bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid saliva processing techniques for near real‐time analysis of salivary steroids and protein
Authors: Atkinson Kelly R. , Lo Kim R. , Payne Steve R. , Mitchell John S. , Ingram John R.
Published: November 2008

Introduction: Point‐of‐care (POC) measurements using saliva samples have immense potential to assess systemic health and wellbeing, but sample viscosity and contaminants can affect analyses. We sought a portable clean‐up method for whole saliva appropriate for use with POC measurement techniques such as biosensors.

Methods: Whole saliva from each of 13 male subjects was split into 5 fractions. Each fraction was treated with a different clean‐up process: a freeze–thaw–centrifuge (FTC) step; centrifugation alone; or passage through a Mini‐UniPrep polyethersulfone filter, cotton Salivette®, or foam Oracol device. Following clean‐up, each subject's treated saliva fractions were assayed for cortisol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and proteinconcentrations. The effects of clean‐upmethods on nonspecific binding (NSB) in a biosensor were also assessed.

Results: Compared with FTC, no analytes were affected by centrifugation alone. Cotton Salivettes significantly altered all analytes, with increases in cortisol (+64%), testosterone (+126%), and DHEA (off‐scale) levels, and decreased protein (−21%) and biosensor NSB (−75%). Oracol foam devices decreased DHEA levels by 28%. Mini‐UniPrep filtration decreased testosterone (−45%) and DHEA (−66%) concentrations while increasing cortisol (+40%).

Conclusion: No method was optimal for all analytes, highlighting the need for validation of saliva treatment methods before their adoption in rapid POC analyses. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:395–402, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The lateral somitic frontier in ontogeny and phylogeny
Authors: Shearman Rebecca Marie , Burke Ann Campbell
Published: November 2008

The vertebrate musculoskeletal system comprises the axial and appendicular systems. The postcranial axial system consists of the vertebrae, ribs and associated muscles, and the appendicular system comprises the muscles and skeleton of the paired appendages and their respective girdles. The morphology, proportions, and arrangements of these parts have undergone tremendous variation during vertebrate history. Despite this vertebrate diversity, the cells that form all of the key parts of the musculoskeletal system during development arise from two populations of embryonic mesoderm, the somites and somatic lateral plate. Nowicki et al. (2003. Mech Dev 120:227–240) identified two dynamic domains in the developing chick embryo. The primaxial domain is populated exclusively by cells from the somites. The abaxial domain includes muscle and bone that develop within lateral plate‐derived connective tissue. The boundary between the two domains is the lateral somitic frontier. We hypothesize that the primaxial and abaxial domains are patterned independently and that morphological evolution of the musculoskeletal system is facilitated by partially independent developmental changes in the abaxial and primaxial domain. Here we present our hypothesis in detail and review recent experimental and comparative studies that use the concept of the lateral somitic frontier in the analysis of the evolution of the highly derived chelonian and limbless squamate body plans.J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 312B:603–612, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vivo targeted gene delivery by cationic nanoparticles for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Díez Sonsoles , Navarro Gemma , de ILarduya Conchita Tros
Published: November 2008

Background

Transgene expression in vivo for therapeutic purposes will require methods that allow for efficient gene transfer into cells. Although current vector technologies are being improved, the development of novel vector systems with improved targeting specificity, higher transduction efficiencies and improved safety is necessary.

Methods

Asialoglycoprotein receptor‐targeted cationic nanoparticles for interleukin (IL)‐12 encapsulation (NP1) or adsorption (NP2) have been formulated by blending poly(D,L‐lactic‐co‐glycolic) acid (PLGA) (50 : 50) with the cationic lipid 1,2‐dioleoyl‐3‐(trimethylammonium) propane (DOTAP) and the ligand asialofetuin (AF), by using a modified solvent evaporation process.

Results

We present a novel targeted lipopolymeric vector, which improves significantly the levels of luciferase gene expression in the liver upon i.v. administration. Targeted‐NP2 particles showed a five‐ and 12‐fold higher transfection activity in the liver compared to non‐targeted (plain) complexes or naked pCMV DNA, respectively. On the other hand, BNL tumor‐bearing animals treated with AF‐NP1 containing the therapeutic gene IL‐12, showed tumor growth inhibition, leading to a complete tumor regression in 75% of the treated mice, without signs of recurrence. High levels of IL‐12 and interferon‐γ were detected in the sera of treated animals. Mice survival also improved considerably. Tumor treatment with AF‐NP2 formulations lead only to a retardation in the tumor growth.

