bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new copolymer membrane cured by 2‐hydroxy‐3‐phenoxypropylacrylate, 4‐hydroxybutyl acrylate, and isobutyl methacrylate controlled clonidine linear release in the transdermal drug delivery system
Authors: Zhan Xiaoping , Chen Sijing , Tang Guochun , Mao Zhenmin 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe main objective of this present study was to synthesize a new type of copolymer membrane that presented a linear release property in clonidine transdermal drug delivery system. Three monomers, 2‐hydroxy‐3‐phenoxypropylacrylate, 4‐hydroxybutyl acrylate, and isobutyl methacrylate were treated under strong power UV radiation to prepare a new type of copolymer membrane. The effects of monomers' ratios, membrane thickness, and clonidine concentration on the permeation rates were investigated. It was discovered that the membrane controlled clonidine near zero‐order release. Furthermore, the membrane was characterized by FTIR, DSC, and SEM. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification and characterization of Birt–Hogg–Dubé associated renal carcinoma
Authors: Murakami T , Sano F , Huang Y , Komiya A , Baba M , Osada Y , Nagashima Y , Kondo K , Nakaigawa N , Miura T , Kubota Y , Yao M , Kishida T 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe Birt–Hogg–Dubé (BHD) gene is responsible for BHD syndrome, a rare autosomal dominant disease, characterized by benign hair follicle tumours, spontaneous pneumothorax and renal neoplasms with diverse histology. To elucidate its involvement in the development of renal neoplasms, we examined a total of 100 sporadic renal tumours with various histological subtypes for BHD mutation by SSCP‐sequencing analyses. We found one germline insertion mutation in the C8 hotspot of exon 11 (c.1733insC), which is known to have a strong association with renal tumour occurrence. The germline‐mutated patient suffered from solitary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) but did not have any other BHD manifestations or family history. The tumour revealed heterogeneous cytomorphology, mainly a mixture of eosinophilic and focally clear cells with tubulopapillary architecture. In this tumour, both BHD alleles were inactivated by germline mutation concomitant with loss of heterozygosity, and the amount of BHD mRNA detected by real‐time quantitative PCR (RQ‐PCR) was very low. Renal tumour subtype/nephron segment‐specific gene expression detected by RQ‐PCR demonstrated that the tumour expressed relatively high amounts of α‐methylacyl‐CoA racemase (AMACR) and the KIT oncogene, but relatively low amounts of carbonic anhydrase IX (CA9), aquaporin 1 (AQP1), claudin 7 (CLDN7), parvalbumin (PVALB), chloride channel Kb (CLCNKB) and 11‐β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (HSD11B2), suggesting diverse mRNA signatures. Further clustering analysis of 88 renal tumours based on expression of these eight genes sub‐classified the tumour as close to oncocytomas and chromophobe RCCs, which are considered distal nephron‐associated tumours. These data suggest that somatic mutation of BHD is relatively rare in Japanese patients. The BHD‐mutated RCC identified in this study, which exhibits heterogeneous biological features in both morphology and gene expression signatures, seems to deviate from our current understanding of renal tumour classification. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Human osteosarcoma cells express functional receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kappa B
Authors: Mori K , Le Goff B , Berreur M , Riet A , Moreau A , Blanchard F , Chevalier C , Guisle‐Marsollier I , Léger J , Guicheux J , Masson M , Gouin F , Rédini F , Heymann D 
Published: February 2007

AbstractRANK, RANK ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) are the key regulators of bone metabolism, both in normal and pathological conditions. Previous data have demonstrated that human osteosarcoma biopsies express RANKL as well as OPG, and functional RANK is expressed in a murine osteosarcoma cell line. As RANK expression in human osteosarcoma remains controversial, the aim of the present study was to analyse its expression in vitro in human osteosarcoma cell lines, ex vivo using pathological tissues, and then to determine its functionality in terms of signal transduction pathways modulated by RANKL. RT‐PCR analysis and immunohistochemistry experiments