bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mutation analysis impact on the genetic counseling of sporadic hemophilia B families
Authors: Bicocchi Maria Patrizia , Pasino Mirella , Bottini Federico , Lanza Tiziana , Mori Pier Giorgio , Acquila Maura
Published: April 2003

Previous studies have shown that hemophilia B (HB) is the result of several different mutations, mostly single nucleotide substitutions, in the factor IX (FIX) gene. In order to evaluate the impact of mutation analysis on genetic counseling in sporadic and uninformative HB familial pedigrees, we re‐analyzed by the conformation sensitive gel electrophoresis (CSGE) technique 14 patients, previously studied by restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). A single mutation was present within the FIX gene of each patient: 12 mutations were single base substitutions, 1 was a base insertion, and 1 was a four nucleotide deletion; 4/12 mutations have not been described so far. By identifying the detrimental mutations in affected males, carrier status was correctly diagnosed in all the women we studied; 3/12 de novo events were found in maternal meioses with a 25% mutation rate. Identification of the genetic defect was also successfully applied to three prenatal diagnoses. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Brachmann–de Lange syndrome (BDLS) with asymmetry and skin pigmentary anomalies: A result of mosaicism for a putative bdls gene mutation?
Authors: Zankl Andreas , Rampa Antonio , Schinzel Albert
Published: April 2003

Brachmann–de Lange syndrome (BDLS, OMIM 122470) is a rare malformation syndrome characterized by mental retardation, short stature, limb abnormalities, and a distinctive craniofacial appearance. There is wide clinical variability and mildly affected patients are common. The genetic basis of BDLS and the reasons for its phenotypical variability are still unknown. We report on a patient with mild BDLS and the unusual findings of asymmetric growth of one body half and irregularly shaped pigmentary anomalies of the skin. These two traits have not been previously described in BDLS but have been associated with phenomena of genetic mosaicism in other conditions. We suggest that this patient's phenotype could be the result of mosaicism for a mutation or submicroscopic deletion affecting one or several genes responsible for BDLS. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Crystallographic report: Diiodo[tris(2‐pyridyl)amine]zinc(II), [(C5H4N)3N]ZnI2
Authors: Ni Jia , Xie Yongshu , Liu Xueting , Liu Qingliang
Published: April 2003

The zinc(II) atom in the molecule of [(C5H4N)3N]ZnI2 is tetrahedrally coordinated to two nitrogen atoms of the tris(2‐pyridyl)amine ligand and two iodides. The coordination moieties are connected to give a linear structure by intermolecular π–π interactions between the pyridyl rings. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Curing kinetics of epoxy resin–imidazole–organic montmorillonite nanocomposites determined by differential scanning calorimetry
Authors: Xu Wei‐Bing , Bao Su‐Ping , Shen Shi‐Jun , Hang Guo‐Pei , He Ping‐Sheng
Published: April 2003

The curing kinetics of epoxy resin–imidazole–organic montmorillonite nanocomposites were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in the isothermal mode. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated the formation of a layered silicate–epoxy nanocomposite. The cure rates for the epoxy resin–imidazole–organic montmorillonite nanocomposite were lower than the values for the neat system at higher temperature (120 and 130°C), as indicated by the relation between the cure conversion and time. These results revealed that the autocatalytic model and the modified Avrami equation are both valid for describing the cure behaviors of epoxy resin–imidazole–organic montmorillonite systems. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 2932–2941, 2003
Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of N‐vinylcarbazole/methyl methacrylate copolymers
Authors: Brar A. S. , Kaur Manpreet
Published: April 2003

Copolymers of N‐vinylcarbazole and methyl methacrylate of different compositions were prepared by solution polymerization with azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator, and their compositions were determined from quantitative 13C{1H}‐NMR spectroscopy. The reactivity ratios for the comonomers were calculated with the Kelen–Tudos and nonlinear error‐in‐variable methods. The complete spectral assignment of the overlapping 1H and 13C{1H} spectra of the copolymers was made with the help of distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer, two‐dimensional heteronuclear single‐quantum correlation, and total correlation spectroscopy. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 3005–3012, 2003
Changes in bone mineral density following discontinuation or continuation of alendronate therapy in glucocorticoid‐treated patients: A retrospective, observational study
Authors: Emkey Ronald , Delmas Pierre D. , Goemaere Stefan , Liberman Uri A. , Poubelle Patrice E. , Daifotis Anastasia G. , Verbruggen Nadia , Lombardi Antonio , Czachur Michelle
Published: April 2003

Objective

To evaluate the effects of discontinuing or continuing alendronate (ALN) therapy on bone mineral density (BMD) after patients on a long‐term regimen of glucocorticoids (GCs) completed a 1‐year treatment period with ALN.

