ionic Liquids
Authors: Hajipour Abdol R. , Rafiee Fatemeh
Published: November 2010

Review: syntheses, characterization, applications, toxicity, costs and life cycle; 119 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Green Oxidation Reactions by Polyoxometalate‐Based Catalysts: From Molecular to Solid Catalysts
Authors: Mizuno Noritaka , Kamata Keigo , Yamaguchi Kazuya
Published: November 2010

Review: 112 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Metal‐Catalyzed Oxidations of C—H to C—N Bonds
Authors: Zalatan David N. , Du Bois J.
Published: November 2010

Review: 153 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Resolution of Chiral Amines
Authors: Azov V. A.
Published: November 2010

Review: 53 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Electrochemistry of Electronically Conducting Polymers
Authors: Levi Mikhael , Aurbach Doron
Published: November 2010

Review: 74 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Coiled Coils: Attractive Protein Folding Motifs for the Fabrication of Self‐Assembled, Responsive and Bioactive Materials
Authors: Apostolovic Bojana , Danial Maarten , Klok Harm‐Anton
Published: November 2010

Review: 212 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Mono‐, Bi‐ and Multifunctional Single‐Sites: Exploring the Interface Between Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Catalysis
Authors: Thomas John Meurig , Raja Robert
Published: November 2010

Review: 55 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Power Struggles in Peptide‐Amphiphile Nanostructures
Authors: Versluis Frank , Marsden Hana Robson , Kros Alexander
Published: November 2010

Review: 48 refs.
River Suspended Sediment Control through Riparian Vegetation: A Method to Detect the Functionality of Riparian Vegetation
Authors: Pavanelli Donatella , Cavazza Claudio
Published: November 2010

The aim of this paper is to propose a method to detect the functionality of riparian vegetation as buffers/filters/trap against soil runoff and polluting agents caused by agricultural land and erosion areas, near the river. The suspended sediment yield (SSY) is the main vector for pollutants and nutrients generated from the runoff, in the Apennines torrents, indeed finer particles of the soil and their aggregates were proved to be the preferential vehicle of nitrogen, phosphorus, and other polluting agents. The stages of the current study were to spot soil erosion critical areas by the application of Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), on a river strip buffer of 200 m, with support of aerial photos and satellite images, land surveys, and application of a G. I. S. The riparian vegetation analysis, on a 20 m wide buffer, was obtained on the basis of ecologic richness, the structural quality, and the depth of the vegetation. The two maps obtained, “erosion risk strip” and “degree of effectiveness of riparian vegetation”, were connected to identify, for every river trunk, the level of functionality of the riparian vegetation in relation to the level of risk erosion on the near hill slopes. The methodology was applied on the Gaiana torrent, near Bologna, North Italian Apennines, where both basin soil loss and SSY have been well studies. The proposed methodology has been designed for the control of water pollution induced by suspended solids, pollutants, and nutrients coming from soil erosion and as a tool to improve the quality of the river environment. The method has the advantage of being easily applicable and can represent a basic tool for stakeholders to take decisions regarding the control and improvement of the river and it can suggest ways to improve or replant the degraded vegetation on the stream banks.
Does Aqueous‐Phase Oxidation of HCHO Opens a Pathway to Formic Acids in Atmosphere?
Authors: Gang Xu , XinQing Lee , HongBo Shao , YingChun Lv
Published: November 2010

Formic acid is the major contributor to acid rain in some regions but its sources are not fully understood. We investigated the aqueous‐phase reactions of HCHO (aq) and OH. radicals at enlarged rainwater pH values (2.49–5.89) in Guiyang, China from May 2006 to April 2007. Our results show that there were no significant correlation between the [HCOOH]t/[HCHO] (aq) and the rainwater pH. The ratio did not appear to vary consistently as a function of rainwater pH as predicted by theoretical model. In addition, we saw no clear evidence that oxidation of HCHO (aq) would produce significant HCOOH (aq) which indicates this reaction may be only a minor contribution to the budget of HCOOH (g) in atmosphere. Further investigation is strongly suggested to be carried out in field cloud water, fog water, or rainwater because the ratios would be diverged from equilibrium value as a result of other chemical or physical processes.
Estimating Net Primary Productivity and Nutrient Stock in Plant in Freshwater Marsh, Northeastern China
Authors: Yu Junbao , Liu Jingshuang , Meixner Franz X. , Wang Jinda , Gao Yongjun , Wang Yang , Qi Xiaoning , Chen Xiaobing
Published: November 2010

