bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BioPAX– biological pathway data exchange format
Authors: Bader Gary D. , Cary Michael P. , Sander Chris
Published: July 2006

Pathway information is vital for successful modeling of cellular systems. The over 215 on‐line pathway databases vary widely in representation and coverage of biological processes, making their combined use extremely difficult. Future pathway information systems for querying, visualization, and analysis must support standard exchange formats to successfully integrate data on a large scale. BioPAX (www.biopax.org) is a data exchange format for biological pathways developed by pathway databases, such as BioCyc, WIT, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), aMAZE, Integrating Network Objects with Hierarchies (INOH), PATIKA, Reactome, Biomolecular Interaction Database (BIND), and others. Level 1 supports metabolic pathways. Level 2 adds support for molecular interactions. Level 3 will add additional support for signal transduction and genetic regulatory networks. The ultimate goal of BioPAX is to enable seamless collection and use of pathway information so that it may be efficiently applied to answer biological questions.
Cover Picture: Colloidal Synthesis of Hollow Cobalt Sulfide Nanocrystals (Adv. Funct. Mater. 11/2006)
Authors: Yin Y. , Erdonmez C. K. , Cabot A. , Hughes S. , Alivisatos A. P.
Published: July 2006

Hollow nanocrystals have been synthesized through a mechanism analogous to the Kirkendall Effect. When a cobalt nanocrystal reacts with sulfur in solution, the outward diffusion of cobalt atoms is faster than the inward diffusion of sulfur atoms through the sulfide shell. The dominating outward diffusion of cobalt cations produces vacancies that can condense into a single void in the center of the nanocrystal at high temperatures. This process provides a general route to the synthesis of hollow nanostructures of a large number of compounds and is described in the Full Paper by A. P. Alivisatos and co‐workers on p. 1389.

Formation of cobalt sulfide hollow nanocrystals through a mechanism similar to the Kirkendall Effect has been investigated in detail. It is found that performing the reaction at > 120 °C leads to fast formation of a single void inside each shell, whereas at room temperature multiple voids are formed within each shell, which can be attributed to strongly temperature‐dependent diffusivities for vacancies. The void formation process is dominated by outward diffusion of cobalt cations; still, the occurrence of significant inward transport of sulfur anions can be inferred as the final voids are smaller in diameter than the original cobalt nanocrystals. Comparison of volume distributions for initial and final nanostructures indicates excess apparent volume in shells, implying significant porosity and/or a defective structure. Indirect evidence for fracture of shells during growth at lower temperatures was observed in shell‐size statistics and transmission electron microscopy images of as‐grown shells. An idealized model of the diffusional process imposes two minimal requirements on material parameters for shell growth to be obtainable within a specific synthetic system.
Complete trisomy 17p syndrome in a girl with der(14)t(14;17)(p11.2;p11.2)
Authors: Mikhail Fady M. , McIlvried Dawn , Holt R. Lynn , Messiaen Ludwine , Descartes Maria D. , Carroll Andrew J.
Published: July 2006

We report on an 8‐year‐old girl with near‐complete trisomy 17p syndrome due to a de novo unbalanced t(14;17)(p11.2;p11.2). She has features consistent with the previously described cases with complete trisomy 17p, including pre‐ and post‐natal growth retardation, motor and mental retardation, skeletal anomalies, clinodactyly of the 5th finger, hypertrichosis, as well as facial characteristics including microcephaly, receding forehead, ptosis, low‐set malformed ears, smooth philtrum, high‐arched palate, and a short broad neck. Fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that the breakpoints were p11.2 for both chromosome 14 and 17. Microsatellite analysis showed that the duplicated 17p was of paternal origin, and indicated that the breakpoint involving 17p11.2 is most likely located within the ∼1‐Mb segment from the centromere, and not involving the proximal Smith–Magenis syndrome (SMS) low copy repeat. We compare the clinical features of our patient with those previously reported to further delineate the phenotype of complete trisomy 17p syndrome. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comprehensive genetic analysis of relevant four genes in 49 patients with Marfan syndrome or Marfan‐related phenotypes
Authors: Sakai Haruya , Visser Remco , Ikegawa Shiro , Ito Etsuro , Numabe Hironao , Watanabe Yoriko , Mikami Haruo , Kondoh Tatsuro , Kitoh Hiroshi , Sugiyama Ryusuke , Okamoto Nobuhiko , Ogata Tsutomu , Fodde Riccardo , Mizuno Seiji , Takamura Kyoko , Egashira Masayuki , Sasaki Nozomu , Watanabe Sachiro , Nishimaki Shigeru , Takada Fumio , Nagai Toshiro , Okada Yasushi , Aoka Yoshikazu , Yasuda Kazushi , Iwasa Mitsuji , Kogaki Shigetoyo , Harada Naoki , Mizuguchi Takeshi , Matsumoto Naomichi
Published: July 2006

