bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complexity in close binary evolution
Authors: Politano Michael
Published: February 2008

The complex nature of close binary evolution is briefly reviewed. Population synthesis calculations of zero‐age cataclysmic variable stars (ZACVs) are presented using a common envelope (CE) efficiency parameter, αCE, that is a function of the core mass of the primary. Specifically, we investigate the possibility that αCE is different for CE evolution involving red giant branch (RGB) primaries than for asymptotic giant branch (AGB) primaries. We calculate a sequence of model orbital period distributions in present‐day ZACVs for 11 different combinations of efficiency parameters (αRGB, αAGB). We find that if CE evolution is much less efficient for RGB primaries than for AGB primaries (αRGB ∼ 0.1 or less), the number of CVs that form below 2 h is significantly decreased compared with standard constant αCE models. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity, 2008.
Acute behavioral tolerance to nicotine in the conditioned taste aversion paradigm
Authors: Prus Adam J. , Maxwell Amy T. , Baker Kevin M. , Rosecrans John A. , James John R.
Published: February 2008

Acute behavioral tolerance to nicotine is a well‐established phenomenon in animals, although previous drug discrimination studies have suggested that subpopulations of rats may exist that fail to exhibit acute tolerance to nicotine. The present study sought to determine whether these findings might extend to the conditioned taste aversion (CTA) paradigm. In experiment 1, rats were administered 0.8 mg/kg s.c. nicotine or vehicle before a pairing session with saccharin, and then administered either 0.4 mg/kg nicotine or vehicle immediately afterward. Rats treated with vehicle pre‐session and then nicotine post‐session developed a significant CTA to nicotine, whereas rats treated with 0.8 mg/kg nicotine s.c. pre‐session failed to develop a CTA to nicotine. In experiment 2, rats were identified as exhibiting or failing to exhibit acute tolerance to nicotine in a drug discrimination paradigm. Rats that produced acute nicotine tolerance failed to develop a CTA after 24 h, but did so after 48 h, while rats that did not produce nicotine tolerance exhibited CTA after 24 h, but not after 48 h. These findings indicate that acute behavioral tolerance to nicotine extends to its aversion effects. Drug Dev Res 68:522–528, 2007. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of characterization factor for power system oscillation based on multiple synchronized phasor measurements
Authors: Hashiguchi Takuhei , Watanabe Masayuki , Matsushita Akihiro , Mitani Yasunori , Saeki Osamu , Tsuji Kiichiro , Hojo Masahide , Ukai Hiroyuki
Published: February 2008

Electric power systems in Japan are composed of remote and distributed location of generators and loads mainly concentrated in large‐demand areas. The structures having long‐distance transmission tend to produce heavy power flow with increasing electric power demand. In addition, some independent power producers (IPP) and power producer and suppliers (PPS) are participating in the power generation business, which makes power system dynamics more complex. However, there was little observation as a whole power system. In this paper the authors present a global monitoring system of power system dynamics by using the synchronized phasor measurement of demand‐side outlets. Phasor Measurement Units (PMU) are synchronized based on the global positioning system (GPS). The purpose of this paper is to show oscillation characteristics and methods for processing original data obtained from PMU after certain power system disturbances triggered by accidents. This analysis resulted in the observation of the lowest and the second lowest frequency mode. The derivation of eigenvalue with the two‐degree‐of‐freedom model brings a monitoring of two oscillation modes. Signal processing based on wavelet analysis and simulation studies to illustrate the obtained phenomena are presented in detail. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 163(3): 10– 18, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20316
Instantaneous current profile control for flat torque of switched reluctance motors
Authors: Ishikawa Hiroki , Kamada Yoshinobu , Naitoh Haruo
Published: February 2008

This paper presents a new instantaneous current control to obtain an instantaneously flat torque waveform with smaller torque ripples of switched reluctance motors (SRMs). The proposed current control is based on table lookup. By geometric insights for the machine and finite element method based analysis, ideal current profiles for the flat torque are generated. Some simulation results are presented to demonstrate the validity of the proposed control, which are verified by experiment. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 163(3): 78–87, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20458
Offline tuning of positioning control system using particle swarm optimization considering speed controller
Authors: Kaneko Takayuki , Matsumoto Hiroyuki , Mine Hironori , Nishida Hideyuki , Nakayama Tomoharu
Published: February 2008

This paper describes an optimal offline tuning method for a position controller in a mechanical system using a new evolutionary algorithm called particle swarm optimization (PSO). Generally in industrial machinery, there is increasing demand for autonomous performance for position control systems. In this paper, two approaches to optimization are taken. First, PSO is used in order to optimize the coefficient of a mathematical model as system identification. Second, the parameters for a controller are directly optimized by evaluating responses using PSO. The proposed approach has superior features, including easy implementation, stable convergence characteristics, and good efficiency. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 163(3): 68– 77, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20668
Cogging torque investigation of PM motors resulting from asymmetry property of magnetic poles: Influence of performance variation between permanent magnets
Authors: Daikoku Akihiro , Yamaguchi Shinichi
Published: February 2008

