bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensory sparing patterns and the sensory ratio in acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Authors: Al‐Shekhlee Amer , Robinson Jenice , Katirji Bashar
Published: September 2006

The relative preservation (sparing) of sural sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) is a useful diagnostic finding in patients with acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP). However, recording of sural SNAPs is not always technically feasible, especially in obese, edematous, or elderly individuals. Hence, we systematically evaluated the predictive values of the commonly employed SNAPs in the diagnosis of AIDP within 2 weeks from onset of symptoms. Sensory sparing patterns and sensory ratios of the sural, radial, median, and ulnar SNAPs of AIDP patients were included in a retrospective and blinded analysis, and compared to patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) and controls. Logistic regression models for the sural plus radial SNAPs/median plus ulnar SNAPs (sensory ratio) were constructed. A sural sparing pattern was present only in the AIDP group (34.4%, P < 0.001). A radial sparing pattern did not discriminate the AIDP from the DPN groups. The sural/radial sensory ratio was useful to ascertain DPN, but did not discriminate AIDP from controls. The sensory ratio was higher in AIDP compared to DPN and controls and was an independent predictor for AIDP. This study implies that the sensory ratio is a useful predictor for the diagnosis of AIDP and may substitute for sural sparing in technically difficult situations. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Solving minimum K‐cardinality cut problems in planar graphs
Authors: Bruglieri Maurizio , Maffioli Francesco , Trubian Marco
Published: September 2006

The present work tackles a recent problem in the class of cardinality constrained combinatorial optimization problems for the planar graph case: the minimum k‐cardinality cut problem. Given an undirected edge‐weighted connected graph the min k‐cardinality cut problem consists in finding a partition of the vertex set V in two sets V1, V2 such that the number of the edges between V1 and V2 is exactly k and the sum of the weights of these edges is minimal. Although for general graphs the problem is already strongly 𝒩𝒫‐hard, we have found a pseudopolynomial algorithm for the planar graph case. This algorithm is based on the fact that the min k‐cardinality cut problem in the original graph is equivalent to a bi‐weighted exact perfect matching problem in a suitable transformation of the geometric dual graph. Because the Lagrangian relaxation of cardinality constraint yields a max cut problem and max cut is polynomially solvable in planar graphs, we also develop a Lagrangian heuristic for the min k‐cardinality cut in planar graphs. We compare the performance of this heuristic with the performance of a more general heuristic based on a Semidefinite Programming relaxation and on the Goemans and Williamson's random hyperplane technique. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 48(4), 195–208 2006
Synthesis and characterization of poly(arylene ether sulfone) copolymers with sulfonimide side groups for a proton‐exchange membrane
Authors: Cho Chang Gi , Kim Yu Seung , Yu Xiang , Hill Melinda , McGrath James E.
Published: September 2006

A sulfonimide‐containing comonomer derived from 4,4′‐dichlorodiphenylsulfone was synthesized and copolymerized with 4,4′‐dichlorodiphenylsulfone and 4,4′‐biphenol to prepare sulfonimide‐containing poly(arylene ether sulfone) random copolymers (BPSIs). These copolymers showed slightly higher water uptake than disulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) copolymer (BPSH) controls, but their proton‐conductivity values were very comparable to those of the BPSH series with similar ion contents. The proton conductivity increased with the temperature for both systems. For samples with 30 mol % ionic groups, BPSI showed less temperature dependence in proton conductivity and slightly higher methanol permeability in comparison with BPSH. The thermal characterization of the sulfonimide copolymers showed that both the acid and salt forms were stable up to 250 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere. The results suggested that the presumed enhanced stability of the sulfonimide systems did not translate into higher protonic conductivity in liquid water. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6007–6014, 2006
Polymerization of aniline by copper‐catalyzed air oxidation
Authors: Bicak Niyazi , Karagoz Bunyamin
Published: September 2006

A novel method for preparing organosoluble and conducting polyaniline (PANI) is presented. It is demonstrated that Cu(II) is an excellent catalyst for the polymerization of aniline by air oxygen in aqueous emulsions. Reactions carried out at 0 °C or at room temperature yield PANIs of reasonably high molecular weights (number‐average molecular weight = 23,000–114,000 Da) in an emeraldine base form that are soluble in many organic solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, N‐methylpyrrolidinone, chloroform, and acetone. Spectroscopic investigations (ultraviolet, Fourier transform infrared, and 1H NMR) have shown that PANI obtained by this procedure has the same structure as those prepared by the conventional persulfate oxidation method. The resulting PANIs show reasonable electronic conductivities (0.067–0.320 S cm−1) upon doping with p‐toluenesulfonic acid or dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6025–6031, 2006
Synthesis and chiroptical properties of optically active poly(N‐propargylamide) bearing photoisomerizable azobenzene moieties
Authors: Zhou Jing‐Lun , Chen Xiao‐Fang , Fan Xing‐He , Lu Chun‐Xiang , Zhou Qi‐Feng
Published: September 2006