Methods

Eligible patients were individuals with GC‐induced osteoporosis who had received ALN (5 or 10 mg) for 1 year in a prior clinical trial and, at the end of the year, were still taking GCs at an average daily dose of ≥7.5 mg of prednisone or equivalent. Patients were contacted 3–5 years after completion of the prior ALN trial for followup measurements of the lumbar spine BMD and hip BMD, and retrospective information was collected about serious or drug‐related adverse experiences and concomitant medication use. Some patients remained on GCs, and some remained on ALN, either alone or in combination with other drugs. The primary response parameter was the percentage change in lumbar spine BMD from the end of year 1 to the followup visit. Change in BMD at the hip was a secondary response parameter.

Results

Ninety (49.2%) of the eligible 183 patients participated in the retrospective study. The followup period, which began at the end of year 1 of the original clinical trial, ranged from 3.3 years to 4.6 years. The mean number of days of treatment with ALN was 507. Fifty patients were included in the analysis because they had received supraphysiologic doses of GCs (doses above the lowest tertile of GC use for the study population; that is, higher than ∼6 mg/day), and they had not taken (defined as <6 months of use) other bone‐affecting agents except ALN. Eleven of the 50 patients discontinued taking ALN (duration of use <90 days), 8 took ALN between 90 days and 300 days, and 31 continued to take ALN for >300 days after year 1 of the clinical trial. GC users who discontinued treatment with ALN (<90 days of therapy) had numerically greater decreases in BMD at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip from the end of year 1 (mean change −5.1%, −9.2%, and −6.6%, respectively), compared with patients who continued to take ALN for >300 days (mean change 0.1%, −0.9%, and 1.8%, respectively).

Conclusion

Substantial loss of BMD in the lumbar spine and hip was seen in patients who discontinued treatment with ALN but who continued to take >6 mg/day of GCs. However, patients receiving GCs who remained on the ALN regimen appeared to benefit from continued ALN treatment, since BMD was maintained in this latter group.
Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus–associated type B insulin resistance syndrome with cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil
Authors: Gehi Anil , Webb Allison , Nolte Martha , Davis John
Published: April 2003

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by loss of immunologic self‐tolerance and the subsequent development of autoantibodies. These antibodies are thought to be important in relation to the clinical manifestations of the disease. One example is the development of multiple cytopenias secondary to cytolytic or cytotoxic antibodies directed toward red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells. Other antibodies may mediate abnormal cellular mechanisms such as those seen with neuropsychiatric manifestations of SLE. We report the occurrence of autoantibodies directed toward insulin receptors and the subsequent development of type B insulin resistance syndrome in a woman with SLE. This syndrome was treated successfully with cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil.
Validation of a novel satisfaction questionnaire for patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving outpatient clinical nurse specialist care, inpatient care, or day patient team care
Authors: Tijhuis Gerhardus J. , Kooiman Kees G. , Zwinderman Aeilko H. , Hazes J. M. W. , Breedveld F. C. , Vliet Vlieland T. P. M.
Published: April 2003

Objectives

To develop and validate a questionnaire for measuring satisfaction with different forms of complex multidisciplinary care in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

The satisfaction questionnaire (score range 0–100) comprised 28 items covering 11 domains. Together with a visual analog scale (VAS, range 0–100) on overall satisfaction, the questionnaire was applied in 210 RA patients who participated in a randomized trial comparing 3 types of multidisciplinary care.

Results

The questionnaire was returned by 174 patients (83%). The questionnaire and VAS scores in the total group were 75 (SD 12) and 83 (SD 20), respectively. Reliability analysis showed Cronbach's α of the questionnaire was 0.91. Spearman's correlation coefficient between the satisfaction questionnaire score and VAS score was 0.58 (P < 0.01). Mean total satisfaction questionnaire scores were 72 (SD 9), 76 (SD 14), and 78 (SD 11), in the nurse specialist, inpatient and day patient groups, respectively (nurse specialist versus day patient, P = 0.004). Significant differences between nurse specialist and day patients were seen in the following domains: waiting time during the treatment, autonomy, coordination, non‐financial access, and quality of general information (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Overall, patients were highly satisfied with the multidisciplinary care they received. Major differences regarding the organization of care were reflected in the results of the questionnaire scores. The satisfaction questionnaire appears to be a useful instrument for measuring satisfaction with complex multidisciplinary care in RA patients.
Simple and rapid bioluminescent detection of two verotoxin genes using allele‐specific PCR of E. coli O157: H7
Authors: Imamura O. , Arakawa H. , Maeda M.
Published: April 2003

Allele‐specific PCR for E. coli O157 was conducted with primers specific to verotoxin genes, verotoxin 1 (VT1) and verotoxin 2 (VT2). VT is an important cause of haemorrhagic colitis (HC) and haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) worldwide. We developed a simple, rapid bioluminescent detection method for E. coli O157. The method is based on the determination of pyrophosphoric acid (PPi) released during allele‐specific PCR. Thus, released PPi is converted to ATP by ATP sulphurylase and the concentration of ATP is determined using the firefly luciferase reaction. As a result, VT1, VT2 and DNA with VT1/VT2 were clearly identified by this method. This protocol, which does not require expensive equipment, can be utilized to monitor the PCR product rapidly. Additionally, this methodology can be used as a high‐throughput approach for measuring PCR products. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of long‐distance running on serum opsonic activity measured by chemiluminescence
Authors: Saito Daisuke , Nakaji Shigeyuki , Umeda Takashi , Kurakake Shigeyoshi , Danjo Kazuma , Shimoyama Tadashi , Sugawara Kazuo
Published: April 2003

