bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulation of role of precipitate in creep void occurrence in heat affected zone of high Cr ferritic heat resistant steels
Authors: Li Dejun , Shinozaki K.
Published: August 2005

A three-dimensional (3D) precipitate and matrix model was used to investigate the role of precipitates as nucleation sites of creep void in the heat affected zone (HAZ) of a welded joint of high Cr ferritic heat resistant steels at high temperature and low stress. Several factors affecting creep void initiation, such as Young's modulus of precipitate and precipitate size, were studied. The material properties of the matrix were investigated for the regions of coarse grained HAZ, fine grained HAZ and base metal in the welded joint. The results show that creep void occurs easily in the fine grained HAZ region because of the deterioration in material properties and coarsened precipitates in this zone
Thermosonic bonding of crossed strip Au bumps
Authors: Kim J. H. , Kim B. C. , Lee J. , Yoo C. D.
Published: August 2005

Gold strip bumps for electronic packaging are bonded using the thermosonic process. The Au strip bumps on the chip and substrate are aligned in a crossed configuration, and ultrasound is applied longitudinally on the chip to form a solid state bond between the crossed strip Au bumps. Deformed bump shapes are calculated numerically, and the shear force and fractured surface profile are measured to evaluate the bond quality. The deformed Au bump shape is similar to a saddle, which provides larger contact surface area and greater friction force. The bond strength of crossed strip bumps reaches the yield strength of Au, which is much higher than that previously obtained for bonding between Au bumps and a planar pad.
Effects of pulsed and continuous Nd–YAG laser beam waves on welding of Inconel alloy
Authors: Kuo T.-Y.
Published: August 2005

In the present work a 2·5 kW high power Nd–YAG laser is used in the bead on plate (BOP) and butt welding of Inconel 690 plates of thickness 3 mm. Welding is performed using a rectangular laser pulse, for which the peak to base power ratio Wr is reduced from an initial value of 10 to a value of 1, maintaining an identical mean power of 1·7 kW. Therefore, the welding mode changes from a pulsed wave to a continuous wave. The BOP results indicate that the depth of the weld penetration increases at a lower travel speed and/or a higher value of Wr. In the butt welding process, as Wr is increased from 1 to 10, the cellular microstructure of the weld remains relatively unchanged, but the macroporosity formation ratio decreases from 7·1% to 0·6%. At low values of Wr, macroporosity is identified primarily in the root region. However, as Wr increases, the associated periodic high power increases the agitation of the molten pool and probably causes bubbles to float upwards. Consequently, at higher values of Wr, the regions of macroporosity are distributed randomly throughout the weld. Although microcracks are not apparent within any of the welds, each weld exhibits slight microporosity. This microporosity decreases as Wr increases. The present results confirm that a pulsed laser beam with an appropriate peak power can be used to achieve a compromise between the mechanical properties and surface roughness of the weld for Inconel 690 in Nd–YAG laser welding.
Evaluation of TIG flux welding on the characteristics of stainless steel
Authors: Huang H. Y. , Shyu S. W. , Tseng K. H. , Chou C. P.
Published: August 2005

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of specific oxide fluxes on the surface appearance, weld morphology, retained δ ferrite content, hot cracking susceptibility, angular distortion and mechanical properties obtained with the tungsten inert gas (TIG) process applied to the welding of 5 mm thick austenitic stainless steel plates. An autogenous gas tungsten arc welding process was applied to stainless steels through a thin layer of activating flux to produce a bead on plate welded joint. The MnO2 and ZnO fluxes used were packed in powdered form. The experimental results indicated that the 80% MnO2–20% ZnO mixture can give full penetration and also a satisfactory surface appearance for type 304 stainless steel TIG flux welds. TIG welding with MnO2 and/or ZnO can increase the measured ferrite number in welds, and tends to reduce hot cracking susceptibility in as welded structures. It was also found that TIG flux welding can significantly reduce the angular distortion of stainless steel weldments.
Wire melting phenomena in gas metal arc welding
Authors: Modenesi P. J. , Starling C. M. D. , Reis R. I.
Published: August 2005

The wire melting rate in gas metal arc welding using constant voltage power supplies is well described by a parabolic model that considers the effects of electrical resistance and arc heating. However, tests performed with constant current power supplies indicate that the melting rate can deviate from this model when welding current is close to the globular–spray transition value. Although the causes of this anomaly have not yet been well established, most authors consider them to be related to variations in liquid metal temperature close to the metal transfer mode transition current. The present work evaluates the effect of welding parameters on the wire melting rate when a constant current power supply is used. A numerical model that considers the contribution of both Joule and arc heating was developed to calculate the temperature distribution in the wire and its melting rate. The model was used to assess the changes in either arc heating or metal vaporisation that might explain the melting irregularities. High speed cinematography was used to analyse metal transfer in the current range associated with the melting irregularities.
Effect of modified AA4043 filler on partially melted zone cracking of Al-alloy gas tungsten arc welds
Authors: Ramanaiah N. , Rao K. S. , Guha B. , Rao K. P.
Published: August 2005