A chiral azobenzene‐containing N‐propargylamide monomer, that is, (R)‐2‐(4‐phenylazophenoxy)‐n‐prop‐2‐ynyl‐propionamide, was prepared and polymerized in the presence of a rhodium catalyst to yield an optically active polyacetylene. The 1H NMR analysis of the polymer indicated a predominant cis structure of the backbone (cis concentration = 80%); and the chiroptical property studies showed an enhanced optical rotatory power and a strong Cotton effect, indicating the formation of a secondary helical conformation. A reversible optical modulation of chiroptical properties of the polymer due to the reversible photoisomerization of the azobenzene was observed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6047–6054, 2006
Study of mechanical properties, oxygen permeability and AFM topography of zein films plasticized by polyols
Authors: Ghanbarzadeh Babak , Oromiehie A. R. , Musavi Mohamad , Falcone Pasquale Massimiliano , D‐Jomeh Zahra Emam , Rad Elhame Razmi
Published: September 2006

The use of plastic for packaging has grown extensively in recent years. In this context, biodegradable films can be a source of energy saving and an important issue for environmental protection. Zein protein (prolamin of corn) is one of the best biopolymers for edible film making and polyols are convenient plasticizers for biopolymers. Polyols (sorbitol, glycerol and mannitol) at three levels (0.5, 0.7 and 1g/g zein) were used as plasticizers and the tensile properties, oxygen permeability (OP) and AFM topography of zein films were studied. Films plasticized by sorbitol had a relatively higher ultimate tensile strength (UTS) than films containing glycerol and mannitol at low levels of plasticizers (0.25, 0.7g/g zein). There was no significant difference between the strain at break values (SB) of films plasticized by sorbitol and glycerol at low levels of plasticizers, while films plasticized by sorbitol had higher SB than the films containing glycerol and mannitol at a high level of plasticizer (1g/g zein). Pure zein films had low oxygen permeability (OP), and increasing the plasticizer level to 0.5g/g zein decreased OP values in films containing sorbitol and glycerol. Films containing sorbitol and mannitol had the lowest and highest OP values, respectively. AFM images were used to evaluate the surface morphology (qualitative parameter) and roughness (quantitative parameter) of zein films. Films plasticized by glycerol had smoother surfaces and a lower roughness parameter (Rq). No relationship between OP values and the roughness of the zein films was observed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight characterization of bisphenol‐A copolyformals containing nickel(II)/Schiff base, eicosane and 2‐butene units in the main chain
Authors: Vitalini Daniele , Spina Emanuela , Rapisardi Roberto , Scamporrino Emilio , Mineo Placido
Published: September 2006

Some bisphenol‐A copolyformals, containing in the main chain different amounts of a Ni‐diimine nonlinear optical (NLO)‐chromophore, eicosane and/or 2‐butene units, were synthesized by condensation reaction between dibromomethane and suitable mixtures of Ni(II)/Schiff base complex, 1,20‐di(bisphenol‐A)ether‐eicosane and/or 1,4‐di(bisphenol‐A)ether‐2‐butene. Structural composition and thermal properties of polymeric materials were inferred by analyses by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOFMS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG). MALDI‐TOF data show that both Ni‐diimine and unsaturated units are present in the copolyformals with a homogeneous arrangement in all the polymer mass range (GPC data). It has also been ascertained that the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the copolymers changes as a consequence of the abundance of aliphatic units in the macromolecules (DSC data). Cross‐linking experiments of the copolymer at temperatures near the Tg value and under UV irradiation were also performed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Compound‐specific stable carbon isotope ratios (δ13C values) of the halogenated natural product 2,3,3′,4,4′,5,5′‐heptachloro‐1′‐methyl‐1,2′‐bipyrrole (Q1)
Authors: Vetter Walter , Gleixner Gerd
Published: September 2006

Compound‐specific isotope analysis using gas chromatography interfaced to isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/IRMS) was applied for the determination of δ13C values of the marine halogenated natural product 2,3,3′,4,4′,5,5′‐heptachloro‐1′‐methyl‐1,2′‐bipyrrole (Q1). The δ13C value of a lab‐made Q1 standard (−34.20 ± 0.27‰) was depleted in 13C by more than 11‰ relative to the residues of Q1 in dolphin blubber from Australia and skua liver from Antarctica. This clarified that the synthesized Q1 was not the source for Q1 in the biota samples. However, two Australian marine mammals showed a large variation in the δ13C value, which, in our experience, was implausible. Since the GC/IRMS system was connected to a conventional ion trap mass spectrometer by a post‐column splitter, we were able to closely inspect the peak purity of Q1 in the respective samples. While the mass spectra of Q1 did not indicate any impurity, a fronting peak of PCB 101 was identified in one sample. This interference falsified the δ13C value of the respective sample. Once this sample was excluded, we found that the δ13C values of the remaining samples, i.e. liver of Antarctic brown skua (−21.47 ± 1.47‰) and blubber of Australian melon‐headed whale (−22.80 ± 0.33‰), were in the same order. The standard deviation for Q1 was larger in the skua samples than in the standard and the whale blubber sample. This was due to lower amounts of skua sample available. It remained unclear if the Q1 residues originate from the same producer and location. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CreateTarget and Analyze This!: new software assisting imaging mass spectrometry on Bruker Reflex IV and Ultraflex II instruments
Authors: Clerens Stefan , Ceuppens Ruben , Arckens Lutgarde
Published: September 2006

