bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The clinical significance of poor bladder compliance
Authors: Cho Sung‐Yong , Yi Jun‐Seok , Oh Seung‐June
Published: March 2009

Aims

There is limited data on bladder compliance associated with lower urinary tract dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the decrease in bladder compliance, and the clinical relationship between patterns of increased pressure with neurological disease.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed in 5,027 patients with voiding dysfunction between June 2002 and April 2008. The patients with poor compliance (PC) were categorized according to the detrusor pattern of increased pressure: group A (gradual increase), group B (terminal increase), and group C (abrupt increase and plateau).

Results

Patients with PC were found in 170 (3.4%) cases (76 males and 94 females) with 46.5% in group A 44.7%, group B, and 8.8% group C. Bladder trabeculation was more prevalent in patients with PC than among those with normal compliance. Group A had the highest correlation with the incidence of spinal cord injury compared to the other groups. Group B had a higher correlation with a history of pelvic irradiation, radical prostatectomy, and tethered cord syndrome compared to the others. Vesicoureteral reflux was more frequently detected in group A and group C. Group C was positively correlated with the presence of detrusor overactivity and nocturnal enuresis.

Conclusions

Poor compliance was correlated with the presence of neurological conditions. The gradual increase of detrusor pressure was associated with the development of spinal cord injury, and the terminal increase had an association with a history of treatment to the pelvic cavity. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:1010–1014, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Uroflowmetry in healthy women: Development and validation of flow–volume and corrected flow–age nomograms
Authors: Barapatre Yogesh , Agarwal Mayank Mohan , Singh Shrawan Kumar , Sharma Suresh Kumar , Mavuduru Ravimohan , Mete Uttam Kumar , Kumar Santosh , Mandal Arup Kumar
Published: March 2009

Introduction

Voiding dysfunction is common among women. However, unlike men, no universally accepted nomogram is available for them. This study was undertaken to establish normal reference values of urinary flow parameters for healthy Indian female population in menstrual age group.

Materials and Methods

Women volunteers of menstrual age group, including hospital staff, nursing students, visitors and relatives of patients, underwent free uroflowmetry using digital uroflowmeter (Solar Silver, Medical Measurement System, The Netherlands). Women with voiding symptoms, urinary tract infection within last 4 weeks, neurological/non‐neurological diseases or medication affecting voiding function and abnormal uroflows were excluded. One micturition was obtained per proband in a sitting position to determine various uroflow variables.

Results

Of total 343 women enrolled in the study, data of 308 was available for final analysis. Their mean (±SD) age was 33 ± 8.63 years, voided volume 289.79 ± 166.52 ml, maximum flow‐rate (Qmax) 23.06 ± 9.40 ml/sec, average flow‐rate (Qave) 13.08 ± 6.00 ml/sec, voiding time 23.50 ± 12.52 sec, time to Qmax 8.56 ± 6.55 sec, and post‐void residue 2.92 ± 3.69 ml. Corrected Qmax and corrected Qave were computed to be 1.41 ± 0.43 and 0.80 ± 0.27, respectively. Confidence limit flow–volume nomograms were developed and validated using data of asymptomatic (n = 25) as well as symptomatic women (n = 22). Corrected Qmax and corrected Qave to age nomograms were also introduced.

Conclusion

These nomograms would help clinicians evaluate flow rates over a wide‐range of voided volume as well as age, enabling effective screening of women for voiding dysfunction, and evaluating response to medical or surgical treatment. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:1003–1009, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of lumbar epidural administration of neostigmine on lower urinary tract function
Authors: Agarwal Mayank Mohan , Singh Shrawan Kumar , Batra Yatindra Kumar , Mavuduru Ravimohan , Mandal Arup Kumar
Published: March 2009

Background

Neostigmine is cholinomimetic and is used for postoperative analgesia. Its urodynamics effects on voiding function have not been elucidated.

Materials and Methods

Adult patients without bothersome voiding symptoms planned for rigid cystoscopy under local anesthesia were enrolled. They underwent multichannel urodynamics (filling cystometry and pressure‐flow study) before and 30 min after lumbar epidural administration of Neostigmine (2 µg/kg).

Results

Indications for cystoscopy were check examination for follow up of carcinoma urinary bladder (n = 3), staging for carcinoma cervix (5), and removal of ureteral stent (4). Patients' mean age was 51.9 ± 11.7 years and international Prostatic symptom score 2.34 ± 3.41. A trend of decreased maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) was observed after Neostigmine (413.50 ± 142.45 ml vs. 357.00 ± 145.62 ml; P = 0.056) without any change in end‐filling pressure. Five patients developed detrusor overactivity (DO) and one had increase in its amplitude (P = 0.031). Four patients developed rhythmic rectal contractions and one had increase in its amplitude (P = 0.219). There was no difference in any of the voiding parameters. Mean Visual Analog Pain Score (VAS scale 0–10) during cystoscopy for this group was significantly lower than that in a similar group of patients who did not receive Neostigmine prior to rigid cystoscopy (1.16 ± 0.94 vs. 4.57 ± 1.45; P = 0.0001). The drug was well tolerated in majority of the patients.

