bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protein microarrays for antibody profiling: Specificity and affinity determination on a chip
Authors: Poetz Oliver , Ostendorp Ralf , Brocks Bodo , Schwenk Jochen M. , Stoll Dieter , Joos Thomas O. , Templin Markus F.
Published: May 2005

Protein microarray technology facilitates the detection and quantification of hundreds of binding reactions in one reaction from a minute amount of sample. Proof‐of‐concept studies have shown that the set‐up of sensitive assay systems based on protein arrays is possible, however, the lack of specific capture reagents limits their use. Therefore, the generation and characterisation of capture molecules is one of the key topics for the development of protein array based systems. Recombinant antibody technologies, such as HuCAL® (human combinatorial antibody library; MorphoSys, Munich, Germany), allow the fast generation of highly specific binders to nearly any given target molecule. Although antibody libraries comprise billions of members, it is not the selection process, but the detailed characterisation of the pre‐selected monoclonal antibodies that presents the bottleneck for the production of high numbers of specific binders. In order to obtain detailed information on the properties of such antibodies, a microarray‐based method has been developed. We show that it is possible to define the specificity of recombinant Fab fragments by protein and peptide microarrays and that antibodies can be classified by binding patterns. Since the assay uses a miniaturised system for the detection of antibody‐antigen interactions, the observed binding occurs under ambient analyte conditions as defined by Ekins (J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 1989, 7, 155–168). This allows the determination of a relative affinity value for each binding event, and a ranking according to affinity is possible. The new microarray based approach has an extraordinary potential to speed up the screening process for the generation of recombinant antibodies with pre‐defined selection criteria, since it is intrinsically a high‐throughput technology.
Structure‐stability correlations for imine formation in aqueous solution
Authors: Godoy‐Alcántar C. , Yatsimirsky Anatoly K. , Lehn J.‐M.
Published: May 2005

Imine formation between 25 aldehydes and 13 amines in aqueous solution in the pH range 7–11 was studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy. A three‐parameter linear equation correlating logarithms of imine formation constants with pKa and HOMO energies of amines and LUMO energies of aldehydes is proposed. In view of the widespread occurrence of imine‐forming processes in both chemistry and biology, the data presented are of significance for physical organic chemistry and of particular interest for dynamic combinatorial chemistry. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Greenish‐yellow‐, yellow‐, and orange‐light‐emitting iridium(III) polypyridyl complexes with poly(ε‐caprolactone)–bipyridine macroligands
Authors: Holder Elisabeth , Marin Veronica , Alexeev Alexander , Schubert Ulrich S.
Published: May 2005

A set of novel greenish‐yellow‐, yellow‐, and orange‐light‐emitting polymeric iridium(III) complexes were synthesized with the bridge‐splitting method. The respective dimeric precursor complexes, [Ir(ppy)2‐μ‐Cl]2 (ppy = 2‐phenylpyridine) and [Ir(ppyCHO)2‐μ‐Cl]2 [ppyCHO = 4‐(2‐pyridyl)benzaldehyde], were coordinated to 2,2′‐bipyridine carrying poly(ε‐caprolactone) tails. The resulting emissive polymers were characterized with one‐dimensional (1H) and two‐dimensional (1H1H correlation spectroscopy) nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, and the successful coordination of the iridium(III) centers to the 2,2′‐bipyridine macroligand was revealed. The thermal behavior was studied with differential scanning calorimetry and correlated with atomic force microscopy. Furthermore, the quantitative coordination was verified by both the photophysical and electrochemical properties of the mononuclear iridium(III) compounds. The photoluminescence spectra showed strong emissions at 535 and 570 nm. The color shifts depended on the substituents of the cyclometallating ligands. Cyclic voltammetry gave oxidation potentials of 1.23 V and 1.46 V. Upon the excitation of the films at 365 nm, yellow light was observed, and this could allow potential applications in light‐emitting devices. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2765–2776, 2005
Polymerization of (L,L)‐lactide and copolymerization with ϵ‐caprolactone initiated by dibutyltin dimethoxide in supercritical carbon dioxide
Authors: Stassin Fabrice , Jérôme Robert
Published: May 2005

Ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of (L,L)‐lactide (LA) has been initiated by dibutyltin dimethoxide in supercritical carbon dioxide (sc CO2). Polymerization is controlled and proceeds at quasi the same rate as in toluene, which indicates that the reactivity of the propagating species is not impaired by parasitic carbonation reaction. Random copolymerization of LA with ϵ‐caprolactone (CL) has also been studied in sc CO2, and the reactivity ratios have been determined as 5.8 ± 0.5 for LA and 0.7 ± 0.25 for CL. These values have to be compared to 0.7 ± 0.25 for LA and 0.15 ± 0.05 for CL in toluene. Good control on ROP of CL and LA in sc CO2 has been confirmed by the successful synthesis of diblock copolymers by sequential polymerization of CL and LA. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2777‐2789, 2005
Effects of methylaluminoxane immobilization on silica on the performance of zirconocene catalysts in propylene polymerization
Authors: Smit Madri , Zheng Xuejing , Loos Joachim , Chadwick John C. , Koning Cor E.
Published: May 2005

