bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Processing of sulfonated polysulfone for PEMFC membrane applications: Part 2. Polymer in salt form
Authors: Bébin Philippe , Galiano Hervé 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe possibility of manufacturing sulfonated polysulfone (sPSU) membranes by an extrusion process is explored for low‐temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell applications. Because the acid form of sPSU is not suitable for melt‐phase processing, the use of the salt form of the polymer was considered, as sulfonate groups are much less reactive than sulfonic acid groups. This form of sPSU makes it possible to use an extrusion process with the help of a suitable plasticizer, such as poly(ethyleneglycol) (PEG). The residual porosity of the film, induced by removing the soluble PEG with water, was found to improve the proton conductivity of the membrane. The membrane fabrication process has a prominent effect on the final properties of the film. For the same composition, a solvent‐casting procedure can produce membranes with proton conductivity twice as high as that attainable with a melt‐phase process. However, extruded membranes exhibit a greater longevity than do cast membranes. At the same time, the proton conductivity of extruded membranes is less dependent on the ion‐exchange capacity of the polymer. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 25: 127–133, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20067
The expanding panorama of split hand foot malformation
Authors: Basel Donald , Kilpatrick Michael W. , Tsipouras Petros 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe split hand/foot malformation is a developmental defect of the extremities resulting from errors in the initiation and maintenance of the apical ectodermal ridge. The phenotype is genetically heterogeneous, and it can be identified either as an isolated phenotypic manifestation or as a constituent component of a malformation syndrome. This overview describes the clinical phenotype, related animal models, and the evolving genetic heterogeneity of the malformation. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A new detection method for ATRX gene mutations using a mismatch‐specific endonuclease
Authors: Wada Takahito , Fukushima Yoshimitsu , Saitoh Shinji 
Published: June 2006

AbstractX‐linked α‐thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome (ATR‐X, OMIM 301040) is a syndromic form of X‐linked mental retardation (XLMR). It is caused by a mutation in the ATRX gene, which is also involved in other syndromic forms of XLMR as well as in non‐syndromic XLMR, both in males and in females. To analyze the full range of disease‐causing mutations for genetic counseling and to establish phenotype–genotype correlations, we have established a new screening method for mutations in the ATRX gene, which uses mismatch‐specific endonuclease. We applied this method to confirm 13 known mutations in our patients, some of which have been difficult to be demonstrated by conventional denaturing high‐performance liquid chromatography. Furthermore, we found four additional mutations in four ATR‐X patients whose clinical diagnosis had not been confirmed at the molecular level. In this method, experimental conditions do not need to be altered depending on mutation sites, and it should be the alternative method for mutation screening. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Trauma, ideology, and the future of democracy
Authors: Hollander Nancy Caro 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThis article uses aspects of psychoanalytic theory to explain how the convergence of unconscious mechanisms and ideology in the post‐9/11 political culture enabled the US government to secure consensual support for domestic and foreign policies that attack democracy and make the world more dangerous rather than safer. The author argues that the Kleinian and Lacanian traditions, along with critical social theory, shed light on the psychopolitical dynamics of a bystander population and help to explain the psychic and social factors that permit the emergence of critical social conscience. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Die Tragfähigkeit verleimter Brettschichtholzbinder in Abhängigkeit von der Temperatureinwirkung
Authors: Falkner Horst , Teutsch Manfred 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBei einem Bauvorhaben wurde als Tragstruktur für die Glasfassade eine Holzleimstruktur eingesetzt. Da nicht auszuschließen war, daß die Temperatur der Fassadenhölzer unter Sonneneinwirkung eine Größe von 60 °C erreichen konnte, wurde der Einfluß der Temperatur auf die Tragfähigkeit der Leimverbindung untersucht. Hierzu wurden aus dem Bauvorhaben einige Proben entnommen und am iBMB (Institut für Baustoffe, Massivbau und Brandschutz) der TU Braunschweig unter Variation der Bauteiltemperatur nach DIN 52186 geprüft. Dabei ergab sich bis zu einer Temperatur von 30 °C keine Veränderung der Tragfähigkeit. Bei höherer Temperatureinwirkung von 80 °C betrug die Tragfähigkeit nur noch 30% derjenigen unter Normaltemperatur. Hier wurde der Bruch durch ein Versagen der Leimfuge eingeleitet.