Conclusions

In the present study, we have developed an efficient targeted non‐viral vector for IL‐12 gene transfer in hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo, by employing non‐toxic cationic PLGA/DOTAP/AF nanoparticles. These results demonstrate for the first time that this cationic system could be used successfully and safely for delivery of therapeutic genes with antitumor activity into liver tumors with targeting specificity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular characterization of VP4, VP6, VP7, NSP4, and NSP5/6 genes identifies an unusual G3P[10] human rotavirus strain
Authors: Khamrin Pattara , Maneekarn Niwat , Peerakome Supatra , Malasao Rungnapa , Thongprachum Aksara , Chan‐it Wisoot , Mizuguchi Masashi , Okitsu Shoko , Ushijima Hiroshi
Published: November 2008

An unusual strain of human rotavirus G3P[10] (CMH079/05) was detected in a stool sample of a 2‐year‐old child admitted to the hospital with severe diarrhea in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Analysis of the VP7 gene sequence revealed highest identities with unusual human rotavirus G3 strain CMH222 at 98.7% on the nucleotide and 99.6% on the amino acid levels. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP7 sequence confirmed that the CMH079/05 strain formed a cluster with G3 rotavirus reference strains and showed the closest lineage with the CMH222 strain. Analysis of partial VP4 gene of CMH079/05 revealed highest degree of sequence identities with P[10] rotavirus prototype strain 69M at nucleotide and amino acid levels of 92.9% and 94.6%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP4 sequence revealed that CMH079/05 and 69M clustered closely together in a monophyletic branch separated from other rotavirus genotypes. To our knowledge, this is a novel G–P combination of G3 and P[10] genotypes. In addition, analyses of VP6, NSP4, and NSP5/6 genes revealed these uncommon genetic characteristics: (i) the VP6 gene differed from the four other known subgroups; (ii) the NSP4 gene was identified as NSP4 genetic group C, an uncommon group in humans; and (iii) the NSP5/6 gene was most closely related with T152, a G12P[9] rotavirus previously isolated in Thailand. The finding of uncommon G3P[10] rotavirus in this pediatric patient provided additional evidence of the genetic diversity of human group A rotaviruses in Chiang Mai, Thailand. J. Med. Virol. 81:176–182, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The detection and molecular characterization of human G12 genotypes in South Africa
Authors: Page N.A. , de Beer M.C. , Seheri L.M. , Dewar J.B. , Steele A.D.
Published: November 2008

The last decade has seen an increase in the detection of rotavirus strains other than G1–G4 emerging or even predominating in some settings. The performance of the current rotavirus vaccines against unusual or rare circulating rotavirus serotypes cannot be predicted and continuous monitoring of wild type rotaviruses will remain a priority. Routine molecular rotavirus surveillance conducted in the Gauteng Province, South Africa during 2004, resulted in the detection of strains that could not typed using standard G specific genotyping primers. Sequencing of the first round amplicons revealed 19 serotype G12P[6] strains and one G12P[8] strain. Phylogenetic analyses of the G12 strains indicated that these strains are probably a recent introduction into South Africa and emerged from a strain related to the Indian isolate ISO‐5. The association of the South African G12s with the P[6] genotype may suggest a mechanism for unusual strains to become more ecologically suited to local population transmission dynamics. This is the first report of serotype G12 strains on the African continent and continued surveillance will be required to track the emergence of G12 strains in Africa. J. Med. Virol. 81:106–113, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Peripherally expressed neprilysin reduces brain amyloid burden: A novel approach for treating Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Guan Hanjun , Liu Yinxing , Daily Abigail , Police Sara , Kim Myung‐Hee , Oddo Salvatore , LaFerla Frank M. , Pauly James R. , Murphy M. Paul , Hersh Louis B.
Published: November 2008

A number of therapeutic strategies for treating Alzheimer's disease have focused on reducing amyloid burden in the brain. Among these approaches, the expression of amyloid β peptide (Aβ)‐degrading enzymes in the brain has been shown to be effective but to date not practical for treating patients. We report here a novel strategy for lowering amyloid burden in the brain by peripherally expressing the Aβ‐degrading enzyme neprilysin on leukocytes in the 3xTg‐AD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Through transplantation of lentivirus‐transduced bone marrow cells, the Aβ‐degrading protease neprilysin was expressed on the surface of leukocytes. This peripheral neprilysin reduced soluble brain Aβ peptide levels by ∼30% and lowered the accumulation of amyloid β peptides by 50–60% when transplantation was performed at both young and early adult age. In addition, peripheral neprilysin expression reduced amyloid‐dependent performance deficits as measured by the Morris water maze. Unlike other methods designed to lower Aβ levels in blood, which cause a net increase in peptide, neprilysin expression results in the catabolism of Aβ to small, innocuous peptide fragments. These findings demonstrate that peripherally expressed neprilysin, and likely other Aβ‐degrading enzymes, has the potential to be utilized as a therapeutic approach to prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease and suggest that this approach should be explored further. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cuprizone treatment induces demyelination and astrocytosis in the mouse hippocampus
Authors: Norkute Akvile , Hieble Andrea , Braun Alena , Johann Sonja , Clarner Tim , Baumgartner Werner , Beyer Cordian , Kipp Markus
Published: November 2008

