bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The stability of engineered thermostable neutral proteases from Bacillus stearothermophilus in organic solvents and detergents
Authors: Mansfeld Johanna , Ulbrich‐Hofmann Renate
Published: December 2006

Engineered extremely thermostable variants of the thermolysin‐like protease from Bacillus stearothermophilus possessing an introduced disulfide bond G8C/N60C (double mutant, DM) and six additional amino acid substitutions in the exposed loop region 56–69 (Boilysin, BLN) have been probed with respect to stability toward water‐miscible organic solvents and detergents. The solvent concentrations where 50% of enzyme activity were irreversibly lost (C50) decreased in the order methanol >  2‐propanol > dimethylsulfoxide > dioxane > acetonitrile > dimethylformamide > acetone. The C50 values were remarkably higher for the thermostable variants than for the wild‐type enzymes. Therefore, the stabilization of this loop region also protects the molecule from irreversible inactivation by solvents, and inactivation seems to follow principally the same mechanism as thermal inactivation. However, in contrast to thermal inactivation where the corresponding T50 values of DM and BLN differed by 10 K, the differences of the C50 values of DM and BLN were not significant. Detergents had great effects on proteolytic activities which were dependent on the individual detergent and its concentration, but mostly without significant differences between the enzyme variants. These effects were inactivating (SDS, sulfobetaine) or strongly activating (CTAB, CHAPS). Triton X‐100 and Tween 20 were activating or inactivating at low and high concentrations, respectively. In all detergents, stabilities of the enzymes were strongly decreased. However, the more thermostable variants were affected by the detergents to the same extent as the wild‐type enzymes suggesting that the mechanism of detergent inactivation is different from that of thermal inactivation. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;97: 672–679. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Highly sensitive detection of cytotoxicity using a modified HSP70B′ promoter
Authors: Wada Ken‐Ichi , Taniguchi Akiyoshi , Okano Teruo
Published: December 2006

We have previously found that the DNA fragment from nucleotides (nts) −287 to +110 in the HSP70B′ gene is a functional promoter responding to Cadmium Chloride‐induced cytotoxicity (Wada et al., Biotechnol Bioeng, 92, 410–415, 2005). In order to increase the cytotoxic response of this promoter, we first determined the location of the cytotoxic responding element (CRE) and then constructed tandem repeats of the CRE in front of the HSP70B′ promoter. 5′‐ and 3′‐deletion analysis revealed that the DNA fragment from nts −192 to −56 in the HSP70B′ gene induces a significant response to cytotoxicity. When the AP‐1 binding site in this region was mutated, the basal activity of HSP70B′ gene promoter decreased but the cytotoxic response was unchanged. Thus, the CRE is located in nts −192 to −56 in the HSP70B′ promoter, and the AP‐1 binding site is not essential for the cytotoxic response. In addition, cells transfected with a luciferase construct carrying three tandem repeats of the CRE upstream of the HSP70B′ promoter and containing AP‐1 binding site mutation, showed a 2.28‐fold higher response than that of no repeats. Moreover, the detection limit of Cadmium Chloride in the cells was 382 pmol/mL. Thus, highly sensitive sensor cells for Cadmium Chloride can be constructed using a HSP70B′ promoter construct containing upstream tandem repeats of the CRE and mutation of the AP‐1 binding site. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;97: 871–876. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Facilitated stent delivery using applied topical lubrication
Authors: Singh Alok , Awar Mark , Ahmed Adeeb , Fischman David L. , Walinsky Paul , Savage Michael P.
Published: December 2006

Objectives: The goal of this study was to assess the utility of topical lubrication to aid stent delivery in challenging anatomy and its effects on long‐term clinical outcome. Background: Failed stent delivery is encountered in up to 5% of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Methods: The effectiveness of topically applied lubrication to facilitate stent delivery after failed stent placement was evaluated in 20 (2.5%) out of 813 consecutive patients undergoing PCI. Initial attempts at stent delivery failed despite balloon predilatation and use of moderate‐to‐stiff guidewires in all patients. The lubricious solution used was Rotaglide, a phospholipid emulsion originally designed to reduce catheter friction during rotational atherectomy. Following unsuccessful delivery, stents were removed from the guiding catheters, topically saturated with Rotaglide, and deployment immediately reattempted. Procedural efficacy and long‐term clinical outcomes were assessed. Results: The study population included 20 patients aged 69 ± 10 years, all of whom had complex lesions (ACC/AHA Class B2 or C). Rotaglide lubricated stents were successfully deployed at the target lesions in 17 of the 20 patients (85%). Patients were followed 19.5 ± 3.2 months after their index procedure. There were no periprocedural complications or subacute stent thromboses. Of the 14 patients with drug‐eluting stents, none had clinical restenosis or target vessel revascularization. Target lesion revascularization secondary to restenosis was required in 1 of 3 patients treated with bare‐metal stents. Conclusions: Topical lubrication is a simple and effective aid for stent delivery in complex lesions. Rotaglide appears safe and biocompatible with drug‐eluting stents. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Vertex Spirals in Fullerenes and Their Implications for Nomenclature of Fullerene Derivatives
Authors: Fowler Patrick W. , Horspool Daniel , Myrvold Wendy
Published: December 2006

