bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Residential responses to fear (of crime plus) in two Cape Town suburbs: implications for the post‐apartheid city
Authors: Lemanski Charlotte
Published: July 2006

This article addresses citizens' physical and emotional responses to fear (of crime plus) in post‐apartheid urban South Africa. Using primary research undertaken in two Cape Town residential suburbs, the impact of fear on citizens' lifestyle choices is demonstrated. In the first suburb the response to fear manifests in the immense physical security of a gated community, while residents of the second suburb have created an ‘Improvement District’ in order to ‘upgrade’ their residential area. Although markedly different responses to crime (and its associated fear), citizen responses in both suburbs focus on displacing both crime and individuals elsewhere, predominately into socio‐economically weaker areas. Both gated communities and improvement districts also create exclusionary spaces that thwart the post‐apartheid drive for integration and desegregation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Divides and rules: the impact of new wave technologies on learning and innovation in the South
Authors: Mytelka Lynn K.
Published: July 2006

Access to knowledge and the opportunities and capacities needed to innovate are now key to competitiveness in a broad range of ‘traditional’ industries. With the emergence of ‘new wave technologies’, such as biotechnology, that are science based, research and patent intensive, strengthening the knowledge base and linking it to users is all the more critical. New international rules do not make this task any easier and for most developing countries technological divides and knowledge gaps have emerged in rapid succession as they struggle to deal with the challenges to which new wave technologies are giving rise. To avoid further exclusion, high priority must be given to the indigenisation of learning and innovation processes in the South. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
IT‐based government reform initiatives in the Indian state of Gujarat
Authors: Madon Shirin
Published: July 2006

IT‐based government reform projects form an integral part of policy‐making. These projects include a variety of different types of applications, each of which has a different scope and rationality according to what type of governemt reform is intended. Looking back over a 17‐year period, the author describes the evolution of IT‐based government reform initiatives in the Indian state of Gujarat. The findings reveal the interrelatedness of back‐end and front‐end IT‐based government reform initiatives and provide insights into the kinds of institutional support and activities required in order for these initiatives to lead to governance reform. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The next economy: from dead carbon to living carbon
Authors: Morris David
Published: July 2006

In the early part of the 19th century, the global economy was largely based on carbon extracted directly or indirectly (via animals) from plants. The infant science of chemistry distinguished between products made from vegetables and those made from minerals, in effect, distinguishing between living carbon and dead carbon. By the mid 19th century, however, chemists had adopted a different terminology. Both dead carbon and living carbon, from that time, were lumped together as organic. During the next century the hydrocarbon displaced the carbohydrate as the fundamental building block of industrial societies. But at the dawn of the 21st century, a combination of technological, resource and political developments encouraged a renewed distinction between living and dead carbon and the emergence of a new carbohydrate economy. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Recent trends in the lipid‐based nanoencapsulation of antioxidants and their role in foods
Authors: Mozafari M Reza , Flanagan John , Matia‐Merino Lara , Awati Ajay , Omri Abdelwahab , Suntres Zacharias E , Singh Harjinder
Published: July 2006

Antioxidants may be utilised for two main purposes, to protect the sensory and nutritive quality of the food and/or to protect the body against chronic and age‐related diseases. Generally, antioxidants are subject to process degradation and, when given to the body in their free form, cannot pass cell membranes and are rapidly cleared from the general circulation. Because of their unique properties, lipid‐based nanoencapsulation systems enhance the performance of antioxidants by improving their solubility and bioavailability, in vitro and in vivo stability, and preventing their unwanted interactions with other food components. This paper reviews nanoliposomes, archaeosomes and nanocochleates with respect to their potential applications as antioxidant carriers in foods. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Polymer Reaction Engineering VI Halifax, Canada May 21–26, 2006
Authors: Hutchinson Robin
Published: July 2006

Conference Reports: This section contains reports on topical conferences. Reports are usually written at the request of the editorial office, but unsolicited contributions are also welcome. Suggestions should be sent to the editorial office of the Macromolecular journals, preferably by E‐mail to macromol@wiley‐vch.de.
There is no safe pairing function over an arbitrary structure
Authors: Xirotiri Olga
Published: July 2006

In [1] the class of safe recursive functions over an arbitrary structure is defined. We prove that in this class, one cannot define a total pairing function independently of the structure. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Preparation of 5‐Fluorouracil‐Poly(L‐lactide) Microparticles Using Solution‐Enhanced Dispersion by Supercritical CO2
Authors: Chen Ai‐Zheng , Pu Xi‐Ming , Kang Yun‐Qing , Liao Li , Yao Ya‐Dong , Yin Guang‐Fu
Published: July 2006

Summary: 5‐Fluorouracil‐poly(L‐lactide) (5‐Fu‐PLLA) microparticles have been prepared by an SEDS process. First, the 5‐Fu is successfully micronized and is then used to produce the 5‐Fu‐PLLA microparticles. The 5‐Fu‐PLLA microparticles synthesized by the SEDS process exhibit a rather spherical shape and a narrow particle size distribution, where it ranges from 615 to 1 990 nm, with a mean particle size of 980 nm. The dichloromethane residue in the 5‐Fu‐PLLA microparticles without any further treatment is 46 ppm. The average drug load and encapsulation efficiency of the 5‐Fu‐PLLA microparticles are 3.05 and 17.8%, respectively. The rate of drug release from the 5‐Fu‐PLLA microparticles shows mainly first‐order kinetics.