The effect of grain refiners (zirconium, Tibor and scandium) added to the fusion zone through AA4043 filler on the partially melted zone (PMZ) cracking in gas tungsten arc (GTA) welded AA6061 alloy was investigated. Welds of AA6061 in thermal tempers of artificially aged condition (T6) were made with continuous current and pulsed current techniques. Varestraint testing was carried out to study PMZ cracking in welds, and optical SEM examination performed to evaluate it. Addition of grain refiners to the fusion zone improved the PMZ cracking resistance very significantly. Pulsed current technique was also found to improve the resistance to PMZ cracking, as a result of the possible reduction in the strain in the PMZ owing to the ductile fine grained fusion zone. Severe PMZ cracking in the welds of AA4043 filler without grain refiners was attributed to a greater amount of silicon rich eutectic at the grain boundaries of the PMZ.
A two disulfide bridge Kazal domain from Phytophthora exhibits stable inhibitory activity against serine proteases of the subtilisin family
Authors: Tian Miaoying , Kamoun Sophien
Published: August 2005

Background

Kazal-like serine protease inhibitors are defined by a conserved sequence motif. A typical Kazal domain contains six cysteine residues leading to three disulfide bonds with a 1–5/2–4/3–6 pattern. Most Kazal domains described so far belong to this class. However, a novel class of Kazal domains with two disulfide bridges resulting from the absence of the third and sixth cysteines have been found in biologically important molecules, such as human LEKTI, a 15-domain inhibitor associated with the severe congenital disease Netherton syndrome. These domains are referred to as atypical Kazal domains. Previously, EPI1, a Kazal-like protease inhibitor from the oomycete plant pathogen Phytophthora infestans, was shown to be a tight-binding inhibitor of subtilisin A. EPI1 also inhibits and interacts with the pathogenesis-related P69B subtilase of the host plant tomato, suggesting a role in virulence. EPI1 is composed of two Kazal domains, the four-cysteine atypical domain EPI1a and the typical domain EPI1b.

Results

In this study, we predicted the inhibition constants of EPI1a and EPI1b to subtilisin A using the additivity-based sequence to reactivity algorithm (Laskowski algorithm). The atypical domain EPI1a, but not the typical domain EPI1b, was predicted to have strong inhibitory activity against subtilisin A. Inhibition assays and coimmunoprecipitation experiments showed that recombinant domain EPI1a exhibited stable inhibitory activity against subilisin A and was solely responsible for inhibition and interaction with tomato P69B subtilase.

Conclusion

The finding that the two disulfide bridge atypical Kazal domain EPI1a is a stable inhibitor indicates that the missing two cysteines and their corresponding disulfide bond are not essential for inhibitor reactivity and stability. This report also suggests that the Laskowski algorithm originally developed and validated with typical Kazal domains might operate accurately for atypical Kazal domains.
Safety and tolerability of nevirapine-based antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients receiving fluconazole for cryptococcal prophylaxis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Manosuthi Weerawat , Chumpathat Nopphanath , Chaovavanich Achara , Sungkanuparph Somnuek
Published: August 2005

Background

To compare the adverse events after initiation of nevirapine-based ART among HIV-infected patients who did not receive fluconazole (group A), received fluconazole 400 mg/week (group B), and received fluconazole 200 mg/day (group C).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted among HIV-infected patients who began NVP-based ART between December 2003 and September 2004. Patients were followed up for 6 months. Clinical hepatitis, elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (> 3 times from baseline), and skin rashes were studied.

Results

There were 686 patients; 225, 392, and 69 patients in group A, B, and C, respectively. Baseline characteristics including age, previous opportunistic infections, use of antituberculous drugs, and baseline aminotransferase levels among the three groups were similar. Group C had a higher proportion of men (p= 0.016). Baseline median (IQR) CD4 cell counts were 85 (21–159), 18 (7–48), and 16 (5–35) cell/mm3in group A, B, and C, respectively (p< 0.001). Of 2/225 (0.9%), 4/392 (1.0%), and 0/69 (0%) patients in group A, B, and C developed clinical hepatitis (p= 0.705). There were no significant difference of elevated AST or ALT among the three groups (p> 0.05). By logistic regression, receiving fluconazole was not predictive of clinical hepatitis, elevated aminotransferase, or skin rashes. At 6 months after initiating NVP, 174 (77.3%) patients in group A, 309 (78.8%) patients in group B, and 58 (84.1%) patients in group C remained on NVP.

Conclusion

Initiation of NVP-based ART among Thais with advance HIV disease receiving fluconazole is safe and well-tolerated. nevirapine should not be contraindicated for patients receiving fluconazole for treatment or prophylaxis of cryptococcosis.
Chloroquine is a potent inhibitor of SARS coronavirus infection and spread
Authors: Vincent Martin J , Bergeron Eric , Benjannet Suzanne , Erickson Bobbie R , Rollin Pierre E , Ksiazek Thomas G , Seidah Nabil G , Nichol Stuart T
Published: August 2005

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is caused by a newly discovered coronavirus (SARS-CoV). No effective prophylactic or post-exposure therapy is currently available.

