bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
1.9‐Ghz‐band radio propagation characteristics in an open urban environment and tree loss prediction using a loss layer model
Authors: Taga Tokio , Ichitsubo Shinichi , Ogawa Yasutaka , Itoh Kiyohiko
Published: August 2002

For design of optimum microcells on a university campus, it is necessary to determine the propagation characteristics within a propagation environment represented by a relatively large open space scattered with large buildings and many trees. In this paper, for the radiated waves from seven PHS base sites at 1.9 GHz experimentally installed on the campus of Hokkaido University from 1993 to 1994, a median received signal level measurement method is proposed that can be applied in unpaved garden areas (with glass and pebbles) as well as in areas with woods, vegetation, and hilly terrain, and its effectiveness is discussed. Next, for quantitative evaluations of the increase of the propagation loss due to trees in the propagation paths on the campus, a propagation model is proposed that consists of the loss layer model and the geometrical optics two‐ray model. In the loss layer model, the loss due to trees is replaced with a loss per unit length of the propagation path. The estimated median received signal level and the measured value are compared to determine the effectiveness of the model. The increase of the propagation loss on the campus due to trees can be estimated if the loss per unit length of the tree layer by the present loss layer model is chosen to be about 0.1 dB/m for the base site antenna installed on the rooftop of the building and 0.07 to 0.09 dB/m for the antenna installed on the roof of the public phone box. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 84(8): 49–61, 2001
Comparison of analysis methods for performance of cavity‐backed slot antennas using the FDTD technique
Authors: Hikage Takashi , Omiya Manabu , Itoh Kiyohiko
Published: August 2002

By applying the FDTD method to the evaluation of the characteristics of a cavity‐backed slot antenna, a design considering the feed structure is possible. In this paper, a feed model suitable for the design and analysis of a cavity‐backed slot antenna is presented. As feed models, a gap voltage model and a coaxial model are used and results of their analysis are compared. From the analysis of the input characteristics, it is revealed that characteristic evaluation is possible in the coaxial model with fewer time steps than the gap voltage model. In the evaluation of the radiation characteristics, the absolute gain evaluation method is presented with a sinusoidal excitation. From the results of analysis of the absolute gain, the results converge within about 15 periods in the case of the coaxial model. The obtained radiation characteristics agree with the experimental results. In the gap voltage model, undulations of the absolute gain values are observed. From a comparison of these characteristic evaluations, the coaxial model is found to be suitable for FDTD analysis of a cavity‐backed slot antenna. © 2001 Scripta Technica, ElectronComm Jpn Pt 1, 84(8): 70–77, 2001
Determination of a structure of one‐dimensional dual‐periodic photonic crystal from an energy spectrum
Authors: Ueta Tsuyoshi
Published: August 2002

An inverse problem is treated for determination of the structure of a one‐dimensional dual‐periodic photonic crystal from the optical characteristics specified for practice. Under the assumption that the light is localized in the higher permittivity layer, a general formulation is obtained for determining the permittivity in the modulated high‐permittivity layer from the structure of the energy spectrum by means of the tight‐binding approximation. The problem is reduced to an algebraic equation. Numerical examples are given for determination of the permittivity. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 85(5): 1–9, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.10029
A measurement of complex permittivity of lossy dielectrics by using flanged rectangular waveguide
Authors: Hirano Makoto , Takahashi Masaharu , Abe Minoru
Published: August 2002