The IUPAC nomenclature of fullerene derivatives is based on the vertex spiral, but not all fullerenes possess one. There are 1495 isomers with ≤20 vertices (66 isolated‐pentagon isomers with ≤150 vertices) that are vertex‐aspiral, but only four for which all vertex spiral starts succeed. Vertex‐aspiral trivalent polyhedra are common (40 190 with ≤24 vertices); infinite series include truncates of all trivalents larger than the tetrahedron. An alternative and readily automated breadth‐first‐search numbering scheme is proposed to deal with all trivalent polyhedra including fullerenes and incidentally to give robust, efficient determination of the automorphism/point group. For fullerenes, the new scheme has two clear advantages over the vertex spiral nomenclature: it is exception‐free, removing the need for complex prescriptions to deal with exceptional cases, and it is mathematically simpler in that the numbering can be found in linear rather than quadratic time (as all canonical numberings for a fullerene begin on a pentagon).
First Comprehensive Investigation of Suzuki Couplings of Alkenyl Nonaflates with Aryl and Alkenyl Boronic Acid Derivatives by Using Classical Conditions and Microwave Heating
Authors: Högermeier Jens , Reißig Hans‐Ulrich
Published: December 2006

Alkenyl nonaflates (nonafluorobutanesulfonates) are excellent substrates in a variety of palladium‐catalysed coupling reactions. We herein demonstrate that bicyclic nonaflates generated from 8‐heterobicyclo[3.2.1]octan‐3‐one derivatives can be coupled with aryl or alkenyl boronic acids in a very efficient manner. The resulting densely functionalised bicyclic skeletons are highly suitable for further synthetic elaboration. The thermal Suzuki couplings provided the expected products in moderate to good yields. Microwave (MW) irradiation dramatically shortened reaction times and gave superior results. Bisboronic ester 19 was also coupled with bicyclic nonaflates, for example, with 14, and double Suzuki‐coupling products, such as 22, were isolated in good yields. We demonstrated the great synthetic potential of aryl‐substituted 8‐heterobicyclo[3.2.1]octene derivatives, such as 15, by the stereoselective conversion of this compound into highly substituted furanose 31 or substituted pyran derivative 33, which were obtained in short and efficient reaction sequences.
Stereoselective analysis of hydroxybupropion and application to drug interaction studies
Authors: Xu Hongmei , Loboz Katarzyna K. , Gross Annette S. , McLachlan Andrew J.
Published: December 2006

A sensitive and stereoselective assay has been developed for the quantitation of the enantiomers of hydroxybupropion, an active metabolite of bupropion, in human plasma. The assay used liquid–liquid extraction and a Cyclobond I 2000 HPLC column with a mobile phase containing 3% acetonitrile, 0.5% triethylamine, and 20 mM ammonium acetate (pH 3.8). The technique was linear over the concentration range of 12.5–500 ng/ml for (2R,3R)‐ and (2S,3S)‐hydroxybupropion. The method was reproducible as both interday and intraday variabilities were less than 10% for both hydroxybupropion enantiomers. Overall extraction recovery of hydroxybupropion enantiomers and the internal standard phenacetin from plasma was greater than 80% and reproducible over the concentration range of 12.5–500 ng/ml for each enantiomer. The limit of quantification (LOQ) of hydroxybupropion enantiomers was 12.5 ng/ml. The stereoselective pharmacokinetics of both (2R,3R)‐ and (2S,3S)‐hydroxybupropion in healthy male subjects (n= 16) were investigated after a single dose of (rac)‐bupropion either alone or during rifampicin administration. (2R,3R)‐Hydroxybupropion was the predominant enantiomer present in plasma. A stereoselective effect of rifampicin on hydroxybupropion concentrations was observed, with rifampicin influencing the pharmacokinetics of each hydroxybupropion enantiomer in a different manner. The ratio of (2R,3R)‐hydroxybupropion (AUC0–24) to (2S,3S)‐hydroxybupropion (AUC0–24) increased from 4.9 ± 1.6 to 8.3 ± 1.9 during rifampicin administration (P< 0.001). A time‐dependent change in the hydroxybupropion enantiomeric ratio was observed after (rac)‐bupropion administration both before and during rifampicin coadministration, with an increase in the relative proportion of (2S,3S)‐hydroxybupropion over the 24 h postdose period. Chirality 19, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The role of 2‐deoxy‐2‐[F‐18]fluoro‐D‐glucose positron emission tomography in disseminated carcinoma of unknown primary site
Authors: Sève Pascal , Billotey Claire , Broussolle Christiane , Dumontet Charles , Mackey John R.
Published: December 2006

BACKGROUND.

The authors conducted a comprehensive review of the efficacy of 2‐deoxy‐2‐[F‐18]fluoro‐D‐glucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) in the detection of primary tumors in patients with disseminated carcinoma of unknown primary site.

METHODS.

Ten studies (involving a total of 221 patients) tat were published between 1998 and 2006 were reviewed. Each study evaluated the role of FDG‐PET in the detection of unknown primary tumors after a conventional diagnostic workup. Although 94% of patients had a single site of metastases, the studies otherwise were very heterogeneous in the studied population, study design, and additional diagnostic workup.

