bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High‐resolution real‐time spiral MRI for guiding vascular interventions in a rabbit model at 1.5T
Authors: Terashima Masahiro , Hyon MinSu , de la Pena‐Almaguer Erasmo , Yang Phillip C. , Hu Bob S. , Nayak Krishna S. , Pauly John M. , McConnell Michael V.
Published: October 2005

Purpose

To study the feasibility of a combined high spatial and temporal resolution real‐time spiral MRI sequence for guiding coronary‐sized vascular interventions.

Materials and Methods

Eight New Zealand White rabbits (four normal and four with a surgically‐created stenosis in the abdominal aorta) were studied. A real‐time interactive spiral MRI sequence combining 1.1 × 1.1 mm2 in‐plane resolution and 189‐msec total image acquisition time was used to image all phases of an interventional procedure (i.e., guidewire placement, balloon angioplasty, and stenting) in the rabbit aorta using coronary‐sized devices on a 1.5 T MRI system.

Results

Real‐time spiral MRI identified all rabbit aortic stenoses and provided high‐temporal‐resolution visualization of guidewires crossing the stenoses in all animals. Angioplasty balloon dilatation and deployment of coronary‐sized copper stents in the rabbit aorta were also successfully imaged by real‐time spiral MRI.

Conclusion

Combining high spatial and temporal resolution with spiral MRI allows real‐time MR‐guided vascular intervention using coronary‐sized devices in a rabbit model. This is a promising approach for guiding coronary interventions. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantifying the effect of posture on intracranial physiology in humans by MRI flow studies
Authors: Alperin Noam , Lee Sang H. , Sivaramakrishnan Anusha , Hushek Stephen G.
Published: October 2005

Purpose

To quantify the effect of posture on intracranial physiology in humans by MRI, and demonstrate the relationship between intracranial compliance (ICC) and pressure (ICP), and the pulsatility of blood and CSF flows.

Materials and Methods

Ten healthy volunteers (29 ± 7 years old) were scanned in the supine and sitting positions using a vertical gap MRI scanner. Pulsatile blood and CSF flows into and out from the brain were visualized and quantified using time‐of‐flight (TOF) and cine phase‐contrast techniques, respectively. The total cerebral blood flow (tCBF), venous outflow, ICC, and ICP for the two postures were then calculated from the arterial, venous, and CSF volumetric flow rate waveforms using a previously described method.

Results

In the upright posture, venous outflow is considerably less pulsatile (57%) and occurs predominantly through the vertebral plexus, while in the supine posture venous outflow occurs predominantly through the internal jugular veins. A slightly lower tCBF (12%), a considerably smaller CSF volume oscillating between the cranium and the spinal canal (48%), and a much larger ICC (2.8‐fold) with a corresponding decrease in the MRI‐derived ICP values were measured in the sitting position.

Conclusion

The effect of posture on intracranial physiology can be quantified by MRI because posture‐related changes in ICC and ICP strongly affect the dynamics of cerebral blood and CSF flows. This study provides important insight into the coupling that exists between arterial, venous, and CSF flow dynamics, and how it is affected by posture. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A comparative study of peat proxies from two eastern central Swedish bogs and their relation to meteorological data
Authors: Borgmark Anders , Schoning Kristian
Published: October 2005

Analyses of peat humification, testate amoebae, carbon and nitrogen content have been carried out on a peat sequence from Ältabergsmossen. At Gullbergbymossen testate amoebae and peat humification were analysed. Both bogs are located in eastern central Sweden. The longest sequence, Ältabergsmossen, covers the last 150 yr and the data from Gullbergbymossen covers the last 60 yr, both with a time resolution of ca. 2–4 yr cm−1. The different proxies were compared to each other and were also compared to instrumental meteorological data. Correlation between peat humification and C/N ratios is high whereas the correlation is low between these physical/chemical parameters and reconstructed water tables inferred from the testate amoebae assemblages. High peat humification values and C/N ratios greater than 50 indicate aerobic decay and are thought to reflect the thickness of the acrotelm. High humification values and low C/N ratios are recorded in peat deposited between 1965 and 1980, whereas the dry period starts in the early 1970s according to instrumental meteorological data and inferred water‐table depth. The difference in the timing of the onset of a dry‐shift between the physical/chemical proxies and meteorological data and testate amoebae derived water table changes is interpreted as renewed decay of already deposited peat. The term secondary decomposition is used for this process. The secondary decomposition process has implications for interpreting physical/chemical and biological parameters in peat as they may be out of phase during the beginning of a dry‐shift. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New evidence for the occurrence of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in medieval Britain
Authors: Hetherington David A. , Lord Tom C. , Jacobi Roger M.
Published: October 2005

