bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevention of in-stent restenosis via reduction of thrombo-inflammatory reactions with recombinant P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1
Authors: Tanguay Jean-François , Geoffroy Pascale , Sirois Martin , Libersan Danielle , Kumar Anjali , Schaub Robert , Merhi Yahye
Published: April 2004

The binding of leukocyte P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) to platelet P-selectin is central to post-angioplasty restenosis. Although intracoronary stents limit the mechanical component of restenosis, they cause marked thrombo-inflammation and neointimal proliferation leading to greater late luminal loss. We sought to demonstrate that P-selectin antagonism, using recombinant PSGL-1 (rPSGL-Ig), is effective in reducing platelet-leukocyte reactions and in-stent restenosis in doubleinjured porcine coronary arteries. Two weeks after initial injury by angioplasty to the coronary arteries, stents were implanted at the injury-induced lesion site, 15 min after an IV bolus administration of a vehicle or rPSGL-Ig (1 mg/kg). Four weeks later, adhesion of 51Cr-platelets and 111In-neutrophils and histomorphometric analyses were performed. In-stent residual lumen was almost 3 fold larger in rPSGL-Ig-treated arteries (3.1 ± 0.4 mm2) as compared to control (1.1 ± 0.2 mm2), which correspond to 64% vascular stenosis in control with no change in rPSGL-Ig animals. For a similar injury score, in-stent neointima was significantly reduced by 30 to 40% in the rPSGL-Ig group and quantitative coronary angiography showed a significant 35% reduction in late lumen loss. These effects of rPSGL-Ig were associated with a respective 70% and 53% reduction in platelet and neutrophil adhesion. In conclusion, pretreatment with rPSGL-Ig reduces thrombo-inflammatory responses, neointimal proliferation, and in-stent restenosis. P-selectin antagonism offers a promising therapy to improve clinical outcomes of coronary stenting.
Encapsulation of a plasminogen activator speeds reperfusion, lessens infarct and reduces blood loss in a canine model of coronary artery thrombosis
Authors: Leach J. , Patterson Eugene , O’Rear Edgar
Published: April 2004

In the present study, a polymer-encapsulated plasminogen activator was investigated as an alternative to restore blood flow more effectively than free plasminogen activator. While current fibrinolytic agents have limited efficacy, attributable to delayed onset of sustained reperfusion and bleeding complications, encapsulated plasminogen activators have shown promise in addressing these shortcomings. A polymer-encapsulated plasminogen activator could offer an effective formulation with a prolonged shelf-life. In this study, coronary artery thrombosis was produced in the anesthetized dog by the injection of thrombin + whole blood, and then one of five randomly selected formulations was administered intravenously: saline, blank microcapsules, free streptokinase (FREE SK), streptokinase and blank microcapsules (FREE SK + BLANK), or streptokinase entrapped in polymer microcapsules (MESK). MESK significantly accelerated the time to reperfusion compared to FREE SK or FREE SK + BLANK. Additionally, substantial reductions were observed in residual clot mass, infarct mass, reocclusion episodes, fibrinogen depletion and blood loss with MESK compared to FREE SK. The results of this study demonstrate that MESK accelerates thrombolysis and the restoration of blood flow compared to identical dosages of FREE SK while also reducing systemic fibrinogenolysis and blood loss. Microencapsulation may produce an improved dosage form for restoring arterial blood flow and reducing bleeding complications with thrombolytic therapy.
Penthalaris, a novel recombinant five-Kunitz tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) from the salivary gland of the tick vector of Lyme disease, Ixodes scapularis
Authors: Mather Thomas , Ribeiro José , Francischetti Ivo
Published: April 2004

Tick saliva is a rich source of molecules with antiinflammatory, antihemostatic and immunosupressive properties. In this paper, a novel tick salivary gland cDNA with sequence homology to tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and coding for a protein called Penthalaris has been characterized from the Lyme disease vector, Ixodes scapularis. Penthalaris is structurally unique and distinct from TFPI or TFPI-like molecules described so far, including Ixolaris, NAPc2, TFPI-1 and TFPI-2. Penthalaris is a 308-amino-acid protein (35 kDa, pI 8.58) with 12 cysteine bridges and 5 tandem Kunitz domains. Recombinant Penthalaris was expressed in insect cells and shown to inhibit factor VIIa (FVIIa)/tissue factor(TF)-induced factor X (FX) activation with an IC50 of ∼ 100 pM. Penthalaris tightly binds both zymogen FX and enzyme FXa (exosite), but not FVIIa, as demonstrated by column gel-filtration chromatography. At high concentrations, Penthalaris attenuates FVIIa/TF-induced chromogenic substrate (S2288) hydrolysis and FIX activation. In the presence of DEGR-FX or DEGR-FXa, but not des-Gla-DEGR-FXa as scaffolds, tight and stoichiometric inhibition of FVIIa/TF was achieved. In addition, Penthalaris blocks cell surface-mediated FXa generation by monomer (de-encrypted), but not dimer (encrypted) TF in HL-60 cells. Penthalaris may act in concert with Ixolaris and other salivary anti-hemostatics in order to help ticks to successfully feed on blood. Penthalaris is a novel anticoagulant and a tool to study FVIIa/TF-initiated biologic processes.
The anticoagulant action of recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC, Drotrecogin α activated): comparison between cord and adult plasma
Authors: Gallistl Siegfried , Koestenberger Martin , Baier Katrin , Fritsch Peter , Greilberger Joachim , Jürgens Günther , Muntean Wolfgang , Cvirn Gerhard
Published: April 2004