Investigation of the characteristics and performance in propylene polymerization of silica‐immobilized methylaluminoxane (MAO), in combination with a moderately and a highly isospecific zirconocene catalyst, has revealed that a simple impregnation of silica with MAO at ambient temperature is insufficient to obtain uniform distribution of MAO throughout the support particle. Homogeneous Al distribution throughout the support, giving increased catalyst activity, was achieved by a more rigorous impregnation of silica with MAO at elevated temperatures. The highest catalyst activities were obtained by precontacting the MAO with the zirconocene to generate the activated species before immobilization on silica. Polymer particle morphology was strongly dependent on the characteristics of the silica used for catalyst immobilization. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2734‐2748, 2005
Influence of organic solvents on cutinase stability and accessibility to polyamide fibers
Authors: Silva Carla , Matamá Teresa , Guebitz Georg M. , Cavaco‐Paulo Artur
Published: May 2005

The stability of cutinase was measured in the presence of dimethylacetamide (DMA) and benzyl alcohol (BA). These solvents are known swelling agents of polyamide fibers. We found that cutinase retains some stability (half‐life of 14 h), enough for an enzymatic treatment with a solvent composition of 1.5% DMA + 10% BA. Enzymatic treatment in the presence of these solvent compositions yields more soluble amino groups as well as more amino end groups at the fiber level. We have shown evidence that the presence of minor quantities of solvent can increase the accessibility of the enzyme towards the polyamide fiber. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2749‐2753, 2005
Quinone transfer radical polymerization (QTRP) of styrene: Catalysis by different metal complexes
Authors: Caille Jean‐Raphaël , Debuigne Antoine , Jérôme Robert
Published: May 2005

Styrene has been polymerized by a Quinone Transfer Radical Polymerization (QTRP) based on the redox reaction of an ortho‐quinone and a metal catalyst. Several metal acetylacetonates have been tested in this work. The radical polymerization of styrene is largely controlled when phenanthrenequinone (PhQ) is used with catalytic amounts of Co(acac)2, Ni(acac)2, Mn(acac)2 or 3, and Al(acac)3. As a rule, in the presence of all these metallic complexes, the polystyrene molar mass increases with the monomer conversion, and polydispersity (Mw/Mn) is in the 1.3–1.6 range (at least until 40% monomer conversion). Styrene polymerization has also been resumed by polystyrene chains prepared by QTRP. In the specific case of manganese acetylacetonates, an amine or phosphine ligand has to be added for the control to be effective. Finally, two mechanistic hypotheses have been proposed, depending on whether the oxidation state of the metal can be easily changed or not. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2723‐2733, 2005
Preparation and characterization of biodegradable poly(trimethylenecarbonate‐ε‐caprolactone)‐block‐poly(p‐dioxanone) copolymers
Authors: Hong J.‐T. , Cho N.‐S. , Yoon H.‐S. , Kim T.‐H. , Lee D.‐H. , Kim W.‐G.
Published: May 2005

A series of poly(trimethylenecarbonate‐ε‐caprolactone)‐block‐poly(p‐dioxanone) copolymers were prepared with varying feed rations by using two step polymerization reactions. Poly(trimethylenecarbonate)(ε‐caprolactone) random copolymer was synthesized with stannous‐2‐ethylhexanoate and followed by adding p‐dioxanone monomer as the other block. The ring opening polymerization was carried out at high temperature and long reaction time to get high molecular weight polymers. The monofilament fibers were obtained using conventional melting spun methods. The copolymers were identified by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The physicochemical properties, such as viscosity, molecular weight, melting point, glass transition temperature, and crystallinity, were studied. The hydrolytic degradation of copolymers was studied in a phosphate buffer solution, pH = 7.2, 37 °C, and a biological absorbable test was performed in rats. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2790–2799, 2005
Anionic polymerization of N,N‐dialkylacrylamides containing alkoxysilyl groups in the presence of Lewis acids
Authors: Kobayashi Motoyasu , Chiba Takashi , Tsuda Karin , Takeishi Makoto
Published: May 2005

With Ph2CHK as an initiator, the anionic polymerization of N‐propyl‐N‐(3‐triisopropoxysilylpropyl)acrylamide (4) and N‐propyl‐N‐(3‐triethoxysilylpropyl)acryl‐amide generated polymers with predicted molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions (MWDs) in the presence of Et2Zn or Et3B; however, the resulting polymers obtained in the absence of such Lewis acids had very broad MWDs. The results were ascribed to the coordination of the propagating anionic end to a relatively weak Lewis acid, in which the activity of the end anion was appropriately controlled for moderate polymerization without side reactions. A well‐defined diblock copolymer of 4 and N,N‐diethylacrylamide was also prepared with the binary initiating system of Ph2CHK and Et2Zn, whereas no such block copolymer was prepared by polymerization initiated with 1,1‐diphenyl‐3‐methylpentyllithium, as the propagating anion together with the lithium ion reacted with alkoxysilyl side groups on the poly(4) backbone to produce grafted polymers with high molecular weights. The hydrolysis of the alkoxysilyl side groups of poly(4) in acidic water yielded an insoluble gel. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2754‐2764, 2005
Thermal and X‐ray analysis of polymorphic crystals, melting, and crystalline transformation in poly(butylene adipate)
Authors: Woo E. M. , Wu Ming Chien
Published: May 2005

