bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and characterization of pendant carboxylic acid functional poly(lactic acid) and poly(lactic acid‐co‐glycolic acid) and their drug release behaviors
Authors: Kayaman‐Apohan N. , Akdemir Z. S.
Published: November 2005

The carboxylic acid functionalized biodegradable aliphatic polyesters were prepared by ring‐opening polymerization of L‐lactide and glycolide with 2,2′‐bis(hydroxymethyl propionic acid) (HMPA) as an initiator. The polymers were characterized by FT‐IR, 1H‐NMR and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Molecular weights of homopolymers and copolymers ranged from 0.28 × 104 to 11 × 104 and decreased with increasing weight fraction of HMPA in the feed. Moreover by changing the HMPA content, the solubility and degradation behavior of resulting polymers could be varied. Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) studies revealed that the microspheres were spherical in shape and had a smooth surface texture. For the investigation of drug release behavior of biopolymers, Lidocain was used as a model ionic drug. It was observed that an increase in drug loading reduces the encapsulation efficiency. After the initial burst, the release rate of the drug increased with time, with most of the drug released within 15 days. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differential expression of oestrogen receptors in human secondary lymphoid tissues
Authors: Shim Gil‐Jin , Gherman Delia , Kim Hyun‐Jin , Omoto Yoko , Iwase Hirotaka , Bouton Didier , Kis Loránd Levente , Andersson Christina Thulin , Warner Margaret , Gustafsson Jan‐Åke
Published: November 2005

Many autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) occur much more frequently in women than in men. There is much evidence that oestrogen is the major cause of this gender difference. Interestingly, oestrogen relieves the symptoms of RA and SS but it exacerbates SLE. This contradictory effect of oestrogen on autoimmune diseases is not well understood. Most of the effects of oestrogen are mediated by two receptors: oestrogen receptor α and β (ERα and ERβ). To determine whether these contradictory effects of oestrogen relate to the involvement of distinct effects of the two ERs, we investigated expression of ERα and ERβ in human secondary lymphoid tissues. We observed that, in tonsils, ERβ is expressed in lymphocytes of germinal centres (GC) and the follicular mantle zone as well as in granulocytes, while ERα is expressed only in activated germinal centres but not in the follicular zone. ERβ is the predominant ER in human leucocytes from peripheral blood, spleen and in leucocytes infiltrating cancers in both males and females. In addition, in different human lymphoma cell lines including Hodgkin lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, ERβ is abundant while ERα is not detectable. Our results indicate that ERβ is the predominant type of ER in mature lymphocytes. We suggest that ERα and ERβ have distinct roles in secondary lymphoid tissues and that further studies with ERβ‐specific agonists will help to elucidate the role of ERβ in these tissues. Copyright © 2005 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spontaneous reporting of hepatotoxicity associated with antiandrogens: data from the Spanish pharmacovigilance system
Authors: Manso Gloria , Thole Zebron , Salgueiro Esther , Revuelta Pilar , Hidalgo Agustín
Published: November 2005

Purpose

To analyse the type and main features of the hepatotoxicity induced by steroidal and non‐steroidal antiandrogens spontaneously reported by physicians, pharmacists and nurses. This analysis could increase the information related to these adverse reactions mainly available from the published isolated cases.

Methods

Using the Spanish Pharmacovigilance database we searched for spontaneous reports recorded since the date of approval of each antiandrogen up to the present time. We analysed the frequency of liver disorders, the preferred terms coded, the presence of other hepatotoxic drugs, and the characteristics of cases of hepatitis.

Results

Liver disorders were the most common adverse reactions associated with flutamide and bicalutamide, but not with cyproterone acetate. ‘Hepatitis’ and ‘cholestatic hepatitis’ were the most frequent terms coded. In 38% of the reports related to cyproterone acetate, 18% of those related to flutamide and 33% of those related to bicalutamide the patient had simultaneously received other hepatotoxic drugs. The disproportionality analysis of hepatitis showed a strong association with flutamide and a weak association with bicalutamide and cyproterone acetate. Mean doses of flutamide and bicalutamide were very close to their defined daily dose (DDD) to treat prostate cancer, although in the case of cyproterone acetate it was slightly higher. The latency period of hepatitis was between 3 and 10 months for the three antiandrogens, and the recovery period was shorter (0.5–3 months). The majority of the reported cases of hepatitis evolved favourably.

Conclusion

Our results highlight the hepatotoxic potential of flutamide compared to cyproterone acetate. The data related to bicalutamide should be cautiously considered due to the smaller number of reports. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of Cytochrome P450‐2D6 genotype on the use and interpretation of therapeutic drug monitoring in long‐stay patients treated with antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs in daily psychiatric practice
Authors: Mulder Hans , Herder Anita , Wilmink Frederik W. , Tamminga Wim J. , Belitser Svetlana V. , Egberts Antoine C. G.
Published: November 2005

Purpose

This retrospective follow‐up study investigates whether cytochrome P450‐2D6 (CYP2D6) genotype explains variability in plasma concentrations of psychotropic drugs in daily psychiatric practice.