This paper examines the cogging torque of a permanent magnet (PM) motor resulting from the asymmetry property of magnetic poles, which comes from the performance variation between magnets. A PM motor with 32 poles (= 16 pole pairs) and 36 slots is selected for verification, because the motor whose pole/slot ratio is 8/9 is sensitive to the performance variation between permanent magnets. Assuming that two different magnetization levels of magnets are mixed together in one rotor, the amplitude of the 2.25th and 4.5th components of cogging torque, which show 36 (= 2.25 × 16) and 72 (= 4.5 × 16) times of pulsation per rotation respectively and both of which result from the asymmetry property of the magnetic poles, are evaluated. As a result, it is clarified that the cogging torque characteristics depend on the alignment pattern of the two kinds of magnets. The amplitudes of the 2.25th and 4.5th components of cogging torque are proportional respectively to the amplitude of the 36th and 72nd order harmonics of the squared magnetic flux density around the rotor which is set in the space without stator. Using the proportional constants found from the finite element analyses in some alignment patterns, the cogging torque amplitudes of the motors with other alignment patterns can be predicted by calculating the squared magnetic flux density around the rotor only. The predicted cogging torque amplitudes correspond to the actually calculated results. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 163(3): 57– 67, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20669
Containment of aerogenic Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in mice does not require MyD88 adaptor function for TLR2, ‐4 and ‐9
Authors: Hölscher Christoph , Reiling Norbert , Schaible Ulrich E. , Hölscher Alexandra , Bathmann Clara , Korbel Daniel , Lenz Insa , Sonntag Tanja , Kröger Svenja , Akira Shizuo , Mossmann Horst , Kirschning Carsten J. , Wagner Hermann , Freudenberg Marina , Ehlers Stefan
Published: February 2008

The role of Toll‐like receptors (TLR) and MyD88 for immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection remains controversial. To address the impact of TLR‐mediated pathogen recognition and MyD88‐dependent signaling events on anti‐mycobacterial host responses, we analyzed the outcome of Mtb infection in TLR2/4/9 triple‐ and MyD88‐deficient mice. After aerosol infection, both TLR2/4/9‐deficient and wild‐type mice expressed pro‐inflammatory cytokines promoting antigen‐specific T cells and the production of IFN‐γ to similar extents. Moreover, TLR2/4/9‐deficient mice expressed IFN‐γ‐dependent inducible nitric oxide synthase and LRG‐47 in infected lungs. MyD88‐deficient mice expressed pro‐inflammatory cytokines and were shown to expand IFN‐γ‐producing antigen‐specific T cells, albeit in a delayed fashion. Only mice that were deficient for MyD88 rapidly succumbed to unrestrained mycobacterial growth, whereas TLR2/4/9‐deficient mice controlled Mtb replication. IFN‐γ‐dependent restriction of mycobacterial growth was severely impaired only in Mtb‐infected MyD88, but not in TLR2/4/9‐deficient bone marrow‐derived macrophages. Our results demonstrate that after Mtb infection neither TLR2, ‐4, and ‐9, nor MyD88 are required for the induction of adaptive T cell responses. Rather, MyD88, but not TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9, is critical for triggering macrophage effector mechanisms central to anti‐mycobacterial defense.
Comparing Models for S = 1/2 Heisenberg Antiferromagnetic Chains: The Validity of Different Approaches for Describing a One‐Dimensional Coordination Polymer, [CuII(HL)2(4,4′‐bpy)]n·2nH2O (H2L = 3‐Nitrophthalic Acid, bpy = Bipyridine)
Authors: Deng Yu‐Heng , Liu Juan , Wu Biao , Ambrus Christina , Keene Tony D. , Waldmann Oliver , Liu Shi‐Xia , Decurtins Silvio , Yang Xiao‐Juan
Published: February 2008

We have synthesized a new one‐dimensional coordination polymer, [CuII(HL)2(4,4′‐bpy)]n·2nH2O (1), (HL– = monodeprotonated 3‐nitrophthalic acid, 4,4′‐bpy = 4,4′‐bipyridine) consisting of infinite chains of [CuII(HL)2(4,4′‐bpy)]n and have investigated its structure and magnetic properties. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic C2/c space group with the [CuII(HL)2(4,4′‐bpy)]n chains running parallel to the b axis. The chains are linked together by hydrogen bonding between the HL– groups and water molecules to form the three‐dimensional crystal structure. The magnetic susceptibility of 1 can be well described using an antiferromagnetic S = 1/2 chain model with g = 2.11(1) and 2J = –0.61(1) cm–1. Several techniques for describing the susceptibility of S =1/2 chains are examined to compare their validity at lowvalues of kT/|2J|, including exact numerical full‐matrix diagonalization techniques, from which the magnetization curve of 1 could be calculated. The calculation fits well with the measured magnetization data. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Syntheses of Sterically Hindered Zwitterionic Pyridinium Phenolates as Model Compounds in Nonlinear Optics
Authors: Diemer Vincent , Chaumeil Hélène , Defoin Albert , Fort Alain , Boeglin Alex , Carré Christiane
Published: February 2008

