bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The changing urban-rural interface of African cities: definitional issues and an application to Kumasi, Ghana
Authors: Simon David , McGregor Duncan , Nsiah-Gyabaah Kwasi
Published: March 2006

This paper discusses the growing interest among researchers and international agencies in better understanding the rural-urban interface in Africa. It also illustrates the key features of this interface and associated definitional issues, drawing on research in eight villages around the city of Kumasi in Ghana. All villages had processes of change linked to Kumasi, although with very different degrees of, for instance, the extent of land commercialization and its use for housing, the provision for infrastructure, and the proportion of the workforce in non-agricultural work or commuting to Kumasi. The extent of the changes in villages was influenced by many factors other than distance or accessibility, including whether the village was within Kumasi’s boundaries, the power of local inhabitants in negotiations with local government, and where land for settlement by new migrants was most readily available. This supports the concept of a non-linear and nonuniform gradient of urban influences on peri-urban areas.
Exclusion and identity in Lebanon’s Palestinian refugee camps: a story of sustained conflict
Authors: Halabi Zeina
Published: March 2006

This paper describes the events that have taken place over the last 50 years since the establishment of the first Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, and the relationship between these events and the endemic inter-communal violence within these camps. It explains the exclusionist policies of the Lebanese state and the resulting levels of tension and conflict that have undermined peace processes and social reconciliation following the Lebanese civil war. A case study of one camp, Chatila, illustrates how these realities play out in the daily lives of Palestinian refugees and other residents within the camp, stimulating conflicts over identity and continuing hostility.
“It’s as if you don’t know, because you don’t do anything about it”: gender and violence in El Salvador
Authors: Hume Mo
Published: March 2006

This paper explores how gendered violence in El Salvador contin- ues to be minimized within public and private discourse. Through an examination of social understandings and reactions to violence, based on qualitative research, the paper argues that gendered violence remains an issue sidelined from mainstream social and political debates. In a society where the threshold for tolerating violence is very high, gendered violence stands out as an issue which, to a great degree, has become normalized as a central element of gender relations. This is borne out by the scant attention paid to issues of gender in both policy proposals and debates on violence.
Crime and violence prevention in an urban Indigenous community
Authors: Eversole Robyn , Routh Richard , Ridgeway Leon
Published: March 2006

This paper considers the delicate issue of high crime rates in a disadvantaged population, and explores the appropriateness of existing crime and violence prevention strategies. The paper reports on a collaborative research project carried out in a small Australian city in 2002-2003 by the local police service, Indigenous community members and a university. The project gathered informa- tion about the extent and nature of crime in the local Indigenous community, exist- ing crime prevention initiatives and Indigenous community members’ perceptions of these initiatives. The key points emerging from this project were: the persistence of social divides separating Indigenous populations and non-Indigenous institu- tions such as the police service; the impact of these divides on the effectiveness of crime prevention activities; and the importance of face-to-face relationship-building in overcoming these social divides and improving the effectiveness of crime and violence prevention.
Heuristic Evaluation of E-Learning Products Extended Garrett's Model of User Experience
Authors: Joshi Anirudha , Medh Punam
Published: March 2006

The Azim Premji Foundation has created a repository of educational CDs based on various state curricula for bringing technology-based learning to schools, specifically schools in rural areas. This initiative is expected to meet several objectives, primarily: (a) to attract children to schools; (b) once attracted to school, sustain their interest in attending school; and (c) ensure effective learning by providing relevant and compelling content. Evaluating the first two objectives is an ongoing process, made possible through direct measures— tracking enrolments and dropouts. However, to ascertain learning effectiveness of the CDs, an objective analysis and evaluation of the product was needed. In this article we share our experience of using the heuristic evaluation technique to evaluate the CDs and the extended Garrett's model of user experience for organizing the findings of each CD into clear action lists for redesigning existing CDs and designing others in the future.
Lithium in maintenance therapy for bipolar disorder
Authors: Young Allan H. , Newham James I.
Published: March 2006

Lithium has been used for the medical treatment of bipolar disorder for over 50 years. The purpose of this paper is to review the evidence base supporting the use of lithium in the maintenance phase of treatment of bipolar disorder and the limitations which reduce the clinical effectiveness of this medication. A selective review of the relevant literature was carried out. It is concluded that lithium is efficacious in the maintenance phase treatment of bipolar disorder, with the available evidence supporting a beneficial effect which prevents recurrence of mania; it is less clear if lithium prevents depressive episodes in bipolar disorder. A number of lines of evidence support the notion that lithium reduces suicidal acts and completed suicide. Lithium has a significant side effect burden and a narrow therapeutic index. It is also associated with an increased liability for new episodes, both manic and depressive, consequent upon stoppage of treatment. These factors limit the clinical effectiveness of lithium.
Phosphate stabilization of polyminerallic mine wastes
Authors: Harris D. L. , Lottermoser B. G.
Published: March 2006