Methods

The study population consisted of 62 hospitalised psychiatric patients genotyped for CYP2D6. Primary endpoint was the normalised plasma concentration ratio which was defined as the [measured concentration]/[mean therapeutic concentration] allowing comparison of plasma concentrations of different substrates. Secondary endpoint was a plasma concentration above the therapeutic range. The determinant was CYP2D6 genotype classified as ultrarapid metaboliser (UM), extensive metaboliser (EM), intermediate metaboliser (IM), or poor metaboliser (PM). The relation between CYP2D6 genotype and the normalised plasma concentration ratio was assessed with a linear mixed‐effects model after adjustment for the Prescribed Daily Dose (PDD). The risk of having a plasma concentration above the therapeutic range was assessed with a logistic mixed‐effects model.

Results

For antidepressants, CYP2D6 genotype PM (1.68 (95%CI: 1.01–2.28)) and IM (1.09 (95%CI: 0.77–1.29)) were associated with higher normalised plasma concentration ratios of antidepressants compared to EMs (0.56 (95%CI: 0.26–0.74)). In addition, the risk of a plasma concentration above the therapeutic range was increased for PMs (OR 33.1 (95%CI: 2.0–544.6)) and IMs (OR 8.2 (95%CI: 1.1–60.3)) relative to EMs using antidepressants. CYP2D6 genotype could not clearly explain variability in plasma concentrations of antipsychotics possibly due to a low frequency of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in antipsychotics primarily metabolised by CYP2D6 in daily psychiatric practice.

Conclusions

CYP2D6 genotype contributes to clinically relevant variability in plasma concentrations of antidepressants but probably not antipsychotics in daily clinical practice. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using a pharmacoepidemiological approach to estimate diabetes type 2 prevalence in Portugal
Authors: Duarte‐Ramos Filipa , Cabrita José
Published: November 2005

Purpose

To estimate the prevalence of drug‐treated diabetes type 2 in Portugal using drug consumption data and accounting for the proportion of patients treated with combinations of oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHAs).

Methods

The prevalence of diabetes treated by OHAs was calculated on the basis of: IMS‐Health data for Portugal (2003) and two measures of daily drug intake—defined daily dose (DDD) and prescribed daily dose (PDD), after correcting for the proportion of patients treated with two or more OHAs.

The PDD and proportion of patients in combination therapies have been obtained in a descriptive, cross‐sectional national survey, conducted in 2003, by inquiry of 1046 type 2 diabetics countrywide distributed.

Results

Drug use study: We have studied 1046 type 2 diabetics (539 women, 501 men, 6 sex unkown), with a mean age of 64.5 (SD = 11) years. OHAs were prescribed as monotherapy in 46.8% (489/1046) of the patients and the remaining 557 (53.2%) received from 2 to 4 OHAs concomitantly.

Diabetes prevalence: Using DDD as the mean daily intake consumption unit, the prevalence of drug‐treated type 2 diabetes was 4.15%, which dropped to 2.52% when the proportion of OHAs associations was taken into account. Using PDD these values were 4.48% and 2.72%, respectively.

Conclusions

Since a high proportion of patients are treated with combination of OHAs in clinical practice, it is imperative to account for that confounder in order to improve the accuracy of estimate from drug consumption data. The use of this methodology provided a slight under‐estimation of diabetes prevalence, compared with the National Health Authorities values (3%–5%). Nevertheless we consider this as an efficient tool to estimate drug‐treated diabetes prevalence that should be implemented in a regular way for longitudinal observations, in order to generate signals. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimates of acetaminophen (paracetomal)‐associated overdoses in the United States
Authors: Nourjah Parivash , Ahmad Syed Rizwanuddin , Karwoski Claudia , Willy Mary
Published: November 2005

Objective

To estimate the number of acetaminophen‐associated overdoses in the United States and identify possible risk factors for intervention.

Methods

The investigators obtained estimates of acetaminophen‐associated overdoses using different national databases. Two emergency room databases, a hospital discharge database, a national mortality file, and a poison surveillance database were used to identify cases. The FDA's spontaneous reporting system was searched to identify possible root causes for overdoses.

Results

Analysis of national databases show that acetaminophen‐associated overdoses account for about 56 000 emergency room visits and 26 000 hospitalizations yearly. Analysis of national mortality files shows 458 deaths occur each year from acetaminophen‐associated overdoses; 100 of these are unintentional. The poison surveillance database showed near‐doubling in the number of fatalities associated with acetaminophen from 98 in 1997 to 173 in 2001. AERS data describe a number of possible causes for unintentional acetaminophen‐associated overdoses.

