bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Last Minute Success of the Red-Green Coalition
Authors: Roth Dieter 
Published: October 2007

The 2002 election was a close race. The Social Democrats turned outto be 6,027 votes ahead of the Christian Democrats. The red-greengovernment was returned to power only because of the so-calledoverhang mandates1 for the SPD (three in the new Länder, one inHamburg) and the good result of the Greens, especially in the oldLänder. To put it differently, 1.2 percent (577,567 votes) was the winninggap between the government and the opposition. Four seatsabove the majority is a rather narrow margin but does not inevitablyentail a weak government. The CDU/CSU-led government in 1994had a similar starting position, for example, and it endured in power.
Foreign and European Policy Issues in the 2002 Bundestag Elections
Authors: Chandler William M. 
Published: October 2007

Is it always the economy, or do external issues sometimes matter,too? Consistent with the Clinton campaign slogan of 1992, politicalscientists generally predict that domestic economic issues are primaryin determining election winners. This proposition, with its severalvariants, rests on many years of survey data and analysis thathave consistently indicated that international conditions and foreignpolicy rarely, if ever, rate highly in public concerns and thereforeseldom affect election outcomes.
It Used to Be the Economy: Issues and Party Support in the 2002 Election
Authors: Rohrschneider Robert , Fuchs Dieter 
Published: October 2007

Most explanations for the red-green victory in the 2002 electionrefer to two issues that emerged in the final months of the campaign:the Iraq crisis and the flood in eastern Germany. The surpriseannouncement by President Bush to dramatically increase pressureon Iraq, including a possible invasion, put this issue squarely into thecenter of the election campaign. This issue emerged at the onset ofthe hot campaign phase, taking parties and candidates by surprise.Chancellor Schröder quickly and emphatically ruled out the participationof German troops under any circumstances. His policy mayhave attracted a considerable number of voters who favored a moreconciliatory stance towards Iraq. For instance, eastern Germans,many of whom still remember the anti-American stances of thesocialist government, may have felt comfortable with an uncompromisingantiwar stance and thus supported the SPD in the end,despite this party’s failure to deliver on its economic promises. Andvoters who sympathize with the peace movement in postwar westernGermany may have become mobilized in support of the Greenparty. In turn, the largest flood in 500 years may have also providedChancellor Schröder with an opportunity to shore up his supportamong eastern voters. By all accounts, he met the leadership expectationsof voters by quickly promising financial aid to reconstructthose eastern regions devastated by the flood.
Cloth on her Head, Constitution in Hand: Germany’s Headscarf Debates and the Cultural Politics of Difference
Authors: Weber Beverly 
Published: October 2007

As the current debates about the headscarf in Germany and Francedemonstrate, “Islamic” veils and headscarves garner attention forminority women in Europe to an unparalleled degree.2 For centuries,Islamic veils and headscarves have served as powerful symbols inOrientalist discourse, functioning as markers of the Oriental woman’ssupposed eroticism as well as convenient tropes for philosophers.3Recent kidnappers’ demands in Iraq that France lift its headscarf bandemonstrate the complex appropriations of Muslim women for fundamentalistdiscourses as well.
The Carriers of Diversity within the Police Forces: A “Weberian” Approach to Diversity in Germany
Authors: Thériault Barbara 
Published: October 2007

