bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxidative Degradation of trans‐1,4‐Polyisoprene Cast Films and Single Crystals by Enzyme‐Mediator Systems
Authors: Enoki Makiko , Doi Yoshiharu , Iwata Tadahisa
Published: November 2003

Depolymerization and morphological changes of cast films and single crystals of trans‐1,4‐polyisoprene with three enzyme‐mediator systems, lipoxygenase/linoleic acid (LPO/LH), horseradish peroxidase/1‐hydroxybenzotriazole (HRP/1‐HBT) and laccase/1‐hydroxybenzotriazole/linoleic acid (laccase/1‐HBT/LH), were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and gel permeation chromatography. Treatment of cast film with a LPO/LH system involving radical generation via lipid peroxidation led to a marked decrease in the molecular weight of polymers. LPO/LH system resulted in the morphological damage of single crystals of trans‐1,4‐polyisoprene. Laccase/1‐HBT/LH also destroyed the single crystals and depolymerized emulsified trans‐1,4‐polyisoprene. On the contrary, spherulites appeared on the surface of cast films and the molecular weight slightly decreased after treatment with HRP/1‐HBT, indicating that the amorphous region was predominantly degraded and the crystal region remained unchanged. The morphology of single crystals remained unchanged during the treatment of HRP/1‐HBT system for 6 d. In addition, Fenton reagent/linoleic acid was used as a chemical initiator of lipid peroxidation for degradation of trans‐1,4‐polyisoprene cast films. This system reduced molecular weight of the cast films, as well as LPO/LH system.

Scanning electron micrographs of trans‐1,4‐polyisoprene single crystals before (A) and after (B) treatment with the lipoxygenase/linoleic acid system.

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Scanning electron micrographs of trans‐1,4‐polyisoprene single crystals before (A) and after (B) treatment with the lipoxygenase/linoleic acid system.
Hydrogen‐Bonding Interaction and Crystalline Morphology in the Binary Blends of Poly(ε‐caprolactone) and Polyphenol Catechin
Authors: Zhu Bo , Li Jianchun , He Yong , Yoshie Naoko , Inoue Yoshio
Published: November 2003

The specific intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interaction between the ester carbonyl groups of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) and the phenolic hydroxyl groups of catechin has been studied by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). According to quantitative curve‐fitting analysis of the FT‐IR spectra of PCL/catechin blends, it was found that the fraction of hydrogen‐bonded carbonyl groups of PCL increased with catechin content, while that of hydrogen‐bonded hydroxyl groups of catechin decreased. The calculated crystallinity of PCL in the binary blends, based on the curve‐fitting results, suggested that the crystallization of PCL was restrained in the blends with catechin. Only single glass transition temperature, Tg, was observed over the whole range of blend compositions, which was between those of the pure components. The melting point, Tm, depressed and Tg increased, indicating also the existence of strong intermolecular association. The blend composition dependence of Tg could be predicted very well by the Kwei equation with a positive ‘q’ value of 124. With the aid of small angle X‐ray scattering measurement, the segregation of catechin was investigated. It was found that the extent of extra‐lamellar segregation increased with catechin content. It was suggested that the crystal growth rate played the dominant role in the formation of morphology. With decreasing crystal growth rate of PCL component in the blends, enough time has been given to catechin molecules to diffuse into extra‐lamellar region.

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Synthesis and Characterization of Chitosan Grafted Oligo(L‐lactic acid)
Authors: Yao Fanglian , Liu Chang , Chen Wei , Bai Yun , Tang Zhiyuan , Yao Kangde
Published: November 2003

Chitosan grafted oligo(L‐lactic acid) copolymers with different length of side chain were prepared through the reaction of terminal aldehyde group of oligo(L‐lactic acid) (OLLA) and amino groups of chitosan. The mean molecular mass of the grafting OLLA chain was ca. 600 ∼ 5 000. The graft copolymers are soluble in DMSO, DMF and acetic acid. The synthesis method and structure described here provide chitosan‐g‐OLLA copolymers with broad applicability.

Structure of chitosan‐g‐oligo(L‐lactic acid).

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Structure of chitosan‐g‐oligo(L‐lactic acid).
Regularity of convolution type operators with PC symbols in Bessel potential spaces over two finite intervals
Authors: Castro L. P.
Published: November 2003

Convolution type operators acting between Bessel potential spaces defined on a union of two finite intervals are studied from the point of view of their regularity properties. The operators are assumed to have kernels with Fourier transforms in the class of piecewise continuous matrix functions which is a frequent situation in several problems from mathematical physics. Various Wiener‐Hopf operators having the same regularity properties as the considered convolution type operators are presented. Moreover, besides a criterion for the Fredholm property, sufficient conditions for the invertibility of the operators in study are obtained. The approach is based on the consideration of relations between different kinds of operators. In this way, the transfer of regularity properties, between the related operators, appears as a natural consequence. An application to a wave diffraction problem with impedance conditions is illustrated. (© 2003 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Surfaces of Albanese general type and the Severi conjecture
Authors: Manetti Marco
Published: November 2003

In 1932, F. Severi claimed, with an incorrect proof, that every smooth minimal projective surface S of irregularity q = q(S) > 0 without irrational pencils of genus q satisfies the topological inequality 2c21 (S) ≥ c2(S).