Polymorphic crystals and complex multiple melting behavior in an aliphatic biodegradable polyester, poly(butylene adipate) (PBA), were thoroughly examined by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Further clarification on mechanisms of multiple melting peaks related to polymorphic crystal forms in PBA was attempted. More stable α‐form crystal is normally favored for crystallization from melt at higher temperatures (31–35 °C), or upon slow cooling from the melt; while the β‐form is the favored species for crystallization at low temperatures (25–28 °C). We further proved that PBA crystallization could also result in all α‐form even at low temperatures (25–28 °C) if it crystallized with the presence of prior α‐form nuclei. PBA packed with both crystal forms could display as many as four melting peaks (P1 ˜ P4, in ascending temperature order). However, PBA initially containing only the α‐crystal exhibited dual melting peaks of P1 and P3, which are attributed to dual lamellar distributions of the α‐crystal. By contrast, PBA initially containing only the β‐crystal could also exhibit dual melting peaks (P2 and P4) upon scanning. While P2 is clearly associated with melting of the initial β‐crystal, the fourth melting peak (P4), appearing rather broad, was determined to be associated with superimposed thermal events of crystal transformation from β‐ to α‐crystal and final re‐melting of the new re‐organized α‐crystal. Crystal transformation from one to the other or vice versa, lamellae thickening, annealing at molten state, and influence on crystal polymorphism in PBA were analyzed. Relationships and mechanisms of dual peaks for isolate α‐ or β‐crystals in PBA are discussed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1662–1672, 2005
Statistical analysis and prediction of protein–protein interfaces
Authors: Bordner Andrew J. , Abagyan Ruben
Published: May 2005

Predicting protein–protein interfaces from a three‐dimensional structure is a key task of computational structural proteomics. In contrast to geometrically distinct small molecule binding sites, protein–protein interface are notoriously difficult to predict. We generated a large nonredundant data set of 1494 true protein–protein interfaces using biological symmetry annotation where necessary. The data set was carefully analyzed and a Support Vector Machine was trained on a combination of a new robust evolutionary conservation signal with the local surface properties to predict protein–protein interfaces. Fivefold cross validation verifies the high sensitivity and selectivity of the model. As much as 97% of the predicted patches had an overlap with the true interface patch while only 22% of the surface residues were included in an average predicted patch. The model allowed the identification of potential new interfaces and the correction of mislabeled oligomeric states. Proteins 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transport mechanism in mica and SiO2 dielectrics
Authors: Pipinys P. , Lapeika V. , Rimeika A.
Published: May 2005

The current–voltage (I–V) characteristics in mica have been measured at different temperatures. The I–V characteristics possessed a temperature dependence, which was more clearly evident at lower fields. A comparison of the experimental results with the Frenkel thermo‐emission theory and the theory of multiphonon‐assisted tunnelling of charge carriers from the impurity centers, has been performed. It is shown that the experimental data better agree with the phonon‐stimulated tunnelling theory than the Frenkel emission theory. Temperature‐dependent I–V characteristics of M–SiO2–Si structures measured by Waters and Van Zeghbroeck [Appl. Phys. Lett. 76(8), 1039 (2000)] are also reinterpreted in terms of the phonon‐assisted tunnelling processes. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Correlation between the metal–insulator transition and the electronic density of states near the Fermi level in oxygen‐deficient perovskite‐type NdBaCo2O5.5
Authors: Hidaka M. , Soejima M. , Soda M. , Sato M. , Choi Sun‐Hee , Sung Nark Eon , Kim Min Gyu , Lee Jay Min
Published: May 2005

X‐ray absorption spectra near the absorption edges of Nd, Ba, and Co ions have been taken to study the metal–insulator (M–I) transition occurring at about 360 K (TMI) in NdBaCo2O5.5. In the metallic and insulating phases, the electronic density of states (DOS) just above the Fermi level (EF) consists of the high‐density unoccupied bands of Nd–5dσ and Ba–5dσ. The narrow charge‐transfer Co–3d7(eg)L band and the broad charge‐transfer Co–3d(t2g)nLm bands occupy positions just below and near EF, respectively, where L represent a hole in the O–2p valence band. The negative charge‐transfer Nd–4dnL′m and Ba–4dnL′m hybridized bands are also just below EF, where L′ represent a hole in the fully occupied 4d band of the Nd and Ba ions. It is suggested that the metallic conductivity above TMI arises from the itinerant (p–d) hybridized holes having an 3d(eg)‐symmetry in the top of the O–2p valence band. The structural deformation localized around the Ba ions but not the Nd and Co ions affects the crystal‐field splitting of the Co–3d orbitals in the CoO polyhedra and the hybridization between the outer orbitals of the cations (Nd, Ba, Co ions) and the O–2p orbitals. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
ESR study of Sr‐doped LaCoO3 cobaltites
Authors: Phan T. L. , Bau L. V. , Khiem N. V. , Phuc N. X. , Yu S. C.
Published: May 2005

The electron spin resonance (ESR) method was used to investigate the internal spin dynamics of La1–xSrxCoO3 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) compounds in the temperature range 170 to ∼500 K. ESR spectra of the samples over the whole temperature range studied could be divided into three regions corresponding to different linewidths. This is due to the presence of an anisotropic field arising from ferromagnetic clusters. This is similar to manganite perovskites. The peak‐to‐peak ESR linewidth vs. temperature, ΔHpp(T), for the samples has a minimum value at a temperature Tmin (in this case Tmin ≈ 1.7TC, whereas Tmin ≈ 1.1TC for manganites). Asymmetric Lorentzian ESR spectra at temperatures T < Tmin become Gaussian at T > Tmin. ESR signals of La1–xSrxCoO3 cobaltites are thermally damped out at ∼460 K, this value being much lower than that for manganite compounds. The explanation of the experimental ΔHpp(T) data in the T > Tmin regime is based on the one‐phonon process and adiabatic hopping motion of small polarons. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Confined and interface polar optical phonon‐limited electron mobility in quantum wires
Authors: Vartanian Arshak L.
Published: May 2005