revealed that RANK is expressed at both transcriptional and protein levels in MNNG/HOS, Saos‐2 and MG‐63 human osteosarcoma cell lines, in contrast to the U‐2 OS osteosarcoma cell line and human osteoblasts, which were negative. RANK was also expressed in 57% of osteosarcoma biopsies. Furthermore, western blot experiments clearly demonstrated the functionality of RANK. Thus, RANKL significantly induced the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 and IκB in RANK‐positive osteosarcoma cells. This study is the first report of functional RANK expression in human osteosarcoma cells: this strengthens the involvement of the RANK–RANKL–OPG axis in primary bone tumour biology and identifies novel therapeutic approaches targeting RANK‐positive osteosarcoma. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of the effects of diclofenac or other non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and diclofenac or other NSAIDs in combination with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) on hospitalisation due to peptic ulcer disease
Authors: Höer Ariane , Gothe Holger , Schiffhorst Guido , Sterzel Astrid , Grass Ulrich , Häussler Bertram 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPurposeUp to 25% of patients taking non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) chronically experience gastrointestinal side effects. This report aims to determine the gastroprotective effects of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in patients taking NSAIDs, especially diclofenac.MethodsFrom the claims database of a German sickness fund with 1.4 million beneficiaries, we used data from patients enrolled in the health plan continuously from 2000 until 2004 with an inpatient diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease in 2003 and 2004. For our nested case‐control study, we matched these cases for calendar time with up to 10 controls per case. Our main outcome measure were the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for peptic ulcer disease associated with diclofenac and other NSAIDs.ResultsIn the study population of 752 613 beneficiaries, 979 cases and 10 319 controls were identified. A stratified analysis according to the prescription of diclofenac alone or in combination with PPI showed that diclofenac prescriptions increased the risk for hospitalisation due to peptic ulcer significantly (adjusted OR 2.4 [95%CI 1.94, 3.05]). If PPI were prescribed concomitantly with diclofenac, we observed a risk reduction (OR 1.3 [95%CI 0.7, 2.3]). The significance of the PPI effect was shown using an interaction term in a regression model without stratification, where a risk reduction of 60% (OR 0.4 [95%CI 0.2, 0.7], p < 0.05) was found.ConclusionsThe concomitant prescription of PPI and diclofenac decreases the hospitalisation risk due to peptic ulcer significantly. The results support the use of PPI as gastroprotective agents in patients who receive NSAIDs. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Das Labor auf dem Chip: Mikrofluidik
Authors: Franke Thomas , Wixforth Achim 
Published: February 2007

AbstractDas Labor auf dem Chip bietet viele Vorteile, weil es nur Mikro‐ oder Nanolitermengen benötigt. Es ermöglicht zum Beispiel sehr empfindliche gentechnische Analysen. Allerdings dominieren andere physikalische Kräfte das Verhalten mikro‐ und nanoskopischer Flüssigkeitsmengen als in der makroskopischen Welt. Eine besondere Herausforderung der Mikro‐ und Nanofluidik ist der Transport und die Manipulation der winzigen Flüssigkeitsmengen. Neben dreidimensionalen Chiparchitekturen richtet sich das Forschungsinteresse auf planare Strukturen, deren Oberflächeneigenschaften chemisch moduliert sind. Auf ihnen lassen sich die Fluide in Form winziger Tröpfchen manipulieren, besonders elegant sind dafür akustische Oberflächenwellen. Die erste Generation solcher Laborchips ist bereits auf dem Markt.
Tropfen säubern Blätter. Spielwiese
Authors: Schlichting Hans Joachim 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWassertropfen auf Pflanzenblättern befreien die Oberfläche von Staub. Das ist als Lotuseffekt bekannt. Auf liegenbleibenden Tropfen sammeln sich die Staubteilchen an der höchsten Stelle in Form eines kleinen runden Floßes. Dieser Vorgang lässt sich im Rahmen der klassischen Thermodynamik als Ergebnis der Maximierung der Energiedissipation erklären, was auf eine Minimierung der Grenzflächenenergie hinausläuft.