The present study was performed to compare the anticoagulant efficiency of recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC) in cord with that in adult plasma. RhAPC is a promising candidate to improve the outcome of severe sepsis. However, different anticoagulant efficiency of rhAPC in cord compared with adult plasma has to be expected due to physiological low plasma levels of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and antithrombin (AT) present in neonates, two inhibitors known to markedly influence the anticoagulant action of APC. Clot formation was induced in our experiments by addition of high (30 µM) or low (20 pM) amounts of lipidated tissue factor (TF). High amounts of TF are conventionally applied in standard clotting assays, whereas plasma activation with low amounts of TF probably better matches the conditions in vivo. We demonstrate that under low coagulant challenge increasing amounts of rhAPC (0.1 – 0.5 µg/ml final plasma concentration) dose-dependently prolonged clotting time and suppressed thrombin potential and prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 generation in both cord and adult plasma. The same was true for experiments performed under high coagulant challenge when 4 – 16 µg/ml of rhAPC were added. Whereby, cord plasma was significantly more susceptible to addition of rhAPC in the presence of high amounts of TF and adult plasma was significantly more susceptible to addition of rhAPC in the presence of low amounts of TF. We demonstrate that increased anticoagulant efficiency of rhAPC in adult plasma under low coagulant challenge is attributable to the physiological high levels of TFPI and AT present in adults.
Levels of annexin IV and V in the plasma of pregnant and postpartum women
Authors: Masuda Junko , Takayama Eiji , Satoh Ayano , Ida Michiru , Shinohara Tadashi , Kojima-Aikawa Kyoko , Ohsuzu Fumitaka , Nakanishi Kuniaki , Kuroda Koichi , Murakami Mitsutaka , Matsumoto Isamu , Suzuki Kimihiro
Published: April 2004

Annexin (Anx) V is pivotal in the maintenance of pregnancy by preventing the activation of blood coagulation. The homology of the amino acid sequence between Anx IV and Anx V is highest in Anx family proteins. However, little is known about the roles of Anx IV in pregnancy.The aim of this study is to clarify the roles of circulating Anx IV and Anx V in normal pregnancy. Subjects were non-pregnant women (n = 50), 120 pregnant women, and maternal subjects just after delivery (n = 53) or postpartum (n = 67). Anx IV in the plasma of non-pregnant women was at a concentration 20 times that of Anx V. The plasma levels of Anx IV suddenly increase after delivery, but Anx V levels remain low during this period. Anx IV and Anx V exert similar levels of anticoagulant activity. Anx IV protein was expressed on the basal surface of syncytiotrophoblasts; Anx V protein, on the apical surface of syncytiotrophoblasts. These results suggest that Anx IV enters the maternal bloodstream just after delivery and might play a role in preventing disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, and that Anx V helps to prevent clotting in the placenta during pregnancy.
GPVI down-regulation in murine platelets through metalloproteinase-dependent shedding
Authors: Strehl Amrei , Piffath Crystal , Prostredna Miroslava , Wagner Denisa , Bergmeier Wolfgang , Rabie Tamer , Nieswandt Bernhard
Published: April 2004

Platelet interaction with subendothelial collagen is crucial for hemostasis and thrombosis. Under conditions of elevated shear, platelet adhesion and activation on collagen requires the coordinated action of glycoprotein (GP) Ib and GPVI, which may be physically and functionally linked in the platelet membrane. While the surface expression of GPIb can be down-regulated by internalization and/or proteolytic cleavage of a 130 kDa fragment of GPIbα (glycocalicin, GC), very little is known about the cellular regulation of GPVI. We have recently shown that GPIb on platelets is cleaved by metalloproteinase-dependent mechanisms in response to mitochondrial injury. In the current study, we examined a possible role of platelet metalloproteinases in the regulation of GPVI. Mitochondrial injury induced by incubation of mouse platelets with carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl-hydrazone (CCCP) severely affected the cells´ responses to collagen or the GPVI-specific agonist, collagen related peptide (CRP), but not to thrombin or the stable thromboxane A2 analog U46619.This defect was due to a rapid proteolytic cleavage of GPVI, as shown by the release of the 55 kDa extracellular domain into the supernatant. Both the proteolysis of GPVI and the loss of its activity were inhibited in the presence of the broad range metalloproteinase inhibitor, GM6001. Platelet stimulation with thrombin or CRP, however, resulted in marked metalloproteinase-dependent shedding of GPIbα, but not GPVI suggesting that different metalloproteinases are involved in the regulation of the two receptors or, alternatively, an additional signal is required to render GPVI susceptible to cleavage.
Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein: regulation of the plasma membrane proteome
Authors: Wu Lihua , Salicioni Ana , Gonias Steven
Published: April 2004