Exhaustive exercise such as long‐distance running has been shown to increase susceptibility to infection. In order to investigate whether serum opsonic activity plays a role in such conditions, we utilized luminol‐dependent and lucigenin‐dependent chemiluminescence (LmCL and LgCL). We took serum samples from 24 male marathon runners before and after running 30 km. Neutrophils were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy volunteers. Serum opsonic activity was examined by measuring neutrophil ROS stimulated with zymosan particles opsonized by the serum samples. Immunoglobulin and complement levels in the serum were also measured. After a 30 km run, the maximum light emission was increased and the time to reach the maximum light emission was shortened significantly (p < 0.05) in LmCL. However, there were no significant changes in the immunoglobulin and complement levels. The increase of ROS production may suggest that serum opsonic activity is accelerated after running 30 km. Thus, serum opsonic activity might not play a significant role in the susceptibility to infection after long‐distance running. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Flow injection chemiluminescent assays for glycerol and triglycerides using a co‐immobilized enzyme reactor
Authors: Yaqoob M. , Nabi A.
Published: April 2003

A flow injection method for the determination of glycerol using a co‐immobilized enzyme reactor containing glycerokinase and glycerol‐3‐phosphate oxidase is described. The hydrogen peroxide produced is monitored by using a luminol chemiluminescence reaction in the presence of catalyst such as Co(II). The detection limit (2.5 × blank noise) for glycerol is 7 × 10−3 mmol/L with a sample throughput of 40/h. The calibration graph is linear over the range studied (0.2–1.0 mmol/L) with relative standard deviation 1.2–2.4%. The method is applied to the determination of glycerol in blood serum produced off‐line from triglycerides using lipase isolated from bovine pancreas. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemiluminescence of pulmonary macrophages from patients with inactive sarcoidosis, in different radiological stages
Authors: Czuba Zenon P. , Zydowicz Grzegorz , Ziora Dariusz , Cieslicki Jan , Oklek Kazimierz , Beck Brygida , Shani Jashovam , Krol Wojciech
Published: April 2003

Luminol‐amplified chemiluminescence was generated by alveolar macrophages, harvested from the bronchoalveolar lavages of 16 patients with different radiological stages of non‐invasive (asymptomatic) sarcoidosis. None of the patients received any steroid therapy during this study. The mean duration of the disease in these patients was 8 months, with a duration time range of 6–14 months. Six patients were in radiological stage 1, five in radiological stage 2 and five in radiological stage 3. Alveolar macrophages from bronchoalveolar lavages of eight healthy non‐smoking volunteers were used as controls. All alveolar macrophages were stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate. A significant decrease was recorded in the intensity of chemiluminescence generated by the phorbol‐ester‐stimulated alveolar macrophages obtained from patients with sarcoidosis of radiological stages 1 and 2, as compared to the cells collected from healthy individuals (controls). No decrease was recorded in the chemiluminescence generated by stimulated alveolar macrophages collected from patients with radiological stage 3, or from unstimulated alveolar macrophages of any patient. These results provide us with an indicative tool, which might enable us to differentiate, on a functional basis, between the activities of alveolar macrophages in non‐active sarcoidosis. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Percutaneous permeation of enantiomers and racemates of chiral drugs and prediction of their flux ratios using thermal data: A pharmaceutical perspective
Authors: Afouna Mohsen I. , Fincher Timothy K. , Khan Mansoor A. , Reddy Indra K.
Published: April 2003

Albeit pharmacological, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological differences between enantiomeric pairs or between the pure enantiomers and racemate of chiral drugs are known to exist for decades, we are just beginning to realize that there are apparent differences between these species with respect to their percutaneous permeation as well. Such differences in permeation are likely to be enhanced when chiral drugs are formulated with chiral excipients, necessitating a careful assessment of the effect of formulation excipients on the permeation as well as the overall therapeutic outcomes. The in vitro transport data from the preclinical investigations, using laboratory animal models and/or in vitro cell culture systems, must be carefully validated in vivo as there are differences between these models and the human skin. Mathematical models such as MTMT that utilize the interdependence of certain physicochemical characteristics and percutaneous permeability have a predictive value in assessing the flux behavior of enantiomers and racemates. Chirality 15:456–465, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Algebraic structure of central molecular chirality starting from Fischer projections
Authors: Capozziello Salvatore , Lattanzi Alessandra
Published: April 2003

The construction of algebraic structure of central molecular chirality is provided starting from the empirical Fischer projections for tetrahedrons. A matrix representation is given and the algebra of O(4) orthogonal group for rotations and inversions is identified. The result can be generalized to chains of connected tetrahedrons. Chirality 15:466–471, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Architectonic subdivision of the human orbital and medial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Öngür Dost , Ferry Amon T. , Price Joseph L.
Published: April 2003