RESULTS.

In 41% of patients, FDG‐PET detected primary tumors that were not apparent after conventional workup. In this group of patients, the overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rates of FDG‐PET in detecting unknown primary tumors were 91.9%, 81.9%, and 80.5%, respectively. FDG‐PET imaging also led to the detection of previously unrecognized metastases in 37% of patients. Lung cancers represented 59% of the detected tumors. FDG‐PET had a notably high false‐positive rate (58.3%) in tumors of the lower digestive tract. FDG‐PET altered the clinical management in 34.7% of patients. Most of those patients (53%) received specific chemotherapy for lung and pancreatic cancers; whereas 12% received specific therapy for breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers; and 14% underwent surgery with curative intent.

CONCLUSIONS.

FDG‐PET was an efficient method for detecting primary tumors that were undetected by other modalities and was sensitive for the detection of previously unrecognized metastases. FDG‐PET significantly changed clinical management in approximately one‐third of the patients studied. Cancer 2007. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Steady‐state characteristics on a single‐phase buck rectifier with improved input‐current waveform
Authors: Motegi Shin‐Ichi , Maeda Akeshi
Published: December 2006

A single‐phase buck rectifier applying pulse width modulation (PWM) creates a large amount of low‐order harmonics flow out in the input current. A high‐inductance inductor must be used to reduce the pulsations of the DC inductor current and to produce a sinusoidal input current. To address this, the authors propose a single‐phase buck rectifier with improved input current waveform by adding a switch for back flow of the DC inductor current to the conventional structural elements. In this paper, the main circuit configuration and operating theory of the proposed rectifier are explained, and its effectiveness is confirmed through experimental results and simulations. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 90(4): 56–65, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.20330
Performance evaluation of media access control protocols using an algorithm generating graphs for effect estimation of hidden terminals
Authors: Shigeyasu Tetsuya , Matsuno Hiroshi , Morinaga Norihiko
Published: December 2006

Hidden terminals can significantly lower the throughput of such competitive MAC protocols as CSMA. Therefore, a large number of MAC protocols that implement different hidden terminal strategies have been developed. In this paper we propose an algorithm for generating evaluation networks with different ratios of hidden terminals in order to evaluate the effect of hidden terminals on competitive MAC protocols. In addition, we use the same algorithm to report results that elucidate the characteristics of throughput as the ratio of hidden terminals that exist in a network is varied for both CSMA, a representative competitive MAC protocol, and MACA, a MAC protocol that makes use of RTS/CTS control, a representative hidden terminal strategy. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 90(4): 46–55, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.20343
On a construction of a nonstabilizer clifford quantum code for 2h(2j+1)‐level states
Authors: Hagiwara Manabu , Imai Hideki
Published: December 2006

The construction of an infinite number of nonstabilizer codes of Clifford type was given for the first time by the authors. However, the method of construction was restricted to encoding from odd prime p‐level quantum states to 2p‐level states. In this paper, the result is extended to the construction of nonstabilizer‐type quantum codes which encode quantum states of arbitrary odd 2j+1‐level to quantum states of 2h(2j+1)‐level, where h are mutually prime 2j+1. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 90(4): 63 – 68, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.20222
Improved spectral subtraction utilizing iterative processing
Authors: Yamashita Kohei , Ogata Shin'Ya , Shimamura Tetsuya
Published: December 2006

In this paper, the authors propose a new noise suppression technique that executes iterative processing and sets parameters that are suited for that processing in the spectral subtraction method, which is a noise reduction technique for noise‐added speech. Iterative processing is a technique in which speech enhancement processing is executed by considering the estimated speech that is obtained when noise reduction processing is executed once as the input signal again so that a reduction of the residual noise is anticipated. A further reduction of residual noise for which speech degradation is controlled can be achieved by adjusting the parameters for each iteration. The authors also simultaneously propose a technique for maintaining the real‐time nature of spectral subtraction when the proposed technique is executed. They use actual speech to which white noise, automobile noise, and crowd babble noise is added to compare the characteristics of the two proposed methods with the conventional spectral subtraction method and its improvements. The authors verified according to objective and subjective evaluations that each proposed technique showed superior results in all noisy environments. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 90(4): 39 –51, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.20242
Mutation spectrum in UVB‐exposed skin epidermis of Xpa‐knockout mice: Frequent recovery of triplet mutations
Authors: Ikehata Hironobu , Yanase Fumitaka , Mori Toshio , Nikaido Osamu , Tanaka Kiyoji , Ono Tetsuya
Published: December 2006