If it is possible to derive the complex permittivity of a dielectric material by measurement of the coefficient of reflection from the aperture of a flanged rectangular waveguide attached to a conductor‐backed lossy dielectric sheet, an effective nondestructive measurement method can be established. In this paper, by solving simultaneous equations derived by an application of the spectral domain method, contour maps for derivation of the complex permittivity of a lossy dielectric from the reflection coefficient are formed and their characteristics are studied. The effectiveness of these contour maps is confirmed by experiments. In the region within the contour chart where the permittivity can be determined with good accuracy, it can be determined with an error of about 5% by means of a general‐purpose network analyzer. Further, the attenuation of the electromagnetic wave within the lossy dielectric in the direction of propagation is studied in order to derive the dimensions of the sample and flange needed for actual measurement. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 84(4): 59–67, 2001
The influence of SiON film composition on HIGFET characteristics
Authors: Ohshika Katsushi , Kuroda Jun , Yanazawa Hiroshi
Published: August 2002

This paper evaluates the characteristics of a 0.35‐µm WSi gate HIGFET which uses SiON insulation films for passivation, and also evaluates their reliability. The SiON film was formed by applying plasma CVD using the refractive index of SiON film for the film composition. The best FET characteristics have been obtained with a SiON film with a refractive index of 1.58. The authors have described [1,2] a deterioration mode of 0.35‐µm HIGFETs in which the gate leak current increases in the gate‐drain reversed‐bias stress test. No deterioration occurred this time in the same test with the SiON film having a refractive index of 1.58. It is concluded from the test results of spectroscopic ellipsometric analysis, Auger electron spectroscopy, and XPS that this excellent result is due to the thermal stability of the film, and not to characteristics such as film composition and SiON/GaAs reaction; and that SiON films with a refractive index other than 1.58 often form As, AsO, As2O3, and Ga2O3 on the interface between the insulation film and the GaAs. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 85(5): 50–58, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.1107
A model of the neuron based on dendrite mechanisms
Authors: Tang Zheng , Tamura Hiroki , Kuratu Makoto , Ishizuka Okihiko , Tanno Koichi
Published: August 2002

In this paper, a model of the neuron based on the dendrite mechanism is proposed. The neuron model takes the form of a dendrite, and the interaction between synapses and so on, which are not considered by the conventional model, is taken into account. In this paper, the form of a dendrite is assumed to be arbitrary and interaction is assumed to exist among all synapses. That is, a superfluous synapse is formed, and is expressed in a logical network, then the equivalence between them is shown. The ripened dendrite is formed during learning by screening unnecessary dendrites, and strengthening and fixing the useful dendrites. The model proposed in this paper can correspond to the linearly unseparated problem, unlike the one‐layer traditional neuron. Moreover, learning of this model suggests the form of the dendrites and the positions of the excitation and inhibition synapses. This may give some very useful suggestions for biologists. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 84(8): 11–24, 2001
Experimental investigation of discharge characteristics of a surface‐wave‐produced planar plasma
Authors: Yanagita Norihito , Itagaki Toshifumi , Katsurai Makoto
Published: August 2002

Experimental investigations of the discharge characteristics of planartype surfacewaveproduced plasmas (SWP) have been carried out. On this apparatus, the efficiency of microwave power absorption into the plasma depends strongly on the thickness of the dielectric window. Especially at a thickness of 12 mm, it has been found that more than 80% of microwave power is absorbed into the plasma. In order that the uniform power absorption is brought about effectively in a wide range of gas pressures, the dielectric waveguide that is placed above the dielectric window needs the air gap between them. These experimental results will enable us to improve the apparatus configuration to achieve better operational performances of surface wave plasmas. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 138(3): 9–18, 2002
A unified strategy for building simple air quality indices
Authors: Bruno Francesca , Cocchi Daniela
Published: August 2002