Scanning electron spectroscopy image of 5‐Fu‐PLLA microparticles.

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Scanning electron spectroscopy image of 5‐Fu‐PLLA microparticles.
A Mechanistic Interpretation of Initialization Processes in RAFT‐Mediated Polymerization
Authors: McLeary James B. , Tonge Matthew P. , Klumperman Bert
Published: July 2006

Summary: The presence of strong chain length selectivity behavior during initialization in the RAFT process is an experimental observation. The mechanistic underpinning of the observation is, however, open to interpretation. The rates and concentration profiles for the cyanoisopropyl‐dithiobenzoate‐mediated polymerization of styrene at 70 °C can be relatively well reproduced by either the slow fragmentation or intermediate radical termination models. The use of modeling that provides a fit to the data is an important tool, but should be considered as additional evidence in support of experimental data rather than as experimental evidence in and of itself.

Comparison of the time dependencies of the concentrations of AD, AMD, and AM2D by PREDICI modeling for the cyanoisopropyl‐mediated polymerization of styrene at 70 °C generated by the IRT model (lines) versus experimental data.

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Comparison of the time dependencies of the concentrations of AD, AMD, and AM2D by PREDICI modeling for the cyanoisopropyl‐mediated polymerization of styrene at 70 °C generated by the IRT model (lines) versus experimental data.
Fertilization induced changes in sea urchin sperm: Mitochondrial deformation and phosphatidylserine exposure
Authors: Kazama Makoto , Asami Kouichi , Hino Akiya
Published: July 2006

This study demonstrates that the single mitochondrion of the sea urchin sperm undergoes a shape change at fertilization that is linked to respiration. The mitochondrion swells and shifts to the lateral side of the sperm head on contact with the homologous egg jelly or egg surface; Mg2+‐ or Na+‐free seawater or respiratory inhibitors also induce this change. During the mitochondrial deformation, the sperm decreases the rate of oxygen consumption and their redox‐state of cytochromes is disrupted b–c1/c. Simultaneously, the adenine nucleotides content changes precipitously. This suggests that mitochondrial morphology is strongly associated with respiratory activities in the sea urchin sperm. These changes in mitochondrial morphology and function are similar to the mitochondrial changes in apoptotic cells such as swelling, decrease in its membrane potential, and release of cytochrome c. In apoptotic cells, the exposure of phosphatidylserine from the inner to outer leaflet of the plasma membrane is one of prominence phenomena. This change was visualized by staining the sea urchin sperm with Annexin V‐Fluorescein. It is possible that mitochondrial deformation is an initial sign of sperm destruction, which like as apoptotic cells. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
GnRH actions on rat preovulatory follicles are mediated by paracrine EGF‐like factors
Authors: Motola Shmulik , Cao Xiumei , Ashkenazi Helena , Popliker Malka , Tsafriri Alex
Published: July 2006

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) has been shown to mimic the actions of LH/hCG on oocyte maturation and ovulation. Recent studies demonstrated that induction of ovulation by LH/hCG is mediated, at least in part, by transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) by autocrine/paracrine EGF‐like factors activated by metalloproteases. Here we have examined whether the action of GnRH on the preovulatory follicles is exerted through similar mechanisms involving activation of EGFR. The EGFR kinase inhibitor, AG1478, inhibited GnRH‐induced oocyte maturation in explanted follicles in vitro. Its inactive analog, AG43, did not affect GnRH‐stimulated resumption of meiosis. GnRH, like LH, stimulated transient follicular expression of EGF‐like agents, as well as rat cycloxygenase‐2 (rCOX‐2), rat hyaluronan synthase‐2 (rHAS‐2), and rat tumor necrosis factor‐α‐stimulated gene 6 (rTSG‐6) mRNAs, known ovulatory enzymes. Likewise, GnRH stimulated follicular progesterone synthesis. Conversely AG1478 inhibited all these actions of GnRH. Furthermore, Galardin, a broad‐spectrum metalloprotease inhibitor, blocked GnRH‐induced oocyte maturation and follicular progesterone synthesis. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that follicular EGF‐like factors mediate also the GnRH‐stimulation of ovulatory changes, like these of LH/hCG. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Parotid acinic cell carcinoma in a long‐term survivor of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Cheuk Daniel Ka Leung , Shek Tony Wai Hung , Chan Godfrey Chi Fung , Lau Yu Lung , Ha Shau Yin , Chiang Alan Kwok Shing
Published: July 2006

Secondary malignancies are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in childhood cancer survivors. Salivary gland tumors account for about 6% of the second cancers. The majority of these are mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MEC) of the parotid gland. We report the clinical and pathological features of a rarer histological type, acinic cell carcinoma (ACC), in a childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivor. The behavior of secondary ACC appears similar to primary tumor and similar treatment may be adopted. Early recognition and complete resection is important for achieving a good outcome. Careful monitoring for recurrence or a third malignancy is needed. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:636–639. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predicting G‐protein coupled receptors–G‐protein coupling specificity based on autocross‐covariance transform
Authors: Guo Yanzhi , Li Menglong , Lu Minchun , Wen Zhining , Huang Zhongtian
Published: July 2006