The electron mobility conditioned by confined and interface polar optical phonons for a quasi‐one‐dimensional cylindrical quantum wire embedded in a dielectric medium is investigated analytically. It is shown that the inclusion of the polar optical phonon confinement effects is crucial for accurate calculation of the low‐field electron mobility in the quantum wire. Taking into account the inelasticity of the electron–polar optical phonon interaction, the electron mobility is derived by a method that was successfully applied in three‐ and quasi‐two‐dimensional cases. The contribution of intersubband transitions to electron mobility for the GaAs quantum wire embedded in the AlxGa1–xAs medium is estimated. The extremums of the mobility dependences on wire radius and Al concentration are obtained. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Examining a square to triangular lattice interpolation: bound states in two dimensional t–J models
Authors: Basu Saurabh , Gooding R. J.
Published: May 2005

Formation of bound pairs in two dimensional t–J models is investigated. Previous studies have examined the square and rectangular lattices, and here we extend such work to include the triangular lattice. In particular, we calculate the threshold exchange coupling needed for pairing, and the corresponding binding energy for an isotropic triangular lattice. Finally, to track how a frustrated environment affects pairing we have considered an anisotropic t–J model with two exchange couplings J1 and J2 which smoothly interpolates between the isotropic square to triangular lattices. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Antiferro–ferromagnetic transformation in LaMnO3 under neutron irradiation
Authors: Chukalkin Yurii , Teplykh Alexander , Goshchitskii Boris
Published: May 2005

Using the methods of neutron and X‐ray diffraction analysis and magnetic measurements, polycrystalline samples of LaMnO3 were studied before and after irradiation with fast neutrons (En ≥ 1 MeV) at a fluence Φ = 5.5 × 1023 m–2. It was established that irradiation leads to the partial (∼5%) mutual disordering of the “lanthanum” and “manganese” sublattices. Ion displacements emerging at such radiation‐induced disordering lead to the destruction of the Jahn–Teller mode Q2 responsible for A‐type antiferromagnetism development in the initial sample. As a result, the antiferromagnet → canted ferromagnet magnetic transformation is observed. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Assessment of various density functionals and basis sets for the calculation of molecular anharmonic force fields
Authors: Boese A. Daniel , Klopper Wim , Martin Jan M. L.
Published: May 2005

In a previous contribution, we established the suitability of density functional theory (DFT) for the calculation of molecular anharmonic force fields. In the present work, we have assessed a wide variety of basis sets and exchange‐correlation functionals for harmonic and fundamental frequencies, equilibrium, and ground‐state rotational constants, and thermodynamic functions beyond the rigid rotor‐harmonic oscillator (RRHO) approximation. The fairly good performance of double‐zeta plus polarization basis sets for frequencies results from an error compensation between basis set incompleteness and the intrinsic error of exchange‐correlation functionals. Triple‐zeta plus polarization basis sets are recommended, with an additional high‐exponent d function on second‐row atoms. All conventional hybrid generalized gradient approximation (GGA) functionals perform about equally well: high‐exchange hybrid GGA and meta‐GGA functionals designed for kinetics yield poor results, with the exception of of the very recently developed BMK functional, which takes a middle position along with the HCTH/407 (second‐generation GGA) and TPSS (meta‐GGA) functionals. Second‐order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) performs similarly to these functionals but is inferior to hybrid GGAs such as B3LYP and B97‐1. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
Relativistic LCGTO‐FF calculations of quantum‐size effects in plutonium films
Authors: Boettger Jonathan C. , Ray Asok K.
Published: May 2005

Linear combinations of Gaussian‐type orbital–fitting function (LCGTO‐FF) calculations have been used to study quantum size effects in the work function and surface energy of unrelaxed ultra‐thin (001) films of fcc (δ) plutonium (Pu), up to five layers thick. Relativistic effects are included in the calculations using the second‐order Douglas–Kroll–Hess transformation, at the fully‐ and scalar relativistic levels of approximation, i.e., with and without spin‐orbit coupling terms included. In both approximations, the surface energy is found to be rapidly convergent, while the work function exhibits a significant quantum size effect up to the largest thickness considered. The (001) surface energies predicted are notably larger than the (111) surface energies found in similar calculations. The predicted work functions for the (001) and (111) surfaces agree to within the computational uncertainty due to the residual quantum size effect. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
Simple Synthesis of Hierarchically Ordered Mesocellular Mesoporous Silica Materials Hosting Crosslinked Enzyme Aggregates
Authors: Lee Jinwoo , Kim Jungbae , Kim Jaeyun , Jia Hongfei , Kim Moon Il , Kwak Ja Hun , Jin Sunmi , Dohnalkova Alice , Park Hyun Gyu , Chang Ho Nam , Wang Ping , Grate Jay W. , Hyeon Taeghwan
Published: May 2005