Cultural diversity has been one the most pressing challenges to present-day Germany. Issues of diversity and, its corollary from the perspectiveof the recipient society, the practice of toleration—as opposedto the personal attitude of tolerance—are being paradigmaticallydebated around the fate of Muslims. Although not new, Muslimspresence and public claims, such as the claim for legal recognition ofIslam and religious instruction in public schools, have undoubtedlyraised the issue of diversity anew. Some recent events, such as the“Ludin case,” a German teacher of Afghan descent who fought thefederal state of Baden-Wurttemberg to wear a hijab in class, is a tellingexample (see Beverly Weber’s article examining the case in this issueof German Politics and Society). Similarly to the debate raging overheadscarves in France, this case seems to point to the “Muslim” as animportant figure of the stranger, understood as symbol of groupmediation, of the group’s inner and outer boundaries.1 But, unlike theheadscarf affair in France, where pupils are at the center stage of thedebate, the case of teachers in Germany bears witness to a differenttype of stranger as outlined by Simmel in terms of spatial and symbolicposition within the group. Indeed, he/she is a stranger “fromwithin.”2 As such, Muslim growing and enduring presence in Germanyshowcases practical problems encountered with the “managementof diversity” within some state institutions. Looking at the assessment of these dilemmas not only points to conflicting normativemodels of social organization, but also puts in the hot seat thosewho, to paraphrase Dubet, carry out le travail sur autrui (“work on theother”), professionals activities, which aim at explicitly transformingthe “stranger.”
Cover Picture: Preparation and Application of Novel Microspheres Possessing Autofluorescent Properties (Adv. Funct. Mater. 16/2007)
Authors: Wei W. , Wang L.‐Y. , Yuan L. , Wei Q. , Yang X.‐D. , Su Z.‐G. , Ma G.‐H. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractOn p. 3153, Guang‐Hui Ma and co‐workers report on the development of autofluorescent chitosan microspheres with tunable color based on different crosslinking reagents and further chemical modification. The fluorescent intensity can also be controlled by the particle size and crosslinking degree. The autofluorescent microspheres may be useful in fluorescence assays as bright, inexpensive, and stable probes for qualitative and quantitative studies of biological interactions and drug delivery.Fluorescent microspheres are widely used as biological tracers. In this study, uniformly sized chitosan microspheres crosslinked with glutaraldehyde (CG microspheres) and formaldehyde (CF microspheres) are successfully prepared by the Shirasu Porous Glass (SPG) membrane emulsification technique. Selectively reduced CG microspheres (SRCG microspheres) are obtained by NaBH4 reduction. These chitosan microspheres are found to exhibit fluorescent properties without conjugation to any fluorescent agent. The fluorescence color varies with different crosslinkers and can be modulated by further chemical reduction, whereas the fluorescence intensity can be controlled by tuning the particle size and degree of crosslinking. The autofluorescence of the microspheres is applied to study the phagocytosis of HepG2 cells using the microspheres as novel tracers. Quantitative and qualitative evaluations show that these chitosan microspheres serve as bright, inert, durable, and extremely photostable tracers.
Inside Front Cover: Thermally Responsive Biomineralization on Biodegradable Substrates (Adv. Funct. Mater. 16/2007)
Authors: Shi J. , Alves N. M. , Mano J. F. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBiomineralization offers an elegant example of how nature can design complex, hierarchical, and structurally/morphologically controllable materials. João Mano and co‐workers of the University of Minho, Portugal report on p. 3312 that modifying the surface of bioactive substrates, together with the effect of temperature, triggers the formation of apatite upon immersion in simulated body fluid. This “smart” biomineralization concept could be combined with patterning methodologies by controlling the microstructure of the surface. Such a concept could be extended in the biomimetic production of other minerals, being triggered by other kind of stimuli (e.g., pH or ionic strength), in substrates with more complex geometries.Biomineralization offers an elegant example of how nature can design complex, hierarchical, and structurally/morphologically controllable materials. In this work, the surface of bioactive substrates prepared from poly(L‐lactic acid) and reinforced with Bioglass are modified by the graft polymerization of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide), (PNIPAAm) after plasma activation. It is found that such treatment, together with temperature, could trigger the formation of apatite on the biodegradable substrate upon immersion in simulated body fluid above the PNIPAAm lower critical solution temperature (LCST); in contrast, no apatite is formed at room temperature. A control experiment on a material that is not subjected to surface treatment does not show any evidence of mineral deposition at the two analyzed temperatures. This “smart” biomineralization concept is combined with patterning methodologies to control the microstructure of the surface onto which PNIPAAm is grafted. In this case, the apatite is formed at 37 °C in the modified regions. We suggest that this concept could be extended in the biomimetic production of other minerals, where it would be triggered by another kind of stimulus (e.g., pH or ionic strength) in substrates with more complex geometries.
Group contribution prediction of surface charge density profiles for COSMO‐RS(Ol)
Authors: Mu Tiancheng , Rarey Jürgen , Gmehling Jürgen 
Published: October 2007