In order to evaluate the contribution of FBN1, FBN2, TGFBR1, and TGFBR2 mutations to the Marfan syndrome (MFS) phenotype, the four genes were analyzed by direct sequencing in 49 patients with MFS or suspected MFS as a cohort study. A total of 27 FBN1 mutations (22 novel) in 27 patients (55%, 27/49), 1 novel TGFBR1 mutation in 1 (2%, 1/49), and 2 recurrent TGFBR2 mutations in 2 (4%, 2/49) were identified. No FBN2 mutation was found. Three patients with either TGFBR1 or TGFBR2 abnormality did not fulfill the Ghent criteria, but expressed some overlapping features of MFS and Loeys–Dietz syndrome (LDS). In the remaining 19 patients, either of the genes did not show any abnormalities. This study indicated that FBN1 mutations were predominant in MFS but TGFBRs defects may account for approximately 5–10% of patients with the syndrome. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pharmacokinetics and Stability Properties of Catalase Modified with Water‐Soluble Polysaccharides
Authors: Valdivia Aymara , Pérez Yunel , Gómez Leissy , Ramírez Hector L. , Schacht Etienne H. , Villalonga Reynaldo
Published: July 2006

Bovine liver catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) was chemically modified with mannan, carboxymethylcellulose, and carboxymethylchitin. The enzyme retained about 48–97% of the initial specific activity after glycosidation with the polysaccharides. The prepared neoglycoenzyme was 1.9–5.7 fold more stable against the thermal inactivation processes at 55°C, in comparison with the native counterpart. Also, the modified enzyme was more resistant to proteolytic degradation with trypsin. Pharmacokinetics studies revealed higher plasma half‐life time for all the enzyme‐polymer preparations, but better results were achieved for the enzyme modified with the anionic macromolecules.
A Dodecalanthanide Wheel Supported by p‐tert‐Butylsulfonylcalix[4]arene
Authors: Kajiwara Takashi , Katagiri Kensuke , Takaishi Shinya , Yamashita Masahiro , Iki Nobuhiko
Published: July 2006

A dodecaholmium wheel of [Ho12(L)6(mal)4(AcO)4(H2O)14] (1; mal=malonate) was synthesized by using p‐tert‐butylsulfonylcalix[4]arene (H4L) as a cluster‐forming ligand. The wheel consists of three fragments of mononuclear A3− ([Ho(L)(mal)(H2O)]3−), trinuclear B3− ([Ho(H2O)2(mal)(Ho(L)(AcO))2]3−), and C3+ ([Ho(H2O)2]3+), and an alternate arrangement of these fragments (A3−C3+B3−C3+A3−C3+B3−C3+) results in a wheel structure. The longest and shortest diameters of the core were estimated to be 17.7562(16) and 13.6810(13) Å, respectively, and the saddle‐shaped molecule possesses a pocketlike cavity inside.
Maximum Likelihood Estimation of Marginal Pairwise Associations with Multiple Source Predictors
Authors: O'Brien Liam M. , Fitzmaurice Garrett M. , Horton Nicholas J.
Published: July 2006

Researchers interested in the association of a predictor with an outcome will often collect information about that predictor from more than one source. Standard multiple regression methods allow estimation of the effect of each predictor on the outcome while controlling for the remaining predictors. The resulting regression coefficient for each predictor has an interpretation that is conditional on all other predictors. In settings in which interest is in comparison of the marginal pairwise relationships between each predictor and the outcome separately (e.g., studies in psychiatry with multiple informants or comparison of the predictive values of diagnostic tests), standard regression methods are not appropriate. Instead, the generalized estimating equations (GEE) approach can be used to simultaneously estimate, and make comparisons among, the separate pairwise marginal associations. In this paper, we consider maximum likelihood (ML) estimation of these marginal relationships when the outcome is binary. ML enjoys benefits over GEE methods in that it is asymptotically efficient, can accommodate missing data that are ignorable, and allows likelihood‐based inferences about the pairwise marginal relationships. We also explore the asymptotic relative efficiency of ML and GEE methods in this setting. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Technical skills examination for general surgical trainees
Authors: Datta V , Bann S , Aggarwal R , Mandalia M , Hance J , Darzi A
Published: July 2006

Background

The technical skills of surgical trainees are difficult to assess and compare objectively. This study involved a structured, multistation, technical skills examination that enables the stratification of surgical trainees.

Methods

Twenty-two surgeons (five basic surgical trainees, eight junior specialist trainees, four senior specialist trainees and five consultants) participated in the study. All undertook a five-station technical skills examination consisting of three synthetic simulations (bowel anastomosis, vascular anastomosis, saphenofemoral dissection) and two virtual reality-based (flexible sigmoidoscopy and laparoscopy) assessment stations. Video-based analyses and in-built computer scoring were used to measure each surgeon's performance. The mean rank was determined for each variable, and the sum of the mean ranks produced a total score.

Results

There was a significant improvement in overall performance with increasing seniority (P < 0·001). Significant differences were observed between basic surgical trainees and junior specialist trainees (P = 0·019), and between junior and senior specialist trainees (P = 0·048), but not between senior trainees and consultants.

Conclusion

This examination successfully differentiated surgical skill, both between surgeons with different grades of experience and within the target study group of specialist trainees. The examination is feasible in terms of the timeframe needed to complete tasks, cost, and efficiency in performing video-based assessments.
Serum levels of the interferon-γ-inducible α chemokine CXCL10 in patients with active Graves' disease, and modulation by methimazole therapy and thyroidectomy
Authors: Antonelli A , Fallahi P , Rotondi M , Ferrari S M , Serio M , Miccoli P
Published: July 2006

Background

The interferon-γ-inducible chemokine CXCL10 is highly expressed in infiltrating inflammatory cells, and in thyrocytes in patients with Graves' disease. The aim of this study was to measure serum levels of CXCL10 in relation to thyroid function and treatment.