Interest in air quality indices has been increasing in recent years. This is strictly connected with the development and the easy availability of web‐communication and on‐line information. By means of web pages it is indeed possible to give quick and easy‐to‐consult information about air quality in a specific area. We propose a class of air quality indices which are simple to read and easy to understand by citizens and policy‐makers. They are constructed in order to be able to compare situations that differ in time and space. In particular, interest is focused on situations where many monitoring stations are operating in the same area. In this case, which occurs frequently, air pollution data are collected according to three dimensions: time, space and type of pollutant. In order to obtain a synthetic value, the dimensions are reduced by means of aggregation processes that occur by successively applying some aggregating function. The final index may be influenced by the order of aggregation. The hierarchical aggregation here proposed is based on the successive selection of order statistics, i.e. on percentiles and on maxima. The variety of pollutants measured in each area imposes a standardization due to their different effects on the human health. This evaluation comes from epidemiological studies and influences the final value of the index. We propose to use simultaneously more than one index of the selected class and to associate a measure of variability with every index. Such measures of dispersion account for very important additional information. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simplified analysis of asymmetric structures with supplemental damping
Authors: Goel Rakesh K.
Published: August 2002

This study investigated the effects of neglecting off‐diagonal terms of the transformed damping matrix on the seismic response of non‐proportionally damped asymmetric‐plan systems with the specific aim of identifying the range of system parameters for which this simplification can be used without introducing significant errors in the response. For this purpose, a procedure is presented in which modal damping ratios computed by neglecting off‐diagonal terms of the transformed damping matrix are used in the traditional modal analysis. The effects of the simplification are evaluated first by comparing the aforementioned modal damping ratios with the apparent damping ratios obtained from the complex‐valued eigenanalysis. The variation of a parameter that was defined by Warburton and Soni as an indicator of the errors introduced by the simplification is examined next. Finally, edge deformations obtained from the simplified procedure are compared with those obtained from the direct integration of the equations of motion. It is found that the simplified procedure may be used without introducing significant errors in response for most practical values of the system parameters. Furthermore, estimates of the edge deformations, in general, tend to be on the conservative side. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Runoff‐induced sediment yield over dune slopes in the Negev Desert. 1: Quantity and variability
Authors: Kidron Giora J. , Yair Aaron
Published: August 2002

Although extensive data exist on runoff erosion and rates for non‐sandy hillslopes, data for arid dune slopes are scarce, owing to the widespread perception that the high infiltrability of sand will reduce runoff. However, runoff is generated on sandy dunes in the Hallamish dune field, western Negev Desert, Israel (P  ≈ 95 mm) due to the presence of a thin (usually 1–3 mm) microbiotic crust. The runoff in turn produces erosion.

Sediment yield was measured on ten plots (140–1640 m2) on the north‐ and south‐facing slopes of longitudinal dunes. Two plots facing north and two facing south were subdivided into three subplots. The subplots represented the crest of the active dune devoid of crust, the extensively crusted footslope of the dune, and the midslope section characterized by a patchy crust. The remaining plots extended the full length of the dune slope.

No runoff and consequently no water‐eroded sediments were obtained from the crest subplots devoid of crust. However, runoff and sediment were obtained from the mid‐ and footslope crusted subplots. Sediment yield from the footslope subplots was much higher than from the midslopes, despite the higher sediment concentration that characterized the midslope subplots.

The mean annual sediment yield at the Hallamish dune field was 432 g per metre width and was associated with high average annual concentrations of 32 g l−1. The data indicate that owing to the presence of a thin microbiotic crust, runoff and water erosion may occur even within arid sandy dune fields. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enantioselective analysis of monoterpene compounds in essential oils by stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE)–enantio‐MDGC–MS
Authors: Kreck Mirjam , Scharrer Annette , Bilke Steffi , Mosandl Armin
Published: August 2002

Stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE), a recently introduced solventless extraction technique, was applied for the enantioselective analysis of chiral monoterpenes in tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil and thyme oil using enantioselective multidimensional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (enantio‐MDGC–MS). In addition, headspace sorptive extraction (HSSE) and in vivo headspace sorptive extraction (in vivo HSSE) of the chiral monoterpenes in three aromatic and medicinal plants, thyme [Thymus vulgaris (L.)], eucalyptus [Eucalyptus globulus (L.)] and tea tree [Melaleuca alternifolia (C.)], was investigated and the results of the different sampling techniques were compared and discussed. This method was utilized in order to establish characteristic authenticity profiles of the essential oils. Moreover, the enantiomeric ratios of the major and minor chiral components emitted in living plants were determined. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Essential oils from aerial parts of Aristolochia gibertii Hook.
Authors: Priestap Horacio A. , van Baren Catalina M. , Leo Lira Paola Di , Prado Héctor J. , Neugebauer Michael , Mayer Ralf , Bandoni Arnaldo L.
Published: August 2002