Polyminerallic, sulphidic mine wastes were treated with KH2PO4-H2O2 solutions to determine whether the formation of solid phosphate coatings inhibits sulphide oxidation and metal and metalloid mobility. The waste rocks were metal (PbZnCu) and metalloid (AsSb) rich and consisted of major quartz, dickite, illite and sulphide minerals (e.g. galena, chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite, sphalerite, pyrite, arsenopyrite) as well as minor to trace amounts of pre- and post-mining oxidation products (e.g. oxides, hydroxides, arsenates and sulphates). Scanning electron microscopy observations of the waste material treated with KH2PO4-H2O2 solutions showed that metal, metal-alkali and alkali phosphate precipitates formed and coatings developed on all sulphides (with the exception of tetrahedrite). The abundance of phosphate phases was dependant on the availability of metal and alkali cations in solution. In turn, the release of cations was dependent on the amount of sulphide oxidation induced during the experiment or the presence of soluble oxidation products. Lead and to a lesser degree Cu and Zn phosphate coatings remained stable during H2O2 leaching, preventing acid generation and metal release. In contrast, the lack of phosphate coating on tetrahedrite and arsenopyrite allowed oxidation and leaching of As and Sb to proceed and mobilized As and Sb did not form phosphate phases. As a result, As and Sb displayed the greatest release from the coated waste. Thus, the application of KH2PO4-H2O2 solutions to partly oxidized, polyminerallic mine wastes suppresses sulphide oxidation and is most effective in inhibiting Pb (Cu and Zn) release. However, the technique appears ineffective in preventing metalloid (As, Sb) leaching from tetrahedrite- and arsenopyrite-bearing wastes.
Sylvite and fluorite microcrysts, and fluorite-nyerereite intergrowths from natrocarbonatite, Oldoinyo Lengai, Tanzania
Authors: Mitchell R. H.
Published: March 2006

Natrocarbonatite lavas erupted from hornitos T37B and T49B at Oldoinyo Lengai (Tanzania) during 23–30 July, 2000 are unusual in containing sylvite and fluorite microcrysts together with fluorite-nyerereite intergrowths. The latter are relatively coarse grained and exhibit granular textures indicative of slow crystallization rates relative to those of their host subaerial lavas. Fluorite microcrysts are considered to be derived by the fragmentation of the fluorite-nyerereite clasts. Sylvite microcrysts contain inclusions of ferroan alabandite [(Mn0.67-0.71Fe0.33-0.29)S] and are poor in Na (1.9–7.7 wt.% Na; 6.1–23.4 mol.% NaCl). Intergrowth and microcrystal fluorite contains 1–3.5 wt.% Sr. Intergrowth nyerereite has a composition similar to that occurring as bona fide phenocrysts. The groundmass of lava erupted from hornito T37B contains nyerereite microphenocrysts (4–8 wt.% BaO) that are epitaxially mantled by barian nyerereite (12–20 wt.% BaO). The latter are compositionally and texturally distinct from the groundmass phase X, which is considered to be a burbankite-group mineral. The fluorite-nyerereite clasts are considered to be derived from the magma chamber underlying hornitos T37B and T49B, and thus representative of some of the products of crystallization of natrocarbonatite magma under hypabyssal conditions. The origins of the sylvite microcrysts cannot, as yet, be determined.
Plasma thrombopoietin compared with immunoglobulin heavy-chain mutation status as a predictor of survival in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Koller Charles , Bekele B. Nebiyou , Zhou Xian , Park Charles , Estrov Zeev , O'Brien Susan , Keating Michael , Jilani Iman , Giles Francis J. , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Albitar Maher
Published: March 2006

We investigated the association of plasma thrombopoietin (TPO) and overall survival in 127 patients with previously treated and previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Higher levels of TPO were associated with advanced Rai stage (P < .001), higher levels of β2-microglobulin (β2-M) (P < .001), and the absence of mutation in the immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (IgVH) (P < .001), and were inversely correlated with platelet count (P = .002). We found that TPO correlated strongly in a continuous manner with overall survival in both previously treated and untreated patients. The univariate Cox proportional hazard model demonstrated that high TPO levels were associated with shorter survival (P < .001), and multiple variable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis demonstrated that this was independent of the IgVH mutation status, β2-M, and Rai stage. Recursive partitioning showed that a cutoff point of 639 pg/mL separated the CLL patients into 2 major survival groups (P < .001). The effects of β2-M were masked by the effects of TPO in the patients with TPO levels higher than 639 pg/mL, but in the remainder, patients with β2-M level higher than 4.95 mg/L had significantly shorter survival than those with lower values. Plasma TPO and β2-M may be useful for the prediction of clinical behavior in CLL and may replace the need for the determination of IgVH mutation status.
EpiJen: a server for multistep T cell epitope prediction
Authors: Doytchinova Irini A , Guan Pingping , Flower Darren R
Published: March 2006

Background

The main processing pathway for MHC class I ligands involves degradation of proteins by the proteasome, followed by transport of products by the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where peptides are bound by MHC class I molecules, and then presented on the cell surface by MHCs. The whole process is modeled here using an integrated approach, which we call EpiJen. EpiJen is based on quantitative matrices, derived by the additive method, and applied successively to select epitopes. EpiJen is available free online.

Results

To identify epitopes, a source protein is passed through four steps: proteasome cleavage, TAP transport, MHC binding and epitope selection. At each stage, different proportions of non-epitopes are eliminated. The final set of peptides represents no more than 5% of the whole protein sequence and will contain 85% of the true epitopes, as indicated by external validation. Compared to other integrated methods (NetCTL, WAPP and SMM), EpiJen performs best, predicting 61 of the 99 HIV epitopes used in this study.

Conclusion

EpiJen is a reliable multi-step algorithm for T cell epitope prediction, which belongs to the next generation ofin silicoT cell epitope identification methods. These methods aim to reduce subsequent experimental work by improving the success rate of epitope prediction.
Prediction of sinus rhythm maintenance following DC-cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation – the role of atrial cycle length
Authors: Meurling Carl J , Roijer Anders , Waktare Johan EP , Holmqvist Fredrik , Lindholm Carl J , Ingemansson Max P , Carlson Jonas , Stridh Martin , Sörnmo Leif , Olsson S Bertil
Published: March 2006

Background

Atrial electrical remodeling has been shown to influence the outcome the outcome following cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) in experimental studies.

