bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selectivity of commercial, larger mesh and square mesh trawl codends for deep water rose shrimp Parapenaeus longirostris (Lucas, 1846) in the Aegean Sea
Authors: Kaykaç Hakan , Tokaç Adnan , Özbilgin Hüseyin
Published: May 2009

We investigated the differences between size selectivity of a commercial codend (40 mm diamond mesh – 40D), a larger mesh codend (48 mm diamond mesh – 48D), and a square mesh codend (40 mm square mesh – 40S) for Parapenaeus longirostris in international waters of the Aegean Sea. Selectivity data were collected by using a covered codend method and analysed taking between-haul variation into account. The results indicate significant increases in L50 values in relation to an increase in mesh size and when the square mesh is used in the commercial trawl codend. The results demonstrate that the commercially used codend (40D) is not selective enough for P. longirostris in terms of length at first maturity. Changing from a 40D to a 48D codend significantly improves selection, with an increase of about 15% in the L50 values (carapace length 14.5 mm for 40D and 16.6 mm for 48D). Similarly, 40 mm square mesh, which has recently been legislated for EU Mediterranean waters, showed a 12.4% higher mean L50 value (16.3 mm) than 40 mm diamond mesh for this species. However, despite these improvements, the 48D and 40S codends still need further improvements to obtain higher selectivity closer to the length at first maturity (20 mm carapace length).
Computation of an extractive distillation column with affine arithmetic
Authors: Baharev Ali , Achterberg Tobias , Rév Endre
Published: May 2009

The need of reliably solving systems of nonlinear equations often arises in the everyday practice of chemical engineering. In general, standard methods cannot provide theoretical guarantee for convergence to a solution, cannot reliably find multiple solutions, and cannot prove nonexistence of solutions. Interval methods provide tools to overcome these problems, thus achieving reliability. To the authors' best knowledge, computation of distillation columns with interval methods have not yet been considered in the literature. This article presents significant enhancements compared with a previously published interval method of the authors. The proposed branch‐and‐prune algorithm is guaranteed to converge, and is fairly general at the same time. If no solution exists then this information is provided by the method as a result. Power of the suggested method is demonstrated by solving, with guaranteed convergence, even the MESH equations of a 22 stage extractive distillation column with a ternary mixture. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
An age‐adapted approach for the use of D‐dimers in the exclusion of deep venous thrombosis
Authors: Haas Fred J.L.M. , Schutgens Roger E.G. , Biesma Douwe H.
Published: May 2009

A normal D‐dimer (DD) concentration for the exclusion of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) has a low specificity in older patients and compression ultrasonography is often required. Three D‐dimer assays, STA Liatest, Tina‐quant, and Innovance, are evaluated in symptomatic outpatients suspected for DVT with emphasis on its performance in older patients by using different cut‐off levels. This study includes 466 outpatients suspected for having DVT. The diagnostic accuracy, measured as sensitivity and area under the curve of the receiver operation characteristic curve is good for all DD assays. The specificity of the DD assays combined with a low pretest probability varies from 42.6 to 51.5%. The specificity of the three DD assays in patients ≥60 years varies, however, between 24.6 and 40.9%. Several cut‐off values in different age‐subgroups are studied. For patients <60 years, the most accurate cut‐off value is 500 μg/L for all DD assays. For patients ≥60 years, a threshold of 750 μg/L has the best results with NPV of 100% for all assays and specificity of 48.5% (STA Liatest), 60.6% (Tina‐quant), and 49.2% (Innovance), respectively. For the three assays, the number needed to test (NNT) decreases in both subgroups of patients compared to the standard algorithm. A cut‐off level of 750 μg/L for patients ≥60 years improves the clinical performance of DD assays in combination with the PTP score without the loss of NPV. The NNT improves substantially with an age‐adapted algorithm. Am. J. Hematol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An Iron Complex with an Unsupported Fe–Fe Bond
Authors: Murillo Carlos A.
Published: May 2009

Full metal bonding: The reduction of a six‐coordinate, mononuclear Werner‐type iron(II) complex (see scheme) resulted in the isolation of a compound with an extraordinarily rare, unsupported Fe–Fe bond having an experimental Fe–Fe distance of 2.6869(6) Å and a calculated bond order of 0.5.

magnified image
New brown dwarf candidates in the Pleiades
Authors: Eisenbeiss T. , Moualla M. , Mugrauer M. , Schmidt T.O.B. , Raetz St. , Neuhäuser R. , Ginski Ch. , Hohle M.M. , Koeltzsch A. , Marka C. , Rammo W. , Reithe A. , Roell T. , Vaňko M.
Published: May 2009

We have performed deep, wide‐field imaging on a ∼0.4 deg2 field in the Pleiades (Melotte 22). The selected field was not yet target of a deep search for low mass stars and brown dwarfs. Our limiting magnitudes are R ∼ 22 mag and I ∼ 20 mag, sufficient to detect brown dwarf candidates down to 40 MJ. We found 197 objects, whose location in the (I, R – I) color magnitude diagram is consistent with the age and the distance of the Pleiades. Using CTK R and I as well as JHK photometry from our data and the 2MASS survey we were able to identify 7 new brown dwarf candidates. We present our data reduction technique, which enables us to resample, calibrate, and co‐add many images by just two steps. We estimate the interstellar extinction and the spectral type from our optical and the NIR data using a two‐dimensional χ2 fitting (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Recognition of acyl donors by lipase CAL‐B in the acylation of 6‐azauridine
Authors: Wang Zhao‐Yu , Zong Min‐Hua
Published: May 2009