Conclusion

Epidural Neostigmine is effective in providing analgesia during diagnostic rigid cystoscopy. It leads to development of DO and decrease in bladder capacity without any effect on voiding function. These findings may help clinicians to use it for transurethral procedure‐related pain relief without apprehension of voiding difficulty. Neurourol. Urodynam. 29:443–448, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Understanding the human salivary metabolome
Authors: Takeda Ienaka , Stretch Cynthia , Barnaby Pamela , Bhatnager Kriti , Rankin Kathryn , Fu Hao , Weljie Aalim , Jha Naresh , Slupsky Carolyn
Published: March 2009

Saliva is a readily accessible biofluid that is important for the overall health, aiding in the chewing, swallowing, and tasting of food as well as the regulation mouth flora. As a first step to determining and understanding the human saliva metabolome, we have measured salivary metabolite concentrations under a variety of conditions in a healthy population with reasonably good oral hygiene. Using 1H NMR spectroscopy, metabolite concentrations were measured in resting (basal) and stimulated saliva from the same subject and compared in a cohort of healthy male non‐smoking subjects (n = 62). Almost all metabolites were higher in the unstimulated saliva when compared to the stimulated saliva. Comparison of the salivary metabolite profile of male smokers and non‐smokers (n = 46) revealed citrate, lactate, pyruvate, and sucrose to be higher and formate to be lower in concentration in smokers compared with non‐smokers (p < 0.05). Gender differences were also investigated (n = 40), and acetate, formate, glycine, lactate, methanol, propionate, propylene glycol, pyruvate, succinate, and taurine were significantly higher in concentration in male saliva compared to female saliva (p < 0.05). These results show that differences between male and female, stimulated and unstimulated, as well as smoking status may be observed in the salivary metabolome. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel technique to monitor carboxypeptidase G2 expression in suicide gene therapy using 19F magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Mancini Laura , Davies Lawrence , Friedlos Frank , Falck‐Miniotis Maria , Dzik‐Jurasz Andrzej S , Springer Caroline J. , Leach Martin O. , Payne Geoffrey S.
Published: March 2009

Development and evaluation of new anticancer drugs are expedited when minimally invasive biomarkers of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behaviour are available. Gene‐directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT) is a suicide gene therapy in which the anticancer drug is activated in the tumor by an exogenous enzyme previously targeted by a vector carrying the gene. GDEPT has been evaluated in various clinical trials using several enzyme/prodrug combinations. The key processes to be monitored in GDEPT are gene delivery and expression, as well as prodrug delivery and activation. {4‐[bis(2‐chloroethyl)amino]‐3,5‐difluorobenzoyl}‐L‐glutamic acid, a prodrug for the GDEPT enzyme carboxypeptidase‐G2 (CPG2; Km = 1.71 µM; kcat = 732 s−1), was measured with 19F magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The 1 ppm chemical shift separation found between the signals of prodrug and activated drug (4‐[bis(2‐chloroethyl)amino]‐3,5‐difluorobenzoic acid) is sufficient for the detection of prodrug activation in vivo. However, these compounds hydrolyze rapidly, and protein binding broadens the MR signals. A new CPG2 substrate was designed with hydroxyethyl instead of chloroethyl groups (Km = 3.5 µM, kcat = 747 s−1). This substrate is nontoxic and stable in solution, has a narrow MRS resonance in the presence of bovine and foetal bovine albumin, and exhibits a 1.1 ppm change in chemical shift upon cleavage by CPG2. In cells transfected to express CPG2 in the cytoplasm (MDA MB 361 breast carcinoma cells and WiDr colon cancer cells), well‐resolved 19F MRS signals were observed from clinically relevant concentrations of the new substrate and its nontoxic product. The MRS conversion half‐life (470 min) agreed with that measured by HPLC (500 min). This substrate is, therefore, suitable for evaluating gene delivery and expression prior to administration of the therapeutic agent. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A collocation method to solve higher order linear complex differential equations in rectangular domains
Authors: Sezer Mehmet , Yalçinbaş Salih
Published: March 2009

In this article, a collocation method is developed to find an approximate solution of higher order linear complex differential equations with variable coefficients in rectangular domains. This method is essentially based on the matrix representations of the truncated Taylor series of the expressions in equation and their derivates, which consist of collocation points defined in the given domain. Some numerical examples with initial and boundary conditions are given to show the properties of the method. All results were computed using a program written in scientific WorkPlace v5.5 and Maple v12. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2010
Nonlinear heat equation for nonhomogeneous anisotropic materials: A dual‐reciprocity boundary element solution
Authors: Ang Whye‐Teong , Clements David L.
Published: March 2009

A dual‐reciprocity boundary element method is presented for the numerical solution of initial‐boundary value problems governed by a nonlinear partial differential equation for heat conduction in nonhomogeneous anisotropic materials. To assess the validity and accuracy of the method, some specific problems are solved. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2010
The governance of public affairs
Authors: Bell Stephen , Hindmoor Andrew
Published: March 2009