According to the Enriques‐Kodaira's classification, the above inequality is easily verified when the Kodaira dimension of the surface is ≤1, while for surfaces of general type it is still an open problem known as Severi's conjecture. In this paper we prove Severi's conjecture under the additional mild hypothesis that S has ample canonical bundle. Moreover, under the same assumption, we prove that 2c21 (S) = c2(S) if and only if S is a double cover of an abelian surface. (© 2003 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Epigenetic inactivation of TSLC1 gene in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Hui Angela Bik‐Yu , Lo Kwok‐Wai , Kwong Joseph , Lam Eric Ching‐Wan , Chan Sylvia Yat‐Yee , Chow Lillian Shuk‐Nga , Chan Andrew Siu‐Chung , Teo Peter Man‐Lung , Huang Dolly P.
Published: November 2003

Deletion of 11q23 is a common genetic aberration in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Multiple candidate tumor suppressor genes (TSG) were mapped to this region but few of them were investigated in NPC. TSLC1 (tumor suppressor in lung cancer) is recently reported to be a putative TSG on 11q23. This gene was found to be inactivated by promoter hypermethylation in non‐small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), liver cancer, and breast cancer. To study the role of TSLC1 gene in NPC tumorigenesis, we screened for mutations and aberrant methylation of TSLC1 gene in 5 NPC cell lines, 3 NPC xenografts, and 38 primary NPC cases. No somatic mutations of TSLC1 were detected in the NPC samples, but a 9‐bp (CCACCACCA) deletion in exon 8 was found in a primary NPC and its corresponding blood sample. Bisulfite sequencing revealed aberrant methylation of TSLC1 promoter in four NPC cell lines. Loss of TSLC1 gene expression was found in two cell lines (HK‐1 and CNE‐2) with dense methylation. Expression of this gene was restored in these cell lines after treatment with demethylating agent 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine. Our results showed that silencing of TSLC1 gene expression in NPC was associated with promoter hypermethylation. Promoter hypermethylation of TSLC1 gene was further illustrated in 34.2% (13/38) of primary NPCs. No aberrant promoter methylation was found in any of the four investigated normal nasopharyngeal epithelia. Frequent epigenetic inactivation of TSLC1 gene in NPC suggested that this gene is one of the target tumor suppressor genes of this endemic cancer. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
EGF‐ and cell‐cycle–regulated STAG1/PMEPA1/ERG1.2 belongs to a conserved gene family and is overexpressed and amplified in breast and ovarian cancer
Authors: Giannini Giuseppe , Ambrosini Maria Irene , Di Marcotullio Lucia , Cerignoli Fabio , Zani Massimo , MacKay Andrew Ray , Screpanti Isabella , Frati Luigi , Gulino Alberto
Published: November 2003

The abnormal activation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) pathway is one of the most common findings in human cancer, and a number of molecular devices of laboratory and clinical relevance have been designed to block this transduction pathway. Because of the large number of cellular events that might be regulated through the activation of the four EGF receptor family members, it is possible that screening methodologies for the identification of new molecular targets working downstream of these pathways may provide new tools for cancer diagnosis and potentially prevention and therapy. In searching for EGF target genes, we have identified ERG1.2, the mouse homolog of the solid tumor‐associated gene STAG1. Both in humans and in mice, it belongs to a new gene family that can give origin to several protein isoforms through alternative splicing and/or multiple translation starts. Sequence analysis and experimental data suggest that ERG1.2 is likely to function as a membrane‐bound protein interacting with downstream signaling molecules through WW‐ and SH3‐binding domains. ERG1.2 is a cell‐cycle–regulated gene, and both ERG1.2 and STAG1 are induced by EGF and other growth factors at the transcript and protein levels. Finally, we have demonstrated that, besides prostate cancer and renal cell carcinoma, STAG1 was also overexpressed in breast and ovarian cancer cell lines and in breast primary tumors. Although in most cases STAG1 overexpression is probably due to the abnormal activation of the EGF pathway, we have also demonstrated genetic amplification and rearrangement of its locus in one breast cancer cell line and one primary ovarian cancer, suggesting that STAG1 might be a direct molecular target in the carcinogenetic process. Thus its overexpression might be regarded not only as a tumor marker but also as a potentially pathogenetic event. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Two‐year follow‐up of subthalamic deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Herzog Jan , Volkmann Jens , Krack Paul , Kopper Florian , Pötter Monika , Lorenz Delia , Steinbach Meike , Klebe Stefan , Hamel Wolfgang , Schrader Bettina , Weinert Dieter , Müller Dieter , Mehdorn Hubertus M. , Deuschl Günther
Published: November 2003