CAL‐B‐catalyzed synthesis of different 5′‐O‐monoester derivatives of 6‐azauridine via a one‐step highly regioselective enzymatic acylation route was successfully performed for the first time. The effects of some crucial factors on the enzymatic undec‐10‐enoylation of 6‐azauridine were examined. The optimal reaction medium, molar ratio of 6‐azauridine to vinyl undec‐10‐enoate and reaction temperature were found to be anhydrous acetone, 1:3 and 50°C, under which the reaction rate, the substrate conversion and the regioselectivity were 22.3 mM/h, 99.0% and 99.0%, respectively. In addition, the enzyme recognition of acyl donors was investigated. The results showed that the enzyme activity varied widely with different acyl donors owing to the specific structure of the lipase active site and the acyl donors. 5′‐O‐Monoesters of 6‐azauridine were achieved exclusively with all the acyl donors tested. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009
Canonical partial least squares—a unified PLS approach to classification and regression problems
Authors: Indahl Ulf G. , Liland Kristian Hovde , Næs Tormod
Published: May 2009

We propose a new data compression method for estimating optimal latent variables in multi‐variate classification and regression problems where more than one response variable is available. The latent variables are found according to a common innovative principle combining PLS methodology and canonical correlation analysis (CCA). The suggested method is able to extract predictive information for the latent variables more effectively than ordinary PLS approaches. Only simple modifications of existing PLS and PPLS algorithms are required to adopt the proposed method. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discrimination of multiple primary lung cancers from intrapulmonary metastasis based on the expression of four cancer‐related proteins
Authors: Ono Kenji , Sugio Kenji , Uramoto Hidetaka , Baba Tetsuro , Ichiki Yoshinobu , Takenoyama Mitsuhiro , Hanagiri Takeshi , Oyama Tsunehiro , Yasumoto Kosei
Published: May 2009

BACKGROUND:

Because distinguishing between multiple primary lung cancers and intrapulmonary metastasis is often difficult when the tumor histology is same, the feasibility of analyzing differential protein expression profiles to distinguish multiple primary lung cancers from intrapulmonary metastasis was evaluated.

METHODS:

This study enrolled 50 patients, with multiple primary lung cancers demonstrating the same histology, who underwent surgery between April 1994 and March 2006 and 20 patients who were diagnosed to have intrapulmonary metastasis during the same period. Thirty patients with lymph‐node metastasis were selected for comparison purposes. The sum value of the differences in the expression ratio of 4 proteins (p53, p16, p27, and c‐erbB2) was evaluated in immunohistochemically stained specimens among multiple primary lung cancers and intrapulmonary metastasis.

RESULTS:

None of the 30 patients with lymph‐node metastasis showed a sum value of the differences between primary tumor and lymph‐node metastasis in the 4 protein expression ratios >90. Therefore, when the difference between 2 tumors exceeded 90, the 2 tumors were considered to be different from each other, ie, multiple primary lung cancers. Forty‐one of 50 (82%) patients who were clinically diagnosed to have multiple primary lung cancers showed a sum value of the differences in their protein expression ratios >90, 4 of 20 (20%) patients who were clinically diagnosed to have intrapulmonary metastasis showed a sum value >90. Among the patients who were clinically diagnosed to have multiple primary lung cancers and intrapulmonary metastasis, the 5‐year survival of 70 patients who had a sum value of the differences in their 4 protein expression ratios, either >90 (newly classified multiple primary lung cancers) and ≤90 (newly classified intrapulmonary metastasis), were 81.1% and 40.2%, respectively (P = .002).

CONCLUSIONS:

The profile of protein expression in cancer‐related genes is, thus, considered to be a useful tool for distinguishing multiple primary lung cancers from intrapulmonary metastasis and for determining the appropriate biological staging of lung cancer. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Special Issue: Euro‐Par 2008
Authors: Bougé Luc , Lengauer Christian
Published: May 2009

Preface for the special issue on Euro‐Par 2008. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relationships in Taraxacum section Arctica s.l. (Asteraceae, Cichorieae) and allies based on nrITS
Authors: Uhlemann I. , Ritz C. M. , Peñailillo P.
Published: May 2009

nrITS sequences of 19 Taraxacum ‐species as well as four outgroups of Asteraceae‐Cichorieae were analysed using Bayesian and parsimony analyses in order to establish their systematics. The Arctica s.l. clade together with T. bessarabicum is sister to all derived European and South American taxa. The division of Arctica s.l. into smaller units (sections: Antarctica, Arctica s. str., Australasica) is supported. Within the remaining taxa, Taraxacum farellonicum, a species from the Chilean Andes which is described as new, is supposed to be a hybrid of T. gilliesii and an introduced Ruderalia ‐species. Section Erythrosperma is well separated and supported. With the exception of T. patagonicum and T. bracteatum which are sister to the other representatives of the European taxa two groups are distinguished: first the Ruderalia/Hamata alliance (including T. tenebricans with some exceptional characters) of predominantly ruderal species and second an assemblage of the sections Celtica, Fontana, Macrodonta, Palustria and Taraxacum prefering a lesser ruderal habitate. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Voluntary exercise induces anxiety‐like behavior in adult C57BL/6J mice correlating with hippocampal neurogenesis
Authors: Fuss Johannes , Ben Abdallah Nada M.‐B. , Vogt Miriam A. , Touma Chadi , Pacifici Pier Giorgio , Palme Rupert , Witzemann Veit , Hellweg Rainer , Gass Peter
Published: May 2009