The presence of Eurasian lynx as a former native species in Britain during the Holocene is known from bones recovered from several sites. AMS radiocarbon dating of lynx bone recovered from two sites in the Craven area of northern England gave 1842 ± 35 14C yr BP and 1550 ± 24 14C yr BP, together representing the youngest dates for lynx from England, and in the case of the latter, the youngest for Britain as a whole. These dates support the view that the game animal whose occurrence in the nearby Lake District is described in the early 7th century Cumbric text Pais Dinogad, and whose translation to date has been problematic, is a lynx. The occurrence of lynx in early medieval Britain shows that earlier periods of climate change, previously blamed for the species' extinction in Britain, were not responsible. Instead, anthropogenic factors such as severe deforestation, declining deer populations, and persecution, are likely to have caused the extirpation of lynx in Britain. Consequently, the lynx qualifies as a candidate for reintroduction. Large‐scale reafforestation, the growth of deer populations, and more positive attitudes towards carnivores in modern society, could permit the restoration of lynx to Britain, particularly in Scotland. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changes in the vibrational spectral modes by the nonbonded interactions in the NLO crystal vanillin
Authors: Binoy J. , Joe I. Hubert , Jayakumar V. S.
Published: October 2005

The crystal of the famous flavoring agent vanillin is known for its nonlinear optical activity. Density functional theory at B3LYP/6‐31G(d) level has been used to compute energies of different conformers of vanillin to find their stability, the optimized geometry of the most stable conformer and its vibrational spectrum. The conformer VAN1 with torsion angles 0°, 180° and 0° respectively for C2–C1–C7–O14, C2–C1–C7–H13 and C3–C4–O10–H19 is found to be most stable. Geometry predicted by DFT and XRD reveals that geometrical parameters of hydroxyl group are altered substantially because of intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Vibrational analysis based on the NIR FT Raman, FT IR and computed spectrum reveals that the CH in‐plane bending of the aldehyde group interacts with its stretching mode via Fermi resonance, and evidence for intermolecular hydrogen bonding can be observed as the broadness of the band in the stretching region in IR spectrum. The unusual lowering of carbonyl stretching wave number is attributed to the electron‐releasing effect of CO group in the acceptor subunit due to intramolecular charge transfer, leading to NLO activity, in addition to the intermolecular interaction and π‐conjugation. Other vibrational spectral contributions of NLO activity such as violation of selection rule for tangential CC stretching mode 8 and overlooking of complementarities are also observed. Nonbonded interactions affecting each vibrational mode are found, and the resulting shifting of band position is discussed. First‐order hyperpolarizability, computed at HF/3‐21G level, is used to analyze the conformation dependent NLO activity. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional modification of vital wheat gluten with corn syrup using hydrothermal treatment
Authors: Singh Harmit , MacRitchie Finlay , Kim Yangsoo , Madl Ronald L , Herald Thomas J
Published: October 2005

Functional properties of gluten modified using hydrothermal treatment were compared with those of vital wheat gluten (VWG). Gluten slurry was jet cooked under pressure in the presence of corn syrup (CS) at different temperatures (121 and 149 °C) for different times and then spray dried. Foaming properties for all samples (treated and untreated) at different pHs showed that, although the optimum pH was 5, at this pH the treated gluten samples displayed reduced foaming properties as compared with the control, whereas at all other pHs there was an increase in foaming properties. The sample treated with CS at 121 °C (JC121w/cs) showed the highest viscosity and elasticity increase among all treated samples. Emulsifying properties were adversely affected by an increase in temperature of treatment, whilst addition of CS helped to restore emulsion stability (ES). The sample VWG with CS (Cont.w/cs) at pH 3 showed maximum ES. In general, samples after treatment showed increased solubility. The hydrophilic but non‐ionisable sugar hydroxyl groups affected the functionality at lower pH. Molecular changes were followed by size exclusion high‐performance liquid chromatography (SE‐HPLC) and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE). Samples subjected to the lower temperature (121 °C) showed a shift of the molecular weight distribution to higher values in the HPLC profile, consistent with higher viscosities for this treatment. For the same samples, SDS‐PAGE of the reduced protein exhibited a decrease in the intensity of bands corresponding to high‐molecular‐weight glutenin subunits, complementing the fact that large‐molecular‐size polymers are involved during protein modification. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Strategies for shimming the breast
Authors: Maril Nimrod , Collins Christopher M. , Greenman Robert L. , Lenkinski Robert E.
Published: October 2005

There is evidence in the literature indicating a significant static field inhomogeneity in the human breast. A nonhomogenous field results in line broadening and frequency shifts in MRS and can cause intensity loss and spatial errors in MRI. Thus, there is a clear rationale for determining the regional variations in the static field homogeneity in the breast and providing strategies to correct them. Herein, the nature and extent of the static magnetic field at 3 T were measured in central planes of the human breast using both phase maps and multivoxel MRS techniques. In addition, the effect of first‐ and high‐order shimming and of spatial saturation pulses on the static field inhomogeneity was evaluated. Both the theoretical and the measured field were found to be primarily linear in nature, with a reduction of 300 Hz from the nipple to the chest wall. First‐order shimming reduced this inhomogeneity by 65%. Interestingly, the combination of spatial saturation pulses and first‐order shimming was more effective than high‐order shim alone. Since many clinical scanners do not have either higher‐order shim or automated higher shimming algorithms that work in the presence of fat, the suggested combination provides an effective means to correct inhomogeneities in the breast. Magn Reson Med, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Magnetic resonance imaging‐based spirometry for regional assessment of pulmonary function
Authors: Voorhees Abram , An Jing , Berger Kenneth I. , Goldring Roberta M. , Chen Qun
Published: October 2005