Proteins in the plasma membrane anchor the cell within its microenvironment and sense changes occurring outside the cell. The anchoring interactions are cell type-specific and may involve adjacent cells or extracellular matrix proteins (ECMPs). In development, wound healing, and in various forms of pathology, including thrombosis and atherosclerosis, the microenvironment of the cell may change rapidly and dramatically. How the cell responds is strongly dependent on the protein composition of its plasma membrane, which we refer to as the plasma membrane proteome. Processes that regulate the plasma membrane proteome may alter cellular response. Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP-1) is a member of the LDL receptor family; however, LRP-1 and other less well studied members of this gene family demonstrate multiple activities unrelated to lipid homeostasis. LRP-1 binds and internalizes numerous, structurally diverse ligands, delivering most but not all these ligands to lysosomes for degradation. The intracellular tail of LRP-1 binds signaling adaptor proteins and thus may function in cell signaling. Biological activities of LRP-1 include antigen presentation, phagocytosis, removal of apoptotic cells, and regulation of vascular permeability. This review focuses on an emerging view of LRP-1 activity, in which LRP-1 regulates the protein composition of the plasma membrane and thereby “models” or “landscapes” the cell surface. In some cases, plasma membrane modeling results from the binding to bifunctional ligands or intracellular adaptor proteins, so that LRP-1 is bridged to another plasma membrane protein and the entire complex undergoes endocytosis. Membrane proteins already known to be subject to this form of regulation include urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor, amyloid precursor protein, tissue factor, and αV-containing integrins. LRP-1 also controls the plasma membrane proteome by regulating maturation and transport of proteins in the secretory pathway. At the same time, LRP-1 serves as a receptor for specific ECMPs, including fibronectin and thrombospondin. Although ECMP-binding to LRP-1 results in endocytosis and catabolism, these receptor-ligation events also may be coupled, directly or indirectly, to cell-signaling. Based on these novel activities, LRP1 emerges as a protein capable of modeling the interface of the cell with its microenvironment.
Validation of a risk score identifying patients with acute pulmonary embolism, who are at low risk of clinical adverse outcome
Authors: Bandelier Patrick , Aujesky Drahomir , Cornuz Jacques , Roy Pierre-Marie , Bounameaux Henri , Perrier Arnaud , Nendaz Mathieu
Published: April 2004

A clinical predictive model that accurately identifies patients with pulmonary embolism who are at low risk of adverse medical outcomes may be useful for management decisions, such as outpatient treatment. We aimed to externally validate a previously derived prognostic score identifying emergency ward patients with acute pulmonary embolism at low risk of 3- month complications. One hundred and ninety-nine consecutive patients with proven pulmonary embolism were included from the emergency centres of three teaching and general hospitals. Adverse outcomes, such as death, major bleed, or recurrent venous thromboembolism, were recorded during a 3-month follow-up. We retrospectively computed the prognostic score for each patient and determined its predictive accuracy at different threshold values. The overall 3-month risk of adverse event after the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism was 9.5%. At a threshold of 2 points, eight patients with scores at or below the cut-off (5%; 95% CI 2.6–9.6) and 11 patients with scores above this cut-off (27.5%; 95% CI 16.1–42.8) presented a complication. The negative predictive value for an adverse outcome was 95.0% (95% CI 90.4–97.4). The receiver operating characteristic curve derived from the score distribution had an area of 0.77 (95% CI 0.65–0.89). This compared favourably with the characteristics of the derivation study. We conclude that the Geneva risk score has an acceptable predictive accuracy to identify patients with pulmonary embolism at low risk for 3-month adverse outcomes. Whether this score remains accurate and useful in clinical practice should be determined in a prospective multicentre validation study.
Recombinant expression of mutations causing von Willebrand disease type Normandy: characterization of a combined defect of factor VIII binding and multimerization
Authors: Lenk Harald , Obser Tobias , Oldenburg Johannes , Oyen Florian , Schneppenheim Sonja , Schwaab Rainer , Will Kerstin , Budde Ulrich , Schneppenheim Reinhard
Published: April 2004

Von Willebrand disease type Normandy (VWD 2N) is caused by mutations at the factor VIII (FVIII) binding site of VWF, located at the amino-terminus of mature VWF. It is inherited in a recessive fashion and both homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations have been identified. Homozygous mutations are correlated with a clinical phenotype indistinguishable from mild hemophilia A by conventional laboratory tests, whereas compound heterozygosity with a quantitative defect may appear as VWD type 1 (VWD1). We have now identified and expressed a novel heterozygous mutation (Y795C) which is responsible for both, a defective FVIII-binding and aberrant multimers in a female patient with mild FVIII deficiency. Additionally we expressed another mutation (E787K), previously identified by us in a male patient with a severe ‘pseudohemophilic’ phenotype. Analysis of the FVIII binding and the multimer structure of the respective recombinant VWF mutants reproduced the observed phenotype: the FVIII binding defect in addition to the aberrant multimer structure of the patient with Y795C and the FVIII binding defect only, in the patient with E787K. Our results demonstrate the causative nature of the two mutations and emphasize the impact of ‘cysteine mutations’ on the multimer structure of VWF.
Jordan: Arbitration Law No. 31 of 2001
Authors:   Haddad
Published: April 2004

No Abstract
Islamic Insurance: Its Origins and Development
Authors: Billah
Published: April 2004

No Abstract
L'exploitation Petroliere a la Lumiere du Droit Islamique: I
Authors: Faouk-El-Adé
Published: April 2004

No Abstract
Reform of Moroccan Mining Law
Authors: Lecerf  , Blanc
Published: April 2004

No Abstract
Conventions of Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in the Arab States
Authors: Al Mulla
Published: April 2004

No Abstract
A Critical Analysis of the Role of Ijtihad in Legal Reforms in the Muslim World
Authors: Codd
Published: April 2004

No Abstract
Reduced-intensity allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia with multilineage dysplasia using fludarabine, busulphan, and alemtuzumab (FBC) conditioning
Authors: Ho Aloysius Y. L. , Pagliuca Antonio , Kenyon Michelle , Parker Jane E. , Mijovic Aleksandar , Devereux Stephen , Mufti Ghulam J.
Published: April 2004