Memory impairment is outstanding within the spectrum of cognitive deficits in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Demyelination has been reported in the hippocampus formation of MS patients. The degree of hippocampus lesions in MS strongly correlates with progression of cognitive dysfunction. Because no appropriate animal model for the study of hippocampus demyelination has been established, we used the cuprizone mouse model to investigated demyelination in young adult and aged mice. The myelin status was analyzed by classical histological staining, immunocytochemistry for proteolipoprotein, and electron microscopy. Oligodendrocyte, astroglial, and microglia markers were studied. Cuprizone intoxication induced an almost complete demyelination of distinct hippocampus subregions to a similar extent in young adult and aged male mice. Demyelination was pronounced in a subset of white and gray matter areas, i.e., the stratum lacunosum moleculare containing the perforant path, medial alveus, stratum pyramidale in the cornu ammonis 2/3 region, and hilus region. Besides demyelination, affected areas displayed hypertrophic and hyperplastic astrocytosis. No significant effect on microglia invasion was detected at any investigated time point (0, 3, 5, and 7 weeks). We conclude that cuprizone‐induced demyelination provides an adequate animal model to investigate appropriate therapy strategies for the prevention of hippocampus demyelination. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vivo study on the protection of indole‐3‐carbinol (I3C) against the mouse acute alcoholic liver injury by micro‐Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Shen Aiguo , Zhang Benjian , Ping Jie , Xie Wei , Donfack Patrice , Baek Seong‐Joon , Zhou Xiaodong , Wang Hui , Materny Arnulf , Hu Jiming
Published: November 2008

Micro‐Raman spectroscopy (MRS) was utilized for the first time to evaluate the effect of indole‐3‐carbinol (I3C) on acute alcoholic liver injury in vivo. In situ Raman analysis of tissue sections provided distinct spectra that can be used to distinguish alcoholic liver injury as well as ethanol‐induced liver fibrosis from the normal state. Sixteen mice with liver diseases including acute liver injury and chronic liver fibrosis, and eight mice with normal liver tissues, and eight remedial mice were studied employing the Raman spectroscopic technique in conjunction with biomedical assays. The biochemical changes in mouse liver tissue when liver injury/fibrosis occurs such as the loss of reduced glutathione (GSH), and the increase of collagen (α‐helix protein) were observed by MRS. The intensity ratio of two Raman peaks (I1450/I666) and in combination with statistical analysis of the entire Raman spectrum was found capable of classifying liver tissues with different pathological features. Raman spectroscopy therefore is an important candidate for a nondestructive in vivo screening of the effect of drug treatment on liver disease, which potentially decreases the time‐consuming clinical trials. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physical distribution and characteristics of meat and bone meal protein
Authors: Garcia Rafael A , Phillips John G
Published: November 2008

BACKGROUND: Use of meat and bone meal (MBM) in animal feed has been progressively restricted. Production of an MBM protein isolate would facilitate the development of new applications. Rational design of a process to produce such an isolate requires knowledge of MBM protein distribution and characteristics.

RESULTS: MBM consists of varying proportions of bone and soft tissue particles, but the soft tissue particles contain > 80% of the protein. Under mild conditions only a small portion of MBM protein can be solubilized; the most aggressive non‐hydrolytic conditions fail to solubilize > 55% of the protein. Amino acid analysis reveals that collagen accounts for approximately 17% of the protein in soft tissue particles and 26% of that in bone particles. The extractable fractions of MBM protein are highly polydisperse and have weight‐average molecular masses of 71.1–86.7 kDa.

CONCLUSION: MBM protein is a challenging substance to utilize functionally, largely due to its low solubility and intermingling with non‐protein substances. Results suggest that production of an MBM protein isolate will have to incorporate limited hydrolysis. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Knowledge management of interconnected decisions with application to project management
Authors: Karni Reuven , Kaner Maya
Published: November 2008

In this paper we describe a methodology to support decisionmaking in a multiple decision environment using previous experience regarding decisions and their interrelationships. This methodology comprises: (a) new kinds of knowledge which help to better understand the interrelationships between decisions; (b) a human reasoning process incorporating the reuse of past experience in making interrelated decisions; (c) lessons that can be learned or formulated, on the basis of past experience, when current interconnected decisions are to be made. Case‐based reasoning (CBR) is used to manage decision knowledge using cases—experience gained from previous decisions. This is complemented by dyad‐based reasoning (DBR) to manage the interrelationships between decisions. A dyad is a pair of linked decisions reflecting past experience in making successive decisions. DBR provides a new type of knowledge: the nature and composition of an interconnected set of decisions involving several aspects of a decisionmaking situation. We demonstrate the application of the proposed methodology to a typical example of a multiple decision environment—project management. When a project manager has to make a number of interrelated decisions while carrying out several project management processes, a dyad knowledge base and DBR provide guidance as to the complementary considerations needed to make a multi‐faceted set of decisions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Critical success factors of business process re‐engineering in the banking industry
Authors: Cheng T. C. E. , Chiu Ida S. F.
Published: November 2008

