bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Managing cross‐border cooperation between voluntary organizations in Ireland
Authors: Birrell Derek , Hayes Amanda
Published: September 2004

The voluntary nonprofit sector in Ireland has grown significantly in recent years. A related trend has been the growth of cross‐border (in effect, transnational) cooperation between voluntary organizations based in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. However, this development has posed a set of management issues in terms of structure, forms of governance and decision making, day‐to‐day project management, and sustainability. Cross‐border work has also meant that voluntary bodies confront a distinctive set of barriers in relation to political and ethnic conflict, social and cultural attitudes, and practical delivery. Strengthening of cooperation across borders will require greater planning, mainstream funding, focused management, diversification of services, and realistic expectations.
Leader‐member exchanges and board performance of voluntary sport organizations
Authors: Hoye Russell
Published: September 2004

Using leader‐member exchange theory developed by Dansereau, Graen, and Haga (1975), this chapter analyzes the dyadic relationship between leaders (board chairs and paid executives) and members (volunteer board members) within the boards of Australian voluntary sport organizations. The chapter specifically examines the quality of leader‐member exchanges that exist within a sample of thirty‐four Queensland State Sporting Organizations and their relationship with board performance. It was found that board chairs and executives perceived the quality of their leader‐member exchanges to be higher than their respective relationships with board members, and that higher‐quality leader‐member exchanges among all three possible pairings of executives, board chairs, and board members were positively related to higher levels of board performance. The chapter discusses implications and directions for further research into leader‐member exchanges within voluntary sports organizations.
Building a profile of Missouri CSBG community action agencies: Capacities, coping strategies, and the new public management
Authors: Bishop Sheilah Watson
Published: September 2004

Given the current environment of devolution, welfare reform, and fiscal retrenchment, this study examines the role of local nonprofit entities, called Community Action Agencies, operating under the auspices of the Community Services Block Grant program. Survey results indicate that despite an increase in working poor requiring CSBG services, staffs have been able to cope with increased demands. Community Action Agencies have been able to keep pace with increasing client demands by means of a variety of measures, including fund leveraging, resource competition, and relationship building. Accountability concerns and business‐oriented practices also were found to be a high priority of these agencies.
Health‐related quality of life in elderly chinese patients with heart failure
Authors: Yu Doris S.F. , Lee Diana T.F. , Woo Jean
Published: September 2004

Heart failure (HF) has a profound impact on patients' health‐related quality of life (HRQL). Little is known about factors relating to HRQL in elderly Chinese HF patients. The objective of this cross‐sectional correlational study was to identify the demographic, psychosocial, and clinical factors associated with HRQL in this group of patients. Cross‐sectional data were obtained from a consecutive sample of hospitalized HF patients (n = 227) with measures of HRQL, psychological distress, perceived social support, and health perception. Functional status was measured with the New York Heart Association Classification (NYHA). In stepwise regression analysis, four variables, including psychological distress, health perception, NYHA classification, and educational level explained 51.8% (p = .01) of the variance in HRQL. These findings suggest that improving HRQL of HF patients entails improving their psychological status, functional status, and health perception. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 27:332–344, 2004
Racial/ethnic variations in non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) use among patients with osteoarthritis
Authors: Dominick Kelli L. , Bosworth Hayden B. , Jeffreys Amy S. , Grambow Steven C. , Oddone Eugene Z. , Horner Ronnie D.
Published: September 2004

Purpose

Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most commonly prescribed drugs for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). While there are documented racial differences in the use of opioid analgesics, little is known about racial differences in the use of NSAIDs.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study among a national sample of 6038 veterans with OA. Patients were new NSAID users, followed for approximately 6 months. Primary outcomes included: type of NSAID prescribed (COX‐2 selective or preferentially COX‐2 selective NSAIDs vs other NSAIDs), days' supply of initial prescription and time to discontinuation of the index NSAID.

Results

In an analysis adjusted for demographic and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding risk factors (age, sex, geographic region, history of GI bleeding, comorbid illnesses, use of anti‐coagulants and glucocorticoids), Hispanics were less likely than whites to be prescribed an NSAID with some degree of COX‐2 selectivity (odds ratio (OR): 0.47, p < 0.01). The days' supply of the initial prescription was lower for both blacks and Hispanics compared to whites (mean: 38, 31 and 43 days respectively, p < 0.01). In an analysis adjusted for demographics, GI bleeding risk factors and type of NSAID prescribed, blacks discontinued use of the index NSAID earlier than whites (hazard ratio = 1.19, p < 0.001) and there was a similar trend for Hispanics.

Conclusion

Minorities with OA were prescribed NSAIDs with less COX‐2 selectivity and lower days' supply than whites. Further research should address underlying reasons and whether these differences impact outcomes such as pain control, side effects and cost‐effectiveness of care. Published in 2003 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of drug prescription at the Geneva prison's outpatient service in comparison to an urban outpatient medical service
Authors: Elger Bernice S. , Bindschedler Marc , Goehring Catherine , Revaz Sylvie Antonini
Published: September 2004

Purpose

To analyse non‐psychotropic drug prescription in a prison outpatient clinic in comparison with an urban medical outpatient service.