We studied 48 patients after bilateral subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN‐DBS) who were evaluated 6 months after the surgical procedure using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) in a standardized levodopa test. Additional follow‐up was available in 32 patients after 12 months and in 20 patients after 24 months. At 6 months follow‐up, STN‐DBS reduced the UPDRS motor score by 50.9% compared to baseline. This improvement remained constant at 12 months with 57.5% and at 24 months with 57.3%. Relevant side effects after STN‐DBS included intraoperative subdural hematoma without neurological sequelae (n = 1), minor intracerebral bleeding with slight transient hemiparesis (n = 1), dislocation of impulse generator (n = 2), transient perioperative confusional symptoms (n = 7), psychotic symptoms (n = 2), depression (n = 5), hypomanic behaviour (n = 2), and transient manic psychosis (n = 1). One patient died because of heart failure during the first postoperative year. The current series demonstrates efficacy and safety of STN‐DBS beyond the first year after surgical procedure. Complications of STN‐DBS comprise a wide range of psychiatric adverse events which, however, were temporary. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society
Suggestive linkage to chromosome 19 in a large Cuban family with late‐onset Parkinson's disease
Authors: Bertoli‐Avella Aida M. , Giroud‐Benitez Jose L. , Bonifati Vincenzo , Alvarez‐Gonzalez Eduardo , Heredero‐Baute Luis , Van Duijn Cornelia M. , Heutink Peter
Published: November 2003

The identification of disease genes using family‐based approaches has provided important insights into the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) demonstrating the importance of genetic studies on monogenic forms of the disease. We studied a large Cuban family with typical, late‐onset PD and probable autosomal dominant inheritance. Mean age at onset was 61.2 years (±12.53, 45–76). Other phenotypes such as essential tremor and atypical parkinsonism were observed in this family. We carried out a genome‐wide scan and linkage analyses. The genetic data were analyzed using a conservative model in which only patients with clinically definite or likely PD were considered affected, other phenotypes were regarded as “unknown.” Multipoint analyses yielded a maximum LOD of 2.26 between markers D19S221 and D19S840. Haplotype analysis showed a region on chromosome 19 shared by six of seven PD patients. The essential tremor phenotype and the atypical parkinsonism do not segregate with this haplotype, suggesting a different etiology. Our findings suggest the presence of a novel locus for PD on chromosome 19p13.3–q12. We propose that an oligogenic model with moderate contribution of two or three genes rather than a “pure” monogenic model might explain better the wide range in age at onset, the reduced penetrance and the phenotypical variability observed in PD families. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society
Randomized, double‐blind, 3‐month parallel study of the effects of pramipexole, pergolide, and placebo on parkinsonian tremor
Authors: Navan Prithiva , Findley Leslie J. , Jeffs Jim A.R. , Pearce Ronald K.B. , Bain Peter G.
Published: November 2003

We compared the antitremor effect of pramipexole, pergolide, or placebo in Parkinson's disease (PD). A double‐blind, randomly controlled, parallel protocol was deployed to examine the effects of placebo, pergolide, and pramipexole [doses escalated to 1.5 mg three times daily (t.i.d.) over 3 months] on a compound Tremor Index (TI) and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part III. Thirty PD patients (19 men, 11 women; mean age 69 years, range 54–80 years; mean disease duration 3.9 years, range, 0.5–10 years) participated in the study, with 10 patients in each arm. Six subjects failed to complete the study (4 on pergolide and 2 on placebo). Analysis of covariance demonstrated strong evidence for a treatment effect on both TI and UPDRS III. There was no significant difference between the active treatments on either TI or UPDRS III. Both pergolide and pramipexole were significantly better than placebo. The results indicate that pergolide and pramipexole (1.5 mg t.i.d.) have similar anti–PD tremor and UPDRS III actions that are significantly superior to placebo. Patients on pergolide were more likely to drop out because of adverse events than those on pramipexole. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society
Case‐control study of the α‐synuclein interacting protein gene and Parkinson's disease
Authors: Maraganore Demetrius M. , Farrer Matthew J. , Lesnick Timothy G. , De Andrade Mariza , Bower James H. , Hernandez Dena , Hardy John A. , Rocca Walter A.
Published: November 2003

We conducted a case‐control study of the α‐synuclein–interacting protein gene (SNCAIP, also known as synphilin‐1) and Parkinson's disease (PD). A total of 319 PD cases and 195 controls were genotyped for four SNCAIP variants, including a microsatellite repeat in intron 4 and three restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) proximal to the 5′ terminal of exons 1, 4, and 6. None of the variants were found associated with PD overall. Global score statistics were not significant for four, three, and two loci haplotypes. All four loci were in linkage disequilibrium for cases, controls, or both groups combined (P < 0.0001). Recursive partitioning showed no interactions between variants of the SNCAIP gene and variants of the α‐synuclein gene (SNCA) or the parkin (PARK2) gene. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society
Arm chorea secondary to an unruptured giant aneurysm
Authors: De Madariaga Luis M. Barreiro , Sian José E. , Parera Ignacio Casas , Micheli Federico
Published: November 2003