This study seeks to identify the factors that are critical to successful implementation of business process re‐engineering (BPR), and attempts to develop a reliable, empirically tested and rigorously validated measurement instrument for BPR, for Hong Kong's banking sector. We conducted a large‐scale survey of banking industry executives and applied a rigorous research methodology to treat the survey data. We identified four critical success factors (CSFs) of BPR implementation, which are management commitment, customer focus, use of IT and communication of change and developed a functional instrument to measure BPR in the banking industry. Of these four factors, only customer focus has a significant relationship with firm performance. This finding is consistent with the literature on successful re‐engineering. This paper contributes to research by identifying the success factors of BPR implementation, and provides managerial insights on the successful management of BPR, in the banking industry. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complex knowledge conversion processes and information quality in regional innovation networks
Authors: Uotila Tuomo , Melkas Helinä
Published: November 2008

The list of topics associated with information quality grows. This paper introduces a new research area: regional innovation networks and their information and knowledge creation processes. Networking calls for new ways of investigating information and knowledge quality. Studies in heterogeneous innovation networks of organizations from different sectors have barely been undertaken. This paper focuses on information and knowledge, their quality and their relation to knowledge management in regional innovation networks. The paper presents results of two case studies. Regional knowledge creation processes need to be handled skilfully as to their basic materials and results. These should be of good quality at various stages of the complex, knowledge‐intensive processes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantifying the effects of high summer temperatures due to climate change on buckling and rail related delays in south‐east United Kingdom
Authors: Dobney K. , Baker C. J. , Quinn A. D. , Chapman L.
Published: November 2008

Extreme high temperatures are associated with increased incidences of rail buckles. Climate change is predicted to alter the temperature profile in the United Kingdom with extreme high temperatures becoming an increasingly frequent occurrence. The result is that the number of buckles, and therefore delays, expected per year will increase if the track is maintained to the current standard. This paper uses a combination of analogue techniques and a weather generator to quantify the increase in the number of buckles and rail related delays in the south‐east of the United Kingdom. The paper concludes by assigning a cost to the resultant rise in delays and damage before making recommendations on how these effects can be mitigated. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Diversity in academic medicine no. 1 case for minority faculty development today
Authors: Nivet Marc A. , Taylor Vera S. , Butts Gary C. , Strelnick A. Hal , Herbert‐Carter Janice , Fry‐Johnson Yvonne W. , Smith Quentin T. , Rust George , Kondwani Kofi
Published: November 2008

For the past 20 years, the percentage of the American population consisting of nonwhite minorities has been steadily increasing. By 2050, these nonwhite minorities, taken together, are expected to become the majority. Meanwhile, despite almost 50 years of efforts to increase the representation of minorities in the healthcare professions, such representation remains grossly deficient. Among the underrepresented minorities are African and Hispanic Americans; Native Americans, Alaskans, and Pacific Islanders (including Hawaiians); and certain Asians (including Hmong, Vietnamese, and Cambodians). The underrepresentation of underrepresented minorities in the healthcare professions has a profoundly negative effect on public health, including serious racial and ethnic health disparities. These can be reduced only by increased recruitment and development of both underrepresented minority medical students and underrepresented minority medical school administrators and faculty. Underrepresented minority faculty development is deterred by barriers resulting from years of systematic segregation, discrimination, tradition, culture, and elitism in academic medicine. If these barriers can be overcome, the rewards will be great: improvements in public health, an expansion of the contemporary medical research agenda, and improvements in the teaching of both underrepresented minority and non–underrepresented minority students. Mt Sinai J Med 75:491–498, © 2008 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Diversity in academic medicine no. 3 struggle for survival among leading diversity programs
Authors: Strelnick A. Hal , Taylor Vera S. , Williams Beverly , Lee‐Rey Elizabeth , Herbert‐Carter Janice , Fry‐Johnson Yvonne W. , Smith Quentin T. , Rust George , Kondwani Kofi
Published: November 2008

Since efforts to increase the diversity of academic medicine began shortly after the Civil War, the efforts have been characterized by a ceaseless struggle of old and new programs to survive. In the 40 years after the Civil War, the number of minority‐serving institutions grew from 2 to 9, and then the number fell again to 2 in response to an adverse evaluation by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. For 50 years, the programs grew slowly, picking up speed only after the passage of landmark civil rights legislation in the 1960s. From 1987 through 2005, they expanded rapidly, fueled by such new federal programs as the Centers of Excellence and Health Careers Opportunity Programs. Encompassing majority‐white institutions as well as minority‐serving institutions, the number of Centers of Excellence grew to 34, and the number of Health Careers Opportunity Programs grew to 74. Then, in 2006, the federal government cut its funding abruptly and drastically, reducing the number of Centers of Excellence and Health Careers Opportunity Programs to 4 each. Several advocacy groups, supported by think tanks, have striven to restore federal funding to previous levels, so far to no avail. Meanwhile, the struggle to increase the representation of underrepresented minorities in the health professions is carried on by the surviving programs, including the remaining Centers of Excellence and Health Careers Opportunity Programs and new programs that, funded by state, local, and private agencies, have arisen from the ashes. Mt Sinai J Med 75:504–516, © 2008 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Diversity in academic medicine no. 4 Northeast Consortium: innovation in minority faculty development
Authors: Butts Gary C. , Johnson Jerry , Strelnick A. Hal , Soto‐Greene Maria L. , Williams Beverly , Lee‐Rey Elizabeth
Published: November 2008