The leaf and stem volatile constituents of Aristolochia gibertii Hook., obtained by hydrodistillation, were analysed by GC and GC–MS. Monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes (20–21), amounting to 77.8–80.3% of the total oil, were identified in the leaf oils, bicyclogermacrene being the main component (38.1–42.2%). Components (28–35) were identified in the oils isolated from the stems, constituting 86.6–92.3% of the total volatiles. These oils were dominated by limonene (38.5–56.8%). The leaf and stem oils were also found to contain the sesquiterpene lactone, aristolactone, in varying amounts (1.6–9.9%). The olfactory profiles of these oils were characterized and found to have very interesting organoleptic qualities. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High resolution flux‐difference‐splitting scheme on adaptive grid for open‐channel flows
Authors: Jha Akhilesh Kumar , Akiyama Juichiro , Ura Masaru
Published: August 2002

The effectiveness and usefulness of further enhancing the shock resolution of a second‐order accurate scheme for open‐channel flows by using an adaptive grid is investigated. The flux‐difference‐splitting (FDS) scheme based on the Lax–Wendroff numerical flux is implemented on a fixed as well as on a self‐adjusting grid for this purpose. The grid‐adjusting procedure, developed by Harten and Hyman, adjusts the grid by averaging the local characteristic velocities with respect to the signal amplitude in such a way that a shock always lies on a mesh point. This enables a scheme capable of perfectly resolving a stationary shock to capture a shock that moves from mesh point to mesh point. The Roe's approximate Jacobian is used for conservation and consistency, while theoretically sound treatment for satisfying entropy inequality conditions ensures physically realistic solutions. Details about inclusion of source terms, often left out of analyses for the homogeneous part of governing equations, are also explained. The numerical results for some exacting problems are compared with analytical as well as experimental results for examining improvements in resolution of discontinuities by the adaptive grid. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parallel solution of a coupled flow and transport model for shallow water
Authors: Sommeijer B. P. , van der Houwen P. J.
Published: August 2002

We present an integrated approach for the concurrent solution of a 3D hydrodynamical model coupled with a 3D transport model. Since both models are quite similar in nature, the same numerical method has been employed. This leads to a code that is more efficient than when two existing codes would have been combined.

Discretization of the spatial differential operators, and the boundary conditions, results in a stiff initial value problem. To cope with the stiffness, we select an implicit time‐integration formula, viz. the second‐order, L‐stable BDF method because of its excellent stability properties. To reduce the huge amount of linear algebra involved in solving the implicit relations, an Approximate Factorization technique has been used. Essentially, this technique replaces a ‘multi‐dimensional’ system by a series of ‘one‐dimensional’ systems.

Since the output of the hydrodynamical model (i.e., the flow field) serves as input for the transport model, we solve the hydrodynamical model one time step ahead in time. This allows us to solve the models in parallel, using two different groups of processors. By a little tuning of the parameters in the algorithm, a load‐balancing has been obtained that is close to optimal. As a result, both models require roughly the same amount of CPU time, so that one of them, effectively, can be considered as obtained ‘for free’. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A three‐dimensional boundary layer scheme: stability and accuracy analyses
Authors: Horri‐Naceur Jalil , Buisine Daniel
Published: August 2002