Pyridinium phenolates possess a dissymmetric delocalised π‐electron system providing a huge quadratic nonlinearity. They are a promising class of molecules for applications in photoelectronics and photonics. Semiempirical calculations indicate that the interplanar angle between the two aromatic rings leads to enhancement in the NLO properties of these compounds. The confirmation of this feature may be provided by the study of a new series of sterically hindered pyridinium phenolates 2a–e bearing two tert‐butyl substituents at the ortho position(s) of the phenolate functionality. Such bulky groups would enhance the solubility of zwitterions in organic solvents and would limit the formation of aggregates. Their efficient preparations by using Suzuki cross‐coupling reactions involving 3,5‐dialkylated 4‐bromopyridine N‐oxides are described herein.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Emerging Prospects for Unusual Aromaticity in Organic Electronic Materials: The Case for Methano[10]annulene
Authors: Peart Patricia A. , Repka Lindsay M. , Tovar John D.
Published: February 2008

Unusual aromatics outside of the 6π‐electron motif offer promise for functional electronic materials, and we frame this claim in the context of 10π‐electron aromatics. The evolution of our understanding of 10π‐electron aromatics is discussed briefly, from azulene to the [10]annulenes to finally 1,6‐methano[10]annulene. A survey of annulene research of both fundamental and applied nature is then presented. Finally, our recent contributions to this area are highlighted with a comparison of annulene‐based electronic materials to more classical benzenoid counterparts. The annulene core greatly facilitates the delocalization of mobile charges as determined through voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry. We show that this important hydrocarbon can indeed be viewed as a viable building block for advanced polymeric semiconducting materials.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Crotylation of Aldehydes by Crotyltins: Discrimination between Mechanisms Involving Transmetallation or Simple Lewis Acid Assistance through the Consideration of the Stereochemistry of the Corresponding Homoallylic Alcohols
Authors: Fargeas Valérie , Zammattio Françoise , Chrétien Jean‐Mathieu , Bertrand Marie‐Jo , Paris Michaël , Quintard Jean‐Paul
Published: February 2008

In the reaction of crotyltins with aldehydes in the presence of metal salts, the double consideration of the syn/anti ratio of the branched homoallylic alcohols and the Z/E ratio of their linear regioisomers is proposed as a way to discriminate between a reaction mechanism involving a transmetallation step and a reaction mechanism involving simple Lewis acid activation of the aldehyde. The formation of branched syn isomers along with Z‐linear isomers as major compounds is considered to be indicative of a reaction occurring under Lewis acid assistance, whereas preference for the branched anti isomers together with E‐linear isomers is considered to be indicative of a transmetallation step prior to crotylation. For reactions performed in the presence of CeCl3·7H2O/NaI, the Lewis acid assistance was shown to be the exclusive or highly prevalent pathway. Moreover, in regards to the selectivity, the regiopreference depends on the nature of the crotyltin. Whereas soluble crotyltin preferentially leads to Z‐linear adducts, polymer‐supported crotyltin affords the syn‐branched adducts probably due to a lower 1,3‐metallotropy. For reactions performed in the presence of InX3, simple Lewis acid assistance and transmetallation appear to be competitive processes; the first one is favoured with aromatic aldehydes especially in dichloromethane, whereas transmetallation appears to be prevalent with poorly reactive aldehydes especially with InBr3 in acetonitrile.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
A multiple testing correction method for genetic association studies using correlated single nucleotide polymorphisms
Authors: Gao Xiaoyi , Starmer Joshua , Martin Eden R.
Published: February 2008

Multiple testing is a challenging issue in genetic association studies using large numbers of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, many of which exhibit linkage disequilibrium (LD). Failure to adjust for multiple testing appropriately may produce excessive false positives or overlook true positive signals. The Bonferroni method of adjusting for multiple comparisons is easy to compute, but is well known to be conservative in the presence of LD. On the other hand, permutation‐based corrections can correctly account for LD among SNPs, but are computationally intensive. In this work, we propose a new multiple testing correction method for association studies using SNP markers. We show that it is simple, fast and more accurate than the recently developed methods and is comparable to permutation‐based corrections using both simulated and real data. We also demonstrate how it might be used in whole‐genome association studies to control type I error. The efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method make it an attractive choice for multiple testing adjustment when there is high intermarker LD in the SNP data set. Genet. Epidemiol. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Testing association in the presence of linkage using the GRE and multiple markers
Authors: Jonasdottir Gudrun , Becker Tim , Humphreys Keith , Palmgren Juni
Published: February 2008

It has recently been shown that testing for association in the presence of linkage using a score test based on a gamma random effects (GRE) model is substantially more powerful than using the Family‐Based Association Test. A reason for the increased power lies in better specification of the within family correlation structure, induced by linkage. The GRE, as presented in (Jonasdottir et al. 2007 Genet Epidemiol. 31:528–540), only considers one marker at a time and does not readily handle missing parental information. Here we extend the GRE to incorporate information from more than one marker. This extension leads to a haplotype GRE test and also to efficient handling of missing data on parental genotypes. We show that the haplotype GRE, the H‐GRE, is substantially more powerful than the haplotype FBAT, the Haplotype‐Based‐Association Test. We demonstrate the usefulness of the extended GRE, by reanalyzing the collaborative study on the genetics of alcoholism data, allowing for missing parental information. Genet. Epidemiol. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oncogenic K‐ras promotes early carcinogenesis in the mouse proximal colon
Authors: Calcagno Shelly R. , Li Shuhua , Colon Migdalisel , Kreinest Pamela A. , Thompson E. Aubrey , Fields Alan P. , Murray Nicole R.
Published: February 2008