Government and governance are frequently treated as synonyms. Governing is what governments do in formulating and implementing policies. A burgeoning political science literature uses the term governance in a different way to describe the growing tendency of governments to govern in partnership with a range of non‐state actors and, as a purported consequence, the marginalization of governments within policy‐making processes. Here, some writers go so far as to talk about ‘governance without government’. In a forthcoming book, Rethinking Governance: Bringing the State Back In, Stephen Bell and I argue that this dominant ‘society‐centred’ perspective on governance is flawed. In our view whilst governments are indeed now more likely to forge relationships with a larger range of non‐state actors, they nevertheless remain the central players in governance arrangements. Indeed we argue that governments have been strengthened through the relationships they have developed. This article reviews some of the extant literature on governance and specifies the basic terms of our ‘state‐centric relational’ approach.

Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and photopolymerization kinetics of lower odor benzophenone derivative photoinitiators
Authors: Wang Chengyun , Wei Ling , Lai Guoqiao , Zhong Tiangui , Shen Yongjia
Published: March 2009

Seven lower odor benzophenone (BP) derivatives (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3a, 3b, 3c) based on 4‐hydroxybenzophenone(1) were synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, Mass, UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy was carried out to research the photopolymerization mechanism. The kinetics of photopolymerization was studied by differential scanning photocalorimetry (photo‐DSC). The results showed that 2a–d with uni‐BP moiety were more effective photoinitiators (PIs) than 3a–c with bi‐BP moieties, and 2c was the most effective one which could be a promising candidate for BP alternative in practical application. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparative isolation of six major saponins from Platycodi Radix by high‐speed counter‐current chromatography
Authors: Ha Young Wan , Kim Yeong Shik
Published: March 2009

Introduction

Platycosides, the primary constituents of Platycodi Radix, are known to have numerous and varied biological activities, exerting anti‐inflammation, anti‐allergy, anti‐tumour, anti‐obesity and anti‐hyperlipidemia effects. However, effective methods for isolating and purifying platycosides from Platycodi Radix are not currently available.

Objective

To develop an efficient method for the preparative separation of six platycosides from Platycodi Radix by high‐speed counter‐current chromatography (HSCCC) coupled with an evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) system.

Methodology

Preparative separation was performed by water extraction using reversed‐phase C18 column chromatography on an HSCCC‐ELSD system. A two‐phase solvent system comprised hexane–n‐butanol–water (1:40:20, v/v) and (1:10:5, v/v) was employed. Two other key parameters, revolution speed of the separation column and flow‐rate of the mobile phase, were also investigated for optimum HSCCC performance. Each peak fraction obtained from separation of the platycosides was collected according to the ELSD elution profile and determined by HPLC.

Results

Using the described method, six platycosides, all with purities of over 94%, could be isolated from 300 mg of the platycoside‐enriched fraction. Their structures were characterized by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS), 1H‐NMR and 13C‐NMR.

Conclusion

Six of the main bioactive platycosides in Platycodi Radix could be isolated and purified systematically by HSCCC. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microwave‐assisted extraction of glucosinolates from Eruca sativa seeds and soil: comparison with existing methods
Authors: Omirou Michalis , Papastylianou Ioannis , Iori Renato , Papastephanou Chara , Papadopoulou Kalliope K. , Ehaliotis Costantinos , Karpouzas Dimitrios G.
Published: March 2009

Introduction

Glucosinolates (GSLs) are secondary plant metabolites that are abundant in brassicas and their hydrolysis products, isothiocyanates, are toxic to soil pathogens. Efficiency and extraction time are critical for routine analysis of GSLs in plant tissues. Robust analytical procedures are required for the extraction of GSL from soil.

Objective

Development and optimisation of a microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) method for the recovery of GSL from plant tissues and soil and comparison of its efficiency with other established extraction methods.

Methodology

Solvents, temperature, microwave power and extraction time were examined as parameters controlling MAE efficiency. In rocket seeds the efficiency of MAE was determined through recovery of GSLs from seeds and of sinigrin (1) that was used as internal standard. MAE was then compared with the certified ISO‐9167 method and an ultrasonic‐assisted extraction (UAE). MAE was also applied for the extraction of GSLs from soils fortified with 1 at three fortification levels. The efficiency of MAE was compared with a recently proposed agitation–filtration (AGIT) extraction method.

Results

The optimum conditions identified for extraction of GSLs from seeds were: methanol extraction at 250 W and 80°C for 10 min. MAE and ISO methods showed comparable efficiencies and higher than UAE. In soil, both methods resulted in nearly 100% recovery of 1 at all fortification levels, although MAE achieved this recovery after a single extraction step compared with AGIT, which required two.