Reduced-intensity conditioned (RIC) hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has improved the accessibility of transplantation in patients previously ineligible. We report the results of allografting following conditioning with fludarabine, busulphan, and alemtuzumab in 62 patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) (matched sibling donors [24] or volunteer unrelated donors [VUDs, 38]). The median age for sibling recipients was 56 years (range, 41-70 years) and for VUD recipients, 52 years (range, 22-65 years), with a median follow-up (survivors) of 524 days (range, 93-1392 days) and 420 days (range, 53-1495 days), respectively. The nonrelapse mortality (NRM) at days 100, 200, and 360 was 0%, 5%, and 5%, respectively, for siblings and 11%, 17%, and 21%, respectively, for VUD. The overall survival at one year was 73% for siblings and 71% for VUDs, with a disease-free survival (DFS) of 61% and 59%, respectively. The prognostic significance of the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) was preserved. Of recipients, 86% achieved full-donor chimerism. The cumulative incidence at day 100 of grades III to IV graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) for VUD recipients was 9% and for sibling recipients, 0%. There were 26 patients (16 sibling and 10 VUD) who received donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) at a median of 273 days (range, 126-1323 days). RIC allogeneic HSCT using this protocol appears to be safe and permits durable donor engraftment. Longer follow-up is required to confirm any potential survival advantage. (Blood. 2004;104:1616-1623)
Declining stroke rates in Californian children with sickle cell disease
Authors: Fullerton Heather J. , Adams Robert J. , Zhao Shoujun , Johnston S. Claiborne
Published: April 2004

Although the Stroke Prevention Trial in Sickle Cell Anemia (STOP) demonstrated the efficacy of blood transfusions for primary stroke prevention in high-risk children with sickle cell disease (SCD) in 1998, the impact of this trial on public health has not been studied. Our objective was to determine whether stroke rates in Californian children with SCD have declined since 1998. Using a California-wide hospital discharge database, we identified all first admissions for stroke in children with SCD from 1991 through 2000. Annual stroke incidence rates were calculated as the number of admissions divided by the estimated population of Californian children with SCD in that year. For 1991-2000, 93 children with SCD were admitted to Californian hospitals with a first stroke during 12 030 person-years of follow-up; 92.5% were ischemic and 7.5% hemorrhagic. Overall, the rate of first stroke was 0.77/100 person-years. For the study years 1991-1998, the rate for first stroke was 0.88/100 person-years compared to 0.50 in 1999 and 0.17 in 2000 (P < .005 for trend). Since the publication of the STOP study in 1998, annual rates of admissions for first stroke for Californian children with SCD have declined. (Blood. 2004;104:336-339)
Diabetes Mellitus and Optic Atrophy: A Study of Wolfram Syndrome in the Lebanese Population
Authors: Medlej R. , Wasson J. , Baz P. , Azar S. , Salti I. , Loiselet J. , Permutt A. , Halaby G.
Published: April 2004

Wolfram syndrome (WFS) is a rare hereditary neurodegenerative disorder also known as DIDMOAD (diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy, and deafness). WFS seems to be a heterogeneous disease that has not yet been fully characterized in terms of clinical features and pathophysiological mechanisms because the number of patients in most series was small.

In this study we describe 31 Lebanese WFS patients belonging to 17 families; this, to our knowledge, is the largest number of patients reported in one series so far. Criteria for diagnosis of WFS were the presence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and optic atrophy unexplained by any other disease. Central diabetes insipidus was found in 87% of the patients, and sensorineural deafness confirmed by audiograms was present in 64.5%. Other less frequent features included neurological and psychiatric abnormalities, urodynamic abnormalities, limited joint motility, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal autonomic neuropathy, hypergonadotropic hypogonadism in males, and diabetic microvascular disease. New features, not reported in previous descriptions, such as heart malformations and anterior pituitary dysfunction, were recognized in some of the patients and participated in the morbidity and mortality of the disease. Genetic analysis revealed WFS1 gene mutations in three families (23.5%), whereas no abnormalities were detected in mitochondrial DNA.

In conclusion, WFS is a devastating disease for the patients and their families. More information about WFS will lead to a better understanding of this disease and hopefully to improvement in means of its prevention and treatment.
Idiopathic Central Diabetes Insipidus Is Associated with Abnormal Blood Supply to the Posterior Pituitary Gland Caused by Vascular Impairment of the Inferior Hypophyseal Artery System
Authors: Maghnie Mohamad , Altobelli Monica , di Iorgi Natascia , Genovese Eugenio , Meloni Giulia , Manca-Bitti Maria Luisa , Cohen Amnon , Bernasconi Sergio
Published: April 2004

Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) has been linked to vascular central nervous system damage, although the pathophysiology of the mechanism has never been perfectly understood. Indeed, the vascular system of human pituitary gland has rarely been the subject of rigorous investigation except at postmortem. Recently, studies of pituitary gland blood supply have been carried out by means of a time evaluation of pituitary gland enhancement with noninvasive dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging after contrast medium injection. In the present study, we decided to investigate the status of posterior pituitary blood supply by evaluating vascular pituitary patterns in a group of 19 patients with idiopathic CDI in whom previous standard MR imaging had failed to identify causal specific lesions. The control group was composed of 55 subjects with a median age of 12 yr (range, 4.2–17 yr) who had idiopathic isolated GH deficiency and normal pituitary morphology and 15 young adults (18–25 yr) who had normal pituitary gland and no endocrine dysfunction.