We have investigated the contributions of three dominant macrophyte species, Deyeuxia angustifolia, Carex lasiocarpa, and Carex pseudocuraica (covering about 10 304 km2), to carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) stocks in the largest freshwater marsh (17 300 km2) in China for a 3‐year period (from 2002 to 2004). The monthly biomass, seasonal, and annual net primary productivity (NPP), and nutrient concentrations of three species were measured. All three plant species showed rapid growth in the rainy season. The maximum and minimum production rates in the freshwater marsh were ∼36.19 and ∼9.92 g m−2 day−1, respectively. The total NPP accounts 1900–2700 g m−2 year−1 in the studied area. Total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in roots were higher than those in stem and leaf tissues. The vast beds of the three studied species comprise 80% of the grass covered marsh of Sanjiang plain, contributing annual nutrient stocks of ∼10.99 × 106, ∼788.36 × 103, and ∼18.10 × 103 t (tonnes) for TOC, TN, and TP, respectively. Our results suggest that the nutrient bioaccumulation capacity in freshwater marshes depend mainly on plant species, which are decided by hydrological conditions. The nutrient stocks in the Sanjiang plain marsh have been greatly reduced because some of the area occupied by C. lasiocarpa was replaced by D. angustifolia as a result of succession caused by the changes of water table.
The hydrological response of Pteronia incana‐ invaded areas in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Authors: Odindi J. O. , Kakembo V.
Published: November 2010

The impact of vegetation invasion on hillslope soil moisture dynamics was investigated by comparing three surface cover conditions. Soil moisture variations under grass, bare areas and Pteronia incana, a patchy invader shrub, were monitored fortnightly between 01 November 2007 and 01 May 2008 in an experimental setup where high frequency ECH2O EC‐20 soil moisture probes connected to a 5‐channel Em50 datalogger were calibrated and installed in the field. Grass cover had consistently high moisture readings during the three major rainfall episodes identified. Soil moisture retention was also greatest under grass cover. The difference in post‐rainfall moisture retention between grass and P. incana surfaces was significant up to about 6 days; thereafter, a parallel trend in soil moisture change was noted. Grass cover experienced the highest moisture loss after each rainfall episode. The constrained soil moisture budget under P. incana and bare areas has implications for runoff conditions and landscape functionality. Despite this, P. incana's resource capture capability, as demonstrated by persistent, albeit limited soil moisture retention, must be taken cognizance of when developing strategies to rehabilitate rangelands with P. incana–bare surface mosaics. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Doubly Base‐Stabilized Diborane(4) [HB(μ‐hpp)]2 (hpp = 1,3,4,6,7,8‐hexahydro‐2H‐pyrimido[1,2‐a]pyrimidinate): Synthesis by Catalytic Dehydrogenation and Reactions with S8 and Disulfides (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 33/2010)
Authors: Schulenberg Nikola , Ciobanu Oxana , Kaifer Elisabeth , Wadepohl Hubert , Himmel Hans‐Jörg
Published: November 2010

The cover picture shows the crystal structure of the product of oxidative insertion of sulfur into the B–B bond of the doubly base‐stabilized diborane(4) [HB(μ‐hpp)]2 (hpp = 1,3,4,6,7,8‐hexahydro‐2H‐pyrimido[1,2‐a]pyrimidinate). The colours observed in the course of this reaction are similar to those of the sunset at Flügge beach on the island Fehmarn shown in the background. While the sunset colours are caused by refraction of sunlight, oligosulfide intermediates such as S82– and S3– are responsible for the colours visible during the reaction. The photographs of the flask show the reaction mixture in toluene solutions after 3, 12, 68 and 200 min and after 18 h. Details are discussed in the article by H.‐J. Himmel et al. on p. 5201 ff. The authors thank Andreas Schuster for the design of the cover picture.
Fatty acid esters of chloropropanols and related compounds in food: Toxicological aspects
Authors: Schilter Benoit , Scholz Gabriele , Seefelder Walburga
Published: November 2010

The presence of fatty acid esters of 3‐monochloro‐1,2‐propanediol (3‐MCPD esters) has been reported in various types of foods and food ingredients, especially in refined vegetable oils. More recently, it has been acknowledged that 3‐MCPD esters are formed during processing together with a number of other structurally related and toxicologically relevant chemicals such as 2‐monochloro‐1,3‐propanol esters (2‐MCPD esters) and glycidyl esters. Although no evidence is available of any adverse effects of dietary exposure to these esters, the actual human health significance of these compounds is difficult to appreciate due to the lack of toxicological and exposure data. An indirect concern has been raised by the potential release of free chloropropanols (e.g., 3‐MCPD, 2‐MCPD) and glycidol resulting from the action of lipases, which may hydrolyze the esters in the gut.
Total Synthesis of a Mevinic Acid Analog
Authors: Reddy Thummalapally Srikanth , Reddy Dorigondla Kumar , Narasimhulu Manchala , Ramesh Dasari , Venkateswarlu Yenamandra
Published: November 2010