Determining G‐protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) coupling specificity is very important for further understanding the functions of receptors. A successful method in this area will benefit both basic research and drug discovery practice. Previously published methods rely on the transmembrane topology prediction at training step, even at prediction step. However, the transmembrane topology predicted by even the best algorithm is not of high accuracy. In this study, we developed a new method, autocross‐covariance (ACC) transform based support vector machine (SVM), to predict coupling specificity between GPCRs and G‐proteins. The primary amino acid sequences are translated into vectors based on the principal physicochemical properties of the amino acids and the data are transformed into a uniform matrix by applying ACC transform. SVMs for nonpromiscuous coupled GPCRs and promiscuous coupled GPCRs were trained and validated by jackknife test and the results thus obtained are very promising. All classifiers were also evaluated by the test datasets with good performance. Besides the high prediction accuracy, the most important feature of this method is that it does not require any transmembrane topology prediction at either training or prediction step but only the primary sequences of proteins. The results indicate that this relatively simple method is applicable. Academic users can freely download the prediction program at http://www.scucic.net/group/database/Service.asp. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of wood‐composite laminated frames under dynamic loads—analytical models and model validation. Part I: connection model
Authors: Heiduschke A , Kasal B , Haller P
Published: July 2006

This paper describes the analytical models of timber connections that were used to simulate the full time‐history response of moment‐resisting frames subjected to dynamic loads. Special attention was paid to connection modeling to capture the hysteretic damping that significantly affected the performance of the system subjected to dynamic forces. To model the hysteretic properties of the dowel‐type connections a combination of bilinear springs and gaps was used. This approach allows the modeling of various hysteretic shapes including pinching, asymmetric behavior, contact phenomena, and an initial slip of the fasteners. Load–deformation curves obtained from the cyclic experiments of small‐ and full‐scale joints were used to extract the model parameters. The hysteretic models were verified by comparing the simulation with the experimental data obtained from cyclic tests. The comparison reveals that the presented approach can be successfully used to simulate the load‐history‐dependent behavior of timber joints, provided that strength degradation is negligible and a brittle failure does not occur. The predictive ability of a 3D frame model will be demonstrated in Part II by comparing the simulation with the results of shake table experiments.
Analysis of wood‐composite laminated frames under dynamic loads ‐ analytical models and model validation. Part II: frame model
Authors: Heiduschke A , Kasal B , Haller P
Published: July 2006

This paper describes the analytical models that were used to simulate the full time‐history response of timber frames subjected to dynamic loads. Three‐dimensional models of two‐story timber frames were developed and verified via small‐ and full‐scale shake table experiments. The modeling of the hysteretic properties of the connections was presented in Part I. Verification of the frame model was done using the time‐history response and the dissipated energy as a measure of accuracy. The comparison reveals that the presented approach can be successfully used to simulate the load‐history‐dependent behavior of inelastic systems. The developed model reliably predicted the frame response in the nonlinear range and is capable of simulating initial slippage in the joints due to previous loading. The proposed model is applicable to design and analyze timber frames of arbitrary geometry and configuration under arbitrary loads.
3D‐QSAR CoMFA Study on Aminothiazole Derivatives as Cyclin‐Dependent Kinase 2 Inhibitors
Authors: Dessalew Nigus , Bharatam Prasad V. , Singh Sanjeev Kumar
Published: July 2006

Cyclin Dependent Kinases (CDKs) have come out as attractive targets in drug discovery programs over the years with lots of therapeutic potentials for inhibitors of these enzymes. With the intention of designing new ligands with enhanced inhibitory potencies against CDK2, the 3D‐QSAR CoMFA study carried out on 47 aminothiazole derivatives as inhibitors of this protein kinase is reported here. The developed model shows a good correlative and predictive capability having a cross‐validated correlation coefficient of 0.592. The conventional and predictive correlation coefficients were found respectively to be 0.984 and 0.522. The models could be usefully employed to design selective CDK2 inhibitors and to find novel scaffolds through screening of chemical databases.
Polarizabilities of hydrated and free ions derived from DFT calculations
Authors: Serr Andreas , Netz Roland R.
Published: July 2006

Geometries, static dipole polarizabilities, ionization energies, and dipole moments of small ionic and a few uncharged species have been derived from density functional theory (DFT) (aug‐cc‐pV5Z) zero‐temperature calculations. Both cases of hydrated and gas phase species are reviewed. For the two test cases, Na+ and Cl−, different methods for including solvent effects [polarizable continuum model (PCM), supermolecule, charge distribution, semi‐continuum] are reviewed, showing pronounced differences in the results for the polarizabilities. While pure PCM calculations tend almost always to increase the polarizabilities with respect to the gas phase values, methods mimicking the surrounding solvent by point charge distributions usually give smaller values. Semi‐continuum calculations include both polarization effects of the medium as well as electronic confinement due to electrostatic repulsion. It remains a challenge to incorporate such polarizabilities into either classical molecular mechanics simulations or analytical theories of ionic solutions in an unambiguous and accurate fashion. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
Magnetic anisotropy energies of metal–benzene sandwiches
Authors: Mokrousov Yuriy , Atodiresei Nicolae , Bihlmayer Gustav , Blügel Stefan
Published: July 2006