The structure of the human orbital and medial prefrontal cortex (OMPFC) was investigated using five histological and immunohistochemical stains and was correlated with a previous analysis in macaque monkeys [Carmichael and Price (1994) J. Comp. Neurol. 346:366–402]. A cortical area was recognized if it was distinct with at least two stains and was found in similar locations in different brains. All of the areas recognized in the macaque OMPFC have counterparts in humans. Areas 11, 13, and 14 were subdivided into areas 11m, 11l, 13a, 13b, 13m, 13l, 14r, and 14c. Within area 10, the region corresponding to area 10m in monkeys was divided into 10m and 10r, and area 10o (orbital) was renamed area 10p (polar). Areas 47/12r, 47/12m, 47/12l, and 47/12s occupy the lateral orbital cortex, corresponding to monkey areas 12r, 12m, 12l, and 12o. The agranular insula (areas Iam, Iapm, Iai, and Ial) extends onto the caudal orbital surface and into the horizontal ramus of the lateral sulcus. The growth of the frontal pole in humans has pushed area 25 and area 32pl, which corresponds to the prelimbic area 32 in Brodmann's monkey brain map, caudal and ventral to the genu of the corpus callosum. Anterior cingulate areas 24a and 24b also extend ventral to the genu of the corpus callosum. Area 32ac, corresponding to the dorsal anterior cingulate area 32 in Brodmann's human brain map, is anterior and dorsal to the genu. The parallel organization of the OMPFC in monkeys and humans allows experimental data from monkeys to be applied to studies of the human cortex. J. Comp. Neurol. 460:425–449, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Localization of GABAA receptor subunits α1, α3, β1, β2/3, γ1, and γ2 in the salamander retina
Authors: Zhang Jun , De Blas Angel L. , Miralles Celia P. , Yang Chen‐Yu
Published: April 2003

Electrophysiological studies have demonstrated that γ‐aminobutyric acid receptors type A (GABAA) mediate important information processing in the retinas of salamander and other vertebrates. The pharmacology and physiology of GABAA receptors depend on their subunit composition. We studied the localization of GABAA receptor subunit isoforms α1, α3, β1, β2/3 (antibody BD‐17 and 62‐3G1), γ1, and γ2 in salamander retina with immunocytochemical methods. All three β‐subunit antibodies labeled similarly in the outer retina, especially the inner segments and synaptic terminals of rod photoreceptors (identified with protein kinase C). Somatic labeling was observed in cell bodies of some horizontal cells, bipolar cells, amacrine cells, and cells in the ganglion cell layer (GCL). Puncta were present throughout the inner plexiform layer (IPL) for β1 and 62‐3G1, but not for BD‐17. α1‐immunoreactivity (IR) stained a population of presumed OFF rod‐dominated bipolar cells, including dendrites, soma, and axon terminals in the distal IPL. A subtype of GABAergic amacrine cell also expressed α1‐IR, with puncta sparsely distributed at the distal and proximal margins of the IPL. Both the OPL and IPL were labeled throughout for α3‐IR, as opposed to the narrow distribution of α1‐IR in the IPL, suggesting that the two α‐subunits are localized at different synaptic sites. Punctate γ1‐IR was observed in the OPL and IPL, whereas γ2 was most prominent in cone photoreceptors (identified with calbindin), including the terminal telodendria, in cell bodies of some horizontal cells, amacrine cells, cells in the GCL, and less intensely in the IPL. In addition, several subunits were present in Müller cells. The differential labeling suggests the existence of GABAA receptor subtypes with different subunit compositions that mediate multiple GABAergic functions in salamander retina. J. Comp. Neurol. 459:440–453, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A multisensory zone in rat parietotemporal cortex: Intra‐ and extracellular physiology and thalamocortical connections
Authors: Brett‐Green Barbara , Fifková Eva , Larue David T. , Winer Jeffery A. , Barth Daniel S.
Published: April 2003

Multisensory integration is essential for the expression of complex behaviors in humans and animals. However, few studies have investigated the neural sites where multisensory integration may occur. Therefore, we used electrophysiology and retrograde labeling to study a region of the rat parietotemporal cortex that responds uniquely to auditory and somatosensory multisensory stimulation. This multisensory responsiveness suggests a functional organization resembling multisensory association cortex in cats and primates. Extracellular multielectrode surface mapping defined a region between auditory and somatosensory cortex where responses to combined auditory/somatosensory stimulation were larger in amplitude and earlier in latency than responses to either stimulus alone. Moreover, multisensory responses were nonlinear and differed from the summed unimodal responses. Intracellular recording found almost exclusively multisensory cells that responded to both unisensory and multisensory stimulation with excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) and/or action potentials, conclusively defining a multisensory zone (MZ). In addition, intracellular responses were similar to extracellular recordings, with larger and earlier EPSPs evoked by multisensory stimulation, and interactions suggesting nonlinear postsynaptic summation to combined stimuli. Thalamic input to MZ from unimodal auditory and somatosensory thalamic relay nuclei and from multisensory thalamic regions support the idea that parallel thalamocortical projections may drive multisensory functions as strongly as corticocortical projections. Whereas the MZ integrates uni‐ and multisensory thalamocortical afferent streams, it may ultimately influence brainstem multisensory structures such as the superior colliculus. J. Comp. Neurol. 460:223–237, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An inflatable fabric beam finite element
Authors: Wielgosz C. , Thomas J. C.
Published: April 2003