Methods

Comparative study during 3 weeks at Geneva: prison outpatient service and medical policlinic (MP) of the University Hospital.

Results

The most often prescribed non‐psychotropic drugs at the Geneva prison were systemic analgesics (mostly non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and paracetamol), dermatologicals, systemic anti‐infectives and drugs for the gastrointestinal system. For most types of non‐psychotropic drugs, frequency of prescription as well as the prescribing patterns were similar in the prison ambulatory service and the urban MP. Dermatologicals were prescribed more frequently at the prison than at the MP. Analgetics have been prescribed mainly for osteoarticulary reasons, especially low back pain at the MP, and for traumatism and headache at the prison.

Conclusions

The higher frequency of dermatological prescriptions could be due to prison environmental factors. We do not have arguments for any overprescription of analgesics or other non‐psychotropic drugs. The data did not show any prescription or co‐prescription of several substances that violated clinical guidelines. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Utilization of parenteral anti‐infective agents in the medical emergency unit of a tertiary care hospital: an observational study
Authors: Gupta M. , Malhotra S. , Chandra K. K. , Sharma N. , Pandhi P.
Published: September 2004

A pharmacy based prescription audit was undertaken in the medical emergency unit of a tertiary care hospital to determine the frequency of prescribing of parenteral anti‐infective agents. During the study period, 885 patients were screened. The analysis was done for the number of parenteral anti‐microbials in each prescription frequency of individual drug prescribe number and dose unit (DDD), frequency of age and sex, site of infection and daily cost incurred by the patient. It was found that 400 patients (45.2%) received parenteral anti‐infective agents. Cephalosporins, aminoglycosides and metronidazole accounted for about 70% of total antimicrobial use. More than 50% of patients had culture sensitivity reports available. The mean (standard deviation, SD) daily cost of antibiotic was US $ 3.8 (7.7), median; range 2 (0.1–85.7). Two anti‐microbials per prescription were indicated in most of the patients (43.88). In conclusion we have provided an overview of parenteral anti‐infective use in medical emergency, which may serve as a basis for intervention and improvement in prescribing pattern of parenteral anti‐microbials. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The use of proteomics in the discovery of serum biomarkers from patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome
Authors: Ren Yi , He Qing‐Yu , Fan Jianqing , Jones Brian , Zhou Yuan , Xie Yi , Cheung Chung‐Yan , Wu Adrian , Chiu Jen‐Fu , Peiris J. S. Malik , Tam Paul Kwong Hang
Published: September 2004

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a new infectious disease with a global impact. Understanding its pathogenesis and developing specific diagnostic methods for its early diagnosis are crucial for the effective management and control of this disease. By using proteomic technology, truncated forms of α1‐antitrypsin (TF‐α1‐AT) were found to increase significantly and consistently in sera of SARS patients compared to control subjects. The result showed a sensitivity of 100% for SARS patients and a specificity of 92.8% for controls. Furthermore, the levels of these proteins significantly correlated with certain clinico‐pathological parameters. The dramatic increase in TF‐α1‐AT may be the result of degradation of α1‐AT. As α1‐AT plays an important role in the protection of lung function, its degradation may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of SARS. These findings indicate that increased TF‐α1‐AT may be therapeutically relevant, and may also be a useful biological marker for the diagnosis of SARS.
Microstructure and properties of 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA)‐p‐phenylene diamine (PDA) polyimide/poly(vinylsilsesquioxane) hybrid nanocomposite films
Authors: Wahab Mohammad A. , Kim Il , Ha Chang‐Sik
Published: September 2004

Hybrid nanocomposite films of poly(vinylsilsesquioxane) (PVSSQ) and polyimide (PI) (PI/PVSSQ) were prepared via sol‐gel process from triethoxyvinylsilane (VSSQ) and thermal imidization from 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA)‐p‐phenylene diamine (PDA) polyamic acid (BPDA‐PDA PAA). We investigated the microstructure; interfacial interaction; and optical, thermal, dielectric, and mechanical properties of the hybrid films. The phase morphologies and degree of surface roughness were evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM), respectively. It was found that the surface topography was influenced by the composition of PVSSQ. Hydrogen bonding interactions between polyimide (PI) matrix and PVSSQ domains were proved with FT‐IR spectroscopy. The transparency of the hybrid films was found to be dependent on the PVSSQ content. Incorporating of the PVSSQ in the hybrid composites increased the glass transition temperature of PI. Dielectric constants of the hybrid films were in the range of 2.37–3.59. Properties of the PI films were also significantly enhanced by adding 5–30 wt % of PVSSQ. For comparison, we also prepared the hybrid composites of PI and mixtures of VSSQ and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and the PI/silica hybrid composite containing 30 wt % of silica obtained from TEOS. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5189–5199, 2004
Double metal cyanide complex based on Zn3[Co(CN)6]2 as highly active catalyst for copolymerization of carbon dioxide and cyclohexene oxide
Authors: Chen Shang , Qi Guo‐Rong , Hua Zheng‐Jiang , Yan Hong‐Qiang
Published: September 2004