In fiscal year 2006, the US Government abruptly and drastically reduced its funding for programs to increase the racial and ethnic diversity of academic medicine, including programs to increase the development of minority medical faculty. Anticipating this reduction, 4 such programs—the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey–New Jersey Medical School, and University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine—decided to pool their resources, forming the Northeast Consortium of Minority Faculty Development. An innovation in minority faculty development, the Northeast Consortium of Minority Faculty Development has succeeded in exposing faculty trainees to research and teaching that they might not have considered otherwise, expanding the number and diversity of their mentors and role models, providing them potential access to larger and different populations and databases for purposes of research, and expanding their peer contacts. After introducing the Northeast Consortium of Minority Faculty Development, this article describes the origins and goals of each member program. Mt Sinai J Med 75:517–522, © 2008 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Diversity in academic medicine no. 5 successful programs in minority faculty development: overview
Authors: Palermo Ann‐Gel S. , Soto‐Greene Maria L. , Taylor Vera S. , Cornbill Ray , Johnson Jerry , Mindt Monica Rivera , Byrd Desiree , Butts Gary C. , Herbert‐Carter Janice , Fry‐Johnson Yvonne W. , Smith Quentin T. , Rust George , Strelnick A. Hal
Published: November 2008

Despite recent drastic cutbacks in federal funding for programs to diversify academic medicine, many such programs survive and continue to set examples for others of how to successfully increase the participation of minorities underrepresented in the healthcare professions and, in particular, how to increase physician and nonphysician minority medical faculty. This article provides an overview of such programs, including those in historically black colleges and universities, minority‐serving institutions, research‐intensive private and public medical schools, and more primary care–oriented public medical schools. Although the models for faculty development developed by these successful schools overlap, each has unique features worthy of consideration by other schools seeking to develop programs of their own. The ingredients of success are discussed in detail in another article in this theme issue of the Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine, “Successful Programs in Minority Faculty Development: Ingredients of Success.” Mt Sinai J Med 75:523–532, © 2008 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Metabolite profiling of the intraerythrocytic malaria parasitePlasmodium falciparumby1H NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Teng Rongwei , Junankar Pauline R. , Bubb William A. , Rae Caroline , Mercier Pascal , Kirk Kiaran
Published: November 2008

NMR spectroscopy was used to identify and quantify compounds in extracts prepared from mature trophozoite‐stagePlasmodium falciparumparasites isolated by saponin‐permeabilisation of the host erythrocyte. One‐dimensional1H NMR spectroscopy and four two‐dimensional NMR techniques were used to identify more than 50 metabolites. The intracellular concentrations of over 40 metabolites were estimated from the1H NMR spectra of extracts prepared by four extraction methods: perchloric acid, methanol/water, methanol/chloroform/water, and methanol alone. The metabolites quantified included: the majority of the biologicalα‐amino acids; 4‐aminobutyric acid; mono‐, di‐ and tri‐carboxylic acids; nucleotides; polyamines;myo‐inositol; and phosphocholine and phosphoethanolamine. The parasites also contained a significant concentration (up to 12 mM) of the exogenous buffering agent, HEPES. Although the metabolite profiles obtained with each extraction method were broadly similar, perchloric acid was found to have significant advantages over the other extraction media. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A constitutive relation error estimator based on traction‐free recovery of the equilibrated stress
Authors: Gallimard L.
Published: November 2008

A new methodology for recovering equilibrated stress fields is presented, which is based on traction‐free subdomains' computations. It allows a rather simple implementation in a standard finite element code compared with the standard technique for recovering equilibrated tractions. These equilibrated stresses are used to compute a constitutive relation error estimator for a finite element model in 2D linear elasticity. A lower bound and an upper bound for the discretization error are derived from the error in the constitutive relation. These bounds in the discretization error are used to build lower and upper bounds for local quantities of interest. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Healthy lifestyles through an Adaptive Living Program: a pilot study
Authors: Barnes Meghan , Bigari Kim , Culler Tiffany , Gregory Heather , Hamilton Julienne , Krawczyk Stacy , Earley Donald , Herlache Ellen
Published: November 2008

This study examined the effects of an Adaptive Living Program (ALP) on quality of life and life satisfaction of 19 low‐income adults living in a city‐subsidized apartment complex in Michigan. The ALP included 12 modules and three community outings over a 12‐week period, two times a week, with each session lasting 1.5 hours. Occupational therapy students conducted the groups under faculty supervision. The RAND SF‐36 and a non‐standardized tool were used to collect data.

Results obtained from the participants' RAND SF‐36 pre‐test and post‐test scores demonstrated no significant difference in the physical, social and emotional health variables. Qualitative information gathered in a 60‐minute semi‐structured focus group held on the final day of the programme indicated that participants reported that they had increased their quality of life and life satisfaction through developing better social skills, increased knowledge of nutrition and improved interpersonal skills.