Two new software programs are presented which enable matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionisation imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI‐IMS) on Bruker Reflex and Ultraflex instruments. The first program, CreateTarget, creates a high density raster with the dimensions of the tissue section, and converts these parameters into a virtual target plate file that can be imported in the normal mass spectrometer control software. Following automated spectrum acquisition, the second program, Analyze This!, converts the array of spectra into an Analyze 7.5 image format that can be read by image analysis software. These two tools are sufficient to allow IMS, and offer a valid alternative to commercially available software. CreateTarget and Analyze This! are available free of charge. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐performance liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry determination of cholesterol uptake by Caco‐2 cells
Authors: Tian Qingguo , Failla Mark L. , Bohn Torsten , Schwartz Steven J.
Published: September 2006

A simple, sensitive and selective liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometric method (LC/APCI‐MS/MS) was developed and applied to quantitative determination of uptake of cholesterol by Caco‐2 human intestine cells. Caco‐2 cells were cultured in medium containing cholesterol‐3,4‐13C2 and phytosterols from nutritional supplements after in vitro digestion. Cellular cholesterol (cholesterol‐3,4‐13C2) and endogenous cholesterol were extracted using methanol/chloroform (1:2, v/v) and directly analyzed using LC/APCI‐MS/MS with selected reaction monitoring (SRM), using cholesterol‐2,2,3,4,4,6‐d6 as an internal standard. Detection and quantification limits were 2.2 and 7.2 pmol, respectively. This method provides an effective tool for rapid determination of cholesterol uptake by cells with increased selectivity and sensitivity in comparison to previously reported LC/APCI‐MS analysis using selected ion monitoring (SIM). Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antioxidants and inhibitors of flavoprotein‐dependent oxidases abrogate TGF‐beta induction of biglycan: Evidence for a role of reactive oxygen species
Authors: Ungefroren Hendrik , Groth Stephanie , Fändrich Fred
Published: September 2006

Transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) in excess evokes inflammation, fibrosis, and desmoplasia in part by stimulating extracellular matrix synthesis including expression of the small leucine‐rich proteoglycan biglycan (Bgn). Since TGF‐β exerts some of its effects by stimulating the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells, we investigated the possibility that ROS signaling is involved in Bgn induction by TGF‐β. In pancreatic carcinoma PANC‐1 cells, antioxidants (N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine, ascorbic acid), ROS scavengers (Tiron) and inhibitors of flavoprotein‐dependent oxidases such as the ROS producing enzyme NADPH oxidase (apocynin and diphyleneiodonium) all inhibited TGF‐β1‐induced Bgn expression. In agreement with a role of the transcription factor NFκB in ROS cellular actions, the NFκB inhibitor pyrrolidinecarbodithiocarbamate also reduced the TGF‐β effect on Bgn, while S‐M‐sulfate, an inhibitor of the nitric oxide‐generating enzyme iNOS was ineffective in this respect. TGF‐β time‐dependently and moderately induced ROS production that was suppressed by diphenyleneiodonium. RT‐PCR revealed that PANC‐1 cells expressed various subunits of NADPH oxidase, namely p22phox, p47phox and p67phox as well as Nox isoforms 2, 4, 5 and 6, but lacked mRNA for Nox1 and 3. Blocking TGF‐β‐induced Bgn expression by modulating cellular redox status could have beneficial effects on fibrotic disorders caused by TGF‐β hyperactivity.
Compiler optimizations for processors with SIMD instructions
Authors: Pryanishnikov Ivan , Krall Andreas , Horspool Nigel
Published: September 2006

To achieve maximum efficiency, modern embedded processors for media applications exploit single instruction multiple data (SIMD) instructions. SIMD instructions provide a form of vectorization where a large machine word is viewed as a vector of subwords and the same operation is performed on all subwords in parallel. Systematic usage of SIMD instructions can significantly improve program performance. With C becoming the dominant language for programming embedded devices, there is a clear need for C compilers that use SIMD instructions whenever appropriate. However, SIMD instructions typically require each memory access to be aligned with the instruction's data access size. Therefore an important problem in designing the compiler is to determine whether a C pointer is aligned, i.e. whether it refers to the beginning of a machine word. In this paper, we describe our SIMD generation algorithm and present an analysis method which determines the alignment of pointers at compile time. The alignment information is used to reduce the number of dynamic alignment checks and the overhead incurred by them. Our method uses an interprocedural analysis which propagates pointer alignment information in function bodies and through function calls. The effectiveness of our method is supported by experimental results which show that in typical programs the alignments of about 50% of the pointers can be statically determined. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exceptions in remote procedure calls using C++ template metaprogramming
Authors: Rintala Matti
Published: September 2006

Serialization of data is needed when information is passed among program entities that have no shared memory. For remote procedure calls, this includes serialization of exception objects in addition to more traditional parameters and return values. In C++, serialization of exceptions is more complicated than parameters and return values, since internal copying and passing of exceptions is handled differently from C++ parameters and return values. This article presents a light‐weight template metaprogramming‐based mechanism for passing C++ exceptions in remote procedure calls, remote method invocations, and other situations where caller and callee do not have a shared address space. This mechanism has been implemented and tested in the KC++ concurrent active object system. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of umbilical ring constriction on Wharton's jelly
Authors: Skulstad S. M. , Ulriksen M. , Rasmussen S. , Kiserud T.
Published: September 2006