Knockout mutations in both alleles of the Xpa gene give rise to a complete deficiency in nucleotide excision repair (NER) in mammalian cells. We used transgenic mice harboring the λ‐phage‐based lacZ mutational reporter gene to study the effect of Xpa null mutation (Xpa−/−) on damage induction, repair, and mutagenesis in mouse skin epidermis after UVB irradiation. UVB induced equal amounts of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine(6‐4)pyrimidone photoproducts (64PPs) in mouse skin epidermis of Xpa−/− and wild‐type mice. Neither photolesion was removed in the Xpa−/− epidermis by 12 hr after irradiation whereas removal of 64PPs was observed in the epidermis of wild‐type mice. Irradiation with 200 and 300 J/m2 UVB increased the lacZ mutant frequency in the epidermis of Xpa−/− mice, but the induced mutant frequencies were not significantly different from those previously determined for wild‐type mice. One‐hundred lacZ mutants isolated from the UVB‐exposed epidermis of Xpa−/− mice were analyzed and compared with mutant sequences previously determined for irradiated wild‐type mice. The distribution of the mutations along the lacZ transgene and the preferred dipyrimidine context of the UV‐specific mutations were similar in mutants from the Xpa−/− and wild‐type mice. The spectra of the mutations in the two genotypes were both highly UV‐specific and similar in a dominance of C → T transitions at dipyrimidine sites; however, Xpa−/− mice had a higher frequency than wild‐type mice of two‐base tandem substitutions, including CC → TT mutations, three‐base tandem mutations and double base substitutions that were separated by one unchanged base in a three‐base sequence (alternating mutations). These tandem/alternating mutations included a remarkably large number of triplet mutations, a recently reported, novel type of UV‐specific mutation, characterized by multiple base substitutions or frameshifts within a three‐nucleotide sequence containing a dipyrimidine. We conclude that the triplet mutation is a UV‐specific mutation that preferably occurs in NER‐deficient genetic backgrounds. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Capturing temporal variability for estimates of annual hydrochemical export from a first‐order agricultural catchment in southern Ontario, Canada
Authors: Macrae M. L. , English M. C. , Schiff S. L. , Stone M.
Published: December 2006

This 2‐year study (2000, 2001) reports annual nutrient (phosphorus, nitrate) export from a first‐order agricultural watershed in southern Ontario based on an intensive monitoring programme. The importance of storm and melt events in annual export estimates is demonstrated and the temporal variability in nutrient loading during events is related to processes occurring within the catchment. The feasibility of predicting event‐related nutrient export from hydrometric data is explored. The importance of sampling frequency throughout events is also shown. Export of total phosphorus (TP), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and nitrate ($NO_{3}^{-}$) for 2000 and 2001 averaged 0·35 kg ha−1 year−1, 0·09 kg ha−1 year−1, and 35 kg ha−1 year−1 (as N) respectively. Approximately 75% of annual TP export, 80% of annual SRP export and 70% of annual $NO_{3}^{-}$ export occurred during 28 events per year. A small number of large‐magnitude events (>34 mm) accounted for 18–42% of annual TP export, 0–61% of annual SRP export and 13–33% of annual NO$NO_{3}^{-}$ export. Our results show that temporal variability in nutrient export is largely governed by discharge in this basin, and $NO_{3}^{-}$ export can be predicted from discharge. SRP and TP export can also be predicted from discharge, but only for events that are not large in magnitude. The sampling interval throughout events is important in obtaining precise estimates of nutrient export, as infrequent sampling intervals may over‐ or under‐estimate nutrient export by ± 45% per event for P. This study improves our understanding of $NO_{3}^{-}$ and P export patterns and our ability to predict or model them by relating temporal variability in event nutrient export to discharge and processes occurring within the basin, and also by exploring the significance of sampling interval in the context of the importance of individual events, season and temporal variability during events. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The suppressive effect of myeloid elf‐1‐like factor (MEF) in osteogenic differentiation
Authors: Kim Youn‐Jeong , Kim Byung‐Gyu , Lee Seung‐Jin , Lee Ho‐Kyung , Lee Sang‐Han , Ryoo Hyun‐Mo , Cho Je‐Yoel
Published: December 2006

Myeloid Elf‐1 like factor (MEF) is a member of the Ets transcription factor family. Ets family proteins control the expression of genes that are critical for biological processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and cell death. Some of Ets factors are also known to regulate bone development. In this study, we investigated the role of MEF in osteoblast differentiation. MEF expression was highest early in the differentiation of MC3T3‐E1 osteoblasts and was reduced by treatment with BMP‐2. The expression of MEF suppressed the alkaline phosphatase activity and expression induced by BMP‐2 stimulation and mediated by Runx2. The expression of MEF also reduces osteocalcin mRNA levels, and mineralization in MC3T3‐E1 cells. We found that the MEF‐mediated suppression of osteogenic differentiation was critically related to Runx2 regulation. The MEF and Runx2 proteins physically interact to form a complex, and this interaction interferes with Runx2 binding to the cis‐acting element OSE2 derived from the osteocalcin promoter. Co‐transfection of MEF inhibited the 6xOSE2‐luciferase reporter activity induced by Runx2. In addition, MEF stimulated the transcription of a negative mediator Msx2, and a transcriptional repressor, Mab21L1, and suppressed the transcription of a positive mediator, Dlx5 in osteoblast differentiation. MEF overexpression stimulated C2C12 cell proliferation. Together, our findings suggest that MEF promotes cell proliferation and functions as a negative regulator of osteogenic differentiation by directly interacting with Runx2 and suppressing its transcriptional activity. J. Cell. Physiol. 211: 253–260, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Endothelial cell motility is compatible with junctional integrity
Authors: Guo Renyong , Sakamoto Hiroshi , Sugiura Shigeki , Ogawa Minetaro
Published: December 2006