Inflatable structures made of modern textile materials with important mechanical characteristics can be inflated at high pressure (up to several hundreds kPa). For such values of the pressure they have a strong mechanical strength. The aim of the paper is to construct a new inflatable beam finite element able to predict the behaviour of inflatable structures made of beam elements. Experiments and analytical studies on inflatable fabric beams at high pressure have shown that their compliance is the sum of the beam compliance and of the yarn compliance. This new finite element is therefore obtained by the equilibrium finite element method and is modified into a displacement finite element. The stiffness matrix takes into account the inflation pressure. Comparisons between experimental and numerical results are shown and prove the accuracy of this new finite element for solving problems of inflatable beams at high pressure. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Some psychological aspects of colour blindness at school: A field study in Calabria and Basilicata (Southern Italy)
Authors: Gallo P. Grassivaro , Panza M. , Lantieri P. B. , Risso D. , Conforti G. , Lagonia P. , Piro A. , Tagarelli G. , Tagarelli A.
Published: April 2003

Red‐green colour blindness, an inherited X‐linked anomaly, was analyzed both in its biological aspects (genetic frequency) and its pedagogical and psychological implications (only the latter are the exhaustive subject of this analysis). A mass screening was carried out by means of the Ishihara test between 1998 and 2000 in Calabria and Basilicata (South of Italy). A total of 63,933 male and female schoolchildren were investigated, belonging to 351 towns and 655 secondary schools (age range 11–14 years). Then, a psychological questionnaire was administered to the entire sample, while the psychological statistical analysis was made on the answers given by two sub‐samples composed of 34,309 orthochromatic subjects of both sexes and 831 colour‐blind subjects of both sexes. Their answers strengthen the hypothesis that dyschromatopsia could affect the human relations of its recipients starting from their childhood, forcing them to manage their diversity in order to adapt to rules, tools and didactic media and, generally, that dyschromates carry a common feeling which presupposes and takes for granted the univocality of the visual experience. Additionally, 3,082 teachers of different subjects have been submitted to a pedagogical questionnaire, consisting of 13 closed‐open questions, in order to analyze the behavior of the school toward the colour‐blind subject. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 28, 216–220, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.10148
About the theoretical aspect of multiple light scattering: Silvy's theory
Authors: Bloch Jean‐Francis , Sève Robert
Published: April 2003

The general problem of light scattering in turbid media has been studied often. Compared to the exact solution for plane‐parallel diffusers, the Kubelka and Munk solution appears as an approximation. The photon diffusion model is also an approximate solution restricted to the case of low light absorption, for which the prior work of Silvy has been ignored. It gives interesting relations between Kubelka‐Munk conventional parameters and the more intrinsic quantities related to the properties of the media introduced by the photon model. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 28, 227–228, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.10149
Preparation of films of the carbonate compound (BaxSr1−x)2Cu1+yO2+δ(CO3)1−y by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Adachi Yutaka , Tsuruta Chusei , Matsui Yoshio , Sakaguchi Isao , Haneda Hajime , Takahashi Koichiro
Published: April 2003

This study reports an attempt to synthesize the carbonate superconductor (BaxSr1−x)2Cu1+yO2+δ(CO3)1−y by MBE. CO2 gas and NO2 gas, the oxidation sources, are introduced into the vacuum chamber and (BaxSr1−x)2Cu1+yO2+δ(CO3)1−y(x ≥ 0.3) is grown on a SrTiO3(001) substrate. In the thin film grown on SrTiO3(001) substrate, the c axis is perpendicular to the substrate surface. The orientation in the plane is that epitaxial growth of the [100] thin film is observed in the [110] direction of the substrate. Thin film growth was also attempted on NdGaO3 and (LaAlO3)0.3(SrAl0.5Ta0.5O3)0.7 substrates, but no epitaxial thin film was obtained. Both thin films exhibited the electrical resistance of a semiconductor, and superconductivity was not observed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 86(5): 77–83, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.1123
Throughput efficiency of the multireceiver Go‐Back‐N ARQ scheme on parallel channels with dependent packet errors
Authors: Amaki Satomi , Komatsu Masaharu
Published: April 2003

It is known that the performance of a single‐receiver ARQ scheme strongly depends on the packet error generation process. Hence, it is not possible to use results assuming independent (or random) packet errors for performance evaluation of the ARQ scheme in an environment of nonindependent (or burst) packet error generation. This also applies to the performance of the multireceiver ARQ scheme. However, performance evaluation of the multireceiver ARQ scheme has not been carried out in an environment of nonindependent packet error generation. In the present paper, the throughput efficiency of the basic multireceiver Go‐Back‐N ARQ scheme that can be applied when a transmission station sends identical data to the receivers connected to each of multiple parallel channels is derived for the environment of burst packet error generation according to mutually independent two‐state Markov processes. Further, numerical examples based on the derived results are presented and the effect of the number of receiving stations, the round‐trip delay, and the nature of the Markov process on the throughput efficiency is obtained. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 86(9): 34–42, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.10073
Edge enhancement and interpolation technique based on electric circuit simulation and its application to image segmentation
Authors: Hirano Kenji , Yoshida Toshiyuki , Sakai Yoshinori
Published: April 2003