Objective

The turgor of Wharton's jelly depends on osmotic and hydrostatic pressures. We tested the hypothesis that umbilical ring constriction has an impact on umbilical venous hemodynamics and thus on the volume of Wharton's jelly.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional study of 237 low‐risk singleton pregnancies, the cross‐sectional area of the fetal end of the umbilical cord was determined using sonography at 20–41 weeks of gestation. The inner area of the two arteries and the vein was also measured and subtracted from the cord area to calculate the area of Wharton's jelly. Based on the Bernoulli equation, the degree of vein constriction at the umbilical ring was assessed using the blood velocity increment at the abdominal inlet. Regression analysis and SD‐score statistics were used to construct mean values and to assess the effects. The dataset was also analyzed for gender‐specific effects.

Results

The umbilical cord cross‐sectional area increased with gestational age during the period 20–31 weeks, remaining essentially stable thereafter. The Wharton's jelly increased with gestational age from 20 until 31–32 weeks of gestation and remained at the same level for the rest of the pregnancy. At mid‐gestation, on average 70% of the cord cross‐sectional area was occupied by Wharton's jelly; at 31 weeks and later this value was 60%. Umbilical vein constriction was associated with reduced umbilical cord cross‐sectional area and Wharton's jelly in female fetuses (P = 0.0007 and P = 0.003, respectively), but not in male fetuses.

Conclusions

Under physiological conditions, umbilical ring constriction affects umbilical vein hemodynamics, with corresponding effects on the umbilical cord cross‐sectional area and the amount of Wharton's jelly. Interestingly, the effects are gender‐specific. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Timely diagnosis of twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome in monochorionic twin pregnancies by biweekly sonography combined with patient instruction to report onset of symptoms
Authors: Sueters M. , Middeldorp J. M. , Lopriore E. , Oepkes D. , Kanhai H. H. H. , Vandenbussche F. P. H. A.
Published: September 2006

Objectives

To assess the value of serial ultrasound examinations together with patient instructions to report the onset of symptoms in achieving timely detection of twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) in a cohort of monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies, and to evaluate sonographic TTTS predictors.

Methods

Timely detection of TTTS was defined as diagnosis before severe complications of TTTS occurred, such as preterm prelabor rupture of membranes, very preterm delivery (24–32 weeks of pregnancy), fetal hydrops, or intrauterine fetal death. During a 2‐year period, a prospective series of 23 monochorionic twin pregnancies was monitored from the first trimester until delivery. At least every 2 weeks we performed ultrasound and Doppler measurements (nuchal translucency thickness, presence of membrane folding, estimated fetal weight, deepest vertical pocket, bladder filling, and Doppler waveforms of the umbilical artery, ductus venosus and umbilical vein). Measurements of TTTS cases were compared with those of non‐TTTS cases matched for gestational age. Furthermore, patients were informed about the symptoms caused by TTTS, and instructed to consult us immediately in case of rapidly increasing abdominal size or premature contractions.

Results

In all four TTTS cases, the diagnosis was timely. At the time of diagnosis, one case was at Quintero Stage 1, two at Quintero Stage 2, and one at Quintero Stage 3. Two of the TTTS cases became apparent after the patients' feeling of rapidly increasing girth. The identification of TTTS predictors was successful with respect to one parameter: isolated polyhydramnios in one sac, without oligohydramnios in the other, preceded the ultimate diagnosis of TTTS in two of the four TTTS cases. All other ultrasound measurements of TTTS cases, prior to the diagnosis of TTTS, were within the range of measurements of non‐TTTS cases.

Conclusion

Biweekly ultrasound examinations, with special attention to the amniotic fluid compartments of both fetuses, combined with detailed patient instructions to report the onset of symptoms resulted in timely diagnosis of all TTTS cases and appears to be a safe program for monitoring monochorionic twin pregnancies. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Generation of bivariate Nakagami‐m fading envelopes with arbitrary not necessary identical fading parameters
Authors: Reig J. , Martinez‐Amoraga M. A. , Rubio L.
Published: September 2006

In this paper, a generation procedure of two correlated Nakagami‐m random variables for arbitrary fading parameters values (not necessary identical) is described. For the generation of two correlated Nakagami‐m samples, the proposed method uses the generalized Rice distribution, which appears in the conditional distribution of two correlated Nakagami‐m variables. This procedure can be applied to simulate diversity systems such as selection combiners, equal‐gain combiners, and maximal‐ratio combiners as well as multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) receiver systems, in Nakagami‐m channels. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An approximation and its applications in wireless networks performance analysis
Authors: Zhang Yan , Fujise Masayuki
Published: September 2006