AbstractA new method for predicting the surface charge density distribution (σ profile) and cavity volume of molecules based on group contributions was developed. The original σ profiles used for the regression were obtained using Gaussian 03 B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p). In total 1363 σ profiles were used for the regression of group parameters. Group definitions are identical to those used previously for boiling point estimation. Original and estimated σ profiles were used to predict activity coefficients at infinite dilution and VLE data of binary systems using the COSMO‐RS(Ol) model. The results were compared with the experimental data stored in the Dortmund Data Bank. In many cases the results were of comparable accuracy. However, for a few compounds, poor results were obtained, in particular for conjugated components like nitrobenzenes. The method offers a fast and reliable generation of σ profiles to be used with COSMO‐RS(Ol) within its range of applicability. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2007
Reproductive parameters of wild female Rhinopithecus roxellana
Authors: Qi Xiao‐Guang , Li Bao‐Guo , Ji Wei‐Hong 
Published: October 2007

AbstractOn the basis on 6 years of observation, we estimated the reproductive parameters of a Golden snub‐nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) group in the Qinling Mountains, China. We observed 88 births in 47 females from 2001 to 2006. Two methods were used to calculate the birthrate. The first method is based on the number of births observed in a year, giving 0.49±0.07 (mean±SD), and the second method is based on the female‐years of observation, giving 0.49±0.17 births per female per year in this troop. The mean interbirth interval is 21.88±6.01 months (mean±SD). The mortality of infant born between 2002 and 2005 was 22.4%. The interbirth intervals of females that had lost an infant before the age of 6 months were significantly shorter than that of females whose infants survived for more than 6 months. A female usually gives birth once every 2 years if the previous offspring survives to a weaning age of 5–6 months, or will give birth in the next year if the previous young dies before reaching an age of 6 months. Births were significantly concentrated during March to May of each year. The mean birth date was on April 14, median was April 12; and the standard deviation was 13.98 days. Birth peak occurs 6–7 months after mating peak. From observations on 15 individuals that gave birth for the first time, we concluded that the wild female Golden snub‐nosed monkeys in Qinling Mountains start giving birth at an age of 5 or 6 years. We suggest that the seasonal reproductive pattern is an adaptive response to the availability of seasonal food. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that these reproductive characteristics are a result of adaptation to the seasonality of mountain climate and food resources. Am. J. Primatol. 70:311–319, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Metallkatalysierte enantioselektive Allylierungen in der asymmetrischen Synthese
Authors: Lu Zhan , Ma Shengming 
Published: October 2007