Double metal cyanide complexes based on Zn3[Co(CN)6]2 were prepared in the presence of different complexing agents and used in the copolymerization of carbon dioxide and cyclohexene oxide. The FTIR and 1H NMR spectra of the products verified the formation of polycarbonate. Compared with zinc carboxylate, zinc phenoxide, and so forth, these catalysts demonstrated great enhancement of catalytic activity. Their highest turnover number and turnover frequency reached 3300 and 1650 h−1, respectively, at 90 °C. The molar fraction of CO2 (FCO2) for the copolymers was about 0.44–0.47, and it varied slightly with different catalysts under a temperature of 90 °C and a pressure of 3.8 MPa. The study showed that the FCO2 can reach 0.40 even at 0.6 MPa, and it changed slightly above 3.8 MPa. The reaction rate had little influence on the FCO2 under our experimental conditions. A relatively low temperature was favorable for the incorporation of CO2. The monitoring of copolymerization revealed the molecular weight was proportional to the reaction conversion. The molecular weight distribution was in the range of 4.5–6, and the reaction rate was proportional to the amount of catalyst that was used. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5284–5291, 2004
Transition from microemulsion to emulsion polymerization: Mechanism and final properties
Authors: Hermanson Kevin D. , Kaler Eric W.
Published: September 2004

Microemulsion and emulsion polymerization can have some similarities in starting conditions and polymerization mechanisms, but the resulting latices are unalike in particle size and molecular weight. Here we show that polymerizations can be formulated that display the characteristics often separately associated with microemulsion or emulsion polymerization. Kinetic modeling and particle size measurements show that emulsion polymerizations with initial concentrations close to the microemulsion–emulsion phase boundary demonstrate relatively fast consumption of monomer droplets and produce smaller particles. Because of their high surfactant concentrations, none of the emulsion polymerizations examined demonstrate the classical Smith–Ewart kinetics usually associated with emulsion polymerization. Instead these emulsion polymerizations have a long period of particle nucleation that subsides only after the disappearance of monomer droplets. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5253–5261, 2004
Synthesis and comparison of CF3 versus CH3 substituted perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) networks for optical applications
Authors: Jin Jianyong , Topping Chris M. , Chen Shengrong , Ballato John , Foulger Stephen H. , Smith Dennis W.
Published: September 2004

A novel aryl trifluorovinyl ether monomer, 1,1,1‐tris(4‐trifluorovinyloxyphenyl)‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethane (5), was prepared via a multistep reaction sequence adapted from previously reported procedures. Monomer 5 polymerizes by free‐radical mediated thermal cyclodimerization to produce a crosslinked perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) polymer. Substituting CH3 for CF3 did not affect the polymerization kinetics as measured by differential scanning calorimetry. Surprisingly, the refractive index of poly5 (1.4931 at 1550 nm) is slightly higher than that measured for poly6 (1.4876 at 1550 nm) despite the significant increase in fluorine content. Compared to the CH3‐containing monomer 6, fluorinated analogue 5 exhibits increased thermal and thermal oxidative stability and thus we expected lower optical loss for long‐term high performance applications. Copolymerization with existing aryl trifluorovinyl ether monomers should allow access to new PFCB network copolymers with a tailored performance. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5292–5300, 2004
Advanced solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance for polymer science
Authors: Spiess Hans Wolfgang
Published: September 2004

Today, solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is one of the most powerful and versatile tools for elucidating the structures and dynamics of molecular, macromolecular, and supramolecular systems. It provides information on molecular and collective phenomena over large length scales and timescales and is particularly suited to handle noncrystalline materials. This report describes how developments in solid‐state NMR were triggered by the possibilities that became available about 30 years ago by neutron scattering and synchrotron radiation. Close analogies between NMR spectroscopy and scattering are pointed out to emphasize that the two approaches nicely complement each other. Specific examples applying the new NMR techniques to amorphous polymers and supramolecular systems are described. The findings are related to the mechanical properties of polymers as well as specific functions such as photoconductivity and proton conductivity. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5031–5044, 2004
Synthesis and characterization of poly(L‐lactic acid)–poly(ε‐caprolactone) multiblock copolymers by melt polycondensation
Authors: Teng Cuiqing , Yang Kai , Ji Ping , Yu Muhuo
Published: September 2004

An Erratum has been published for this article in J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. (2004) 42(22) 5845