In the literature, there are two common assumptions for the tele‐traffic parameter in analyzing the wireless network performance, that is, the tele‐parameter follows a specific probability density function (pdf) and additionally the pdf exists closed‐form Laplace Transform (LT). However, taking into account the cell irregular shape, the specific pdf may be unavailable while only the measured statistical moments are available. Moreover, the pdf function may not exist a closed‐form LT, for example, lognormal distribution function. In this paper, based on the Central Limit Theorem and hyper‐Erlang universal approximation property, we propose an approximation method applicable in the situations when only the statistical moments are available or LT of pdf does not exist. We then employ the technique in diverse applications, including the performance analysis of wireless network and the cost evaluation of mobility management. Extensive numerical examples demonstrate the good approximation capability to the exact formula and the simulation results. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancing channel utilization by improving media access coordination in wireless local area networks
Authors: Meerja Khalim Amjad , Shami Abdallah
Published: September 2006

Distributed coordination function (DCF) is the basis protocol for IEEE 802.11 standard wireless local area networks. It is based on carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) mechanism. DCF uses backoff process to avoid collisions on the wireless channel. The main drawback with this process is that packets have to spend time in the backoff process which is an additional overhead in their transmission time. The channel is rendered idle when all the stations defer their transmissions due to their backoff process. Therefore, the channel utilization and the total throughput on the channel can be improved by reducing the average time spent by the packets in the backoff process. In this paper, we propose a new media access coordination function called proposed media access protocol (PMAP) that will improve the channel utilization for successful packet transmission and therefore, the total achievable throughput. In addition, we propose an analytical model for PMAP under saturated conditions. We use this model to analyze the performance of PMAP under saturated conditions. To substantiate the effectiveness of our model, we have verified the model by simulating PMAP in NS‐2. Simulation and analytical results show that under saturated conditions, PMAP shows profound improvement in the throughput performance compared to DCF. In addition, the throughput performance of PMAP under unsaturated conditions is presented. We have also presented the delay performance of PMAP and DCF through simulation in both saturated and unsaturated conditions. Simulation results show that the average delay experienced by the packets is less in PMAP compared to DCF. Further, the variance in the packet delay is same for both PMAP and DCF protocols under unsaturated conditions. From the performance results obtained for PMAP under both saturated and unsaturated conditions, it can be concluded that PMAP is superior in performance compared to DCF. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of data aggregation on the performance of wireless sensor networks
Authors: Akkaya Kemal , Demirbas Murat , Aygun R. Savas
Published: September 2006

With the increasing need for different energy saving mechanisms in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), data aggregation techniques for reducing the number of data transmissions by eliminating redundant information have been studied as a significant research problem. These studies have shown that data aggregation in WSNs may produce various trade‐offs among some network related performance metrics such as energy, latency, accuracy, fault‐tolerance and security. In this paper, we investigate the impact of data aggregation on these networking metrics by surveying the existing data aggregation protocols in WSNs. Our aim is twofold: First, providing a comprehensive summary and comparison of the existing data aggregation techniques with respect to different networking metrics. Second, pointing out both the possible future research issues and the need for collaboration between data management and networking research communities working on data aggregation in WSNs. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation and optimisation of session setup delay for streaming services over 3G networks with quality of service support
Authors: Viamonte David , Calveras Anna , Paradells Josep , Gómez Carles
Published: September 2006

Session setup delay in Packet Switched Streaming (PSS) services over Third Generation (3G) wireless networks is impacted by Real‐Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) and Session Description Protocol (SDP) signalling exchange and negotiation, as well as media buffering at the terminal before playback. The paper discusses PSS session setup delay over 3G, and proposes two RTSP and SDP protocol extensions to reduce this delay, namely: RTSP Early Setup and usage of SDP Templates. The rationale behind this proposal is presented, particularly when a Secondary Packed Data Protocol Context (PDP‐Context) is used to support media delivery with Quality of Service (QoS) support. The RTSP Early Setup mechanism facilitates pipelining of RTSP messages and early trigger of Secondary PDP‐Context setup. The SDP Template mechanism proposes using a generic procedure to avoid transmission of frequently used SDP fields. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Caveolin‐1 controls BRCA1 gene expression and cellular localization in human breast cancer cells
Authors: Glait Chen , Ravid Dana , Lee Sam W. , Liscovitch Mordechai , Werner Haim
Published: September 2006

The role of caveolae and the caveolin proteins in cancer has been the subject of extensive research. BRCA1 participates in multiple biological pathways including DNA damage repair, transcriptional control, cell growth, apoptosis, and others. Little information, however, is available regarding the cellular mechanisms that control BRCA1 gene expression. The present study examined the potential regulation of BRCA1 gene expression and subcellular localization by Cav‐1. Results of Western blots, RT‐PCR, and transfection experiments showed that Cav‐1 enhances BRCA1 protein and mRNA levels via a mechanism that involves transactivation of the BRCA1 promoter and which is p53‐dependent. In addition, immunostaining experiments demonstrate that Cav‐1 induced the cytoplasmic sequestration of BRCA1.
Citrus auraptene targets translation of MMP‐7 (matrilysin) via ERK1/2‐dependent and mTOR‐independent mechanism
Authors: Kawabata Kyuichi , Murakami Akira , Ohigashi Hajime
Published: September 2006