Several studies investigated the effect of physical exercise on emotional behaviors in rodents; resulting findings however remain controversial. Despite the accepted notion that voluntary exercise alters behavior in the same manners as antidepressant drugs, several studies reported opposite or no effects at all. In an attempt to evaluate the effect of physical exercise on emotional behaviors and brain plasticity, we individually housed C57BL/6J male mice in cages equipped with a running wheel. Three weeks after continuous voluntary running we assessed their anxiety‐ and depression‐like behaviors. Tests included openfield, dark‐light‐box, elevated O‐maze, learned helplessness, and forced swim test. We measured corticosterone metabolite levels in feces collected over a 24‐h period and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in several brain regions. Furthermore, cell proliferation and adult hippocampal neurogenesis were assessed using Ki67 and Doublecortin. Voluntary wheel running induced increased anxiety in the openfield, elevated O‐maze, and dark‐light‐box and higher levels of excreted corticosterone metabolites. We did not observe any antidepressant effect of running despite a significant increase of hippocampal neurogenesis and BDNF. These data are thus far the first to indicate that the effect of physical exercise in mice may be ambiguous. On one hand, the running‐induced increase of neurogenesis and BDNF seems to be irrelevant in tests for depression‐like behavior, at least in the present model where running activity exceeded previous reports. On the other hand, exercising mice display a more anxious phenotype and are exposed to higher levels of stress hormones such as corticosterone. Intriguingly, numbers of differentiating neurons correlate significantly with anxiety parameters in the openfield and dark‐light‐box. We therefore conclude that adult hippocampal neurogenesis is a crucial player in the genesis of anxiety. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Isothiocyanates, glutathione S‐transferase M1 and T1 polymorphisms and gastric cancer risk: A prospective study of men in Shanghai, China
Authors: Moy Kristin A. , Yuan Jian‐Min , Chung Fung‐Lung , Wang Xue‐Li , Van Den Berg David , Wang Renwei , Gao Yu‐Tang , Yu Mimi C.
Published: May 2009

Isothiocyanates (ITC) in cruciferous vegetables may be chemopreventive against gastric cancer development. Glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) may modify the chemopreventive effect of ITC. The relationship between urinary total ITC and risk of gastric cancer was prospectively examined. Between 1986 and 1989, 18,244 middle‐aged men in Shanghai, China were enrolled in a prospective study of diet and cancer and donated baseline urine and blood samples. Urinary ITC was quantified for 307 incident cases of gastric cancer that occurred during the first 16 years of follow‐up, and 911 matched control subjects. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using logistic regression methods. Seropositivity for antibodies to Helicobacter pylori and homozygous deletions of GSTM1 and GSTT1 were determined. Compared to the first tertile, ORs (95% CIs) of gastric cancer for the second and third tertiles of urinary total ITC were 0.83 (0.61–1.15) and 0.66 (0.47–0.94) (ptrend = 0.02). A stronger protective effect of ITC against gastric cancer development was seen among men with homozygous deletion of GSTM1 (third tertile versus first tertile, OR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.27–0.93) or GSTT1 (third tertile vs. first tertile, OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.25–0.88), and particularly with deletions of both GSTM1 and GSTT1 (second and third tertiles vs. first tertile, OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.21–0.93). In this cohort of Chinese men at high risk for gastric cancer, isothiocyanates may protect against the development of gastric cancer. The protection may be stronger for individuals genetically deficient in enzymes that metabolize these chemopreventive compounds. © 2009 UICC
Decreased hephaestin expression and activity leads to decreased iron efflux from differentiated Caco2 cells
Authors: Chen Huijun , Attieh Zouhair K , Dang Thi , Huang Gang , van der Hee Regine M. , Vulpe Chris
Published: May 2009

Iron is transported across intestinal brush border cells into the circulation in at least two distinct steps. Iron can enter the enterocyte via the apical surface through several paths. However, iron egress from the basolateral side of enterocytes converges on a single export pathway requiring the iron transporter, ferroportin1, and hephaestin, a ferroxidase. Copper deficiency leads to reduced hephaestin protein expression and activity in mouse enterocytes and intestinal cell lines. We tested the effect of copper deficiency on differentiated Caco2 cells grown in transwells and found decreased hephaestin protein expression and activity as well as reduced ferroportin1 protein levels. Furthermore, the decrease in hephaestin levels correlates with a decrease of55Fe release from the basolateral side of Caco2 cells. Presence of ceruloplasmin, apo‐transferrin or holo‐transferrin did not significantly alter the results observed. Repletion of copper in Caco2 cells leads to reconstitution of hephaestin protein expression, activity, and transepithelial iron transport. J. Cell. Biochem. 107: 803–808, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Involvement of IQGAP3, a regulator of Ras/ERK‐related cascade, in hepatocyte proliferation in mouse liver regeneration and development
Authors: Kunimoto Koshi , Nojima Hisashi , Yamazaki Yuji , Yoshikawa Toshikazu , Okanoue Takeshi , Tsukita Sachiko
Published: May 2009