New multiblock copolymers derived from poly(L‐lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) were prepared with the coupling reaction between PLLA and PCL oligomers with NCO terminals. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), 13C NMR, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to characterize the copolymers and the results showed that PLLA and PCL were coupled by the reaction between NCO groups at the end of the PCL and OH (or COOH) groups at the end of the PLLA. DSC data indicated that the different compositions of PLLA and PCL had an influence on the thermal and crystallization properties including the glass‐transition temperature (Tg), melting temperature (TM), crystallizing temperature (Tc), melting enthalpy (ΔHm), crystallizing enthalpy (ΔHc), and crystallinity. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was employed to study the effect of the composition of PLLA and PCL and reaction time on the molecular weight and the molecular weight distribution of the copolymers. The weight‐average molecular weight of PLLA–PCL multiblock copolymers was up to 180,000 at a composition of 60% PLLA and 40% PCL, whereas that of the homopolymer of PLLA was only 14,000. A polarized optical microscope was used to observe the crystalline morphology of copolymers; the results showed that all polymers exhibited a spherulitic morphology. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5045–5053, 2004
Effect of preparation of titania sol on the structure and properties of acrylic resin/titania hybrid materials
Authors: Xiong Mingna , Zhou Shuxue , You Bo , Gu Guangxin , Wu Limin
Published: September 2004

Acrylic resin/titania organic–inorganic hybrid materials were prepared by mixing titania sol produced by the sol–gel process with synthesized thermoplastic acrylic resins. The effects of the amounts of water and acid on hydrolysis and condensation of the sol–gel precursor (titanium n‐butoxide) were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, and their corresponding influences on the structure and properties of the hybrid films were investigated by small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), atomic force microscopy, dynamical mechanical analysis, an Instron testing machine, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. SAXS indicated an open structure and nanoscale size for the titania phase of the hybrids. Higher titania content and a greater amount of water or acid in the sol–gel process resulted in titania domains that were larger size and had a more compact structure. The mechanical and UV‐shielding properties of the organic polymer obviously were improved with titania embedded. As the amount of water or acid in the sol–gel process increased, integrative mechanical properties decreased, with the amount of water having a greater impact than the amount of acid on the structure and optical properties. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 3682–3694, 2004
Contribution of real‐time kinematic GPS in the study of creeping mountain permafrost: examples from the Western Swiss Alps
Authors: Lambiel Christophe , Delaloye Reynald
Published: September 2004

The use of real‐time kinematic (RTK) GPS for studying the dynamics of creeping mountain permafrost is evaluated on the basis of measurements carried out on three test sites in the Western Swiss Alps. The high precision of the method and its ease of use make the RTK GPS appropriate for this kind of study. A wide range of information can be obtained by comparing the position of a set of surveyed points after two campaigns of measurement: determination of both horizontal and vertical components of surface movements, identification of compression and extension zones, estimation of thickness variation and, finally, determination of three‐dimensional (3D) rotational movements of individual boulders. Temporal variations of all these parameters can then be identified after more than two repetitions of the measurement series. The results obtained on the test sites are presented and discussed from a geomorphological point of view. They were sometimes surprising, for instance the strong difference in surface velocities of two morphologically similar rock glaciers situated in the same area or the small 3D rotation of blocks located on the front of a rapidly moving rock glacier. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distribution and behaviour of rock glaciers in the Adamello–Presanella Massif (Italian Alps)
Authors: Baroni Carlo , Carton Alberto , Seppi Roberto
Published: September 2004

An inventory of rock glaciers in the Adamello–Presanella Group is presented. The distribution, behaviour and morphological characteristics of rock glaciers are described and organized in a GIS. Furthermore, we analyse the relationship between rock glaciers and vegetation and tentatively discuss that between rock glacier distribution and climatic parameters. A total of 216 rock glaciers have been identified: 41% (n = 88) are active/inactive (sensu Barsch) and the rest are relict. There is a difference of about 430 m in elevation between the fronts of active/inactive forms and those of relict forms. In the group of active/inactive rock glaciers, 59 are considered active and some of these are certainly in motion, as confirmed by two topographic surveys. At least 30 rock glaciers have developed since the Little Ice Age. The mean elevation of the fronts of active rock glaciers (2527 m) lies well below the estimated altitude of isotherms −1°C (2740 m) and −2°C (2910 m), suggesting that the reconstructed MAAT of −1/−2°C does not coincide with local MAAT in the entire group or that the studied rock glaciers are in disequilibrium with respect to current climatic conditions in the area. In conclusion, we must be cautious in using the regional MAAT for identifying active forms and in utilizing the position of rock glacier fronts for reconstructing the regional MAAT. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Use of Molecular Probes for the Characterization of Nanoporous Adsorbents
Authors: Sing Kenneth S. W. , Williams Ruth T.
Published: September 2004