Conclusions

Each year a substantial numbers of Americans experience intentional and unintentional acetaminophen‐associated overdoses that, in severe cases, lead to serious illness and possible death. This summary of a series of analyses highlights the need for strategies to reduce this public health burden. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new synthetic route to borane‐terminated isotactic polypropylenes via styrene/hydrogen consecutive chain transfer reaction
Authors: Fan Guoqiang , Dong Jin‐Yong , Wang Zhigang , Chung T. C.
Published: November 2005

This paper discusses a new process of preparing borane‐terminated isotactic polypropylenes (i‐PPs) via in situ chain transfer reaction, which avoids the use of B‐H‐containing chain transfer agent and thus can be carried out with Al‐activated metallocene catalyst under mild reaction conditions. The chemistry centers on a consecutive chain transfer reaction, first to a trialkylborane‐containing styrene derivative, 4‐[B‐(n‐butylene)‐9‐BBN]styrene (B‐styrene), then to hydrogen in the isoselective polymerization of propylene catalyzed by rac‐Me2Si(2‐Me‐4‐Ph‐Ind)2ZrCl2/MAO. The borane‐terminated i‐PP thus obtained keeps the desired properties of a polymeric alkyl‐9‐BBN reagent and was used to initiate radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) to prepare i‐PP‐b‐PMMA diblock copolymer. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 539–548, 2006
Quality of life among long‐term survivors of breast cancer: different types of antecedents predict different classes of outcomes
Authors: Carver Charles S. , Smith Roselyn G. , Petronis Vida M. , Antoni Michael H.
Published: November 2005

Quality of life (QOL) has many aspects, both in the short‐term and in the long‐term. Different aspects of QOL may have different types of precursors: demographic, medical, and psychosocial. We examined this possibility in a group of long‐term breast cancer survivors. Early‐stage breast cancer patients (N=163) who had provided information about medical, demographic, and psychosocial variables during the year after surgery completed a multidimensional measure of QOL 5–13 years later. Initial chemotherapy and higher stage predicted greater financial problems and greater worry about appearance at follow‐up. Being partnered at diagnosis predicted many psychosocial benefits at follow‐up. Hispanic women reported greater distress and social avoidance at follow‐up. Initial trait optimism predicted diverse aspects of better psychosocial QOL at follow‐up, but not other aspects of QOL. Thus, different aspects of QOL at long‐term follow‐up had different antecedents. Overall, psychological outcomes were predicted by psychosocial variables, presence of a partner at diagnosis, and ethnicity. Financial outcomes, in contrast, were predicted by medical variables, which otherwise predicted little about long‐term QOL. This divergence among aspects of QOL should receive closer attention in future work. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and antitumor efficacy of a human glandular kallikrein 2 (hK2)‐activated thapsigargin prodrug
Authors: Janssen Samuel , Rosen D. Marc , Ricklis Rebecca M. , Dionne Craig A. , Lilja Hans , Christensen Soeren B. , Isaacs John T. , Denmeade Samuel R.
Published: November 2005

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer cells secrete unique proteases such as prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) and human glandular kallikrein 2 (hK2) that represent targets for the activation of prodrugs as systemic treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. Previously, a combinatorial peptide library was screened to identify a highly active peptide substrate for hK2. The peptide was coupled to an analog of the potent cytotoxin thapsigargin, L12ADT, to generate an hK2‐activated prodrug that was efficiently hydrolyzed by purified hK2, stable to hydrolysis in human and mouse plasma in vitro and selectively toxic to hK2 producing prostate cancer cells in vitro.

METHODS

In the current study, toxicology, pharmacokinetics, prodrug biodistribution, and antitumor efficacy studies were performed to evaluate the hK2‐activated prodrug in vivo.

RESULTS

The single intravenous maximally tolerated dose of prodrug was 6 mg/kg (i.e., 3.67 µmole/kg) which produced peak serum concentration of ∼36 µM and had a half‐life of ∼40 min. In addition, over a 24 hr period <0.5% of free L12ADT analog was observed in plasma. The prodrug demonstrated significant antitumor effect in vivo while it was being administered, but prolonged intravenous administration was not possible due to local toxicity to tail veins. Subcutaneous administration of equimolar doses produced lower plasma AUC compared to intravenous dosing but equivalent intratumoral levels of prodrug following multiple doses.

CONCLUSIONS

The hK2‐activated prodrug was stable in vivo. The prodrug, however, was rapidly cleared and difficult to administer over prolonged dosing interval. Additional studies are underway to assess antitumor efficacy with prolonged administration of higher subcutaneous doses of prodrug. Second‐generation hK2‐activated thapsigargin prodrugs with increased half‐lives and improved formulations are also under development. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Minimal structural requirements for root effect: Crystal structure of the cathodic hemoglobin isolated from the antarctic fish Trematomus newnesi
Authors: Mazzarella Lelio , Bonomi Giovanna , Lubrano Maria C. , Merlino Antonello , Riccio Antonio , Vergara Alessandro , Vitagliano Luigi , Verde Cinzia , di Prisco Guido
Published: November 2005

The cathodic hemoglobin component of the Antarctic fish Trematomus newnesi (HbCTn) is a Root‐effect protein. The interpretation of its functional properties in relation to its sequence is puzzling. Indeed, HbCTn sequence is characterized by an extremely low histidyl content, and in particular by the lack of His146β and His69β, which are believed to be important in Bohr and Root effects, respectively. Furthermore, previous analyses suggested that the local environment of Asp95α, Asp99β, and Asp101β should not be appropriate for the formation of Asp–Asp interactions, which are important for the Root effect. Here, we report the high‐resolution crystal structure of the deoxy form of HbCTn. Our data provide a structural interpretation for the very low oxygen affinity of the protein and insights into the structural determinants of the Root effect protein. The structure demonstrates that the presence of Ile41α and Ser97α at the α1β2 interface does not prevent the formation of the inter‐Asp interactions in HbCTn, as previous studies had suggested. The present data indicate that the hydrogen bond formed between Asp95α and Asp101β, which is stabilized by Asp99β, is per se sufficient to generate the Root effect, and it is the minimal structural requirement needed for the design of Root‐effect Hbs. Proteins 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Similarity networks of protein binding sites
Authors: Zhang Ziding , Grigorov Martin G.
Published: November 2005

