bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrophobically Modified Poly(acrylic acid) Using 3‐Pentadecylcyclohexylamine: Synthesis and Rheology
Authors: Shedge Aarti S. , Lele Ashish K. , Wadgaonkar Prakash P. , Hourdet Dominique , Perrin Patrick , Chassenieux Christophe , Badiger Manohar V.
Published: February 2005

Summary: Hydrophobically modified poly(acrylic acid) was synthesized using 3‐pentadecylcyclohexylamine (3‐PDCA), which was in turn synthesized from 3‐pentadecylphenol, one of the components of cashew‐nut shell liquid (CNSL), a renewable resource material. 1H NMR spectra confirmed the incorporation of 3‐PDCA onto PAA and a series of HMPs with three different molar concentrations, viz ≅ 3, 5 and 7 mol‐% of 3‐PDCA, were synthesized. An increase in viscosity with increasing hydrophobic content was observed by rheological measurements. The critical association concentrations were determined using an Ubbelohde viscometer and a controlled stress rheometer. The stability of HMPs towards temperature and shear was studied. Rheological measurements showed that there was a steady increase in viscosity with increase in hydrophobe content due to the formation of reversible networks. These polymers exhibited gel‐like behavior at low concentrations (≥2 wt.‐%) with an apparent yield stress (ca. 10 Pa) and showed shear thinning properties (non‐Newtonian). However, below a critical concentration, c [η], they showed Newtonian behavior.

ηsp of unmodified and modified PAA‐Na at various polymer concentrations.

magnified image

ηsp of unmodified and modified PAA‐Na at various polymer concentrations.
Collision‐avoidance radar‐system antenna for a smart UAV
Authors: Lee Hyeon‐Cheol , Kim In‐Kyu , Yun Tae‐Yeoul
Published: February 2005

This paper presents the optimization of antennas for the collision‐avoidance radar system of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Geometric parameters and radiation patterns are compared among horn, parabolic, cassegrain, and offset‐cassegrain antennas. Based on the sidelobe levels of the calculated radiation patterns and sizes, the parabolic antenna shows the best results: a sidelobe of less than −30 dB and gain of 37 dBi with a focal length of 21.3 cm and a diameter of 26 cm. This research is explored for the first time to the authors' knowledge and the should be useful in the UAV. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 44: 498–501, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20678
Bruggeman approach for isotropic chiral mixtures revisited
Authors: Ross Benjamin M. , Lakhtakia Akhlesh
Published: February 2005

Two interpretations of the Bruggeman approach for the homogenization of isotropic chiral mixtures are shown to lead to different results. Whereas the standard interpretation is shown to yield the average polarizability density approach, a recent interpretation turns out to deliver a null excess polarization approach. The difference between the two interpretations arises from differing treatments of the local field. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 44: 524–527, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20685
Sequential‐rotation arrays of circularly polarized aperture antennas in the MCM‐D technology
Authors: Soliman E. A. , Brebels S. , Beyne E. , Vandenbosch G. A. E.
Published: February 2005

This paper describes the design and measurement of a 2 × 2 sequential‐rotation array (SRA) of circularly polarized antenna elements. A larger 4 × 4 array is also realized by connecting four 2 × 2 SRA subarrays by using a corporate feeding network. The feeding networks of these arrays are built with CPW lines using MCM‐D technology. The arrays operate in the K‐band at around 25 GHz. The analysis is carried out both theoretically and experimentally. The proposed arrays enjoy high impedance bandwidth, high circular polarization bandwidth, and good isolation between the RHCP and the LHCP modes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 44: 581–585, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20702
Bandwidth‐enhancement approach for a small‐sized harmonic‐suppressed antenna
Authors: Hwang Kwang Sun , Kim Hyungrak , Yoon Young Joong
Published: February 2005

In this paper, an approach for bandwidth enhancement of a small‐sized harmonic‐suppressed antenna is presented. For bandwidth enhancement and miniaturization of the harmonically suppressed slot antenna, a bowtie‐shaped meander slot antenna is proposed and demonstrated experimentally. From the measured results, the proposed antenna has a wideband characteristic with a harmonic‐suppression characteristic at the 2nd and 3rd frequencies. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 44: 585–587, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20703
Erratum: “Pure harmonic suppression of a bandpass filter using binomially distributed photonic bandgap structures”, Microwave & Optical Technology Letters (2005)44(2)194–196
Authors: Mollah Md. N. , Karmakar N.C.
Published: February 2005

The original article to which this Erratum refers was published in Microwave & Optical Technology Letters (2005)44(2) 194–196
© 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 44: 587–587, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20763
Shape‐memory polymer networks from oligo(ϵ‐caprolactone)dimethacrylates
Authors: Lendlein Andreas , Schmidt Annette M. , Schroeter Michael , Langer Robert
Published: February 2005

Polymer networks showing a thermally induced shape‐memory effect were prepared through the crosslinking of oligo(ϵ‐caprolactone)dimethacrylates under photocuring with or without an initiator. The influence of the molecular weight of the oligo(ϵ‐caprolactone)dimethacrylates and the initiator concentration on the macroscopic properties of the polymer networks was investigated. The isothermal and nonisothermal crystallization behavior of the polymer networks was evaluated as a basic principle of the functionalization process. Shape‐memory properties such as the strain fixity and strain recovery rate were quantified with cyclic thermomechanical tensile experiments for different maximum elongations. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1369–1381, 2005
Newly synthesized polybenzoxazole derivative with an adjacent hydroxyphenyl ring for optical sensing
Authors: Lee Jin Koo , Lee Taek Seung
Published: February 2005