The spatio‐temporal regulation of hepatocyte proliferation is a critical issue in liver regeneration. Here, in normal and regenerating liver as well as in developing liver, we examined its expression/localization of IQGAP3, which was most recently reported as a Ras/Rac/Cdc42‐binding proliferation factor associated with cell–cell contacts in epithelial‐type cells. In parallel, the expression/localization of Rac/Cdc42‐binding IQGAP1/2 was examined. IQGAP3 showed a specific expression in proliferating hepatocytes positive for the proliferating marker Ki‐67, the levels of expressions of mRNAs and proteins were significantly increased in hepatocytes in liver regeneration and development. In immunofluorescence, IQGAP3 was highly enriched at cell–cell contacts of hepatocytes. IQGAP1 and IQGAP2 were exclusively expressed in Kupffer and sinusoidal endothelial cells, respectively, in normal, regenerating, and developing liver. The expression of IQGAP1, but not of IQGAP2, was increased in CCl4‐induced (but not in partial hepatectomy‐induced) liver regeneration. Exclusive expression/localization of IQGAP3 to hepatocytes in the liver likely reflects the specific involvement of the IQGAP3/Ras/ERK signaling cascade in hepatocyte proliferation in addition to the previously identified signaling pathways, possibly by integrating cell–cell contact‐related proliferating signaling events. On the other hand, the Rac/Cdc42‐binding properties of IQGAP1/2/3 may be related to the distinct modes of remodeling due to the different strategies which induced proliferation of liver cells; partial hepatectomy, CCl4injury, or embryonic development. Thus, the functional orchestration of Ras and the Ras homologous (Rho) family proteins Rac/Cdc42 likely plays a critical role in liver regeneration and development. J. Cell. Physiol. 220: 621–631, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dehulling characteristics, sensory and functional properties of flours from selected cowpea varieties
Authors: Amonsou Eric O , Houssou Paul A , Sakyi‐Dawson Esther , Saalia Firibu K
Published: May 2009

BACKGROUND:The knowledge of dehulling characteristics is very important in the selection of cowpeas for flour production. In this study the sensory and functional properties of cowpea flour as influenced by dehulling method (wet and dry/mechanical dehulling) and cowpea variety (white, maroon and mottled) were investigated.

RESULTS:White cowpea showed a significantly different (P< 0.05) and higher dehulling rate (DR > 97%) for all dehulling methods. Maroon and mottled cowpeas were poorly dehulled (DR < 10%) when using the wet method (WD). Dry dehulling (DD) was effective on all three varieties (DR > 94%). The highest yield of flour was observed with white cowpea (80% for DD and 96% for WD). The beany odour intensity of flours was dependent on the method of dehulling used. Flour functionality was more significantly influenced by cowpea variety than by dehulling method.

CONCLUSION:Dry dehulling could be recommended for cowpea flour production, as this method was found to be more effective on the selected cowpea varieties. Owing to the observed variation in flour functionality among cowpea varieties, the choice of a particular variety for flour production will depend on the intended use of the flour. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Locus of control and psychopathology in relation to levels of trauma and loss: Self‐reports of Peloponnesian wildfire survivors
Authors: Mellon Robert C. , Papanikolau Vasiliki , Prodromitis Gerasimos
Published: May 2009

This study investigated whether relations between beliefs about
the personal controllability of reinforcing events and levels of psychopathology were differentiated with respect to levels of trauma and loss experienced in a series of devastating wildfires. In contrast with studies of combat veterans and professional firefighters, in wildfire survivors external locus of control beliefs and psychopathology were correlated only in respondents who experienced higher levels of trauma and loss; specifically, for residents of designated disaster areas (N = 409), but not for a demographically matched sample of residents of adjacent, non‐fire‐damaged areas (N = 391). The conflicting findings across studies are interpreted with respect to probable differences in contingencies of reinforcement for causal attributions in professionals and in novices in disaster management.
The influence of tin and silver as microstructure modifiers on the corrosion rate of Pb–Ca alloys in sulfuric acid solutions
Authors: Čekerevac M. I. , Romhanji E. , Cvijović Z. , Bujanović L. N.
Published: May 2009

The effect of microstructure modifiers, Sn and Ag, on the corrosion rate of commercial Pb–Ca alloy in H2SO4 electrolyte was investigated by the potentiodynamic polarization and by the weight loss corrosion rate measurement at the open circuit potential. The effect of microstructure modification of the Pb–Ca alloy, provoked by the alloying with tin and silver as well as by the proper thermo‐mechanical treatment, is recorded by optical microscopy. The weight loss experiments have shown three‐ to five‐fold decreases in the corrosion rate of ternary Pb–Ca–Sn and quaternary Pb–Ca–Sn–Ag alloys, compared to the results for primary Pb–Ca alloy. It is largely in accordance with the results of potentiodynamic polarization measurements that showed comparable decrease in the passive current density of the modified alloys. The obtained results are discussed in terms of the synergetic effect of the addition of modifiers and the thermo‐mechanical treatment on to the Pb–Ca alloy microstructure refinement, and accordingly the increase in their corrosion resistance.
Impeding corrosion of sintered NdFeB magnets with titanium nitride coating
Authors: Ali A. , Ahmad A. , Deen K. M.
Published: May 2009