An increasing attention has been dedicated to the characterization of complex networks within the protein world. This work is reporting how we uncovered networked structures that reflected the structural similarities among protein binding sites. First, a 211 binding sites dataset has been compiled by removing the redundant proteins in the Protein Ligand Database (PLD) (http://www‐mitchell.ch.cam.ac.uk/pld/). Using a clique detection algorithm we have performed all‐against‐all binding site comparisons among the 211 available ones. Within the set of nodes representing each binding site an edge was added whenever a pair of binding sites had a similarity higher than a threshold value. The generated similarity networks revealed that many nodes had few links and only few were highly connected, but due to the limited data available it was not possible to definitively prove a scale‐free architecture. Within the same dataset, the binding site similarity networks were compared with the networks of sequence and fold similarity networks. In the protein world, indications were found that structure is better conserved than sequence, but on its own, sequence was better conserved than the subset of functional residues forming the binding site. Because a binding site is strongly linked with protein function, the identification of protein binding site similarity networks could accelerate the functional annotation of newly identified genes. In view of this we have discussed several potential applications of binding site similarity networks, such as the construction of novel binding site classification databases, as well as the implications for protein molecular design in general and computational chemogenomics in particular. Proteins 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The energy of tilt grain boundaries around 〈0001〉 in GaN
Authors: Chen Jun , Ruterana P. , Nouet G.
Published: November 2005

The energy of coincidence boundaries is investigated for rotations about the [0001] axis in wurtzite GaN. A boundary may have two types of interfaces corresponding to the edge or diagonal of the unit cell of the coincidence site lattice. Their energy is shown to be a function of the structural units in the unit period, and to have only two minima which are determined for the edge boundaries in the range 0–60°. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Identification of the aromatase inhibitor letrozole in urine by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
Authors: Mareck U. , Sigmund G. , Opfermann G. , Geyer H. , Thevis M. , Schänzer W.
Published: November 2005

Letrozole (1‐(bis‐(4‐cyanophenyl)methyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole) is used therapeutically as a non‐steroidal aromatase inhibitor (Femara®) to treat hormone‐sensitive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. For doping purposes it may be used to counteract the adverse effects of an extensive abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids (gynaecomastia) and to increase the testosterone concentration by stimulation of the testosterone biosynthesis. The use of aromatase inhibitors has been prohibited by IOC/WADA regulations for male and female athletes since September 2001 and January 2005, respectively. Spot urine samples from women suffering from metastatic breast cancer and being treated with letrozole were collected and analysed to develop/optimise the detection system for metabolites of letrozole to allow the identification of athletes who do not comply with the internationally prohibited use of this cancer drug. The assay was based on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and the main metabolite of letrozole (bis‐4‐cyanophenylmethanol) was identified by comparison of its mass spectrum and retention time with that of a bis‐4‐cyanophenylmethanol reference. The full‐scan spectrum, diagnostic ions and a validation of the method for the analysis of bis‐4‐cyanophenylmethanol are presented. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry determination of chloramphenicol residues in food using sub‐2 µm particulate high‐performance liquid chromatography columns for sensitivity and speed
Authors: Kaufmann Anton , Butcher Patrick
Published: November 2005

The use of chloramphenicol (CAP) — a highly effective broad‐spectrum antibiotic used in animal husbandry — is banned in many countries. Therefore, a very low minimum required performance limit (MRPL) of 0.3 µg/kg CAP in meat for human consumption has been defined. Analytical methods capable of quantifying and confirming such low residue levels require sophisticated instrumentation. Preferably sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) or gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) methods have been used. This paper suggests the use of sub‐2 µm particulate high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) columns to gain additional sensitivity and improve resolution as well as speed. Depending on the operating conditions, higher chromatographic resolution and speed can be obtained at the price of a significantly increased operating pressure, requiring dedicated LC equipment. A 3–4‐fold overall improvement of the signal‐to‐noise ratio for CAP was obtained compared to more classical 5 µm particulate HPLC columns. The proposed analytical methodology includes an enzymatic digestion, which liberates glucuronide‐bound CAP from kidney tissue. The extracts obtained after an Extrelut® clean‐up are sufficiently pure to permit routine injection of biological samples into the sub‐2 µm particulate HPLC column, without observing rapid deterioration of peak shape or column clogging problems. The time for one chromatographic run was 4.2 min. The described method was validated for two particularly difficult matrices (kidney and honey). Decision limits (CCα) were 0.007 µg/kg (honey) und 0.011 µg/kg (kidney), which are significantly below the current MRPL. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrospray‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry for direct ambient analysis of solids
Authors: Shiea Jentaie , Huang Min‐Zon , HSu Hsiu‐Jung , Lee Chi‐Yang , Yuan Cheng‐Hui , Beech Iwona , Sunner Jan
Published: November 2005