A photoluminescent polymer with a 2‐(2′‐hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole unit in the molecular main chain was synthesized through the deprotection reaction of a precursor polymer. The amorphous, conjugated polymer emitted green light, both in solution and as a solid, with a fluorescence emission maximum at 518 nm from an excited keto tautomer because of excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer. The polymer showed different fluorescence emission spectra in solvents with different polarities because of intramolecular hydrogen‐bond interruption. The intramolecular hydrogen‐bond‐induced emission change was successfully used as a sensitive sensing signal for metal cations as expected, the polymer acting as a fluorescence‐based chemosensor. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1397–1403, 2005
Spatialized ecosystem indicators in the southern Benguela
Authors: Fréon Pierre , Drapeau Laurent , David Jeremy H.M. , Fernández Moreno Almudena , Leslie Rob W. , Oosthuizen W. Herman , Shannon Lynne J. , van der Lingen Carl D.
Published: February 2005

Based on published distribution maps of 15 key fish species, foraging areas of three top predators during their breeding season, and fishing grounds of the main commercial fleets in the southern Benguela ecosystem, seven spatialized ecosystem indicators are derived: biodiversity, connectivity, mean ratio of fished area and area of distribution by species, exploited fraction of the ecosystem surface area, total catch per fished area by fishery, mean bottom depth of catches, and mean distance of catches from the coast. These indicators are compared and their suitability for an ecosystem approach to fisheries is discussed. The first two indicators characterize the ecosystem; the others are pressure indicators that are also compared with conventional (catch rate) indices of abundance.
Estimates of characteristic scales in the spectrum of internal waves in the stratosphere obtained from space observations of stellar scintillations
Authors: Gurvich Alexandre , Chunchuzov Igor
Published: February 2005

Spatial spectra and characteristic scales of stratospheric density fluctuations obtained from the space station Mir observations of stellar scintillations are analyzed in this paper. The remote sensing method described is based on a well‐known stellar scintillation phenomenon that arises when observing the stars through the Earth's atmosphere. To interpret scintillation spectra, a model of the three‐dimensional (3‐D) spectrum of atmospheric density fluctuations consisting of both turbulent and internal wave‐associated spectral components is presented here. With the model chosen, we explain scintillation spectra at low frequencies by suggesting the atmospheric density fluctuations to be caused by a random ensemble of internal waves with the −5 power law decay for their 3‐D energy spectrum. For the wave‐associated anisotropic part of the spectrum, so‐called outer and internal vertical scales are introduced to explain behavior of the observed scintillation spectra in their low‐frequency range. These scales being earlier proposed only theoretically have been simultaneously revealed in the scintillation spectra presented here. The estimates of the outer scale for the different orbits of the space station are obtained and compared with those found from lidar and rocket soundings of the stratosphere. A possible cause of the observed variation in the wave number bandwidth of the wave‐associated part of the spectrum of air density fluctuations is discussed.
High Prevalence of the Very Rare Wilson Disease Gene Mutation Leu708pro in the Island of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain): A Genetic and Clinical Study
Authors: García-Villarreal Luis , Daniels Susan , Shaw Sarah H. , Cotton David , Galvin Margaret , Geskes Jeanne , Bauer Paula , Sierra-Hernández Angel , Buckler Alan , Tugores Antonio
Published: February 2005

The molecular basis of Wilson disease (WD), an autosomal recessive disorder, is the presence of mutations in the ATP7B gene, a copper transporting ATPase. Hospital records indicated a higher prevalence of WD (1 in 2,600) in some counties in the northeastern region of the island of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain) that was around 10–fold higher than that described for European populations (1 in 30,000). The ATP7B gene was analyzed for mutations in 24 affected subjects, revealing a high prevalence of the rare Leu708Pro mutation present in 12 homozygous and 7 heterozygous individuals. In these patients, who constitute one of the largest described cohorts of WD homozygotes, we found a variable clinical presentation of the disease, although the biochemical picture was homogenous and characteristic, thereby confirming that the Leu708Pro change is indeed a mutation associated with WD. Haplotype analysis of subjects homozygous for the Leu708Pro mutation showed a conserved shared region smaller than 1 centimorgan (cM), and the region of linkage disequilibrium between the Leu708Pro mutation and neighboring microsatellite markers extended approximately 4.6 cM. When comparing the amount of linkage disequilibrium versus genetic distance from the disease mutation, it was estimated that a common ancestral Leu708Pro chromosome may have been introduced in Gran Canaria over 56 generations ago, dating it back to pre–Hispanic times. The prevalence, and the tight geographical distribution of the Leu708Pro chromosome suggests that the Canary Islands can be considered a genetic isolate for linkage disequilibrium studies.
Increased Hepatic Iron and Cirrhosis: No Evidence for An Adverse Effect on Patient Outcome Following Liver Transplantation
Authors: Stuart Katherine A. , Fletcher Linda M. , Clouston Andrew D. , Lynch Steve V. , Purdie David M. , Kerlin Paul , Crawford Darrell H.G.
Published: February 2005