Akustische Oberflächenwellen schalten Lichtstrahlen
Authors: Beck Markus , de Lima Maurício M. , Santos Paulo 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAn der Nahtstelle zwischen Elektronik und Glasfaserkommunikation wird eine Vielzahl optoelektronischer Komponenten benötigt, die Licht erzeugen, elektrische Signale in optische umwandeln, schalten, verstärken, weiterleiten und verarbeiten. Am Paul‐Drude‐Institut für Festkörperelektronik in Berlin wurde ein neuartiges, einfach realisierbares Konzept demonstriert, das die Übertragung elektrischer in optische Signale in sehr kompakten integrierten Bauelementen ermöglicht.
Incorporation of Accessible Functionalities in Nanoscaled Coatings on Textiles Characterized by Coloration
Authors: Hossain M. Mokbul , Herrmann Axel S. , Hegemann Dirk 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe plasma‐assisted process presented in this paper facilitates the deposition of nitrogen containing functional coatings on textiles. Low pressure RF plasma was used to deposit multi‐functional thin films, which have a high amine content. Either acetylene or ethylene were mixed with ammonia to obtain a crosslinked structure that contained functional groups, which were accessible for dye molecules throughout the film volume. Varying deposition conditions were used in order to compare hydrocarbon gas mixtures in terms of deposition rates, water contact angles, aging, dyeability, yellowness index, and rub/wash fastnesses. The deposition rates were found to be higher for the acetylene discharges, but decreased with increasing ammonia‐to‐hydrocarbon ratios for both gas mixtures. Although this indicates etching effects, a permanent hydrophilization could still be obtained. These findings demonstrate that plasma polymerization provides an eco‐friendly multi‐functionalized surface modification, since the use of chemicals, waste water etc. can be eliminated. Dyeing of the plasma coatings by acid dyestuffs showed that the relative color strength value, i.e. amine functionalities, can be noticeably enhanced, while being strongly influenced by the energy input and by the gas ratio. It was evident that the coating quality could be improved significantly using an ammonia/ethylene plasma due to reduced unsaturated bonds, the latter being investigated by the CIELAB color spaces. A high dyeing fastness indicated a strong dye‐molecule bonding, which in turn, is an indication of permanency of the amine groups. A pilot‐scale web coater at Empa was used to demonstrate the feasibility of industrial scale‐up.magnified image
Field instrumentation for real‐time monitoring of periglacial solifluction
Authors: Harris Charles , Luetschg Martina , Davies Michael C. R. , Smith Fraser , Christiansen Hanne H. , Isaksen Ketil 
Published: February 2007

AbstractHere we describe new field instrumentation recently installed on a non‐permafrost solifluction slope in Dovrefjell, Norway, and a continuous permafrost solifluction slope in Svalbard. The equipment is designed to provide continuous data on soil thermal status, hydraulic condition, phase change, soil volume strain and soil shear strain. Supporting frames were constructed from steel scaffolding tubes and provide a stable mounting for two LVDT displacement transducers. These are arranged in an inverted triangular configuration with the triangle apex linked to a small steel footplate embedded in the ground surface, allowing continuous monitoring of frost heave, thaw settlement and downslope surface displacements. In addition, thermistors and Druck PDCR 81 miniature pore pressure transducers were installed to a depth of 0.8 m in Dovrefjell and 1.2 m (approximately 20 cm below the permafrost table) in Svalbard. Thermistors were also mounted above the ground surface to 2 m to measure air temperature. All instrumentation was logged at 1 h intervals using a Campbell CR23X logger and multiplexer. In Svalbard an automatic digital camera recording one image per day was installed adjacent to the site in order to monitor snow depth. Simple Rudberg columns will be excavated after several years to observe the profiles of soil movement. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Periglacial Appalachia: palaeoclimatic significance of blockfield elevation gradients, eastern USA