The aim of the present study was to find out whether a non-invasively measured atrial fibrillatory cycle length, alone or in combination with other non-invasive parameters, could predict sinus rhythm maintenance after cardioversion of AF.

Methods

Dominant atrial cycle length (DACL), a previously validated non-invasive index of atrial refractoriness, was measured from lead V1 and a unipolar oesophageal lead prior to cardioversion in 37 patients with persistent AF undergoing their first cardioversion.

Results

32 patients were successfully cardioverted to sinus rhythm. The mean DACL in the 22 patients who suffered recurrence of AF within 6 weeks was 152 ± 15 ms (V1) and 147 ± 14 ms (oesophagus) compared to 155 ± 17 ms (V1) and 151 ± 18 ms (oesophagus) in those maintaining sinus rhythm (NS). Left atrial diameter was 48 ± 4 mm and 44 ± 7 mm respectively (NS). The optimal parameter predicting maintenance of sinus rhythm after 6 weeks appeared to be the ratio of the lowest dominant atrial cycle length (oesophageal lead or V1) to left atrial diameter. This ratio was significantly higher in patients remaining in sinus rhythm (3.4 ± 0.6 vs. 3.1 ± 0.4 ms/mm respectively, p = 0.04).

Conclusion

In this study neither an index of atrial refractory period nor left atrial diameter alone were predictors of AF recurrence within the 6 weeks of follow-up. The ratio of the two (combining electrophysiological and anatomical measurements) only slightly improve the identification of patients at high risk of recurrence of persistent AF. Consequently, other ways to asses electrical remodeling and / or other variables besides electrical remodeling are involved in determining the outcome following cardioversion.
The effects of migration velocity errors on traveltime accuracy in prestack Kirchhoff time migration and the image of PS converted waves
Authors: Dai Hengchang , Li Xiang-Yang
Published: March 2006

We analyze prestack PS migration images and their focusing sensitivity to errors in the computed PS traveltimes. The key analysis tool is a formula that defines PS traveltimes errors as explicit functions of velocity model errors. The most important factors in this formula are the PS velocity and the P-to-S velocity ratio. Analysis shows that the error in PS traveltime for shallow events is usually larger than that for deep events for a given error in the velocity model. Also the PS traveltime is affected more severely by errors in the PS-velocity model than in the P-to-S velocity ratio. The effect of traveltime errors increases with dip angle of reflectors. Numerical analysis shows that, for a fixed scatterpoint, the effect of the PS-wave velocity error is several times larger than the effect of the error in the P-to-S velocity ratio. Examples from field data show that the PS-wave velocity must be estimated accurately with errors less than 1% in order perfectly flatten the events in common-image-point (CIP) gathers. In contrast, an error in the PS-velocity ratio of up to several percent is allowed. This suggests that for acceptable PS-wave migration, only the PS-velocity model and a rough estimate of the P-to-S velocity ratio is needed. This finding is useful for processing PS-wave data because it is difficult and time consuming to estimate the velocity ratio accurately from the real data. This finding is also useful for our understanding of PS-wave behavior and for PS-wave imaging.
Surface-consistent deconvolution using reciprocity and waveform inversion
Authors: Vossen Robbert van , Curtis Andrew , Laake Andreas , Trampert Jeannot
Published: March 2006

Source and receiver responses must be equalized when their behavior or coupling changes with location within a given survey. Existing surface-consistent deconvolution techniques that account for these effects assume that common-midpoint (CMP) gathering is valid — the seismic trace is decomposed into a source function, a receiver response, a normal-incidence reflectivity term, and an offset-related component that is laterally shift invariant. As a result, the performance of existing surface-consistent deconvolution techniques is best when applied to primary reflection data only, since the offset dependency of ground roll and multiples varies laterally in media with lateral variations. We have developed an alternative method for surface-consistent deconvolution that is applicable to the entire seismic trace and is therefore essentially a raw-data preprocessing step. The method is based on reciprocity of the medium response. Assuming that conditions for applicability of reciprocity are met, we can attribute differences between normal and reciprocal recordings to the source and receiver perturbations. Contrary to existing surface-consistent deconvolution methods, this approach uses the full description of the wavefield and is therefore ideally suited for prestack processing. We have applied this technique to single-sensor data acquired in Manistee County, Michigan. At this site, near-surface conditions vary, and this significantly affects data quality. The application of the new deconvolution procedure substantially improves S/N ratio on both prestack and poststack data, and these results compare favorably to those obtained using existing surface-consistent deconvolution techniques, since they require subjective data scaling to obtain acceptable results. The obtained source corrections are correlated to changes in near-surface conditions — in this case, to changes in water-saturation levels. We do not observe such a correlation for the receiver corrections, which vary rapidly along the spread. Finally, the receiver response does not agree with the generally accepted damped harmonic oscillator model. For frequencies below 100 Hz, the retrieved receiver variations are larger than predicted by this model, and we cannot explain the receiver response using a single resonant frequency for the geophone-ground coupling.
This issue of GEOPHYSICS
Authors: Sun Yonghe
Published: March 2006

In this article, the Editor of Geophysics provides an overview of all technical articles in this issue of the journal.
Leaching of diethylhexyl phthalate from polyvinyl chloride materials into etoposide intravenous solutions
Authors: de Lemos Mário L , Hamata Linda , Vu Thanh
Published: March 2006

Etoposide intravenous solution is associated with leaching of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) from bags and tubings made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Recent evidence suggests that this may be more substantial than previously found. Since DEHP is potentially hepatotoxic and carcinogenic, it is preferable to prepare and administer etopo-side bags and tubings made from non-PVC materials.
Survey of topical oral solutions for the treatment of chemo-induced oral mucositis
Authors: Chan Alexandre , Ignoffo Robert J.
Published: March 2006

Purpose. The objectives of this study were (1) to describe the usage of topical oral solutions in patients experiencing chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (CIOM); and (2) to survey the care of oral mucositis provided to patients by clinical oncology pharmacists in institutional settings.