It has been suggested that preexisting severe hepatic iron overload may adversely affect outcome after liver transplantation. The pathogenesis of iron overload in cirrhosis in the absence of hemochromatosis gene (HFE) mutations is poorly understood. The relationships between liver disease severity and etiology, degree of hepatic iron overload, and post–liver transplantation outcome were studied in 282 consecutive adult patients with cirrhosis. Thirty–seven percent of patients had stainable hepatic iron. Increased hepatic iron concentration was significantly associated with more severe liver disease (P < .001), male sex (P = .05), the presence of spur cell anemia (P < .0001), and hepatocellular liver disease (P < .0001). The HFE mutations were uncommon in patients with increased hepatic iron stores. Increased hepatic iron concentration was not associated with greater utilization of resources or a lower survival after liver transplantation. Child–Pugh score at the time of liver transplantation was the only independent variable affecting patient survival (P = .0008). In summary, our data suggest that the severity of the liver disease rather than hepatic iron concentration is the most important determinant of outcome after liver transplantation and that, in general, increasing hepatic iron concentration in cirrhosis is a surrogate marker of the severity of the underlying liver disease.
Flow–Cytometric Separation and Enrichment of Hepatic Progenitor Cells in the Developing Mouse Liver
Authors: Suzuki Atsushi , Zheng Yun-Wen , Kondo Reika , Kusakabe Moriaki , Takada Yasutsugu , Fukao Katashi , Nakauchi Hiromitsu , Taniguchi Hideki
Published: February 2005

Stem cells responsible for tissue maintenance and repair are found in a number of organs. However, hepatic stem cells assumed to play a key role in liver development and regeneration remain to be well characterized. To address this issue, we set up a culture system in which primitive hepatic progenitor cells formed colonies. By combining this culture system with fluorescence–activated cell sorting (FACS), cells forming colonies containing distinct hepatocytes and cholangiocytes were identified in the fetal mouse liver. These cells express both CD49f and CD29 (α6 and β1 integrin subunits), but do not mark for hematopoietic antigens such as CD45, TER119, and c–Kit. When transplanted into the spleen, these cells migrated to the recipient liver and differentiated into liver parenchymal cells. Our data demonstrate that hepatic progenitor cells are enriched by FACS and suggest approaches to supplanting organ allografting and improving artificial–organ hepatic support.
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Is A Useful Bedside Technique to Assess Malnutrition in Cirrhotic Patients With and Without Ascites
Authors: Pirlich Matthias , Schütz Tatjana , Spachos Theo , Ertl Siegfried , WeiΒ Marie-Luise , Lochs Herbert , Plauth Mathias
Published: February 2005

Protein–calorie malnutrition is associated with poor prognosis in chronic liver disease, but reliable assessment is hampered by changes in body water. We prospectively evaluated the effect of fluid retention on bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) as a simple method for the estimation of body cell mass (BCMBIA) in 41 patients with cirrhosis (n = 20 with ascites; n = 21 without ascites) using total body potassium counting (BCMTBP) as a reference method. Arm muscle area and creatinine–derived lean body mass were compared with total body potassium data. In patients total body potassium was 24.4% lower than in controls and this loss was more severe in patients with ascites (-34.1%; P < .01). BCMBIA and BCMTBP were closely correlated in controls (r
2 = .87, P < .0001), patients without ascites (r
2 = .94, P < .0001) and patients with ascites (r
2 = .56, P < .0001). Removal of 6.2 ± 3 L of ascites had only minor effects on BCMBIA (deviation of -0.18 kg/L ascites). Limits of agreement between both methods were wider in patients with ascites than in patients without (6.2 vs. 4.2 kg). In patients without ascites arm muscle area (r2 = .64; P < .001) and lean body mass (r2 = .55; P < .001) correlated significantly with total body potassium, but not in patients with ascites. For assessment of protein malnutrition in patients with cirrhosis, body cell mass determination by use of BIA offers a considerable advantage over other widely available but less accurate methods like anthropometry or the creatinine approach. Despite some limitations in patients with ascites, BIA is a reliable bedside tool for the determination of body cell mass in cirrhotic patients with and without ascites.
Photovoltaic hysteresis and its ramifications for concentrator solar cell design and diagnostics
Authors: Gordon Jeffrey M. , Katz Eugene A. , Tassew Wondesen , Feuermann Daniel
Published: February 2005

We report the observation of a photovoltaic effect with pronounced hysteresis. The phenomenon derives from the sharp transition in the dominant mode of electron transport in the tunnel diodes that regulate multijunction solar cells, and is only observable at high flux. These results emerged from measurements of cell current-voltage characteristics performed with miniature fiber-optic solar concentrators that can deliver flux levels up to 10 000 times that of ambient sunlight in a highly localized fashion. The ramifications of our findings for photovoltaic design, diagnostics, and performance are addressed, and a nondestructive determination of the peak and valley threshold current densities of tunnel diodes is presented.
Fracture toughness of polycrystalline silicon carbide thin films
Authors: Bellante J. J. , Kahn H. , Ballarini R. , Zorman C. A. , Mehregany M. , Heuer A. H.
Published: February 2005