Results

We report, however, that chloroquine has strong antiviral effects on SARS-CoV infection of primate cells. These inhibitory effects are observed when the cells are treated with the drug either before or after exposure to the virus, suggesting both prophylactic and therapeutic advantage. In addition to the well-known functions of chloroquine such as elevations of endosomal pH, the drug appears to interfere with terminal glycosylation of the cellular receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. This may negatively influence the virus-receptor binding and abrogate the infection, with further ramifications by the elevation of vesicular pH, resulting in the inhibition of infection and spread of SARS CoV at clinically admissible concentrations.

Conclusion

Chloroquine is effective in preventing the spread of SARS CoV in cell culture. Favorable inhibition of virus spread was observed when the cells were either treated with chloroquine prior to or after SARS CoV infection. In addition, the indirect immunofluorescence assay described herein represents a simple and rapid method for screening SARS-CoV antiviral compounds.
Metaproteomic analysis of Chesapeake Bay microbial communities
Authors: Kan Jinjun , Hanson Thomas E , Ginter Joy M , Wang Kui , Chen Feng
Published: August 2005

Background

Natural microbial communities are extremely complex and dynamic systems in terms of their population structure and functions. However, little is known about the in situ functions of the microbial communities.

Results

This study describes the application of proteomic approaches (metaproteomics) to observe expressed protein profiles of natural microbial communities (metaproteomes). The technique was validated using a constructed community and subsequently used to analyze Chesapeake Bay microbial community (0.2 to 3.0 μm) metaproteomes. Chesapeake Bay metaproteomes contained proteins from pI 4–8 with apparent molecular masses between 10–80 kDa. Replicated middle Bay metaproteomes shared ~92% of all detected spots, but only shared 30% and 70% of common protein spots with upper and lower Bay metaproteomes. MALDI-TOF analysis of highly expressed proteins produced no significant matches to known proteins. Three Chesapeake Bay proteins were tentatively identified by LC-MS/MS sequencing coupled with MS-BLAST searching. The proteins identified were of marine microbial origin and correlated with abundant Chesapeake Bay microbial lineages, Bacteroides and α-proteobacteria.

Conclusion

Our results represent the first metaproteomic study of aquatic microbial assemblages and demonstrate the potential of metaproteomic approaches to link metagenomic data, taxonomic diversity, functional diversity and biological processes in natural environments.
A functional variant of Fcγ receptor IIIA is associated with rheumatoid arthritis in individuals who are positive for anti-glucose-6-phosphate isomerase antibodies
Authors: Matsumoto Isao , Zhang Hua , Muraki Yoshifumi , Hayashi Taichi , Yasukochi Takanori , Kori Yuko , Goto Daisuke , Ito Satoshi , Tsutsumi Akito , Sumida Takayuki
Published: August 2005

Anti-glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) antibodies are known to be arthritogenic autoantibodies in K/B×N mice, although some groups have reported that few healthy humans retain these antibodies. The expression of Fcγ receptors (FcγRs) is genetically regulated and has strong implications for the development of experimental arthritis. The interaction between immune complexes and FcγRs might therefore be involved in the pathogenesis of some arthritic conditions. To explore the relationship between functional polymorphisms in FcγRs (FCGR3A-158V/F and FCGR2A-131H/R) and arthritis in individuals positive for anti-GPI antibodies, we evaluated these individuals with respect to FCGR genotype. Genotyping for FCGR3A-158V/F and FCGR2A-131H/R was performed by PCR amplification of the polymorphic site, followed by site specific restriction digestion using the genome of 187 Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (including 23 who were anti-GPI antibody positive) and 158 Japanese healthy individuals (including nine who were anti-GPI antibody positive). We report here on the association of FCGR3A-158V/F functional polymorphism with anti-GPI antibody positive status. Eight out of nine healthy individuals who were positive for anti-GPI antibodies possessed the homozygous, low affinity genotype FCGR3A-158F (odds ratio = 0.09, 95% confidence interval 0.01–0.89; P = 0.0199), and probably were 'protected' from arthritogenic antibodies. Moreover, among those who were homozygous for the high affinity genotype FCGR3A-158V/V, there were clear differences in anti-human and anti-rabbit GPI titres between patients with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy subjects (P = 0.0027 and P = 0.0015, respectively). Our findings provide a molecular model of the genetic regulation of autoantibody-induced arthritis by allele-specific affinity of the FcγRs.
British Naval Policy, Policy-Makers and Financial Control, 1860-1945
Authors: Hamilton C. I.
Published: August 2005

In the early nineteenth-century Admiralty there was little policy-making, policy-makers were few and the word ‘policy’ was scarcely ever used. At least in peacetime, economy was the default principle of action. Only by a century later had something approximating the modern pattern emerged. The growth from the 1880s of better internal Admiralty financial control was an important causal factor. It sponsored the development of a bureaucratic organization concerned with financial policy-making, anticipating here the similar development in the planning of naval strategy and construction. Moreover, it encouraged Admiralty civil servants to involve themselves in wider matters of policy. Also relevant are attempts made by the Treasury, principally between the two world wars, to enforce more external financial controls, though these were against the background of fundamental defence problems that themselves greatly aided the concentration of minds.
Huns with Web-Feet: Operation Albion, 1917
Authors: DiNardo Richard L.
Published: August 2005