Hierarchically ordered mesocellular mesoporous silica materials (HMMS) were synthesized using a single structure‐directing agent. The mesocellular pores are synthesized without adding any pore expander; the pore walls are composed of SBA‐15 type mesopores. Small‐angle X‐ray scattering revealed the presence of uniform pore structures with two different sizes. Using HMMS as a nanoscopic template, hierarchically ordered mesocellular mesoporous carbon (HMMC) and polymer (HMMP) materials were synthesized. HMMS was used as a host for enzyme immobilization. To improve the retention of enzymes in HMMS, we adsorbed enzymes, and then employed crosslinking using glutaraldehyde (GA). The resulting crosslinked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs) show an impressive stability with extremely high enzyme loadings. For example, 0.5 g α‐chymotrypsin (CT) could be loaded in 1 g of silica with no activity decrease observed with rigorous shaking over one month. In contrast, adsorbed CT without GA treatment resulted in a lower loading, which further decreased due to continuous leaching of adsorbed CT under shaking. The activity of crosslinked CT aggregates in HMMS was ≈10 times higher than that of the adsorbed CT, which represents a 74‐fold increase in activity per unit weight of HMMS due to higher CT loading.
Rethinking Mestizaje: Ideology and Lived Experience
Authors: WADE PETER
Published: May 2005

The ideology of mestizaje (mixture) in Latin America has frequently been seen as involving a process of national homogenisation and of hiding a reality of racist exclusion behind a mask of inclusiveness. This view is challenged here through the argument that mestizaje inherently implies a permanent dimension of national differentiation and that, while exclusion undoubtedly exists in practice, inclusion is more than simply a mask. Case studies drawn from Colombian popular music, Venezuelan popular religion and Brazilian popular Christianity are used to illustrate these arguments, wherein inclusion is understood as a process linked to embodied identities and kinship relations. In a coda, approaches to hybridity that highlight its potential for destabilising essentialisms are analysed.
Indigenous Inclusion/Black Exclusion: Race, Ethnicity and Multicultural Citizenship in Latin America
Authors: HOOKER JULIET
Published: May 2005

This article analyses the causes of the disparity in collective rights gained by indigenous and Afro-Latin groups in recent rounds of multicultural citizenship reform in Latin America. Instead of attributing the greater success of indians in winning collective rights to differences in population size, higher levels of indigenous group identity or higher levels of organisation of the indigenous movement, it is argued that the main cause of the disparity is the fact that collective rights are adjudicated on the basis of possessing a distinct group identity defined in cultural or ethnic terms. Indians are generally better positioned than most Afro-Latinos to claim ethnic group identities separate from the national culture and have therefore been more successful in winning collective rights. It is suggested that one of the potentially negative consequences of basing group rights on the assertion of cultural difference is that it might lead indigenous groups and Afro-Latinos to privilege issues of cultural recognition over questions of racial discrimination as bases for political mobilisation in the era of multicultural politics.
Why is the Black Evangelical Movement Growing in Brazil?
Authors: BURDICK JOHN
Published: May 2005

In the struggle against racism in Brazil there is a new political actor on the scene: the evangelical black movement. Since the mid-1990s, groups committed to uniting black identity, anti-racism and evangelical theology have rapidly proliferated. This article, applying the analytical terms of political process theory, identifies several key social and political forces that have combined in the past decade to help foster the growth of the movement. The article concludes that the movement has risen on the back of deep and enduring social forces, and argues that it will therefore be increasingly important in the years to come to pay attention to the role evangelical activists play in anti-racist politics in Brazil.
From Argentina to Israel: Escape, Evacuation and Exile
Authors: SZNAJDER MARIO , RONIGER LUIS
Published: May 2005

During the last military dictatorship in Argentina, between 350 and 400 citizens who feared for their life managed to find shelter in Israel. This article traces the evolving procedures, institutional mechanisms and routes of escape operated by the Israeli diplomats and representatives stationed in Argentina and the neighbouring countries, against the contradictory background of lack of clear-cut official policies in Israel, the latter's cordial relationships with the military government, and an ethos of helping persecuted Jews evinced by some of those Israelis stationed in Argentina. In parallel, the article presents the social and political background of those who chose to appeal for Israeli help and finds – on the basis of a specially designed database covering between fifty-seven and sixty-five per cent of the fleeing individuals – that many were not associated with Israel or Zionism and a minority were not Jews, as defined by religious criteria or even by broader criteria. The broader significance of these contradictory trends is discussed.
A new Atlantic species in Fuscopannaria, with a key to its European species
Authors: JØRGENSEN Per M.
Published: May 2005

Fuscopannaria atlantica P. M. Jørg. & P. James, a new species from consolidated soil near the sea is described from the Azores. It is also present in SW Ireland, S W England, Wales and SW Scotland and appears to be part of the Macaronesian element in the lichen flora of the British Isles, as well as an addition to the oceanic flora of Liguria, Italy. An updated key to the European species of Fuscopannaria is also presented.
Two new thamnolic acid-containing Lepraria species from Thailand
Authors: ORANGE Alan , WOLSELEY Pat
Published: May 2005

Lepraria aurescens and Lepraria pulchra are described as new from bark in Thailand; both contain thamnolic acid, but differ in thallus form and colour.
‘Monday's child is fair of face’: favoured days for baptism, marriage and burial in pre-industrial England
Authors: SCHOFIELD ROGER
Published: May 2005