Sintered NdFeB magnets have poor corrosion resistance that renders them susceptible to corrosion in industrial and marine environments. This paper evaluates the properties of cathodic arc physical vapour deposited (CAPVD) titanium nitride coating for corrosion protection of sintered NdFeB permanent magnets. The performance of titanium nitride coating has been compared to the electrodeposited nickel–copper–nickel multilayer coating. The rates of coatings degradation in simulated marine environment were estimated with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Cyclic polarization was carried out to assess the pitting potential. The surface chemistry and coating morphologies were studied with scanning electron microscope (SEM). X‐ray diffraction (XRD) was used for qualitative phase analyses of coatings and the substrate. It was figured out that the charge transfer resistance of CAPVD titanium nitride coating increased with exposure time. The negative rate of Rp‐degradation for titanium nitride coating compared to the nickel–copper–nickel multilayer for equivalent exposure time is a unique and valuable result. Polarization results showed that ‘pits re‐passivation’ of titanium nitride coating could be responsible for the extended corrosion protection of the NdFeB substrate. The magnetic properties remained comparable for both types of coatings.
Study on physical properties of multiwalled carbon nanotube/poly(phenylene sulfide) composites
Authors: Wu Defeng , Wu Lanfeng , Zhou Weidong , Yang Tao , Zhang Ming
Published: May 2009

The multiwalled carbon nanotubes were directly compounded with poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) via melt mixing. The morphology and physical properties, including viscoelasticity, electrical conductivity, and thermal and mechanical properties, of the obtained composites were investigated. The results show that the purified nanotubes can be fully dispersed in the PPS matrix especially at low loading levels because of their good affinity. The composites hence present relative low rheological and electrical percolation thresholds. The presence of nanotubes, on the one hand, shows good reinforcement effect because of the strong interfacial interactions with the PPS matrix, which is confirmed by the strain overshoot flow behavior, and, on the other hand, acts as a nucleation agent, promoting crystallization of the PPS matrix. Both contribute to evident improvement of tensile strength and dynamic mechanical properties of the composites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Mechanical properties of latex blends films from polystyrene particles with different sizes in a butyl acrylate‐co‐styrene copolymer matrix
Authors: Herrera‐Kao Wilberth , Aguilar‐Vega Manuel
Published: May 2009

Blends of polystyrene (PSt) hard particle latex with three different particle sizes (96, 72, and 61 nm) and a n‐butyl acrylate‐co‐styrene (BA‐co‐St) copolymer soft latex with a 204 nm particle size were synthesized by emulsion polymerization. Latexes were standardized at 25% solids and blended at different concentrations by wt% of PSt:BA‐co‐St for every hard particle size. Finally, films from each blend were obtained. Morphology of each film prepared was examined by transmission electron microscopy, and it was found that the hard particles are randomly distributed in the films inside the copolymer matrix. The effect on mechanical properties of different PSt concentrations and particle sizes was assessed by DMA as a function of temperature. The results indicate that rigidity of the blended latex increases as the particle size diminishes as determined by the reduction in damping in the tan δ peak. The storage modulus increases as the concentration of PSt increases in the blends and the values depend upon the size of PSt particles. Mechanical properties at tension indicate that decreasing the size of the PSt particles and increasing their concentration increase the Young's modulus and ultimate strength at tension because of an increase in the rigidity of the films. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Proposal of ultrasonic welding technique and weld performances applied to polymers
Authors: Qiu Jianhui , Zhang Guohong , Wu Yongbo
Published: May 2009

A novel ultrasonic welding technique is proposed and the apparatus based on it is produced accordingly. The effects of weld technology on the strength have been discussed when evaluating with identical kind of polymers. According to the results, the protruded length and the surface roughness give poor effects on the welding strength. The higher welding stress and shorter welding time are more effective. There is an optimal welding stress in this method because the welding strength can be lower when the stress turns too strong. Moreover, the non‐welded areas and the air bubble of the interface have given powerful effects to the strength. It is considered that the ultrasonic welding technique and the apparatus are quite effective to the weld process between polymer materials. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Proteomic profiling of tandem affinity purified 14‐3‐3 protein complexes inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Chang Ing‐Feng , Curran Amy , Woolsey Rebekah , Quilici David , Cushman John C. , Mittler Ron , Harmon Alice , Harper Jeffrey F.
Published: May 2009

In eukaryotes, 14‐3‐3 dimers regulate hundreds of functionally diverse proteins (clients), typically in phosphorylation‐dependent interactions. To uncover new clients, 14‐3‐3 omega (At1g78300) from Arabidopsis was engineered with a “tandem affinity purification” tag and expressed in transgenic plants. Purified complexes were analyzed by tandem MS. Results indicate that 14‐3‐3 omega can dimerize with at least 10 of the 12 14‐3‐3 isoforms expressed in Arabidopsis. The identification here of 121 putative clients provides support forin vivo14‐3‐3 interactions with a diverse array of proteins, including those involved in: (i) Ion transport, such as a K+channel (GORK), a Cl−channel (CLCg), Ca2+channels belonging to the glutamate receptor family (1.2, 2.1, 2.9, 3.4, 3.7); (ii) hormone signaling, such as ACC synthase (isoforms ACS‐6, ‐7 and ‐8 involved in ethylene synthesis) and the brassinolide receptors BRI1 and BAK1; (iii) transcription, such as 7 WRKY family transcription factors; (iv) metabolism, such as phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase; and (v) lipid signaling, such as phospholipase D (β and γ). More than 80% (101) of these putative clients represent previously unidentified 14‐3‐3 interactors. These results raise the number of putative 14‐3‐3 clients identified in plants to over 300.
The development of retrosynthetic glycan libraries to profile and classify the human serum N‐linked glycome
Authors: Kronewitter Scott R. , An Hyun Joo , de Leoz Maria Lorna , Lebrilla Carlito B. , Miyamoto Suzanne , Leiserowitz Gary S.
Published: May 2009