A new method of electrospray‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (ELDI) mass spectrometry, which combines laser desorption with post‐ionization by electrospray, was applied to rapid analysis of solid materials under ambient conditions. Analytes were desorbed from solid metallic and insulating substrata using a pulsed nitrogen laser. Post‐ionization produced high‐quality mass spectra characteristic of electrospray, including protein multiple charging. For the first time, mass spectra of intact proteins were obtained using laser desorption without adding a matrix. Bovine cytochrome c and an illicit drug containing methaqualone were chosen in this study to demonstrate the applicability of ELDI to the analysis of proteins and synthetic organic compounds. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High sensitivity determination of valproic acid in mouse plasma using semi‐automated sample preparation and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection
Authors: Pucci Vincenzo , Monteagudo Edith , Bonelli Fabio
Published: November 2005

A high‐throughput liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI‐MS/MS) assay using automated sample preparation has been developed for the determination of valproic acid (VPA) in mouse plasma. A liquid‐handling system was programmed to prepare calibration standard solutions in plasma, as well as quality controls and clinical samples. Plasma protein precipitation was performed on a 96‐well plate, and the collected supernatant was directly injected into a reversed‐phase LC/ESI‐MS/MS system in the negative ionization mode. The calibration curve for VPA was linear over a dynamic range of 0.15–100 µg/mL. The limit of detection was 75 ng/mL and the lower limit of quantitation was 150 ng/mL. Intra‐ and inter‐day validation assays of the semi‐automated plasma analysis showed satisfactory accuracy and precision. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Radio resource management across multiple protocol layers in satellite networks: a tutorial overview
Authors: Barsocchi Paolo , Celandroni Nedo , Davoli Franco , Ferro Erina , Giambene Giovanni , Castaño Francisco Javier González , Gotta Alberto , Moreno Jose Ignacio , Todorova Petia
Published: November 2005

Satellite transmissions have an important role in telephone communications, television broadcasting, computer communications, maritime navigation, and military command and control. Moreover, in many situations they may be the only possible communication set‐up. Trends in telecommunications indicate that four major growth market/service areas are messaging and navigation services (wireless and satellite), mobility services (wireless and satellite), video delivery services (cable and satellite), and interactive multimedia services (fibre/cable, satellite).

When using geostationary satellites (GEO), the long propagation delay may have great impact, given the end‐to‐end delay user's requirements of relevant applications; moreover, atmospheric conditions may seriously affect data transmission. Since satellite bandwidth is a relatively scarce resource compared to the terrestrial one (e.g. in optical transport networks), and the environment is harsher, resource management of the radio segment plays an important role in the system's efficiency and economy. The radio resource management (RMM) entity is responsible for the utilization of the air interface resources, and covers power control, handover, admission control, congestion control, bandwidth allocation, and packet scheduling. RRM functions are crucial for the best possible utilization of the capacity. RRM functions can be implemented in different ways, thus having an impact on the overall system efficiency.

This tutorial aims to provide an overview of satellite transmission aspects at various OSI layers, with emphasis on the MAC layer; some cross‐layer solutions for bandwidth allocation are also indicated. Far from being an exhaustive survey (mainly due to the extensive nature of the subject), it offers the readers an extensive bibliography, which could be used for further research on specific aspects. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of the Sudden Death of Infants: A Multicenter Analysis
Authors: Landi Kristen , Gutierrez Carmen , Sampson Barbara , Harruff Richard , Rubio Ivonne , Balbela Beatriz , Greco M. Alba
Published: November 2005

The investigation of sudden death of infants varies, and death rates may depend on local practices of death certification. We studied the extent of the investigation and the final cause of death (COD) in 3 regions: New York, New York, USA (NY); King County, Washington, USA (KC); and Montevideo, Uruguay (MU). We conducted a retrospective review of 543 cases (NY 258, KC 56, MU 229) of previously healthy babies who died suddenly without obvious trauma, at ages 0 to 12 months, over a 3-year period (1998 to 2001). All cases included a complete autopsy and histologic examination. Cases were assessed for completion of special studies (including radiographs, photos, toxicology and metabolic sampling, cultures, and vitreous humor chemistry), measurements, and scene investigation. Specialized pediatric measurements and testing were done less often than routine procedures, and were done less often in cases overall compared with cases certified as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Fifty-five percent of SIDS cases in NYC and 12% of SIDS cases in KC had no scene investigation. Manhattan had a complete workup in 42% of SIDS cases, whereas the remaining sites had fewer that 15% of cases completely worked up. The most common non-natural COD was suffocation at all 3 sites. The overall most common COD were respiratory infection in MU (22%) and SIDS in NY (45%) and KC (86%). We conclude that the sudden death of infants requires special consideration and still lacks consistency. SIDS investigations are not done completely in all cases and rates may depend on regional differences in certifying infant deaths.
Vegetation responses along environmental gradients on the Ordos plateau, China
Authors: Zheng Yuanrun , Xie Zhixiao , Jiang Lianhe , Shimizu Hideyuki , Rimmington Glyn M. , Zhou Guangsheng
Published: November 2005