Methodological limitations included a small sample, limited ethnic population, occasional absences during the group sessions, abbreviated length of programme and application of a non‐standardized assessment. Recommendations include a larger sample size of diverse ethnic population with varying ages, an established cut‐off date for new evaluations, a lengthened programme, a standardized qualitative questionnaire and alternative quantitative assessment. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and properties of a novel double network nanocomposite hydrogel
Authors: Lin Jiantao , Xu Shimei , Shi Xiaomei , Feng Shun , Wang Jide
Published: November 2008

A novel polyacrylamide/polyacrylic acid (PAAm/PAA) double network (DN) nanocomposite (NC) hydrogel had been synthesized by two‐step solution polymerization. The PAAm network was crosslinked by inorganic clay while the PAA network was crosslinked by a chemical crosslinker. The chemical structure of the network was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The swelling and mechanical strength properties of PAAm/PAA hydrogels were examined. The results showed that a DN hydrogel achieved both a high swelling capacity of 1219 g/g in deionized water and 124 g/g in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution and high compressive stress of 21.5 kPa in a high water content of 99.58%. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dielectric and dynamic mechanical relaxation behavior of exfoliated nano graphite reinforced flouroelastomer composites
Authors: Sridhar V. , Xu Deng , Pham Thanh Tu , Mahapatra S.P. , Kim Jin Kuk
Published: November 2008

Dynamic mechanical analysis and dielectric relaxation spectra of exfoliated nano graphite reinforced flouroelastomer composites were used to study their relaxation behavior as a function of temperature (−80°C to +40°C) and frequency (0.01 to 105Hz). The effect of filler loadings on glass transition temperature was marginal for all the composites andTgvalue was in the narrow range of 7.8–8.4°C, which has been explained on the basis of relaxation dynamics of polymer chains in the vicinity of fillers. Strain‐dependent dynamical parameters were evaluated at dynamic strain amplitudes of 0.01–10%. The nonlinearity in storage modulus has been explained on the concept of filler‐polymer interaction and filler aggregation of the nano graphite platelets. The variation in real and complex part of impedance with frequency has been studied as a function of filler. The percolation of the nano graphite as studied by conductivity measurements is also reported. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Preparation and morphology of high‐performance exfoliated poly(sodium acrylate)/hydrotalcite nanocomposite superabsorbents
Authors: Zhang Yatao , Fan Lihai , Cheng Lihua , Zhang Lin , Chen Huanlin
Published: November 2008

A poly‐matrix composite—poly(sodium acrylate) (PSA)/hydrotalcite (HT) (PSA/HT) nanocomposite superabsorbent—with obvious improvements in both the water absorbency and salt absorbency has been prepared by the intercalated HT, using sodium methyl allyl sulfonate as an intercalation agent. The superabsorbents acquired their highest water (salt) absorbency when the content of HT is 3 wt%. The highest absorbency for deionized water and 0.9 wt% NaCl (aq) were 1100 g/g and 145 g/g, respectively. Microstructures were analyzed by X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. Chemical analysis was determined measurements. Results showed that HT incorporated into the superabsorbents was by Fourier infrared spectroscopy and energy dispersion spectroscopy. Results showed that the superabsorbent particles were in the form of spheres, and the hydrogels were in the form of regular network structures. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Modeling the Knowledge Perspective of IT Projects
Authors: Reich Blaize Horner , Gemino Andrew , Sauer Chris
Published: November 2008

Information technology (IT) projects are often viewed as arenas in which action is paramount, and tasks, budgets, people, and schedules need to be managed and controlled to achieve expected results. This perspective is useful because it encourages the project manager to scope work, manage time and budget, and monitor progress. Another perspective views a project as a place where learning and knowledge is paramount. In this view, projects are seen as a conduit for knowledge, which enters through people, methodologies, and prior learning. During the project, knowledge must be transferred, integrated, created, and exploited to create new organizational value. Knowledge is created, and knowledge can be lost. Within an IT project, this focus on knowledge yields new insights, because IT projects are primarily knowledge work. From this perspective, the project manager's primary task is to combine multiple sources of knowledge about technologies and business processes to create organizational value. These and other views of the IT project are complementary. However, this article focuses only on the knowledge perspective, leaving aside other views. This article is designed to bring together the empirical literature, which has investigated the impact of knowledge perspectives on IT project performance, and to suggest a temporal model of this perspective. In the first part of this article, we consider the knowledge-based view of an IT project and suggest definitions and a typology of knowledge. Then the knowledge risks model (Reich, 200?) is used as a framework within which to collect and examine the empirical data that support the knowledge-based view of an IT project. In the third part of this article, the problem of modeling knowledge and learning within IT projects is addressed. The study begins with the Temporal Model of IT Project Performance (Gemino, Reich, & Sauer, 2008) and discusses evidence that its knowledge-based constructs and subconstructs are influential with respect to project performance. The article ends by proposing a temporal model of the knowledge perspective of an IT project. There are five constructs in this model: knowledge resources, knowledge creation, knowledge loss, project performance, and learning. The content of these constructs and their expected interaction is discussed. Although this stream of work is at its early stages, hopefully it will convince researchers that further investigation into knowledge and learning within projects is warranted because it has the potential to impact both the theory and performance of IT projects.
Modern Virtual Project Management: The Effects of a Centralized and Decentralized Project Management Office
Authors: Curlee Wanda
Published: November 2008