Thin film polycrystalline silicon carbide (poly-SiC) doubly clamped microtensile specimens were fabricated using standard micromachining processes, and precracked using microindentation. The poly-SiC had been deposited on Si wafers by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition, a process which leads to residual tensile stresses in the poly-SiC thin films; we measured the residual stress adjacent each specimen via a micromachined strain gauge. The stress intensity factor, KI, at the crack tip in each specimen depends on the magnitude of these residual stresses and the precrack length. Upon release, those precracks whose stress intensity exceeded a critical value, KIc, propagated to failure, whereas no crack growth was observed in those precracks with K<KIc. The fracture toughness so determined was 2.8⩽KIc⩽3.4MPam1∕2. Our technique also allowed us to assess any susceptibility to moisture-assisted stress corrosion cracking, which proved to be essentially absent in poly-SiC.
Ferromagnetic properties of epitaxial SrRuO3 films on SiO2∕Si using biaxially oriented MgO as templates
Authors: Kang B. S. , Lee Jang-Sik , Stan L. , Civale L. , DePaula R. F. , Arendt P. N. , Jia Q. X.
Published: February 2005

We have deposited epitaxial SrRuO3 (SRO) thin films on SiO2∕Si substrates using biaxially oriented MgO templates produced by ion-beam-assisted deposition. The strain states of the SRO films are strongly affected by the crystallinity of the templates: the better the in-plane texture of the template is, the more in-plane tensile stress the films are subjected to. On the other hand, SRO films are relatively loosely strained with lattice parameters closer to bulk property if the templates have a broad in-plane alignment. The magnetization of the SRO films is well described by Bloch’s T3∕2 law at low temperatures, which is well known as the result of spin wave excitation: M(T)∕M(0)=1−AT3∕2. The strained films show larger spin wave parameter A values, reflecting larger magnetization suppression. The suppression of magnetization in the strained films is attributed to the change in the magnetic coupling since this coupling is very sensitive to the interatomic distance.
Strained-silicon formation on relaxed silicon–germanium/ silicon-on-insulator substrate using laser annealing
Authors: Mishima Yasuyoshi , Ochimizu Hirosato , Mimura Atsushi
Published: February 2005

We propose a low-temperature process to fabricate strained silicon on silicon–germanium (SiGe)/silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates using excimer laser annealing technology. An excimer laser was used to relax the SiGe layer on the SOI substrate. We confirmed that laser power density could control the degree of relaxation of the SiGe layer on SOI. We fabricated strained-silicon films by growing them on the relaxed SiGe layer on SOI. The field-effect electron mobility of the strained Si on the relaxed SiGe/SOI was increased by 180%, compared to that of the unstrained Si on the strained SiGe/SOI, fabricated by laser annealing at 280mJ∕cm2.
White organic light-emitting diodes prepared by a fused organic solid solution method
Authors: Shao Yan , Yang Yang
Published: February 2005

This letter demonstrates a white organic light-emitting diode (OLED) with high color stability fabricated by using a single organic white-emitting layer. The dopants were introduced prior to the device fabrication process through organic solid solution process formed by high-temperature and high-pressure fusion process. A high band gap organic material, α-naphthlyphenylbiphenyl diamine, was adopted and precisely doped with several kinds of fluorescent dyes as the emitting material. The most important benefits of using this fused organic solid-solution technique are the precise control of dopants, ultrauniform mixture of dopants in the host, easy fabrication; and, as a result, the fabricated white OLEDs show extremely little color shift with increasing injection current. The simplified device fabrication process is believed to be beneficial to the white OLED display and lighting industrialization.
Lifetime of photogenerated carriers in silicon-on-insulator rib waveguides
Authors: Dimitropoulos D. , Jhaveri R. , Claps R. , Woo J. C. S. , Jalali B.
Published: February 2005

The lifetime of photogenerated carriers in silicon-on-insulator rib waveguides is studied in connection with the optical loss they produce via nonlinear absorption. We present an analytical model as well as two-dimensional numerical simulation of carrier transport to elucidate the dependence of the carrier density on the geometrical features of the waveguide. The results suggest that effective carrier lifetimes of ⩽1ns can be obtained in submicron waveguides resulting in negligible nonlinear absorption. It is also shown that the lifetime and, hence, carrier density can be further reduced by application of a reverse bias pn junction.
Band alignment at the interface of (100)Si with HfxTa1−xOy high-κ dielectric layers
Authors: Afanas’ev V. V. , Stesmans A. , Zhao C. , Caymax M. , Rittersma Z. M. , Maes J. W.
Published: February 2005

The alignment of the conduction and valence bands in metal∕mixed Hf–Ta oxide∕silicon structures was determined as a function of oxide composition using intrinsic photoconductivity and internal photoemission measurements. With increasing Ta content in the Hf–Ta oxide from 0% to 100%, the band gap gradually decreases from 5.6 to 4.2–4.4eV. This is predominantly associated with the downshift of the lowest conduction band derived from the 5d* unoccupied orbitals of the metal cations. This indicates a significant mixing of the states belonging to the Ta and Hf subnetworks, and suggests the possibility of oxide band gap control in the mixed oxides of metals from the same period of elements.
Quantum steering of electron wave function in an InAs Y-branch switch
Authors: Jones G. M. , Yang C. H. , Yang M. J. , Lyanda-Geller Y. B.
Published: February 2005