Generally, in image segmentation or object extraction, the edge image of the target object has a substantial effect on the extraction accuracy. In this paper, we focus on the characteristics of the currents flowing in an electrical circuit and propose a technique to interpolate and enhance the edges of a still image by simulating this circuit behavior and apply this technique to image segmentation. The proposed technique constructs a resistor circuit by mapping the edge intensity of each point in the edge image to a resistance, applies a suitable voltage to this circuit, and determines the distribution of the flowing current. Based on the property that the current concentrates in the path that minimizes the sum of the resistances, the current distribution that was obtained is inversely transformed again into the edge intensities in order to enhance weak edges and interpolate broken edges. In several experiments, the proposed technique produced better results than other edge interpolation and enhancement techniques. And when used with the watershed algorithm, highly accurate segmentation was obtained. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 86(9): 22–33, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.10085
Diagnostic tools in linkage analysis for quantitative traits
Authors: Andrade Mariza de , Fridley Brooke , Boerwinkle Eric , Turner Stephen
Published: April 2003

Diagnostic methods are key components in any good statistical analysis. Because of the similarities between the variance components approach and regression analysis with respect to the normality assumption, when performing quantitative genetic linkage analysis using variance component methods, one must check the normality assumption of the quantitative trait and outliers. Thus, the main purposes of this paper are to describe methods for testing the normality assumption, to describe various diagnostic methods for identifying outliers, and to discuss the issues that may arise when outliers are present when using variance components models in quantitative trait linkage analysis. Data from the Rochester Family Heart Study are used to illustrate the various diagnostic methods and related issues. Genet Epidemiol 24:302–308, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Contribution of thermolabile methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase variant to total plasma homocysteine levels in healthy men and women. Inter99 (2)
Authors: Husemoen Lise Lotte N. , Thomsen Troels F. , Fenger Mogens , Jørgensen Henrik L. , Jørgensen Torben
Published: April 2003

Elevation in plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is believed to be causally related to cardiovascular disease. Like age and sex, the thermolabile variant of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR(C677T)) is an important nonmodifiable determinant of tHcy, which may be considered when describing normal ranges of tHcy in the general population. We investigated the simultaneous effect of sex, age, and MTHFR(C677T) genotype on the distribution of tHcy in a cross‐sectional study design. THcy concentrations and MTHFR(C677T) genotype were determined in a population‐based sample of 2,788 Danish men and women aged 30–60 years participating in the Inter99 Study. The prevalences of MTHFR(C677T) genotypes were 48.8% (CC), 42.4% (CT), and 8.8% (TT). The overall median tHcy was 8.1 µmol/l, and the 2.5–97.5 percentiles were 4.8–17.8 µmol/l. The estimated proportionally higher level of tHcy in men compared to women was 14.3% (P<0.001). A significant interaction term was found between age and MTHFR(C677T) genotype (P<0.001). The estimated changes in tHcy per 5 years of age were 1.5% in CC individuals (P<0.01), 2.1% in CT individuals (P<0.001), and −4.1% in TT individuals (P<0.01). The T allele was associated with elevated tHcy. However, the proportionally higher level of tHcy in TT individuals compared to CT and CC individuals decreased with increasing age. The MTHFR(C677T) polymorphism explained 6% of the phenotypic variation in tHcy. In conclusion, we found that tHcy is associated with sex, age, and MTHFR genotype. Our results indicate that the effect of age is modified by MTHFR genotype. Genet Epidemiol 24:322–330, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A general synthesis of 2′‐deoxy‐2′‐[18F]fluoro‐1‐β‐D‐arabinofuranosyluracil and its 5‐substituted nucleosides
Authors: Alauddin Mian M. , Conti Peter S. , Fissekis John D.
Published: April 2003

Several 2′‐deoxy‐2′‐[18F]fluoro‐1‐β‐D‐arabinofuranosyluracil derivatives have been synthesized. Coupling of 1‐bromo‐2‐deoxy‐2‐[18F]fluoro‐3,5‐di‐O‐benzoyl‐α‐D‐arabinofuranose 2 with protected uracil derivatives 3a–e followed by hydrolysis and high‐performance liquid chromatography purification produced the radiolabeled nucleosides 4a–e in 15–30% yield (d. c.), >99% radiochemical purity and 55.5–103.6 GBq/µmol specific activities. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and radiolabelling of [123I]‐4‐iodo‐N‐(4‐(4‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐piperazin‐1‐yl)butyl)‐benzamide, a potential dopamine D3 antagonist for SPECT studies
Authors: Staelens L. , Dumont F. , Vos F. De , Oltenfreiter R. , Vandecapelle M. , Dierckx R.A. , Slegers G.
Published: April 2003