Antihypertensive activity of chitin derivatives
Authors: Je Jae‐Young , Park Pyo‐Jam , Kim Bokyung , Kim Se‐Kwon 
Published: June 2006

AbstractTo develop angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory chitin derivatives based on the properties of ACE inhibitors, chitins with different degree of deacetylation were chemically modified by grafting 2‐chloroethylamino hydrochloride onto chitin at the C‐6 position. Three kinds of chitin derivatives were prepared and designated as aminoethyl‐chitin (AEC) with 10% degree of deacetylation, aminoethyl‐chitin with 50% degree of deacetylation (AEC50), and aminoethyl‐chitin with 90% degree of deacetylation (AEC90). IC50 values of three chitin derivatives on ACE were 0.064 μM (AEC), 0.038 μM (AEC50), and 0.103 μM (AEC90). The results of Dixon plots revealed that AEC50 was a competitive inhibitor, and the inhibition constant (Ki) value was 0.021 μM. In addition, the antihypertensive effect of AEC50 on spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) was evaluated, and the result showed that it effectively decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP) in a dose‐dependent manner. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 83: 250–254, 2006This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Resolution of protein‐losing enteropathy after radiofrequency perforation and subsequent stent implantation for relief of complete occlusion of a redirected left superior vena cava
Authors: Schaeffler Rainer , Beerbaum Phillip , Peuster Matthias 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe application of radiofrequency (RF) technologies in the treatment of congenital heart defects has provided a safe and effective alternative to conventional therapies in the restoration of vascular patency for a variety of arterial and venous occlusions. This report concerns an 8‐year old girl that developed protein‐losing enteropathy and elevated central venous pressure after occlusion of a surgically redirected anomalous draining left superior vena cava (SVC). Cardiac catheterization revealed complete obstruction of the anastomosis of the SVC into the coronary sinus. Transcatheter recanalization by RF perforation and subsequent stent implantation led to the restoration of upper venous blood flow and the resolution of her symptoms. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Delivery sheath tear after modification for ASD closure
Authors: Hoyer Mark H. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractDuring transcatheter closure of an atrial septal defect with insufficient aortic rim, a standard delivery sheath was modified by cutting a bevel at the distal tip to improve device orientation. The sheath split longitudinally when attempting to recapture the closure device. Troubleshooting allowed a device to be implanted successfully. Pitfalls regarding our sheath modification and methods to overcome prolapse of the left atrial disk into the right atrium are discussed. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Use of Dipicolinate‐Based Complexes for Producing Ion‐Imprinted Polystyrene Resins for the Extraction of Yttrium‐90 and Heavy Lanthanide Cations
Authors: Chauvin Anne‐Sophie , Bünzli Jean‐Claude G. , Bochud François , Scopelliti Rosario , Froidevaux Pascal 
Published: June 2006

AbstractHighly selective separation of yttrium (and lanthanides) is of interest for the design of radiopharmaceuticals, and an efficient method based on the ion‐imprinting concept is proposed here. The synthesis and structural, thermodynamic and photophysical characterization of complexes of trivalent yttrium and lanthanides with two new vinyl derivatives of dipicolinic acid, HL1 and L2, are described. The feasibility of using ion‐imprinted resins for yttrium and lanthanide separation is demonstrated. The resins were obtained by copolymerization with styrene and divinylbenzene and subsequent acid treatment to remove the metal ion. High‐resolution Eu luminescence experiments revealed that the geometry of the complexation sites is well preserved in the imprinted polymers. The ion‐imprinted polymer based on HL1 proved to be particularly well adapted for yttrium extraction, having a sizeable capacity (8.9±0.2 mg g−1 resin) and a fast rate of extraction (t1/2=1.7 min). In addition, lighter and heavier lanthanide ions are separated. Finally, the resin displays high selectivity for yttrium and lanthanide cations against alkali and alkaline earth metals. For instance, in a typical experiment, 10 mg of yttrium was extracted from 5 g of milk ash sample by 2 g of the resin. The good separation properties displayed by the resin based on HL1 open interesting perspectives for the production of highly pure 90Y and radiolanthanides for medical applications, and for trace analysis of these radiochemicals in food and in the environment.