Annotation of the human serum N‐linked glycome is a formidable challenge but is necessary for disease marker discovery. A new theoretical glycan library was constructed and proposed to provide all possible glycan compositions in serum. It was developed based on established glycobiology and retrosynthetic state‐transition networks. We find that at least 331 compositions are possible in the serum N‐linked glycome. By pairing the theoretical glycan mass library with a high mass accuracy and high‐resolution MS, human serum glycans were effectively profiled. Correct isotopic envelope deconvolution to monoisotopic masses and the high mass accuracy instruments drastically reduced the amount of false composition assignments. The high throughput capacity enabled by this library permitted the rapid glycan profiling of large control populations. With the use of the library, a human serum glycan mass profile was developed from 46 healthy individuals. This paper presents a theoretical N‐linked glycan mass library that was used for accurate high‐throughput human serum glycan profiling. Rapid methods for evaluating a patient's glycome are instrumental for studying glycan‐based markers.
The 2.1 Å crystal structure of an acyl‐CoA synthetase from Methanosarcina acetivorans reveals an alternate acyl‐binding pocket for small branched acyl substrates
Authors: Shah Manish B. , Ingram‐Smith Cheryl , Cooper Leroy L. , Qu Jun , Meng Yu , Smith Kerry S. , Gulick Andrew M.
Published: May 2009

The acyl‐AMP forming family of adenylating enzymes catalyze two‐step reactions to activate a carboxylate with the chemical energy derived from ATP hydrolysis. X‐ray crystal structures have been determined for multiple members of this family and, together with biochemical studies, provide insights into the active site and catalytic mechanisms used by these enzymes. These studies have shown that the enzymes use a domain rotation of 140° to reconfigure a single active site to catalyze the two partial reactions. We present here the crystal structure of a new medium chain acyl‐CoA synthetase from Methanosarcina acetivorans. The binding pocket for the three substrates is analyzed, with many conserved residues present in the AMP binding pocket. The CoA binding pocket is compared to the pockets of both acetyl‐CoA synthetase and 4‐chlorobenzoate:CoA ligase. Most interestingly, the acyl‐binding pocket of the new structure is compared with other acyl‐ and aryl‐CoA synthetases. A comparison of the acyl‐binding pocket of the acyl‐CoA synthetase from M. acetivorans with other structures identifies a shallow pocket that is used to bind the medium chain carboxylates. These insights emphasize the high sequence and structural diversity among this family in the area of the acyl‐binding pocket. Proteins 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Crystal structure and enhanced activity of a cutinase‐like enzyme from Cryptococcus sp. strain S‐2
Authors: Kodama Yuya , Masaki Kazuo , Kondo Hidemasa , Suzuki Mamoru , Tsuda Sakae , Nagura Tomohiro , Shimba Nobuhisa , Suzuki Ei‐ichiro , Iefuji Haruyuki
Published: May 2009

The structural and enzymatic characteristics of a cutinase‐like enzyme (CLE) from Cryptococcus sp. strain S‐2, which exhibits remote homology to a lipolytic enzyme and a cutinase from the fungus Fusarium solani (FS cutinase), were compared to investigate the unique substrate specificity of CLE. The crystal structure of CLE was solved to a 1.05 Å resolution. Moreover, hydrolysis assays demonstrated the broad specificity of CLE for short and long‐chain substrates, as well as the preferred specificity of FS cutinase for short‐chain substrates. In addition, site‐directed mutagenesis was performed to increase the hydrolysis activity on long‐chain substrates, indicating that the hydrophobic aromatic residues are important for the specificity to the long‐chain substrate. These results indicate that hydrophobic residues, especially the aromatic ones exposed to solvent, are important for retaining lipase activity. Proteins 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Geographies of faith: the differing residential patterns of the Indian‐Hindu, Indian‐Sikh and Indian‐Muslim populations of Dundee and Glasgow
Authors: Muñoz Sarah‐Anne
Published: May 2009

This paper examines whether the largest faith groups (Sikh, Hindu and Muslim) within the Indian ethnic populations of Dundee and Glasgow (Scotland) form residential clusters based around their religious affiliations. The residential geographies of the Indian‐Hindu, Indian‐Sikh and Indian‐Muslim populations of each city are explored through a combination of location quotients (LQ), regression and principal components analysis (PCA). Conclusions can be drawn as to whether the mapping of ethnic categories homogenises segregated geographies based around faith affiliation. This allows the paper to explore whether residential trends identified in previous studies as being associated with an Indian ethnic population hold true for all of these faith groups. In particular, the trend for the Indian ethnic population to engage in processes of suburbanisation is investigated with an awareness of the potentially divergent experiences of Indian faith groups. Geographers have claimed that the Indian ethnic population is following a ‘different trajectory’ in comparison with other ethnic populations (Phillips, 1998) in terms of its level of engagement with suburbanisation. However, this paper will investigate whether all the Indian faith groups are following the same ‘trajectory’. Therefore, by providing an analysis that incorporates religion, and analysing the existence of ethnic‐faith geographies, the paper points towards new ways of understanding ethnic geographies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparative study of hydrogen‐ and hydroxyl‐related pentacene defect formation in thin films prepared by Langmuir–Blodgett technique and thermal evaporation
Authors: Gmucová Katarína , Weis Martin , Pirriera Monica Della , Puigdollers Joaquim
Published: May 2009