The Ordos plateau is a unique ecotone and is a focal region for the campaign to reduce or reverse desertification in China. This paper explores the relationship between vegetation and environmental gradients on the Ordos plateau based on a field survey of species distribution, vegetation distribution patterns, plant community structure, ecophysiological properties, and soil water content along an environmental gradient. The vegetation on the Ordos plateau may be divided into three types from east to west: steppe (eastern part), desert steppe (middle part) and steppe desert (western part). From east to west, precipitation declines significantly (from 400 mm to 150 mm). The spatial distribution pattern of vegetation at different sites was random. The density of shrub islands decreased from east to west, and their height and diameter were negatively correlated with precipitation. From east to west, the transpiration rate increased as temperature increased. Stomatal conductance was positively correlated with percentage of sunshine hours and negatively correlated with temperature. Water‐use efficiency was positively correlated with average annual precipitation but negatively correlated with increasing percentage of sunshine hours. The results suggest that for effective revegetation, highly drought‐tolerant species, such as Caragana tibetica and C. stenophylla, should be used and a lower percentage of vegetation cover expected (30–40%) in the western half of the Ordos plateau. In the eastern half, moderately drought‐tolerant species, such as Artemisia ordosica and C. korshinskii, could be used and a higher percentage vegetation cover expected (40–50%).
Parenting processes and dating violence: The mediating role of self‐esteem in low‐ and high‐SES adolescents
Authors: Pflieger Jacqueline C. , Vazsonyi Alexander T.
Published: November 2005

The current investigation tested a model in which low self‐esteem mediated the effects by parenting processes (monitoring, closeness, and support) on measures of dating violence (victimization, perpetration, attitudes, and perceptions) in a sample of adolescents (; mean age=16.4 years) from both low‐ and high‐socioeconomic (SES) backgrounds. Hierarchical regression analyses provided evidence that low self‐esteem partially mediated the link between parenting processes and dating violence, with unique differences observed between low‐ and high‐SES youth. Specifically, in low‐SES youth, low self‐esteem mediated the relationship between closeness as well as support and dating violence behaviours, while in high‐SES youth, it only mediated the relationship between maternal support and dating violence attitudes.
A monopartite nuclear localization sequence regulates nuclear targeting of the actin binding protein myopodin
Authors: De Ganck Ariane , Hubert Thomas , Van Impe Katrien , Geelen Danny , Vandekerckhove Joël , De Corte Veerle , Gettemans Jan
Published: November 2005

Myopodin is an actin bundling protein that shuttles between nucleus and cytoplasm in response to cell stress or during differentiation. Here, we show that the myopodin sequence 58KKRRRRARK66, when tagged to either enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) or to enhanced cyan fluorescent protein‐CapG (ECFPCapG), is able to target these proteins to the nucleolus in HeLa or HEK293T cells. By contrast, 58KKRR61‐ECFP‐CapG accumulates in the nucleus. Mutation of 58KKRRRRARK66 into alanine residues blocks myopodin nuclear import and promotes formation of cytoplasmic actin filaments. A second putative nuclear localization sequence, 612KTSKKKGKK620, displays much weaker activity in a heterologous context, and appears not to be functional in the full length protein. Thus myopodin nuclear translocation is dependent on a monopartite nuclear localization sequence.
Total antioxidant capacity is impaired in different structures from aged rat brain
Authors: Siqueira Ionara Rodrigues , Fochesatto Cíntia , de Andrade Aline , Santos Melissa , Hagen Martine , Bello‐Klein Adriane , Netto Carlos Alexandre
Published: November 2005

Our data support a disproportion between free radicals levels and scavenging systems activity in different cerebral regions of the aging rat. We investigated the total reactive antioxidant potential and reactivity levels, which represent the total antioxidant capacity, in different cerebral regions of the aging rat (cortex, striatum, hippocampus and the cerebellum). In addition, we have determined several oxidative stress parameters, specifically the free radicals levels, the macromolecules damage (lipid peroxidation and carbonyl content), as well as the antioxidant enzymes activities in different cerebral areas from young (2 months‐old), mature adult (6 months‐old) and old (24 months‐old) male Wistar rats. Free radicals levels, determined by 2′,7′‐dichlorofluorescein diacetate probe, were higher in striatum, cerebellum and hippocampus from aged rats. There was an age‐related increase in lipoperoxidation in hippocampus and cerebral cortex. In the cerebellum, a high activity of superoxide dismutase and a decrease of catalase activity were observed. The striatum exhibited a significant catalase activity decrease; and glutathione peroxidase activity was diminished in the hippocampus of mature and aged rats. There was a marked decrease of total antioxidant capacity in hippocampus in both reactivity and potential levels, whereas striatum and cerebral cortex displayed a reduction on reactivity assay. We suggest that age‐related variations of total antioxidant defenses in brain may predispose structures to oxidative stress‐related neurodegenerative disorders.
Engineering Social Peace: Networks, Ideas, and the Founding of the International Labour Organization
Authors: Van Daele Jasmien
Published: November 2005