Total synthesis of mevinic acid analog 1 has been achieved efficiently starting from chiral 2,3‐O‐isopropylidene‐D‐glyceraldehyde (2). The synthesis involves Mitsunobu reaction and Evans' intramolecular oxa‐Michael syn‐addition reactions as key steps.
Isolation and Characterization of Bioactive Cyclotides from Viola labridorica
Authors: Tang Jun , Wang Conan K. , Pan Xulin , Yan He , Zeng Guangzhi , Xu Wenyan , He Wenjun , Daly Norelle L. , Craik David J. , Tan Ninghua
Published: November 2010

Many Violaceae plants contain cyclotides, which are plant cyclopeptides distinguished by a cyclic cystine knot motif with 28–37 amino acid residues. In the current study, four new cyclotides, vila A–D (1–4, resp.), together with a known cyclotide, varv D (5), were isolated from Viola labridorica (Violaceae). A chromatography‐based method was used to isolate the cyclotides, which were characterized using tandem mass spectrometry and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy. Several of the cyclotides showed cytotoxic activities against five cancer cell lines, i.e., U251, MDA‐MB‐231, A549, DU145, and BEL‐7402, with vila A and B (1 and 2, resp.) being the most cytotoxic. The isolated cyclotides showed no antibacterial activity against Staphyloccocus aureus and Candida albicans. Homology modeling of the cyclotide structures was used to analyze structure–activity relationships.
Rehearsal and pedometer reactivity in children
Authors: Ling Fiona C.M. , Masters Richard S.W. , McManus Alison M.
Published: November 2010

The main purpose of this study was to investigate whether rehearsal, defined as the tendency to recurrently ruminate over upsetting aversive experiences, had an effect on pedometry reactivity. A total of 156 Hong Kong Chinese children aged 9–12 years were recruited. Participants completed the Rehearsal Scale for Children‐Chinese (RSC‐C; Ling, Maxwell, Masters, & McManus, 2010) and wore the pedometers for 3 consecutive weeks. The mean number of steps was significantly higher in Week 1 than in Week 3. High rehearsers showed a larger decrease in mean number of steps from Week 1 to Week 3 than low rehearsers. Future physical activity intervention studies should adjust for reactivity in their baseline measurements and should further examine the relationship between habitual PA and individual propensities for rehearsal. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 00:1–6, 2010.
Response of NF1‐related plexiform neurofibroma to High‐Dose Carboplatin
Authors: Hummel Trent , Anyane‐Yeboa Adjoa , Mo Jun , Towbin Alexander , Weiss Brian
Published: November 2010

Plexiform neurofibromas (PN) are a hallmark of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). These large nerve tumors can be disfiguring and surgery is the only known standard therapy. Surgical intervention may be suboptimal due to the diffuse nature of PN. Here, we present a case in which we describe the use of high‐dose carboplatin to treat the patient's testicular seminoma which resulted in the decrease in size of a PN in a patient with NF1. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:488–490. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of advanced bone age in a cohort of patients who received cis‐retinoic acid for high‐risk neuroblastoma
Authors: Hobbie Wendy L. , Moab Sogol Mostoufi‐ , Carlson Claire A. , Gruccio Denise , Ginsberg Jill P.
Published: November 2010

In the last decade, 13‐cis‐retinoic acid (13‐cis‐RA) has been added to the treatment of patients with high‐risk neuroblastoma. In survivors of neuroblastoma, short stature is consistently observed. Causes include growth hormone deficiency and poor growth of irradiated long bones. Within the survivorship program at CHOP, we have observed that a number of these patients also have advanced bone ages. Children treated with 13‐cis‐RA are at risk for advanced bone age that may dramatically impact their linear growth. Ongoing evaluation is necessary to examine the effect of 13‐cis‐RA on final adult height and to inform clinical practice in this cohort. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:474–476. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Estimating pediatric inpatient medication use in the United States
Authors: Lasky Tamar , Ernst Frank R. , Greenspan Jay , Wang Shirley , Gonzalez Liliana
Published: November 2010

Purpose

We demonstrated the feasibility of developing national estimates of pediatric inpatient medication use by analyzing data from a large administrative database.

Methods

Pediatric inpatient data were extracted from Premier Perspective® database to calculate the prevalence of use of specific medications among hospitalized children in 2008. The database was validated by comparing characteristics to the HCUP KID sample of pediatric hospitalizations for 2006. Prevalence was calculated by categorizing patients as ever or never having received a specific drug.

Results

The 10 drugs administered in the most pediatric hospitalizations were acetaminophen, lidocaine, ampicillin, gentamicin, fentanyl, ibuprofen, morphine, ondansetron, ceftriaxone, and albuterol.