Methods

Serum levels of CXCL10 were measured in 22 patients with Graves' disease when hyperthyroid, when euthyroid under methimazole therapy, and 3 days after near-total thyroidectomy. They were compared with levels in three groups of age- and sex-matched controls: 44 subjects with no thyroid disorder, 44 patients with euthyroid autoimmune thyroiditis and 20 with toxic nodular goitre.

Results

Basal serum levels of CXCL10 in patients with Graves' disease were higher than levels in patients with toxic nodular goitre or no thyroid disorder, and similar to levels in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis (mean(s.d.) 167(121), 100(24), 78(46) and 142(107) pg/ml respectively; P < 0·010). Among patients with Graves' disease, serum levels of CXCL10 were significantly higher in those aged over 50 years (P = 0·010), with a hypoechoic pattern at thyroid ultrasonography (P < 0·001) or with hypervascularity (P = 0·001). CXCL10 levels in patients with Graves' disease decreased significantly when euthyroidism was achieved by methimazole therapy (P < 0·010), and a further decrease was observed after thyroidectomy (P < 0·010).

Conclusion

Serum levels of CXCL10 are higher in newly diagnosed hyperthyroid patients with Graves' disease than in those with toxic nodular goitre, and decrease when euthyroidism is achieved with antithyroid therapy. This high level may be related to the active inflammatory phase of Graves' disease. A further reduction of CXCL10 levels after thyroidectomy indicates that it is produced mainly in the thyroid in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease.
Cytoreductive surgery and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy for pseudomyxoma peritonei from appendiceal mucinous neoplasms
Authors: Yan T D , Links M , Xu Z Y , Kam P C , Glenn D , Morris D L
Published: July 2006

Background

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (PIC) has been used to treat pseudomyxoma peritonei. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate survival outcome and treatment-related prognostic markers in patients who underwent CRS and PIC for pseudomyxoma peritonei from appendiceal mucinous neoplasms.

Methods

Survival data and 12 clinicopathological and treatment-related prognostic variables for survival were obtained prospectively in 50 consecutive patients (23 men). Univariate analysis was used to determine their prognostic significance for overall survival, determined from the time of CRS.

Results

The mean(s.d.) age was 52(12) years. Eighteen patients had moderate complications, and six patients had severe complications that required operation or intensive care support. Two patients died after surgery. The actuarial 5-year survival rate was 69 per cent. Univariate analysis demonstrated that the extent of previous surgery (P = 0·045) and Ronnett's histopathological classification (P < 0·001) were significantly related to overall survival.

Conclusion

CRS combined with PIC was associated with improved survival in patients with less extensive previous surgery and diffuse peritoneal adenomucinosis histopathological type.
Expression and regulation of connective tissue growth factor by transforming growth factor β and tumour necrosis factor α in fibroblasts isolated from strictures in patients with Crohn's disease
Authors: Beddy D , Mulsow J , Watson R W G , Fitzpatrick J M , O'Connell P R
Published: July 2006

Background

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) stimulates fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix production. Fibroblasts may initiate stricture formation in Crohn's disease through overexpression of CTGF. Stricturing that occurs in patients with Crohn's disease after treatment with anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) α may be due to dysregulation of CTGF homeostasis. The aim of this study was to examine CTGF expression and regulation in fibroblasts isolated from patients with Crohn's disease.

Methods

Fibroblasts were isolated by a primary explant technique from serosal biopsies of strictured segments of bowel in eight patients undergoing resection for Crohn's disease and from normal colon in seven patients having resection for benign or malignant colorectal disease. Cells were stimulated with transforming growth factor (TGF) β and TNF-α. CTGF protein and mRNA expression were measured by western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction respectively.

Results

Mean(s.d.) CTGF protein expression in strictured Crohn's fibroblasts was higher than that in normal fibroblasts (56·5(9·7) versus 17·0(10·0) respectively; P = 0·011). In normal and strictured Crohn's fibroblasts, culture with TGF-β increased CTGF protein and mRNA expression. Co-culture of normal fibroblasts with TNF-α suppressed TGF-β-stimulated CTGF expression.

Conclusion

Increased expression of CTGF in strictured Crohn's fibroblasts underlies its role in fibrosis. TNF-α suppresses fibrosis by downregulating fibroblast CTGF expression, an effect that may be lost following anti-TNF-α treatment, thereby promoting stricture formation.
Toward a sustainable conceptualization of dependent variables in entrepreneurship research
Authors: Cohen Boyd , Smith Brock , Mitchell Ron
Published: July 2006

Entrepreneurship researchers have yet to explore the full range variance that occurs in entrepreneurial value creation because we have focused almost exclusively on financial performance as the dependent variable in our research. However, such arbitrary narrowness is not supported by research, which shows entrepreneurs to not focus exclusively on income maximization. Consistent with calls for an expanded view of the consequences of entrepreneurship, we develop a typology of entrepreneurship dependent variables that supports broadening the scope of entrepreneurship research to include economic, environmental and social value. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Differences in personality and risk characteristics in sex, violent and general offenders
Authors: Craig Leam A. , Browne Kevin D. , Beech Anthony , Stringer Ian
Published: July 2006

Background Studies examining the characteristics of sex and violent offenders have found differences in personality and offence characteristics. However, none of these studies has examined differences in personality characteristics between violent, sex and general offenders using the Special Hospitals Assessment of Personality and Socialization (SHAPS).