Investigations on Organo–Sulfur–Nitrogen Rings and the Thiocyanogen Polymer, (SCN)x
Authors: Bowman W. Russell , Burchell Colin J. , Kilian Petr , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Wormald Philip , Woollins J. Derek 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe synthesis and full characterisation of a series of 1,2,4‐thiadiazoles is reported. (SCN)x has been studied by a variety of techniques and the data compared with 1,2,4‐thiadiazole and 1,2,4‐dithiazoles. The observed data suggest that the polymer consists of 1,2,4‐dithiazole rings linked by nitrogen atoms. For (SCN)x, the MALDI‐TOF mass spectroscopy showed a parent ion at 1149 and a series of peaks with (SCN)2 repeat units (116 m/z); this result implies that (SCN)2 may be the monomer unit of the polymer. Its IR spectrum shows a very broad peak with maximum at 1134 cm−1 consisting of several overlapping peaks in the same region as ring vibrations for 1,2,4‐thiadiazole and 1,2,4‐dithiazole compounds. Peaks in the Raman spectrum in the range 400–480 cm−1 support the presence of disulfide units within the polymer. The solid‐state 13C NMR (99 % 13C‐labelled) spectrum is dominated by two singlets of equal intensity at approximately 187 and 184 ppm with low intensity peaks in the range 152–172 ppm, in approximately the same range as both 1,2,4‐thiadiazoles and 1,2,4‐dithiazoles. The solid‐state 15N NMR (99 % 15N labelled) spectrum displays two major peaks of similar intensity at 236.9 and 197.2 ppm, which are clearly very different environments to those observed in bis(3‐bromo‐1,2,4‐thiadiazol‐5‐yl) disulfide, but similar to 1,2,4‐dithiazoles. The X‐ray structures of seven C‐S‐N systems are reported. Preliminary studies on (SeCN)x suggest that literature references to this polymer may be in error with the red solid actually being red selenium.
Direct exosome stimulation of peripheral humanT cells detected by ELISPOT
Authors: Admyre Charlotte , Johansson Sara M. , Paulie Staffan , Gabrielsson Susanne 
Published: June 2006

AbstractExosomes from APC are nano‐vesicles that can induce antigen‐specific T cell responses and are presently explored as therapeutic tools in different clinical settings. Investigations of the capacity of exosomes to stimulate T cells in vitro have mostly been performed on T cell hybridomas, clones or lines. Whether exosomes can stimulate T cells directly or need the presence of dendritic cells (DC) is debated. We could detect exosome‐induced antigen‐specific CD8+ T cell responses in peripheral blood from humans. Exosomes from monocyte‐derived DC (MDDC) were loaded with a mix of 23 immunogenic peptides from EBV, CMV and influenza virus, and added to autologous peripheral CD8+ T cells. IFN‐γ‐producing cells were detected by enzyme‐linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT). MDDC‐exosomes induced IFN‐γ production in CD8+ T cells without addition of DC. The response was exosome dose dependent, and dependent on exosomal MHC class I. Furthermore, we detected an enhanced T cell stimulatory capacity by exosomes from lipopolysaccharide‐matured MDDC compared to exosomes from immature MDDC. Exosomes could also induce TNF‐α production. These results show, for the first time, that exosomes can directly stimulate human peripheral CD8+ T cells in an antigen‐specific manner and that ELISPOT is a suitable method for detecting exosome‐induced peripheral T cell responses. This system may provide a useful tool when developing exosomes as therapeutic agents.