We describe the case of a 20‐year‐old male who developed right‐arm choreic movements secondary to a giant unruptured aneurysm impinging upon the left thalamus, putamen, globus pallidus, cerebral peduncle, midbrain, and subthalamic nucleus. The aneurysm was treated successfully with coils and a supraclinoid balloon. Abnormal movements initially failed to ameliorate, but within a few months, it was possible to discontinue symptomatic haloperidol therapy, with only mild residual abnormal movements. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society
Solution 1H and 13C NMR of new chiral 1,4‐oxazepinium heterocycles and their intermediates from the reaction of 2,4‐pentanedione with α‐L‐amino acids and (R)‐(—)‐2‐phenylglycinol
Authors: Concepción Lozada M. , Lobato Carlos E. , Enríquez Raúl G. , Ortíz Benjamín , Toscano Rubén A. , Gnecco Dino , Galindo Alberto , Reynolds William F.
Published: November 2003

The reaction of 2,4‐pentanedione (1) with (R)‐(—)‐2‐phenylglycine methyl ester (2), (R)‐(—)‐2‐phenylglycinol (3) and the proteinogenic amino acids (2S,3R)‐(—)‐2‐amino‐3‐hydroxybutyric acid (L‐threonine) (4) and (R)‐(—)‐2‐amino‐3‐mercaptopropionic acid (L‐cysteine) (5) methyl esters was investigated. The corresponding enamines 6, 7 and 8 were isolated and characterized spectroscopically whereas 9, which is unstable, was transformed in situ into 13. Treatment of 7, 8 and 9 with boron trifluoride etherate afforded the new [1,4]oxazepines 10, 11 and [1,4]thiazepine (12) as their BF3O− salts. The structures of the enamines and their corresponding seven‐membered heterocycles were assessed by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Variable‐temperature experiments revealed different molecular mobility behavior among these heterocycles. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An alternative spin‐state‐selective pulse sequence element
Authors: Bouguet‐Bonnet S. , Mutzenhardt P. , Canet D.
Published: November 2003

A simple modification of the spin‐state‐selective excitation (S3E) pulse sequence element is proposed. The new sub‐sequence, dubbed S2ED for spin‐state echo differentiation, can be used in a very versatile way, in addition to the standard features of S3E. Experimental verifications were performed by editing α/β–HSQC–α/β spectra of nitrogen‐15‐labelled ubiquitin. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Endurance training improves skeletal muscle electrical activity in active COPD patients
Authors: Gosselin Nadège , Lambert Karen , Poulain Magali , Martin Anne , Préfaut Christian , Varray Alain
Published: November 2003

The effect of endurance training on muscle electrical activity during general exercise testing was investigated in physically active patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Before and after rehabilitation, patients performed identical incremental exercise tests. Pulmonary gas exchange, venous lactate and pyruvate concentrations, and the quadriceps electromyographic signal were sampled every minute throughout exercise testing. Three weeks of rehabilitation increased exercise capacity without modifying pulmonary function. M‐wave amplitude, root mean square (RMS) of electromyographic activity, and RMS/oxygen uptake were increased significantly during post‐rehabilitation testing at the same exercise intensity compared to pre‐rehabilitation. Median frequency was significantly lower after training. These modifications reflect greater muscle excitability, greater muscle activation for the same level of exercise, and higher recruitment of slow‐twitch fibers. Pulmonary rehabilitation in active COPD patients may normalize the electrical activity of skeletal muscles during incremental dynamic exercise. The electromyographic signal confirms neuromuscular changes after endurance training. Muscle Nerve 28: 744–753, 2003
Late‐onset mitochondrial disorder with electromyographic evidence of myotonia
Authors: Howse Mathew L.P. , Wardell Theresa M. , Fisher Christopher J. , Tilley Peter J.B. , Chinnery Patrick F. , Bindoff Laurence
Published: November 2003

We describe a patient with chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) due to a deletion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) who had electromyographic evidence of myotonic discharges. Myotonia has not previously been described in association with mitochondrial disease and this report extends the known phenotypic expression of these disorders. Muscle Nerve 28: 757–759, 2003
Deleted 4977‐bp mitochondrial DNA mutation is associated with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A hospital‐based case‐control study
Authors: Ro Long‐Sun , Lai Shiao‐Lin , Chen Chiung‐Mei , Chen Sien‐Tsong
Published: November 2003

We investigated the relationship between the most common 4977‐bp deleted mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations and the occurrence of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Primer‐shift and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to determine the 4977‐bp deleted mtDNA in the muscle specimens from 36 patients with sporadic ALS and 69 age‐matched controls with other neuromuscular disorders. We found that the 4977‐bp deleted mtDNA mutations were significantly higher in the ALS patients than controls in both frequency (50.0% vs. 8.7%, P < 0.01) and amount (0.35 ± 0.53% vs. 0.085 ± 0.35%, P < 0.05). Subjects with, rather than without, deleted mtDNA were at a significantly higher risk for having ALS after adjustment for age and sex. Moreover, male subjects had a higher risk than female subjects of having sporadic ALS. This study suggested that 4977‐bp deleted mtDNA is significantly associated with the occurrence of sporadic ALS. Muscle Nerve 28: 737–743, 2003
The relevance, practicality and viability of spatial development initiatives: a South African case study
Authors: Luiz John M.
Published: November 2003