Conclusions

Although the database is not a probability‐based sample, it bears sufficient similarity to a probability‐based sample of pediatric hospitalizations (HCUP KID) to serve as a starting point in developing national estimates of inpatient pediatric medication use. Over 500 drug entities were administered to hospitalized children, but most are used by small percentages of hospitalized patients. The small numbers of children using any one drug has implications for efforts to study efficacy and safety, describe off‐label use, monitor adverse events, describe practice, and conduct comparative effectiveness research. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonlinear optical side‐chain polymers post‐functionalized with high‐β chromophores exhibiting large electro‐optic property
Authors: Piao Xianqing , Zhang Xianmin , Mori Yuichi , Koishi Masayuki , Nakaya Akinari , Inoue Shinichiro , Aoki Isao , Otomo Akira , Yokoyama Shiyoshi
Published: November 2010

Electro‐optic side‐chain polymers have been synthesized by the post‐functionalization of methacrylate isocyanate polymers with novel phenyl vinylene thiophene vinylene bridge (FTC) nonlinear optical chromophores. For this application, FTC‐based chromophores were modified in their electronic donor structure, exhibiting much larger molecular hyperpolarizabilities compared with the benchmark FTC. Of these new chromophores, absorption spectra, hyper‐Rayleigh scattering experiment, and thermal analysis were carried out to confirm availability as effective nonlinear optical units for electro‐optic side‐chain polymers. The electro‐optic coefficients (r33) of obtained polymers were investigated in the process of in situ poling by monitoring the temperature, current flow, poling field, and electro‐optic signal. Compared with the nonsubstituted analogue, benxyloxy modified FTC chromophore significantly achieved higher nonlinear optical property, exhibiting molecular hyperpolarizability at 1.9 μm of 4600 × 10−30 esu and an r33 value of 150 pm/V at the wavelength of 1.31 μm. Synthesized electro‐optic polymers showed high glass transition temperature (Tg), so that the temporal stability examination exhibited >78% of the electro‐optic intensity remaining at 85 °C over 500 h. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010
Highly phosphonated poly(N‐phenylacrylamide) for proton exchange membranes
Authors: Fukuzaki Namiko , Nakabayashi Kazuhiro , Nakazawa Satoshi , Murata Shigeaki , Higashihara Tomoya , Ueda Mitsuru
Published: November 2010

A novel highly phosphonated poly(N‐phenylacrylamide) (PDPAA) with an ion‐exchange capacity (IEC) of 6.72 mequiv/g was synthesized by the radical polymerization of N‐[2,4‐bis(diethoxyphosphinoyl)phenyl]acrylamide (DEPAA), followed by the hydrolysis with trimethylsilyl bromide. Then, the crosslinked PDPAA membrane was successfully prepared by the electrophilic substitution reaction between the aromatic rings of PDPAA and the carbocation formed from hexamethoxymethylmelamine (CYMEL) as a crosslinker in the presence of methanesulfonic acid. The crosslinked PDPAA membrane had high oxidative stability against Fenton's reagent at room temperature. The proton conductivity of the crosslinked PDPAA membrane was 8.8 × 10−2 S/cm at 95% relative humidity (RH) and 80 °C, which was comparable to Nafion 112. Under low RH, the crosslinked PDPAA membrane showed the proton conductivity of 1.9 × 10−3 and 4.7 × 10−5 S/cm at 50 and 30% RH, respectively. The proton conductivity of the crosslinked PDPAA membrane lied in the highest class among the reported phosphonated polymers, and, consequently, the very high local concentration of the acids of PDPAA (IEC = 6.72 mequiv/g) achieved high and effective proton conduction under high RH. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010
Novel superhydrophobic silica/poly(siloxane‐fluoroacrylate) hybrid nanoparticles prepared via surface‐initiated ATRP and their surface properties: The effects of polymerization conditions
Authors: Yu Hai‐Jiang , Luo Zheng‐Hong
Published: November 2010

A series of superhydrophobic poly(methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, MPTS‐b‐2,‐2,3,3,4,4,4‐heptafluorobutyl methacrylate, HFBMA)‐grafted silica hybrid nanoparticles (SiO2/PMPTS‐b‐PHFBMA) were prepared by two‐step surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI‐ATRP). Under the adopted polymerization conditions in our previous work, the superhydrophobic property was found to depend on the SI‐ATRP conditions of HFBMA. As a series of work, in this present study, the effects of polymerization conditions, such as the initiator concentration, the molar ratio of monomer and initiator, and the polymerization temperature on the SI‐ATRP kinetics and the interrelation between the kinetics and the surface properties of the nanoparticles were investigated. The results showed that the SI‐ATRP of HFBMA was well controlled. The results also showed that both the surface microphase separation and roughness of the hybrid nanoparticles could be strengthened with the increase of the molecular weight of polymer‐grafted silica hybrid nanoparticles. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010
The function of geometrical structure of B850 ring in bacterial photosynthetic antenna systems
Authors: Tei Go , Nakatani Masatoshi , Ishihara Hajime
Published: November 2010