We report experimental results on gated Y-branch switches made from InAs ballistic electron waveguides. We demonstrate that gating modifies the electron wave functions as well as their interference pattern, resulting in anticorrelated oscillatory transconductances. Our data provide evidence of steering the electron wave function in a multichannel transistor structure.
Karyotypic “state” as a potential determinant for anticancer drug discovery
Authors: Roschke Anna V. , Lababidi Samir , Tonon Giovanni , Gehlhaus Kristen S. , Bussey Kimberly , Weinstein John N. , Kirsch Ilan R.
Published: February 2005

Cancer is a genetic disease caused by genomic instability. In many cancers, this instability is manifested by chromosomal reconfigurations and karyotypic complexity. These features are particular hallmarks of the epithelial cancers that are some of the malignancies most resistant to long term control by current chemotherapeutic agents. We have asked whether we could use karyotypic complexity and instability as determinants for the screening of potential anticancer compounds. Using a panel of well characterized cancer cell lines, we have been able to identify specific groups of chemical compounds that are more cytotoxic toward the relatively more karyotypically complex and unstable panel members. Thus, we delineate an approach for the identification of “lead compounds” for anticancer drug discovery complementary to those that are focused at the outset on a given gene or pathway.
Detection of scavenged material in the guts of predators using monoclonal antibodies: a significant source of error in measurement of predation?
Authors: Calder C.R. , Harwood J.D. , Symondson W.O.C.
Published: February 2005

Molecular detection systems used to analyse the gut contents of invertebrate predators have enhanced our understanding of trophic interactions, but do not distinguish between the methods of consumption. Many predators regularly scavenge, which could have profound implications for quantitative analyses of the dynamics of predation. We report the first quantified assessment of the potential error caused by scavenging in post-mortem measurements of predation in a slug = carabid system. An anti-slug monoclonal antibody was able to detect antigens from decayed slugs after surprisingly long periods, significantly longer on relatively sterile peat than on natural soil. On soil the half-life of antibody-detectable slug proteins was 8.2 days while on peat it was 11.5 days. When slugs that had decayed on soil for 100 h were fed to the carabid predator Pterostichus melanarius, slug proteins could still be identified after 6 h (but not 12 h) digestion. Fresh and decayed slug was eaten in equal quantities by the beetles suggesting no aversion to the latter. The results suggest that significant errors may be caused by scavenging leading to inaccurate interpretation of predation rates in the field.
BMI and morbidity in relation to body composition: a cross-sectional study of a rural community in North-East India
Authors: Khongsdier R.
Published: February 2005

This paper deals with BMI and morbidity in relation to body-fat mass (BFM) and fat-free mass (FFM). The analysis was based on cross-sectional data concerning the age, household income, anthropometry and morbidity of 575 males aged 18–59 years from a rural community in North-East India. Data on morbidity were based on the self-reported morbidity (SRM) of the subjects during the last 4 weeks before the survey, whereas data on BMI and body composition were estimated from anthropometry. It was found that SRM was significantly associated with age and income. However, the relationship between BMI and SRM was not significant after adjusting for age and income. Separating the BMI into body-fat mass index (BFMI being BFM in kg divided by height squared in metres) and fat-free mass index (FFMI being FFM in kg divided by height squared in metres), it was found that BFMI was significantly associated with SRM after adjusting for age, income and FFMI. The subjects with a low (<2·9 kg/m2) BFMI were about 4·7 times (odds ratio 4·7, 95 % CI 2·6, 8·6) more likely to become sick than those with a normal (2·9–5·0 kg/m2) BFMI. In addition, the risk of becoming sick was higher in the subjects with a high (>5·0 kg/m2) BFMI than in those with a normal BFMI (odds ratio 3·9, 95 % CI 1·3, 9·8). However, the relationship between FFMI and morbidity was not clearly perceptible. It is therefore speculated that BMI may not always provide accurate information about the variation in body fat and body composition that is associated with morbidity.
Role of Ubiquitin and Proteasomes in Phagosome Maturation
Authors: Lee Warren L. , Kim Moo-Kyung , Schreiber Alan D. , Grinstein Sergio
Published: February 2005

Phagosomes undergo multiple rounds of fusion with compartments of the endocytic pathway during the course of maturation. Despite the insertion of vast amounts of additional membrane, the phagosomal surface area remains approximately constant, implying active ongoing fission. To investigate the mechanisms underlying phagosomal fission we monitored the fate of Fcγ receptors (FcγR), which are known to be cleared from the phagosome during maturation. FcγR, which show a continuous distribution throughout the membrane of nascent phagosomes were found at later times to cluster into punctate, vesicular structures, before disappearing. In situ photoactivation of receptors tagged with a light-sensitive fluorescent protein revealed that some of these vesicles detach, whereas others remain associated with the phagosome. By fusing FcγR to pH-sensitive fluorescent proteins, we observed that the cytoplasmic domain of the receptors enters an acidic compartment, indicative of inward budding and formation of multivesicular structures. The topology of the receptor was confirmed by flow cytometry of purified phagosomes. Phagosomal proteins are ubiquitylated, and ubiquitylation was found to be required for formation of acidic multivesicular structures. Remarkably, proteasomal function is also involved in the vesiculation process. Preventing the generation of multivesicular structures did not impair the acquisition of late endosomal and lysosomal markers, indicating that phagosomal fusion and fission are controlled separately.
The Microtubule-associated Protein Tumor Overexpressed Gene Binds to the RNA Trafficking Protein Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein A2
Authors: Kosturko Linda D. , Maggipinto Michael J. , D'Sa Chrystal , Carson John H. , Barbarese Elisa
Published: February 2005