In 1919 a pioneering generation of scholars, social policy experts, and politicians designed an unprecedented international organizational framework for labour politics. The majority of the founding fathers of this new institution, the International Labour Organization (ILO), had made great strides in social thought and action before 1919. The core members all knew one another from earlier private professional and ideological networks, where they exchanged knowledge, experiences, and ideas on social policy. In this study, one key question is the extent to which prewar “epistemic communities”, such as the International Association for Labour Legislation (IALL), and political networks, such as the Second International, were a decisive factor in the institutionalization of international labour politics. In the postwar euphoria, the idea of a “makeable society” was an important catalyst behind the social engineering of the ILO architects. As a new discipline, international labour law became a useful instrument for putting social reforms into practice. This article also deals with how the utopian idea(l)s of the founding fathers – social justice and the right to decent work – were changed by diplomatic and political compromises made at the Paris Peace Conference. The article thus reflects the dual relationship between idealism and pragmatism.
The Social History of Work in Spain: From the Primitive Accumulation of Knowledge to Offshoring
Authors: Piqueras José A. , Sanz Vicent
Published: November 2005

The social history of work and workers is currently in the paradoxical position of having defined the subject of study in all its rich complexity as never before – a fact borne out by some excellent works – yet fewer and fewer social historians are working on the subject.
Understanding the past-climate history from Antarctica
Authors: WOLFF ERIC W.
Published: November 2005

Antarctic ice cores have become a unique and powerful resource for studies of climate change. They contain information on past climate, on forcing factors such as greenhouse gas concentrations, and on numerous other environmental parameters. For recent centuries, sites with high snow accumulation are chosen. They have, for example, provided the only direct evidence that carbon dioxide concentrations have increased by over 30% over the last two centuries. They have provided key datasets for other greenhouse gases, and for other forcings such as solar and volcanic. Over longer timescales, the Vostok ice core has shown how greenhouse gas concentrations and climate have closely tracked one another over the last 400 000 years. Other cores have shown detailed spatial and temporal detail of climate transitions, including the Antarctic response during rapid climate events such as Dansgaard-Oeschger events. The new core from Dome C has extended the range of ice cores back beyond 800 000 years, and even older ice could be obtained in future projects.
Evolution of Antarctic biodiversity in the context of the past: the importance of the Southern Ocean deep sea
Authors: BRANDT ANGELIKA
Published: November 2005

Present day Southern Ocean benthic biodiversity is the result of climatic changes based on the break-up of Gondwana in the Cretaceous and the Cenozoic and the physiological potential of the fauna to cope with the climatic deterioration. Though many taxa survived the thermal drop in ocean bottom temperatures, zoogeographic ranges changed and some faunal elements even became extinct, e.g. benthic decapods and teleost fish, opening up new ecological niches and the potential for enormous adaptive radiations within some taxa, like the amphipods and isopods (peracarid crustaceans) and notothenioid fish. Ice-sheet extensions and retreats might have enhanced speciation processes as well as eurybathy. Biodiversity on the Antarctic shelf is high within the polychaetes, molluscs, and echinoderms, and within the amphipods and isopods possibly due to the Cenozoic extinction of the benthic decapods. Moreover, some shelf areas are characterized by accumulations of large suspension feeders like poriferans, bryozoans, ascidians, gorgonians, and hydroids. Palaeoclimatic changes also caused that many taxa of the modern, present day Southern Ocean benthic organisms are characterized by gigantism, slow metabolism, longevity, and a reduced number of offspring combined with late maturation. However, our biological knowledge is mainly confined to Southern Ocean shelf organism; we do not know much about the composition, biodiversity and zoogeography of the Southern Ocean deep sea animals. On this background the deep sea expeditions ANDEEP were born and the background and first results of these are presented herein.
The International Polar Year 2007–2008: planning for a new phase of polar exploration and understanding
Authors: RAPLEY C.G.
Published: November 2005

The concept of the International Polar Year (IPY) 2007–2008 is of an intensive burst of internationally coordinated, interdisciplinary, scientific research and observations focused on the Earth's Polar Regions. The research will address six themes organized around the environmental status of the Polar Regions and their relationship to change, the links between the poles and the rest of the globe, utilization of the unique features of the regions for science, and the human dimensions of communities in the Polar Regions. IPY will seek to exploit new technological and logistical capabilities, and make major advances in knowledge and understanding. Key objectives are to attract and develop the next generation of polar researchers and engineers, and to engage the interest and involvement of polar residents, and of schoolchildren, the general public, and decision makers, worldwide. The official observing period of IPY 2007–2008 will be from 1 March 2007 until 1 March 2009, under the international oversight of a Joint ICSU-WMO Committee.
Treatment of Mixed Anxiety-Depression Disorder: Long-Term Outcome
Authors: Echeburúa Enrique , Salaberría Karmele , de Corral Paz , Cenea Raúl , Berasategui Tomás
Published: November 2005