In October 1917 the German army and navy were able to mount a successful joint operation to seize the Baltic islands in the Gulf of Riga. Although undertaken by each service for motives of its own, and against disintegrating Russian resistance, Operation Albion was the kind of improvised operation at which the German army in particular excelled. The operation featured an interesting employment of aircraft, and marked about the only time in the First World War where the German army and navy were able to co-operate successfully. The landings secured the islands of Oesel, Moon and Dagö, thus giving the Germans the ability to use the port facilities at Riga. After the war, however, the German military establishment quickly forgot about this operation, and paid little if any attention to it in both its professional military publications and in the Kriegsakademie. Thus Albion was an unlearned lesson for the Germans in the interwar period.
Introduction to Bayesian methods II: fundamental concepts
Authors: Louis Thomas A
Published: August 2005

The use of Bayesian design and analysis is burgeoning. In this introduction to Bayesian methods, we provide basic examples of Bayesian thinking and formalism on which more complicated and comprehensive approaches are built. These include adjusting estimates using related information, the use of Bayes theorem in diagnostic testing, the relationship of the prior and posterior distributions for situations where both the data and prior distribution are Gaussian, and the key steps in a Bayesian analysis. If Bayesian methods are carefully developed and applied, they have excellent objective (i.e., frequentist) properties, providing marvelous tools to help improve the FDA regulatory process.
Wire Tension in the Ilizarov System: Accuracy of the Wire-Tensioning Device
Authors: Watson M A , Mathias K J , Ashcroft G P , Maffulli N , Hukins D W L , Shepherd D E T
Published: August 2005

The Ilizarov fixator consists of tensioned wires that attach bone segments to a modular frame. The aim of this study was to establish the accuracy and precision of the wire-tensioning device supplied with the Ilizarov external fixation system. The device was used to tension a wire in direct opposition to a calibrated load cell. Five subjects tested three devices, at each of their four tension settings, in two separate sessions. Subjects could not see the true tension during the test. There were significant differences between the results for different subjects ( p <0.01) and instruments ( p <0.01) but not for different tension settings or between the two sessions. Overall mean measured tensions were 4.9 per cent (standard deviation, 4.4 per cent) below intended values. Tensions obtained at the maximum edge (completely occluded) on the scale markings were significantly ( p <0.001) closer to the nominal values (mean discrepancy, 3.6 per cent) than those at the minimum edge (mean discrepancy, 17.6 per cent). Several factors influence wire tension. Tensioning devices are not identical and the results obtained with them depend on the user. If the scale markings are completely occluded, the discrepancy between intended and actual tensions of around 5 per cent is likely to be adequate for clinical practice since surgeons do not select the most suitable tension following quantitative data assessment, but rather it is a judgement based on surgical experience and consideration for the patient weight and expected level of activity.
Numerical Study on the Pulsatile Flow Characteristics of Proximal Anastomotic Models
Authors: Chua L P , Zhang J-M , Yu S C M , Ghista D N , Tan Y S
Published: August 2005

Haemodynamics was widely believed to correlate with anastomosis restenosis. Utilizing the haemodynamic parameters as indicator functions, distal anastomosis was redesigned by some researchers so as to improve the long-term graft patency rate. However, there were few studies upon the proximal anastomosis. Therefore, in this study, flow characteristics and distributions of the haemodynamic parameters in proximal anastomosis under physiological flow condition have been investigated numerically for three different grafting angles: namely, 45° forward facing, 45° backward facing, and 90° anastomotic joints. The simulation results showed a flow separation region along the graft inner wall immediately after the heel at peak flow phase and it decreased in size with the grafting angle shifting from 45° forward facing to 45° backward facing. At the same time, a pair of vortex was found in the cross-sectional planes of the 45° backward facing and 90° grafts. In addition, stagnation point was found along the graft outer wall with small shifting during the physiological cycle. High spatial and temporal wall shear stresses gradients (WSSG) were observed around the anastomotic joint. Low time-averaged wall shear stress (WSS) with elevated oscillation shear index (OSI) was found near the middle of anastomosis at the aorta wall and along the graft inner wall respectively, while high time-averaged WSS with low OSI was found at the heel, the toe, and the region downstream of the toe. These regions correlated to early lesion growth. Elevated time-averaged WSSG was found at the same region, where the elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) permeability was observed as reported in the literature. The existence of nearly fixed stagnating location, flow separation, vortex, high time-averaged WSS with low OSI, low time-averaged WSS with elevated OSI, and high time-averaged WSSG may lead to graft stenosis. Moreover, the simulation results obtained were consistent with those of experimental measurements. Based on the validated simulation results, the 45° backward-facing graft was found to have the lowest variation range of time-averaged WSS and the lowest segmental average of WSSG among the three models investigated. The 45° backward-facing graft is thus recommended for the bypass operation with expected higher patency rate.
Effect of Wear of Bearing Surfaces on Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication of Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants
Authors: Liu F , Jin Z M , Hirt F , Rieker C , Roberts P , Grigoris P
Published: August 2005