In the past a couple had the choice of a day from Monday through Sunday on which to baptise their child, or to get married, or to have their burials registered. The day chosen would reflect the parents' own preferences for days of leisure. As each date was converted by computer during the process of family reconstitution to a number of days that had elapsed since the first of January, 1 AD, all that it was necessary to do was to divide the number corresponding to the date by 7 to get the day of the week. Three graphs reveal, with some surprises, the relative popularity of the days of the days of the week chosen for baptisms, burials and marriages, from 1542 to 1847.
A changing economy: models of peasant budgets in fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Poland
Authors: GUZOWSKI PIOTR
Published: May 2005

This article presents two models of Polish peasant budgets. The first is a theoretical budget of a medieval peasant family and the second is a similar model for the early modern period, confirming some of the characteristic features of the transitional period in the Polish economy in this period. Variables taken into account in the construction of the budgets include the average size of a peasant farm, its productivity, the distribution of crops, family size, rents and taxes paid to the state, Church and feudal lords. The two factors that appear to have had the greatest impact on peasant budgets during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries were the decrease in farm size and the sharp rise in grain prices in the sixteenth century. As a result, although comparison of the two models indicates a decrease in the level of commercialization of the average Polish peasant farm, the financial resources of Polish peasants actually grew.
People on the move: determinants of servant migration in nineteenth-century Sweden
Authors: DRIBE MARTIN , LUNDH CHRISTER
Published: May 2005

This article deals with the high mobility of servants in preindustrial northwestern Europe. By combining both a qualitative and a quantitative approach we analyse the determinants of servant migration in the province of Scania, in southern Sweden, during the nineteenth century. The analysis shows that about half of the moves were connected to the structure of working-life organization, servant hierarchy and marriage. The rest depended on a range of other factors such as the type and structure of the master's household, variations in the demand for labour caused by fluctuations in harvest yields, conflicts within households, or a wish to gain additional training.
Effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors on porcine oocyte meiotic maturation
Authors: Tao Yong , Xie Huirong , Hong Haiyan , Chen Xiufen , Jang Jie , Xia Guoliang
Published: May 2005

As an important biological messenger, nitric oxide (NO) exhibits a wide range of effects during physiological and pathophysiological processes, including mammalian oocyte meiotic maturation. The present study investigated whether NO derived from two nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms, inducible NOS (iNOS) or endothelial NOS (eNOS), is involved in the meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes. Meanwhile, the cumulus cells' function in meiotic maturation and their interaction with oocyte development and degeneration were also investigated using cumulus-enclosed oocytes (CEOs) and denuded oocytes (DOs). Different inhibitors for NOS were supplemented to the medium. Cumulus expansion, cumulus cell DNA fragmentation and oocyte meiotic resumption were evaluated 48 h after incubation. Aminoguanidine (AG), a selective inhibitor for iNOS, suppressed cumulus expansion and inhibited CEOs to resume meiosis (p<0.05), but did not inhibit cumulus cell DNA fragmentation. Both Nω-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) and Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), inhibitors for both iNOS and eNOS, delayed cumulus expansion, inhibited cumulus cell DNA fragmentation and inhibited CEOs to resume meiosis. Such effects were not seen in DOs. These results indicate that iNOS-derived NO is necessary for cumulus expansion and meiotic maturation by mediating the function of the surrounding cumulus cells, and eNOS-derived NO is also involved in porcine meiotic maturation.
Viable rat offspring derived from oocytes intracytoplasmically injected with freeze-dried sperm heads
Authors: Hirabayashi Masumi , Kato Megumi , Ito Junya , Hochi Shinichi
Published: May 2005

A 2×3 factorial designed experiment was conducted in order to examine whether freeze-dried rat spermatozoa can participate in full-term development following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). A sperm suspension from cauda epididymides of Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats was prepared with or without ultrasonic treatment. The sonicated and non-sonicated sperm suspensions were processed for freeze-thawing (FT groups; 100μl sample was cooled in liquid nitrogen vapor, stored for 1 day at −196 °C, and thawed in a 25 °C water bath) and freeze-drying (FD groups; 100 μl sample was frozen in liquid nitrogen for 20 s, lyophilized for 6 h, stored at 4 °C for 2 days, and rehydrated with 100μl ultrapure water), or were subjected to immediate use for ICSI (fresh control groups). The sperm heads were microinjected into denuded SD oocytes using a piezo-driven micropipette 2–4μm in diameter. The presumptive zygotes were transferred into oviducts of pseudopregnant Wistar female rats. Viable rat offspring were produced from all six experimental groups. Ultrasonic treatment of rat spermatozoa was effective in increasing the offspring rate (23.3% vs 6.7% in fresh control groups, 35.0% vs 7.6% in FT groups, 9.2% vs 2.5% in FD groups). The acrosomal region appeared to be intact even after ultrasonic FT and FD treatments as well as in the fresh controls, while the lateral dorsal region of the sperm membrane was more or less damaged in the sonicated, FT and FD samples. Thus, the successful participation of freeze-dried spermatozoa in full-term development was demonstrated by applying ICSI in the rat.
Asterosap-induced elevation in intracellular pH is indispensable for ARIS-induced sustained increase in intracellular Ca2+ and following acrosome reaction in starfish spermatozoa
Authors: Kawase Osamu , Minakata Hiroyuki , Hoshi Motonori , Matsumoto Midori
Published: May 2005