In this work MRI‐based spirometry is presented as a method for noninvasively assessing pulmonary mechanical function on a regional basis. A SPAMM tagging sequence was modified to allow continuous dynamic imaging of the lungs during respiration. A motion‐tracking algorithm was developed to track material regions from time‐resolved grid‐tagged images. Experiments were performed to image the lungs during quiet breathing and volumetric strain was calculated from the measured displacement maps. Regional volume calculations, derived from volumetric strain, were integrated over the entire lung and compared to segmented volume calculations with good agreement. Results from this work demonstrate that MRI spirometry has the potential to become a clinically useful tool for measuring regional ventilation and assessing pulmonary diseases that regionally affect the mechanical function of the lung. Magn Reson Med, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Equivalent cross‐relaxation rate imaging for sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast carcinoma
Authors: Matsushima Shigeru , Sasaki Fumio , Yamaura Hidekazu , Iwata Hiroji , Ohsaki Hikaru , Era Seiichi , Sogami Masaru , Inaba Tadashi , Uike Mitsuhiro , Kinosada Yasutomi
Published: October 2005

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is an important technique for detecting axillary lymph node metastasis in breast carcinoma patients. However, false‐negative results are a problem. Equivalent cross‐relaxation rate (ECR) imaging (ECRI) is a measurement method that can be used to quantitatively evaluate a change in the structural organization of lymph nodes by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We performed axillary ECRI in an attempt to decrease the false‐negative results of SLNB. Regions without metastases showed a higher ECR value. On the other hand, regions with metastases showed a lower ECR value. The ECR images were compared with macroscopic histology images in which the presence or absence of axillary lymph node metastasis could be evaluated. ECRI is a potentially useful method for evaluating the efficacy of SLNB. Magn Reson Med, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Novel rapid fat suppression strategy with spectrally selective pulses
Authors: Peng Qi , McColl Roderick W. , Wang Jihong , Weatherall Paul T.
Published: October 2005

Short repetition time gradient echo sequences are gaining popularity in clinical applications such as dynamic contrast enhancement imaging, cardiac imaging, and MR angiography. Performing fat suppression in these sequences is usually time consuming and often somewhat ineffective, due to the relatively short T1 and long T2 of fat. A novel rapid fat suppression strategy using spectrally selective pulses is introduced and compared with clinically popular sequences such as fat presaturated fast field echo (FFE) and turbo field echo (TFE) and binomial water‐selective spatial–spectral excitation (SSE, or SPSP excitation) FFE. The new strategy combines fat presaturation with low‐order binomial water‐selective SSE pulses in a TFE sequence. This enables the use of a long echo train length to decrease exam time, but without creation of excess fat signal contamination of the resultant images. The fat nullification is also more reliable as fat signals in central k‐space data are suppressed twice. An implementation of this strategy is compared with traditional methods in both phantom and human studies, confirming that the new technique provides strong fat suppression with few artifacts despite the short scan duration. Magn Reson Med, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vivo sodium magnetic resonance imaging of the human brain using soft inversion recovery fluid attenuation
Authors: Stobbe Robert , Beaulieu Christian
Published: October 2005

Sodium imaging with soft inversion recovery fluid attenuation, which may be advantageous for intracellular weighting, was demonstrated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) suppression in five healthy volunteers at 4.7 T. Long rectangular inversion pulses reduce the average power deposition in an inversion recovery sequence, allowing repetition time to be shortened and more averages acquired for a given scan length. Longer pulses also significantly reduce the “depth” of Mz inversion in environments with rapid T1 and T2 relaxation (i.e., brain relative to CSF). Phantom experiments and simulation show a marked SNR increase when using a 10‐ms, rather than a 1‐ms, rectangular inversion pulse. Images were acquired in 11.1 min with a voxel size of 0.25 cm3 and the SNR in CSF, which is typically ∼3 times larger than in brain, was reduced to 23% of that in the brain tissue, which had an average SNR of 17. Magn Reson Med, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of X‐ray fluoroscopy and interventional magnetic resonance imaging for the assessment of coronary artery stenoses in swine
Authors: Green Jordin D. , Omary Reed A. , Schirf Brian E. , Tang Richard , Lu Biao , Gehl James A. , Huang J. Jenny , Carr James C. , Pereles F. Scott , Li Debiao
Published: October 2005