The effect of geometry change of the bearing surfaces owing to wear on the elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) of metal-on-metal (MOM) hip bearings has been investigated theoretically in the present study. A particular MOM Metasul™ bearing (Zimmer GmbH) was considered, and was tested in a hip simulator using diluted bovine serum. The geometry of the worn bearing surface was measured using a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and was modelled theoretically on the assumption of spherical geometries determined from the maximum linear wear depth and the angle of the worn region. Both the CMM measurement and the theoretical calculation were directly incorporated into the elastohydrodynamic lubrication analysis. It was found that the geometry of the original machined bearing surfaces, particularly of the femoral head with its out-of-roundness, could lead to a large reduction in the predicted lubricant film thickness and an increase in pressure. However, these non-spherical deviations can be expected to be smoothed out quickly during the initial running-in period. For a given worn bearing surface, the predicted lubricant film thickness and pressure distribution, based on CMM measurement, were found to be in good overall agreement with those obtained with the theoretical model based on the maximum linear wear depth and the angle of the worn region. The gradual increase in linear wear during the running-in period resulted in an improvement in the conformity and consequently an increase in the predicted lubricant film thickness and a decrease in the pressure. For the Metasul™ bearing tested in an AMTI hip simulator, a maximum total linear wear depth of approximately 13 μm was measured after 1 million cycles and remained unchanged up to 5 million cycles. This resulted in a threefold increase in the predicted average lubricant film thickness. Consequently, it was possible for the Metasul™ bearing to achieve a fluid film lubrication regime during this period, and this was consistent with the minimal wear observed between 1 and 5 million cycles. However, under adverse in vivo conditions associated with start-up and stopping and depleted lubrication, wear of the bearing surfaces can still occur. An increase in the wear depth beyond a certain limit was shown to lead to the constriction of the lubricant film around the edge of the contact conjunction and consequently to a decrease in the lubricant film thickness. Continuous cycles of a running-in wear period followed by a steady state wear period may be inevitable in MOM hip implants. This highlights the importance of minimizing the wear in these devices during the initial running-in period, particularly from design and manufacturing points of view.
G-Protein-Gated Potassium (GIRK) Channels Containing the GIRK2 Subunit Are Control Hubs for Pharmacologically Induced Hypothermic Responses
Authors: Costa Alberto C. S. , Stasko Melissa R. , Stoffel Markus , Scott-McKean Jonah J.
Published: August 2005

Hypothermic responses of rodents to the peripheral or intraventricular injection of many individual neurotransmitter receptor agonists have been well documented. Because many hypothermia-inducing agonists are also known to activate G-protein-gated potassium (GIRK) channels, we investigated the hypothermic response to several of these agents onGirk2null mutant mice. Core body temperatures were measured through radiotelemetry, and animals were maintained in special temperature-regulated chambers to ensure the accuracy of the measurements. The resulting data indicate that the activation of GIRK2-containing potassium channels plays a significant role in hypothermia induced by the activation of serotonergic (5-HT1A), GABAergic (GABAB), muscarinic (m2), adenosine (A1), and μ, δ, and κ opioid receptors. These channels also are involved in the alcohol-induced hypothermic response. These results have implications for the understanding of pharmacologically induced hypothermia and thermoregulatory mechanisms.
The DFG Priority Program “Informatics Methods for the Analysis and Interpretation of Large Genomic Datasets” (DFG Schwerpunktprogramm “Informatikmethoden zur Analyse und Interpretation großer genomischer Datenmengen”)
Authors: Lengauer Thomas
Published: August 2005

Summury

The priority program “Informatics Methods for the Analysis and Interpretation of Large Genomic Data Sets” addressed the interdisciplinary community of researchers in computer science and mathematics on the one hand and molecular biology and biochemistry on the other hand that has formed in Germany and established itself internationally due to focussed activities in this area. With the sequenced genomes we have data sets at hand that contain all relevant information on the blueprint of a species. The task of the priority programm was the exploration of large genomic data sets with informatics methods. The systematic comparisons of sequence patterns as well predictions and analyses of molecular structures and interactions make it possible to elucidate relationships between structure and function and thus to arrange cellular components in metabolic or regulatory networks.
The capacity of antioxidant protection during modulated ageing of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cotyledons. 1. The antioxidant enzyme activities
Authors: Procházková D. , Wilhelmová N.
Published: August 2005

Reactive oxygen species are known to increase in plant senescence. We investigated the participation of antioxidative enzymes in initiation of cotyledon senescence. Senescence of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cotyledons was modulated by UV C irradiation and by the decapitation of plant apices. Senescence was accompanied by a decrease of protein content and by a decrease of photochemical efficiency. A drop in activity of antioxidative enzymes preceded the onset of senescence in control plants. In cotyledons with prolonged life span, the decrease of antioxidant activities and the markers of senescence onset appeared at a similar age as in controls. Thus we presumed that the period from senescence initiation to cotyledon abscission was extended. On the other hand, in UV C irradiated plants we did not observe actual senescence initiation, and antioxidant enzymes although elevated, did not effectively play their role. The decrease of antioxidant enzymes activity and the markers of senescence appeared at a similar age both in control and in decapitated (D) plants, so we can presume that we prolonged mainly the period from senescence onset to cotyledon abscission in D plants. In UV C irradiated plants the antioxidative enzymes were probably destroyed before the process of senescence could begin. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assignment of the absolute configuration of [n]‐ladderanes by TD‐DFT optical rotation calculations
Authors: Zuber Gérard , Goldsmith Michael‐Rock , Beratan David N. , Wipf Peter
Published: August 2005