We report on ab initio calculations of the electronic and magnetic properties of metal–benzene sandwiches Mn(C6H6)m (M = V, Nb, Ta) and infinite wires, obtained by an infinite repetition of metal–benzene half‐sandwiches, based on the density functional theory (DFT) in the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). Because of the increasing influence of the spin‐orbit interaction on the magnetic properties, as going from V to Ta, a significant increase of the magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE) in the molecules is observed. In particular, an infinite Nb–benzene wire is predicted to change its ballistic conductance upon changing of magnetization direction (ballistic anisotropic magnetoresistance). The origin of the peculiar magnetic properties of the molecules is analyzed, and new possible technological applications are proposed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
The Planck–Benzinger thermal work function in the condensation of water vapor
Authors: Chun Paul W.
Published: July 2006

Based on the Planck–Benzinger thermal work function using Chun's method, the innate temperature‐invariant enthalpy at 0 K, ΔH0(T0), for the condensation of water vapor as well as the dimer, trimer, tetramer, and pentamer form in the vapor phase, was determined to be 0.447 kcal mol−1 for vapor, 1.127 for the dimer, 0.555 for the trimer, 0.236 for the tetramer, and 0.079 kcal mol−1 for the pentamer using ΔG(T) data reported by Kell et al. in 1968 and Kell and McLaurin in 1969. These results suggest that the predominant dimeric form is the most stable of these n‐mers. Using Nemethy and Scheraga's 1962 data for the Helmholtz free energy of liquid water, the value of ΔH0(T0) was determined to be 1.21 kcal mol−1. This is very close to the value for the energy of the hydrogen bond EH of 1.32 kcal mol−1 reported by Nemethy and Scheraga, using statistical thermodynamics. It seems clear that very little energy is required for interconversion between the hypothetical supercooled water vapor and glassy water at 0 K. A hypothetical supercooled water vapor at 0 K is apparently almost as highly associated as glassy water at that temperature, suggesting a dynamic equilibrium between vapor and liquid. This water vapor condensation is highly similar in its thermodynamic behavior to that of sequence‐specific pairwise (dipeptide) hydrophobic interaction, except that the negative Gibbs free energy change minimum at 〈Ts〉, the thermal setpoint for vapor condensation, where TΔS = 0, occurs at a considerably lower temperature, 270 K (below 0°C) compared with ∼350 K. The temperature of condensation 〈Tcond〉 at which ΔG(T) = 0, where water vapor begins to condense, was found to be 383 K. In the case of a sequence‐specific pairwise hydrophobic interaction, the melting temperature, 〈Tm〉, where ΔG(Tm) = 0 was found to be 460 K. Only between two temperature limits, 〈Th〉 = 99 K and 〈Tcond〉 = 383 K, where ΔG(Tcond) = 0, is the net chemical driving force favorable for polymorphism of glassy water and hypothetical supercooled water vapor. Analysis of the water vapor condensation process based on the Planck–Benzinger thermal work function confirms that a thermodynamic molecular switch occurs at 10 K, wherein a change of sign in [ΔCp(T)]cond leads to a true negative minimum in the Gibbs free energy of vapor condensation, and hence a maximum in the related equilibrium constant, Kcond. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
Rapid test by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry to evaluate equine urine reactivity towards 17β‐OH steroids
Authors: Fidani Marco , Casagni Eleonora , Montana Marco , Pasello Emanuela , Pecoraro Chiara , Gambaro Veniero
Published: July 2006

Bacteria frequently found in equine urine samples may cause degradation of 17β‐OH steroids. A simple liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method has been developed to evaluate the microbiological contamination of equine urine as a marker of poor storage conditions. Norethandrolone was used as the internal standard, and the linearity, sensitivity, precision and accuracy of the method were evaluated. 17β‐OH oxidation was demonstrated for testosterone, nandrolone, trenbolone and boldenone, but did not occur in α‐epimers such as α‐boldenone and epitestosterone, demonstrating the stereoselectivity of the reaction. A rapid test was performed by spiking one of the four 17β‐OH steroids in samples of diluted equine urine. The steroids were transformed into their respective ketones in the presence of bacterial activity. The test allows direct injection of diluted samples into the LC/MS system, without the need for prior extraction. Results show that the best method of storage is freezing at −18°C. Urine specimens should be analyzed as soon as possible after thawing. This allows bacterial degradation of equine urine to be arrested temporarily, so that the urine can be used for qualitative or quantitative analysis of 17β‐OH steroids. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Direct combination of immersed single‐drop microextraction with atmospheric pressure matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem mass spectrometry for rapid analysis of a hydrophilic drug via hydrogen‐bonding interaction and comparison with liquid‐liquid extraction and liquid‐phase microextraction using a dual gauge microsyringe with a hollow fiber
Authors: Wu Hui‐Fen , Lin Chi‐Hsien
Published: July 2006