Policymakers have for long had an ambivalent attitude towards space and have been hesitant in dealing with intra‐national models of uneven development. Issues surrounding regional development have always been tainted with ideological and political influences rather than being a purely economic consideration. This article addresses the thinking behind regional development policies and questions the role of spatial policy. It confronts this question in the South African case where local government capacity is particularly constrained and the boundaries between government tiers unclear. The first section outlines a selected critical history of the regional policy literature as it applies to South Africa. This is followed by an examination of South Africa's post‐apartheid policy of spatial development initiatives (SDIs) focusing on the most contentious of these, namely the Fish River SDI, which has been plagued by controversy. It focuses on the tensions involved in development planning between government agencies and between politicians and technocrats. It also highlights the growing schism between government and civil society with the former emphasising mega‐projects which reinforce its global competitive strategy but with limited apparent benefit to the local community. Lastly, it concludes that little effort was made to integrate the SDI into a provincial poverty strategy and argues that instead of utilising industrial decentralisation to redress inequality and poverty, a ‘first‐best’ option may be for the government to target poverty directly by investing in various forms of human capital. Such an approach would lead to long‐term economic growth and also improve South Africa's international competitiveness. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Strict glycemic control in diabetic pregnancy—implications for second‐trimester screening for Down syndrome
Authors: Peled Y. , Gilboa Y. , Perri T. , Shohat M. , Chen R. , Bar J. , Hod M. , Pardo J.
Published: November 2003

Objectives

Studies in the early 1990s showed that the normal levels of the biochemical markers used to screen for Down syndrome in the second trimester of pregnancy differ between healthy women and women with insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Thereafter, most laboratories adopted correcting factors to adjust for these differences. However, the current validity of these factors in light of the recent improvements in glycemic control in diabetic pregnancy has not been investigated.

Methods

The sample consisted of 35 pregnant women with strictly controlled IDDM and 40 healthy controls matched for age and gestational week. All women had singleton pregnancies and were followed till delivery.

Results

Comparison of the triple test results between the two groups after adjustment with the traditional corrective factors yielded no significant differences in serum levels of any of the markers (unconjugated estriol, human chorionic gonadotrophin, alpha‐fetoprotein).

Conclusions

These results suggest that the recent improvement in glycemic control of pregnant women with IDDM changes the metabolic milieu that might cause the biochemical differences with healthy pregnant patients. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal diagnosis of congenital mesoblastic nephroma in mid‐second trimester by sonography and magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Chen Wen‐Yin , Lin Ching‐Nan , Chao Chien‐Shun , Yan‐Sheng Lin Mike , Mak Chee‐Wai , Chuang Shih‐Sung , Tzeng Ching‐Cherng , Huang Kuo‐Feng
Published: November 2003

Although congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN) is a rare benign congenital renal tumor, it is the most common solid renal tumor in the newborn period. The most common presentation of congenital mesoblastic nephroma is polyhydramnios, and only one case with prenatal fetal hydrops has been previously reported. Prenatal diagnosis of CMN has previously been made on the basis of the findings of sonography in the third trimester, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–based diagnosis has been reported recently. Here we report a case of prenatally diagnosed classical type CMN diagnosed at 22 + 3 weeks of gestation based on the findings of sonography and magnetic resonance imaging. The characteristic imaging findings in this case were fetal hydrops and polyhydramnios. To our knowledge, this is the youngest reported gestational age for prenatal diagnosis of CMN and it is the second case of CMN associated with fetal hydrops detected prenatally. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Standard operating procedures for clinical research personnel – Part 18
Authors: Bohaychuk Wendy , Ball Graham
Published: November 2003

This is the 18th in a series of articles containing proposals for wording and content of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for clinical research activities conducted by sponsors and Contract Research Organisations (CROs). The procedures include those required by the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), many other guidelines and regulations, and 'best practice' observed by the authors. The model forms require modification for actual use. In this article, SOPs are presented for management of study medications/devices: receipt of study medications/devices at study sites ( SOP 504); control of study medications/devices at study sites (SOP 505); assessment of compliance with use of study medications/devices (SOP 506) and return of study medications/devices from study sites (SOP 507). (The full text of all 101 SOPs is available from the authors.) Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Filter design: a finite dimensional convex optimization approach
Authors: Rossignol L. , Scorletti G. , Fromion V.
Published: November 2003

We consider the design of transfer functions (filters) satisfying upper and lower bounds on the frequency response magnitude or on phase response, in the continuous and discrete time domains. The paper contribution is to prove that such problems are equivalent tofinitedimensionalconvexoptimization problems involving linear matrix inequality constraints. At now, such optimization problems can be efficiently solved. Note that this filter design problem is usually reduced to a semi infinite dimensional linear programming optimization problem under the additional assumption that the filter poles are fixed (for instance, when considering FIR design). Furthermore, the semi infinite dimensional optimization is practically solved, using a gridding approach on the frequency. In addition to be finite dimensional, our formulation allows to set or not the filter poles. These problems were mainly considered in signal processing. Our interest is to propose an approach dedicated to automatic control problems. In this paper, we focus on the following problems: design of weighting transfers forH∞control and design of lead‐lag networks for control. Numerical applications emphasize the interest of the proposed results. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self‐hardening calcium phosphate composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Xu Hockin H. K. , Simon Carl G.
Published: November 2003

Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) sets in situ to form solid hydroxyapatite, can conform to complex cavity shapes without machining, has excellent osteoconductivity, and is able to be resorbed and replaced by new bone. Therefore, CPC is promising for craniofacial and orthopaedic repairs. However, its low strength and lack of macroporosity limit its use. This study investigated CPC reinforcement with absorbable fibers, the effects of fiber volume fraction on mechanical properties and macroporosity, and the cytotoxicity of CPC–fiber composite. The rationale was that large‐diameter absorbable fibers would initially strengthen the CPC graft, then dissolve to form long cylindrical macropores for colonization by osteoblasts. Flexural strength, work‐of‐fracture (toughness), and elastic modulus were measured vs. fiber volume fraction from 0% (CPC Control without fibers) to 60%. Cell culture was performed with osteoblast‐like cells, and cell viability was quantified using an enzymatic assay. Flexural strength (mean ± SD; n == 6) of CPC with 60% fibers was 13.5 ± 4.4 MPa, three times higher than 3.9 ± 0.5 MPa of CPC Control. Work‐of‐fracture was increased by 182 times. Long cylindrical macropores 293 ± 46 μm in diameter were created in CPC after fiber dissolution, and the CPC–fiber scaffold reached a macroporosity of 55% and a total porosity of 81%. The new CPC–fiber formulation supported cell adhesion, proliferation and viability. The method of using large‐diameter absorbable fibers in bone graft for mechanical properties and formation of long cylindrical macropores for bone ingrowth may be applicable to other tissue engineering materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of Orthopuedic Research Society. © 2003 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Avifauna of the Pilón Lajas Biosphere Reserve and Communal Lands, Bolivia
Authors: Bennett Hennessey A. , Herzog Sebastian A. , Kessler Michael , Robison Daniel
Published: November 2003

Pilón Lajas Biosphere Reserve and Communal Lands (Pilón Lajas) ranges from 300 m to 1,400 m altitude in the
departments of Beni and La Paz, Bolivia. It is located in the Bolivian and Peruvian lower yungas Endemic Bird Area
(054) and within one of the regions of highest conservation priority in the Neotropics. Pilón Lajas includes primary
evergreen tropical lowland forest, foothill forest, and lower montane forest. Vegetation heterogeneity forms the basis
for the high species richness of the area. A population of approximately 600 Chiman, Moseten and Tacana indigenous
people live within the reserve. Little has been published regarding the avifauna of Pilón Lajas. Here we present the
results of visual observations and tape recordings of 22 ornithological surveys, recording 502 bird species. Serranía
Pilón is the most intensively studied and species-rich mountain range with 332 species, 48 of which have been recorded
only in this area within Pilón Lajas. We present 26 new departmental records and evidence of breeding for 42 species.
The reserve protects three globally Vulnerable and three globally Near Threatened species, four species of High
Conservation Priority and 32 of Medium Conservation Priority. Together with Madidi National Park and the adjacent
Bahuaja Sonene National Park in south-eastern Peru, Pilón Lajas forms a unique protected area system of more than
3.5 million ha and plays an important role in the establishment of biological corridors along the eastern Andean slope
in Bolivia.
Concomitant group therapy with anorectics and their parents as a supplement to family therapy
Authors: Marner Torben , Westerbergf Christel
Published: November 2003

A study was made of family therapy with anorexia nervosa patients in a child psychiatric outpatient department. Eight families referred in 1984 were offered group therapy and family therapy simultaneously, one group for patients with anorexia nervosa and one group for their parents. The participants of both groups reported that they had learned a lot from the experience but stated that they felt group therapy could not replace family therapy.
Visual geneogram work and change: a single case study
Authors: Heinl Peter
Published: November 2003

Visual geneogram work with an individual and the subsequent changes are described. These include changes in self‐perspective, family relationships and the visual features of a sequence of geneograms drawn by the individual. The paper is a single case study. Theoretical and clinical issues relevant to the nature of visual geneogram work are discussed.
Family therapy training research: systems model and review
Authors: Street Eddy
Published: November 2003

This paper proposes that a systems approach to the organization of family therapy training courses would be advantageous to trainers and researchers alike. A family therapy training programme development model is outlined. Using the stages of this model as a framework, the research into family therapy training is reviewed. The field still remains in its infancy and the quantity of research is relatively sparse. Developments have, however, been made and these auger well for the future.
The GRIMS. A psychometric instrument for the assessment of marital discord
Authors: Rust John , Bennun Ian , Crowe Michael , Golombok Susan
Published: November 2003

Research in marital therapy has been disadvantaged by the lack of a good, short and recent psychometric questionnaire to objectively assess the state of a marriage for research, demographic and clinical purposes. The Golombok Rust Inventory of Marital State (GRIMS) is a companion questionnaire to the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS), and concentrates on aspects other than the sexual in a dyadic relationship between two adults living together. It is a 28 item psychometrically constructed inventory designed to produce a single scale along which changes in a marriage may develop as marital therapy progresses. It has been shown to be valid for this purpose, and to have a good reliability.
A constructive alternative to family assessment
Authors: Solas John
Published: November 2003