Authors: Nelson Kim J. Park , Nelson Frederick E. , Walegur Michael T. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractLocational data for 96 allochthonous blockfields distributed throughout the Appalachian Mountains of eastern USA were obtained using TerraServer, an online resource for viewing air‐photo and satellite imagery. The elevation of Appalachian blockfields south of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) border parallels regional gradients of contemporary mean July, summer and annual temperature. Mean July temperature reductions inferred from palaeoecological studies indicate that the median elevation of blockfields throughout the Appalachians lay at or above timberline during the LGM. Palaeotemperatures calculated using known Appalachian lapse rates and published LGM temperature departures indicate that most blockfields in the study area were formed under climatic conditions conducive to permafrost. Allochthonous blockfields in the Appalachians appear to be constituent elements of periglacial ‘form communities’.Internet‐based map products can be used to create generalised reconnaissance‐level geomorphic data bases over large areas. Complementary use of these resources and spatial‐analytic techniques holds considerable potential for addressing the broad‐scale problems with which traditional climatic geomorphology is concerned. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Avalanche‐derived rock glaciers in Svalbard
Authors: Humlum Ole , Christiansen Hanne H. , Juliussen Håvard 
Published: February 2007

AbstractVisual year‐round observations have shown that snow avalanches are driving the formation of rock glaciers near the glacier Larsbreen in central Svalbard. Here, avalanches are important suppliers of fresh rock debris, but they also represent the means by which ice is added to the rock glacier interior. During the winter, 1–5 m avalanche snow containing rock debris accumulates, ablating during the following summer, but a gradually accumulating surface layer of released rock debris increasingly reduces the ablation rate. Refreezing of percolating surface water during the ablation season enhances the metamorphosis from avalanche snow into solid ice, assisted by low permafrost temperatures below the avalanche snow. At the end of each summer, a 0–100 cm thick layer consisting of remnant avalanche snow covered by a surface debris layer has been added to the rock glacier permafrost body along the initiation line. Depending upon thickness, slope, relative ice content and temperature, deformation of such thickening layered avalanche deposits eventually leads to the formation of a rock glacier in the run‐out zones of snow avalanches in permafrost regions. Avalanche‐nourished rock glaciers are expected to exhibit a regional downwind preferred orientation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Patterns of permafrost formation and degradation in relation to climate and ecosystems
Authors: Shur Y. L. , Jorgenson M. T. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe develop a permafrost classification system to describe the complex interaction of climatic and ecological processes in permafrost formation and degradation that differentiates five patterns of formation: ‘climate‐driven’; ‘climate‐driven, ecosystem‐modified’; ‘climate‐driven, ecosystem‐protected’; ‘ecosystem‐driven’; and ‘ecosystem‐protected’ permafrost. Climate‐driven permafrost develops in the continuous permafrost zone, where permafrost forms immediately after the surface is exposed to the atmosphere and even under shallow water. Climate‐driven, ecosystem‐modified permafrost occurs in the continuous permafrost zone when vegetation succession and organic‐matter accumulation lead to development of an ice‐rich layer at the top of the permafrost. During warming climates, permafrost that has formed as climate‐driven can occur in the discontinuous permafrost zone, where it can persist for a long time as ecosystem‐protected. Climate‐driven, ecosystem protected permafrost, and its associated ground ice, cannot re‐establish in the discontinuous zone once degraded, although the near surface can recover as ecosystem‐driven permafrost. Ecosystem‐driven permafrost forms in the discontinuous permafrost zone in poorly drained, low‐lying and north‐facing landscape conditions, and under strong ecosystem influence. Finally, ecosystem‐protected permafrost persists as sporadic patches under warmer climates, but cannot be re‐established after disturbance. These distinctions are important because the various types react differently to climate change and surface disturbances. For example, climate‐driven, ecosystem‐modified permafrost can experience thermokarst even under cold conditions because of its ice‐rich layer formed during ecosystem development, and ecosystem‐driven permafrost is unlikely to recover after disturbance, such as fire, if there is sufficient climate warming. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Infrastructure impacts and facility siting issues during hurricanes
Authors: Moore, President and CEO David A. , Kellogg, MPA Dorothy Allen 
Published: February 2007