The aim of this paper was to test the long-term contribution of cognitive-behavioural therapy to the treatment of mixed anxiety-depression disorder. Fifty-seven patients, selected according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, were assigned to: 1) cognitive-behavioural therapy; 2) combined therapy (drug and cognitive-behavioural therapy); or 3) a standard drug therapy control group. A multigroup experimental design with repeated measures of assessment (pretreatment, posttreatment, and 3-, 6- and 12 month follow-ups) was used. Most patients who were treated (71%) in experimental groups showed significant improvement at the 12-month follow-up, but there were no differences between the two therapeutic modes. No improvement was shown by the control-group participants at the 6-month follow-up. The results of the present trial do not support the beneficial effects of drug therapy by itself for this disorder. Finally, several topics that may contribute to future research in this field are discussed.
Assimilative modeling of the equatorial ionosphere for scintillation forecasting: Modeling with vertical drifts
Authors: Retterer John M. , Decker D. T. , Borer W. S. , Daniell R. E. , Fejer B. G.
Published: November 2005

Knowledge of the vertical plasma drift velocity observed by the Jicamarca incoherent radar in seven events is assimilated into a theoretical model for the ambient F region plasma density. Comparisons of the calculated plasma density model and the observed plasma density show that, apart from the signature effects of equatorial plasma bubbles, the ambient model captures much of the detail of the plasma density profiles. Rayleigh‐Taylor growth rates calculated with the ambient model show a good correlation with the occurrence of spread F.
Self‐consistent modeling of the large‐scale distortions in the geomagnetic field during the 24–27 September 1998 major magnetic storm
Authors: Feldstein Y. I. , Levitin A. E. , Kozyra J. U. , Tsurutani B. T. , Prigancova A. , Alperovich L. , Gonzalez W. D. , Mall U. , Alexeev I. I. , Gromova L. I. , Dremukhina L. A.
Published: November 2005

A new self‐consistent version of a time‐dependent magnetospheric paraboloid model is presented and tested on the 24–27 September 1998 magnetic storm interval (minimum Dst = −207 nT). The model uses DMSP satellite data to identify the location of the inner boundary of the magnetotail current sheet and the magnetic flux in the lobes and their variations with time. These inputs plus upstream solar wind dynamic pressure and IMF Bz values are used to iteratively model the Earth's field during the storm. Several interesting results with important consequences are obtained: (1) the model tail field strength at the Earth's surface (DT = −134 nT) is a significant fraction of the ring current value (DR = −167 nT); (2) the movement of the tail current sheet inward to L = 3.5–4.0 at storm maximum is consistent with geosynchronous magnetic field data; (3) at the Earth's surface the Chapman‐Ferraro magnetopause current field (DCF = 117 nT) is almost equal at storm maximum to the value from the tail current, thus the fields from the two systems nearly cancel; (4) the magnetic flux from the polar cap in the course of the magnetic storm main phase approximately doubles in comparison with the magneto‐quiet interval just before the storm onset; this fact shows that the driven processes prevail over dissipation processes throughout the storm main phase; (5) the large‐scale internal currents in the magnetosphere (ring current, field‐aligned currents, and magnetotail current) have significant influence on the shape and size of the magnetosphere; the location of the magnetopause subsolar point is different from that obtained by extrapolation of empirical results taken during high geomagnetic activity intervals and from magnetospheric models that do not include feedback from internal magnetospheric currents.
Total electron content (TEC) variability at Los Alamos, New Mexico: A comparative study: FORTE‐derived TEC analysis
Authors: Huang Zhen , Roussel‐Dupré Robert
Published: November 2005

Data collected from Fast On‐Orbit Recording of Transient Events (FORTE) satellite–received Los Alamos Portable Pulser (LAPP) signals during 1997–2002 are used to derive the total electron content (TEC) at Los Alamos, New Mexico. The LAPP‐derived TECs at Los Alamos are analyzed for diurnal, seasonal, interannual, and 27‐day solar cycle variations. Several aspects in deriving TEC are analyzed, including slant to vertical TEC conversion, quartic effects on transionosperic signals, and geomagnetic storm effects on the TEC variance superimposed on the averaged TEC values.
Varying trends in surface energy fluxes and associated climate between 1960 and 2002 based on transient climate simulations
Authors: Nazarenko Larissa , Menon Surabi
Published: November 2005

The observed reduction in land surface radiation over the last several decades (1960–1990), the so‐called “dimming effect,” and the more recent evidence of a reversal in “dimming” over some locations beyond 1990 suggest several consequences on climate, notably on the hydrological cycle. Such a reduction in radiation should imply reduced surface temperature (Ts) and precipitation, which have not occurred. We have investigated the possible causes for the above climate features using a climate model coupled to a dynamic ocean model under natural and anthropogenic conditions. To isolate the aerosol influence on surface radiation trends, we have analyzed transient climate simulations from 1960 to 2002 with and without anthropogenic aerosols. Based on a linear trend with aerosol effects included, the global mean change in the surface solar radiation absorbed over land is −0.021 ± 0.0033 Wm−2yr−1. Although the overall trend is negative, we do note a reversal in dimming after 1990, consistent with observations. Without aerosol effects, the surface solar radiation absorbed over land increases throughout 1960 to 2002, mainly due to the decrease in cloud cover associated with increased greenhouse warming. In spite of a simulated increase in Ts of 0.012 K yr−1 for 1960 to 2002, the global mean latent heat flux and associated intensity of the hydrological cycle decrease overall, however with increases over some land locations due mainly to moisture advection. Simulated changes correspond more closely to observed changes when accounting for aerosol effects on climate.