In neural cells, such as oligodendrocytes and neurons, transport of certain RNAs along microtubules is mediated by the cis-acting heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2 response element (A2RE) trafficking element and the cognate trans-acting heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A2 trafficking factor. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen, we have identified a microtubule-associated protein, tumor overexpressed gene (TOG)2, as an hnRNP A2 binding partner. The C-terminal third of TOG2 is sufficient for hnRNP A2 binding. TOG2, the large protein isoform of TOG, is the only isoform detected in oligodendrocytes in culture. TOG coimmunoprecipitates with hnRNP A2 present in the cytoskeleton (CSK) fraction of neural cells, and both coprecipitate with microtubule stabilized pellets. Staining with anti-TOG reveals puncta that are localized in proximity to microtubules, often at the plus ends. TOG is colocalized with hnRNP A2 and A2RE-mRNA in trafficking granules that remain associated with CSK-insoluble tissue. These data suggest that TOG mediates the association of hnRNP A2-positive granules with microtubules during transport and/or localization.
Origin of the endemic fern genusDielliacoincides with the renewal of Hawaiian terrestrial life in the Miocene
Authors: Schneider Harald , Ranker Tom A. , Russell Stephen J. , Cranfill Raymond , Geiger Jennifer M. O. , Aguraiuja Ruth , Wood Ken R. , Grundmann Michael , Kloberdanz Keelie , Vogel Johannes C.
Published: February 2005

The enigmatic fern genusDiellia, endemic to the Hawaiian archipelago, consists of five extant and one recently extinct species.Dielliais morphologically highly variable, and a unique combination of characters has led to several contrasting hypotheses regarding the relationship ofDielliato other ferns. A phylogenetic analysis of four chloroplast loci placesDielliawithin ‘black–stemmed’ rock spleenworts of the species–rich genus Asplenium, as previously suggested by W. H. Wagner. Using an external calibration point, we estimate the divergence of theDiellialineage from its nearest relatives to have occurred atca. 24.3 Myr ago matching an independent estimate for the renewal of Hawaiian terrestrial life (ca. 23 Myr ago). We therefore suggest that the ancestor of theDiellialineage may have been among the first successful colonists of the newly emerging islands in the archipelago. Disparity between morphological and nucleotide sequence variation withinDielliais consistent with a recent rapid radiation. Our estimated time of theDielliaradiation (ca. 2 Myr ago) is younger than the oldest island of Kaua'i (ca. 5.1 Myr ago) but older than the younger major islands of Maui (ca. 1.3 Myr ago), Lana'i (ca. 1.3 Myr ago) and Hawaii (ca. 0.43 Myr ago).
Federal Budgeting After September 11th: A Whole New Ballgame, or Is It Déjà Vu All Over Again?
Authors: Joyce Philip G.
Published: February 2005

Federal budgeting has undergone some profound changes since the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. Large surpluses that existed prior to September 11th and were forecast to continue have been replaced by equally large and intractable deficits. The consensus around a macro‐level norm for federal budgeting has completely broken down. In other ways, the federal budget process has not changed at all. Despite the emphasis on defense and homeland security, domestic discretionary spending is still continuing unabated, as it has since the late 1980s. Further, the federal government continues to have chronic difficulty adopting its budget in a timely fashion.
Potential State Government Practices Impact of the New GASB Accounting Standard for Retiree Health Benefits
Authors: Wisniewski Stanley C.
Published: February 2005

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) has adopted a new accounting standard for state and local government retiree healthcare benefits that, for many states, will require accrual accounting for such benefits for the first time. The purpose of this paper is to examine the recent reporting practices of state governments with respect to retiree health insurance programs sponsored by the states in order to determine the dimensions of potential state employer practices likely to be changed by the new Other Postemployment Benefits (OPEB) standard with respect to accounting for such state plans, as well as financing and offering such state plans.
Estimation of specificity and sensitivity of three diagnostic tests for infectious salmon anaemia virus in the absence of a gold standard
Authors: Nérette P , Dohoo I , Hammell L
Published: February 2005

Reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), virus isolation (VI) and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) are three tests currently used by the salmon industry to identify fish infected with the infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV). However, very limited information is available on the sensitivity and specificity of these methods. In order to evaluate these tests in fish representing a range of farmed Atlantic salmon populations, five laboratories participated in a blind study of 400 kidney samples from four groups of fish with different prevalences of ISAV. Each laboratory used its own testing protocols. Estimates of the specificity of each test were determined directly from a population assumed to be free of infection. Indirect estimates of the sensitivity and specificity of each test were obtained using maximum likelihood estimation of a latent class model (i.e. no gold standard test result available). There was a substantial difference in sensitivity and specificity of RT‐PCR among the three laboratories using this test. If only the best results for the RT‐PCR tests are taken into account, the maximum likelihood estimates obtained from this study suggest RT‐PCR and VI are of similar high sensitivity (range 92–100%), IFAT is the least sensitive method (range 65–76%) while the three tests have similar high specificities (range 96–100%). The results of the study suggest: (1) RT‐PCR tests should be standardized before they are used as a diagnostic test for prevention and control of ISAV, (2) the sensitivity of VI was higher than expected and (3) IFAT has a low sensitivity but might be a good screening test because of its low cost.
Intracellular delivery of a novel multiepitope peptide vaccine by an amphipathic peptide carrier enhances cytotoxic T‐cell responses in HLA‐A*201 mice
Authors: Dakappagari N.K. , Sundaram R. , Rawale S. , Liner A. , Galloway D.R. , Kaumaya P.T.P.
Published: February 2005