Oncogenic K‐ras mutations are frequently observed in colon cancers and contribute to transformed growth. Oncogenic K‐ras is detected in aberrant crypt foci (ACF), precancerous colonic lesions, demonstrating that acquisition of a K‐ras mutation is an early event in colon carcinogenesis. Here, we investigate the role of oncogenic K‐ras in neoplastic initiation and progression. Transgenic mice in which an oncogenic K‐rasG12D allele is activated in the colonic epithelium by sporadic recombination (K‐rasLA2 mice) develop spontaneous ACF that are morphologically indistinguishable from those induced by the colon carcinogen azoxymethane (AOM). Similar neoplastic changes involving the entire colon are induced in transgenic mice constitutively expressing K‐rasG12D throughout the colon (LSL‐K‐rasG12D/Villin‐Cre mice). However, the biochemistry and fate of K‐ras‐induced lesions differ depending upon their location within the colon in these mice. In the proximal colon, K‐rasG12D induces increased expression of procarcinogenic protein kinase CβII (PKCβII), activation of the MEK/ERK signaling axis and increased epithelial cell proliferation. In contrast, in the distal colon, K‐rasG12D inhibits expression of procarcinogenic PKCβII and induces apoptosis. Treatment of K‐rasLA2 mice with AOM leads to neoplastic progression of small ACF to large, dysplastic microadenomas in the proximal, but not the distal colon. Thus, oncogenic K‐ras functions differently in the proximal and distal colon of mice, inducing ACF capable of neoplastic progression in the proximal colon, and ACF with little or no potential for progression in the distal colon. Our data indicate that acquisition of a K‐ras mutation is an initiating neoplastic event in proximal colon cancer development in mice. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Efficient model chemistries for peptides. I. General framework and a study of the heterolevel approximation in RHF and MP2 with Pople split‐valence basis sets
Authors: Echenique Pablo , Alonso José Luis
Published: February 2008

We present an exhaustive study of more than 250 ab initio potential energy surfaces (PESs) of the model dipeptide HCO‐L‐Ala‐NH2. The model chemistries (MCs) investigated are constructed as homo‐ and heterolevels involving possibly different RHF and MP2 calculations for the geometry and the energy. The basis sets used belong to a sample of 39 representants from Pople's split‐valence families, ranging from the small 3‐21G to the large 6‐311++G(2df,2pd). The reference PES to which the rest are compared is the MP2/6‐311++G(2df,2pd) homolevel, which, as far as we are aware, is the most accurate PES in the literature. All data sets have been analyzed according to a general framework, which can be extended to other complex problems and which captures the nearness concept in the space of MCs. The great number of MCs evaluated has allowed us to significantly explore this space and show that the correlation between accuracy and computational cost of the methods is imperfect, thus justifying a systematic search for the combination of features in a MC that is optimal to deal with peptides. Regarding the particular MCs studied, the most important conclusion is that the potentially very cost‐saving heterolevel approximation is a very efficient one to describe the whole PES of HCO‐L‐Ala‐NH2. Finally, we show that, although RHF may be used to calculate the geometry if a MP2 single‐point energy calculation follows, pure RHF//RHF homolevels are not recommendable for this problem. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2008
The effect of electron correlation on the conformational space of melatonin
Authors: Csontos József , Kálmán Péter , Tasi Gyula , Kálmán Miklós , Murphy Richard F. , Lovas Sándor
Published: February 2008

The pineal gland hormone melatonin regulates several physiological processes including circadian rhythm and also alleviates oxidative stress‐induced degenerative diseases. In spite of its important biological roles, no high level ab initio conformational study has been conducted to reveal its structural features. In this work, the conformational flexibility of melatonin was investigated using correlated ab initio calculations. Conformers, obtained previously at the Hartree‐Fock level (HF/6‐31G*), were fully optimized using second order Møller‐Plesset perturbation theory applying the frozen core approximation (MP2(FC)/6‐31G*). Furthermore, single‐point MP4(SDQ,FC)/6‐31G*//MP2(FC)/6‐31G* computations were performed to investigate the effect of higher order perturbation terms. The HF and MP2 conformational spaces are considerably different: the initial 128 structures converged into 102 different local minima as confirmed by frequency calculations; 28 new minima appeared and 26 previous HF local minima disappeared; no “all‐trans” C3 side chain conformations are seen at the MP2(FC) level. The MP2 global minimum conformation is stabilized by an aromatic‐side chain interaction. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2008
Blue shifts of the CH stretching vibrations in hydrogen‐bonded and protonated trimethylamine. Effect of hyperconjugation on bond properties
Authors: Chandra Asit K. , Parveen Salma , Das Subojit , Zeegers‐Huyskens Thérèse
Published: February 2008