This study presents the feasibility of direct coupling of the immersed single‐drop microextraction (SDME) technique with atmospheric pressure matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (AP‐MALDI‐MS) for the rapid analysis of a hydrophilic drug (dopamine) from aqueous solution and human urine in an ion trap tandem mass spectrometer through hydrogen‐bonding interaction of dopamine with the extraction solvent (octanol). The optimum conditions for the SDME experiments coupled to AP‐MALDI/MS were: stirring rate, 240 rpm; extraction time, 5 min; sample pH value, 8; and matrix concentration, 2000 ppm, using α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid (α‐CHCA) as matrix. The limits of detection (LODs) for the SDME/AP‐MALDI‐MS experiments were 25 and 40 ppm in water and human urine, respectively. In a comparison of this method with the traditional liquid‐liquid extraction (LLE), the SDME method shows better LODs than the LLE (40 ppm) and the same LODs (25 ppm) as the liquid‐phase microextraction using a dual gauge microsyringe with a hollow fiber (LPME/DGM‐HF). However, the SDME method is more convenient than the LPME/DGM‐HF method. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resolving stoichiometries and oligomeric states of glutamate synthase protein complexes with curve fitting and simulation of electrospray mass spectra
Authors: van Breukelen Bas , Barendregt Arjan , Heck Albert J. R. , van den Heuvel Robert H. H.
Published: July 2006

A complicating factor in analyzing electrospray ionization mass spectra of intact macromolecular heterogeneous protein complexes is the potential overlap of ions from different species present in solution. Therefore, it is often not possible to assign all ion signals. With the aim of allowing the more efficient and comprehensive analysis of very complex mass spectra of intact heterogeneous protein complexes we developed a software program: SOMMS. The program uses simple user input parameters together with Gaussian curve fitting to simulate putative mass spectra of protein (sub)complexes within a specified charge state window. In addition, the program can simulate spectra for heterogeneous protein complexes using bi‐ and multinomial distributions and it can calculate zero‐charge spectra and relatively quantify the abundance of each component in a mixture. As a proof of concept we analyzed the complex mass spectra of α‐glutamate synthase and αβ‐glutamate synthase from Azosprillum brasilense. Using our program we could determine that α‐glutamate synthase is in equilibrium between its dimeric, tetrameric, hexameric and dodecameric conformation, whereas αβ‐glutamate synthase forms up to 15 different heterooligomeric assemblies composed of α‐ and β‐subunits. Thus, SOMMS allows resolving stoichiometries and oligomeric states of protein complexes even from very complicated mass spectra. These complexes could not be assigned by using maximum entropy calculations. We compared our mass spectrometry data on glutamate synthases with available X‐ray, small‐angle X‐ray scattering and size‐exclusion chromatography data. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A situational method engineering approach to requirements elicitation workshops in the software development process
Authors: Coulin Chad , Zowghi Didar , Sahraoui Abd‐El‐Kader
Published: July 2006

The elicitation of requirements for software systems is one of the most critical and complex activities within the development lifecycle. Although the subject has received some degree of attention in the research literature, there remains a need for situational methods and processes that can be easily utilized by the majority of practitioners in typical projects. In this paper we present a flexible yet systematic approach to the early stages of requirements elicitation in software development, based on collaborative workshops and the construction of a lightweight situational method, within a general process framework. The research provides practitioners with an approach to requirements elicitation that can be readily applied to real‐world projects in order to improve both the process and the results. The work also offers researchers an example of how lightweight situational method engineering can be applied to very practical activities and situations in the software process. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A vector for double epitope tagging with a recyclable marker
Authors: Germino Mary , Sohail Honeah , Germino Elizabeth , Germino Joseph
Published: July 2006

Multimeric protein complexes play diverse and vital roles in the cell, but following the composition of these complexes under varying growth conditions can be challenging. Toward that goal, we have designed a vector that permits the double epitope tagging of a protein at its carboxy terminus. One ‘universal’ tag, a triple repeat of the HA1 epitope, is fused with every protein to be studied, allowing the composition and stoichiometry of the proteins in a complex to be detected with a single antibody. Each protein also can be tagged with a second epitope specific for that protein. This ‘specific’ tag can be used to immunoprecipitate complexes containing that protein of interest. Any epitope to which a specific antibody is available can be used for this second tag. Because there are a limited number of selection markers for cloning in yeast, the kanamycin cassette, flanked by loxP sites, was incorporated into the vector to permit marker recycling using Cre‐lox recombinase. This vector was used to tag 4 proteins involved in ribosome biogenesis—Ytm1, Cic1, Brx1 and Drs1. An anti‐HA1 antibody could detect all four proteins in crude lysates and yielded the relative abundance of these four proteins, of which Drs1 is reproducibly less abundant than any of the others, which may have implications for the control of ribosome biogenesis. The Ytm1 protein was also tagged with the VSV epitope and can be specifically detected using an anti‐VSV antibody. This vector may prove useful for exploring other protein complexes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transabdominal Modified Devascularization Procedure with or without Esophageal Stapler Transection—An Operation Adequate for Effective Control of a Variceal Bleed. Is Esophageal Stapler Transection Necessary?
Authors: Johnson M. , Rajendran S. , Kannan T.G. Balachandar D. , Jeswanth S. , Ravichandran P. , Surendran R.
Published: July 2006

Background

In Japan, the original Sugiura procedure reported favorable results in non‐cirrhotic patients but in the West, the modified Sugiura procedure is not widely accepted because of high rebleeding, morbidity, and mortality in cirrhotics. We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy of our modified Sugiura procedure i.e., devascularization with/without esophageal transection combined with salvage endotherapy and pharmacotherapy for control of a variceal bleed.