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐7 is considered to play essential roles in cancer progression. We examined the efficacy of auraptene, a citrus coumarin derivative, for suppressing MMP‐7 expression in the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line HT‐29. Auraptene remarkably inhibited the production of proMMP‐7 protein, without affecting its mRNA expression level. Rapamycin, an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), showed similar results, suggesting that auraptene suppresses mTOR‐dependent proMMP‐7 translation. Interestingly, however, auraptene showed no effects on the activation of Akt/mTOR signaling, whereas the phosphorylation levels of 4E binding protein (4EBP)1 and eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF)4B were substantially decreased. In addition, auraptene remarkably dephosphorylated constitutively activated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)1/2. Transfection of ERK1/2 siRNA led to a significant reduction of proMMP‐7 protein production as well as of the phosphorylation of eIF4B. These results demonstrate that auraptene targets the translation step for proMMP‐7 protein synthesis by disrupting ERK1/2‐mediated phosphorylation of 4EBP1 and eIF4B.
Role of the membrane interface on the conformation of the caveolin scaffolding domain: A CD and NMR study
Authors: Lan Charlotte Le , Neumann Jean-Michel , Jamin Nadège
Published: September 2006

Circular dichroism (CD) and NMR spectroscopy were used to study the conformational properties of two synthetic peptides, D82–R101 and D82–I109, encompassing the caveolin scaffolding domain (D82–R101), in the presence of dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles. Our data show that a stable helical conformation of the caveolin scaffolding domain in a membrane mimicking system is only obtained for the peptide including the L102–I109 hydrophobic stretch, a part of the caveolin intra‐membrane domain. Through chemical shift variations, an ensemble of six residues of the D82–L109 peptide, mainly located in the V94TKYWFYR101 motif were found to detect the presence of phosphatidylserine solubilized in DPC micelles. Our results constitute a first step for elucidating at a residue level the conformational properties of the central region of the caveolin‐1 protein.
Huntingtin‐interacting protein 1‐mediated neuronal cell death occurs through intrinsic apoptotic pathways and mitochondrial alterations
Authors: Choi Shin Ae , Kim Steven J. , Chung Kwang Chul
Published: September 2006

Huntingtin interacting protein‐1 (Hip1) is known to be associated with the N‐terminal domain of huntingtin. Although Hip1 can induce apoptosis, the exact upstream signal transduction pathways have not been clarified yet. In the present study, we examined whether activation of intrinsic and/or extrinsic apoptotic pathways occurs during Hip1‐mediated neuronal cell death. Overexpression of Hip1 induced cell death through caspase‐3 activation in immortalized hippocampal neuroprogenitor cells. Interestingly, proteolytic processing of Hip1 into partial fragments was observed in response to Hip1 transfection and apoptosis‐inducing drugs. Moreover, Hip1 was found to directly bind to and activate caspase‐9. This promoted cytosolic release of cytochrome c and apoptosis‐inducing factor via mitochondrial membrane perturbation. Furthermore, Hip1 could directly bind to Apaf‐1, suggesting that the neurotoxic signals of Hip1 transmit through the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic pathways and the formation of apoptosome complex.
PNDS @ Work: Staff Nurse Development
Authors: Craig Elisabeth
Published: September 2006

PNDS @ Work: Staff Nurse Development Susan V. M. Kleinbeck 2005, 64 pages $15 member/$19 nonmember softcover
A Daybook for Nurses: Making a Difference Each Day
Authors: Gantt Maj Melisa A.
Published: September 2006

A Daybook for Nurses: Making a Difference Each Day Sharon Hudacek 2004, 166 pages $15.95 softcover
Seven Ways of Looking at the American Society for Theatre Research
Authors: Cima Gay Gibson
Published: September 2006

It was my first ASTR conference, a gathering on “Popular Entertainment” held over two decades ago in New York City, and every time my tweed-clad, bearded husband and I neared the conference arena, he was mistaken for the ASTR member. Determined to prove myself a scholar through my performance if not my looks, I strode into the dimmed conference auditorium, sat near the front, and listened intently to the chair of the next panel as he announced that, “unfortunately,” the aging vaudeville star scheduled to perform the fan dance for us had fallen ill. While I tried to process that information, a leotard-covered American Ballet Theatre replacement glided onto the stage, fan in hand. I was transfixed. I knew I was inexperienced—I had only attended two other theatre conferences—but was this really happening? At my first theatre conference prior to ASTR's—an inexplicably weeklong sojourn dedicated to Sarah Bernhardt—I had watched the aging French diva stomp around in an early silent movie as an independent collector slavered over “Sar-aah's divine ah-rt” and Laurence Senelick offered me a simultaneous (and inimitable) sotto voce commentary. At my second conference, I had found myself engaged in a group sing-along of a nineteenth-century barroom ditty and had encountered my still-favorite opening line: “Canadian provincial theatre is an almost virgin field.”
African Performance and the Postcolony
Authors: Cole Catherine M.
Published: September 2006

African artists cannot and do not choose their subject matter, says critic Tejumola Olaniyan. “They are, on the contrary, chosen by their subjects.” While that liberates artists from the “heavy burden of a head-scratching search for what on earth to create their art about,” Olaniyan observes, it also imposes “the much heavier burden of how on earth to fashion from that surfeit of ‘what’ an imaginative sublimation worthy of the label ‘art.’ This has been the contemporary African artist's greatest challenge, more so than artists in other climes.”1
Classics and Contemporary Theatre
Authors: Foley Helene
Published: September 2006