Schizophrenia is a devastating mental disorder characterized by relapsing psychotic episodes accompanied with emotional, professional and social decline. The classical dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia postulates that hyperactivity of dopaminergic neurotransmission is responsible for the positive symptoms of the disorder. More exactly hyperactivity of the dopamine D3 receptor system is thought to be involved in the pathology of schizophrenia. Therefore a new 123I‐labelled compound was developed which may allow in vivo visualization of the D3 receptor by SPECT. [123I]‐4‐iodo‐N‐(4‐(4‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐piperazin‐1‐yl)butyl)‐benzamide was synthesized and labelled by electrophilic aromatic substitution of the tributylstannyl derrivative. The radiochemical yield was 82–85% and the specific activity was >2.96 Ci/µmol. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new approach for 11C–C bond formation: Synthesis of 17α‐(3′‐[11C]prop‐1‐yn‐1‐yl)‐3‐methoxy‐3,17β‐estradiol
Authors: Wüst F. , Zessin J. , Johannsen B.
Published: April 2003

A new approach for 11C–C bond formation via a Sonogashira‐like cross‐coupling reaction of terminal alkynes with [11C]methyl iodide was exemplified by the synthesis of 17α‐(3′‐[11C]prop‐1‐yn‐1‐yl)‐3‐methoxy‐3,17β‐estradiol. The LC‐purified title compound was obtained in decay‐corrected radiochemical yields of 27–47% (n=8) based on [11C]methyl iodide within 21–27 min after EOB. In a typical synthesis starting from 9.6 GBq [11C]methyl iodide, 1.87 GBq of 17α‐(3′‐[11C]prop‐1‐yn‐1‐yl)‐3‐methoxy‐3,17β‐estradiol was synthesized in radiochemical purity >99%. The specific radioactivity ranged between 10 and 19 GBq/µmol, and the labeling position was verified by 13C‐NMR analysis of the corresponding 13C‐labeled compound. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of gender on mood effects in advertising
Authors: Martin Brett A. S.
Published: April 2003

The main objective of this article is to study the impact of gender on mood effects in relation to attitude toward the ad and brand attitudes. Specifically, gender, mood state, and ad affective tone are posited to interact. Data from an experiment support two hypotheses predicting the most favorable combinations of mood and affective tone for males and females for attitude toward the ad. Findings also support previous research that female gender and sad moods, respectively, result in more detailed processing. Limitations and future research directions are discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Color blindness plate recognition with a YIQ multi‐channel non‐zero‐order joint transform correlator
Authors: Wu Weijun , Chen Chulung
Published: April 2003

In this paper, we adopt a particular arrangement on YIQ multi‐channels for image recognition from the color blindness plate. Numerical results are presented. It is observed that the correlation output can be improved as compared with our previous research using RGB channels. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 37: 343–347, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10913
Single‐layer rectangular patch antenna with two pairs of parallel slits
Authors: Neves Eduardo S. , Heckler Marcos V. T. , Schildberg Ricardo , da S. Lacava J. C. , Cividanes Lucio
Published: April 2003

This work describes a new single‐layer rectangular patch antenna with two pairs of parallel slits designed for dual‐band operation. Numerical analyses are presented using the IE3D™ and the ENSEMBLE™ electromagnetic simulator softwares. A prototype was manufactured and good agreement between the measurements and the CAD predictions were observed. The results obtained with the proposed technical solution showed improvements in the antenna impedance bandwidth and in the radiation characteristics, while maintaining the same polarization direction over the entire operational frequency range. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 37: 355–359, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10916
Optimization of a PML absorber's conductivity profile using FDTD
Authors: Li Ching‐Lieh , Liu Chien‐Wei , Chen Shao‐Hon
Published: April 2003

The conductivity profile of a perfectly matched layer (PML) absorber is optimized to increase the absorption performance. The key parameters describing a polynomial‐type conductivity profile for an anisotropic PML absorber are optimized by employing a steady‐state genetic algorithm (SSGA). A Gaussian line source is used for excitation in free space in order to minimize local error. The optimum polynomial parameters are reported for PML absorbers of various layers. Numerical results show that PML absorption can be improved by at least 7–15 dB, independently of the space‐domain and grid sizes. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 37: 380–383, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10924
Design formulas for the H‐plane septum power divider in a rectangular waveguide
Authors: Bang Jai‐Hoon , Hwang Soon‐Mi , Lee Seok‐Gon , Ahn Bierng‐Chearl
Published: April 2003

Formulas are presented for the optimum design of the H‐plane septum power divider in a rectangular waveguide. Optimum values of the septum offset are given in terms of the frequency and power‐divide ratio. Corresponding values of the septum length and iris width are given in terms of the frequency and septum offset. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 37: 390–393, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10927
Respiratory burst activity in bronchopulmonary dysplasia and changes with dexamethasone
Authors: Ballabh Praveen , Simm M. , Kumari J. , Califano C. , Aghai Z. , Laborada G. , Sison C. , Cunningham‐Rundles S.
Published: April 2003