Methods. Surveys were distributed to institutional pharmacists in the US, who were asked to provide the components of their ‘magic mouthwash’. Other questions included whether an institutional mucositis management guideline is available and what is the involvement of clinical pharmacy in mucositis care.

Results. Forty institutions returned surveys during the study period. The top five ingredients used to compound the magic mouthwash are diphenhydramine, viscous lidocaine, magnesium hydroxide/aluminum hydroxide, nystatin and corticosteroids. Most institutions administer the mouthwash every 4 hours (36%) or every 6 hours (36%). Of the surveyed institutions, 33% currently possess guidelines for the management of CIOM.

Conclusions. Most institutions in the country formulate their topical solution, or magic mouthwash, with a variety of ingredients. There is a need to standardize the ingredients used to compound the magic mouthwash, in order to fully evaluate the efficacy of the solution to manage CIOM.
Survival Improvement in Patients With Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Who Undergo Pretargeted Anti–Carcinoembryonic-Antigen Radioimmunotherapy: A Collaborative Study With the French Endocrine Tumor Group
Authors: Chatal Jean-François , Campion Loïc , Kraeber-Bodéré Françoise , Bardet Stephane , Vuillez Jean-Philippe , Charbonnel Bernard , Rohmer Vincent , Chang Chien-Hsing , Sharkey Robert M. , Goldenberg David M. , Barbet Jacques
Published: March 2006

Purpose

No effective therapy is currently available for the management of patients with metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). The efficacy of pretargeted radioimmunotherapy (pRAIT) with bispecific monoclonal antibody (BsMAb) and a iodine-131 (131I) –labeled bivalent hapten is evaluated.

Patients and Methods

Twenty-nine patients with advanced, progressive MTC, as documented by short serum calcitonin doubling times (Ct DTs), received an anti–carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)/anti–diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) –indium BsMAb, followed 4 days later by a 131I-labeled bivalent hapten. Overall survival (OS) was compared with 39 contemporaneous untreated MTC patients with comparable prognostic indicators.

Results

OS was significantly longer in high-risk, treated patients (Ct DT < 2 years) than in high-risk, untreated patients (median OS, 110 v 61 months; P < .030). Forty-seven percent of patients, defined as biologic responders by a more than 100% increase in CtDT, experienced significantly longer survival than nonresponders (median OS, 159 v 109 months; P < .035) and untreated patients (median OS, 159 v 61 months; P < .010). Treated patients with bone/bone-marrow disease had a longer survival than patients without such involvement (10-year OS, 83% v 14%; P < .023). Toxicity was mainly hematologic and related to bone/bone-marrow tumor spread.

Conclusion

pRAIT against CEA induced long-term disease stabilization and a significantly longer survival in high-risk patients with Ct DTs less than 2 years, compared with similarly high-risk, untreated patients. Ct DT and bone-marrow involvement appear to be prognostic indicators in MTC patients who undergo pRAIT.
DrosophilaIk2, a member of the IκB kinase family, is required for mRNA localization during oogenesis
Authors: Shapiro Risa S. , Anderson Kathryn V.
Published: March 2006

In both Drosophila and mammals, IκB kinases (IKKs) regulate the activity of Rel/NF-κB transcription factors by targeting their inhibitory partner proteins, IκBs, for degradation. We identified mutations in ik2, the gene that encodes one of two Drosophila IKKs, and found that the gene is essential for viability. During oogenesis, ik2 is required in an NF-κB-independent process that is essential for the localization of oskar and gurken mRNAs; as a result, females that lack ik2 in the germline produce embryos that are both bicaudal and ventralized. The abnormal RNA localization in ik2 mutant oocytes can be attributed to defects in the organization of microtubule minus-ends. In addition, both mutant oocytes and mutant escaper adults have abnormalities in the organization of the actin cytoskeleton. These data suggest that this IκB kinase has an NF-κB-independent role in mRNA localization and helps to link microtubule minus-ends to the oocyte cortex, a novel function of the IKK family.
Selective Permeation of Carbon Dioxide over Nitrogen through Polyethyleneoxide-Containing Polyimide Membranes
Authors: Okamoto Ken-ichi , Umeo Nobuhiro , Okamyo Shuusaku , Tanaka Kazuhiro , Kita Hidetoshi
Published: March 2006

Polyethyleneoxide(PEO)-containing copolyimides having microphase separated structure have high permeability to CO2 and high permselectivity for CO2 over N2. The permeation occurs through soft segment phase of PEO and the high permselectivity is ascribed to high solubility selectivity.
Organic Synthesis with Trialkylphosphine Catalysts. Conjugate Addition of Alcohols to α,β-Unsaturated Alkynic Acid Esters
Authors: Inanaga Junji , Baba Yoshiyasu , Hanamoto Takeshi
Published: March 2006