Abstract:  Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are key players in the neutralization of viruses and killing of tumor cells. However, for generating an optimal CTL response by vaccination, the antigen has to be delivered directly into the cytoplasm for presentation by the conventional MHC class I pathway. To mimic the presentation of multiple epitopes by a tumor or virus infected cell, we have designed a multiepitope peptide vaccine incorporating thee CTL epitopes in tandem with double arginine spacers to facilitate efficient cleavage of the individual epitopes. To deliver the multiepitope peptide vaccine into the cytoplasm of mature dendritic cells for presentation by the MHC class I pathway we made use of an amphipathic peptide carrier. Direct injection of a non‐covalent complex of the multiepitope peptide vaccine and amphipathic peptide carrier in an aqueous formulation into HLA‐A*0201 (HHD) transgenic mice enhanced the cytotoxic T‐cell responses by two to sixfold compared with multiepitope peptide vaccination alone. This novel antigen delivery strategy may find general application in the development of more effective vaccines for the treatment of cancer and infectious disease.
Conformational analysis by NMR and distance geometry techniques of a peptide mimetic of the third helix of the Antennapedia homeodomain*
Authors: Saviano M. , Isernia C. , Bassarello C. , Di Lello P. , Galdiero S. , Mierke D.F. , Benedetti E. , Pedone C.
Published: February 2005

Abstract:  The Antennapedia homeodomain structure consists of four helices. The helices II and III are connected by a tripeptide that forms a turn, and constitute the well‐known helix‐turn‐helix motif. The recognition helix penetrates the DNA major groove, gives specific protein–DNA contacts and forms direct, or water‐mediated, intermolecular hydrogen bonds. It was suggested that helix III (and perhaps also helix IV) might represent the recognition helix of Antennapedia homeodomain, which makes contact with the surface of the major groove of the DNA. In an attempt to clarify the helix III capabilities of assuming an helical conformation when separated from the rest of the protein, we carried out the structural determination of the recognition helix III in different solvent media. The conformational study of fragments 42–53, where residues W48 and F49, not involved in the protein–DNA interaction, were substituted by two alanines, was conducted in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), trifluoroethanol (TFE) and TFE/water, using circular dichroism, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and distance geometry (DG) techniques. The fragment assumes a well‐defined secondary structure in TFE and in TFE/water (90/10, v/v) with an α‐helix encompassing residues 4–9, while in TFE/water (70/30, v/v) a less regular structure was found. The DG results in the micellar system evidence the presence of a distorted α‐helical conformation involving residues 4–8. Our results reveal that the isolated Antennapedia recognition helix III tend to preserve in solution the α‐helical conformation even if separated from the rest of the molecule.
SHRIMP zircon ages constraining the depositional chronology of the Hamersley Group, Western Australia*
Authors: TRENDALL A. F. , COMPSTON W. , NELSON D. R. , DE LAETER J. R. , BENNETT V. C.
Published: February 2005

The Mt Bruce Supergroup of Western Australia was laid down between ca 2.8 Ga and ca 2.2 Ga in the Hamersley Basin, unconformably over a basement of the older, granite–greenstone, component of the Pilbara Craton. The Mt Bruce Supergroup consists of three groups: the Fortescue Group, Hamersley Group and Turee Creek Group in upward sequence. The Hamersley Group, which is divided into eight formations, has a general thickness of ∼2.5 km, and is characterised by major banded iron‐formation (BIF) units. Reported here are SHRIMP U‐Pb zircon results (406 grain analyses) from 13 samples taken from the Hamersley Group and near the top of the underlying Fortescue Group. In combination with SHRIMP results previously published from 12 Hamersley Group samples, the present results provide significant new constraints on the depositional chronology of the group, and suggest that the average (compacted) depositional rates of each of the main depositional lithologies (BIF, carbonate, shale) were ∼180 m per million years, 12 m per million years and 5 m per million years, respectively. Some recently published SHRIMP ages from the Joffre Member differ slightly from those that are interpreted from the present data, and it is suggested that the two datasets may be reconciled if non‐zero‐age Pb loss is taken into account. The total body of zircon U–Pb age data from the Fortescue and Hamersley Groups is consistent with a model involving continuous accumulation of basin‐fill for at least 330 million years, from ca 2780 Ma to the top of the Hamersley Group at ca 2449 Ma. The word ‘continuous’ in this context means that there may have been no breaks in deposition longer than 1 million years. However, this model is not proven, and a major challenge for future work is to measure the length of any proposed non‐depositional intervals.
Transforming growth factor‐β and Smad signalling in kidney diseases
Authors: WANG WANSHENG , KOKA VIJAY , LAN HUI Y
Published: February 2005