We present a numerical scheme for the calculation of incompressible three‐dimensional boundary layers (3DBL), designed to take advantage of the 3DBL model's overall hyperbolic nature, which is linked to the existence of wedge‐shaped dependence and influence zones. The proposed scheme, explicit along the wall and implicit in the normal direction, allows large time steps, thus enabling fast convergence. In order to keep this partly implicit character, the control volumes for the mass and momentum balances are not staggered along the wall. This results in a lack of numerical viscosity, making the scheme unstable. The implementation of a numerical diffusion, suited to the local zone of influence, restores the stability of the boundary layer scheme while preserving second‐order space accuracy. The purpose of this article is to present the analytical and numerical studies carried out to establish the scheme's accuracy and stability properties. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Double minute chromosomes in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome: Identification of new amplification regions by fluorescence in situ hybridization and spectral karyotyping
Authors: Sait Sheila N.J. , Qadir Misbah U. , Conroy Jeffrey M. , Matsui Sei‐Ichi , Nowak Norma J. , Baer Maria R.
Published: August 2002

Double minute chromosomes (dmin) are small chromatin bodies consisting of genes amplified in an extrachromosomal location. dmins are uncommon in hematologic malignancies; they are seen primarily in acute myeloid leukemia, with amplification of the MYC oncogene or, less frequently, the MLL transcription factor. Nine patients with hematologic malignancies with dmin were seen at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute between 1985 and 2000; eight had acute myeloid leukemia and one a myelodysplastic syndrome. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) demonstrated MYC amplification on dmin in four patients, but MLL amplification was not seen. Spectral karyotyping showed that the dmin derived from chromosome 11 in one patient and from chromosome 19 in two others without MYC or MLL amplification; derivation from these chromosomes was confirmed by FISH with chromosome paint probes. The dmin of chromosome 11 origin hybridized to a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) RP11‐112M22 that maps to 11q24.3 and is predicted to contain ETS1 and other markers, including D11S11351 and D11S4091. The dmin of chromosome 19 origin in one patient hybridized to BACs RP11‐46I12 and RP11‐110J19; in the other patient, these clones did not hybridize with the dmin, but were found to be amplified on a marker chromosome that was derived from chromosome 19 in that patient's cells. These BACs have been mapped to 19q12–19q13.1 and 19q11–19q13.1, respectively, and are predicted to contain the markers D19S409 and D19S919 and the gene for ubiquinol‐cytochrome C reductase, Rieske iron‐sulfur polypeptide1 (UQCRFS1). dmin originating from chromosome 19 have not been reported previously in hematologic malignancies. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Low levels of Sry transcripts cannot be the sole cause of B6‐YTIR sex reversal
Authors: Lee Chung‐Hae , Taketo Teruko
Published: August 2002

Summary: Sry, a single‐copy gene on the Y‐chromosome, triggers the fetal gonad to begin testis differentiation in mammals. On the other hand, mutation or absence of Sry results in ovary differentiation and the female phenotype. However, cases of XY sex reversal in the presence of wild‐type Sry exist in mice and man. One such example is the B6‐YTIR mouse, whose autosomes and X‐chromosome are from the C57BL/6J mouse (an inbred strain of Mus musculus molossinus), whereas the Y‐chromosome is from a Mus musculus domesticus mouse originating in Tirano, Italy. The B6‐YTIR mouse never develops normal testes and instead develops ovaries or ovotestes in fetal life. It has been suggested that low levels of Sry transcription may account for the aberrant testis differentiation in the B6‐YTIR mouse. In this study, however, we observed relatively low levels of Sry transcripts not only in B6‐YTIR but also in B6 mice, which develop normal testes. We conclude that low dosage of Sry transcripts cannot be the sole cause of sex reversal in the B6‐YTIR gonad. genesis 30:7–11, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Carbohydrate source influences gelatinase production by mouse astrocytes in vitro
Authors: Massengale Justin L. , Gasche Yvan , Chan Pak H.
Published: August 2002