The conjugate addition of alcohols to α,β-unsaturated alkynic acid esters proceeds under neutral conditions in the presence of a catalytic amount of trialkylphosphine to give the corresponding β-alkoxy-α,β-unsaturated alkenic acid esters in good to excellent yields.
Time-resolved Absorption Spectral Measurement of Polymer Films during Laser Ablation
Authors: Fukumura Hiroshi , Hamano Kouji , Masuhara Hiroshi
Published: March 2006

Transient absorption spectra of p-terphenyl doped poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) film upon laser ablation shows that no other transient species than the excited singlet and triplet states is involved. Fragmented particles were observed from 50 ns after excitation, while all morphological changes were completed in sub-ms time range.
5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(2-amino-6-methoxycarbonylphenyl)porphyrin. Synthesis and Separation of Atropisomers Useful for Porphyrin Architecture
Authors: Nishino Norikazu , Sakamoto Toshiaki , Kiyota Hiroshi , Mihara Hisakazu , Yanai Tomoko , Fujimoto Tsutomu
Published: March 2006

5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(2-amino-6-methoxycarbonylphenyl)porphyrin was synthesized and three atropisomers in four were successfully separated. Different from the related mono-substituted tetraphenylporphyrins (2-amino- and 2-methoxycarbonylphenylporphyrins), the rotation of the bond between phenyl and porphyrin rings was totally prohibited under thermal isomerization.
Palladium- or Platinum-Catalyzed Novel Double Silylation of α-Diketones or a Benzoylformate with Hexamethyldisilane Affording 1,2-Bis(siloxy)ethenes or a Double Silylated Tartrate Derivative
Authors: Yamashita Hiroshi , Reddy N Prabhakar , Tanaka Masato
Published: March 2006

α-Diketones (benzil, methyl phenyl diketone, acenaphthenequinone, camphorquinone) reacted with hexamethyldisilane in the presence of a Pd or Pt catalyst (PdCl2(PMe3)2, Pt2(dba)3-P(OCH2)3CEt, etc.) to give the corresponding 1,2-bis(trimethylsiloxy)ethenes in excellent to moderate yields, while methyl benzoylformate provided dimethyl 2,3-diphenyl-2,3-bis(O-trimethylsilyl)tartrate.
A Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of α-Glucosides from 1-Thioglucoside Derivative under High Pressure
Authors: Gama Yasuo , Yasumoto Masahiko
Published: March 2006

High pressure-assisted glycosylation reaction of 2-benzothiazoyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-1-thio-β-d-glucopyranoside with various alcohols by using methyl iodide as an activator gave α-glucosides in good yield with high selectivity without any use of heavy metal salts.
Highly Convenient Syntheses of Manoalide Analogues and Udoteafuran via an Alkylstannane Route
Authors: Katsumura Shigeo , Inagaki Yasuhiro , Tsujino Katsunori , Han Qingjun
Published: March 2006

Manoalide analogues, which inhibit bovine pancreatic phospholipase A2 to the same extent as manoalides, a deshydroxymanoalide analogue, and udoteafuran were synthesized in short steps.
SN2′-Regio- and Diastereoselective Allylation of Organozinc Reagents
Authors: Arai Masayuki , Kawasuji Takashi , Nakamura Eiichi
Published: March 2006

Dialkylzinc reagents, R2Zn and R2Zn·LiCl, undergo an SN2′-regio- and diastereoselective allylation reaction with substituted allylic chlorides and phosphates in the presence of a coordinating additive.
Li+-Selective Transport by Acyclic Neutral Carriers Having Benzoquinolyl Units
Authors: Hirose Takuji , Hiratani Kazuhisa , Fujiwara Kyoko , Kasuga Kazuyuki
Published: March 2006

1,2-Bis(benzoquinolyloxy)ethane, which has been prepared as a carrier in alkali cation transport through liquid membranes, exhibits high Li+-selectivity. From a systematic investigation, we found the length of the ethylene chain linking the two benzoquinolyl units is crucial for Li+-selective transport.
Carbon Isotopic Compositions in Antarctic Carbonaceous Chondrites
Authors: Shimoyama Akira , Naraoka Hiroshi , Matsubaya Osamu , Harada Kaoru
Published: March 2006

Total carbon contents and carbon isotopic compositions (δ13C relative to PDB) in 33 specimens of Antarctic carbonaceous chondrites are in the ranges of 0.02 to 2.49% and −16.9 to +0.9‰ with the mean values 1.31% and −5.8‰, respectively. The value −5.8‰ is very close to that for the average juvenile mantle carbon but is 5.7‰ higher than that for non-Antarctic ones.
Photocatalytic Activity of Titanium Dioxide Loaded with Cerium Oxide
Authors: Sakata Yoshihisa , Hirata Yasunobu , Miyahara Kanji , Imamura Hayao , Tsuchiya Susumu
Published: March 2006

A cerium oxide loaded TiO2 catalyst exhibited a high photocatalytic activity of H2 production from methanol aqueous solution. It was confirmed that this catalyst pretreated by H2 and O2 has an ability for photocatalytic decomposition of H2O in NaOH aqueous solution into H2 and O2 (10 M NaOH).
Synthesis and Characterization of Tetra(tert-butyl)-2,3-anthracenocyaninatoiron(II) Compounds
Authors: Hanack Michael , Dieing Reinhold , Röhrig Ursula
Published: March 2006