The process of pentacene defects formation in aqueous environment was studied. Pentacene thin films (∼10 nm) covered platinum electrodes were prepared either by the Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) technique or by the standard thermal evaporation in high vacuum. Voltammograms were taken in various acidic and basic environments, results are discussed with the aim to extract the information about the dynamics of hydrogen‐ and hydroxyl‐related defects formation in the above‐mentioned thin films. Obtained data confirm that LB films immersed in aqueous environment are prone to more expressive defect formation (e.g., two orders higher for dihydropentacene) as obvious for thermally evaporated films. A possible explanation of this fact resides in a hypothetic existence of energetically more favourable sites for hydrogen bonding from aqueous environment on both the pentacene and pentacenequinone molecules comprised in films prepared by the LB technique. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optical beam induced current measurements: principles and applications to SiC device characterization
Authors: Raynaud Christophe , Nguyen Duy‐Minh , Dheilly Nicolas , Tournier Dominique , Brosselard Pierre , Lazar Mihai , Planson Dominique
Published: May 2009

This paper deals with the characterization of SiC devices by optical beam induced currents (OBIC). OBIC is a technique that measures a photocurrent in response to a fine UV laser beam that is scanned laterally over the surface of the device. In this way a number of important material and device parameters can be derived. We concentrate here on three aspects, the field profile in reverse biased diodes with particular emphasis on field terminating issues at the device edges under high reverse voltages; the minority carrier lifetimes in 6H‐SiC; and the determination of ionization coefficients for electrons and holes in 6H‐SiC. The latter are important material parameters for the modelling of high power devices and determine their break‐through voltage. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Investigating customer perceptions of refillable packaging and assessing business drivers and barriers to their use
Authors: Lofthouse V. A. , Bhamra T. A. , Trimingham R. L.
Published: May 2009

A collaborative UK government‐funded research project drawing on the design and sustainability expertise of the Department of Design and Technology at Loughborough University and the sustainability and product bank functions at The Boots Company set out to investigate the potential that refillable packaging systems can offer the consumer and the environment. In the past, refills have generally been categorized under one general heading and often branded as a failure. However, early in the project, the team identified that by taking a creative approach to interpreting refills, there are actually a wide range of different types of refills that can be differentiated with respect to their delivery approach and level of consumer/business interaction. Once these had been identified, collated and categorized, the team set out to investigate the consumer perceptions, and the business barriers and drivers found to influence the adoption and success of a number of different types of refillable packaging. This paper reports on those findings. It concludes that differentiating between refill types holds the key to developing more suitable and more successful refillable packaging systems as positive and negative attributes can be more accurately identified and responded to. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydraulic assessment of environmental flow regimes to facilitate fish passage through natural riffles: Shoalhaven river below Tallowa Dam, New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Reinfelds Ivars , Lincoln‐Smith Marcus , Haeusler Tim , Ryan David , Growns Ivor
Published: May 2009

Proposed environmental flow regime changes downstream of a major water supply dam have been assessed in terms of effects on depth, velocity and fish passage across natural, gravel‐bed riffles and rapids. This study focussed on passage requirements for Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata (Perciformes, Percichthyidae), a catadromous fish of considerable ecological and recreational fishing importance. Some 23 major riffles and rapids occur between the dam and the tidal limit over a river length of 25 km. Reconnaissance investigations of riffle slope, length, width, depth and morphologic characteristics indicated that wide‐shallow, steep‐turbulent and bifurcating riffle morphologies were most likely to cause problems for upstream bass passage under low flow conditions. Two approaches were used to investigate riffle depths and velocities over a range of flows. A rapid assessment approach directly measured thalweg depths and velocities under two controlled flow release rates in riffles identified as being potentially problematic to upstream bass passage. Detailed topographic surveys and two dimensional hydraulic modelling with River2D was undertaken for two riffles identified as ‘worst case’ examples of wide‐shallow and steep‐turbulent morphologies. Results from both approaches were consistent and complementary. Both approaches identified riffles where minimum depths and maximum velocities were likely to be problematic for upstream passage by Australian bass at a flow rate of 130 MLd−1 (the current regulated flow release) but were mitigated at flow rates above 300 MLd−1. Assessment of environmental flow regime transparency and translucency threshold options with regard to a 300 MLd−1 target flow indicated that options where the transparency threshold was set at the 80th flow duration percentile (flows equalled or exceeded for 80% of time), and varied according to the monthly pattern of natural flows, improved hydraulic conditions for upstream bass migration. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
First Isolation and Structural Characterization of N‐base Adducts of Mono‐ and Perfluoroaryliodine(III) Compounds, ArfIX2 (X = F, CN)
Authors: Frohn Hermann‐Josef , Hirschberg Markus Egon , Westphal Ulrich , Flörke Ulrich , Boese Roland , Bläser Dieter
Published: May 2009