The accuracy of a two‐step interventional MRI protocol to quantify coronary artery disease was compared to the clinical gold standard, X‐ray angiography. Studies were conducted in nine swine with a surgically induced stenosis in the proximal left circumflex coronary artery. The two‐step protocol consisted of catheter‐directed magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), which was first used to localize the stenosis, followed by MRI cross‐sectional images to quantify the degree of stenosis without the use of contrast agent. Line signal intensity profiles were drawn across the vessel diameter at the stenosis site and proximal to the stenosis for each data set to measure percentage stenosis for each animal. Catheter‐directed MRA successfully detected eight of nine stenoses. Cross‐sectional MRI accurately quantified each stenosis, with strong agreement to the measurements made using X‐ray fluoroscopy (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.955; P < 0.05). This study demonstrates that in the future interventional MRI may be an alternative to X‐ray angiography for the detection and quantification of coronary artery disease. Magn Reson Med, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Myocardial first pass perfusion: Steady‐state free precession versus spoiled gradient echo and segmented echo planar imaging
Authors: Wang Yi , Moin Khurram , Akinboboye Olakunle , Reichek Nathaniel
Published: October 2005

The imaging sequences used in first pass (FP) perfusion to date have important limitations in contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), temporal and spatial resolution, and myocardial coverage. As a result, controversy exists about optimal imaging strategies for FP myocardial perfusion. Since imaging performance varies from subject to subject, it is difficult to form conclusions without direct comparison of different sequences in the same subject. The purpose of this study was to directly compare the saturation recovery SSFP technique to other more commonly used myocardial first pass perfusion techniques, namely spoiled GRE and segmented EPI. Differences in signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), CNR, relative maximal upslope (RMU) of signal amplitude, and artifacts at comparable temporal and spatial resolution among the three sequences were investigated in computer simulation, contrast agent doped phantoms, and 16 volunteers. The results demonstrate that SSFP perfusion images exhibit an improvement of approximately 77% in SNR and 23% in CNR over spoiled GRE and 85% SNR and 50% CNR over segmented EPI. Mean RMU was similar between SSFP and spoiled GRE, but there was a 58% increase in RMU with SSFP versus segmented EPI. Magn Reson Med, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fat/water separation in single acquisition steady‐state free precession using multiple echo radial trajectories
Authors: Lu Aiming , Grist Thomas M. , Block Walter F.
Published: October 2005

Phase detection in fully refocused SSFP imaging has recently allowed fat/water separation without preparing the magnetization or using multiple acquisitions. Instead, it exploits the phase difference between fat and water at an echo time at the midpoint of the TR. To minimize the TR for improved robustness to B0 inhomogeneity, a 3D projection acquisition collecting two half echoes at the beginning and end of each excitation was previously implemented. Since echoes are not formed at the midpoint of the TR, this method still requires two passes of k‐space for fat/water separation. A new method is presented to linearly combine the half echoes to separate fat and water in a single acquisition. Separation using phase detection provides superior contrast between fat and water voxels. Results from high resolution angiography and musculoskeletal studies with improved robustness to inhomogeneity and a 50% scan time reduction compared to the two pass method are presented. Magn Reson Med, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Plastic model with non‐local damage applied to concrete
Authors: Grassl Peter , Jirásek Milan
Published: October 2005

The present paper deals with a certain class of regularized models for concrete failure, combining plasticity with non‐local damage. The plastic part is local and uses a yield condition formulated in the effective stress space. Softening is incorporated through the damage part of the model. Damage is considered as isotropic and linked to the evolution of plastic strain. The regularized version of the model is based on weighted spatial averaging of the damage‐driving variable. Conditions for a mesh‐independent description of the localized zone of inelastic strains are studied using one‐ and two‐dimensional examples solved by simple non‐local damage‐plasticity models, in two dimensions with non‐associated flow. Then, the framework is applied to an advanced model for concrete. Structural examples with tensile and compressive failure are presented. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using Research‐Based Practices to Support Students With Diverse Needs in General Education Settings
Authors: Lembke Erica S. , Stormont Melissa
Published: October 2005

The purposes of this article are to underscore the importance of using research‐based practices to support the needs of all learners in general education settings and to provide teachers with strategies for obtaining research‐based practices. Students with diverse learning needs require that teachers utilize more effective and efficient practices in their teaching given that many are already behind academically, socially, or both. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 42: 761–763, 2005.
Supporting Successful Transition to Kindergarten: General Challenges and Specific Implications for Students with Problem Behavior
Authors: Stormont Melissa , Beckner Rebecca , Mitchell Barbara , Richter Mary
Published: October 2005

The purpose of this review is to present factors that impede and promote successful transition to kindergarten, with a focus on the specific needs of students with problem behavior. The review addresses competencies that teachers report are critical for success in kindergarten, traditional transition practices, and challenges in implementing transition practices. Suggestions are provided to begin to attend to some of the issues affecting successful transition for children with challenging behavior and include an overarching framework to better support transition practices and specific suggestions for appropriate supports. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 42: 765–778, 2005.
Theory‐ and Evidence‐Based Strategies for Children with Attentional Problems
Authors: Zentall Sydney S.
Published: October 2005