Bis(isocyanide) and bis(pyridine) complexes of tetra(tert-butyl)-2,3-anthracenocyaninatoiron(II) were synthesized from 6-tert-butyl-2,3-dicyanoanthracene and characterized by UV/Vis, NMR, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Linear annulation of benzene rings to the phthalocyanine macrocycle produces a bathochromic shift of the Q-band. The first oxidation potential of the 2,3-anthracenocyanine macrocycle determined by cyclic voltammetry is lower than that of 2,3-naphthalocyanine.
Preparation of Poly(3-alkoxythiophene-2,5-diyl)s by Organometallic Process and Doping-Undoping Behaviors of the Polymers
Authors: Miyazaki Yuichi , Kanbara Takaki , Osakada Kohtaro , Yamamoto Takakazu
Published: March 2006

Poly(thiophene-2,5-diyl) derivatives having alkoxy substituents at 3-positions are synthesized by dehalogenation polycondensation of the corresponding 2,5-dibromothiophene derivatives with zero-valent nickel complex. The obtained polymers show not only usual p-type doping and undoping behaviors but also unique n-type doping and undoping behaviors due to the stabilization of n-doped state by interaction between dopant cation and ethereal oxygen.
Intercalation/Polymerization of the Anilinium Cation in the VOPO4 Interlayer Space
Authors: Nakajima Hiroshi , Matsubayashi Gen-etsu
Published: March 2006

Powdered VOPO4·2H2O suspended in excess neat aniline gives intercalation compounds VOPO4·(H2O)x·(PhNH3+)y (0.6 < x < 1.1; 0.5 < y < 1.0) with the reduction of the V(V) to V(IV) state. The compounds with y > 0.7 lead to the polymerization of the cation by addition of the Cu(II) ion to afford polyaniline. Suspended VOPO4·2H2O powders react with PhNH3+Cl− dissolved in ethanol to give the compound intercalated with both the anilinium cation and polyaniline.
Collapsing Processes in Stearic Acid Monolayer Studied by Brewster Angle Microscope
Authors: Lu Zuhong , Nakahara Hiroo
Published: March 2006

Collapsing processes of a stearic acid monolayer have been studied on the different subphases by a Brewster angle microscope. It has been suggested that the collapsing processes can be classified into three basic models: nucleation, straight ridge-like catastrophe, and ultrafine particle accumulation. The collapsing structures depend on the interaction between the head groups and the aqueous subphase.
Sequence analysis of RNase MRP RNA reveals its origination from eukaryotic RNase P RNA
Authors: Zhu Yanglong , Stribinskis Vilius , Ramos Kenneth S. , Li Yong
Published: March 2006

RNase MRP is a eukaryote-specific endoribonuclease that generates RNA primers for mitochondrial DNA replication and processes precursor rRNA. RNase P is a ubiquitous endoribonuclease that cleaves precursor tRNA transcripts to produce their mature 5′ termini. We found extensive sequence homology of catalytic domains and specificity domains between their RNA subunits in many organisms. In Candida glabrata, the internal loop of helix P3 is 100% conserved between MRP and P RNAs. The helix P8 of MRP RNA from microsporidia Encephalitozoon cuniculi is identical to that of P RNA. Sequence homology can be widely spread over the whole molecule of MRP RNA and P RNA, such as those from Dictyostelium discoideum. These conserved nucleotides between the MRP and P RNAs strongly support the hypothesis that the MRP RNA is derived from the P RNA molecule in early eukaryote evolution.
Functional links between the Prp19-associated complex, U4/U6 biogenesis, and spliceosome recycling
Authors: Chen Chun-Hong , Kao Der-I , Chan Shih-Peng , Kao Tsu-Chung , Lin Jui-Yen , Cheng Soo-Chen
Published: March 2006

The Prp19-associated complex, consisting of at least eight protein components, is involved in spliceosome activation by specifying the interaction of U5 and U6 with pre-mRNA for their stable association with the spliceosome after U4 dissociation. We show here that yeast cells depleted of one or two of the Prp19-associated components, accumulate the free form of U4. In NTC25-deleted cells, the level of U6 was also reduced. Extracts prepared from NTC25-deleted cells contained neither free U4 nor U6 and were ineffective in spliceosome recycling in the in vitro splicing reaction. Overexpression of U6 partially rescued the temperature-sensitive growth defect and decreased the relative amount of free U4 in NTC25-deleted cells, indicating that the accumulation of free U4 was a consequence of insufficient amounts of U6 snRNA. Extracts prepared from U6-overproducing NTC25-deleted cells containing free-form U6 were capable of spliceosome recycling, suggesting a role of free U6 RNP in spliceosome recycling. Our results demonstrate that in addition to direct participation in spliceosome activation, the Prp19-associated complex has an indirect role in spliceosome recycling through affecting the biogenesis of U4/U6 snRNP in the in vivo splicing reaction.
mRNA translation is compartmentalized to the endoplasmic reticulum following physiological inhibition of cap-dependent translation
Authors: Lerner Rachel S. , Nicchitta Christopher V.
Published: March 2006