Molecular probes can be employed in three different ways for the characterization of nanoporous adsorbents. The simplest approach is to use a range of globular nonpolar molecules of different diameter in order to assess the effective size of the pore entrances in a molecular sieve. For this purpose, conventional gas adsorption (static or dynamic measurements) or gas chromatographic techniques can be used. The aim of the second approach is to characterize the nanopore structure with the aid of nitrogen adsorption at 77 K together with isotherm and adsorption energy measurements with a variety of adsorptives of different molecular size, shape and polarity. The third approach is to make use of polar probe molecules (notably water and alcohols) to investigate the surface chemistry and stability of the adsorbent.
Magnetic properties of GaMnN grown via molecular beam epitaxy using a single precursor
Authors: Lee K. J. , Kim K. H. , Yu F. C. , Im W. S. , Gao C. X. , Kim D. J. , Kim H. J. , Ihm Y. E.
Published: September 2004

GaMnN and Mg‐codoped GaMnN films were grown via molecular beam epitaxy using the GaN single precursor Et2Ga(N3)NH2C(CH3)3. Through a comparative study, it was confirmed that hole carriers mediate ferromagnetism in GaMnN at room temperature. Furthermore, the effects of Mg codoping on the conductivity and magnetization properties of the layers were investigated. Mn in GaN is shown to be inefficient as a dopant in generating itinerant carriers and this limits the saturation magnetization. On the other hand, Mg revealed higher efficiency in producing holes, and as a consequence could greatly enhance the magnetization via increased ferromagnetic coupling among Mn atoms. The results suggest that the magnetic ordering can be adjusted by separate control of the carrier concentration and the content of the magnetic element in films of III–V ferromagnetic semiconductors. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optical characterization of InAsN single quantum wells grown by RF‐MBE
Authors: Kuroda M. , Katayama R. , Onabe K. , Shiraki Y.
Published: September 2004

InAsN/GaAs single quantum wells (SQWs) were fabricated on semi insulating GaAs(001) substrates by RF‐MBE. The redshift of photoluminescence peak with increasing nitrogen content was observed. It is contrary to the recent report for the bulk dilute InAsN alloy where the blueshift of absorption edge has occurred predominantly due to the Burstein–Moss effect. Considering that the Burstein–Moss shift energy of the one‐dimensional quantum well is significantly lower than that of the bulk, this redshift of photoluminescence peak suggests the huge bandgap bowing of InAsN alloy as commonly found in III–V–N type alloys. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electrical characterization of InGaN/GaN quantum dots by deep level transient spectroscopy
Authors: Kim J. S. , Kim E. K. , Kim H. J. , Yoon E. , Park I.‐W. , Park Y. J.
Published: September 2004

We have investigated the electrical property of InGaN quantum dots (QDs) embedded in GaN layer using capacitance–voltage and deep‐level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) measurements. The apparent activation energy was observed 0.43 eV below the conduction band edge of barrier layers in InGaN/GaN QDs system. The capture barrier height of InGaN QDs was measured more than about 0.17 eV, showing the existence of strain between QDs and barrier layers. Thus, the bound state of QDs was estimated as 0.26 eV apart from the conduction band edge of the GaN. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Quantum chemical study on substituent effect of gas‐phase reactions in III–V nitride semiconductor crystal growth
Authors: Okada Takanobu , Doi Kentaro , Nakamura Koichi , Tachibana Akitomo
Published: September 2004

We have carried out ab initio quantum chemical calculations to discuss the substituent effect of the metal source on the coordination interaction and the reactivity in the gas‐phase parasitic reactions in M(t‐C4H9)3/H2/NH3 (M = Al, Ga) systems following the elimination of isobutane. We found that t‐butyl groups play two important roles: high ability for electron donation leading to large M–N interaction and high bulkiness leading to large steric repulsion. It is expected that the extension of chain adducts obstructing the growth of AlGaN would be suppressed by the steric hindrance due to bulky substituents lifting up the activation energies in the parasitic reactions. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Dynamic allocation as a balancing act
Authors: Roes Kit C. B.
Published: September 2004

The CPMP Points to Consider on Adjustment for Baseline Covariates recently came into operation. As well as providing sound guidance, this document states a strong position against dynamic allocation. This paper reviews the most important issues involved and aims to stimulate interest in further investigating alternative allocation methods in clinical trials. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Choice of the primary analysis in longitudinal clinical trials
Authors: Mallinckrodt Craig H. , Watkin John G. , Molenberghs Geert , Carroll Raymond J.
Published: September 2004

Missing data, and the bias they can cause, are an almost ever‐present concern in clinical trials. The last observation carried forward (LOCF) approach has been frequently utilized to handle missing data in clinical trials, and is often specified in conjunction with analysis of variance (LOCF ANOVA) for the primary analysis. Considerable advances in statistical methodology, and in our ability to implement these methods, have been made in recent years. Likelihood‐based, mixed‐effects model approaches implemented under the missing at random (MAR) framework are now easy to implement, and are commonly used to analyse clinical trial data. Furthermore, such approaches are more robust to the biases from missing data, and provide better control of Type I and Type II errors than LOCF ANOVA. Empirical research and analytic proof have demonstrated that the behaviour of LOCF is uncertain, and in many situations it has not been conservative. Using LOCF as a composite measure of safety, tolerability and efficacy can lead to erroneous conclusions regarding the effectiveness of a drug. This approach also violates the fundamental basis of statistics as it involves testing an outcome that is not a physical parameter of the population, but rather a quantity that can be influenced by investigator behaviour, trial design, etc. Practice should shift away from using LOCF ANOVA as the primary analysis and focus on likelihood‐based, mixed‐effects model approaches developed under the MAR framework, with missing not at random methods used to assess robustness of the primary analysis. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Type I error rates from likelihood‐based repeated measures analyses of incomplete longitudinal data
Authors: Mallinckrodt Craig H. , Kaiser Christopher J. , Watkin John G. , Detke Michael J. , Molenberghs Geert , Carroll Raymond J.
Published: September 2004