In the starfish, Asterias amurensis, the cooperation of three components of the egg jelly, namely ARIS (acrosome reaction-inducing substance), Co-ARIS and asterosap, is responsible for the induction of acrosome reaction. For the induction, ARIS alone is enough in high-Ca2+ or high-pH seawater, but, besides ARIS, the addition of either Co-ARIS or asterosap is required in normal seawater. Asterosap transiently increased both the intracellular pH (pHi) and Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), while ARIS slightly elevated the basal level of [Ca2+]i. However, a sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i and acrosome reaction occurred if sperm were simultaneously treated with ARIS and asterosap. EGTA inhibited the sustained [Ca2+]i elevation and acrosome reaction. The sustained [Ca2+]i elevation and acrosome reaction were highly susceptible to SKF96365 and Ni2+, specific blockers of the store-operated Ca2+ channel (SOC). These results suggest that sustained [Ca2+]i elevation, mediated by the SOC-like channel, is a prerequisite for the acrosome reaction. In high-pH seawater, ARIS alone induced a prominent [Ca2+]i increase and acrosome reaction, which were similarly sensitive to SKF96365. The acrosome reaction was effectively induced by ARIS alone when pHi was artificially increased to more than 7.7. Asterosap increased pHi from 7.6±0.1 to 7.7±0.1. Furthermore, the sustained [Ca2+]i elevation and acrosome reaction, induced by a combination of ARIS and asterosap, were drastically inhibited by a slight reduction in pHi. Taking these results into account, we suggest that an asterosap-induced pHi elevation is required for triggering the ARIS-induced sustained [Ca2+]i elevation and consequent acrosome reaction.
Production of mouse by inter-strain inner cell mass replacement
Authors: Zheng Yue-Liang , Jiang Man-Xi , OuYang Ying-Chun , Sun Qing-Yuan , Chen Da-Yuan
Published: May 2005

The developmental ability of reconstructed blastocysts from C57BL/6 strain mouse inner cell masses (ICMs) and Kunming strain mouse trophoblasts was assessed. The procedure of ICM replacement was as follows: C57BL/6 ICMs were separated from the blastocysts using immunosurgery. A slit was made in the zona pellucida of a Kunming blastocyst to allow its ICM to extrude. The C57BL/6 ICM was injected into the Kunming blastocoele, and the extruded Kunming ICM was cut off. The reconstructed blastocysts were able to re-expand (77%) and hatch (27.3%) in vitro. A total of 64 reconstructed blastocysts and 124 Kunming blastocysts were co-transferred into the uteri of 11 pseudopregnant Kunming mice, and an ICM replacement offspring was born. The results indicate that reconstructed embryos obtained by inter-strain ICM replacement have the ability to develop to term. This technique may provide a method to solve the pregnancy failure in interspecific cloning.
Embryos produced in vitro from bulls carrying 16;20 and 1;29 Robertsonian translocations: detection of translocations in embryos by fluorescence in situ hybridization
Authors: Rybar Roman , Horakova Jindra , Machatkova Marie , Hanzalova Katerina , Rubes Jiri
Published: May 2005

Robertsonian translocation rob(16;20) in the heterozygous state was discovered in a subfertile bull of the Czech Siemmental breed. A chromosomal analysis of its family has shown that this dicentric fusion is formed de novo. The present experiments were designed to detect rob(16;20) and determine its incidence for in vitro produced embryos, using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and rob(1;29) as a detection control. To characterize semen of both bulls with the rob translocations, their sperm was examined for DNA integrity by the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA). For in vitro fertilization of oocytes, spermatozoa from a rob(16;20) bull carrier (Czech Siemmental breed) and those from a rob(1;29) bull carrier (Charolais breed) were used. Embryos at the 6- to 8-cell stage were cultured in a vinblastine-supplemented medium for 17 h, and embryos at the blastocyst stage were cultured in a colcemide-supplemented medium for 4 h. The embryos were fixed in methanol and acetic acid with Tween-20. Painting probes for chromosomes 16 (Spectrum Green) and 20 (Spectrum Orange) and chromosomes 1 (Spectrum Orange) and 29 (Spectrum Green) were simultaneously hybridized. In the embryos derived from the rob(16;20) bull, the presence of this translocation was not detected. On the other hand, 52.5% of the embryos derived from the rob(1;29) bull were translocation carriers. There was no significant difference in the frequency of this translocation between early and advanced embryos.
Characterization of Aurora-A in porcine oocytes and early embryos implies its functional roles in the regulation of meiotic maturation, fertilization and cleavage
Authors: Yao Li-Juan , Sun Qing-Yuan
Published: May 2005