One of the many challenges within the project management community is how to structure the project management organization (PMO) to optimize the value of virtual project managers. Some organizations choose to include project managers as part of discrete sales or solution teams, with a small corporate group overseeing the project management methodology, training, and other miscellaneous responsibilities. Other businesses and organizations choose to centralize the project managers within the organization. The purpose of this quantitative research is to determine the degree to which a centralized PMO contributes to the success of a virtual project team. This article presents a subset of the data accumulated during the study, including training, standardized processes, electronic communication and collaboration, and leader behaviors.
Development, confirmation, and validation of a measure of coping with colorectal cancer: a longitudinal investigation
Authors: Rinaldis Machelle , Pakenham Kenneth I. , Lynch Brigid M. , Aitken Joanne F.
Published: November 2008

Objective: This longitudinal study developed and confirmed the factor structure of the 32‐item Coping with Colorectal Cancer (CCRC) measure. Reliability and validity of the measure were also assessed.

Methods: Participants were 1800 individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC). A written questionnaire and a telephone interview were completed at 5 (Time 1) and 12 months post‐diagnosis (Time 2).

Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed eight mostly empirically distinct subscales: Positive Perceptual Change, Religion/Spirituality, Rumination, Acceptance, Humour, Palliative, Seeking Social Support, and Lifestyle Reorganisation. Internal reliabilities were adequate and comparable to other coping measures, and test–retest analyses showed moderate temporal stability of the subscales. Cross‐sectional and longitudinal regression analyses were conducted to establish criterion‐related validity. As hypothesised, after controlling for demographics, disease/treatment, and stress/coping variables, regression analyses showed that CCRC subscales uniquely predicted Time 1 quality of life (QOL) outcomes (positive affect, cancer‐related QOL, psychological distress). After controlling for Time 1 QOL, Seeking Social Support coping continued to predict Time 2 positive affect.

Conclusions: Results demonstrated the preliminary validity and reliability of the CCRC subscales, and have extended the cancer coping research by revealing new relations between coping subscales and QOL in a mixed‐gender, older population with CRC. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A contribution to the validation of the Needs Evaluation Questionnaire (NEQ): a study in the Italian context
Authors: Annunziata Maria Antonietta , Muzzatti Barbara , Altoè Gianmarco
Published: November 2008

Background and object: An accurate assessment of patients' needs is a core point in improving treatment adherence, satisfaction, and quality of life of care receivers. The Needs Evaluation Questionnaire (NEQ) is a practical and short instrument designed to record hospitalized patients' necessities. The present paper is a contribution to its factorial definition, useful in enhancing the understanding of NEQ psychometric properties and in supporting its use in research as well as in current practice.

Method: Six hundred consecutive hospitalized cancer patients completed the NEQ together with a form for the collection of personal identification and clinical data. The initial sample was randomly split into two subsamples, and we then conducted: (1) an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) on Subsample 1; (2) a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the factor structure resulting from EFA on Subsample 2; (3) a comparison between the factor structure resulting from CFA and a unidimensional factor solution.

Results and conclusions: EFA revealed the presence of five factors (i.e. informative needs, needs related to assistance/care, relational needs, needs for psychoemotional support, and material needs) explaining a total of 50.5% of the variance. CFA confirmed the validity of the correlated five‐factor solution emerging from EFA, demonstrating how the theoretical model provided a good fit to the observed data. Finally, we demonstrated that the five‐factor solution was more appropriate in the reconstruction of the observed data than the unidimensional factor solution. According to the present data and despite the limitations raised, using NEQ as a five‐factor questionnaire is functional and recommendable. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serum active hepatocyte growth factor (AHGF) in benign prostatic disease and prostate cancer
Authors: Yasuda Kenji , Nagakawa Osamu , Akashi Takuya , Fujiuchi Yasuyoshi , Koizumi Keiichi , Komiya Akira , Saiki Ikuo , Fuse Hideki
Published: November 2008

BACKGROUND

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is secreted as an inactive single‐chain precursor called pro‐HGF. Pro‐HGF is converted to an active two‐chain form by HGF activator and matriptase. We attempted to clarify whether serum levels of active HGF (AHGF) could be used as a marker of prostate cancer.

METHODS

Serum levels of AHGF and total HGF (THGF; pro‐HGF + AHGF) were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 38 patients with benign prostatic disease and 160 patients with prostate cancer.

RESULTS

Serum levels of AHGF in patients with untreated prostate cancer (0.37 ± 0.12 ng/ml) were significantly higher than those in patients with benign prostatic disease (0.28 ± 0.08 ng/ml) (P = 0.0001). Serum AHGF levels were increased in patients with stage D or D3 compared with stage B. In addition, there were significant differences in serum AHGF levels between patients with well‐differentiated and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, the mean serum AHGF/THGF ratio in patients with stage D3 prostate cancer was significantly higher than that in patients with stage B.