In this study, we report theoretical specific rotation values for a series of cis‐/trans‐alkylated‐[5]‐ladderanes and cis‐/trans‐methylated‐[n]‐ladderanes. Using time‐dependent density functional response theory optical rotation calculations, we can assign (+) and (−) optical rotation signs to trans‐(S)‐alkyl‐[5]‐ladderane and trans‐(R)‐alkyl‐[5]‐ladderane configurations, respectively. In order to qualitatively validate our absolute configuration predictions, we computed optical rotation values at three different levels of theory—B3LYP, RI‐BP86, and Hartree–Fock—using the aug‐cc‐pVDZ basis set. We observe a novel rung–parity‐controlled oscillatory optical rotatory phenomenon in our computations, which, to the best of our knowledge, has never been reported or observed before. Furthermore, this preliminary analysis of optical rotation properties in this class of compounds should facilitate the correct absolute stereochemical assignment of natural and synthetic ladderanes, such as the trans‐isomer of pentacyclic C20‐fatty acid methyl ester (pentacycloanammoxic methyl ester), without the need for derivatization, in particular for cases where NMR or X‐ray crystal structures are not readily available. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Chirality 17:507–510, 2005.
β‐catenin mutations and expression, 249serine p53 tumor suppressor gene mutation, and hepatitis B virus infection in southern African Blacks with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Elmileik Hashim , Paterson Alan C. , Kew Michael C.
Published: August 2005

Background and Objectives

To ascertain the prevalence of deregulating mutations of β‐catenin gene, and to correlate this with the occurrence of 249serine p53 gene mutation and hepatitis B virus infection in southern African Blacks with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods

Paired cancer/non‐cancerous liver tissues from 21 and cancer tissues alone from 20 Black Africans with hepatocellular carcinoma were studied. RT‐PCR‐SSCP and sequencing were used to detect mutations in exon 3 of the β‐catenin gene, and PCR, restriction endonuclease analysis, and sequencing to detect the p53 gene mutation. Immunostaining was used to identify β‐catenin protein expression in hepatocytes.

Results

No mutations in exon 3 of the β‐catenin gene were found in tumor or non‐tumorous tissues. Immunohistochemical staining showed β‐catenin protein expression in membranes and cytoplasm of hepatocytes but not in the nuclei. The 249serine p53 gene mutation was detected in 27.2% of the hepatocellular carcinoma tissues but not in non‐cancerous tissues. No correlation was found between β‐catenin mutation and over‐expression and 249serine p53 gene mutations or hepatitis B virus surface antigenemia.

Conclusions

Unlike hepatocellular carcinomas in China, Japan, and Europe, deregulating β‐catenin gene mutations do not appear to occur in southern African Blacks with this tumor and do not therefore interact with either the 249serine p53 gene mutation or hepatitis B virus infection in its pathogenesis. J. Surg. Oncol. 2005;91:258–263. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinicopathological features, surgical management, and disease outcome of perforated gastric cancer
Authors: Jwo Shyh‐Chuan , Chien Rong‐Nan , Chao Tzu‐Chien , Chen Huang‐Yang , Lin Chin‐Yew
Published: August 2005

Background and Objectives

Perforated gastric cancer is rare and generally not diagnosed preoperatively or intraoperatively, if a frozen section is unavailable. Therefore, the elucidation of its clinicopathological features and disease outcomes will help surgeons manage perforated gastric cancer.

Patients and Methods

The clinicopathological features, surgical management, and disease outcomes of 13 patients with perforated gastric cancer from March 1989 to May 2003 were retrospectively analyzed. Disease outcomes were analyzed in‐depth based on tumor stage, depth of tumor invasion, operative curability, and three treatment groups.

Results

All 13 patients (median age of 72 years) received emergent laparotomy. Malignant gastric perforation was diagnosed intraoperatively in eight (61.5%) patients. Four patients whose frozen sections exhibited perforated gastric cancer underwent radical surgery with curative intent and were assigned to Group 1. Another four patients with overt distal metastases underwent palliative surgery and were assigned to Group 2. The remaining five patients were misdiagnosed as having benign gastric perforation and underwent local surgery; these patients were assigned to Group 3. All patients received follow‐up for a median of 26 months. The survival rates for Stage I disease (P = 0.0342), T1/T2 tumors (P = 0.0342), and curative resection (P = 0.0012) significantly exceeded those of Stage III/IV, T3/T4 tumors, and non‐curative resection. Additionally, the survival rates of Group 1 (P = 0.0067) and Group 3 (P = 0.0067) significantly exceeded those of Group 2. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed no significant predictor of prognosis.

Conclusions

In resectable cases, one‐stage radical gastrectomy with possible extensive lymphadenectomy should be encouraged if conditions allow. In cases of misdiagnosis, non‐radical local surgery with curative resection is sufficient to treat early‐stage cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2005;91:219–225. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Results of total gastrectomy with extended lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer in elderly patients
Authors: Otsuji Eigo , Fujiyama Junshin , Takagi Tsuyoshi , Ito Tadao , Kuriu Yoshiaki , Toma Atsushi , Okamoto Kazuma , Hagiwara Akeo , Yamagishi Hisakazu
Published: August 2005

Background and Objectives

The incidence of gastric cancer, in people over 70 years of age, has increased remarkably. Aggressive lymphadenectomy with gastrectomy has been reported to improve survival in patients with gastric cancer. Because complication rates following gastrectomy increase with advancing age, we sought to determine whether this procedure was merited in elderly patients with gastric cancer.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 202 patients who underwent total gastrectomy with extended lymphadenectomy for gastric carcinoma. Postoperative complication rates were compared between patients over and under 70 years of age.