This article reviews factors that contribute to and improve selective and sustained attention in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD—the inattentive and combined subtypes). A brief review of interventions for inattention included psychostimulant medication, behavioral consequences, active‐learning, practice, and cognitive behavioral (self‐monitoring) techniques. Some of these traditional methods must be applied differently to children with ADHD, and some methods were found to be without empirical support. In contrast, educational interventions that involve increasing antecedent (task and setting) stimulus conditions have been demonstrated to normalize attention, and some actually improved the attentional performance of children with ADHD beyond that of their peers. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 42: 821–836, 2005.
Metabolic regulation at the tricarboxylic acid and glyoxylate cycles of the lignin‐degrading basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium against exogenous addition of vanillin
Authors: Shimizu Motoyuki , Yuda Naoki , Nakamura Tomofumi , Tanaka Hiroo , Wariishi Hiroyuki
Published: October 2005

A proteomic differential display technique was utilized to study cellular responses of Phanerochaete chrysosporium exposed to vanillin, one of the key intermediates found during lignin biodegradation. Intracellular proteins were resolved by 2‐DE and target protein spots were identified using MALDI‐MS after in‐gel tryptic digestions. Upon addition of vanillin to P. chrysosporium, up‐regulation of homogentisate 1,2‐dioxygenase, 1,4‐benzoquinone reductases, aldehyde dehydrogenase, and aryl‐alcohol dehydrogenase, which seem to play roles in vanillin metabolism, was observed. Furthermore, enzymes involved in glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the pentose‐phosphate cycle, and heme biosynthesis were also activated. Up‐regulation of extracellular peroxidase was also observed. One of the most unique phenomena against exogenous vanillin was a switch from the glyoxylate cycle to the tricarboxylic acid cycle, where a drastic increase in isocitrate dehydrogenase activity was observed. The exogenous addition of other aromatic compounds also caused an increase in its activity, which in turn triggered NAD(P)H production via the action of dehydrogenases in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, heme biosynthesis via the action of aminolevulinic acid synthase on succinyl‐CoA, and energy production via activation of the mitochondrial electron transfer system. These metabolic shifts seem to be required for activating a metabolic system for aromatic compounds.
From proteins to systems: The British Society for Proteomics Research (BSPR) meeting 2005
Authors: McIntyre Sue Francis
Published: October 2005

This report describes the highlights of the second scientific meeting of the British Society for Proteome Research (BSPR), jointly organised with the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI), and held at The Genome Centre, Cambridge UK in July 2005. The theme of the meeting was “From Proteins to Systems” covering many diverse aspects of proteomics, bioinformatics and systems biology.
Factors influencing distress in Indian cancer patients
Authors: Pandey Manoj , Thomas Bejoy Cherian , Ramdas Kunnambath , NandaMohan Vasudevanpillai
Published: October 2005

Background: The current study set out to identify distress in cancer patients undergoing curative treatment within India.

Patients and methods: This study was carried out to measure distress and contributory factors in 103 cancer patients undergoing treatment with curative intent. The patients were interviewed using the Distress Inventory for Cancer (DI‐C). The data on social, demographic, clinical, treatment, and follow‐up details was collected from case records.

Results and conclusion: The distress score for individual respondents ranged from 34 to 90 (mean 62.3). Patients with lower income, those who were single/widowed, or divorced, those living between 150 and 350 km (3–6 h commuting distance) from the cancer centre, presence of pain and patients with advanced tumours at presentation showed higher distress. A higher distress score correlated significantly with patients being lost to follow‐up. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The enhancing connections program: pilot study of a cognitive‐behavioral intervention for mothers and children affected by breast cancer
Authors: Lewis Frances Marcus , Casey Susan M. , Brandt Patricia A. , Shands Mary Ellen , Zahlis Ellen H.
Published: October 2005

In 2005, approximately 211 240 women in the US will be diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and an estimated 22% will be child rearing. Research reveals that both mothers and children have elevated distress attributed to the cancer; struggle with how to talk about and deal with the impact of the cancer; and both fear the mother will die. The Enhancing Connections Program (EC) was developed to reduce this cancer‐related distress and morbidity. The program involves five, 1‐hour educational counseling sessions delivered at 2‐week intervals by specially trained clinicians. This study reports on the program's short‐term impact on mothers' and children's adjustment.

Thirteen households were recruited within 7.5 months of the mother's diagnosis with early stage breast cancer. Impact was evaluated within a single group design using data obtained from standardized questionnaires with established reliability and validity.