CONCLUSIONS

AHGF may be a potential tumor marker for prostate cancer. Further studies in large groups of patients are needed to define the clinical value of AHGF. Prostate 69:346–351, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lipophobicity and the residue environments of the transmembrane α‐helical bundle
Authors: Mokrab Younes , Stevens Tim J. , Mizuguchi Kenji
Published: November 2008

We present a statistical analysis of residue environment preferences along the membrane normal in helical transmembrane (HTM) proteins, based on an up‐to‐date nonredundant set of protein structures. Distinct amino acid residue propensities were revealed, both in terms of lipid accessibility and depth within the lipid bilayer, highlighting their potential usefulness for alignment and modelling of membrane proteins. Using the propensities in the HTM proteins, new lipophobicity scales (LIPS) were derived for the lipid bilayer interface (LI) and the hydrocarbon core (HC) regions of the membrane, measuring the tendencies of different amino acids to occupy protein‐buried or lipid‐exposed positions. The LIPS for LI and HC resemble some of the existing LIPS such as kPROT, TMLIP2, and LA but our new scales were derived by using more comprehensive information than any of the existing scales and are distinct overall. Effective free energies of transfer derived from the LIPS showed a good correlation with a semi empirical scale for the transfer energies from the interface of palmitoyloleoylphosphocholine (POPC) bilayers to ocatanol (ΔWWioct). The new scales also predicted the lipophobic effect in the LI to be smaller than the hydrophobic effect governing the folding of globular proteins, consistent with theory and experiment. These results provided a coherent description of lipophobicitliy in the distinct layers of the membrane and gave clarity to the widely discussed notion of whether membrane proteins can be regarded as “inside out” of globular proteins. Proteins 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electronegativity: Quantum observable
Authors: Putz Mihai V.
Published: November 2008

The question whether electronegativity may be considered as quantum observable is responded in positive by a special ionization‐affinity wave function construction within the fermionic Fock space for the valence state of a chemical system. The present approach consecrates electronegativity as the minus eigen‐energy of the unperturbed occupied valence state involved in addition and release of electrons by atoms‐in‐molecules interactions. This way, the earlier crisis raised by Bergmann and Hinze concerning the assignment of chemical potential to electronegativity quantification is here solved in the favor of Parr density functional picture. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
Negative ion source for chlorine isotope ratio measurements
Authors: Pelc Andrzej , Halas Stanislaw
Published: November 2008

A negative chlorine ion source has been designed and constructed. The source utilizes direct surface ionization of chloromethane gas on a hot metal filament. Four different alloys for the filament material were tested: W99Th1, W75Re25, Hf97.5Zr2.5 and Mo52.5Re47.5. We conclude that the best filament material is the MoRe alloy, for which the signal‐to‐noise ratio is optimal. The ion source is used for chlorine isotope ratio measurements with higher precision and sensitivity than the positive ionization source used previously. Inasmuch as only negative ions of the two isotopes of interest are observed, no corrections to the measured isotope ratio are necessary, and less rigously purified samples may be analyzed. The negative ion currents are considerably larger than positive ion currents obtained with an electron ionization source. This implies higher analytical precision (typically 0.005 permil) and sensitivity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitation of trace phenolic compounds in water by trap‐and‐release membrane introduction mass spectrometry after acetylation
Authors: Sparrapan Regina , Eberlin Marcos N. , Alberici Rosana M.
Published: November 2008

Trap‐and‐release membrane introduction mass spectrometry (T&R‐MIMS) with a removable direct insertion membrane probe (DIMP) is used to quantitate a variety of trace phenolic compounds in water after acetylation. The procedure is simple, rapid and robust, producing linear and reproducible responses for phenolic compounds with varying polarities. Acetylation minimizes the polarity effects of ring substituents; hence, T&R‐MIMS of the acetylated phenols provides lower and more uniform limits of detection (LODs) (2–15 µg L−1) than those obtained by direct T&R‐MIMS analysis of the non‐derivatized phenols. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Glutamine deamidation of a recombinant monoclonal antibody
Authors: Liu Hongcheng , Gaza‐Bulseco Georgeen , Chumsae Chris
Published: November 2008

Deamidation of glutamine (Gln) proceeds at a much slower rate than deamidation of asparagine (Asn) residues at peptide level. However, deamidation of Gln residues in native proteins may occur faster because of the impact of protein structure and thus plays a significant role in affecting protein stability. Gln deamidation of a recombinant monoclonal IgG1 antibody was investigated in the current study. Deamidation was determined by a molecular weight increase of 1 Da, a retention time shift on reversed‐phase chromatography and tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) analysis of the peptides. As expected, Gln residues at different locations in the three‐dimensional structure had different susceptibilities to deamidation. Gln deamidation was highly pH dependent with the highest level detected in the sample incubated at pH 9, and lowest level at pH 6 in the pH range from 5 to 9. The detection of significant levels of Gln deamidation suggested that it may play an important role in affecting heterogeneity and stability of recombinant monoclonal antibodies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.