A series of simulations are made to investigate the function of characteristic ring‐shaped structure of B850 ring in peripheral light harvesting complex (LH2) in typical purple photosynthetic bacteria. The results suggest that the geometrical structure of B850 ring positively functions to realize the high efficient excitation energy transfer (EET) in the photosynthetic antenna systems. It also shows the importance of geometrical structure of units in EET not only in photosynthetic systems but also any other systems containing randomness in distribution of units.
DNA macroarray study of skin aging‐related genes expression modulation by antioxidant plant extracts on a replicative senescence model of human dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Dudonné Stéphanie , Coutière Philippe , Woillez Marion , Mérillon Jean‐Michel , Vitrac Xavier
Published: November 2010

The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a widely accepted pivotal mechanism leading to skin aging. It increases with age, while the endogenous defense mechanisms that counter them decrease. This imbalance, called oxidative stress, leads to the progressive damage of cellular structures and results in accelerated aging. Antioxidant compounds can provide protection from endogenous and exogenous oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals. The main phenolic compounds of oak wood, mate leaf and benjoin resin antioxidant extracts were identified and the effects of these extracts on skin aging markers were evaluated using DNA macroarray technology. The transcriptional effect of the three antioxidant extracts was evaluated in vitro on a replicative senescence model of normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF), using a customized DNA macroarray specifically designed to investigate aging markers such as dermal structure, cell renewal, inflammatory response and oxidative stress mechanisms. Among the 149 genes detected, the three antioxidant extracts presented a significant regulation of five genes involved in inflammatory response, cell renewal and antioxidant defenses. The collective transcriptional effects of these extracts suggest interesting antiaging properties which could be utilized in nutraceutical antiaging formulations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robot‐assisted adrenalectomy: a technical option for the surgeon?
Authors: Giulianotti P. C. , Buchs N. C. , Addeo P. , Bianco F. M. , Ayloo S. M. , Caravaglios G. , Coratti A.
Published: November 2010

Background

The robotic approach is an interesting option for overcoming the limitations of laparoscopic adrenalectomy. We aimed to report our technique and outcomes of robot‐assisted adrenalectomy (RAA).

Methods

From November 2000 to February 2010, all consecutive patients who underwent a RAA by the same surgeon were prospectively entered into a dedicated database. The data were reviewed retrospectively.

Results

During the study period, 21 right (50%), 20 left (47.6%) and 1 bilateral (2.4%) RAA were performed. Mean lesion size was 5.5 cm (max. 10 cm). Mean operative time was 118 ± 46 min and median blood loss was 27 ml. There were no conversions. The postoperative morbidity rate was 2.4%; mortality rate, 2.4%; median hospital stay, 4 days.

Conclusions

RAA achieves good short‐term outcomes and could be considered a valid option for the treatment of adrenal masses, with the potential to expand the limits of minimally invasive surgery. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ex vivoaccuracy evaluation for robot assisted laser bone ablation
Authors: Burgner J. , Müller M. , Raczkowsky J. , Wörn H.
Published: November 2010

Background

Cutting bony tissue using short‐pulsed laser ablation enables contact‐free processing in arbitrary shapes and with considerably smaller incision widths compared with mechanical tools. This precise method necessitates assistance by robotic surgery.

Methods

Using a prototype system for robot assisted laser bone ablation, the complete workflow was evaluated. Planning of cutting incisions was performed based on CT datasets of anex vivobone of a pig. After registration the preplanned cutting was executed autonomously by the robot assisted laser ablation system.

Results

Evaluation of post‐operative measurements revealed an overall positioning accuracy of less than 0.5 mm.

Conclusion

Robot assisted laser bone ablation has the potential to revolutionize surgery, especially in those interventions where the accuracy achievable manually is not sufficient. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exposure of nicotine to ventral tegmental area slices induces glutamatergic synaptic plasticity on dopamine neurons
Authors: Jin Yu , Yang Kechun , Wang Hong , Wu Jie
Published: November 2010

Nicotine promotes glutamatergic synaptic plasticity in dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), which is thought to be an important mechanism underlying nicotine reward. However, it is unclear whether exposure of nicotine alone to VTA slice is sufficient to increase glutamatergic synaptic strength on DA neurons and which nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtype mediates this effect. Here, we report that the incubation of rat VTA slices with 500 nM nicotine induces glutamatergic synaptic plasticity in DA neurons. We measure the ratio of AMPA and NMDA receptor‐mediated currents (AMPA/NMDA) and compare these ratios between nicotine‐treated and ‐untreated slices. Our results demonstrate that the incubation of VTA slices with 500 nM nicotine for 1 h (but not for 10 min) significantly increases the AMPA/NMDA ratio when compared with controls. Preincubation with 10 nM of the α7‐nAChR antagonist, methyllycaconitine (MLA) but not 1 μM α4‐containing nAChR antagonist, dihydro‐β‐erythroidine (DHβE) prevents nicotinic effect, suggesting that α7‐nAChRs are mainly mediated this nicotinic effect. This finding is further supported by the disappearance of this nicotinic effect in nAChR α7 knockout (KO) mice. Furthermore, nicotine reduced paired‐pulse ratio (PPR) of evoked excitatory postsynaptic potential (eEPSP) in the VTA slices prepared from wild‐type (WT) mice but not α7 KO mice. Collectively, these findings suggest that exposure of smoking‐relevant concentrations of nicotine to VTA slices is sufficient to increase glutamatergic synaptic strength on DA neurons and that α7‐nAChRs likely mediate this nicotinic effect through increasing presynaptic release of glutamate. Synapse, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of cooperative MIMO transmission system with transmit antenna selection and selection combining
Authors: Karaevli İzzet Levent , Kurt Güneş Karabulut , Altunbaş İbrahim
Published: November 2010