Conclusions

The MAE developed is a simple and rapid method for the extraction of GSLs from plant tissues and soil that can be applied to a large number of samples, thus reducing the time of analysis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of low‐frequency melt vibration on HDPE morphology
Authors: Li Youbing , Shen Kaizhi
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND: A low‐frequency vibration‐assisted injection‐molding (VAIM) device was developed to explore the morphology of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) injection moldings. Scanning electron microscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry were used to characterize structure‐property relationships of final products prepared under different VAIM processing conditions (vibration frequency and vibration pressure amplitude) with conventional injection molding for comparison.

RESULTS: It was found that increasing the vibration frequency at constant vibration pressure amplitude was beneficial for obtaining ‘shish‐kebab’ structures in the core region of VAIM specimens, and increasing the vibration pressure amplitude at constant vibration frequency was a prerequisite for achieving HDPE specimens with large‐scale lamellas, more pronounced orientation and high crystallinity.

CONCLUSION: Both preferred orientation lamellas and increased crystallinity allow one to obtain strong injection moldings with the application of the melt vibration technique. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Shotgun mass mapping of Lactobacillus species and subspecies from caries related isolates by MALDI‐MS
Authors: Schmidt Frank , Fiege Thomas , Hustoft Hanne K. , Kneist Susanne , Thiede Bernd
Published: March 2009

A taxonomical study of 90 isolates of lactobacilli isolated from soft and hard carious dentine of 70 deciduous molars is presented. The Lactobacillus strains were determined by shotgun mass mapping (SMM). This method based on MALDI‐MS analysis of Lactobacillus isolates treated with trypsin followed by database comparison against a library of mass spectra derived from 20 reference strains. The SMM method allowed to discriminate different Lactobacillus subspecies. The method was used to analyse Lactobacillus isolates of unknown identity derived from carious dentine. Application of the SMM method to isolates from hard carious dentine revealed a nearly similar distribution of L. paracasei ss paracasei (29%), L. paracasei ss tolerans (32%) and L. casei ss rhamnosus (23%) as dominant subspecies. On the other hand, samples derived from soft carious dentine showed a clear bias only to L. paracasei ss paracasei (60%), whereas L. paracasei ss tolerans (14%) and L. casei ss rhamnosus (12%) were clear minorities. Compared to existent methods, SMM has unique potential for the analysis of Lactobacillus strains on subspecies level.
Ratio‐dependent significance thresholds in reciprocal15N‐labeling experiments as a robust tool in detection of candidate proteins responding to biological treatment
Authors: Kierszniowska Sylwia , Walther Dirk , Schulze Waltraud X.
Published: March 2009

Metabolic labeling of plant tissues with15N has become widely used in plant proteomics. Here, we describe a robust experimental design and data analysis workflow implementing two parallel biological replicate experiments with reciprocal labeling and series of 1:1 control mixtures. Thereby, we are able to unambiguously distinguish (i) inherent biological variation between cultures and (ii) specific responses to a biological treatment. The data analysis workflow is based on first determining the variation between cultures based on15N/14N ratios in independent 1:1 mixtures before biological treatment is applied. In a second step, ratio‐dependent SD is used to definep‐values for significant deviation of protein ratios in the biological experiment from the distribution of protein ratios in the 1:1 mixture. This approach allows defining those proteins showing significant biological response superimposed on the biological variation before treatment. The proposed workflow was applied to a series of experiments, in which changes in composition of detergent resistant membrane domains was analyzed in response to sucrose resupply after carbon starvation. Especially in experiments involving cell culture treatment (starvation) prior to the actual biological stimulus of interest (resupply), a clear distinction between culture to culture variations and biological response is of utmost importance.
PROTEOMER: A workflow‐optimized laboratory information management system for 2‐D electrophoresis‐centered proteomics
Authors: Nebrich Grit , Herrmann Marion , Hartl Daniela , Diedrich Madeleine , Kreitler Thomas , Wierling Christoph , Klose Joachim , Giavalisco Patrick , Zabel Claus , Mao Lei
Published: March 2009

In recent years proteomics became increasingly important to functional genomics. Although a large amount of data is generated by high throughput large‐scale techniques, a connection of these mostly heterogeneous data from different analytical platforms and of different experiments is limited. Data mining procedures and algorithms are often insufficient to extract meaningful results from large datasets and therefore limit the exploitation of the generated biological information. In our proteomic core facility, which almost exclusively focuses on 2‐DE/MS‐based proteomics, we developed a proteomic database custom tailored to our needs aiming at connecting MS protein identification information to 2‐DE derived protein expression profiles. The tools developed should not only enable an automatic evaluation of single experiments, but also link multiple 2‐DE experiments with MS‐data on different levels and thereby helping to create a comprehensive network of our proteomics data. Therefore the key feature of our “PROTEOMER” database is its high cross‐referencing capacity, enabling integration of a wide range of experimental data. To illustrate the workflow and utility of the system, two practical examples are provided to demonstrate that proper data cross‐referencing can transform information into biological knowledge.
Particle Sizing with PCS Mixed of Self‐beating Mode and Heterodyne Mode
Authors: Benzhuo Lou
Published: March 2009

The photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) spectrum obtained from an actual dynamic light scattering experiment for particle sizing is usually a mixture of self‐beating mode and heterodyne mode. Simulation indicates that a large error can occur when the size of the scattering particles is inverted from such a mixed PCS if pure self‐beating mode or pure heterodyne mode arithmetic is adopted. A method of inverting the particle diameter from such a mixed PCS signal is introduced. The validity of this method is demonstrated by simulation and PCS experiments with standard particles.
The settlement intention of China's floating population in the cities: recent changes and multifaceted individual‐level determinants
Authors: Zhu Yu , Chen Wenzhe
Published: March 2009

This paper uses data from two surveys conducted in Fujian Province in 2006 and 2002 to examine the recent situation and changes in the settlement intention of China's floating population and its determinants, and the diversification process of the floating population's migration flow. The results suggest that while the intention of the floating population to settle in the cities has increased, the places of origin remain important final destinations of the floating population, and a significant proportion of the floating population are still in the process of continuing their circulating process and looking for their final destination cities. The paper also suggests that there is a gap between the floating population's intention to settle in the cities and their real action to do so, and that they are cautious in turning such intention into immediate action. The paper identifies a set of complex determinants for the settlement intention of the floating population in the cities, and indicates that female, young, unmarried, better educated, non‐production workers, and Fujian‐origin members of the floating population, are more likely to choose to settle down in the cities. Having non‐agriculturalHukoustatus, higher household income, longer working contracts, better housing conditions, and a higher administrative status and bigger population size of the destination cities, are factors that promote the settlement intention of the floating population in the cities. The paper concludes that the final destination of the floating population's migration has been increasingly diversified, and it is of great importance to monitor and understand this diversification process. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A weak‐constraint four‐dimensional variational analysis system in the stratosphere
Authors: Lindskog Magnus , Dee Dick , Trémolet Yannick , Andersson Erik , Radnóti Gabor , Fisher Mike
Published: March 2009

A weak‐constraint four‐dimensional variational (4D‐Var) analysis system designed to correct stratospheric model errors has been evaluated. Verifications against upper‐level radiosonde temperature observations and Stratospheric Sounding Unit (SSU) radiance data show that the addition of a weak constraint in the stratosphere can greatly reduce analysis bias. Both single‐observation analysis experiments and extended assimilations have been performed to help us understand the impact of the model error covariance specifications required for the weak‐constraint formulation. It is found that the use of multivariate balance constraints similar to those implemented in background‐error covariances can be problematic. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
A new approach to setting control limits of cumulative count of conforming charts for high‐yield processes
Authors: Chen Jung‐Tai
Published: March 2009

Cumulative count of conforming (CCC‐r) charts are usually used to monitor non‐conforming fraction p in high‐yield processes. Existing approaches to setting the control limits may cause non‐maximal or biased in‐control average run length (ARL). Non‐maximal in‐control ARL implies that the chart might not quickly detect the upward shift of p from its nominal value p0. On the other hand, biased in‐control ARL means that both the in‐control and out‐of‐control ARLs are inflated. This paper develops a new approach to setting control limits for CCC‐r charts with near‐maximal and near‐unbiased in‐control ARL. Experimental results show that the proposed approach is effective in terms of the maximization and unbiasedness of in‐control ARL. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design of regression model‐based automatic process control with reduced adjustment frequency
Authors: Ye Liang , Pan Ershun , Shi Jianjun
Published: March 2009

Automatic process control based on a regression model has been adopted as one of the important techniques to improve product quality in manufacturing processes. Though more frequent adjustments generally produce a superior control performance, it may also increase control cost and impair control applicability. In this paper, the concepts of quality margin and self‐compensation of noise change are introduced. Based on these concepts, a control strategy is proposed which is capable of ensuring an acceptable process performance with a reduced adjustment frequency. A case study of leaf spring forming process is conducted to compare the control performance and control adjustment frequency between the proposed approach and the existing methods. Some properties of the proposed control law are also studied. The proposed method is implemented in a hot steel rolling process to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Direct injection liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometric horse urine analysis for the quantification and confirmation of threshold substances for doping control. II. Determination of theobromine
Authors: Vonaparti A. , Lyris E. , Panderi I. , Koupparis M. , Georgakopoulos C.
Published: March 2009

In equine sport, theobromine is prohibited with a threshold level of 2 µg mL−1 in urine, hence doping control laboratories have to establish quantitative and qualitative methods for its determination. Two simple liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) methods for the identification and quantification of theobromine were developed and validated using the same sample preparation procedure but different mass spectrometric systems: ion trap mass spectrometry (ITMS) and time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS). Particle‐free diluted urine samples were directly injected into the LC/MS systems, avoiding the time‐consuming extraction step. 3‐Propylxanthine was used as the internal standard. The tested linear range was 0.75–15 µg mL−1. Matrix effects were evaluated analyzing calibration curves in water and different fortified horse urine samples. A great variation in the signal of theobromine and the internal standard was observed in different matrices. To overcome matrix effects, a standard additions calibration method was applied. The relative standard deviations of intra‐ and inter‐day analysis were lower than 8.6 and 7.2%, respectively, for the LC/ITMS method and lower than 5.7 and 5.8%, respectively, for the LC/TOFMS method. The bias was less than 8.7% for both methods. The methods were applied to two case samples, demonstrating simplicity, accuracy and selectivity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultra‐thin SiO2 on Si IX: absolute measurements of the amount of silicon oxide as a thickness of SiO2 on Si
Authors: Seah M. P. , Unger W. E. S. , Wang Hai , Jordaan W. , Gross Th. , Dura J. A. , Moon Dae Won , Totarong P. , Krumrey M. , Hauert R. , Zhiqiang Mo
Published: March 2009