The last observation carried forward (LOCF) approach is commonly utilized to handle missing values in the primary analysis of clinical trials. However, recent evidence suggests that likelihood‐based analyses developed under the missing at random (MAR) framework are sensible alternatives. The objective of this study was to assess the Type I error rates from a likelihood‐based MAR approach – mixed‐model repeated measures (MMRM) – compared with LOCF when estimating treatment contrasts for mean change from baseline to endpoint (Δ). Data emulating neuropsychiatric clinical trials were simulated in a 4 × 4 factorial arrangement of scenarios, using four patterns of mean changes over time and four strategies for deleting data to generate subject dropout via an MAR mechanism. In data with no dropout, estimates of Δ and SEΔ from MMRM and LOCF were identical. In data with dropout, the Type I error rates (averaged across all scenarios) for MMRM and LOCF were 5.49% and 16.76%, respectively. In 11 of the 16 scenarios, the Type I error rate from MMRM was at least 1.00% closer to the expected rate of 5.00% than the corresponding rate from LOCF. In no scenario did LOCF yield a Type I error rate that was at least 1.00% closer to the expected rate than the corresponding rate from MMRM. The average estimate of SEΔ from MMRM was greater in data with dropout than in complete data, whereas the average estimate of SEΔ from LOCF was smaller in data with dropout than in complete data, suggesting that standard errors from MMRM better reflected the uncertainty in the data. The results from this investigation support those from previous studies, which found that MMRM provided reasonable control of Type I error even in the presence of MNAR missingness. No universally best approach to analysis of longitudinal data exists. However, likelihood‐based MAR approaches have been shown to perform well in a variety of situations and are a sensible alternative to the LOCF approach. MNAR methods can be used within a sensitivity analysis framework to test the potential presence and impact of MNAR data, thereby assessing robustness of results from an MAR method. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization ion‐trap tandem mass spectrometric analysis and quantification of phosphatidylcholine molecular species in the serum of cystic fibrosis subjects supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid
Authors: Pacetti Deborah , Malavolta Marco , Bocci Fabio , Boselli Emanuele , Frega Natale G.
Published: September 2004

Since phosphatidylcholine (PC) is the most abundant phospholipid (PL) class in human serum, its concentration represents an important marker for the evaluation of lipid absorption and metabolism. High‐performance liquid chromatography coupled on‐line with electrospray ionization ion‐trap tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI‐MS/MS) was successfully applied to the quantitative analysis of PC molecular species from serum of cystic fibrosis (CF) subjects before and after supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Seven molecular species of PC (containing C16:0/C20:4, C16:0/C22:6, C18:0/C20:4, C18:0/C22:6, C16:0/C18:1, C16:0/C18:2 and C18:0/C18:2, respectively) were quantified using MS in the negative scan mode with 1,2‐diundecanoyl‐sn‐glycero‐phosphocholine as the internal standard. The molecular species containing DHA, C16:0/C22:6 and C18:0/C22:6, increased from 41.3 ± 31.7 and 33.1 ± 18.2 to 85.4 ± 20.4 and 52.1 ± 20.7 μg/mL serum, respectively, after a 3‐month supplementation. Interestingly, the species containing arachidonic acid (C18:0/C20:4 and C16:0/C20:4) decreased from 115 ± 55 and 139 ± 57 to 58.1 ± 22.5 and 70.5 ± 28.1, respectively. HPLC/ESI‐MS/MS allowed the direct analysis of the lipid extract without previous purification of PLs, thus it is a useful analytical support in CF research in order to understand the extent of lipid dysfunctions typical of CF or other diseases. The present method might also be used for quantitative analysis of each serum phospholipid class molecular species. However, the instrument response was found to be very dependent on the phospholipid class considered, and thus the use of appropriate standards for each class of PLs is recommended. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mathematical topographical correction of XPS images using multivariate statistical methods
Authors: Artyushkova Kateryna , Fulghum Julia E.
Published: September 2004