The optimized geometry of isolated trimethylamine (TMA), its hydrogen bond complexes with phenol derivatives and protonated TMA is calculated at the B3LYP/6‐31++G(d,p) level. A natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis on these systems is carried out at the same level of theory. In isolated TMA, one of the CH bond in each of the three CH3groups is more elongated than the two other ones. As revealed by the NBO data, this results from a hyperconjugative interaction from the N lone pair to the σ*(CH) orbitals of the CH bonds being in a transoid position with respect to the N lone pair. The formation of an intermolecular OH···N hydrogen bond with phenols results in a decrease of the lone pair effect. A linear correlation is found between the decrease in occupation of the σ*(CH) orbitals and the decrease in the hyperconjugative interaction energy in the complexes and isolated TMA. Complex formation with phenols results in a blue shift of 55–74 cm−1of the CH stretching vibrations involved in the lone pair effect. Smaller blue shifts between 14 and 23 cm−1are predicted for the other CH bonds. In these complexes, a linear correlation is found between the frequency shifts and the elongation of the CH bonds. Protonation of TMA results in a nearly equalization of all the CH distances and a blue shift of 180 cm−1of the CH bonds involved in hyperconjugation with the N lone pair. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2008
On the performance of some aromaticity indices: A critical assessment using a test set
Authors: Feixas Ferran , Matito Eduard , Poater Jordi , Solà Miquel
Published: February 2008

Aromaticity is a central chemical concept widely used in modern chemistry for the interpretation of molecular structure, stability, reactivity, and magnetic properties of many compounds. As such, its reliable prediction is an important task of computational chemistry. In recent years, many methods to quantify aromaticity based on different physicochemical properties of molecules have been proposed. However, the nonobservable nature of aromaticity makes difficult to assess the performance of the numerous existing indices. In the present work, we introduce a series of fifteen aromaticity tests that can be used to analyze the advantages and drawbacks of a group of aromaticity descriptors. On the basis of the results obtained for a set of ten indicators of aromaticity, we conclude that indices based on the study of electron delocalization in aromatic species are the most accurate among those examined in this work. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2008
The influence of television on willingness to seek therapy
Authors: Vogel David L. , Gentile Douglas A. , Kaplan Scott A.
Published: February 2008

Television portrayals of psychologists may be contributing to an unfavorable perception of mental health services. The present study (N=369) used structural equation modeling to examine the relationship between exposure to television programs, perceptions of therapy (i.e., perceived stigma, anticipated risks and benefits, and attitudes towards therapy), and intentions to seek therapy. The results demonstrated that (a) the relationship between television exposure and attitudes was fully mediated by stigma and anticipated benefits, and (b) the relationship between television exposure and intentions to seek therapy was fully mediated by attitudes, stigma, and anticipated benefits. Furthermore, 54% of the variance in attitudes and 47% of the variance in intentions was accounted for by the variables in the model. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol. 64: 1–20, 2008.
A content analysis of advertisements for psychotherapy workshops: implications for disseminating empirically supported treatments
Authors: Cook Joan M. , Weingardt Kenneth R. , Jaszka Jacqueline , Wiesner Michael
Published: February 2008

This study involved a content analysis of 261 unique advertisements for psychotherapy workshops that appeared in two bimonthly clinical magazines, Psychotherapy Networker and Counselor, during a 2‐year period. Two independent judges coded each advertisement and documented the type and prevalence of advertising appeals used. From the seminal diffusion of innovations model, Rogers' (2003) five perceived characteristics of innovations found to influence adoption in diverse fields were not well represented in these workshops appeals, appearing less than 10% each. Few advertisements cited specific empirically supported treatments or presented any evidence of treatment effectiveness beyond expert testimonials. The most frequently noted appeals were to benefit the clinician (e.g., earning education credit or developing skills), characteristics that enhance credibility of the workshop (e.g., reference to storied history or mention of faculty), and features of the advertisements itself (e.g., use of superlatives and exclamation points). Promotional strategies to advertise psychotherapy workshops can be used to inform the dissemination of empirically supported treatments. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 64: 1–12, 2008.
A model for diabetic nephropathy: Advantages of the inducible cAMP early repressor transgenic mouse over the streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mouse
Authors: Inada Akari , Kanamori Hiroshi , Arai Hidenori , Akashi Tomoyuki , Araki Makoto , Weir Gordon C. , Fukatsu Atsushi
Published: February 2008

We have previously found progressive diabetic nephropathy in inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER Iγ) transgenic (Tg) mice. The ICER Iγ Tg mouse is an interesting model of sustained hyperglycemia due to its low production of insulin and insulin‐producing β cells. Here in a longitudinal study we further analyzed diabetic nephropathy and structural and functional alterations in other organs, comparing our model with streptozotocin (STZ)‐diabetic model mice. The high‐dose STZ‐diabetic model showed marked variation in blood glucose levels and severe toxicity of STZ in the liver and kidney. The low‐dose STZ‐diabetic model showed less toxicity, but the survival rate was very low. STZ‐diabetic mice had much more variation of glomerular hypertrophy and sclerosis. Furthermore, non‐specific toxicity of STZ or insulin injections to maintain optimal blood glucose levels might have another effect upon the diabetic renal changes. In contrast, ICER Iγ Tg mice exhibited a stable and progressive phenotype of diabetic kidney disease solely due to chronic hyperglycemia without other modulating factors. Thus, ICER Iγ Tg mouse has advantages for examining diabetic renal disease, and offers unique and very different perspectives compared to STZ model. J. Cell. Physiol. 215: 383–391, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Redox‐regulation of Erk1/2‐directed phosphatase by reactive oxygen species: Role in signaling TPA‐induced growth arrest in ML‐1 cells
Authors: Traore Kassim , Sharma Rajni , Thimmulappa Rajesh K. , Watson Walter H. , Biswal Shyam , Trush Michael A.
Published: February 2008

Extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (Erk)1/2 activity signals myeloid cell differentiation induced by 12‐O‐tetradecanoyl‐phorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA). Previously, we reported that Erk1/2 activation (phosphorylation) induced by TPA required reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a second messenger. Here, we hypothesized that ROS generated in response to TPA inhibit Erk1/2‐directed phosphatase activity, which leads to an increase phosphorylation of Erk1/2 to signal p21WAF1/Cip1‐mediated growth arrest in ML‐1 cells. Incubation of ML‐1 cells with TPA resulted in a marked accumulation of phosphorylated Erk1/2, and is subsequent to H2O2 generation. Interestingly, post‐TPA‐treatment with N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) stimulated a marked and a rapid dephosphorylation of Erk1/2, suggesting a regeneration of Erk1/2‐directed phospahatase activity by NAC. ROS generation in ML‐1 cells induced by TPA was suggested to occur in the mitochondrial electron transport chain (METC) based on the following observations: (i) undifferentiated ML‐1 cells not only lack p67‐phox and but also express a low level of p47‐phox key components required for NADPH oxidase enzymatic activity, (ii) pretreatment with DPI, an inhibitor of NADH‐ and NADPH‐dependent enzymes, or rhein, an inhibitor of complex I, blocked the ROS generation, and (iii) examination of the microarray analysis data and Western blot analysis data revealed an induction of MnSOD expression at both mRNA and protein levels in response to TPA. MnSOD is a key member of the mitochondrial defense system against mitochondrial‐derived superoxide. Together, this study suggested that TPA stimulated ROS generation as a second messenger to activate Erk1/2 via a redox‐mediated inhibition of Erk1/2‐directed phosphatase in ML‐1 cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 216: 276–285, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Response surface methodology as a tool to study the lipase‐catalyzed synthesis of betulinic acid ester
Authors: Yasin Yamin , Basri Mahiran , Ahmad Faujan , Salleh Abu Bakar
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: The synthesis of betulinic acid ester using betulinic acid and oleyl alcohol catalyzed by Novozym 435 (immobilized Candida antarctica lipase) was carried out. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on a five‐level, three‐variable, central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was employed to evaluate the interactive effects of various parameters. The parameters were reaction time (8–16 h), temperature (20–60 °C) and enzyme amount (120–160 mg).

RESULTS: Simultaneously increasing reaction time, temperature and amount of enzyme increased the yields of betulinic acid ester produced.

CONCLUSION: The optimum conditions derived via RSM for the reaction were reaction time of 10.2 h, temperature of 53.1 °C and enzyme amount of 138 mg. The actual experimental yield was 48.5% under optimum conditions, which compared well with the maximum predicted value of 47.6%. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Impact of the addition of an enzyme pool on an activated sludge system treating dairy wastewater under fat shock loads
Authors: Damasceno Fernanda R C , Freire Denise M G , Cammarota Magali C
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: The application of lipase‐rich enzyme pools (such as the crude solid enzymatic preparation (SEP) obtained from Penicillium restrictum solid‐state fermentation of agro‐industrial wastes) to activated sludge systems may be an effective strategy for preventing various operational problems. The continuous addition of SEP to the treatment system can become cost‐prohibitive when in situ production and/or storage are factored in. The application of SEP to high‐fat wastewater treatment would only be justified as an emergency measure, such as a sudden increase in the fat content of the bioreactor influent. Therefore, the primary objective of this work was to investigate the efficiency of a crude SEP during fat shock loads, simulated through the periodic addition of dairy industry waste containing high fat concentrations to the feed stock of an activated sludge system, operated in continuous mode.

RESULTS: The test bioreactor exhibited a higher average chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency than the control bioreactor (83% for control and 90% for test) and the fat accumulation in the biological flocs of the test bioreactor was 3.2 times lower than that in the control bioreactor. Turbidity was also lower in the effluent of the test bioreactor (123 and 66 FTU in control and test, respectively) and it had a shorter recovery time between shock loads, especially when the interval between loads was shorter than one month (biweekly and weekly shock loads).

CONCLUSION: The addition of SEP during fat overloads in the reactor feed maintained efficient COD removal in the test bioreactor for 270 days without any operational problems. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Artificial neural networks to infer biomass and product concentration during the production of penicillin G acylase from Bacillus megaterium
Authors: Silva Rosineide G , Pinotti Laura M , Cruz Antonio J G , Giordano Raquel L C , Giordano Roberto C
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: Production of microbial enzymes in bioreactors is a complex process including such phenomena as metabolic networks and mass transport resistances. The use of neural networks (NNs) to infer the state of bioreactors may be an interesting option that may handle the nonlinear dynamics of biomass growth and protein production.