This article discusses George Kelly's theory of personal constructs and its Repertory Grid technique as a means of assessing couples and families. Kelly postulated that groups of people, such as couples and families, are best understood in terms of their system of personal constructs; these are the lenses through which they view their world. The paper shows how Kelly's Repertory Grid can be tailored to elicit and assess a couple's and/or family's individual and shared constructs.
Families and the professional network: an attempted classification of professional network actions which can hinder change
Authors: Hardwick Peter J.
Published: November 2003

Many families, willingly or unwillingly, collect a professional network which can act either to facilitate or to hinder natural growth within the family. This article offers a classification of network actions that can contribute to a family's stuckness and incompetence. These include the network advance, invasion, freeze, scapegoating, over‐protection and the classic multi‐agency mirror. Recognizing and dealing with network problems from the perspective of a clinic is briefly considered.
The development of therapeutic consultations in child‐focused family work
Authors: Street Eddy , Downey Jim , Brazier Anna
Published: November 2003

This paper outlines the theoretical influences that have led to our use of a consultation approach to work with children and families. Winnicott's notion of therapeutic consultation, the narrative approach in family therapy, the use of letters in therapeutic work and the two‐plus‐one model of therapeutic contact are discussed. A model of the consultation interview and process is presented together with examples of consultation letters responding to typical client expectations of the process.
Identifying families at risk: exploring the potential of the McMaster Family Assessment Device
Authors: Akister Jane , Stevenson‐Hinde Joan
Published: November 2003

The Family Assessment Device (FAD) was given to a community sample of intact families with young children. Responses by mothers and fathers were analysed with a view to providing ways of indicating which families might benefit from preventive intervention.

Mother/father agreement was significant on five of the seven scales, with a failure to reach significance on Affective Involvement and General Functioning. The highest correlation between mothers and fathers was on the Roles scale (r = 0.53). However, mothers' means for Roles were significantly higher than fathers', indicating that mothers were less satisfied with family functioning in this area.

In addition to a family mean score greater than a cut‐off value as an indicator of unhealthy functioning, present results suggest including those families whose respondents strongly disagree (indicated by scores lying on either side of the cut‐off and a difference of more than two standard deviations). With this double criterion, Roles and Affective Involvement were the dimensions most frequently scored as unhealthy. Seventeen per cent of the families scored in the unhealthy range on four or more of the seven dimensions.

This paper considers how to decide where family intervention might be helpful and raises the question of whether screening families might be more widely undertaken, for example by health visitors, to identify those families who are at risk of family dysfunction.
Inequalities of power and sexual problems
Authors: Foreman Sally , Dallos Rudi
Published: November 2003

The proposition that sexual problems can emerge as a response to structural inequalities of power is explored by reference to a case which forms part of our current clinical work and research in this area. It is suggested that inequalities of power between heterosexual partners and societal ‘discourses’ which support the use of sexuality, predominantly by women, as an influence strategy, can serve to promote the development and maintenance of sexual symptoms as forms of covert power struggles. An integration is attempted of systemic and feminist theories with some practical suggestions for therapists working with couples with sexual problems.
Learning process, strategies and web‐based concordancers: a case study
Authors: Sun Yu‐Chih
Published: November 2003

The recent widespread use of web‐based concordancers seems to provide a promising mode for language teaching and learning, especially in the English as a foreign language (EFL) setting, because through concordancers students can easily gain exposure to a huge number of authentic and sorted language examples. This paper describes a case study of the learning process and strategies used by three Taiwanese college students in the concordancer setting. A web‐based concordancer was used to assist the participants while undertaking a proofreading activity. Think‐aloud protocol was used to collect their data. The results showed that the following four factors have influenced learners’ learning process and strategies in use: (1) prior knowledge, (2) cognitive skills, (3) teacher intervention and (4) concordancer skills.
Attitudes to computer‐assisted learning amongst business and management students
Authors: Rainbow Stephen W. , Sadler‐Smith Eugene
Published: November 2003

Computer‐assisted learning (CAL) is becoming ever more important as a method of teaching and facilitating learning in an increasingly overburdened higher education sector in the UK. A number of authors have made pleas for more evaluation and research in the area of CAL. This study set out to evaluate the attitudes to CAL amongst over 300 business and management undergraduates using a questionnaire survey. The survey revealed a positive disposition towards CAL irrespective of age, gender or educational background. In addition respondents were asked to compare the features of CAL with those of other more traditional methods of teaching and learning. Two factors were identified, labelled CAL ‘instructional’ features and CAL ‘tutorial’ features. The instructional features of CAL were rated more highly than its tutorial features. Respondents rated CAL as better than traditional methods in terms of its instructional features and about the same as traditional methods in terms of its tutorial features. Younger respondents rated the instructional features of CAL more highly than did the older respondents. The findings were discussed in terms of their implications for the use of CAL in an expanding system of mass higher education.
Essentialism, Culture, and Power: Representations of Social Class
Authors: Mahalingam Ramaswami
Published: November 2003