Eukaryotic cells utilize a cycle of ribosome trafficking on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to partition mRNAs between the cytosol and ER compartments. In this process, ribosomes engaged in the synthesis of signal sequence-bearing proteins are trafficked to the endoplasmic reticulum via the signal-recognition particle pathway and are released from the ER upon translation termination. Though the processes governing ribosome trafficking to the ER are well understood, little is known regarding the complementary ribosome release process. In this study, Coxsackie B virus (CBV) infection was used to inactivate the initiation stage of protein synthesis, thereby limiting translation to the elongation and termination stages. Ribosome partitioning between the cytosol and ER compartments was examined to determine the role of termination in ribosome release from the ER. CBV infection resulted in efficient cleavage of eIF4G and PABP, coincident with polyribosome breakdown in the cytosol and ER compartments. Termination resulted in the continued association of ribosomes with the ER compartment, rather than the expected process of ribosome release. Analyses of ribosome/mRNA loading patterns in the cytosol and ER revealed that CBV infection was accompanied by a suppression of mRNA translation in the cytosol and the sustained, although reduced, translation in the ER compartment. Direct biosynthetic labeling experiments demonstrated that protein synthesis on the ER was enhanced relative to the cytosol following CBV infection. In total, these data demonstrate that ribosome and mRNA release from the ER is regulated independent of translation termination and identify the ER as a privileged site for protein synthesis.
Editorial Notes
Authors: Sambamurthy Vallabh
Published: March 2006

We announce the appointment of 17 new associate editors for the journal. Further, the journal has now migrated to an online system for the submission and review of manuscripts. The system is called Manuscript Central (http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/isr) and is similar to the system in use for other INFORMS journals. Finally, proposals for a new special issue are invited. These proposals should focus on, and highlight emerging, interdisciplinary research on novel and underresearched phenomena and must adhere to the guidelines developed for the journal.
Distribution of Bacterial Proteins in Biofilms Formed by Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae
Authors: Webster Paul , Wu Siva , Gomez Gerardo , Apicella Michael , Plaut Andrew G. , Geme III Joseph W. St.
Published: March 2006

The ability to preserve the fragile ultrastructural organization of bacterial biofilms using cryo-preparation methods for electron microscopy has enabled us to probe sections through non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) biofilms and determine the localization of NTHi-specific lipooligosaccharide (LOS) and proteins within these structures. Some of the proteins we examined are currently being considered as candidates for vaccine development, so it is important that their distribution and accessibility within the biofilms formed by NTHi be determined. We have localized LOS to the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the biofilm and the P6 outer membrane protein to the membrane of what appear to be viable bacteria within the biofilm. The Hap and HWM1/HMW2 adhesive proteins were associated with bacteria within the biofilm and were present in the biofilm ECM. The IgA1 protease is a secreted protein that was also associated with NTHi in the biofilm and was in the ECM, but was more concentrated in the top region of the biofilm, suggesting a role in protecting biofilm bacteria from antibody attack.
The Importance of Integrating Flashing and the Water Resistive Barrier in the Exterior Wall Systems of Residential Buildings
Authors: Dorin L
Published: March 2006

Building science studies have recognized the importance of the proper installation of flashing and its integration with the water resistive barriers as very important to the success of a wall assembly. The roll of flashing is to direct water away from the opening to the water resistive barrier, which in turn directs the water to the exit point in the wall. The integration of these two elements and the quality of their installation is ultimately important to the success of the wall system. It is equally important to select products, which perform as intended after installation. Extensive testing has been conducted on local and regional methods that do not follow the guidelines in E 2112. When tested, many of these installation methods completely fail to perform the required function of preventing water leakage. Conclusions are that it is important to follow E 2112 in installing flashing and integrating it with the water resitive barrier (WRB). It is equally important that a WRB is used. Each element of the installation is important. If the flashing is perfect, but the WRB lets water through, then there are potential problems.
Combustion Tests Under High Pressure Oxygen: Promoted Ignition Combustion Test Versus Metallic Disk Ignition Test
Authors: Binder C , Kasch T , Lehné S , Beck U , Weise M , Sahre M
Published: March 2006

Two different test apparatuses are used at BAM to evaluate the safety of oxygen components: First, the “promoted ignition combustion test” according to ASTM G 124 [1] and to EIGA IGC Doc 13/02/E [2], and second, the new “metallic disk ignition test” that has not been standardized yet. The standard test method ASTM G 124 allows a ranking of metallic materials for use at high pressure oxygen. However, the transfer of those test results to valves and fittings in real-life situations is rather complex. The “metallic disk ignition test,” developed at BAM, is more practice oriented and uses metallic disks of different thicknesses of the investigated material. A commonly used nonmetallic sealing ring is placed in front of this disk and serves as an igniter. This test array is then exposed to high pressure gaseous oxygen impacts in a standardized pneumatic impact tester according to DIN EN 1797 [3].
A Thermal Analysis Method for Measuring Polymer Flammability
Authors: Lyon RE , Walters RN , Stoliarov SI
Published: March 2006

A thermal analysis method is presented in which controlled heating of polymer samples and complete combustion of the evolved gases are used to separately reproduce the condensed and gas phase processes of flaming combustion in a single laboratory test. Oxygen consumption calorimetry applied to the combustion gas stream gives the heat release rate history of the sample as a function of its temperature. The maximum rate of heat release and the temperature at which it occurs are polymer characteristics related to fire performance and flame resistance.
Male/Female Relations in the Commune: Progress or Regress?
Authors: Tentchoff Dorice
Published: March 2006

Jon Wagner (ed.) Sex Roles in Contemporary American Communes. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press, 1982. vii+ 242 pp. $17.50 (paper)
A New Biography Of Ruth Benedict; Old Wine and Old Bottles; Economic Change In Papua New Guinea
Authors: Landman Ruth H. , Colson Elizabeth , Nachman Steven
Published: March 2006

Judith Schacter Modell. Ruth Benedict: Patterns of. Life. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1983. + 355 pp. $25.00 (cloth)

Robert Lawless. Vinson H. Sutlive. Jr. and Mario D. Zamora. editors, Fieldwork The Human Experience. New York: Gordon & Breach, 1983. xxi. 196 pp. $27.50 (cloth)

Deborah B. Gewertz Sepik River Societies:. Historical Ethnography of the Cbanibri and Their Neighbors. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1983. xii. 266 pp. $25.OO
"Descriptive Integration" In Biography: Two Women; Interdisciplinary Approaches to Identity; New Ethno Art Journal
Authors: Frank Gelya , Lee Alfred McClung , Ottenberg Simon
Published: March 2006

Gae Whitney Canfield. Sarah Winnemucca of the Northern Paiutes. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1983. xiv. 306 pp. Illustrations. $19‐95 (cloth).