Confluent endothelial cells in culture are generally regarded as a model of resting endothelium in blood vessels (i.e., forming junctions at points of cell–cell contact, losing ability to proliferate in response to growth factors, and remaining stationary). However, incompatibility between junctional integrity and endothelial cell motility remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine whether endothelial cells (in colonies generated from differentiating embryonic stem cells in contact with OP9 stromal cell layer) have a resting endothelial phenotype (i.e., lack motility). Time‐lapse analyses showed that though endothelial cells were connected to each other through adherens junctions and tight junctions, they were moving continuously within the colonies. Endothelial cell movement was accompanied by formation of lamellipodia, which transiently accumulated green fluorescent protein‐tagged β‐actin and p41‐Arc (a subunit of the actin‐related protein 2/3 complex) at their anterior tips, suggesting that the movement is an active behavior of endothelial cells. Endothelial cell‐specific expression of yellow fluorescent protein‐tagged vascular endothelial‐cadherin and claudin‐5 revealed that adherens junctions and tight junctions persisted during endothelial cell migration. Furthermore, intercellular junctions underwent dynamic remodeling at the leading edge of moving endothelial cells. These results suggest that endothelial cells can remain highly motile without losing intercellular junctions. J. Cell. Physiol. 211: 327–335, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dopamine stimulates 45Ca2+ uptake through cAMP, PLC/PKC, and MAPKs in renal proximal tubule cells
Authors: Han Ji Yeon , Heo Jung Sun , Lee Yun Jung , Lee Jang Hern , Taub Mary , Han Ho Jae
Published: December 2006

We have examined the effect of dopamine on Ca2+ uptake and its related signaling pathways in primary renal proximal tubule cells (PTCs). Dopamine increased Ca2+ uptake in a concentration (>10−10 M) and time‐ (>8 h) dependent manner. Dopamine‐induced increase in Ca2+ uptake was prevented by SCH 23390 (a DA1 antagonist) rather than spiperone (a DA2 antagonist). SKF 38393 (a DA1 agonist) increased Ca2+ uptake unlike the case with quinpirole (a DA2 agonist). Dopamine‐induced increase in Ca2+ uptake was blocked by nifedipine and methoxyverapamil (L‐type Ca2+ channel blockers). Moreover, dopamine‐induced increase in Ca2+ uptake was blocked by pertussis toxin (a Gi protein inhibitor), protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor amide 14/22 (a PKA inhibitor), and SQ 22536 (an adenylate cyclase inhibitor). Subsequently, dopamine increased cAMP level. The PLC inhibitors (U 73122 and neomycin), the PKC inhibitors (staurosporine and bisindolylmaleimide I) suppressed the dopamine‐induced increase of Ca2+ uptake. SB 203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor) and PD 98059 (a MAPKK inhibitor) also inhibited the dopamine‐induced increase of Ca2+ uptake. Dopamine‐induced p38 and p42/44 MAPK phosphorylation was blocked by SQ 22536, neomycin, and staurosporine. The stimulatory effect of dopamine on Ca2+ uptake was significantly inhibited by the NF‐κB inhibitors SN50, TLCK, and Bay 11‐7082. In addition, dopamine significantly increased the level of NF‐κB p65, which was prevented by either SQ 22536, neomycin, staurosporine, PD 98059, or SB 203580. Thus, dopamine stimulates Ca2+ uptake in PTCs, initially through by Gs coupled dopamine receptors, PLC/PKC, followed by MAPK, and ultimately by NF‐κB activation. J. Cell. Physiol. 211: 486–494, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An improved sample preparation for an LC method used in the age estimation based on aspartic acid racemization from human dentin
Authors: Yekkala Raja , Meers Carine , Hoogmartens Jos , Lambrichts Ivo , Willems Guy , Van Schepdael Ann
Published: December 2006

The determination of age on the basis of aspartic acid (Asp) racemization in teeth is one of the most reliable and accurate methods to date. In this paper, the usefulness of HPLC coupled with fluorescence detection for determination of Asp racemization was evaluated. A modified sample preparation is proposed for better stability of o‐phthaldialdehyde‐N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine derivatives of D/L‐Asp (due to the instability below pH 7). To ensure the accuracy of the method, the validation parameters' specificity, precision, linearity, and LOD were determined. Three dentin samples of premolar teeth, extracted from living individuals (bucco‐lingual longitudinal sections of 1 mm thickness), were analyzed and quantitative results are discussed.
Validation of theory of n‐column separations with gas chromatograms predicted by commercial software
Authors: Williamson Yuping , Davis Joe M.
Published: December 2006