Method Using a retrospective archival research design, data on 153 male offenders were divided into three groups, sexual (n = 85), violent (n = 46) and general offenders (n = 22). Of the sample 139 offenders had completed the SHAPS. The Sexual Violence Risk‐20 (SVR‐20) measure was used to categorize levels of risk. Reconviction data collected over a 10‐year follow‐up period were analysed using the receiver operating characteristic analysis.

Results Violent offenders had significantly more chaotic lifestyles, displayed greater psychopathology than sex or general offenders, and were most likely to reoffend, with over a quarter committing further violent offences. The sexual offender group share more in common with the general offenders, in terms of personality characteristics and recidivism rates, than with the violent offenders. More of the violent offenders were categorized as at medium or high risk of recidivism than any other group. The SVR‐20 significantly predicted any reconviction over five‐ and 10‐ year follow‐up periods.

Discussion The results from this study support the use of self‐report inventories in assessing differences between offender groups. Such information may assist clinicians in prioritizing management and intervention strategies for those offenders, and in turn lower the risk of further offending. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring the possibility of risk assessment of Japanese sexual offenders using Static‐99
Authors: Sudo Junya , Sato Makoto , Obata Shugo , Yamagami Akira
Published: July 2006

Background The number of sexual offences reported in Japan doubled between 1992 and 2002. This has prompted attention to assessment of risk of recidivism.

Aims To explore whether an actuarial assessment of risk widely used in the West can be meaningfully applied to Japanese men serving a prison sentence for sexual offences.

Method All sex offenders incarcerated in Kitakyushu Medical Prison in Fukuoka at any time in a period of one year (1 July 2002‐30 June 2003) were identified. Demographic data, characteristics of offences and the Static‐99 were rated from records.

Results Following a slightly modified application of coding rules, all items of the Static‐99 were rateable. Nine offenders of 45 whose Static‐99 score was over 6 were thus identified as high‐risk offenders. The items distinguishing apparently high‐risk men were history of institutionalization as a delinquent and mental retardation.

Conclusions and implications for practice The Static‐99 may be a useful tool in assessing sex offenders in Japan. With apparently increasing recognition of sex crimes here, it seems timely to be developing a systematic approach to assessment. Further work is required to test its value in practice as a predictor of recidivism. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heterocyclic Quinol‐Type Fluorophores: Synthesis, X‐ray Crystal Structures, and Solid‐State Photophysical Properties of Novel 5‐Hydroxy‐5‐substituent‐benzo[b]naphtho[1,2‐d]furan‐6‐one and 3‐Hydroxy‐3‐substituent‐benzo[kl]xanthen‐2‐one Derivatives
Authors: Ooyama Yousuke , Okamoto Tomohiro , Yamaguchi Takahiro , Suzuki Toshihisa , Hayashi Akiko , Yoshida Katsuhira
Published: July 2006

Novel heterocyclic quinol‐type fluorophores (4 a–c) and (5 a–c) that contain substituents (R = Me, Bu, Ph) with nonconjugated linkages to the chromophore skeleton have been synthesized and their photophysical properties have been investigated in solution and in the solid state. Considerable differences in the absorption and fluorescence spectra were observed between the two states. Quinols 4 a–c and 5 a–c exhibited almost the same absorption and fluorescence spectra in solution; however, their solid‐state fluorescence excitation and emission spectra in the crystalline state were quite different. We performed X‐ray crystallographic analyses to elucidate the dramatic effect of the substituents of the nonconjugated linkage on the solid‐state fluorescence excitation and emission spectra. The relationships between the solid‐state photophysical properties and the chemical and crystal structures of 4 a–c and 5 a–c are discussed on the basis of the X‐ray crystal structures.
Feeding structures for 60‐GHz dielectric lens antenna with low sidelobes
Authors: Shimizu Takashi , Yoneyama Tsukasa
Published: July 2006

This paper studies a feed structure suitable for connecting a millimeter‐wave low sidelobe dielectric antenna with an NRD guide. Specifically, an NRD guide, a rectangular waveguide, a circular waveguide, and a microstrip patch antenna are considered as a primary radiator. It is verified by simulation and experiments that a low sidelobe level and a high gain can be realized if an NRD guide, a rectangular waveguide, or a circular waveguide is used as a feed. For instance, when a dielectric lens antenna with a diameter of 32 mm is used, extremely good characteristics are obtained at 60 GHz including a maximum gain of 24.9 dBi, a sidelobe level of less than −27 dB, and a 3‐dB beam width angle of 9°. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 89(8): 16– 26, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.20256
Temperature characteristics of the substrate for Lamb wave type elastic wave devices
Authors: Nakagawa Yasuhiko , Shigeda Mitsuyoshi , Shibata Kazumasa , Kakio Shouji
Published: July 2006

Plate wave (Lamb wave) propagation in an extremely thin quartz substrate is analyzed. A cut angle is sought that exhibits an ultrastable temperature dependence of the frequency characteristics so that the frequency changes little with temperature. Highly stable temperature characteristics of the frequency indicating second‐ and third‐order curves are obtained. Theoretical and experimental investigations of the temperature characteristics of the frequency of Lamb waves propagating in an AT‐cut quartz substrate indicate excellent agreement between the two, confirming that the reliability of the results of the present analysis is high. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 89(8): 9–15, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.20262
A novel bit‐line direct‐sense circuit that uses a feedback system for high‐speed Flash memory
Authors: Kadowaki Takuya , Nakamura Hiroki , Sakuraba Hiroshi , Masuoka Fujio
Published: July 2006