Results from a study conducted between National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) for the measurements of the absolute thicknesses of ultra‐thin layers of SiO2 on Si are reported. These results are from a key comparison and associated pilot study under the auspices of the Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance. ‘Amount of substance’ may be expressed in many ways, and here the measurand is the thickness of the silicon oxide layers with nominal thicknesses in the range 1.5–8 nm on Si substrates, expressed as the thickness of SiO2. Separate samples were provided to each institute in containers that limited the carbonaceous contamination to approximately < 0.3 nm. The SiO2 samples were of ultra‐thin on (100) and (111) orientated wafers of Si. The measurements from the laboratories which participated in the study were conducted using ellipsometry, neutron reflectivity, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy or X‐ray reflectivity, guided by the protocol developed in an earlier pilot study. A very minor correction was made in the different samples that each laboratory received. Where appropriate, method offset values attributed to the effects of contaminations, from the earlier pilot study, were subtracted. Values for the key comparison reference values (agreed best values from a Consultative Committee study) and their associated uncertainties for these samples are then made from the weighted means and the expanded weighted standard deviations of the means of these data. These results show a dramatic improvement on previous comparisons, leading to 95% uncertainties in the range 0.09–0.27 nm, equivalent to 0.4–1.0 monolayers over the 1.5–8.0 nm nominal thickness range studied. If the sample‐to‐sample uncertainty is reduced from its maximum estimate to the most likely value, these uncertainties reduce to 0.05–0.25 nm or ∼1.4% relative standard uncertainties. The best results achieve ∼1% relative standard uncertainty. It is concluded that XPS has now been made fully traceable to the SI, for ultra‐thin thermal SiO2 on Si layers, by calibration using wavelength methods in an approach that may be extended to other material systems. © Crown copyright 2009. Reproduced with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interface characterization of nickel contacts to bulk bismuth tellurium selenide
Authors: Iyore O. D. , Lee T. H. , Gupta R. P. , White J. B. , Alshareef H. N. , Kim M. J. , Gnade B.E.
Published: March 2009

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterization of nickel contacts to bulk bismuth tellurium selenide [Bi2(Te,Se)3] is reported. Samples were prepared in a dual column focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope (FIB/SEM) system using a lift‐out technique, with ion beam energy and exposure times carefully optimized to minimize sample damage. Diffusion of Ni into Bi2(Te,Se)3 was observed and the formation of a nickel telluride (NiTe) interfacial region confirmed after heat treatment at 200 °C. Selected area diffraction patterns provided evidence of a modified bismuth telluride–like structure at the interface, identified by analytical electron microscopy to be composed of Ni and Bi2(Te,Se)3. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stage line diagram: An age‐conditional reference diagram for tracking development
Authors: van Buuren Stef , Ooms Jeroen C. L.
Published: March 2009

This paper presents a method for calculating stage line diagrams, a novel type of reference diagram useful for tracking developmental processes over time. Potential fields of applications include: dentistry (tooth eruption), oncology (tumor grading, cancer staging), virology (HIV infection and disease staging), psychology (stages of cognitive development), human development (pubertal stages) and chronic diseases (stages of dementia). Transition probabilities between successive stages are modeled as smoothly varying functions of age. Age‐conditional references are calculated from the modeled probabilities by the mid‐P value. It is possible to eliminate the influence of age by calculating standard deviation scores (SDS). The method is applied to the empirical data to produce reference charts on secondary sexual maturation. The mean of the empirical SDS in the reference population is close to zero, whereas the variance depends on age. The stage line diagram provides quick insight into both status (in SDS) and tempo (in SDS/year) of development of an individual child. Other measures (e.g. height SDS, body mass index SDS) from the same child can be added to the chart. Diagrams for sexual maturation are available as a web application at http://vps.stefvanbuuren.nl/puberty. The stage line diagram expresses status and tempo of discrete changes on a continuous scale. Wider application of these measures scores opens up new analytic possibilities. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Das Zügelgurt‐Fachwerk über die Mulde in Wurzen – eine Revision nach Entwurf und Ausführung
Authors: Reintjes Karl‐Heinz
Published: March 2009