AbstractHurricanes Katrina and Rita affected the U.S. chemical and petroleum industries sectors as they did everyone and everything else along the Gulf, highlighting profoundly the strengths and weaknesses of plans to prepare for and recover from a devastating area‐wide catastrophe. The direct impacts to the industries were more economic; no fatalities or serious injuries occurred from releases at chemical or petroleum facilities during the storms. Hurricane plans and release prevention efforts were largely successful. Nevertheless, the facilities, companies, and their employees were left with significant physical and economic recovery challenges resulting from the impacts on the facilities themselves and the supporting infrastructure.The massive scale of the storms highlighted numerous weaknesses in facility as well as government and private sector preparations for such a truly catastrophic emergency—and opportunities for improvement. The lessons from these storms must be leveraged to improve the readiness of the U.S. industry for natural, accidental, and intentional events. This study examines some of the gaps in traditional facility siting considerations and risk assessments and suggest elements that could be added to those activities to better prepare for catastrophic events—whether natural disasters or intentional acts of terrorism.The lessons learned include:
Improve crisis management planning to minimize the catastrophic facility and business losses; and
Site the facility and equipment to minimize impacts of events.
© 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 26:, 2007
Evaluation of Baccharis trimera and Davilla rugosa in tests for adaptogen activity
Authors: Mendes Fúlvio Rieli , Tabach Ricardo , Carlini E. A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBaccharis trimera (Asteraceae) and Davilla rugosa (Dilleniaceae) are used popularly as tonics, aphrodisiacs and for stomach ailments, among other uses. Hydroalcohol extracts of the aerial parts of both plants were investigated with regard to their chemical constitution and their pharmacological activity in tests that evaluate adaptogen activity. Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, polyphenols/tannins and coumarins were identified in both extracts, while lignans were found only in the extract of Davilla rugosa. This extract presented also a marked antioxidant activity and exerted a moderate antiulcer effect in rats submitted to cold immobilization stress. It did not, however, inhibit the increase in the levels of ACTH and corticosterone induced by stress. Moreover, the Davilla rugosa did not improve the physical performance of mice submitted to forced exercise and the learning time of old rats in the T‐maze, neither did it reduce the blood viscosity of the old animals. Conversely, the Baccharis trimera extract only presented a moderate antioxidant activity, without any positive effect on the other tests. These results point to the absence of an adaptogen activity of Baccharis trimera, with some effects that could be related to such an activity as regards the Davilla rugosa. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tropical cyclone forecasting with model‐constrained 3D‐Var. I: Description
Authors: Liang Xudong , Wang Bin , Chan Johnny CL , Duan Yihong , Wang Dongliang , Zeng Zhihua , Leiming Mab 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA disadvantage of three‐dimensional variational data assimilation (3D‐Var) technique is that it cannot make use of complicated constraints such as the dynamics and physics in a numerical model, which are used in the four‐dimensional variational data assimilation (4D‐Var) technique. On the other hand, using a numerical model and its adjoint in the 4D‐Var technique requires a large amount of computer resources, thus limits its practical application. In this paper, a new 3D‐Var method is proposed by adding a numerical model as a constraint. This method minimizes the distance between observation and model variables and time tendency of model variables, which makes the optimized initial conditions (ICs) that not only fit the observations but also satisfy the constraints of full dynamics and physics in the numerical model. The forward and adjoint models used in this method are as same as those in the 4D‐Var method but are only integrated one time step to calculate the time tendency. Because observations are only used at one time slice and are being constrained by the model, it is called the model‐constrained 3D‐Var (MC‐3DVar) technique.A set of ideal experiments based on a shallow‐water equation model indicates that the model constraints used in MC‐3DVar can spread the observation information spatially and balance the model variables. Part II employs this method to improve tropical cyclone track forecasting using AMSU‐A, QuikSCAT and cloud‐drift wind data. The study shows that the assimilation of these data with MC‐3DVar improves tropical cyclone forecasts and that more satellite data give better performances. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society