AbstractDurch metallkatalysierte enantioselektive Allylierungen, die unter Substitution von Allylmetall‐Zwischenstufen mit zahlreichen Nucleophilen oder als allylische SN2′‐Substitution verlaufen, werden in Gegenwart ausgewählter Kombinationen aus Metallen und chiralen Liganden C‐H‐, C‐C‐, C‐O‐, C‐N‐, C‐S‐ und andere Bindungen mit sehr hoher asymmetrischer Induktion geknüpft. Die Reaktionen sind mit einer Vielzahl funktioneller Gruppen vereinbar und wurden erfolgreich in der Synthese vieler Naturstoffe und neuer chiraler Verbindungen verwendet.
Dual‐mode control with neural network based inverse model for a steel pickling process
Authors: Thitiyasook P. , Kittisupakorn P. , Hussain M. A. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThis article describes a novel implementation of the dual‐mode (DM) control utilizing a neural network inverse model on a multivariable process (a steel pickling process). This process is highly nonlinear with variable‐interaction, and is multivariable in nature, hence an accurately nonlinear model is required to provide acceptable control. The requirement of a true analytical inverse can be avoided when neural network models are used; they have the ability to approximate both the forward and the inverse system dynamics. Various changes in the open‐loop dynamics are performed before implementation of the inverse neural network modeling technique. DM control based on neural network inverse model strategy is used to design the controllers to control concentration and pH of the process, which is guaranteed to remove steady‐state offset in the controlled variables to obtain the maximum reaction rate and to comply with limits imposed by legislation. The robustness of the proposed DM control is investigated with respect to changes in disturbances and model mismatch. Comparisons are also made with the conventional inverse neural network controller (NNDIC) and other conventional controller proportional‐integral (PI). Simulation results show the superiority of the DM controller in the cases involving disturbance and model mismatch, while the conventional controller gives better results in the nominal case. Copyright © 2007 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Utilization of emulsion polymer for preparing bagasse fibers polymer–cement composites
Authors: Ismail M. R. , Youssef H. A. , Ali Magdy A. M. , Zahran A. H. , Afifi M. S. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractSugarcane‐bagasse fiber–polymer cement composites were prepared using three lattices namely, styrene butadiene, vinyl ester, and styrene acrylic. The lattices percentages ranged between 3 and 21% from the weight of the mixture. The pressed samples were irradiated at different irradiation doses by using electron beam (EB) accelerator. Comparative studies have been made for physicomechanical properties of unirradiated and irradiated samples. The results indicated that the flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, and impact toughness of the composites increase with the increasing polymer content up to 9.9 and 15% of styrene butadiene, vinyl ester, and acrylic styrene, and then decrease. It was also observed that the maximum values of flexural strength and modulus of elasticity obtained at EB‐irradiation dose 45, 40, and 25 kGy for styrene butadiene, acrylic ester, and vinyl ester, respectively. The impact strength of the composites did not significantly improve above 10 kGy. The average values of hardness of irradiated composites were higher than that those of unirradiated and control composites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Effects of hot‐air aging and dynamic fatigue on the structure and dynamic viscoelastic properties of unfilled natural rubber vulcanizates
Authors: Zhang Ping , Shi Xinyan , Li Junge , Yu Guangshui , Zhao Shugao 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe effects of hot‐air aging and dynamic tensile fatigue on the network structure and dynamic viscoelastic properties of unfilled natural rubber (NR) vulcanizates were investigated with magnetic resonance crosslink density spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy/attenuated total reflection (FTIR–ATR), and dynamic mechanical analysis. The results showed that there was a carbonyl weak absorption peak at 1723 cm−1 in the FTIR–ATR spectra of unfilled NR vulcanizates after hot‐air aging; The crosslink density decreased continuously as the aging time increased. The dynamic modulus of an aged specimen declined considerably, and the value of tan δ after 72 h of aging greatly increased. There was a large difference in the FTIR–ATR spectra of unfilled NR vulcanizates before and after tensile fatigue. The peaks at 1597, 1415, and 1015 cm−1 increased concurrently with the tensile fatigue time. Initial analysis suggested that structures such as conjugated dienes appeared in the network structure. The modulus declined sharply, whereas the value of tan δ increased noticeably, after tensile fatigue. The effects of hot‐air aging and tensile fatigue on the crosslink density and FTIR–ATR spectra of unfilled NR vulcanizates were different, but both affected the viscoelastic properties dramatically. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Stability of poly(N‐propargylamide)s under ultraviolet irradiation
Authors: Deng Jianping , Li Lei , Wang Jianmin , Feng Guo , Yang Wantai 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThis article investigates the photostability of poly(N‐propargylamide)s under different conditions, on the basis of which application research for this class of highly functional polymers can be performed. With helical polymer 1 [monomer: CCCH2NHCOCH(C2H5)2] taken as a representative, some affecting factors, including the ultraviolet (UV)‐light intensity, presence of oxygen, far‐UV and near‐UV light, and temperature, were investigated. It was found that increasing the UV‐light intensity accelerated the degradation of polymer 1. When oxygen was present, it also facilitated the degradation. Far‐UV light rather than near‐UV light played a predominant role in initiating the degradation of polymer main chains. Elevating the temperature of the polymer solution during UV irradiation made the degradation accelerate. Storing the polymer under weak UV light, in the absence of oxygen, and at a low temperature was favorable for keeping the polymer stable. These findings are important not only from a scientific point of view but especially for developing practical applications of this type of polymer on the basis of its photodegradability. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast‐like synoviocytes express BCMA and are stimulated by APRIL
Authors: Nagatani Katsuya , Itoh Kenji , Nakajima Kyoichi , Kuroki Hirohumi , Katsuragawa Yozo , Mochizuki Makoto , Aotsuka Shinichi , Mimori Akio 
Published: October 2007

AbstractObjectiveFibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS) are among the principal effector cells in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study was undertaken to examine the variety of stimulating effects of APRIL and its specific effect on FLS in the affected RA synovium.MethodsSynovium and serum samples were obtained from patients with RA, patients with osteoarthritis (OA), and healthy subjects. Soluble APRIL proteins were assayed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The relative gene expression of APRIL, BCMA, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), IL‐1β, and RANKL was assessed in RA and OA FLS by polymerase chain reaction. Effects of APRIL on the production of proinflammatory cytokines and RANKL in RA FLS were investigated by flow cytometry and with the use of a BCMA‐Fc fusion protein.ResultsA significantly higher level of soluble APRIL was detected in RA serum compared with normal serum. Among the 3 receptors of APRIL tested, RA FLS expressed only BCMA, whereas OA FLS expressed none of the receptors. APRIL stimulated RA FLS, but not OA FLS, to produce IL‐6, TNFα, IL‐1β, and APRIL itself. In addition, APRIL increased RA FLS expression of RANKL and also enhanced progression of the cell cycle of RA FLS. Neutralization of APRIL by the BCMA‐Fc fusion protein attenuated all of these stimulating effects of APRIL on RA FLS.ConclusionRA FLS are stimulated by APRIL and express the APRIL receptor BCMA. These results provide evidence that APRIL is one of the main regulators in the pathogenesis of RA.
Development and characterization of a fusion protein between thermally responsive elastin‐like polypeptide and interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist: Sustained release of a local antiinflammatory therapeutic
Authors: Shamji Mohammed F. , Betre Helawe , Kraus Virginia B. , Chen Jun , Chilkoti Ashutosh , Pichika Rajeswari , Masuda Koichi , Setton Lori A. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractObjectiveInterleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1Ra) has been evaluated for the intraarticular treatment of osteoarthritis. Such administration of proteins may have limited utility because of their rapid clearance and short half‐life in the joint. The fusion of a drug to elastin‐like polypeptides (ELPs) promotes the formation of aggregating particles that form a “drug depot” at physiologic temperatures, a phenomenon intended to prolong the presence of the drug. The purpose of this study was to develop an injectable drug depot composed of IL‐1Ra and ELP domains and to evaluate the properties and bioactivity of the recombinant ELP‐IL‐1Ra fusion protein.MethodsFusion proteins between IL‐1Ra and 2 distinct sequences and molecular weights of ELP were overexpressed in Escherichia coli. Environmental sensitivity was demonstrated by turbidity and dynamic light scattering as a function of temperature. IL‐1Ra domain activity was evaluated by surface plasmon resonance, and in vitro antagonism of IL‐1–mediated lymphocyte and thymocyte proliferation, as well as IL‐1–induced tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) expression and matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP‐3) and ADAMTS‐4 messenger RNA expression in human intervertebral disc fibrochondrocytes. IL‐1Ra immunoreactivity was assessed before and after proteolytic degradation of the ELP partner.ResultsBoth fusion proteins underwent supramolecular aggregation at subphysiologic temperatures and slowly resolubilized at 37°C. Interaction with IL‐1 receptor was slower in association but equivalent in dissociation as compared with the commercial antagonist. Anti–IL‐1 activity was demonstrated by inhibition of lymphocyte and thymocyte proliferation and by decreased TNFα expression and ADAMTS‐4 and MMP‐3 transcription by fibrochondrocytes. ELP domain proteolysis liberated a peptide of comparable size and immunoreactivity as the commercial IL‐1Ra. This peptide was more bioactive against lymphocyte proliferation, nearly equivalent to the commercial antagonist.ConclusionThe ELP‐IL‐1Ra fusion protein proved to retain the characteristic ELP inverse phase‐transitioning behavior as well as the bioactivity of the IL‐1Ra domain. This technology represents a novel drug carrier designed to prolong the presence of bioactive peptides following intraarticular delivery.
Misdiagnosis of a chylous cyst as chest wall gouty tophus: A case of true pseudogout
Authors: Adhikesavan Leena G. , Ayoub William T. , Schumacher H. Ralph 
Published: October 2007

AbstractA patient referred to us for recurrent chest wall gouty tophus, but who was determined to actually have a chylous cyst, is described herein. Chylous cysts of the neck or chest wall can be caused by thoracic duct injury. Chyle contains 4–40 gm/liter of lipids, mostly triglycerides, and these can form birefringent crystals upon drying, leading to a false diagnosis of gout.