Error performance of a cooperative system can be enhanced by using transmit and receive diversity techniques at transmission links. The number of transmit/receive RF chain pairs required to achieve full diversity can be decreased to one for each link by using transmit antenna selection (TAS) method at the transmitter and selection combining (SC) method at the receiver. Thus, hardware complexity of a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) cooperative scheme can be significantly reduced when compared to systems that use TAS and maximum ratio combining (MRC). In this paper, we investigate the performance of an amplify‐and‐forward cooperative system where TAS/SC is utilized. We derive the probability density function (pdf) of end‐to‐end SNR of the system for Rayleigh fading channels. By using this pdf, we obtain the exact symbol error rate expressions for M‐PSK and M‐QAM modulations and the exact outage probability expression. We also obtain the asymptotical diversity order using upper and lower bounds of the outage probability expression and show that our system provides the same diversity order as the cooperative system where TAS/MRC is utilized. We verify our results via computer simulations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DBM-Tree: Trading height-balancing for performance in metric access methods
Authors: Vieira Marcos R. , Traina Caetano , Chino Fabio J. T. , Traina Agma J. M.
Published: November 2010

Metric Access Methods (MAM) are employed to accelerate the processing of similarity queries, such as the range and the k-nearest neighbor queries. Current methods, such as the Slim-tree and the M-tree, improve the query performance minimizing the number of disk accesses, keeping a constant height of the structures stored on disks (height-balanced trees). However, the overlapping between their nodes has a very high influence on their performance. This paper presents a new dynamic MAM called theDBM-tree (Density-Based Metric tree), which can minimize the overlap between high-density nodes by relaxing the height-balancing of the structure. Thus, the height of the tree is larger in denser regions, in order to keep a tradeoff between breadth-searching and depth-searching. An underpinning for cost estimation on tree structures is their height, so we show a non-height dependable cost model that can be applied for DBM-tree. Moreover, an optimization algorithm calledShrink is also presented, which improves the performance of an already builtDBM-tree by reorganizing the elements among their nodes. Experiments performed over both synthetic and real world datasets showed that theDBM-tree is, in average, 50% faster than traditional MAM and reduces the number of distance calculations by up to 72% and disk accesses by up to 66%. After performing the Shrink algorithm, the performance improves up to 40% regarding the number of disk accesses for range andk-nearest neighbor queries. In addition, theDBM-tree scales up well, exhibiting linear performance with growing number of elements in the database.
The weighted gradient: A color image gradient applied to morphological segmentation
Authors: Flores Franklin César , Polidório Airton Marco , Lotufo Roberto de Alencar
Published: November 2010

This paper proposes a method for color gradient computation applied to morphological segmentation of color images. The weighted gradient (with weights estimated automatically), proposed in this paper, applied in conjunction with the watershed from markers technique, provides excelent segmentation results, according to a subjective visual criterion. The weighted gradient is computed by linear combination of the gradients from each band of an image under the IHS color space model. The weights to each gradient are estimated by a systematic method that computes the similarity between the image to compute the gradient and an ”ideal image”, whose histogram has an uniform distribution. Several experiments were done in order to compare the segmentation results provided by the weighted gradient to the results provided by other color space metrics, also according to a subjective criterion, and such comparison is present in this paper.
Frequency domain concurrent channel equalization for multicarrier systems
Authors: D’Agostini Fábio , Júnior Sirlesio Carboni , De Castro Maria C. F. , De Castro Fernando C. C.
Published: November 2010

Receivers for wireless Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems usually perform the channel estimation based on pilot carriers in known positions of the channel spectrum. Interpolation between pilot carriers is applied to determine the channel transfer function in all carrier frequencies. Channel variations along time are compensated by means of interpolation between successive channel estimates on the same carrier frequency. However, not rarely, the fast channel variations exceed the time interpolator capability, as is the case for mobile operation. In this article we present a new channel compensation technique based on the concurrent operation of two stochastic gradient timedomain algorithms, one which minimizes a cost function that measures the received signal energy dispersion and other which minimizes the Euclidean distance between the received digital modulation symbols and the ones in the reference constellation assigned to each OFDM sub-channel. Results show that the new technique advantageously improves the system robustness to fast channel variations since, with a low computational cost, it dramatically reduces the demodulator symbol error rate even when the receiver is operating in an intense dynamic multipath scenario.
Ginga-NCL: the declarative environment of the Brazilian digital TV System
Authors: Soares Luiz Fernando Gomes , Rodrigues Rogério Ferreira , Moreno Márcio Ferreira
Published: November 2010