Nineteen patients (12 females and seven males), ranging in age at the time of diagnosis of CDI from 0.5–14.9 yr (median, 5 yr), were examined with dynamic MR imaging between 1990 and 1997 at a median age of 14.1 yr (range, 5.0–26.3 yr). CDI was diagnosed according to clinical findings of polyuria and polydipsia, water deprivation test, and desmopressin acetate therapeutic trial. All of the patients had permanent CDI and were being treated with satisfactory results with desmopressin, two to three times daily, either intranasally or orally. The previous MR imaging findings of the 19 CDI patients had shown the absence of posterior pituitary hyperintensity, normal pituitary stalk, and normal anterior pituitary size.

Enhancement of the straight sinus, representing a temporal reference point and occurring in normal subjects simultaneously to that of the posterior pituitary gland, was observed in all subjects after iv gadopentetate dimeglumine administration, with no substantial differences between patients and controls. However, the enhancement of the posterior pituitary lobe occurred simultaneously with the enhancement of the straight sinus in all of the controls but in only 14 of the 19 patients with CDI. In the remaining five patients, the enhancement of the straight sinus was not associated with the expected contrast enhancement of the posterior pituitary gland, suggesting abnormal blood supply to the posterior pituitary lobe. This is in keeping with vascular impairment of the inferior hypophyseal artery system and suggests that abnormal blood supply to the posterior pituitary gland is associated with what, until now, has been considered idiopathic CDI.
Molecular Orientation Control in Amphiphilic α-Helical Copolypeptide Monolayer at Air/Water Interface
Authors: Yokoi Hidenori , Kinoshita Takatoshi
Published: April 2004

Molecular orientation of amphiphilic α-helical di-block type copolypeptide PLLysZ25–P(MLG42/LGA18) was controlled in a monolayer at an air/water interface by controlling the secondary structure of hydrophilic segment of the peptide. The orientation of the peptide was investigated by surface-area (π-A) measurement, FT-IR reflection-absorption spectroscopy (RAS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM).
Microwave-Assisted Solvothermal Synthesis of Radial ZnS Nanoribbons
Authors: Liu Xiaoying , Tian Bozhi , Yu Chengzhong , Tu Bo , Zhao Dongyuan
Published: April 2004

Using microwave as the heating method, radial ZnS nanoribbons have been successfully synthesized for the first time via a solvothermal procedure in enthylenediamine, combined with thermal treatment in a nitrogen flow. The resulted nanoribbons have a length up to 700 nm, a width of 10–20 nm, and a typical thickness of 3 nm.
Highly Porous Organic Nanoparticles Formed from Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Mediated Sol–Emulsion–Gel Method
Authors: Lee Jun-Young , Kim Jung-Hyun
Published: April 2004

Highly porous organic nanoparticles have been prepared by adapting a novel method, sol–emulsion–gel process, through stable dispersion of nanometer-scaled emulsion droplets into continuous phase of supercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO2), sol–gel chemistry in emulsion droplets, and then supercritical drying. This principle offers faithful preparation of nanoparticles (35–90 nm in diameter) having pores of 1–3 nm in radius and high specific surface area (over 2000 m2/g).
High Birefringent Bisdiynes and Hexatriynes Based on Double Elimination of β-Substituted Sulfones
Authors: Ye Fangguo , Orita Akihiro , Yaruva Jayamma , Hamada Tatsuya , Otera Junzo
Published: April 2004

In order to realize high birefringence, acetylenes with long molecular size such as bis(phenyldiynyl)benzenes 1 and diphenylhexatriynes 4 are synthesized successfully on the basis of double elimination of the β-substituted sulfones which can be prepared easily by reaction of benzyl or propargyl sulfones with propynal derivatives.
Inclusion Formation between 1D Coordination Polymer Host and CS2 through Vapor Adsorption
Authors: Takamizawa Satoshi , Nakata Ei-ichi , Saito Teruo
Published: April 2004

The formation of CS2 inclusion crystals through vapor adsorption was characterized to show that large CS2 guests are tightly confined in the channel supported on the π orbital of the conjugate planes of the channel surface: the manner of guest alignment is strongly influenced by the structures of the guest and channel.
A Novel Mn12 Single-molecule Magnet with a μ3-Methanesulfonate Bridge
Authors: Kuroda-Sowa Takayoshi , Handa Tetsuji , Kotera Takehiro , Maekawa Masahiko , Munakata Megumu , Miyasaka Hitoshi , Yamashita Masahiro
Published: April 2004

The first Mn12 complex with μ3-methanesulfonate bridge was observed and its single-molecular magnetic property was characterised.
Highly Ordered Mesoporous Ni Particles Prepared by Electroless Deposition from Lyotropic Liquid Crystals
Authors: Yamauchi Yusuke , Yokoshima Tokihiko , Mukaibo Hitomi , Tezuka Masato , Shigeno Tetsuro , Momma Toshiyuki , Osaka Tetsuya , Kuroda Kazuyuki
Published: April 2004

Highly ordered mesoporous Ni particles have been prepared by electroless deposition using lyotropic liquid crystals as templates. The bath conditions, in particular the kind of the reducing agents, greatly affected the degree of the ordering of mesostructures. By using well chosen appropriate reducing agents and combining those agents, we have succeeded in synthesizing Ni particles with highly ordered mesoporosity.
Preparation of Li1+y−xZnxMn2−yO4 Spinel as a Cathode Material for Li+-batteries
Authors: Noguchi Hideyuki , Nakamura Hiroyoshi , Yoshio Masaki , Wang Hongyu
Published: April 2004