In this paper, a novel bit‐line direct‐sense circuit is proposed in order to realize high‐speed Flash memory. The sense circuit proposed in this paper controls the drivability of the bit‐line charging transistor by means of a feedback technique. In this way, it becomes possible to charge the bit‐line at high speed so that high‐speed readout becomes possible. In spite of complexity in the circuit configuration, the increase of the chip area size is so small as to be negligible. The possibilities of oscillation in the feedback system are analyzed. It is demonstrated that the proposed sense circuit is stable. Hence, the proposed sense circuit can realize high‐speed stable readout of Flash memory. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 89(8): 1–8, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.20263
Fault diagnosis of analog circuits by X‐Y zoning method and operation‐region model
Authors: Miura Yukiya
Published: July 2006

This paper proposes a fault diagnostic method for analog circuits that combines an X‐Y zoning method and an operation‐region model. An X‐Y zoning method is a test method to detect faults of analog circuits by using the relationship between circuit inputs and outputs. An operation‐region model is a method that models circuit behaviors by observing changes in the operation regions of MOS transistors in a circuit. We can expect shortcomings in each of the methods to be balanced by their combined use as well as simple fault diagnosis with a comparatively high degree of accuracy. In this paper, we propose a method for diagnosing analog circuits by combining the operation‐region model and the X‐Y zoning method. The proposed diagnostic method employs a preset test that is one kind of fault diagnostic method for digital circuits. The effectiveness of the proposed method was verified by applying it to two ITC'97 benchmark circuits. Each circuit was diagnosed with 50 soft faults and hard faults. We obtained the result that the diagnostic resolution is 1 for every fault. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 89(8): 42–50, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.20289
Expression of lymphotoxin beta governs immunity at two distinct levels
Authors: Junt Tobias , Tumanov Alexei V. , Harris Nicola , Heikenwalder Mathias , Zeller Nicolas , Kuprash Dmitry V. , Aguzzi Adriano , Ludewig Burkhard , Nedospasov Sergei A. , Zinkernagel Rolf M.
Published: July 2006

Interaction of lymphotoxin α1β2 (LTα1β2) with its receptor is key for the generation and maintenance of secondary lymphoid organ microstructure. We used mice conditionally deficient for LTβ on different lymphocyte subsets to determine how the LTβ‐dependent lymphoid structure influences immune reactivity. All conditionally LTβ‐deficient mice mounted normal immune responses against vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), and were protected against lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). In contrast, they exhibited reduced immune responses against non‐replicating antigens. Completely LTβ‐deficient mice failed to retain VSV in the marginal zone and died from VSV infections, and they became virus carriers following infection with the non‐cytopathic LCMV, which was correlated with defective virus replication in dendritic cells. It was ruled out that LTβ expression on lymphocytes influenced their activation, homing capacity, or maturation. We therefore conclude that LTβ expression influences immune reactivity at two distinct levels: (i) Expression of LTβ on lymphocytes enhances the induction of immune responses against limiting amounts of antigen. (ii) Expression of LTβ on non‐lymphocytes governs antiviral immunity by enhancing antigen presentation on antigen‐presenting cells. This prevents cytotoxic T lymphocytes exhaustion or death of the host by uncontrolled virus spread.
Osmium‐ and Ruthenium‐Based Phosphorescent Materials: Design, Photophysics, and Utilization in OLED Fabrication
Authors: Chou Pi‐Tai , Chi Yun
Published: July 2006

Osmium(II) complexes possessing β‐diketonate, quinolinate, diimine, and C‐linked pyridyl azolate chelates reveal interesting structural and photophysical properties. Spectroscopic and dynamic measurements, in combination with theoretical analyses, have provided an important understanding of the electronically excited state properties of these complexes, such as the energy gap and nature of the lower lying states, rate for intersystem crossing, and the efficiency of corresponding radiative decay and nonradiative deactivation processes. This review also reports on the synthetic processes that lead to the neutral OsII and RuII complexes that possess two trans‐substituted phosphane donor ligands together with two anti‐parallel, aligned azolate chromophores. Considerable efforts have been made to focus on utilizing these emitting materials as phosphorescent dopants for practical PLED and OLED fabrication. Consequently, the interplay between these emitting materials and device configurations is discussed. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Carbon Dioxide Fixation by Organolanthanides and Thermal Degradation into Amorphous and Higher Condensed Ln/O/C/N Solids
Authors: Baisch Ulrich , Pagano Sandro , Zeuner Martin , Schnick Wolfgang
Published: July 2006