As in all main terrestrial DTV Systems, the Brazilian middleware, named Ginga, supports both declarative applications (through its presentation, or declarative, environment Ginga-NCL) and procedural applications (through its execution, or procedural, environment Ginga-J). Since hybrid applications are common, either type of Ginga application may make use of facilities of both presentation and execution application environments. This paper focuses on the presentation environment Ginga-NCL. The main Brazilian inovations are then presented, regarding the Ginga architecture, the declarative NCL language specification, the editing commands for live application production, and the transport data structure.
An integrated role-based approach for modeling, designing and implementing multi-agent systems
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqin , Xu Haiping , Shrestha Bhavesh
Published: November 2010

To facilitate the development of multi-agent systems and improve the reusability, robustness and feasibility of these systems, we have developed a role-based agent development framework (RADE). In this paper, we present an integrated approach for modeling, designing and implementing multi-agent systems using RADE. We describe the design of agents and motivations within such framework. We introduce a practical approach for modeling agent’s motivation and specifying agent’s goals, where a role-agent mapping mechanism is developed based on this design. Dynamic task allocation is achieved through the creation of role instances and the mapping from role instances to agents. We also introduce the RTÆMS language based on the extension of TÆMS to model the plan tree for each goal. This representation enables the reuse of general planning/scheduling and collaboration/cooperation mechanisms developed in multi-agent system research community. We have developed an automatic agent generation interface and also implemented a simple demo system in health care domain.
Automated formal specification generation and refinement from requirement documents
Authors: Cabral Gustavo , Sampaio Augusto
Published: November 2010

The automatic generation of formal specifications from requirements suppresses the complexity of formal models manual creation and reveals the immediate benefits of its usage, such as the possibility to carry out refinements, and property verification, which contributes to project cost reduction and quality improvement. This paper proposes a Controlled Natural Language (CNL), a subset of English, used to write use case specifications according to a template. From these use cases a complete strategy and tools enable the generation of process algebraic formal models in the CSP notation. We define templates that represent requirements at different levels of abstraction, capturing different views of the system behavior. Moreover, a refinement notion is defined to connect the generated CSP models through an event mapping relation between abstract and concrete models. This notion is further applied to detail use case specifications and to automate its execution.
Helly property, clique raphs, complementary graph classes, and sandwich problems
Authors: Dourado Mitre C. , Petito Priscila , Teixeira Rafael B. , de Figueiredo Celina M. H.
Published: November 2010

A sandwich problem for property π asks whether there exists a sandwich graph of a given pair of graphs which has the desired property π Graph sandwich problems were first defined in the context of Computational Biology as natural generalizations of recognition problems. We contribute to the study of the complexity of graph sandwich problems by considering the Helly property and complementary graph classes. We obtain a graph class defined by a finite family of minimal forbidden subgraphs for which the sandwich problem is NP-complete. A graph is clique-Helly when its family of cliques satisfies the Helly property. A graph is hereditary clique-Helly when all of its induced subgraphs are clique-Helly. The clique graph of a graph is the intersection graph of the family of its cliques. The recognition problem for the class of clique graphs was a long-standing open problem that was recently solved. We show that the sandwich problems for the graph classes: clique, clique-Helly, hereditary clique-Helly, and clique-Helly nonhereditary are all NP-complete. We propose the study of the complexity of sandwich problems for complementary graph classes as a mean to further understand the sandwich problem as a generalization of the recognition problem.
CinBalada: A multiagent rhythm factory
Authors: Sampaio Pablo Azevedo , Ramalho Geber , Tedesco Patrícia
Published: November 2010

Abstrac

CinBalada is a system for automatic creation of polyphonic rhythmic performances by mixing elements from different musical styles. This system is based on agents that act as musicians playing percussion instruments in a drum circle. Each agent has to choose from a database the rhythm pattern of its instrument that satisfies the “rhythmic role” assigned to him in order to produce a collectivelyconsistent rhythmic performance. A rhythmic role is a concept that we proposed here with the objective of representing culture-specific rules for creation of polyphonic performances.
A hybrid heuristic for the multi-plant capacitated lot sizing problem with setup carry-over
Authors: Nascimento Mariá C. V. , Toledo Franklina M. B.
Published: November 2010