Materials and Methods

Between January 1999 and December 2004, 912 patients with variceal bleeding were treated. Of these, 66 (7.2%) patients were subjected to surgery after failed endotherapy/propranolol. Among these 66 patients, 52 had transabdominal devascularization (16 emergency, 36 elective); 14 patients underwent devascularization with esophageal stapler transection (group I), and 38 patients had devascularization without esophageal stapler transection (group II). Another 14 patients underwent elective end‐to‐side proximal splenorenal shunt surgery.

Results

Postoperative mortality was 7.1% in group I, 10.5% in group II (P > 0.05). Mortality for emergency surgery was 31.2% (5/16) but there were no deaths in the elective surgery group. Overall morbidity was 57.1% in group I and 21.0% in group II (P < 0.05). The rates of variceal rebleeding were 7.1% and 7.8%; residual varices were 30.7% and 32.3%; recurrent varices were 7.6% and 5.8% following the group I and group II procedures, respectively, over a mean follow‐up period of 39.9 (7–2) months. Esophageal transection–related morbidity (leak, stricture, and bleeding) was 21.4% (3/14) in group I.

Conclusions

Devascularization without esophageal stapler transection is a safe and effective procedure for adequate (urgent and long‐term) control of variceal bleeding with similar results and less morbidity when compared to devascularization with esophageal transection in cirrhotic patients, as well as non‐cirrhotic patients.
Carnitine transporter defect: Diagnosis in asymptomatic adult women following analysis of acylcarnitines in their newborn infants
Authors: Vijay S. , Patterson A. , Olpin S. , Henderson M. J. , Clark S. , Day C. , Savill G. , Walter J. H.
Published: July 2006

Carnitine transporter defect (CTD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by episodes of non‐ketotic hypoglycaemia, hyperammonaemia and liver disease, or by the development of cardiomyopathy, both of which occur in infancy and childhood. Blood carnitine concentrations are extremely low. The diagnosis can be confirmed by finding abnormal fat oxidation and carnitine uptake in skin fibroblasts. The condition has not previously been thought to present later in life or to be benign. We report the identification of four women discovered to have CTD as a consequence of finding low carnitine concentrations in the cord blood or newborn samples from their infants. All four mothers had been asymptomatic and none had a cardiomyopathy.
Newborn Screening for Cystic Fibrosis: Parents’ Preferences Regarding Counseling At the Time of Infants’ Sweat Test
Authors: Tluczek Audrey , Koscik Rebecca L. , Modaff Peggy , Pfeil Darci , Rock Michael J. , Farrell Philip M. , Lifchez Caroline , Freeman Mary Ellen , Gershan William , Zaleski Christina , Sullivan Bradley
Published: July 2006

Newborn screening (NBS) protocols for cystic fibrosis (CF) are the first regional population‐based programs to incorporate DNA analysis into their procedures. Research about these programs can inform policy and practice regarding how best to counsel families with abnormal NBS results. The grounded theory method guided interviews with 33 families whose infants had abnormal CF NBS results. A dimensional analysis of these interviews provided a theoretical framework describing parents’ preferences regarding counseling during their infant's sweat test appointment. This framework describes the contexts and characteristics of the two main dimensions of parents’ preferences: factual information and emotional support. Factual information included learning about the probability of a CF diagnosis, CF disease facts, sweat test procedure, and CF genetics. Social support consisted of offering parents a choice about the timing and amount of CF information, showing empathy for their distress, instilling hope, personalizing counseling, and providing hospitality. This framework also explains the consequences of counseling that matched versus mismatched parental preferences in these domains. Counseling that matched parents preferences reduced parents’ distress while mismatched counseling tended to increase parents’ worry about their infant.
Facile synthesis of monodisperse ZnS capped CdS nanocrystals exhibiting efficient blue emission
Authors: Protière Myriam , Reiss Peter
Published: July 2006

A new method for the capping of colloidal CdS nanocrystals with ZnS shells is presented. A combination of the monomolecular precursor zinc ethylxanthate (Zn(ex)2) and zinc stearate was used to replace hazardous organometallic reagents usually applied in this procedure, i.e. bis(trimethylsilyl) sulfide and diethylzinc. Its simple preparation, air-stability and low decomposition temperature of 150 °C make Zn(ex)2a very suitable source for the ZnS shell growth. With this precursor, highly luminescent CdS/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals (Q.Y. 35–45%), exhibiting narrow emission linewidths of 15–18 nm (FWHM) in the blue spectral region, can reproducibly be obtained.
Pneumosinus dilatans: demonstrated by sinus expansion on serial sinus X-rays with discussion of possible aetiology
Authors: Suryanarayanan R , Abbott G
Published: July 2006

A case of pneumosinus dilatans of the frontal sinus is presented. The findings on serial skull X-rays, performed on three occasions over a 10-year period, seem to support a developmental aetiology for this rare condition.
Can parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism be carried out as a day-case procedure?
Authors: Carr E R M , Contractor K , Remedios D , Burke M
Published: July 2006

Introduction: Surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism has traditionally involved a bilateral neck exploration performed as an in-patient procedure. We present a feasibility study to demonstrate whether, with a focused surgical exploration, the procedure can be carried out as a day case.