Any discussion of ancient Greek and Roman drama on the contemporary stage must begin with a brief acknowledgment of both the radically increased worldwide interest in translating, (often radically) revising, and performing these plays in the past thirty-five years and the growing scholarly response to that development. Electronic resources are developing to record not only recent but many more past performances, from the Renaissance to the present.1 A group of scholars at the Archive of Performances of Greek and Roman Drama at Oxford—Edith Hall, Fiona Macintosh, Oliver Taplin, and their associates Pantelis Michelakis and Amanda Wrigley—are at the forefront, along with Lorna Hardwick and her associates at the U.K.'s Open University, in organizing conferences and lecture series; these have already resulted in several volumes that aim to understand the recent explosion of performances as well as to develop a more extensive picture of earlier reception of Greek and Roman drama (above all, Greek tragedy, to which this essay will be largely confined).2 These scholars, along with others, have also tried to confront conceptual issues involved in the theatrical reception of classical texts.3 Most earlier work has confined itself to studies of individual performances and adaptations or to significant directors and playwrights; an important and exemplary exception is Hall and Macintosh's recent Greek Tragedy and British Theatre 1660–1914.4 This massive study profits from an unusually advantageous set of archival materials preserved in part due to official efforts to censor works presented on the British stage. Oedipus Rex, for example, was not licensed for a professional production until 1910 due to its scandalous incest theme. This study makes a particular effort to locate performances in their social and historical contexts, a goal shared by other recent studies of postcolonial reception discussed below.5 For example, British Medeas, which repeatedly responded to controversies over the legal and political status of women, always represented the heroine's choice to kill her children as forced on her from the outside rather than as an autonomous choice. Such connections between the performance of Greek tragedy and historical feminism have proved significant in many later contexts worldwide. Work on the aesthetic side of performances of Greek drama, including translation, is at an earlier stage, but has begun to take advantage of important recent work on ancient staging, acting, and performance space.6
What Are You Reading?
Authors: Roach Joseph
Published: September 2006

Most of the books I'm reading don't have covers yet. Bearing that in mind as the membership anticipates the 2006 ASTR conference and a lively discussion of its eponymous keywords—America, society, theatre, and research—I thought that it might be useful to profile a few of the manuscripts (among those currently on, around, or under my desk) that speak to the trends suggested by some new approaches to these familiar terms. By offering one reader's preview of how the field will look when these forthcoming books are duly bound and distributed (and some of them may be out in time for the conference), I'm hoping to insinuate the underappreciated art of the blurb into the more exalted practice of augury.
Multinomiale Verarbeitungs- baummodelle in der Sozialpsychologie
Authors: Stahl Christoph
Published: September 2006

Zusammenfassung: Multinomiale Verarbeitungsbaummodelle (MVB-Modelle) werden in der kognitiven Psychologie seit über 15 Jahren angewendet. Der Vorteil der Überführung einer Theorie in ein MVB-Modell ist zunächst in der mathematisch exakten Formulierung zu sehen; derart formulierte Hypothesen gewinnen an Überprüfbarkeit und empirischem Gehalt. Darüber hinaus erlaubt ein validiertes MVB-Modell die Interpretation seiner Parameter als Wahrscheinlichkeiten der zugrunde liegenden Prozesse und damit die getrennte Erfassung dieser Prozesse. In der Sozialpsychologie wurden MVB-Modelle unter anderem in der Forschung zur illusorischen Korrelation, zum Inkongruenzvorteil im Gedächtnis für schemarelevantes Material, und zu sozialer Kategorisierung eingesetzt und haben in diesen Bereichen entscheidend zum Erkenntnisgewinn beigetragen. Eine methodische Weiterentwicklung ermöglicht die Modellierung von Parameterheterogenität und eröffnet damit neue Möglichkeiten der Anwendung von MVB-Modellen in der Sozialpsychologie.
Toward a South America Land Data Assimilation System: Aspects of land surface model spin‐up using the Simplified Simple Biosphere
Authors: de Goncalves L. Gustavo Goncalves , Shuttleworth William James , Burke Eleanor J. , Houser Paul , Toll David L. , Rodell Matthew , Arsenault Kristi
Published: September 2006

This paper describes a spin‐up experiment conducted over South America using the Simplified Simple Biosphere (SSiB) land surface model to study the process of model adjustment to atmospheric forcing data. The experiment was carried out as a precursor to the use of SSiB in a South American Land Data Assimilation System (SALDAS). The results from an 11 year long recursive simulation using three different initial conditions of soil wetness (control, wet and dry) are examined. The control run was initiated by interpolation of the NCEP/DOE Global Reanalysis‐2 (NCEP/DOE R‐2) soil moisture data set. In each case the time required for the model to reach equilibrium was calculated. The wet initialization leads to a faster adjustment of the soil moisture field, followed by the control and then the dry initialization. Overall, the final spin‐up states using the SSiB‐based SALDAS are generally wetter than both the NCEP/DOE R‐2 and the Centro de Previsao do Tempo e Estudos Climaticos (CPTEC–Brazilian Center for Weather Forecast and Climate Studies) operational initial soil moisture states, consequently modeled latent heat is higher and sensible heat lower in the final year of simulation when compared with the first year. Selected regions, i.e., in semiarid northeastern Brazil, the transition zone to the south of the Amazon tropical forest, and the central Andes were studied in more detail because they took longer to spin up (up to 56 months) when compared with other areas (less than 24 months). It is shown that there is a rapid change in the soil moisture in all layers in the first 2 months of simulation followed by a subsequent slow and steady adjustment: This could imply there are increasing errors in medium range simulations. Spin‐up is longest where frozen soil is present for long periods such as in the central Andes.
Sulfur's impact on core evolution and magnetic field generation on Ganymede
Authors: Hauck Steven A. , Aurnou Jonathan M. , Dombard Andrew J.
Published: September 2006