SUMMARY:  Extensive studies have demonstrated that transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) plays an important role in the progression of renal diseases. TGF‐β exerts its biological functions mainly through its downstream signalling molecules, Smad2 and Smad3. It is now clear that Smad3 is critical for TGF‐β's pro‐fibrotic effect, whereas the functions of Smad2 in fibrosis in response to TGF‐β still need to be determined. Our recent studies have demonstrated that Smad signalling is also a critical pathway for renal fibrosis induced by other pro‐fibrotic factors, such as angiotensin II and advanced glycation end products (AGE). These pro‐fibrotic factors can activate Smads directly and independently of TGF‐β. They can also cause renal fibrosis via the ERK/p38 MAP kinase–Smad signalling cross‐talk pathway. In contrast, blockade of Smad2/3 activation by overexpression of an inhibitory Smad7 prevents collagen matrix production induced by TGF‐β, angiotensin II, high glucose and AGE and attenuates renal fibrosis in various animal models including rat obstructive kidney, remnant kidney and diabetic kidney diseases. Results from these studies indicate that Smad signalling is a key and final common pathway of renal fibrosis. In addition, TGF‐β has anti‐inflammatory and immune‐regulatory properties. Our most recent studies demonstrated that TGF‐β transgenic mice are protected against renal inflammation in mouse obstructive and diabetic models. Upregulation of renal Smad7, thereby blocking NF.κB activation via induction of IκBα, is a central mechanism by which TGF‐β inhibits renal inflammation. In conclusion, TGF‐β signals through Smad2/3 to mediate renal fibrosis, whereas induction of Smad7 inhibits renal fibrosis and inflammation. Thus, targeting Smad signalling by overexpression of Smad7 may have great therapeutic potential for kidney diseases.
Differential expression of aquaporins in the kidneys of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice
Authors: LEUNG JOSEPH CK , CHAN LORETTA YY , TSANG ANITA WL , TANG SYDNEY CW , LAI KAR NENG
Published: February 2005

Background and Aim  Aquaporins (AQPs) are members of the water channel family and are important in renal physiology as it affects urinary concentration. The downregulation of aquaporins is often observed in polyuria associated with acquired nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. In this study, we examined the expression of AQP1, AQP2, AQP3 and AQP4 in streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic mice.

Results:  By semiquantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, we detected no change in the gene expression of AQP1 or AQP4 in whole kidney among STZ‐induced diabetic mice (STZ mice) and sham (control group that received citrate buffer injection only). In contrast, we found less AQP2 or AQP3 mRNA expression in the whole kidney from STZ mice. Immunoblotting studies confirmed no difference in AQP1 or AQP4 protein expression of whole kidney between STZ mice and sham. However, there was less AQP2 or AQP3 protein expression in the whole kidney from STZ mice as compared to sham. By immunochemical staining, the reduction of AQP2 protein was localized to the principle cells of the collecting ducts. The expression of cortical AQP3 (especially the outer cortex, the S1 and S2 segments of the proximal tubules) was downregulated in STZ mice whereas the expression of AQP3 protein in medullary collecting ducts was similar to that of sham.

Conclusion:  Our results reveal that the water transport in urinary concentration involves the downregulation of AQP2 and AQP3 expression in STZ mice.
Predictors of a favourable response to icodextrin in peritoneal dialysis patients with ultrafiltration failure
Authors: WIGGINS KATHRYN J , RUMPSFELD MARKUS , BLIZZARD SOPHIE , JOHNSON DAVID W
Published: February 2005

Background and Aims:  Icodextrin is a starch‐derived glucose polymer that causes sustained ultrafiltration in long dwells in peritoneal dialysis. The aim of this study was to assess factors that were predictive of an increment in ultrafiltration following the introduction of icodextrin in patients with refractory fluid overload.

Methods:  Thirty‐nine patients (20 male/19 female, mean age 57.7 ± 2.4 years) on peritoneal dialysis were enrolled in a prospective pretest/post‐test, open‐label study. All patients had symptomatic fluid overload refractory to fluid restriction (<800 mL/day), frusemide doses of 250 mg or more daily, optimization of dwell time and use of hypertonic dextrose. An icodextrin exchange was substituted for a 4.25% dextrose exchange for the long‐dwell period.

Results:  After 1 month, median (interquartile range) 24 h ultrafiltration volume increased by 500 mL (interquartile range: 50–1000). An increase in ultrafiltration volume correlated positively with the dialyate : plasma creatinine ratio at 4 h (r = 0.498, P = 0.001) and negatively with the ratio of dialysate glucose concentrations at 4 and 0 h (r = −0.464, P = 0.003). On multivariate regression analysis, high transporter status was predictive of a greater ultrafiltration response to icodextrin relative to dextrose peritoneal dialysis exchanges. Age, sex, race, peritoneal dialysis duration, peritoneal dialysis modality, diabetes mellitus, baseline albumin, and baseline ultrafiltration volume were not significantly correlated with the change in ultrafiltration volume.

Conclusion:  Icodextrin significantly augments ultrafiltration volumes in patients with refractory fluid overload. A high peritoneal membrane transporter status is the best predictor of a favourable ultrafiltration response to icodextrin.