This paper addresses the capacitated lot sizing problem (CLSP) with a single stage composed of multiple plants, items and periods with setup carry-over among the periods. The CLSP is well studied and many heuristics have been proposed to solve it. Nevertheless, few researches explored the multi-plant capacitated lot sizing problem (MPCLSP), which means that few solution methods were proposed to solve it. Furthermore, to our knowledge, no study of the MPCLSP with setup carry-over was found in the literature. This paper presents a mathematical model and a GRASP (Greedy Randomized Adaptive Search Procedure) with path relinking to the MPCLSP with setup carry-over. This solution method is an extension and adaptation of a previously adopted methodology without the setup carry-over. Computational tests showed that the improvement of the setup carry-over is significant in terms of the solution value with a low increase in computational time.
Ontology matching for dynamic publication in semantic portals
Authors: Lachtim Fernanda Aparecida , de Carvalho Moura Ana Maria , Cavalcanti Maria Cláudia
Published: November 2010

Semantic portals are characterized for storing and structuring content according to specific domain ontologies. This content is represented through ontological languages, which enable not only adding semantic value to information treatment, but also inferring new knowledge from it. Publication in a semantic portal is typically done by instantiating its ontology, and this is often performed manually or through the use of specific forms. However, in order to keep portals constantly up-to-date, it is necessary to provide means for a more dynamic publication, integrating the portal content with information retrieved from different ontology-based sites on the same or on complementary domains. Reusing information from different ontologies requires specific and efficient mechanisms to align them, taking into account syntactical and semantical conflicts. This paper proposes an extension of the Crosi Mapping System, a matching mechanism which calculates similarities between ontologies. Some of its original algorithms have been enriched with additional functionality. This extension, namede-CMS, has been evaluated using the OAEI ontology alignment benchmark, and results show an increase of 69% in alignment precision when compared to the CMS original version. In order to illustrate its use, thee-CMS strategy was applied to SiGePoS, a System for Generating Semantic Portals. The semantic module, one of the system components, implements the alignment mechanism between ontologies, which is performed by thee-CMS.
A practical approach to cystic lung disease on HRCT
Authors: Beddy Peter , Babar Judith , Devaraj Anand
Published: November 2010

A lung cyst is defined as a round parenchymal lucency or area of low attenuation with a thin wall. They are not uncommon findings on high-resolution (HR) thoracic computed tomography (CT) and when identified, they require explanation. The differential diagnosis for diseases characterised by lung cysts is broad ranging from isolated chest disorders to rare multisystem diseases. This article provides a practical approach for evaluating lung cysts on HRCT, highlighting disorders in which the HRCT findings can be diagnostic as well as conditions where correlation with clinical history or biopsy is required.
Feedback regulation of Ras2 guanine nucleotide exchange factor (Ras2‐GEF) activity of Cdc25p by Cdc25p phosphorylation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Jian Dong , Aili Zhang , Xiaojia Bai , Huansheng Zhao , Yun Hu
Published: November 2010

MINT‐8053030: ras2p (uniprotkb:P01120) physically interacts (MI:0915) with CDC25p (uniprotkb:P04821) by anti bait co‐immunoprecipitation (MI:0006)
Identification of an intracellular microdomain of the P2X7 receptor that is crucial in basolateral membrane targeting in epithelial cells
Authors: Bradley H.J. , Liu X. , Collins V. , Owide J. , Goli G.R. , Smith M. , Surprenant A. , White S.J. , Jiang L.-H.
Published: November 2010

MINT‐8055849:Beta‐catenin (uniprotkb:B6V8E6) and P2X7R (uniprotkb:Q64663) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416)
I. ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Kingston Suzanne
Published: November 2010

The period since the last survey published in this journal has been marked by much activity, but also some frustration, in the area of EU environmental policy.1 The present survey comes as the EU nears the end of its Sixth Environmental Action Programme (EAP) setting out the EU's environmental policy directions from 2002 to 2012, where it identified four priority areas for this period: climate change; nature and biodiversity; environment and health; and natural resources and waste.2 While progress has been made in each of these fields, significant setbacks have also occurred and, in a number of important areas, the state of the EU environment continues to deteriorate.
II. THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT SETTLES THE NE EXEAT CONTROVERSY IN AMERICA: ABBOTT v ABBOTT
Authors: Garbolino James D
Published: November 2010

In a 6–3 opinion the United States Supreme Court held, in its first case involving the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction2, that a ne exeat3 order confers a right of custody for a left behind parent, entitling that parent to maintain an action under the Convention. The decision reverses a 5th Circuit opinion4 which followed the rationale of CrollvCroll.5Croll held that a parent with visitation rights, coupled with a ne exeat clause, possessed only part of the ‘bundle of rights’6 which comprise ‘rights of custody’, and that such limited rights were insufficient to compel a return remedy under the 1980 Convention. The Supreme Court's decision settles a conflict among the federal circuits on this issue.7 Following the Croll rationale were Fawcett v. McRoberts,8 and Gonzales v Gutierrez.9 The 11th Circuit, however, in Furnes v. Reeves,10 held that a ne exeat provision in a Norwegian custody agreement conferred a right which would satisfy the Convention's definition of ‘custody rights’.