Li1+y−xZnxMn2−yO4 spinel has been synthesized using LiOH, Zn(NO3)2, and MnO2. The substitution of Zn2+ for Li+ in the tetrahedral 8a site of spinel was successfully achieved by adjustment of the synthetic conditions, such as atmosphere and cooling rate. The performance of 8a site Zn-doped spinel was investigated in the terms of initial capacity and polarization.
Characterizing Clay Mineral Suspensions using Acoustic and Electroacoustic Spectroscopy — A Review
Authors: Guerin Marianne , Seaman John C.
Published: April 2004

Recently, significant advances have been made in the theory and application of acoustic and electroacoustic spectroscopies for measuring the particle-size distribution (PSD) and zeta potential (ζ potential) of colloidal suspensions, respectively. These techniques extend or replace other techniques, such as light-scattering methods, particularly in concentrated suspensions. In this review, we summarize acoustic and electroacoustic theory and published results on clay mineral suspensions, detail theoretical constraints, and indicate potential applications for the study of environmentally significant clay mineral suspensions. Using commercially available instrumentation and suspension concentrations up to 45 vol.%, acoustic spectroscopy can characterize particle sizes from 10 nm to 10 µm, or greater. Electroacoustic spectroscopy can determine the ζ potential of a suspension with a precision and accuracy in the mV range. Despite the clear potential for their use in environmental settings, to date, acoustic methods have been used mainly on clay mineral colloids with industrial application, typically combined with similar measurements such as isoelectric point (IEP) determined from shear yield stress or ζ potential from electrophoretic mobility measurements. Potential applications in environmentally relevant suspension concentrations are significant, as PSD and ζ potential are important factors influencing the transport of mineral colloids and associated contaminants through porous media. Applications include determining the effects of suspension concentration, surfactants, electrolyte strength, pH and solution composition on soil clay properties and colloidal interactions, and determining changes in PSD, aggregation and ζ potential due to adsorption or variations in the clay mineralogy.
The thematization of the information society in TV advertisements
Authors: Gregório Ruth
Published: April 2004

This article aims to present the preliminary results of a doctoral research project being currently undertaken. It is divided into five main parts. First, a brief presentation of the subject matter of the doctoral research, namely the thematization of the information society in TV advertisements in Portugal and Ireland. Second, the rationale for a comparative study between these two countries will be indicated. Third, the mixed methodology of the study will be introduced, i.e. content analysis and semiotics. In the fourth part the data analysis referring to the first phase of the empirical study will be presented. Then the article will end with some final remarks on the future direction of the doctoral research.
Integralismo Lusitano and Action Française
Authors: Lloyd-Jones Stewart
Published: April 2004

The Portuguese Integralist movement, Integralismo Lusitano, has often been described as little more than a derivative copy of its French peer, Action Française. This paper seeks to examine three important elements of both movements’ ideology - their nationalism, their support
for monarchism and their promotion of corporatism - in an attempt to determine whether these claims are valid. By comparing the writings and actions of both movements’ leaderships, it is possible to conclude that the similarities between these movements were, for the most part, more
apparent than real.
1998 Portuguese referendums
Authors: Freire André , Baum Michael A.
Published: April 2004

In 1998 Portugal held its first two national referendums since its democratic transition began in 1974. In theory, the referendums on liberalizing access to abortion and instituting a new regional level of governance represented a new opportunity for civil society groups to make their
voices heard on important issues of the day, thereby revitalizing the quality of the country’s democracy. Instead, most Portuguese voters stayed at home and the status quo was maintained. Our paper, based on interviews with over forty national, regional and local-level political elites
during 1998, offers a general overview of the institutional and political context of both referendums, of the campaigns and the results, and it seeks to explain the role of social structural factors, political parties, and pressure groups in both abstention and voting choices in the referendums.
These findings are then used as a springboard for some tentative conclusions about the future of direct democracy in Portugal.
Aspects of Portugal’s economic development during the late Estado Novo
Authors: Corkill David
Published: April 2004

This article focuses on the progress of the Portuguese economy under Salazar’s successor, Marcelo Caetano (1968-74). It examines some of its chief features of economic development in this period, noting that change was often double-edged and created new problems and challenges.
Eventually, the direction of the economy became another issue that divided the supporters of the dictatorship as the international crisis triggered by the oil price rises imposed by OPEC in 1973 blew the regime’s economic strategy off course. It is argued here that, while it was not
the principal reason for Caetano’s demise, the state of the economy did play a significant part in weakening the regime’s foundations.
Youth and ‘free-radio’ programmes
Authors: Glevarec Hervé , Choquet Arnaud
Published: April 2004

What are young people’s links with radio? What role does radio play in the lives of adolescents? By focusing on the situation in France – where radio programmes mix ‘free radio’ in the evening with music, and are highly listened-to by young people – this
article examines the structure of youth listening reception. The links listeners make with presenters and with people who phone in, as revealed by the study, suggest the ‘in-between’ status of radio for youth. On radio, adolescents find a space to express ‘youth problems’
(sic) and to learn about others’ experiences.
The voice that cannot be heard
Authors: Dolan Josephine
Published: April 2004