Broughton Coburn. Nepali Aama: Portrait of. Nepalese Hill Woman. Santa Barbara, California: Ross‐Erikson, 1982. 165 pp. Illustrations. $9‐95 (paper).

Anita Jacobson‐Widding. ed. Identity: Personal and Sorio‐Cultural. Stockholm, Sweden: Almqvist & Wikesell; Atlantic Highlands, N.J.: Humanities, 1983. 423 pp. $46.00 (cloth)

Res: Anthropology and Aesthetics. No. 1, Spring 1981, 123 pp.; No. 2, Autumn 1981, 143 pp.; No. 3, Spring 1982, 117 pp. Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, in collaboration with the Laboratoire d'Ethnologie, University of Paris X, Nanterre.
Approaches to Amazonian Magic and Shamanism
Authors: Sandstrom Alan R.
Published: March 2006

Michael F. Brown. Tsewa's Gift: Magic and Meaning in an Amazonian Society. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1986. 220 pp. $19.95 (cloth).

Michael Taussig. Shamanism, Colonialism, and the Wild Man:. Study in Terror and Healing. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 1987. xix plus 517 pp. $29.95 (cloth).
Shamans, Storytellers, and Aesthetic Production
Authors: Cobb Ann Kuckelman
Published: March 2006

James Dow. The Shaman's Touch: Otomi Indian Symbolic Healing. Salt Lake City, UT: University of Utah Press, 1986. xiii plus 180 pp. $13.95 (cloth).

Alan R. Sandstrom and Pamela Effrein Sandstrom. Traditional Papermaking and Paper Cult Figures of Mexico. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press, 1986. xxv plus 327 pp. $24.95 (cloth).

Barbara A. Babcock. Guy Monthan. and Doris Monthan. The Pueblo Storyteller. Tucson, AZ: The University of Arizona Press, 1986. xix plus 201 pp. $40.00 (cloth).
Gardner's Forest Fires: Hindu Bliss
Authors: Larson Heidi
Published: March 2006

Forest of Bliss Directed, filmed, and edited by Robert Gardner. Produced by Akos Oster and Robert Gardner. Sound second camera Ned Johnston. USA, 1985, 90 min.
Land of Plenty: Oklahomans in the Cotton Fields of Arizona, 1933‐1942
Authors: McElroy Ann
Published: March 2006

Land of Plenty: Oklahomans in the Cotton Fields of Arizona, 1933‐1942. Marsha L. Weisiger. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. 1995. $24.95 cloth.
Laparotomy Versus Peritoneal Drainage for Necrotizing Enterocolitis or Isolated Intestinal Perforation in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants: Outcomes Through 18 Months Adjusted Age
Authors: Blakely Martin L. , Tyson Jon E. , Lally Kevin P. , McDonald Scott , Stoll Barbara J. , Stevenson David K. , Poole W. Kenneth , Jobe Alan H. , Wright Linda L. , Higgins Rosemary D. ,   for the NICHD Neonatal Research Network
Published: March 2006

OBJECTIVE. Extremely low birth weight (ELBW; ≤1000 g) infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or isolated intestinal perforation (IP) are treated surgically with either initial laparotomy or peritoneal drain placement. The only published data comparing these therapies are from small, retrospective, single-center studies that do not address outcomes beyond nursery discharge. The objective of this study was to conduct a prospective, multicenter, observational study to (1) develop a hypothesis about the relative effect of these 2 therapies on risk-adjusted outcomes through 18 to 22 months in ELBW infants and (2) to obtain data that would be useful in designing and conducting a successful trial of this hypothesis.

METHODS. A prospective, cohort study was conducted at 16 clinical centers within the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network. To assist in risk adjustment, the attending pediatric surgeon recorded the preoperative diagnosis and intraoperative diagnosis and identified infants who were considered to be too ill for laparotomy. Predefined measures of short- and longer-term outcome included (1) either predischarge death or prolonged parenteral nutrition (>85 days) after enrollment and (2) either death or neurodevelopmental impairment on a standardized examination at 18 to 22 months' adjusted age.

RESULTS. Severe NEC or IP occurred in 156 (5.2%) of 2987 ELBW infants; 80 were treated with initial drainage, and 76 were treated with initial laparotomy. By 18 to 22 months, 78 (50%) had died; 112 (72%) had died or were shown to be impaired. Outcome was worse in the subgroup with NEC. Laparotomy was never performed in 76% (28 of 36) of drain-treated survivors.

CONCLUSIONS. Drainage was commonly used, and outcome was poor. Our findings, particularly the risk-adjusted odds ratio favoring laparotomy for death or impairment, indicate the need for a large, multicenter clinical trial to assess the effect of the initial surgical therapy on outcome at ≥18 months.