Aurora-A is a serine/threonine protein kinase that plays important regulatory roles during mitotic cell cycle progression. In this study, Aurora-A expression, subcellular localization, and possible functions during porcine oocyte meiotic maturation, fertilization and early embryonic cleavage were studied by using Western blot, confocal microscopy and drug treatments. The quantity of Aurora-A protein remained stable during porcine oocyte meiotic maturation. Confocal microscopy revealed that Aurora-A distributed abundantly in the nucleus at the germinal vesicle stage. After germinal vesicle breakdown, Aurora-A concentrated around the condensed chromosomes and the metaphase I spindle, and finally, Aurora-A was associated with spindle poles during the formation of the metaphase II spindle. Aurora-A concentrated in the pronuclei in fertilized eggs. Aurora-A was not found in the spindle region when colchicine or staurosporine was used to inhibit microtubule organization, while it accumulated as several dots in the cytoplasm after taxol treatment. In conclusion, Aurora-A may be a multifunctional kinase that plays pivotal regulatory roles in microtubule assembly during porcine oocyte meiotic maturation, fertilization and early embryonic mitosis.
Cell-cycle-dependent subcellular localization of cyclin B1, phosphorylated cyclin B1 and p34cdc2 during oocyte meiotic maturation and fertilization in mouse
Authors: Huo Li-Jun , Yu Ling-Zhu , Liang Cheng-Guang , Fan Heng-Yu , Chen Da-Yuan , Sun Qing-Yuan
Published: May 2005

M phase or maturation promoting factor (MPF), a kinase complex composed of the regulatory cyclin B and the catalytic p34cdc2 kinase, plays important roles in meiosis and mitosis. This study was designed to detect and compare the subcellular localization of cyclin B1, phosphorylated cyclin B1 and p34cdc2 during oocyte meiotic maturation and fertilization in mouse. We found that all these proteins were concentrated in the germinal vesicle of oocytes. Shortly after germinal vesicle breakdown, all these proteins were accumulated around the condensed chromosomes. With spindle formation at metaphase I, cyclin B1 and phosphorylated cyclin B1 were localized around the condensed chromosomes and concentrated at the spindle poles, while p34cdc2 was localized in the spindle region. At the anaphase/telophase transition, phosphorylated cyclin B1 was accumulated in the midbody between the separating chromosomes/chromatids, while p34cdc2 was accumulated in the entire spindle except for the midbody region. At metaphase II, both cyclin B1 and p34cdc2 were horizontally localized in the region with the aligned chromosomes and the two poles of the spindle, while phosphorylated cyclin B1 was localized in the two poles of spindle and the chromosomes. We could not detect a particular distribution of cyclin B1 in fertilized eggs when the pronuclei were initially formed, but in late pronuclei cyclin B1 was accumulated in the pronuclei. p34cdc2 and phosphorylated cyclin B1 were always concentrated in one pronucleus after parthenogenetic activation or in two pronuclei after fertilization. At metaphase of 1-cell embryos, cyclin B1 was accumulated around the condensed chromosomes. Cyclin B1 was accumulated in the nucleus of late 2-cell embryos but not in early 2-cell embryos. Furthermore, we also detected the accumulation of p34cdc2 in the nucleus of 2- and 4-cell embryos. All these results show that cyclin B1, phosphorylated cyclin B1 and p34cdc2 have similar distributions at some stages but different localizations at other stages during oocyte meiotic maturation and fertilization, suggesting that they may play a common role in some events but different roles in other events during oocyte maturation and fertilization.
Transplantation of male pronucleus derived from in vitro fertilization of enucleated oocyte into parthenogenetically activated oocyte results in live offspring in mouse
Authors: Kong Feng-Yun , Zhang Gang , Zhong Zhi-Sheng , Li Yun-Long , Sun Qing-Yuan , Chen Da-Yuan
Published: May 2005

In this study, inter-strain reconstructed embryos were produced by combining the female pronucleus of Kunming mouse (white) with male pronucleus of C57BL/6 strain (black). Metaphase II (MII) oocytes of Kunming mouse were enucleated and the zona pellucida was removed. Then, the enucleated oocytes were inseminated by capacitated sperm of C57BL/6 mouse in vitro. At the same time, MII oocytes of Kunming mouse were artificially activated using strontium chloride solution, which did not contain cytochalasin B. Finally, we removed the male pronucleus derived from C57BL/6 sperm and injected it into a parthenogenetically activated one-pronucleus oocyte by micromanipulation. The reconstructed 2-cell embryos were transplanted into the oviducts of 22 foster mother mice, each receiving about 20 embryos. In the end, seven healthy and live pups were born from one recipient.
Haploidy influences Bak and Bcl-xL mRNA expression and increases incidence of apoptosis in porcine embryos
Authors: Jeong Yu-Jeong , Cui Xiang-Shun , Kim Bong-Ki , Kim Il Hwa , Kim Teoan , Chung Yon-Bok , Kim Nam-Hyung
Published: May 2005

The objective of this study was to determine developmental pattern, total cell number, apoptosis and apoptosis-related gene expression in haploid and diploid embryos following parthenogenetic activation. In vitro-matured porcine oocytes were activated by electrical pulses and cultured in the absence or presence of cytochalasin B for 3 h. Zygotes with two polar bodies (haploid) and one polar body (diploid) were carefully selected and were further cultured in NCSU 23 medium containing 0.4% bovine serum albumin (BSA) for 7 days. The percentage of development to blastocyst stage was higher (p<0.01) in the diploid than in the haploid parthenotes. In haploid blastocysts, average total cell number was significantly reduced (p<0.05) and apoptosis was increased at day 7. The relative abundance of Bcl-xL and Bak mRNA in the diploid blastocysts was similar to that of in vivo-fertilized embryos. However, Bcl-xL was significantly decreased, and Bak mRNA was significantly increased (p<0.05) in haploid parthenotes compared with the diploid parthenotes. These results suggest that the haploid state affects apoptosis-related gene expression which results in increased apoptosis and decreased developmental competence of haploid parthenotes.