Results

The 10‐year survival rates of patients under and over 70 years of age following total gastrectomy with extended lymphadenectomy were not significantly different. Although medical comorbidities in each group were similar, pulmonary dysfunction was significantly more common following total gastrectomy in patients over 70 years than in patients under 70 years. Moreover, logistic regression analysis revealed that patient's age was the only variable that independently correlated with the presence of postoperative complications.

Conclusions

The prognosis of the gastric cancer patients over 70 years of age was similar to that of younger patients after total gastrectomy with extensive lymphadenectomy. However, pulmonary dysfunction was significantly more common in patients over 70 years old. J. Surg. Oncol. 2005;91:232–236. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Retrospective review of lung cancer patients with pleural dissemination after limited operations combined with parietal pleurectomy
Authors: Ohta Yasuhiko , Shimizu Yosuke , Matsumoto Isao , Tamura Masaya , Oda Makoto , Watanabe Go
Published: August 2005

Background and Objectives

The long‐term control of malignant effusion is necessary to achieve long‐term survival in lung cancer patients with carcinomatous pleuritis. This report describes our results of limited operations including parietal pleurectomy (pl) on a hypothesis that the most effective target area for controlling malignant pleural effusion is the parietal pleura.

Methods

Forty‐two patients with pleural dissemination with/without malignant pleural effusion were analyzed retrospectively. The operative procedures used were partial resection of the primary site with pl in 20 cases, segmentectomy with pl in 2 cases, lobectomy with pl in 19 cases, and pl only in 1 case. Postoperative adjuvant treatment was performed in 31 patients.

Results

Adenocarcinoma was the dominant histology, and the pathological stages were IIIB in 34 cases and IV (intrapulmonary metastasis) in 8 cases. The overall 3‐, 5‐, and 10‐year survival rates were 30.1%, 17.2%, and 10.3%, respectively. When stratified by the TNM classification, the overall 3‐, 5‐, and 10‐year survival rates were 56.3%, 32.1%, and 24.1%, respectively, in the T4N0M0 group and 21.1%, 7.0%, and 0%, respectively, in the T4N1‐2M0 group (P = 0.0257). Among the 24 patients whose recurrent patterns could be identified, only 2 patients developed recurrent malignant effusion.

Conclusions

With appropriate patient selection, the use of limited surgery combined with pl followed by intrapleural and systemic chemotherapy appears to be effective in management of the disease. J. Surg. Oncol. 2005;91:237–242. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mismatch of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and DSM‐IV symptom clusters in a cancer sample: Exploratory factor analysis of the PTSD Checklist‐Civilian Version
Authors: Shelby Rebecca A. , Golden‐Kreutz Deanna M. , Andersen Barbara L.
Published: August 2005

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM‐IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994a) conceptualization of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) includes three symptom clusters: reexperiencing, avoidance/numbing, and arousal. The PTSD Checklist‐Civilian Version (PCL‐C) corresponds to the DSM‐IV PTSD symptoms. In the current study, we conducted exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of the PCL‐C with two aims: (a) to examine whether the PCL‐C evidenced the three‐factor solution implied by the DSM‐IV symptom clusters, and (b) to identify a factor solution for the PCL‐C in a cancer sample. Women (N = 148) with Stage II or III breast cancer completed the PCL‐C after completion of cancer treatment. We extracted two‐, three‐, four‐, and five‐factor solutions using EFA. Our data did not support the DSM‐IV PTSD symptom clusters. Instead, EFA identified a four‐factor solution including reexperiencing, avoidance, numbing, and arousal factors. Four symptom items, which may be confounded with illness and cancer treatment‐related symptoms, exhibited poor factor loadings. Using these symptom items in cancer samples may lead to overdiagnosis of PTSD and inflated rates of PTSD symptoms.
Some remarks on the perturbation of polar decompositions for rectangular matrices
Authors: Li Wen , Sun Weiwei
Published: August 2005

In this article we focus on perturbation bounds of unitary polar factors in polar decompositions for rectangular matrices. First we present two absolute perturbation bounds in unitarily invariant norms and in spectral norm, respectively, for any rectangular complex matrices, which improve recent results of Li and Sun (SIAM J. Matrix Anal. Appl. 2003; 25:362–372). Secondly, a new absolute bound for complex matrices of full rank is given. When ‖A − Ã‖2 ≪ ‖A − Ã‖F, our bound for complex matrices is the same as in real case. Finally, some asymptotic bounds given by Mathias (SIAM J. Matrix Anal. Appl. 1993; 14:588–593) for both real and complex square matrices are generalized. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of soluble electron‐donating polymers containing vinylogous TTF by oxidative dimerization of 1,4‐bisdithiafulvenyl‐2,5‐dialkoxybenzene
Authors: Naka Kensuke , Inagi Shinsuke , Chujo Yoshiki
Published: August 2005