Method: Eighty-seven patients had pre-operative sestamibi and ultrasound scans of the neck. When the results of these scans agreed, a unilateral neck exploration was carried out.

Results: Sixty-seven patients received a focused approach parathyroidectomy. Ninety-seven per cent of these patients were normocalcaemic after the first operation. All patients who fitted the day-case criteria left hospital the following morning.

Discussion: When pre-operative imaging results agree, a parathyroidectomy can be carried out using a unilateral neck exploration, avoiding the increased risks associated with a bilateral exploration.

Conclusion: Parathyroidectomy can be safely carried out as a day-case procedure in selected patients.
A two-dimensional analysis of mode conversion at a resonance layer with high-magnetic field side reflection
Authors: NASSIRI-MOFAKHAM NORA , PARVAZIAN AKBAR
Published: July 2006

Mode converted Bernstein waves potentially allow the implementation of local heating and current drive in spherical torus devices, which are not directly accessible to low-harmonic cyclotron waves. The mode conversion method of Cairns and Lashmore-Davies previously used to study the usual mode conversion in non-planar geometry is extended to include the effect of the high-magnetic-field-side cutoff, and is solved analytically. The analytic solutions to the triplet, cutoff–resonance–cutoff, equations give the reflection and conversion coefficients in terms of parameters defining the local behavior of the dispersion relation. The variation of mode conversion efficiency depends not only on the coupling parameter but also on the phasing effect introduced by the high-field-side cutoff. The change in characteristic phases, which are concerned with the coupling parameter, brings an additional degree of freedom allowing optimization via the position of the high-field cutoff. A discrete spectrum of phases exists for which complete mode conversion of the incident wave for a transit of the resonance region can be achieved. The results we obtain here give the general conditions for efficient Bernstein wave heating in two-dimensional geometry.
To Tell or Not to Tell, That Is the Question
Authors: Dalen Knut
Published: July 2006

Ethical dilemmas encountered by psychologists have previously been studied in surveys and as formal ethical complaints. No previous publications have been found in which data from an ethics counseling telephone service for psychologists has been analyzed. The present study examines ethical dilemmas, as presented by members of the Norwegian Psychological Association calling the Ethics Telephone Counseling Service (ETCS) from 2001 through 2003. Psychologists seek counseling for a range of ethical dilemmas. Ethical dilemmas concerning confidentiality are those most commonly presented. Dilemmas concerning integrity are also fairly common, whereas dilemmas concerning competence are rarely presented. The study shows virtually no difference in frequency and nature of consultation based on how long a psychologist has been licensed. This study also shows only minor gender differences in the use of the ETCS. Possible implications for ethics education as a continuous process are discussed.
Centennial‐scale surface hydrology off Portugal during marine isotope stage 3: Insights from planktonic foraminiferal fauna variability
Authors: Vautravers Maryline J. , Shackleton Nicholas J.
Published: July 2006

The marine isotopic stage 3 (MIS3) at Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 1060 (Gulf Stream) shows both sharp onset and end of interstadials, the existence of very short lived warm events during stadials, and points to differences in detail between the sea surface temperature (SST) record from the western North Atlantic and the atmospheric temperature record inferred from δ18O in Greenland ice. Investigating MIS3 and obtaining comparable data from other locations appears crucial. The eastern Atlantic provides well‐documented records of climate changes. We have selected a core from off Portugal and use it to examine Dansgaard/Oeschger events (D/O) at centennial‐scale resolution (139 years on average between two data points). We have obtained a faunal data set for core MD01‐2444, 37°N, 10°W, 2600 m water depth and use a group of species (Globigerina bulloides + Globigerinita glutinata) as a proxy of upwelling intensity driven by trade winds intensity changes. We tentatively relate the variation of this group to a North Atlantic Oscillation‐like phenomenon (NAO) off Portugal. We observe that it resembles the rainfall index in the Caribbean as recorded at ODP Site 1002 (Cariaco Basin) which traces the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) location through changes of terrigenous inputs. The driest intervals (ITZC to the south) at Site 1002 correspond to intervals of increased upwelling in MD01‐2444 as well as the driest periods identified during stadials on similar cores in the area. Because the ITZC to the south is consistent with an El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO+) situation, our study suggests a positive correlation between ENSO‐like conditions and NAO‐like conditions at a millennial timescale. During interstadial intervals when increased wetness over Cariaco is recorded (ITCZ to the north) and the upwelling in MD01‐2444 is decreased, we see from both SSTs and faunal tropical indicators that MD01‐2444 site is warm. In addition, interstadials are equally warm through each so‐called Bond cycle. This contrasts with the Greenland Ice Core Project (GRIP) record where interstadial peaks are successively cooler through each Bond cycle. This record confirms a link between tropical climate linked to ITCZ position and the climate of southern Europe at millennial timescales, in spite of showing a very good correlation with polar latitudes (GRIP) through δ18O on Globigerina bulloides. In addition, because the warmest SSTs and the δ18O on G. bulloides are so remarkably different, our work points to changes in seasonality as a strong control over the climatic pattern of the North Atlantic area and the marked influence of winter conditions.
HF radar backscatter inversion technique
Authors: Norman R. J. , Dyson P. L.
Published: July 2006