The adducts of aryliodinedifluorides ArfIF2, (Arf = C6F5; x‐FC6H4, x = 2, 3, 4) and aryliodinedicyanide 4‐FC6H4I(CN)2 with N‐bases (phenanthroline, 2,2′‐bipyridine, and quinoline) were isolated and characterized by their single crystal structure, Raman spectra, and their multi nuclear magnetic resonance spectra in solution. Their properties and their thermal decomposition are discussed with respect to the non‐coordinated analogues.
Automating the transformation-based analysis of visual languages
Authors: de Lara Juan , Vangheluwe Hans
Published: May 2009

We present a novel approach for the automatic generation of model-to-model transformations given a description of the operational semantics of the source language in the form of graph transformation rules. The approach is geared to the generation of transformations from Domain-Specific Visual Languages (DSVLs) into semantic domains with an explicit notion of transition, like for example Petri nets. The generated transformation is expressed in the form of operational triple graph grammar rules that transform the static information (initial model) and the dynamics (source rules and their execution control structure). We illustrate these techniques with a DSVL in the domain of production systems, for which we generate a transformation into Petri nets. We also tackle the description of timing aspects in graph transformation rules, and its analysis through their automatic translation into Time Petri nets.
Multimodal Perioperative Rehabilitation for Colonic Surgery in the Elderly
Authors: Rumstadt B. , Guenther N. , Wendling P. , Engemann R. , Germer C. T. , Schmid M. , Kipfmueller K. , Walz M. K. , Schwenk W.
Published: May 2009

Background

Traditional perioperative care for colonic surgery in elderly patients is associated with increased morbidity and mortality compared to that of younger patients. Although multimodal perioperative rehabilitation has evolved as a valid concept to improve postoperative outcome, its use has not yet been established for colonic surgery in the elderly.

Methods

Data from 24 German hospitals performing multimodal perioperative rehabilitation as the standard perioperative care for elderly patients who have undergone elective colonic resection was assessed in a prospective multicenter study between April 2005 and April 2007.

Results

A total of 742 patients aged ≥70 were examined. Overall compliance with the multimodal care protocol decreased with increasing age. Although laparoscopic colonic surgery was performed in 39.1% of the septuagenarians, the number decreased to 25.1% in the very old patients. The overall complication rate was 22.9% in the septuagenarians (18.1% surgical and 11.6% general complications) and increased in the very old patients to 38.4% (28.0% and 23.6%, respectively) The overall mortality rate was 1.0% and showed no age‐specific variations.

Conclusions

Although the overall morbidity did increase with age, it was still less when compared to that of historical groups with traditional care. Therefore, multimodal perioperative rehabilitation should be recommended for the elderly.
Wang Yangming’s neo-Confucian school of mind and the growth of ancient Chinese popular novel
Authors: Changyu SHI
Published: May 2009

Wang Yangming’s theory of mind serves as the pre-condition for the rise of the Chinese popular novel. Wang’s theory helps to change the traditional ideal of despising the popular novels and encourages the scholars to get involved in the creation and criticism of this fictional art. Wang’s theory also provides the theoretical basis for the novelists to record the town talks of the common people. In addition, with the influence of Wang’s theory, the emphasis of the novel shifts from the story-telling to the character-portrayal.
Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate Micellization and Water Solubility Enhancement Towards Naphthalene and Pyrene: Effect of the Degree of Ethoxylation
Authors: Aoudia Mohamed , Al‐Haddabi Butheina , Al‐Harthi Zuleikha , Al‐Rubkhi Aadel
Published: May 2009

The effect of ethoxylation on self‐aggregation behavior in aqueous media of sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), C12H25 (OCH2CH2)xOSO3Na, where x = 1 (SLE1S), x = 2 (SLE2S), and x = (SLE3S) was investigated. CMCs were determined from the effect of surfactant concentration on (2,2′‐bipyridine dichloro‐ruthenium(II) hexahydrate (Ru(bipy)32+,2Cl−) fluorescence emission. Aggregation numbers and micelle concentrations were estimated from the fluorescent quenching of (Ru(bipy)32+,2Cl−) by 9‐methylanthracene. Interestingly, critical micelle concentrations (0.80 mM), average aggregation numbers (N = 43), and micelle concentrations ([M] = 40 μM) were found to be independent of the degree of ethoxylation. Water solubilization enhancement of naphthalene and pyrene by SLES was also investigated. Water solubility enhancement for naphthalene and pyrene was observed with increasing degrees of ethoxylation and follow the order SLE3S > SLE2S > SLE1S. The higher impact of oxyethylene (OE) groups on solubilization enhancement of naphthalene over pyrene was taken as an indication for a preferential distribution of the relatively polar organic naphthalene molecule at the outer layer of the micelle in close contact with the hydrated oxyethylene units, thereby allowing for a strong polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)—micelle interaction. On the other hand, pyrene molecule is preferentially distributed in the core of the micelle, relatively far away from the OE units located at the micelle‐water interface for PAH‐micelle interaction to occur. Water solubility enhancement for both PAHs was also was associated with an increase in SLES micelle size with the degree of ethoxylation as well as to the accessibility of the locus solubilization for the solute.