Results revealed significant improvements in the mother's depressed mood, anxiety, and self‐confidence to assist her child (mother report). There were also significant decreases in the child's behavioral problems (mother and father report); the child's cancer‐related worries (child report); and the child's anxiety/depressed mood (mother and father report). Further evaluation is warranted within a clinical trial. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetic and crystallographic studies of glucopyranose spirohydantoin and glucopyranosylamine analogs inhibitors of glycogen phosphorylase
Authors: Watson Kimberly A. , Chrysina Evangelia D. , Tsitsanou Katerina E. , Zographos Spyros E. , Archontis Georgios , Fleet George W.J. , Oikonomakos Nikos G.
Published: October 2005

Glycogen phosphorylase (GP) is currently exploited as a target for inhibition of hepatic glycogenolysis under high glucose conditions. Spirohydantoin of glucopyranose and N‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucopyranosylamine have been identified as the most potent inhibitors of GP that bind at the catalytic site. Four spirohydantoin and three β‐D‐glucopyranosylamine analogs have been designed, synthesized and tested for inhibition of GP in kinetic experiments. Depending on the functional group introduced, the Ki values varied from 16.5 μM to 1200 μM. In order to rationalize the kinetic results, we determined the crystal structures of the analogs in complex with GP. All the inhibitors bound at the catalytic site of the enzyme, by making direct and water‐mediated hydrogen bonds with the protein and by inducing minor movements of the side chains of Asp283 and Asn284, of the 280s loop that blocks access of the substrate glycogen to the catalytic site, and changes in the water structure in the vicinity of the site. The differences observed in the Ki values of the analogs can be interpreted in terms of variations in hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions, desolvation effects, ligand conformational entropy, and displacement of water molecules on ligand binding to the catalytic site. Proteins 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The mitigation of pressure piling by divergent connections
Authors: Di Benedetto Almerinda , Russo Gennaro , Salzano Ernesto
Published: October 2005

Literature results show that the pressure piling phenomenon is the result of the combination of: (1) the precompression effect arising from the jet flow from the ignition vessel); (2) the turbulence induced by the fast flame propagation (jet ignition) in the secondary vessel; and (3) the vent flowing toward the ignition vessel, which mitigates the peak pressure. To control the severity of the explosion in the second vessel it is possible to either limit precompression or to reduce the characteristic ratio between the “reaction” and “venting” times.

A mathematical model of the pressure piling phenomenon is proposed herein to study the possibility of reducing the peak pressure in the second vessel by limiting the turbulence level induced and thus increasing the reaction time with respect to the venting time. More precisely, the effect of geometry obtained by using divergent connection tubes from the ignition vessel to the second vessel and by varying the volume ratio between the two vessels has been evaluated, demonstrating that small modifications in the design will prevent the catastrophic behavior of pressure piling. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2005
Experience‐altered oviposition responses to a neem‐based product, Neemix®, by the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella
Authors: Liu Tong‐Xian , Liu Shu‐Sheng
Published: October 2005

The oviposition responses of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L., to Neemix® 4.5, a neem‐based oviposition repellent/deterrent, with or without previous experience were studied in the laboratory on plain aluminum foil sheets, on aluminum foil sheets coated with cabbage juice, and on cabbage plants. In the plain aluminum foil sheet experiment, the females without prior experience of Neemix (inexperienced females) deposited more eggs (66.2%) on sections with untreated sheets than on sections with Neemix‐treated sheets (33.8%), indicating that the inexperienced females were significantly repelled and/or deterred by Neemix. In contrast, the Neemix‐experienced females deposited more eggs (69.2–69.7%) on sections with Neemix‐treated sheets than on sections with untreated sheets (30.3–30.8%), implying that the females were not repelled and/or deterred by Neemix following an experience. In the tests using egg‐laying sheets coated with cabbage juice or with cabbage juice plus Neemix, the inexperienced females deposited more eggs (63.8%) on the sections with sheets treated with cabbage juice only than on the sections with sheets coated with cabbage juice and Neemix (36.2%), indicating that inexperienced females were repelled and/or deterred by Neemix. Similarly, Neemix‐experienced females deposited more eggs (62.2–65.6%) on the sections with sheets treated with cabbage juice plus Neemix than on the sections with sheets treated with juice only (34.4–37.8%), suggesting that the females were not repelled and/or deterred by Neemix following an experience. On cabbage plants, inexperienced females oviposited similar numbers of eggs on both Neemix‐treated (50.8%) and untreated plants (49.2%). However, the Neemix‐experienced females oviposited more eggs on the plants treated with Neemix (56.3%) than on untreated plants (43.7%), indicating that the females were attracted by Neemix‐treated plants following an experience. The significance of this study for applications of insect repellents/deterrents in pest management is discussed. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparing ecological risks of pesticides: the utility of a Risk Quotient ranking approach across refinements of exposure
Authors: Peterson Robert KD
Published: October 2005