Ammine[tris(cyclopentadienyl)]‐, amido[bis(cyclopentadienyl)]lanthanides, and tris[bis(trimethylsilylamido)]cerium have been studied with respect to CO2 absorption under various reaction conditions. Subsequent thermal treatment of these complexes under gaseous and supercritical CO2 yielded new higher condensed lanthanide Ln/O/C/N solids. IR spectroscopic studies of the CO2‐activated species reveal the formation of various oxonitridocarbonates, in particular carbamates (O2CNH2–), imidocarbonates (O2CNH2–), isocyanates (OCN–), and carbonates (CO32–), which function as multidentate linkers between the lanthanide ions. Thereby, inorganic polymers are formed, which represent single‐source precursors for application in various deposition methods and can therefore be utilized as pre‐organized reagents in solid‐state chemistry. In this context, we report on the structural characterization of one of the molecular precursors [Cp3YbNH3] [reticular pseudomerohedral twin, P21/c, a = 826.8(2), b = 1103.8(2), c = 1482.0(3) pm, β = 101.60(3)°, Z = 4, V = 1309.0(5)·106 pm3]. Crystals of [Cp3YbNH3] appear red, orange, yellow, and dark green depending on the orientation under plane‐polarized light (pleochroism).(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
A Silver(I) Coordination Polymer Containing Tridentate N‐ and P‐Coordinating 1,3,5‐Triaza‐7‐phosphaadamantane (PTA) Ligands
Authors: Mohr Fabian , Falvello Larry R. , Laguna Mariano
Published: July 2006

A silver(I) coordination polymer containing 1,3,5‐triaza‐7‐phosphaadamantane (PTA) in an unprecedented bridging, tridentate P,N,N′‐coordination mode is formed by the reaction of PTA with AgNO3 in water. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
3‐Amino‐Substituted Isothiazole S,S‐Dioxides as Dienophiles in Diels–Alder Cycloaddition Reactions with Cyclic, Acyclic and Heterocyclic Dienes
Authors: Clerici Francesca , Casoni Alessandro , Gelmi Maria Luisa , Nava Donatella , Pellegrino Sara , Sala Alessandro
Published: July 2006

We report on the Diels–Alder reactions of differently substituted isothiazole dioxides with several kinds of dienes under diverse reaction conditions. Differences of reactivity and selectivity between the substituted isothiazoles are considered and the influence of the different reaction conditions on the outcome of the reactions discussed. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
(Benzylideneamino)thioureas – Chromogenic Interactions with Anions and N–H Deprotonation
Authors: Bonizzoni Marco , Fabbrizzi Luigi , Taglietti Angelo , Tiengo Federico
Published: July 2006

A family of neutral N‐(R1‐substituted‐benzylideneamino)‐N′‐(R2‐substituted‐phenyl)thioureas (LH) were designed as anion receptors, and their interactions with anions in MeCN solution were investigated through spectrophotometric and 1H NMR titration experiments. While oxo anions (e.g., CH3COO–, H2PO4–) form genuine H‐bond complexes based on complementary N–H···O interactions with LH receptors, the fluoride ion undergoes a two‐step interaction, involving (i) formation of the [LH···F]– complex, and (ii) release of an HF molecule to give [HF2]– and the deprotonated form of the receptor (L–). Deprotonation takes place at the N–H fragment closer to the R2‐substituted phenyl ring, as indicated by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The log K values for the formation of the [LH···CH3COO]– H‐bond complexes vary over the 3.1–3.8 range and are scarcely affected by the natures of the R1 and R2 substituents. The investigated systems may be of interest in the design of molecular devices in which the optical properties of different and distant substituents are modulated through the interaction of a chosen anion at the thiourea site.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Antioxidant vitamins supplementation and mortality: A randomized trial in head and neck cancer patients
Authors: Bairati Isabelle , Meyer François , Jobin Edith , Gélinas Michel , Fortin André , Nabid Abdenour , Brochet François , Têtu Bernard
Published: July 2006

There has been concern that long‐term supplementation with high‐dose antioxidant vitamins, especially vitamin E (α‐tocopherol), may increase all‐cause mortality. We conducted a randomized controlled trial with α‐tocopherol (400 IU/day) and β‐carotene (30 mg/day) supplements among 540 head and neck cancer patients treated by radiation therapy. Supplementation with β‐carotene was discontinued during the trial. The supplements were given during radiation therapy and for 3 additional years. During the follow‐up (median 6.5 years), 179 deaths were recorded. All death certificates were obtained. All‐cause and cause‐specific mortality rates were compared between the 2 arms of the trial by Cox regression. All‐cause mortality was significantly increased in the supplement arm: hazard ratio: 1.38, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.85. Cause‐specific mortality rates tended to be higher in the supplement arm than in the placebo arm. Our results concur with previous reports to suggest that high‐dose vitamin E could be harmful. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Coffee consumption and stomach cancer risk in a cohort of Swedish women
Authors: Larsson Susanna C. , Giovannucci Edward , Wolk Alicja
Published: July 2006

Few prospective studies have examined the relationship between coffee consumption and risk of stomach cancer, and the findings have been inconsistent. We prospectively investigated the association of long‐term coffee consumption with risk of stomach cancer in a population‐based cohort study of 61,433 Swedish women. Information on coffee consumption was collected with a food‐frequency questionnaire at baseline (1987–1990) and updated in 1997. During a mean follow‐up of 15.7 years from 1987 through June 2005, 160 incident cases of stomach cancer were diagnosed. Coffee consumption was positively associated with the risk of stomach cancer. Compared to women who consumed 1 or fewer cups of coffee per day, the multivariate hazard ratios were 1.49 (95% = 0.97–2.27) for women who drank 2–3 cups per day and 1.86 (95% CI = 1.07–3.25) for those who drank 4 or more cups per day (pfor trend = 0.01). An increase of 1 cup of coffee per day was associated with a statistically significant 22% increased risk of stomach cancer (hazard ratio = 1.22; 95% CI = 1.05–1.42). These prospective data suggest that coffee consumption may increase the risk of stomach cancer in a dose–response manner. This finding needs to be confirmed in other prospective studies. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lifetime of alumina‐ and zirconia ceramics used for crown and bridge restorations
Authors: Tinschert Joachim , Natt Gerd , Mohrbotter Nina , Spiekermann Hubertus , Schulze Karen A.
Published: July 2006