cIAP‐2 and survivin contribute to cytokine‐mediated delayed eosinophil apoptosis
Authors: Vassina Ekatherina M. , Yousefi Shida , Simon Dagmar , Zwicky Caroline , Conus Sébastien , Simon Hans‐Uwe 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe exact molecular mechanisms leading to delayed apoptosis, a phenomenon frequently observed in eosinophil inflammatory responses, remain largely unknown. Here, we show that cultured eosinophils purified from blood of hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) patients exhibit delayed spontaneous death and relative resistance towards ceramide‐ but not CD95‐mediated death. The subsequent investigation of members of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family revealed that HES but not normal eosinophils expressed high levels of cellular IAP‐2 (cIAP‐2) and survivin. The eosinophil hematopoietins IL‐3, IL‐5, and GM‐CSF increased the expression of cIAP‐2 and survivin in normal eosinophils in vitro. In the blood of HES patients, we observed increased concentrations of IL‐3 and/or IL‐5, suggesting that these cytokines are, at least partially, responsible for the elevated levels of cIAP‐2 and survivin in the eosinophils of these patients. Utilizing a cell‐free system in which caspase‐3 was activated in eosinophil cytosolic extracts by addition of cytochrome c and immunodepletion of cIAP‐2 or survivin resulted in accelerated caspase activation. These data suggest that some members of the IAP family including survivin are regulated by survival cytokines and inhibit the caspase cascade in HES eosinophils. The cytokine‐dependent mechanism of delayed eosinophil apoptosis described here may also apply to other eosinophilic diseases.
Hillslope runoff and erosion as affected by rolled erosion control systems: a field study
Authors: Sutherland Ross A. , Ziegler Alan D. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractA replicated field study using rainfall simulation and overland flow application was conducted in central Oahu, Hawaii, on a clay‐dominated Oxisol with a 9% slope. Three main treatment groups were examined: a bare treatment, a group of four rolled erosion control systems (RECSs) with open weave designs, and a group of five randomly oriented fibre RECSs. A total of 1122 measurements of runoff and erosion were made to examine treatment differences and to explore temporal patterns in runoff and sediment flux.All erosion control systems significantly delayed the time required to generate plot runoff under both simulated rainfall (35 mm h−1) and the more intense trickle flow application (114 mm h−1). Once runoff was generated during the rainfall application phase, the bare treatment runoff coefficients were significantly lower than those from the two groups of RECSs, as surface seal disruption by rilling is inferred to have enhanced infiltration in the bare treatments. During the more intense phase of overland flow application, the reverse pattern was observed. Interrill contributing‐area roughness was reduced on the bare treatment, facilitating increased runoff to well‐developed rill networks. Meanwhile, the form roughness associated with the RECSs delayed interrill flow to the poorly organized rills that formed under some of the RECSs.Regardless of runoff variations between treatments, sediment output was significantly lower from all surfaces covered by RECSs. The median cumulative sediment output from the bare surfaces was 6·9 kg, compared with 1·2 kg from the open‐weave RECSs and 0·2 kg from the random‐fibre RECSs. The random‐fibre systems were particularly effective under the more stressful overland flow application phase, with 63 times less sediment eroded than the bare treatments and 12 times less than that from the open‐weave systems. Architectural design differences between the two groups of RECSs are discussed in light of their relation to erosion process dynamics and shear stress partitioning. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gully position, characteristics and geomorphic thresholds in an undisturbed catchment in Northern Australia
Authors: Hancock G. R. , Evans K. G. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractGullying is a significant process in the long‐term dynamics and evolution of both natural and rehabilitated (i.e. post‐mining) landscapes. From a landscape management perspective it is important that we understand gully initiation and development, as it is well recognized that catchment disturbance can result in the development of gullies that can be very difficult to rehabilitate. This study examines gully position using geomorphic statistics relating to features such as depth, width and length in a catchment undisturbed by European activity in the Northern Territory, Australia. The results demonstrate that gullying occurs throughout the catchment and that a slope–area threshold does not exist and that gully position broadly follows the catchment area–slope relationship. Simple relationships relating catchment area and slope to gully depth, width and length provide poor results, despite these relationships having been found to apply for ephemeral gullies in cropland. The results suggest that gully initiation thresholds are low as a result of an enhanced fire regime. A threshold model for gully position that uses catchment area and slope to switch between gully and hillslope was evaluated and found broadly to capture gully position. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influences of catchment characteristics on nitrogen concentration in largely forested streams during the base flow period