For rough heterogeneous samples, the contrast observed in XPS images may result from both changes in elemental or chemical composition and sample topography. Background image acquisition and subtraction are frequently utilized to minimize topographical effects so that images represent concentration variations in the sample. This procedure may significantly increase the data acquisition time. Multivariate statistical methods can assist in resolving topographical and chemical information from multispectral XPS images. Principal component analysis (PCA) is one method for identification of the highest correlation/variation between the images. Topography, which is common to all of the images, will be resolved in the first most significant component. The score of this component contains spatial information about the topography of the surface, whereas the loading is a quantitative representation of the topography contribution to each elemental/chemical image. The simple‐to‐use self‐modelling mixture analysis (Simplisma) method is a pure variable method that searches for the source of most differences in the data and therefore has the potential to distinguish between chemical and topographical phases in images. The mathematical background correction scheme is developed and validated by comparing results to the experimental background correction for samples with differing degrees of topography. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Porosity in ancient glass from Syria (c. 800 AD) using gas adsorption and atomic force microscopy
Authors: Lester E. , Hilal N. , Henderson J.
Published: September 2004

Gas adsorption and atomic force microscopy have been used to quantify and compare the porosity, surface area and surface characteristics of five samples from Raqqa in northern Syria dating to ca. 8th century AD. High‐quality high‐pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) glass was also analysed to compare the results with these characteristics of modern glass. All five ancient samples were found to have some porosity across the microporous (up to 2 nm) and the mesoporous (2–50 nm) range. The reasons for this porosity are not entirely clear at present but are likely to be due to the manufacturing methods used, including the raw materials. A correlation was found between glass chemical composition (especially the total alkali) and pore size, inferring that the melting temperature is one of the parameters that affects the development of pores. The work in this paper presents the preliminary findings from the study of porosity in ancient glass. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A women's college perspective on the education of college men
Authors: Spence Cynthia Neal , Parikh Manju
Published: September 2004

This chapter looks at education of college men in a single‐sex learning environment from the perspective of a woman's college.
Best practices for improving college men's health
Authors: Courtenay Will H.
Published: September 2004

A sobering description of the state of college men's health is followed by discussion of the Six‐Point HEALTH Plan and strategies for educational campaigns, marketing, and outreach efforts.
Refinement in statechart testing
Authors: Bogdanov K. , Holcombe M.
Published: September 2004

An existing statechart testing method developed by the authors allows a tester to show the equivalence of the behaviour of an implementation of some software system to its Harel statechart specification, by testing. This requires a rather large test set and satisfaction of certain requirements for both a specification and an implementation. Introduction of additional constraints permits reduction in a test set size, without weakening of the conclusions obtained by testing. This paper describes how a test set can be derived from a relatively big statechart and investigates the role of a few specific constraints in the reduction of test set size, depending on where in the system structure these constraints are used. The main contribution of the paper is a demonstration that enforcing relatively weak constraints in the right place of a system's structure makes it possible to reduce the size of a test set by many orders of magnitude. The practical use of the contribution is to help developers structure a system under construction in such a way that it is completely testable using the described testing method with few additional constraints. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The hybrid process that combines traditional requirements and use cases
Authors: Daniels Jesse , Bahill Terry
Published: September 2004

For many years systems engineers have produced traditional system requirements specifications containing shall‐statement requirements. The rapid adoption of use case modeling for capturing functional requirements in the software community has caused systems engineers to examine the utility of use case models for capturing system‐level functional requirements. A transition from traditional shall‐statement requirements to use case modeling has raised some issues and questions. This paper advocates a hybrid requirements process in which use case modeling and traditional shall‐statement requirements are applied together to effectively express both functional and nonfunctional requirements for complex, hierarchical systems. This paper also presents a practical method for extracting requirements from the use case text to produce a robust requirements specification. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 7: 303–319, 2004
Life‐history traits of standard and autochthonous cladocerans: II. Acute and chronic effects of acetylsalicylic acid metabolites
Authors: Marques Catarina R. , Abrantes Nelson , Gonçalves Fernando
Published: September 2004

Metabolic products are often more toxic than their pharmacological parent compounds. Therefore, the acute and chronic effects of the main metabolites—salicylic acid (SAL), gentisic acid (GEN), and o‐hydroxyhippuric acid (HDP)—of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), the active ingredient in Aspirin® and many other pharmaceuticals, were assessed using standard (Daphnia magna) and autochthonous (Daphnia longispina) cladocerans. The sequence of decreasing levels of acute and chronic toxicity of ASA metabolites to daphnids was GEN > SAL > HDP. HDP did not present acute toxicity, but chronic exposures enabled the production of abnormal neonates and, in particular, egg abortion. Thus, reproduction was the end point most susceptible to HDP. On the other hand, SAL and GEN induced changes in the normal patterns of reproduction and growth of both species. In general, D. longispina was more sensitive than was D. magna, although the population growth of the autochthonous species was superior under SAL exposures than that of the standard test species. Although the concentrations that were determined to have a toxic effect were above the levels detected in aquatic environmental samples, exposure to low levels of pharmacologically active substances for a duration longer than the test period may induce changes in nontarget organisms. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 19: 527–540, 2004.
Elemental characterization of airborne particles in Khartoum, Sudan
Authors: El‐Tahir H. M. , Selin Lindgren Eva , Habbani F. I.
Published: September 2004