The lifetime of a ceramic is dependent on the presence of incidental cracks and their gradual propagation under the conditions of the oral cavity. The objective of this study was to examine the long‐term strength of glass‐infiltrated alumina‐ and various zirconia ceramics currently used in CAD/CAM systems to manufacture crown and bridge frameworks. Fracture mechanics were applied to determine characteristic strength (σo), Weibull modulus (m), fracture toughness (KIc), and the subcritical crack growth parameters n and B. Based on these parameters, lifetime diagrams were generated which allowed the evaluation of the long‐term behavior. The results showed that in a moist environment, the glass‐infiltrated alumina‐ and some zirconia ceramics have a high susceptibility to subcritical crack growth. Zirconia ceramics with an alumina oxide content of 0.25 wt %, however, exhibited the highest initial and most favorable long‐term strength, and should therefore be suitable for crown and bridge restorations. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007
Transformation of 3DP gypsum model to HA by treating in ammonium phosphate solution
Authors: Lowmunkong Rungnapa , Sohmura Taiji , Takahashi Junzo , Suzuki Yumiko , Matsuya Shigeki , Ishikawa Kunio
Published: July 2006

Three‐dimensional printing (3DP) is a CAD/CAM built‐up using ink‐jet printing technique. Commercially available 3DP system can form only gypsum model and not for bioceramics. On the other hand, transformation of hardened gypsum into hydroxyapatite (HA) by treatment in ammonium phosphate solution was found lately. In the present study, transformation of the 3DP gypsum block to HA was attempted. However, the fabricated 3DP block was soluble in water. To insolubilize, it was heated at 300°C for 10 min, and then, gypsum was transformed to calcium sulfate hemihydrate, CaSO4 · 0.5H2O. The 3D block was immersed in 1M (NH4)3PO4 · 3H2O solution at 80°C for 1–24 h, and the transformation into HA within 4 h was ascertained. A heat‐treated plaster of Paris (POP) block was also investigated for comparison. The unheated POP block consisting of gypsum dihydrate took 24 h to complete the transformation, while the heat‐treated POP consisting calcium sulfate hemihydrate promoted the transformation into HA; but the transformed thickness in the block was less than the 3DP block. This is probably due to higher solubility of the hemihydrate than gypsum dihydrate. Accelerated transformation of the 3DP block was also caused by its porous structure, which enabled an easy penetration of the phosphate solution. With the present method, it is possible to transform the fabricated gypsum by 3D printing that is adaptive to the osseous defect into HA prostheses or scaffold. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007
Sequential anaerobic/aerobic biological treatment of olive mill wastewater and municipal wastewater
Authors: Gizgis Nikolaos , Georgiou Maria , Diamadopoulos Evan
Published: July 2006

This work investigated the efficiency of the combined anaerobic/aerobic biological co‐treatment of olive mill wastewater and primary municipal wastewater. A laboratory‐scale (6.5 L) upflow anaerobic sludge bed reactor received a mixture of olive mill wastewater and primary municipal wastewater at a loading rate ranging between 3 and 7 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD) m−3 day−1. The input COD concentration ranged between 1800 and 4400 mg L−1. The anaerobic reactor was operated at mesophilic conditions (35 °C). The effluent organic load was between 400 and 600 mg COD L−1, while the suspended solids removal efficiency varied between 75 and 95%. Average biogas production ranged between 3 and 4 L g−1 COD removed. The anaerobic reactor effluent was further treated in a laboratory‐scale activated sludge treatment plant. Aerobic treatment reduced the organic load even further to 85–175 mg COD L−1. However, the final effluent still retained a significant level of colour. Removal of colour was possible by ozonation or coagulation. Finally, the treated effluent was non‐ecotoxic, as indicated by the Daphnia magna toxicity test. This treatment method showed that it is feasible to treat olive mill wastewater in a municipal wastewater treatment plant by means of a high‐rate anaerobic reactor located between the primary clarifier and the aeration tank. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
A conserved role for the nodal signaling pathway in the establishment of dorso‐ventral and left–right axes in deuterostomes
Authors: Duboc Véronique , Lepage Thierry
Published: July 2006

Nodal factors play crucial roles during embryogenesis of chordates. They have been implicated in a number of developmental processes, including mesoderm and endoderm formation and patterning of the embryo along the anterior–posterior and left–right axes. We have analyzed the function of the Nodal signaling pathway during the embryogenesis of the sea urchin, a non‐chordate organism. We found that Nodal signaling plays a central role in axis specification in the sea urchin, but surprisingly, its first main role appears to be in ectoderm patterning and not in specification of the endoderm and mesoderm germ layers as in vertebrates. Starting at the early blastula stage, sea urchin nodal is expressed in the presumptive oral ectoderm where it controls the formation of the oral–aboral axis. A second conserved role for nodal signaling during vertebrate evolution is its involvement in the establishment of left–right asymmetries. Sea urchin larvae exhibit profound left–right asymmetry with the formation of the adult rudiment occurring only on the left side. We found that a nodal/lefty/pitx2 gene cassette regulates left–right asymmetry in the sea urchin but that intriguingly, the expression of these genes is reversed compared to vertebrates. We have shown that Nodal signals emitted from the right ectoderm of the larva regulate the asymmetrical morphogenesis of the coelomic pouches by inhibiting rudiment formation on the right side of the larva. This result shows that the mechanisms responsible for patterning the left–right axis are conserved in echinoderms and that this role for nodal is conserved among the deuterostomes. We will discuss the implications regarding the reference axes of the sea urchin and the ancestral function of the nodal gene in the last section of this review. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 310B:41–53, 2008. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Doubly Q-switched laser with electric-optic modulator and GaAs
saturable absorber
Authors: Zhao S , Zhao J , Li G , Yang K , Sun Y , Li D , An J , Wang J , Li M
Published: July 2006