RESULTS: Feedforward multilayer perceptron (MLP) NNs were used for identification of the cultivation phase of Bacillus megaterium to produce the enzyme penicillin G acylase (EC. 3.5.1.11). The following variables were used as input to the net: run time and carbon dioxide concentration in the exhausted gas. The NN output associates a numerical value to the metabolic state of the cultivation, close to 0 during the lag phase, close to 1 during the exponential phase and approximately 2 for the stationary phase. This is a non‐conventional approach for pattern recognition. During the exponential phase, another MLP was used to infer cellular concentration. Time, carbon dioxide concentration and stirrer speed form an integrated net input vector. Cellular concentrations provided by the NN were used in a hybrid approach to estimate product concentrations of the enzyme. The model employed a first‐order approximation.

CONCLUSION: Results showed that the algorithm was able to infer accurate values of cellular and product concentrations up to the end of the exponential growth phase, where an industrial run should stop. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis of biodiesel from sunflower oil with silica‐supported NaOH catalysts
Authors: Arzamendi Gurutze , Campo Idoia , Arguiñarena Eider , Sánchez Maialen , Montes Mario , Gandía Luis M.
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: A series of NaOH catalysts supported on commercial silica have been prepared by conventional incipient wetness impregnation and their activity tested in the reaction of transesterification of refined sunflower oil with methanol at 323 K and atmospheric pressure. The effects of the molar methanol/oil ratio, catalyst concentration, NaOH loading and calcination of the supported catalysts have been investigated.

RESULTS: It has been found that the transesterification rate largely depends on the catalyst/methanol ratio and that calcination of the NaOH catalysts supported on silica, even at moderate temperatures, had a very negative effect on their activity. Selectivity, on the other hand, is more affected by the methanol/oil ratio. Selectivity for methyl esters (biodiesel) improved with the methanol/oil ratio due to an increased transesterification rate of diglycerides, whereas the selectivity for monoglycerides was not affected.

CONCLUSION: The NaOH/silica catalysts suffered from a significant lack of chemical stability under reaction conditions as evidenced by measurements of sodium extracted during the reaction progress; therefore, their performance was affected by the presence of Na dissolved in the methanol phase. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
In vivo bioluminescence imaging study to monitor ectopic bone formation by luciferase gene marked mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Olivo Cristina , Alblas Jacqueline , Verweij Vivienne , Van Zonneveld Anton‐Jan , Dhert Wouter J. A. , Martens Anton C. M.
Published: February 2008

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a powerful tool for applications in regenerative medicine. In this study, we used in vivo bioluminescence imaging to noninvasively investigate the fate and the contribution to bone formation of adult MSCs in tissue engineered constructs. Goat MSCs expressing GFP‐luciferase were seeded on ceramic scaffolds and implanted subcutaneously in immune‐deficient mice. The constructs were monitored weekly with bioluminescence imaging and were retrieved after 7 weeks to quantify bone formation by histomorphometry. With increasing amounts of seeded MSCs (from 0 to 1 × 106 MSC/scaffold), a cell‐dose related increase in bioluminescence was observed at all time points, correlating with increased bone formation at 7 weeks. To investigate the relevance of MSC proliferation to bone deposition, cell‐seeded scaffolds were irradiated. The irradiated cells were functional with respect to oxygen consumption but no increase in bioluminescence was observed in vivo, and only minimal bone was produced. Proliferating MSCs are likely required for initiation of bone formation in tissue engineered constructs in vivo. Bioluminescence is a useful tool to monitor cellular responses and predict bone formation in vivo. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:901–909, 2008
EWS/FLI1 suppresses retinoblastoma protein function and senescence in Ewing's sarcoma cells
Authors: Hu Hsien‐Ming , Zielinska‐Kwiatkowska Anna , Munro Karen , Wilcox Jason , Wu Daniel Y. , Yang Liu , Chansky Howard A.
Published: February 2008

Ewing's Family Tumors (EFTs) most commonly harbor a specific t(11;22) translocation that generates the EWS/FLI1 fusion protein responsible for malignant transformation. Many potential downstream targets of EWS/FLI1 have been identified but a detailed mechanism by which the fusion protein brings about transformation remains unknown. In this report, we show that depletion of EWS/FLI1 in Ewing's cell lines results in a senescence phenotype, a marked increase in expression of the G1/S regulatory proteins p27kip1 and p57kip2, and a significant decrease in cyclin D1 and CDK2. We also demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, that knockdown of EWS/FLI1 leads to hypophosphorylation and functional activation of the retinoblastoma (pRb) family of proteins. Consistent with activation of the pRb proteins, E2F‐responsive genes such as cyclin A are repressed in EWS/FLI1‐depleted cells. Together, these results support the role of EWS/LI1 as an inhibitor of cellular senescence and implicate the retinoblastoma family of proteins as key mediators of this inhibition. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:886–893, 2008
Use of mesenchymal stem cells to enhance bone formation around revision hip replacements
Authors: Korda Michelle , Blunn Gordon , Goodship Allen , Hua Jia
Published: February 2008