A new electron‐donating polymer composed of a vinylogous tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) unit was prepared by the oxidative dimerization of 1,4‐bisdithiafulvenyl‐2,5‐didodecyloxybenzene using iodine. The polymer was soluble in common organic solvents such as CHCl3 and toluene. The number‐average molecular weight of the polymer with dodecyloxy group was 24,900 determined from GPC. The UV–vis spectrum of the polymer showed the absorption maxima at 587, 712, and 803 nm, which are due to a cation radical of the vinylogous TTF unit in the polymer. The reduction of the polymer to its neutral state was performed using sodium hydrogen sulfite. The structure of the polymer was confirmed by 1H NMR and UV–vis spectra compared with that of a dimer model compound prepared by oxidation of 1‐dithiafulvenyl‐2,5‐didodecyloxybenzene using iodine. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4600–4608, 2005
Determinants of protein stability and folding: Comparative analysis of beta‐lactoglobulins and liver basic fatty acid binding protein
Authors: Ragona Laura , Colombo Giorgio , Catalano Maddalena , Molinari Henriette
Published: August 2005

A new energy decomposition approach, aimed at identifying residues playing a folding key role, has been applied here to three homologous proteins, belonging to the calycin superfamily, namely bovine and porcine beta‐lactoglobulins and Liver basic fatty acid binding protein, sharing the same beta‐barrel fold and different degree of sequence identities. All‐atom, explicit solvent molecular dynamics simulations around the native conformation were used to generate, for each of the three proteins, energy maps which were further simplified through eigenvalue decomposition. Analysis of the components of the eigenvector associated with the lowest eigenvalue singled out those residues (hot sites) behaving as strongly interacting and possible nucleation centers. The results fit well with experimental folding data and, especially, with the analysis of side chain–side chain interaction conservation. Proteins 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On Halting Process of Quantum Turing Machine
Authors: Miyadera Takayuki , Ohya Masanori
Published: August 2005

We prove that there is no algorithm to tell whether an arbitrarily constructed Quantum Turing Machine has same time steps for different branches of computation. We, hence, cannot avoid the notion of halting to be probabilistic in Quantum Turing Machine.
Eighteenth-century Korean marriage customs: the Tansoˇng census registers
Authors: KUEN-TAE KIM
Published: August 2005

In this article the ages at marriage and remarriage of Tansoˇng men and women are examined through an analysis of census registers (hojoˇk) from between 1678 and 1789. It was discovered that the average age of Tansoˇng women at first marriage was 17.5, and that most women married between the ages of 15 and 20, much earlier than women in Europe in this period and slightly earlier than those in Japan, but at similar ages to Chinese women. Husbands were on average around 18 when they married. Roughly half of widowers remarried, with remarriage more likely for those of lower and middle status than for upper-status widowers. Many middle- and low-status widowers had probably also married widows despite the fact that there was a legal prohibition on the remarriage of widows.
Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonic Parametric Perfusion Imaging Detects Dysfunctional Tissue at Risk in Acute MCA Stroke
Authors: Eyding Jens , Krogias Christos , Schöllhammer Martin , Eyding Dirk , Wilkening Wilko , Meves Saskia , Schröder Alexandra , Przuntek Horst , Postert Thomas
Published: August 2005

Ultrasonic perfusion imaging predicts size and localization of acute stroke. It is unclear whether irreversibly damaged tissue can be differentiated from tissue at risk. Thirty-four patients (ischemic stroke <12 h) were included (Phase Inversion Harmonic Perfusion Imaging; bolus kinetic; fitted model function). Three patterns of perfusion were defined in 14 prespecified regions of interest (ROI): ‘normal', ‘hypoperfusion', and ‘no perfusion'. Clinical status was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) (at baseline and at days 2 to 4). Cranial Computed Tomography (CCT) (days 2 to 4) displayed final infarction. The pattern ‘hypoperfusion’ (ROIs presumably representing tissue at risk) was tested twofold: (i) Functional impairment by correlating their number with baseline NIHSS. (ii) Viability by correlating their recruitment rate to infarction with clinical course (ΔNIHSS days 2 to 4). In addition, various predictive values were assessed. Twenty-seven patients were eligible for analysis. The sum of ROIs with ‘no perfusion’ and ‘hypoperfusion’ correlated highest with baseline NIHSS ( ρ = 0.78, P < 0.001). Recruitment of hypoperfused ROIs to infarction highly correlated with clinical course ( ρ = 0.79, P < 0.001). Clinical course dichotomized the patients into subgroups A ('stable', ΔNIHSS ≥ −3) and B ('improved', ΔNIHSS ≤ −4). In A, sensitivity and specificity for hypo- and nonperfused tissue being eventually infarcted were 96% and 88% positive predictive value, PPV 89%, negative predictive value, NPV 96%). In B, sensitivity and specificity for nonperfused tissue eventually being infarcted were 81% and 99% (PPV 99%, NPV 84%). Different perfusion patterns (hypoperfusion, no perfusion) and dysfunctional but viable tissue at risk can be reliably detected by ultrasonic perfusion imaging. This method may give Supplementary information in cases illegible for perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (PW-MRI).