By using both electric-optic (EO) modulator and GaAs
saturable absorber, a doubly actively-passively Q-switched laser
is realized for the first time. Especially, the more symmetric and
shorter pulse is generated in comparison to purely EO-actively or
GaAs-passively Q-switched laser. In addition, a symmetric factor
is defined to describe the temporal symmetry of the pulses. The
experimental results show that it is possible to obtain a more
symmetric pulse in doubly Q-switched laser.
Synthesis of (meth)acrylate Block Copolymers by Ligated Anionic Polymerization
Authors: Vlček Petr , Čadová Eva , Janata Miroslav , Látalová Petra , Toman Luděk , Kříž Jaroslav , Kurková Dana
Published: July 2006

Synthetic potential of the ligated anionic polymerization (LAP) of acrylic and metacrylic esters initiated with methyl 2‐lithioisobutyrate (MIB‐Li) in the presence of an excess of alkali metal tert‐alkoxides (prevailingly Li tert‐butoxide) is presented. tert‐Alkoxides form with ester‐enolates, like MIB‐Li, cross‐aggregates of various composition, which tailor the environment of growing chain‐ends, lower their nucleophilicity and restrict in this way the extent of side reactions, in particular self‐termination of growing macroanions by back‐biting reaction. Thus, stability of polymethacrylate living chains is sufficiently high for methacrylate and acrylate block copolymers to be synthesized. In the case of acrylate polymerization, reaction conditions must be optimized due to their high tendency to self‐termination.
Cover Picture: Macromol. Symp. 240/2006
Authors: Philippe Desbois , Volker Warzelhan , Norbert Niessner , Alain Deffieux , Stephane Carlotti
Published: July 2006

Cover: The IUPAC Symposium on Ionic Polymerization (IP 2005) was held during October 23–28, 2005 in Goa, India. The technical program of the Symposium consisted of 52 oral presentations and 38 poster presentations. A total of about 150 participants from all over the world including USA, France, Germany, Poland, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, and India attended the Symposium. The elegance of the technique of ionic polymerization is the ability to synthesize polymers with well defined architectures without any side reactions. As the control of the polymerization becomes the motivation, atom‐transfer radical polymerization, which has similar attributes of ionic polymerization and is a more recent addition to the armory of synthetic methods available to polymer chemists, was also included in the Symposium. Selected contributions presented at the Symposium have been compiled in this special volume of Macromolecular Symposia and are reflective of contemporary developments in the area of ionic polymerizations. The cover picture shows the rubber morphology from a standard homopolybutadiene prepared by radical polymerization and anionic polymerization, taken from the contribution by Ph. Desbois.
Choosing a school: the impact of social class on the primary school decision‐making process
Authors: Bussell Helen
Published: July 2006

One of the objectives of recent government educational reform is greater emphasis on parental choice of school. In consequence, schools are increasingly exposed to competition and in order to maintain pupil numbers will have to become more responsive to their customers. This study, drawing from semi‐structured interviews, examines the process of parental choice of primary school. There is a consensus among parents as to the importance of the decision being taken and regarding the influential evaluative criteria. However, during the early stages of the decision‐making process there are variations between different groups of parents, in particular first time choosers and those with a child already at school, but most especially between different socio‐economic groups. Implications for the primary schools' marketing strategy are considered. Copyright © 2000 Henry Stewart Publications.
Repositioning fundraising in the 21st century
Authors: Nichols Judith E.
Published: July 2006

Albert Einstein noted ‘Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result’.[Einstein, A., www.brainyquote.com] Unfortunately, too many fundraisers continue to employ the same old methods even when the outcomes are disappointing. (Direct mail not working … add another mailing. Foundations not responding … up the number of proposals going out.) Because change is inevitable, those responsible for development decisions must understand the larger trends that are fuelling the paradigm shift in advancement strategies. This paper provides the background to understand the philanthropic, economic, societal and technological trends that have an impact on fundraising today. Copyright © 2004 Henry Stewart Publications
Nonprofit community increasing nervousness about Year 2000
Authors: Grobman Gary M.
Published: July 2006

Nonprofit organisations should consider six aspects of the Year 2000 (Y2K) problem: internal computer system failure, government computer system failure, global economy weakness, logic controller failure, financial institution disruption and fundraising disruptions. Seven suggestions are shared: buy only Y2K‐compliant hardware and software, do not permit staff to install software from home, educate the board and staff and document planning efforts, designate someone to be responsible for Y2K efforts, make an inventory of at‐risk hardware and software and query manufacturers, ensure that outsourced services are Y2K compliant and back up critical data. Seven useful Y2K World Wide Web resources for nonprofit organisations are reviewed. Copyright © 1999 Henry Stewart Publications