Analysis of the melting relationships of potential core forming materials in Ganymede indicate that fluid motions, a requirement for a dynamo origin for the satellite's magnetic field, may be driven, in part, either by iron (Fe) “snow” forming below the core‐mantle boundary or solid iron sulfide (FeS) floating upward from the deep core. Eutectic melting temperatures and eutectic sulfur contents in the binary Fe‐FeS system decrease with increasing pressure within the interval of core pressures on Ganymede (<14 GPa). Comparison of melting temperatures to adiabatic temperature gradients in the core suggests that solid iron is thermodynamically stable at shallow levels for bulk core compositions more iron‐rich than eutectic (i.e., <21 wt % S). Calculations based on high‐pressure solid‐liquid phase relationships in the Fe‐FeS system indicate that iron snow or floatation of solid iron sulfide, depending on whether the core composition is more or less iron‐rich than eutectic, is an inevitable consequence of cooling Ganymede's core. These results are robust over a wide range of plausible three‐layer internal structures and thermal evolution scenarios. For precipitation regimes that include Fe‐snow, we present scaling arguments that give typical Rossby and magnetic Reynolds numbers consistent with dynamo action occurring in Ganymede's core. Furthermore, by applying recently derived scaling relationships relating magnetic field strength to buoyancy flux, we obtain estimates of surface magnetic field strength comparable with observed values.
Are inlets responsible for the morphological degradation of Venice Lagoon?
Authors: Tambroni N. , Seminara G.
Published: September 2006

Through the centuries, Venice Lagoon has undergone morphological changes that can be attributed to both natural events and human actions. The lagoon has progressively deepened, and it is claimed to lose roughly one million cubic meters of sediments each year. In the ongoing debate concerning the possible means to counteract this morphodynamic degradation, inlet geometry is considered a major factor controlling the exchange of sediments. Our aim is to explore the causes of this loss. We focus first on sand, as this is the type of sediment present on the bottom of the near‐inlet regions. We employ a simple model of the inlet hydrodynamics to estimate the net exchange of sand associated with the sequence of tidal events recorded for several years. Results suggest that in the absence of an excess supply from the sea, the yearly loss of sand through Venice inlets is an order of magnitude smaller than the total sediment loss usually claimed. We then show that this estimate is only slightly affected by the sand supply from wave resuspension in the far field whose effect is simply to store sediments in the near‐inlet region. We finally argue that most of the sediment loss is wash load carried by the ebb currents overloaded by very fine sediments resuspended by wind in the inner lagoon and unable to settle within the channel network.
Climatic versus tectonic control on river incision at the margin of NE Tibet: 10Be exposure dating of river terraces at the mountain front of the Qilian Shan
Authors: Hetzel Ralf , Niedermann Samuel , Tao Mingxin , Kubik Peter W. , Strecker Manfred R.
Published: September 2006

We document late Pleistocene–Holocene aggradation and incision processes at the mountain front of the Qilian Shan, an active intracontinental fold‐and‐thrust belt accommodating a significant portion of the India‐Asia convergence. The Shiyou River cuts through a NNE vergent fault propagation fold with Miocene red beds in the core and Pliocene–Quaternary growth strata on the northern forelimb. South of the anticline, Miocene strata dip 20° SSW, suggesting a similar orientation for the basal décollement. After aggradation of an ∼150‐m‐thick, late Pleistocene valley fill, the Shiyou River formed three terraces. The highest terrace, located 170 m above the river, constitutes the top of the fill. The other terraces are fill cut terraces: their treads are located 130–105 m and 37 m above the river, respectively. The 10Be exposure dating of the terraces suggests that river incision accelerated from 0.8 ± 0.2 mm yr−1 to ∼10 mm yr−1 at 10–15 kyr. We interpret fast Holocene river incision as largely unrelated to tectonic forcing. The late Pleistocene incision rate of 0.8 ± 0.2 mm yr−1 places an upper limit of 2.2 ± 0.5 mm yr−1 on the horizontal shortening rate, assuming that incision is solely caused by rock uplift above a décollement dipping 20°. However, the actual shortening rate may lie between ∼2.2 mm yr−1 and zero because deformation of the terraces and the valley fill cannot be unequivocally demonstrated. Our estimate is consistent with the bulk shortening rate of ∼5–10 mm yr−1 across several faults in NE Tibet derived from neotectonic and GPS data, although in case of the Shiyou River, Holocene deformation is barely discernible owing to intense climate‐induced river incision.