Bei der Querung der Bundesstraße B6 über die Mulde bei Wurzen wurde als Tragwerkssystem eine Verbundbrücke mit Zügelgurt‐Fachwerk gewählt. Dieser bekannte Fachwerktyp wurde bei der Muldebrücke Wurzen in wesentlichen Richtungen weiterentwickelt. Zum einen wurde das Fachwerk mit einer Tragebene als Mittelträger ausgebildet, zum anderen wurde der Mittelträger mit der Krümmung der Trassierung ausgebildet. Diese Lösung wird in folgendem Bericht dargestellt. Die bei Entwurf und Ausführung gemachten Erfahrungen werden zusammengestellt und es werden alternativ mögliche Lösungswege, Konstruktionstypen und Verfahrensweisen diskutiert.
A judicial presentation of evidence of a student culture of “dealing”
Authors: Wood Nathan B. , Lawrenz Frances , Haroldson Rachelle
Published: March 2009

This study uses a new‐to‐educational‐research methodology, based on the legal process, to build a case that U.S. students have been largely ignored in discussion and planning for their own, presumed futures. A variety of evidence, from two large and distinct data bases, is drawn together to show: (1) students perceive their classrooms in ways distinctly different from the ways in which teachers perceive the same classrooms, (2) students' values are fundamentally different from teachers', (3) student and teacher cultures work together to perpetuate the status quo, and (4) existing educational policy, and the research on which it is based, does not adequately consider student culture. A global student culture of “dealing” is described and it is argued that this culture is an underlying cause of the deterioration in the achievement of U.S. students and the failures of so many reform efforts to bring about substantial and lasting change. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 46: 421–441, 2009
Science teachers' perceptions of the school environment: Gender differences
Authors: Huang Shwu‐yong L. , Fraser Barry J.
Published: March 2009

Because the school environment has been shown to play an important role in teacher and student performance, we undertook research into the assessment of school environment, differences between female and male science teachers' perceptions of their school environments, and associations between these school environment perceptions and teachers' background characteristics. Although gender differences in science education have attracted both public concern and academic interest, little research has specifically addressed this issue in terms of the school environment. Data were collected from a large sample of 300 female and 518 male science teachers from secondary schools in Taiwan. Statistically significant gender differences were found in most aspects of the school environment, with female science teachers perceiving greater collegiality among teachers, higher gender equity among students, and stronger professional interest, and with male science teachers perceiving lower work pressure and better teacher–student relations. Gender differences in science teachers' perceptions of collegiality, work pressure, and gender equity in the school environment persisted even after controlling for teachers' background and school characteristics. Among the implications are recommendations about administrative policy for improving the school environment for both male and female teachers and about future research on factors associated with teachers' perceptions. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 46: 404–420, 2009
An integrated GIS‐based approach in assessing carcinogenic risks via food‐chain exposure in arsenic‐affected groundwater areas
Authors: Liang Ching‐Ping , Jang Cheng‐Shin , Liu Chen‐Wuing , Lin Kao‐Hung , Lin Ming‐Chao
Published: March 2009

This study presented an integrated GIS‐based approach for assessing potential carcinogenic risks via food‐chain exposure of ingesting inorganic arsenic (As) in aquacultural tilapia, milkfish, mullet, and clam in the As‐affected groundwater areas. To integrate spatial information, geographic information system (GIS) was adopted to combine polygon‐shaped features of aquacultural species with cell‐shaped features of As contamination in groundwater. Owing to sparse measured data, Monte Carlo simulation and sequential indicator simulation were used to characterize the uncertainty of assessed parameters. Target cancer risks (TRs) of ingesting As contents at fish ponds were spatially mapped to assess potential risks to human health. The analyzed results reveal that clam farmed at the western coastal ponds and milkfish farmed at the southwestern coastal ponds have high risks to human health, whereas tilapia cultivated mainly at the inland ponds only has high risks at the 95th percentile of TR. Mullet in general has low risks to human health. Moreover, to decrease risks, this study suggests reducing the use of As‐affected groundwater at clam and milkfish ponds due to high bioconcentration factor (BCF) of clam and inorganic As accumulation ratio of milkfish. The integrated GIS‐based approach can provide fishery administrators with an effective management strategy at specific fish ponds with high risks to human health. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2010.
Electrospun ZnO Nanowires as Gas Sensors for Ethanol Detection
Authors: Wu Wan-Yu , Ting Jyh-Ming , Huang Po-Jung
Published: March 2009

ZnO nanowires were produced using an electrospinning method and used in gas sensors for the detection of ethanol at 220 °C. This electrospinning technique allows the direct placement of ZnO nanowires during their synthesis to bridge the sensor electrodes. An excellent sensitivity of nearly 90% was obtained at a low ethanol concentration of 10 ppm, and the rest obtained at higher ethanol concentrations, up to 600 ppm, all equal to or greater than 90%.
A Temperature Window for the Synthesis of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes by Catalytic Chemical Vapor Deposition of CH4over Mo2-Fe10/MgO Catalyst
Authors: Yu Ouyang , Daoyong Li , Weiran Cao , Shaohua Shi , Li Chen
Published: March 2009