The first objective of this study was to evaluate longitudinal changes in respiratory burst activity in circulating neutrophils and monocytes in infants of less than 30 weeks of gestation with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and to examine differences in neonates who subsequently developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) compared with those neonates who did not. The second objective was to investigate the effects of dexamethasone on respiratory burst activity in neutrophils and monocytes. We measured burst activity on neutrophils and monocytes in fresh heparinized blood in response to E. coli, N‐formyl‐met‐leu‐phe (fMLP), and phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate stimulation on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 of life, before and 2–3 days after initiating a 6‐day course of dexamethasone treatment. Infants with RDS participating in the study were followed until discharge, and were classified as non‐BPD and either 1) BPD d28, reflecting their oxygen requirement at day of life 28, or 2) BPD 36 weeks, reflecting oxygen dependence at 36 weeks' corrected gestational age. The diagnosis of BPD was supported by radiological changes of BPD. The percentage of activated neutrophils producing a respiratory burst increased in all premature infants with increasing postnatal days during the first 28 days of life, when the physiological stimulus E. coli was used as an activator (P < 0.02). There was no significant difference in respiratory burst activity measured either as percent activation or as mean fluorescence intensity between non‐BPD and BPD infants after adjusting for the difference in weight and gestational age between the two groups. The treatment of premature infants with dexamethasone was associated with decreased activation of neutrophils (P < 0.005) when E. coli was used as a stimulus. In conclusion, a significant increase in neutrophil respiratory burst activity occurs during the first month of life in very low birth weight infants. Greater pulmonary damage in BPD cannot be attributed to reduced burst activity in either neutrophils or monocytes. Dexamethasone treatment was associated with decreased neutrophil respiratory burst activity. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 35:392–399. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tunneling dynamics of a double‐well oscillator: Effects of barrier fluctuation and thermal modulation
Authors: Saha Aparna , Sarkar Pranab
Published: April 2003

The tunneling dynamics of a particle moving in a bistable potential with fluctuating barrier is studied. For barriers fluctuating randomly in time we show by exact numerical calculation the significant effect of barrier fluctuation on the tunneling behavior of the particle. At nonzero temperatures the computed tunneling rate constant passes through a maximum when plotted against fluctuation frequency. The resonant frequency (at which the maximum appears) slowly decreases with increase in temperature and attains a constant value at higher temperature and it increases linearly with increase in barrier height of the potential. Another important observation is that in presence of barrier fluctuation the dependence of tunneling rate constant on temperature is strongly guided by the barrier fluctuation frequency. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 93: 280–285, 2003
On tests of equivalence via non‐unity relative risk for matched‐pair design
Authors: Tang Nian‐Sheng , Tang Man‐Lai , Chan Ivan Siu Fung
Published: April 2003

Matched‐pair design is often used in clinical trials to increase the efficiency of treatment comparison. We consider the problem of equivalence test with a relative risk endpoint in matched‐pair studies with binary outcomes, and develop several score and Wald‐type statistics for testing a hypothesis of non‐unity relative risk. Examples from an assessment of HIV screening test and a cross‐over clinical trial of soft contact lenses are used to illustrate the proposed methods. Through simulations we compare the empirical performance of these tests with the test proposed by Lachenbruch and Lynch. We show that a score test based on a reparameterized multinomial model by Tango performs best in the sense that the test satisfactorily controls the type I error rate and its empirical type I error rates are generally much closer to the prespecified nominal significance level than those of the other tests. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Causal logistic models for non‐compliance under randomized treatment with univariate binary response
Authors: Have Thomas R. Ten , Joffe Marshall , Cary Mark
Published: April 2003

We propose a method for estimating the marginal causal log‐odds ratio for binary outcomes under treatment non‐compliance in placebo‐randomized trials. This estimation method is a marginal alternative to the causal logistic approach by Nagelkerke et al. (2000) that conditions on partially unknown compliance (that is, adherence to treatment) status, and also differs from previous approaches that estimate risk differences or ratios in subgroups defined by compliance status. The marginal causal method proposed in this paper is based on an extension of Robins' G‐estimation approach for fitting linear or log‐linear structural nested models to a logistic model. Comparing the marginal and conditional causal log‐odds ratio estimates provides a way of assessing the magnitude of unmeasured confounding of the treatment effect due to treatment non‐adherence. More specifically, we show through simulations that under weak confounding, the conditional and marginal procedures yield similar estimates, whereas under stronger confounding, they behave differently in terms of bias and confidence interval coverage. The parametric structures that represent such confounding are not identifiable. Hence, the proof of consistency of causal estimators and corresponding simulations are based on two different models that fully identify the causal effects being estimated. These models differ in the way that compliance is related to potential outcomes, and thus differ in the way that the causal effect is identified. The simulations also show that the proposed marginal causal estimation approach performs well in terms of bias under the different levels of confounding due to non‐adherence and under different causal logistic models. We also provide results from the analyses of two data sets further showing how a comparison of the marginal and conditional estimators can help evaluate the magnitude of confounding due to non‐adherence. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.