Environmental risk assessment of pesticides and other chemicals often uses the Risk Quotient (RQ) method to characterize risk quantitatively. An RQ is calculated by dividing an environmental exposure value by a toxicity end‐point value. Tier 1 RQs, which are characterized by highly conservative toxicity and exposure assumptions, are used primarily for screening out negligible risks in regulatory decision making. It has been argued that the tier 1 RQ approach is valuable for making direct comparisons of quantitative risk between pesticides. However, an outstanding question is whether relative risks among pesticides would change if refinements of exposure are incorporated into the RQ calculations. This study tested that hypothesis. Aquatic ecological risk assessments were conducted for 12 herbicide and 12 insecticide active ingredients used on agricultural crops in the USA. The pesticides were chosen because surface‐water monitoring data for them were available as part of the United States Geological Survey's National Water‐Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA). Ecological receptors and effects evaluated were aquatic non‐vascular plants (acute risk), aquatic vertebrates (acute risk) and aquatic invertebrates (acute risk) for the herbicides and aquatic vertebrates (acute and chronic risk) and aquatic invertebrates (acute and chronic risk) for the insecticides. The data indicate that there were significant statistical correlations between numerical rankings of tier 1 RQs and RQs using refined environmental exposures. The results support the hypothesis that numerical ranking of RQs for the purpose of comparing potential ecological risks is a valid approach because the rankings are significantly correlated regardless of the degree of exposure refinement. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Masking the taste of the conditioned taste aversion agent levamisole using an ion‐exchange resin, for practical application in wildlife management
Authors: Cotterill Jane V , Massei Giovanna , Cowan David P
Published: October 2005

For a conditioned taste aversion (CTA) agent to be successful in wildlife management applications, the compound must not be detectable by the animal. Levamisole is an effective CTA agent when administered by oral intubation, but it is readily detected by a number of species when mixed directly in food. This paper describes the development of an ion‐exchange resin complex (resinate) to mask the taste of levamisole. Two different resins were evaluated, Amberlite® IRP‐64 and Amberlite® IRP‐69, and release studies indicated that the resinate formed using IRP‐64 resin would be most suitable for use in wildlife management. Although it contained a relatively low loading of levamisole (77 g kg−1), the results indicated that the IRP‐64 resinate should be stable in the mouth and release the levamisole quickly in the acid environment of the stomach (93% of levamisole was released into 0.1 M HCl in 5 min). In a bioassay using laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus Berk), we showed that the taste of levamisole was successfully masked in a biscuit bait using the IRP‐64 resinate and that a CTA was generated to untreated bait. The use of ion‐exchange resins is a new approach in the taste‐masking of CTA agents and could be applied to other wildlife management applications. © British Crown copyright 2005. Reproduced with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published for SCI by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of kaolin‐based particle film on spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)) oviposition in the laboratory
Authors: Cadogan Beresford L , Scharbach Roger D
Published: October 2005

A laboratory study conducted in 2003 determined the influence of a kaolin‐based particle film (Surround™ WP Crop Protectant) on spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem)) oviposition. Three concentrations (15, 30 and 60 g litre−1 spray carrier) were applied to white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss). When presented with different paired choices of oviposition surfaces, spruce budworms laid very few egg masses overall and showed no significant (P < 0.05) preference between kaolin‐coated and untreated foliage. During no‐choice tests, spruce budworms were significantly (P < 0.05) less inclined to oviposit on the 60 g kaolin litre−1 treated foliage than on the controls, but no kaolin treatment completely inhibited spruce budworm oviposition. Egg mass size and percentage hatch were unaffected by the kaolin treatments, and overall the percentage of egg masses laid on foliage was inversely proportional to treatment concentration. It is unlikely that kaolin‐based particle film would be practical for wide use in natural forests without significant adaptations to current pesticide application equipment and methods. However, the technique might be feasible in selected urban settings. © 2005 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada. Published for SCI by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dielectric functions of DNA base films from near‐infrared to ultra‐violet
Authors: Silaghi S. D. , Friedrich M. , Cobet C. , Esser N. , Braun W. , Zahn D. R. T.
Published: October 2005

This work is reporting the dielectric functions of DNA base films, i.e. guanine, adenine, cytosine, and thymine in the energy range from near‐infrared to ultra‐violet. Spectroscopic ellipsometry using synchrotron radiation was employed in situ on DNA base films grown on hydrogen terminated Si(111) surfaces under ultra‐high vacuum conditions. The optical response of adenine and guanine films is described by a uniaxial model while in the case of thymine and cytosine films an isotropic model was employed. The imaginary part of the dielectric functions ε2 of the DNA base films is compared with the electronic transitions of single molecules calculated using time‐dependent density functional theory. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
From organic superconductors to DNA: Fragment orbital‐based model
Authors: Castet Frédéric , Ducasse Laurent , Fritsch Alain
Published: October 2005

A semi‐empirical valence bond/Hartree–Fock (VB/HF) method is developed to calculate one‐ and two‐electron interactions between molecular fragments in conducting supramolecular stacks. This fragment orbital‐based formalism allows for consistent extraction of an effective Hamiltonian defined as a “frontier orbital” model. This Hamiltonian quantitatively describes transfer and electrostatic interactions between conducting electrons, while reducing the active space so dramatically that the electronic eigenstates of very large systems may be investigated. The capabilities of the VB/HF method are illustrated on two different supramolecular stacks involving a π–π interacting fragment. In the first part of this study, the framework of the VB/HF method is used to evaluate the relative magnitude of the electronic interactions between conduction electrons in organic conductors and superconductors derived from Bechgaard salts. In the second part of this study, the VB/HF formalism is extended to derive an effective model for conduction holes along doped DNA double strands. Transferable intra‐ and intersite parameters were first evaluated from VB/HF calculations carried out on nucleoside pairs. From this interaction databank, the effective Hamiltonian of any type of nucleoside sequence can be defined. The thermalized charge distribution for a single hole delocalized along a DNA sequence containing 240 Watson–Crick pairs is then calculated and compared with the experimental yields of damage revealed by photocleavage experiments. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
A robust control based solution to the sample‐profile estimation problem in fast atomic force microscopy
Authors: M. Salapaka Srinivasa , De Tathagata , Sebastian Abu
Published: October 2005