Tissue engineering approaches to regenerate bone stock in revision total hip replacements could enhance the longevity of the implant and benefit the quality of the patient's life. This study investigated the impaction of allograft with mesenchymal stem cells in an ovine hip hemiarthroplasty model. In total, 10 sheep were divided into two groups with 5 sheep in each group. The groups were: 1) mesenchymal stem cells mixed with allograft; 2) allograft only as a control. Ground reaction force was assessed for limb function and showed that there was no significant difference in the recovery for animals in different groups. The amount of bone regenerated around the hip replacement was assessed using un‐decalcified histology. The results showed that the stem cell group generated significantly more new bone at the implant–allograft interface and within the graft than the control group. The results from this study indicate that the use of stem cells on an allograft scaffold increases bone formation indicating that the use of stem cells for revision hip arthroplasty may be beneficial for patients undergoing revision surgery where the bone stock is compromised. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:880–885, 2008
Expression of Etk/Bmx Tyrosine Kinase in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Guo Linlang , Guo Ying , Xiao Sha
Published: February 2008

Background

Epithelial and endothelial tyrosine kinase (Etk), also known as bone marrow X kinase (Bmx) plays an important role in the growth, differentiation, apoptosis, proliferation, and tumorigenicity of epithelial cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of Etk/Bmx in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and correlated the expression with clinicopathological parameters.

Methods

Fifty‐seven cases of ICC were immunostained for Etk/Bmx, HCV NS5, PCNA, bcl‐2, and NF‐κB p65.

Results

Etk/Bmx expression was present in 19 (33.3%) of 57 ICC specimens and correlated with cell differentiation and survival rate but not closely with tumor size and lymph node metastasis. There was a significant difference of expression of either PCNA‐LI or Bcl‐2 between Etk/Bmx‐positive and ‐negative cases (P < 0.05). However, no statistically significant association was found between Etk/Bmx expression and presence of HCV‐NS5 or NF‐κB p65.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that Etk/Bmx may be involved in the development of ICC and be a predictor of poor prognosis for ICC. HCV infection and NF‐κB appears unrelated to Etk/Bmx expression. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;97:428–432. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Column temperature programming in enantioseparation of dihydropyrimidinone compounds using derivatized cellulose and amylose chiral stationary phases
Authors: Wang Fang , Yeung David , Han Jun , Semin David , McElvain James S. , Cheetham Janet
Published: February 2008

We report the application of column temperature programs as a tool to examine unusual temperature‐induced behaviors of polysaccharide chiral stationary phases (CSPs). Using dihydropyrimidinone (DHP) compounds as probes we observed the heating (10–50°C) and cooling (50–10°C) van't Hoff plots of retention factors and/or selectivities of DHP compounds were not superimposable on AD, IA, and AS‐H columns solvated with ethanol (EtOH)/n‐hexane (n‐Hex) mobile phases. The plots were not superimposable on AD, IB, and AS‐H columns solvated with 2‐propanol (2‐PrOH)/n‐Hex mobile phases. The thermally induced path‐dependant behaviors were caused by slow equilibration as evidenced by the disappearance of the hysteresis in the second heating to cooling cycle and in a cooling to heating cycle. From the step‐temperature program (10–50–10°C), only EtOH solvated AD and AS‐H phases showed the change of retention factors and/or selectivities with time while only 2‐PrOH solvated AS‐H phase showed similar behaviors.
Effects of solvent‐free microwave extraction on the chemical composition of essential oil of Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi compared with the conventional production method
Authors: Riela Serena , Bruno Maurizio , Formisano Carmen , Rigano Daniela , Rosselli Sergio , Saladino Maria Luisa , Senatore Felice
Published: February 2008

The essential oil of Calamintha nepeta has been obtained by solvent‐free microwave extraction (SFME) and by classical hydrodistillation (HD). A comparative qualitative‐quantitative study on the composition of the oils was carried out. A total of 38 compounds, constituting 97.6% of the oil, were identified in the oil obtained by SFME, whereas 46 compounds, representing 95.4% of the oil, were characterized in the HD oil. SFME‐distilled oil is richer in lightly oxygenated monoterpenes (LOM) than HD oil. It also has a higher amount of sesquiterpenes and a lower quantity of hydrocarbon monoterpenes. HD oil seems to be affected by chemical changes more than SFME oil.
Rapid prediction and optimization of concentration conditions for preparative fractions by solid‐phase extraction
Authors: Jin Yu , Xue Xing‐ya , Zhang Fei‐fang , Zhang Jing , Shi Hui , Xiao Yuan‐sheng , Ke Yan‐xiong , Liang Xin‐miao
Published: February 2008

SPE is an effective tool for concentrating preparative fractions isolated from a complex sample. To guarantee high efficiency and recovery of concentration, the concentration conditions could be optimized by predicting the breakthrough volume (VB). In this study, a method of predicting VB of unknown compounds in preparative fractions at any isocratic mobile phase composition with the analytical retention parameters a and c is described. The a and c values and the relationship between half peak width (W1/2) and retention time of a model analyte were measured using the analytical elution mode on an SPE column, and the VB and retention volume (VR) predicted with the a and c values were validated with breakthrough experiments. However, it is impossible to measure the a and c values of multiple compounds in a complex system directly on an SPE column with a low number of theoretical plates. The correlation of the a and c values between the SPE and analytical columns was developed so that the analytical data could be transferred to the SPE column. With the calculated a and c values, we could optimize the concentration conditions on the basis of the predicted VB and the volume of the preparative fraction.