A temperature window for the synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes by catalytic chemical vapor deposition of CH4over Mo2-Fe10/MgO catalyst has been studied by Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that when the temperature is lower than 750 °C, there were few SWCNTs formed, and when the temperature is higher than 950 °C, mass amorphous carbons were formed in the SWCNTs bundles due to the self-decomposition of CH4. The temperature window of SWCNTs efficient growth is between 800 and 950 °C, and the optimum growth temperature is about 900 °C. These results were supported by transmission electron microscope images of samples formed under different temperatures. The temperature window is important for large-scale production of SWCNTs by catalytic chemical vapor deposition method.
Incorporating Service-Learning into the Economics Curriculum
Authors: Lopez Mary
Published: March 2009

Service-learning courses provide students the opportunity to apply and relate economic concepts and theories to real-world experiences within the community and to reflect on the relationship between theory and practice. One form of service-learning is student-based instruction, which involves college students teaching economics in the neighboring community, such as to high school students. The author provides a detailed application of the student-based instruction model of service-learning to an Economics of Race and Gender course at a liberal arts college. Upon completion of the project, students completed a survey about their service-learning experiences. The results indicated that the service-learning project enhanced student learning and created a more enriching course experience.
Quadrigeminal Cyst Management by Cystoperitoneal Shunt in a 4-year-old Persian Cat
Authors: Lowrie Mark , Wessmann Annette , Gunn-Moore Danielle , Penderis Jacques
Published: March 2009

Quadrigeminal cysts represent intracranial cystic accumulations of cerebrospinal fluid within the arachnoid mater at the level of the quadrigeminal cistern. Quadrigeminal cysts are rare in cats, with only one previous report in the veterinary literature. A 4-year-old, male-neutered Persian cat was presented with a 1-year duration of initially episodic, but later progressive, obtundation and collapse. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a quadrigeminal cyst with marked compression of the adjacent neural structures, cerebellar herniation and obstructive hydrocephalus. Cystoperitoneal shunt placement was performed after the cat became refractory to medical therapy and this resulted in return of normal neurological status. The improvement in the neurological deficits following placement of a cystoperitoneal shunt in this case appeared to be correlated with resolution of the secondary effects (in particular the obstructive hydrocephalus) rather than resolution of the quadrigeminal cyst. Cystoperitoneal shunt placement was an effective long-term treatment option for the management of the quadrigeminal cyst in this cat.
Populism, Heresthetics and Political Stability: Richard Seddon and the Art of Majority Rule
Authors: Nagel Jack H.
Published: March 2009

Because New Zealand's majoritarian political system presents few institutional barriers to change, social choice theory would predict that it should experience frequent change in governments and policies. Although some periods in New Zealand history confirm this expectation, a striking exception is the Liberal era of 1890–1912. To explain the anomaly, this article applies Riker's concept of heresthetics, the strategic manipulation of decision processes and alternatives. The Liberal leader, Richard Seddon, masterfully exploited four main heresthetic devices that offer enduring insight about how to sustain a popular majority. While extending the scope of heresthetics as an explanatory principle, the article rebuts Riker's normative dismissal of populism. In terms compatible with social choice theory itself, Seddon's strategies can be interpreted as having enabled the will of the majority to prevail.
Mass Reaction to Regime Change in Eastern Europe: Polarization or Leaders and Laggards?
Authors: Rose Richard , Mishler William T. E.
Published: March 2009

Regime changes occur at two levels, the macro and the micro. In Eastern Europe there has been holistic change at the regime level, but at the micro level individuals can differ in their reactions, some favouring the new and some preferring the old regime, thus creating aggregates of supporters and opponents of the new regime. Combining reactions to the old and new regimes results in a typology of democrats, reactionaries, sceptics and the compliant. Nationwide surveys in Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland and Romania show that democrats overall are a bare majority of the respondents. If current divisions persist, then East Europeans will be politically polarized. Statistical tests of the influence of social structure and economic attitudes upon individual responses to regime change emphasize the importance of sociotropic economic assessments. But the data also show that most who do not currently support the pluralist regime expect to do so in the foreseeable future; they are laggards rather than anti-democrats. Moreover, the level of future support is so high that it is likely to be proof against fluctuations in the economic conditions of the new regimes.
Competing Values and Policy Choices: Israeli Public Opinion on Foreign and Security Affairs
Authors: Shamir Michal , Arian Asher
Published: March 2009

Value hierarchies structure people's position on specific issues when values are in conflict. This general proposition is tested using surveys of Israeli public opinion on issues relating to the Israeli–Arab conflict. Value priorities are shown to be politically and ideologically structured, and not random, with certain value combinations more prevalent and more enduring than others. Most importantly, we establish that people's value hierarchies significantly structure policy preferences and changes therein. The more salient or acute the value conflict, the greater the correspondence between hierarchy and preference. This value trade-off approach presents a picture of Israeli public opinion which is very different from that usually portrayed: of a population firmly supporting a Jewish majority in their state, with a very strong desire for peace. The values of land and democracy are shown to be much less important.