This article argues that beliefs about social class are influenced by power and social location. Using an essentialist theory of power this study explores the asymmetries in the representations of social class among Brahmins (N= 99) and Dalits (former “Untouchables,”N= 100) in India. The results show that a significantly higher number of Brahmins believed that a poor man's brain transfer to a rich man would not affect his actions, whereas they believed the poor man's actions would be affected by the brain transplant from the rich man. Dalits did not selectively endorse essentialist notions of identity. The implications of the findings are discussed in conjunction with current empowerment and affirmative action programs for Dalits in India.
Phase ambiguity determination for the positioning of interferometric sar data
Authors: Sowter Andrew
Published: November 2003

Interferometric SAR (InSAR) has established itself as a useful technique for precise cloud‐independent topographic surveying and for the monitoring of topographic change at sub‐centimetric accuracies. Despite this, measurements of the phase are still only available modulo 2π and this leads to an ambiguity problem that is usually not explicitly resolved.

This paper presents a generalised method for the precise determination of the phase ambiguity that is independent of datum and projection biases. The method is based on those applied to Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) signals and shows that the far‐field approximation is insufficient for precise positioning. Geometric similarities between InSAR and radargrammetry are highlighted. The solution presented allows the geolocation of a target to an accuracy limited only by the accuracy of the transmit–receive time of the sensor.
Aerial survey for archaeology
Authors: Bewley Robert H.
Published: November 2003

Aerial photography for archaeology has been developing its approaches and techniques over the past 100 years so that it now integrates the results of reconnaissance with extensive interpretative and analytical surveys. This paper introduces the philosophy and approach of the English Heritage (EH) Aerial Survey team, covering aerial reconnaissance and the National Mapping Programme (NMP), as well as the potential developments and opportunities in Europe. In the 1980s there was a debate over the nature of the evidence derived from aerial photographs, especially how to describe archaeological features. As part of NMP a classification and recording system has been devised which meets most of the users’ needs, be they national organisations, county archaeologists, commercial contractors or university‐based researchers. The maps and records produced by NMP are used to further our understanding of the past human settlement in England, not only at the individual site level, but also in regional or landscape contexts. This paper provides an overview of the current progress of NMP and acts as an entrée for explaining the current research and recording of archaeological landscapes throughout Europe. Recent developments in Britain and Europe have provided the opportunity for a greater priority to be given to aerial survey and accelerating programmes of mapping. In Europe the ending of the cold war has allowed greater access to aerial photographs and the possibility of beginning new reconnaissance, as well as introducing new forms of remote sensing. All these developments have led to a transformation of our understanding of prehistoric, Roman and medieval archaeology.
Short‐Term Benthic Recolonization after Dredging in the Harbour of Ceuta, North Africa
Authors: Guerra‐García José M. , Corzo Juan , Carlos García‐Gómez J.
Published: November 2003

Abstract.  The benthic recovery after dredging (area: 2625 m2) was studied in a polluted and enclosed area of the harbour of Ceuta, in which the recolonization through the water column (larvae and adult bedload transport) could be limited by the lack of renewal. The benthos was sampled at two sites (control and dredged) using a van Veen grab and adopting a BACI (Before, After, Control, Impacted) approach. Five samplings were conducted after dredging (3, 15, 30, 90, 180 days). The proportion of gravel in the sediment of the dredged site increased after dredging, while the organic matter decreased. The impact on the community was estimated at species level, using both univariate and multivariate analyses. The maximum negative effect on benthic macrofauna was a reduction by 65% for species richness (15 days after dredging) and by 75% for abundance (3 days after dredging). Between 15 and 30 days after dredging, the abundance of some species such as the molluscs Parvicardium exiguum and Retusa obtusa and the polychaete Pseudomalacoceros tridentata increased considerably in the dredged site, while typical ‘opportunistic’ species such as Capitella capitata were disfavoured by the disturbance. For this small‐scale dredging, about 6 months are required for the disturbed area to re‐establish a sediment structure and a macrobenthic community similar to the undisturbed area. Small‐patch dredging operations are proposed in harbour management whenever possible, since they allow a quick re‐adjustment of the initial sediment structure and benthic communities.
Characterization of the bovine BCL2L1 gene and related pseudogenes
Authors: Amills M. , Bouzat J. L.
Published: November 2003

We have amplified and characterized partial regions of exons 2 and 3 of the bovine BCL2L1 gene, one of the anti‐apoptotic members of the B‐cell lymphoma 2 gene family. Cloning and sequencing of the amplified products revealed the existence of several BCL2L1‐related sequences, including the bovine BCL2L1 gene and various processed pseudogenes. The bovine BCL2L1 gene revealed two polymorphic nucleotide sequences that resulted in two protein variants, with amino acid replacements at positions 60 and 69. In addition, we report three bovine BCL2L1‐related sequences (BCL2L1ψ) that probably correspond to intronless processed pseudogenes. These BCL2L1ψ pseudogene sequences have accumulated multiple substitutions, deletions and insertions that translated into stop codons or changed the open reading frame of the functional gene. We provide evidence suggesting that the retro‐transposition event that originated these processed pseudogenes took place before the divergence of the Cervidae and Bovidae families.