Authors: Su Baolin , Kazama So , Katayama Seiichiro , Sawamoto Masaki 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBased on measured stream nitrogen concentrations at outlets of 12 small sub‐areas (1·3–54·7 km2) in a largely forested catchment during the base flow period, we investigated the influences of discharges and different catchment characteristics on stream nitrogen concentration. Our field surveys were carried out during the 11‐month's period from April 2001 to February 2002 and the correlations between nitrogen concentrations and catchment characteristics were studied. The results showed that the vegetation cover was strongly correlated to total nitrogen (TN) and nitrate + nitrite − nitrogen (NOx‐N) concentrations. That is, the TN and NOx‐N concentrations had positive correlations with mean normalized difference vegetation cover index (NDVI) of each sub‐area during dormant seasons (mean NDVI < 0 · 70) and had negative correlations during the growing season (mean NDVI ≥ 0 . 70). The significance of catchment characteristics to TN and NOx‐N concentrations was ranked as vegetation cover > soil > topography > land use, and the best models can account for 55–64% of the variance of TN and NOx‐N concentrations. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Uncertainties in real‐time flood forecasting with neural networks
Authors: Han Dawei , Kwong Terence , Li Simon 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAlthough artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been applied in rainfall runoff modelling for many years, there are still many important issues unsolved that have prevented this powerful non‐linear tool from wide applications in operational flood forecasting activities. This paper describes three ANN configurations and it is found that a dedicated ANN for each lead‐time step has the best performance and a multiple output form has the worst result. The most popular form with multiple inputs and single output has the average performance. In comparison with a linear transfer function (TF) model, it is found that ANN models are uncompetitive against the TF model in short‐range predictions and should not be used in operational flood forecasting owing to their complicated calibration process. For longer range predictions, ANN models have an improved chance to perform better than the TF model; however, this is highly dependent on the training data arrangement and there are undesirable uncertainties involved, as demonstrated by bootstrap analysis in the study. To tackle the uncertainty issue, two novel approaches are proposed: distance analysis and response analysis. Instead of discarding the training data after the model's calibration, the data should be retained as an integral part of the model during its prediction stage and the uncertainty for each prediction could be judged in real time by measuring the distances against the training data. The response analysis is based on an extension of the traditional unit hydrograph concept and has a very useful potential to reveal the hydrological characteristics of ANN models, hence improving user confidence in using them in real time. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regional climate change and its effects on river runoff in the Tarim Basin, China
Authors: Chen Yaning , Takeuchi Kuniyoshi , Xu Changchun , Chen Yapeng , Xu Zongxue 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe hydrological response to climate change in the Tarim River Basin was investigated by analysing the hydrological, temperature and precipitation data of the past 50 years. The long‐term trend of the hydrological time‐series, including air temperature, precipitation, and streamflow, was examined by using both parametric and non‐parametric techniques and the plausible association between streamflow and climate change by the method of grey correlation analysis. The results show that the study area became warmer in the last few decades. The air temperature experienced a significant monotonic increase by 5%; the precipitation showed a significant decrease in the 1970s and then a major increase in the1980s and 1990s, with average annual precipitation up by 6·8 mm per decade. A step change occurred in both temperature and precipitation around 1986, with mean temperature and precipitation increasing from 6·7 °C and 146 mm before 1986 to 7·3 °C and 180 mm respectively after 1986. The temperature has risen by nearly 1 °C over the past 50 years, possibly resulting from the impact of global climate change. Streamflows in the Aksu River and the Yarkant River have shown a significant (P < 0·05) tendency of increase. This is particularly the case for the Aksu River. The coefficients of streamflow increase in the Aksu and Yarkant Rivers are 0·41 and 0·13 respectively. The results of grey correlation analysis show that in the Aksu River, which is located in the northwest of the basin, the impact of precipitation on streamflow is much greater than that of temperature. However, in the Hotan River, which is located in the southwest of the basin, the impact of temperature on streamflow is much greater than that of precipitation. This is likely to be related to the geographic distribution of the headstreams of the rivers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.