The aim of this study was to investigate the elemental composition of airborne particles in the Khartoum area, particularly small inhalable particles of diameter ≤10 µm. Aerosol particles were collected during the period April–May 2001. The sampling was done using a dichotomous virtual impactor capable of separating airborne particles <2.5 µm in a fine mode and 2.5–10 µm particles in a coarse mode. Energy‐dispersive x‐ray fluorescence analysis was used to determine the elemental concentrations of 14 elements in the samples. Concentrations of black carbon were also measured on the two size fractions. The results obtained were compared with previous data from Khartoum and other African locations. Si, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Zn and Sr were found to be dominant in the collected particulates. Day period collections were found to have higher elemental concentrations than those of night periods. This is attributed to higher traffic levels and wind speeds. The results show that dust aerosol transport and resuspension are the main sources that affect the quality of ambient air in the Khartoum area. The elemental concentrations from anthropogenic sources are generally low. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional properties of a pore mutant in the Drosophila melanogaster inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor
Authors: Srikanth Sonal , Wang Zhengnan , Hasan Gaiti , Bezprozvanny Ilya
Published: September 2004

The inositol (1,4,5)‐trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R) is an intracellular calcium release channel that plays a crucial role in cell signaling. In Drosophila melanogaster, a single InsP3R gene (itpr) encodes a protein (DmInsP3R) that is ∼60% conserved with mammalian InsP3Rs. The functional properties of wild‐type (WT) and mutant DmInsP3Rs have recently been described [Srikanth et al., Biophys. J. 86 (2004) 3634–3646]. Here, we use the planar lipid bilayer reconstitution technique to describe single channel properties of a ka901 point mutant (G2630S) in the pore‐forming region of DmInsP3R. We find that homomeric ka901 channels are not functional, but the heteromeric WT:ka901 mutant channels display increased conductance, longer channel open time and altered ion selectivity properties when compared to WT DmInsP3R. Obtained results are consistent with the gain of function phenotype observed in ka901/+ mutant flies.
Is the ClC‐2 chloride channel involved in the Cl− secretory mechanism of gastric parietal cells?
Authors: Hori Katsuhito , Takahashi Yuji , Horikawa Naoki , Furukawa Tetsushi , Tsukada Kazuhiro , Takeguchi Noriaki , Sakai Hideki
Published: September 2004

It has been controversial whether the ClC‐2 chloride channel is involved in hydrochloric acid secretion of gastric parietal cells. Here, we investigated whether ClC‐2 is the apical Cl− channel associated with gastric acid secretion. Two anti‐ClC‐2 antibodies used in this study reacted with cloned ClC‐2 protein expressed in HEK293 cells. In isolated rabbit gastric glands, significant expression of ClC‐2 mRNA was observed, but the presence of ClC‐2 protein was not clear. Furthermore, no expression of ClC‐2 protein was observed in isolated rat and human gastric mucosa. Immunohistochemistry on the rat gastric mucosa showed no significant expression of ClC‐2 protein in the parietal cells which showed abundant expression of H+,K+‐ATPase. These results indicate that ClC‐2 may not be a Cl−‐transporting protein for gastric acid secretion in parietal cells.
The plasma membrane Ca2+ pump from proximal kidney tubules is exclusively localized and active in caveolae
Authors: Tortelote Giovane G. , Valverde Rafael H.F. , Lemos Thiago , Guilherme Adı́lson , Einicker-Lamas Marcelo , Vieyra Adalberto
Published: September 2004

Plasma membrane Ca2+‐ATPase is involved in the fine‐tuned regulation of intracellular Ca2+. In this study, the presence of Ca2+‐ATPase in caveolae from kidney basolateral membranes was investigated. With the use of a discontinuous sucrose gradient, we show that Ca2+‐ATPase is exclusively located and fully active in caveolin‐containing microdomains. Treatment with methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin – a cholesterol chelator – leads to a spreading of both caveolin and completely inactive Ca2+‐ATPase toward high‐density fractions. These data support the view that Ca2+ fluxes mediated by Ca2+‐ATPase in kidney epithelial cells occur only in caveolae, being strictly dependent on the integrity of these microdomains.
F1F0 ATP synthase subunit c is targeted by the SRP to YidC in the E. coli inner membrane
Authors: van Bloois Edwin , Jan Haan Gert , de Gier Jan-Willem , Oudega Bauke , Luirink Joen
Published: September 2004

Escherichia coli inner membrane proteins (IMPs) use different pathways for targeting and membrane integration. We have examined the biogenesis of the F1F0 ATP synthase subunit c, a small double spanning IMP, using complementary in vivo and in vitro approaches. The data suggest that F0c is targeted by the SRP to the membrane, where it inserts at YidC in a Sec‐independent mechanism. F0c appears to be the first natural substrate of this novel pathway.