Concerns are raised about the position of critical legacy and the formulation of orthodoxies in the rapid expansion of radio studies. From this location, the formulation of radio as a fundamentally ephemeral medium and a medium of voice is brought under scrutiny. So too the related formulation of radio archives as insufficient and lacking, especially in comparison to other media. In doing so, some methodological issues related to research and written archives vis-à-vis sound archives are brought into focus. Firstly, the problems of other media archives unsettle the orthodox position of the radio archives as fundamentally inferior. Secondly, the place of written texts in the production of voice is examined. Thirdly, postmodernist theory is employed to suggest that voice is not an object to be recovered from an archive, but that it is produced in the relationship between researcher, methodology and archive.
Calcium–Calmodulin-Dependent Kinase II Modulates Kv4.2 Channel Expression and Upregulates Neuronal A-Type Potassium Currents
Authors: Varga Andrew W. , Yuan Li-Lian , Anderson Anne E. , Schrader Laura A. , Wu Gang-Yi , Gatchel Jennifer R. , Johnston Daniel , Sweatt J. David
Published: April 2004

Calcium–calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) has a long history of involvement in synaptic plasticity, yet little focus has been given to potassium channels as CaMKII targets despite their importance in repolarizing EPSPs and action potentials and regulating neuronal membrane excitability. We now show that Kv4.2 acts as a substrate for CaMKIIin vitroand have identified CaMKII phosphorylation sites as Ser438 and Ser459. To test whether CaMKII phosphorylation of Kv4.2 affects channel biophysics, we expressed wild-type or mutant Kv4.2 and the K+channel interacting protein, KChIP3, with or without a constitutively active form of CaMKII inXenopusoocytes and measured the voltage dependence of activation and inactivation in each of these conditions. CaMKII phosphorylation had no effect on channel biophysical properties. However, we found that levels of Kv4.2 protein are increased with CaMKII phosphorylation in transfected COS cells, an effect attributable to direct channel phosphorylation based on site-directed mutagenesis studies. We also obtained corroborating physiological data showing increased surface A-type channel expression as revealed by increases in peak K+current amplitudes with CaMKII phosphorylation. Furthermore, endogenous A-currents in hippocampal pyramidal neurons were increased in amplitude after introduction of constitutively active CaMKII, which results in a decrease in neuronal excitability in response to current injections. Thus CaMKII can directly modulate neuronal excitability by increasing cell-surface expression of A-type K+channels.
Sensitivity to Auditory Object Features in Human Temporal Neocortex
Authors: Zatorre Robert J. , Bouffard Marc , Belin Pascal
Published: April 2004

This positron emission tomography study examined the hemodynamic response of the human brain to auditory object feature processing. A continuum of object feature variation was created by combining different numbers of stimuli drawn from a diverse sample of 45 environmental sounds. In each 60 sec scan condition, subjects heard either a distinct individual sound on each trial or simultaneous combinations of sounds that varied systematically in their similarity or distinctiveness across conditions. As more stimuli are combined they become more similar and less distinct from one another; the limiting case is when all 45 are added together to form a noise that is repeated on each trial. Analysis of covariation of cerebral blood flow elicited by this parametric manipulation revealed a response in the upper bank of the right anterior superior temporal sulcus (STS): when sounds were identical across trials (i.e., a noise made up of 45 sounds), activity was at a minimum; when stimuli were different from one another, activity was maximal. A right inferior frontal area was also revealed. The results are interpreted as reflecting sensitivity of this region of temporal neocortex to auditory object features, as predicted by neurophysiological and anatomical models implicating an anteroventral functional stream in object processing. The findings also fit with evidence that voice processing may involve regions within the anterior STS. The data are discussed in light of these models and are related to the concept that this functional stream is sensitive to invariant sound features that characterize individual auditory objects.
Evolutionärer Test des Zeitverhaltens von Realzeit-Systemen (Evolutionary Testing of the Temporal Behaviour of Real-Time Systems)
Authors: Wegener Joachim
Published: April 2004

Mit dem evolutionären Test steht eine neue Testmethode zur Verfügung, die eine systematische und weitgehend automatische Prüfung des Zeitverhaltens von Realzeit-Systemen ermöglicht. Der Test wird als ein Optimierungsproblem interpretiert, das mit evolutionären Algorithmen gelöst wird. Es werden die Eingabesituationen mit den längsten und kürzesten Ausführungszeiten gesucht, um dynamisch zu überprüfen, ob Verletzungen der für das zu testende Realzeit-System spezifizierten Zeitschranken auftreten.
Hyperdatenbanken zur Verwaltung von Informationsräumen (Hyperdatabases for Managing Information Spaces)
Authors: Schek Hans-Jörg , Schuldt Heiko , Schuler Christoph , Türker Can , Weber Roger
Published: April 2004

Mit den enormen Fortschritten in der Kommunikationstechnologie wächst die ehemals in isolierten Daten- und Dokumentenkollektionen verwaltete Information zu einem dicht verwobenen Verbund von Informationskomponenten – zu einem Informationsraum – zusammen. Um die damit verbundene Informationsflut in den Griff zu bekommen, ist eine neue Infrastruktur gefordert, die Koordinationsprozesse und zusammengesetzte Dienste unterstützt und deren korrekte Ausführung auch bei Systemfehlern und Nebenläufigkeit garantiert. Dieser Artikel skizziert das Konzept einer Hyperdatenbank, die eine verteilte und hochgradig skalierbare Infrastruktur eines beliebig großen, dynamischen Informationsraumes bereitstellt. Die Grundidee besteht darin, den kooperierenden Diensten eine zusätzliche Schicht hinzuzufügen, die wir Hyperdatenbankschicht nennen. Während die Vernetzung Bytes durch den Informationsraum transportiert, ist die Hyperdatenbankschicht – neben anderen Aufgaben – für die korrekte Ausführung von dienstübergreifenden Prozessen zuständig.
Einsatz von Mechanismen aktiver Datenbanken beim Entwurf eingebetteter Systeme (Supporting the Development of Embedded Systems by Mechanisms of Active Databases)
Authors: Monjau Dieter , Sporer Mathias , Strätling Adrian
Published: April 2004