A probability theory for the average number of compounds resolved by the partial separation of complex mixtures on n columns was tested using commercial‐software predictions of gas chromatograms. Such n‐column separations are traditional means for addressing peak overlap, in which one chooses additional columns of different selectivity to separate compounds that cannot be separated by a single column. Gas chromatograms of five types of complex mixtures containing from 99 to 283 compounds were predicted for eight stationary phases using both optimized and other temperature programs. The number n of columns for different mixtures varied from 2 to 5. The numbers of compounds separated as singlet peaks at different resolution thresholds were compared to predictions, as evaluated with point‐process statistical‐overlap theory based on a Poisson distribution. A good agreement between theory and results was found in all cases corresponding to low saturation. Both good and poor agreements were found for cases corresponding to high saturation. A good agreement also was found for results based on resolving complex mixtures by a single column subject to two temperature programs. The moments and distribution of the number of resolved compounds were computed by Monte Carlo simulation, thus gauging the significance of departures between results and theory. The potential of such simulations to explore the limitations of theory was briefly investigated.
Electromagnetic scattering from perturbed surfaces
Authors: Mitrea Irina , Ott Katharine
Published: December 2006

This paper studies the scattering of electromagnetic waves from a (local) perturbation of a fixed surface, the boundary of a given obstacle in ℝ3. The goal is to produce an algorithm for solving boundary value problems in the exterior of the perturbed domain solely based on the knowledge of the Green function for the original surface. This is done by solving a boundary integral equation which only involves the perturbed portion of the boundary. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The important modes of subsystems: A moment‐matching approach
Authors: Liao Ben‐Shan , Bai Zhaojun , Gao Weiguo
Published: December 2006

Substructure coupling methods, such as the component mode synthesis (CMS) method, have been studied in structural dynamics analysis since 1960s. The modes of subsystems associated with the lowest frequencies are typically retained in these methods. In this paper, we present a coupling‐matrix based mode selection scheme for the CMS method, referred to as the CMSχ method. This new scheme is derived using a moment‐matching principle defined on the interface between substructures. It is compatible to the one in recently proposed optimal modal reduction (OMR) method due to Givoli et al. The improvements of the CMSχ method to the CMS and OMR methods are demonstrated by numerical examples from structural dynamics in both frequency and time domains. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Public thinking about poverty: why it matters and how to measure it
Authors: Bolitho Floyd H. , Carr Stuart C. , Fletcher Richard B.
Published: December 2006

Meeting the Millennium Development Goals partly depends on not‐profit organizations raising more funds, which in turn depends on having reliable and valid assessments of where donor and recipient perceptions are out‐of‐line. Across samples from a developed economy Australia (n = 754), and a developing economy Malaŵi (n = 387), we explored the factor structure of the ‘Causes of Third‐World Poverty Questionnaire’ (CTWPQ, D. Harper and colleagues,1990). In addition to four core factors suggested through an original (N = 89) sample from the UK (Blame [1] the Poor, [2] Nature, [3] Third World governments, and [4] International Exploitation), combined Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) differentiate a possible fifth factor germane to the social marketing of aid, blame [5] Conflict. Australians and Malaŵians differed significantly on all five factors, with Malaŵians blaming poverty more on situations and less on the poor themselves, compared to Australian counterparts. Our findings are tentative because the CTWPQ item pool requires expanding to represent underlying constructs more fully. Nonetheless, instruments like the CTWPQ can in future be used to identify and monitor in‐context psychosocial barriers to donation, enabling not‐profit marketing organizations to raise funds more efficiently and effectively.

Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interdependent group contingency and mystery motivators to reduce preschool disruptive behavior
Authors: Murphy Kelly A. , Theodore Lea A. , Aloiso Danielle , Alric‐Edwards Jolie M. , Hughes Tammy L.
Published: December 2006

Children exhibiting challenging and disruptive behaviors can require teachers to spend a substantial amount of time on classroom management. Disruptive behaviors in the classroom impact the learning process by taking time away from academic instruction. Further, preschoolers who are disruptive are more likely to continue displaying problematic behaviors throughout the remaining school years. Relative to other age groups, there is a paucity of interventions for preschool children with disruptive behavior. Additionally, children from lower economic backgrounds are at a greater risk for both learning and behavioral problems, as characterized by the preschoolers enrolled in Head Start. Group contingencies are practical, efficient, and teacher‐friendly behavioral interventions that have been employed with older age groups to reduce disruptive behavior. An ABAB reversal design across 9 preschoolers enrolled in a Head Start classroom was employed to assess the effects of an interdependent group contingency with mystery motivators to reduce disruptive classroom behaviors. The present investigation revealed remarkable reductions of disruptive behavior across all 9 participants. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 44: 53–63, 2007.
Bootstrap percolation on the random regular graph
Authors: Balogh József , Pittel Boris G.
Published: December 2006