Methods of inverting high‐frequency radar land and sea backscatter to obtain ionospheric vertical profiles offer an important means of remote sensing the ionosphere up to thousands of kilometers from the transmitter/receiver location. This new inversion technique requires the received elevation angle as well as the time delay or group path of the backscattered signal. The technique can be used with both fixed‐frequency and swept‐frequency radars. The advantage of using swept‐frequency radar is that the downrange gradients in electron density can more readily be determined.
Pseudospectral time domain simulations of multiple light scattering in three‐dimensional macroscopic random media
Authors: Tseng Snow H. , Taflove Allen , Maitland Duncan , Backman Vadim
Published: July 2006

We report a full‐vector, three‐dimensional, numerical solution of Maxwell's equations for optical propagation within, and scattering by, a random medium of macroscopic dimensions. The total scattering cross section is determined using the pseudospectral time domain technique. Specific results reported in this paper indicate that multiply scattered light also contains information that can be extracted by the proposed cross‐correlation analysis. On a broader perspective, our results demonstrate the feasibility of accurately determining the optical characteristics of arbitrary, macroscopic random media, including geometries with continuous variations of refractive index. Specifically, our results point toward the new possibilities of tissue optics; by numerically solving Maxwell's equations, the optical properties of tissue structures can be determined unambiguously.
Tension gash‐like back‐arc basin opening and its control on subduction rollback inferred from Tertiary faulting in Sardinia
Authors: Helbing Heiko , Frisch Wolfgang , Bons Paul D. , Kuhlemann Joachim
Published: July 2006

The Tertiary reactivation of the Paleozoic basement in NE Sardinia is shown to reflect transtensional back‐arc tectonics, related to the western Mediterranean subduction rollback. During the Algéro‐Provençal basin opening, the left‐lateral Nuoro Fault, which is the prevailing structure in central Sardinia, operated as radial transfer between the west Sardinian rift and northern Tyrrhenian basin. Subsequently, it contributed to a tension gash‐like opening of the southern Tyrrhenian basin as conjugate fault to a right‐lateral fault set in SE Sardinia. Resulting antithetic rotations with respect to the arc are revealed by reoriented dikes in the basement. The tension gash‐like opening of the southern Tyrrhenian basin determined the gulf shape of the east Sardinian margin and the arc shape of its Calabrian counterpart. This structural control on the southern Tyrrhenian rollback scenario suggests that tension gash‐like opening of back‐arc basins represents an intrinsic aspect of subduction rollback.
Elastic properties of hydrous ringwoodite at high‐pressure conditions
Authors: Wang Jingyun , Sinogeikin Stanislav V. , Inoue Toru , Bass Jay D.
Published: July 2006

The sound velocities and single‐crystal elastic moduli of hydrous γ‐Mg2SiO4 (ringwoodite) containing 2.3 wt% of H2O have been measured by Brillouin spectroscopy at high pressures to 23.4 GPa, spanning the pressure range in Earth's transition zone. The resulting pressure derivatives of the adiabatic bulk modulus, K′S, and shear modulus, μ′, are 4.4(1) and 1.7(1) respectively. Compared with results for anhydrous ringwoodite, the pressure derivatives of the elastic moduli are consistent with an increase due to hydration of as much as 7% for the K′S and 30% for μ′, depending on the data sets used for comparison. However, the gradients of velocity as a function of pressure for hydrous ringwoodite are significantly less than the corresponding gradients in the Earth's transition zone. We conclude that transition zone seismic velocity gradients are not due to “wet” ringwoodite, as previously speculated.
River flow teleconnections across the northern North Atlantic region
Authors: Kingston Daniel G. , McGregor Glenn R. , Hannah David M. , Lawler Damian M.
Published: July 2006

Correlation of monthly inter‐regional river flow and composite analysis of large‐scale climatic patterns associated with high and low monthly regional river flow are presented for the northern North Atlantic domain for 1968–1997. Hydrological regions are defined using cluster analysis. Adjacent hydrological regions generally display year‐round positive correlation of river flow. For the first time, inverse river flow relationships are identified between North America and Europe in autumn, and between northern and southern regions of northern Europe from April–May and July–December. Composite analysis shows linkages between northern European river flow and the Icelandic Low, Azores High and intervening pressure gradient. River flow in northeastern North America is more closely associated with the East Coast pressure trough. Trans‐Atlantic hydrological teleconnections appear related to the North Atlantic Oscillation, with the inverse meridional relationship in northern Europe linked, in part, to the Scandinavian teleconnection pattern.