The atomic force microscope (AFM) is a powerful tool for imaging and manipulating matter at the nanoscale. An optimal control problem is proposed for the control of AFMs which includes the design of a sample‐profile estimate signal in addition to the set‐point regulation and resolution objectives. A new estimate signal for the sample profile is proposed and it is proved that the transfer function between the profile signal and the estimate signal is unity. The main contribution in comparison to existing designs is that there is no bandwidth limitation on estimation of sample profiles! Experimental results are presented to corroborate these results. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Management of twin–twin transfusion syndrome in pregnancies with iatrogenic detachment of membranes following therapeutic amniocentesis and the role of interim amniopatch
Authors: Quintero R. A. , Kontopoulos E. V. , Chmait R. , Bornick P. W. , Allen M.
Published: October 2005

Objective

Detachment of membranes may occur after therapeutic amniocentesis for twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Subsequent amniocenteses or endoscopic fetal therapy may be hindered or made altogether impossible by this complication. The purpose of this study was to describe our experience in the assessment and management of TTTS patients with iatrogenic detached membranes (IDM).

Methods

Patients with IDM referred for fetal surgery for TTTS were considered ineligible for standard surgery and were offered different alternatives, including expectant management, serial amniocentesis, or an attempt at surgery with or without prior amniopatch. Pregnancy outcomes were compared between surgical and non‐surgical patients.

Results

Nine hundred and forty‐four patients with a diagnosis of TTTS were referred between July 1997 and December 2004, of whom 322 (34.1%) had a prior therapeutic amniocentesis. Twenty‐six of the 322 patients (8%) had IDM. Ten patients opted to be managed with subsequent amniocenteses, two of which had an amniopatch. One patient had voluntary interruption of pregnancy. Fifteen patients underwent surgery, 10 of whom underwent an amniopatch. Overall, resealing of membranes occurred in 8/12 (66%) patients treated with an amniopatch. Survival of at least one fetus was greater in patients treated surgically with or without an amniopatch (12/15, 80% vs. 4/11, 36%, P = 0.04).

Conclusion

Membrane detachment is an important complication of therapeutic amniocentesis in the treatment of TTTS. Although successful treatment of IDM can be achieved with an interim amniopatch, this alternative is not without risks. Therapeutic amniocenteses should be discouraged in patients considering endoscopic fetal surgery for TTTS. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcomes of Lung Transplantation in Patients with Scleroderma
Authors: Massad Malek G. , Powell Charles R. , Kpodonu Jacques , Tshibaka Cimenga , Hanhan Ziad , Snow Norman J. , Geha Alexander S.
Published: October 2005

Patients with pulmonary insufficiency due to scleroderma have long been considered suboptimal candidates for lung transplantation. This has been supported by small single‐center experiences that did not reflect the entire U.S. experience. We sought to evaluate the outcome of patients with scleroderma who underwent lung transplantation. We conducted a retrospective review of 47 patients with scleroderma who underwent lung transplantation at 23 U.S. centers between 1987 and 2004 and were reported to the United Network for Organ Sharing. Women constituted 57% of the patients. The mean age was 46 years. Twenty‐seven patients received single lung transplants (57%), and the remaining received double lung transplants. The mean cold ischemia time was 4.1 hours. There were 7 early deaths (≤30 days) and 17 late deaths (> 30 days). The causes of early death were primary graft failure and a cardiac event in two patients each and bacterial infection and stroke in one patient each. Late mortality was due to infection in seven patients, respiratory failure in three, malignancy in two, and multisystem organ failure, rejection, pulmonary hypertension, and a cardiac event in one patient each. The causes of early and late death were not recorded for two patients. One patient received a second transplant owing to graft failure of the first. Twenty‐three patients (49%) were alive at a mean follow‐up of 24 months. The Kaplan‐Meier 1‐ and 3‐year survival rates were 67.6% and 45.9% respectively, which are not significantly different from those of 10,070 patients given transplants for other lung conditions during the same period (75.5% and 58.8% respectively, P = 0.25). Donor gender, recipient’s age, and type of transplant did not affect survival. In carefully selected patients with scleroderma who have end‐stage lung disease, lung transplantation is a valid life‐saving therapeutic option. Available data suggest acceptable short‐term morbidity and mortality and a long‐term survival similar to that of patients given transplants for other lung conditions.