The k‐parameter bootstrap percolation on a graph is a model of an interacting particle system, which can also be viewed as a variant of a cellular automaton growth process with threshold k ≥ 2. At the start, each of the graph vertices is active with probability p and inactive with probability 1 − p, independently of other vertices. Presence of active vertices triggers a bootstrap percolation process controlled by a recursive rule: an active vertex remains active forever, and a currently inactive vertex becomes active when at least k of its neighbors are active. The basic problem is to identify, for a given graph, p− and p+ such that for p < p− (p > p+ resp.) the probability that all vertices are eventually active is very close to 0 (1 resp.). The bootstrap percolation process is a deterministic process on the space of subsets of the vertex set, which is easy to describe but hard to analyze rigorously in general. We study the percolation on the random d‐regular graph, d ≥ 3, via analysis of the process on the multigraph counterpart of the graph. Here, thanks to a “principle of deferred decisions,” the percolation dynamics is described by a surprisingly simple Markov chain. Its generic state is formed by the counts of currently active and nonactive vertices having various degrees of activation capabilities. We replace the chain by a deterministic dynamical system, and use its integrals to show—via exponential supermartingales—that the percolation process undergoes relatively small fluctuations around the deterministic trajectory. This allows us to show existence of the phase transition within an interval [p−(n),p+(n)], such that (1) p±(n) → p* = 1 − miny∈(0,1)y/ℙ(Bin(d − 1,1 − y) < k); (2) p+(n) − p−(n) is of order n−1/2 for k < d − 1, and n, (εn ↓ 0,εn log n →∞), for k = d − 1. Note that p* is the same as the critical probability of the process on the corresponding infinite regular tree. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 30, 257–286, 2007
Variation in growth rate in the landsnail Cepaea nemoralis
Authors: Wolda H.
Published: December 2006

In a number of experimental populations of the landsnail Cepaea nemoralis living under natural conditions a variation in growth rate has been observed both within and between populations. Usually it takes two years for newly hatched snails to become adult, but sometimes it takes only one and sometimes three years. The differences between populations had large effects on the differences in number of individuals in these populations.

Under experimental conditions in the laboratory it has been shown that there is a large variation in growth rate, part of which is genetic. The genes affecting polymorphism in Cepaea do not seem to be involved in the genetic variation in growth rate. Large eggs produce faster growing juveniles. No effect of the size of the parents on growth rate of the juveniles could be detected. Faster growing snails become larger adults. This may result in faster growing snails having a larger fecundity as larger snails produce on the average more and larger clutches of eggs. Some suggestions were obtained that slow growing individuals have a lower chance of survival.

A descriptive model is used to illustrate the increase of complexity of the dynamics of Cepaea populations because of the variation in growth rate.
Examination of the influences of density pressure on the pattern of adult emergence with reference to the azuki bean weevil, Callosobruchus chinensis
Authors: Murai Minoru , Fujii Koichi
Published: December 2006

The effect of competition pressure on the sequential pattern of adult emergence was studied by using the experimental population of the azuki bean weevil. The density and pattern of emergence curves of the parental adult induced the changes in the shape of emergence curve of the progeny as well as the number of progeny individuals. In order to explain these changes, a simple mathematical model which has two independent variables, the population density and the capacity of environment, was introduced. The model generated basically similar patterns of emergene curves as observed in the present experiments. This means that the model displayed well the competition pressure which differentially acted upon early‐born and late‐born individuals in the populations being at different densities and which were differentially received by individual progeny according to the sequential distributions of parents. This different severity of competition pressure resulted in the difference of time when the pressure compelled influences on the sequential distribution of adult emergence. Therefore, early developed individuals may have good chance to survive, but the competition pressure works as a factor modifying their fundamental superiority, especially in the scramble type of competition.

Intense crowding of the azuki bean weevil gave rise to the scramble type of competition in the relation between the numbers of adults emerged in two successive generations. When parental emergence concentrated in a short term and at high density, the competition becomes intense, resulting in the inferiority of early developed individuals, in the decrease in number at the next generation and in the increase of duration for emergence.
The statistical and biological implications of sampling units for mountain pine beetle populations in lodgepole pine
Authors: Cole Walter E.
Published: December 2006

Populations of the mountain pine beetle in lodgepole pine were measured using two sample sizes: a single gallery—this is the basic family unit constructed by the parent beetles; and a 6‐ by 6‐inch square area—the bark was removed and the brood counted. Data from the 6‐ by 6‐inch sample were recorded in three ways. Each measurement unit provided different biological information and required different statistical considerations. The single gallery sample provided the most representative data of the entire population, but required additional biological measurement of attack density. The 6‐ by 6‐inch sample brood data taken on an attack density basis provided the most statistically reliable information and encompassed the pertinent biological information. Percent survival, as could be used in elementary life tables, was rather consistent in all measurement units, regardless of point in time of sampling.
Optimal use of patches by parasitoids with a limited fecundity
Authors: Yamada Yoshihiro
Published: December 2006

a mathematical model is presented which predicts the expected optimal‐patch‐use strategy for solitary parasitoids with a limited fecundity.

The model predicts that the quality of the patches is determined by the proportion of unparasitized hosts and not by the density of those hosts, and that throughout the searching period the parasitoids should maintain the level of parasitism equal in all the patches irrespective of the host density per patch.

The spatial pattern of parasitism among field patches by a parasitoid with a low fecundity, Praestochrysis shanghaiensis, was in agreement with the prediction of the model, i.e., a similar level of parasitism in different patches was observed when the ratio of female parasitoids to hosts in the whole study area exceeded 0.07. When the ratio was less than 0.05, however, the level of parasitism per patch showed an inverse relation to the host density, and was positively correlated with the female parasitoid‐host ratio.