Für den Entwurf eingebetteter Systeme existieren hoch entwickelte Entwurfs- und Simulationswerkzeuge. Bei einer konkreten Entwicklungsaufgabe muss es dem Entwurfsingenieur möglich sein, in einer Wissensbasis vorhandenes Entwurfswissen nachzunutzen und die Konsistenz aller Entwurfsdaten unabhängig von deren Verwaltung in speziellen Tools zu sichern. Der vorliegende Beitrag beschreibt, wie der Wissensingenieur bei der Wartung von Wissensbasen moderne Entwicklungen aus dem Bereich aktiver Datenbanksysteme nutzen kann, um ohne Kenntnisse der Interna eines konkreten DBMS flexible Wissensbasen zu generieren und zu warten, welche die konsistente Verwaltung seiner Entwurfsdaten sichern.
C#: eine Konkurrenz für Java? (C#: a Competitor of Java?)
Authors: Winkler Jürgen F. H.
Published: April 2004

C# ist eine neue Programmiersprache, die im Wesentlichen bei Microsoft entwickelt worden ist. Erste Fassungen der Sprachdefinition wurden im Jahre 2000 veröffentlicht, im Dezember 2001 wurde bei ECMA die Norm ECMA-334 und im März 2003 bei ISO die Norm 23270 verabschiedet. C# ist inhaltlich gesehen eine Erweiterung von Java. Die Erweiterungen bestehen aus der Einführung neuer Sprachelemente wie zum Beispiel Delegate, Event und Property, und aus der Verbesserung vorhandener Elemente, wie zum Beispiel der Switch-Anweisung. Das technische Konzept der Implementierung weist ebenfalls Verbesserungen auf, und nicht zuletzt ist die Sprachdefinition noch etwas übersichtlicher als die auch recht gute Definition von Java. Der Aufsatz gibt einerseits einen Überblick über die Geschichte von C# und Java und stellt andererseits die Neuerungen anhand von kleinen Beispielen vor. Abschließend wird auf einige Defizite hingewiesen, die vor allem auf der Verwurzelung in der C-Welt beruhen.
Sonderforschungsbereich 588: Humanoide Roboter – Lernende und kooperierende multimodale Roboter (Humanoid Robots – Learning and Cooperating Multimodal Robots)
Authors: Steinhaus Peter , Becher Regine , Dillmann Rüdiger
Published: April 2004

Ziel des Sonderforschungsbereiches 588 “Humanoide Roboter” ist es, Konzepte, Methoden und Komponenten für einen humanoiden Roboter zu entwickeln, der seinen Arbeitsbereich mit dem Menschen teilt. Die Schwerpunkte unserer Forschungstätigkeit liegen dabei in folgenden Bereichen: Entwicklung mechatronischer Komponenten und Konstruktion eines Demonstratorsystems, Perzeption von Benutzer und Umgebung, Modellierung und Simulation von Roboter, Umgebung und Benutzer, sowie Mensch-Roboter-Kooperation und Lernen auf unterschiedlichen Verhaltensebenen. Durch das in diesem Sonderforschungsbereich entwickelte “teilanthropomorphe Robotersystem” soll der Schritt zu kooperierenden, multimodalen und lernenden Robotersystemen vollzogen werden.
Local crystallography of crystals with disorder
Authors: Egami Takeshi
Published: April 2004

The assumption of perfect periodicity in the crystal lattice is the most basic tenet of crystallography. However, many materials are not crystalline. Even when they are the atomic structure of real materials is often less than perfectly periodic, and usually deviations from perfect periodicity have significant effects on their properties. Thus in order to characterize the structure of real materials by diffraction the crystallographic approaches need to be complemented by other methods focusing on disorder. B. E. Warren was a pioneer of such alternative, non-crystallographic approaches, including the method of atomic pair-density function (PDF) analysis. With the advent of synchrotron based radiation sources, such as pulsed neutron sources and synchrotron radiation sources, it recently became possible to apply the PDF technique on crystals with and without disorder, covering the whole spectrum of structural order and disorder. Here some of the recent progresses in this approach made in my research group are reviewed.
PDF analysis – from atomic displacements to nanocrystals
Authors: Dmowski Wojtek , Swider-Lyons Karen E.
Published: April 2004

Atomic pair-density function (PDF) analysis is an ideal approach for examining the local- and medium-range atomic structures of materials. PDF has been widely used in the studies of glasses and liquids and has also been applied successfully to characterize the local and complex structures of crystalline solids. Using PDF analysis, we demonstrate that important conclusions can be drawn about how the short-and long-range atomic structure of several oxide and hydrous oxide materials relates to their physical and electrochemical properties. For example, in Pb based ferroelectric relaxors, the diffraction pattern suggests a simple perovskite structure, while the PDF analysis shows that, in reality, the Pb atoms are strongly displaced from the high symmetry positions, so they can contribute to the electrical polarization. In hydrous ruthenium dioxide, RuO2 · x H2O, standard X-ray diffraction patterns suggest an “amorphous” structure. However, the PDF method shows that the medium range structure of RuO2 · x H2O is a highly inhomogeneous nanocomposite of ruthenium oxide nanocrystals, dispersed by boundaries of structural water associated with Ru–O. The nanocomposite structure correlates to the unique electrochemical performance of the hydrous RuO2.