The model assumes that the parasitoids move between patches without cost and have perfect information about patch quality. Consideration of the cost of moving and sampling bridges the gap between the observed and predicted rates of parasitism found when the female parasitoid‐host ratio in the whole study area was low
Life table studies of the walnut leaf beetle, Gastrolina depressa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with special attention to aggregation
Authors: Chang Kwang‐Shing , Morimoto Naotake
Published: December 2006

In order to make clear the relationship between the mortality processes and aggregation on the walnut leaf beetle, Gastrolina depressa, life tables of individual colonies were developed and the major mortality factor and the mode of its action were investigated. Furthermore, the influences of the larval colony size on the survival rate and the developmental period were also investigated in the laboratory.

In the laboratory, when the larvae were reared on suitable (soft) host plants, the larger the group size, the faster the development. When the larvae were reared on unsuitable (hard) host plants, the larger the group size, the higher the survival rate. In the field, one of the major mortality factors of the egg stage was physiological death. However, there was no particular relation between the egg mass size and hatchability. On the other hand, another mortality factor of eggs, predation by A. hexaspilota, tended to act more on the larger sized egg masses. The mortality of the 1st instar larvae decreased with the increase of colony size. During the larval stages, the major mortality factor was predation by A. hexaspilota and P. japonica. Both predators tended to attack the colony in an all‐or‐none manner. The number of male adults was much less than the number of females in the Ina populations.
Effect of temperature and parasite density on three species of Aphytis (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), parasitising California red scale
Authors: Kfir Rami , Podoler Haggai
Published: December 2006

Three species of Aphytis parasites of California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) were each confined at different densities with approximately equal numbers of scale insects at several constant temperatures to determine the effect of these factors on progeny production and distribution and the search rate. Egg location on the host body by the parasites was unaffected by temperature or parasite density. A. melinus laid its eggs both dorsally and ventrally in equal proportions while A. lingnanensis and A. chrysomphali laid their eggs ventrally.

Progeny production by A. melinus and A. lingnanensis increased at the higher temperature; that of A. chrysomphali did not. Unlike the other species, A. chrysomphali failed to oviposit at 32°C.

Although increasing parasite density reduced progeny production in both A. melinus and A. lingnanensis, they were able to maintain an almonst constant search rate. This was due to their ability to distribute their eggs among the hosts more regularly at the higher parasite densities. While the mechanism of this process is easy to understand for A. melinus which behaved as a gregarious parasite, it is unclear for A. lingnanensis, which is almost a solitary parasite. The progeny production and the search rate of A. chrysomphali dropped significantly with increasing parasite density.
Foraging strategy of a non‐omniscient predator in a changing environment (I) model with a data window and absolute criterion
Authors: Inoue Tamiji
Published: December 2006

Almost all the models so far presented assume that predators are omniscient in the sense that they always have complete information about the spatial distribution of prey abundance and its change over time. But this type of model cannot cover the situation where the prey abundance in each patch changes over time due to factors other than predation. The model with a data window and absolute criterion (SAC) here enables us to treat such situations.

The strategy of non‐omniscient predators can be generally devided into four procedures; collection of information, its memorization, decision of tactics and its execution. SAC involves only two tactics; to stay another time period in the patch the predator is staying presently or to move to another patch chosen at random. The choice of either one of the two tactics is made by comparing the profitability of the current patch estimated by the data window with a pre‐determined absolute criterion.

Three changing patterns of prey abundance are considered. In the most general pattern good patches have a higher mean profitability than poor patches, but the profitability changes cyclically in each of patches.

There are only two possibilities for an optimal strategy; the “patch choice strategy” in which once the predator has taken a good patch, it tries to stay there even when the state becomes poor, and the ‘state choice strategy” in which the predator seeks for only good states in good patches. The condition for which either of the two foraging strategies is superior to the other is specified analytically.
The process of population increase and patterns of resource utilization of two spider mites, Oligonychus ununguis (Jacobi) and Panonychus citri (McGregor), under experimental conditions (Acari: Tetranychidae)
Authors: Wanibuchi Kyoko , Saitô Yutaka
Published: December 2006

Pattern of population growth and characteristics of habitat utilization and of migration by two species of spider mites were studied under experimental conditions. The population growth of Oligonychus ununguis (Jacobi) on a chestnut occurred only on a single mite‐release leaf over a long period, and few individuals moved away. Most of the 2nd progeny generation females of this species emigrated from the mite‐release leaf as well as the sapling by means of ballooning threads. During this growth period, population density on the mite‐release leaf levelled off, whereas that on the sapling increased. In contrast, the foundress of Panonychus citri (McGregor) on citrus actively moved over several neighbouring leaves, and until the 2nd progeny generation females emerged, individuals were distributed over all the sapling leaves by means of walking. Emigration from the sapling was not observed until the 2nd progeny females emerged, and after that the mites emigrated by means of ballooning threads. The population density of P. citri on the sapling levelled off and was rather decreased on the mite‐release leaf at the time of mite emigration. Comparing the changing pattern of the relative degree of aggregation (m*/m) measured in two different units between these two species, the pattern of m*/m in 1 cm2 on the mite release leaf in O. ununguis resembled that of the unit of leaves on the sapling in P. citri. This result as well as behavioural observations indicate that migration of O. ununguis is the movement from leaf to leaf and that of P. citri from sapling to sapling. It is, therefore, concluded that the boundary of the microhabitat is a single leaf for O. ununguis but sapling or foliage for P. citri.