Molecular mediators of ischemic brain injury include intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9), involved in the alteration of blood‐brain barrier permeability and induced in astroglial cultures by tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). Hyperglycemia is known to aggravate in vivo ischemic brain damage, while treatment with sorbitol shows benefit in reducing vasogenic brain edema. This study investigated whether a culture medium carbohydrate source could alter the astrocyte production of MMP‐9 and ICAM‐1 in vitro. The growth of astrocytes in 12.5 mM glucose, 25 mM glucose, or 25 mM sorbitol for 14 days did not alter cellular release of lactate dehydrogenase, uptake of Trypan blue, or surface expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). ICAM‐1 levels were similar in astrocytes grown in glucose or sorbitol both under basal conditions and after TNF‐α stimulation for 48 h. In contrast, levels of proMMP‐9 released from astrocytes cultured for 14 days in 25 mM sorbitol reached only 55–28% of those obtained from cultures in 25 mM glucose after stimulation with 1,000 U/ml (P = 0.05) or 5,000 U/ml (P < 0.025) TNF‐α, respectively. Limiting the duration of pre‐stimulation sorbitol exposure to 48 h resulted in lower proMMP‐9 levels than in glucose cultures after 5,000, but not 1,000, U/ml TNF‐α, and differences were not significant when sorbitol exposure was further reduced to 24 h. Incubation in mixed glucose/sorbitol media did not affect the release of proMMP‐9. These findings suggest that MMP‐9 production may be increased in astrocytes as a consequence of glucose metabolism, which can be avoided by growth in sorbitol alone. GLIA 38:240–245, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Visualising the activity of the cystine‐glutamate antiporter in glial cells using antibodies to aminoadipic acid, a selectively transported substrate
Authors: Pow David V.
Published: August 2002

The cystine‐glutamate antiporter is a transport system that facilitates the uptake of cystine, concomitant with the release of glutamate. The cystine accumulated by this transporter is generally considered for use in the formation of the cysteine‐containing antioxidant glutathione, which is abundant in many glial cells. This study used the simple strategy of generating an antibody to aminoadipic acid, a selective substrate for the cystine‐glutamate antiporter. Stereospecific accumulation of aminoadipic acid into specific cell types in rat brain slice preparations was detected immunocytochemically. Strong accumulation was detected in astroglial cells in all brain regions studied including those in white matter tracts. Strong accumulation into radial glial cells, including the retinal Müller cells and the Bergmann glial cells was also observed. Glial accumulation was observed not only in cells within the blood brain barrier, but also outside such; anterior pituitary folliculostellate cell and intermediate lobe pituitary glial cells exhibited strong accumulation of aminoadipic acid. Interestingly, some glial cells such as the posterior pituitary glial cells (pituicytes) exhibited very little if any accumulation of aminoadipic acid. Within the brain labelling was not uniform. Particularly strong labelling was noted in some regions, such as the glial cells surrounding the CA1 pyramidal cells. By contrast, neurons never exhibited uptake of aminoadipic acid. Because cystine uptake is associated with glutamate release, it is suggested that this antiporter might contribute to release of glutamate from glial cells under some pathophysiological conditions. GLIA 34:27–38, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mechanical trauma induces rapid astroglial activation of ERK/MAP kinase: Evidence for a paracrine signal
Authors: Mandell James W. , Gocan Nigel C. , Vandenberg Scott R.
Published: August 2002

Astrogliosis is a prominent and ubiquitous reaction of astrocytes to many forms of CNS injury, often implicated in the poor regenerative capacity of the adult mammalian CNS. Transmembrane signals that rapidly trigger and maintain astroglial responses to injury are largely undefined. Several candidate inducers of astrogliosis, including growth factors and neuropeptides, act via the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. We previously observed chronically activated ERK/MAPK in human reactive astrocytes. To investigate mechanisms of pathway activation in a defined in vitro model, primary cultured astroglial monolayers were subjected to focal mechanical injury. Within 2–10 min, ERK/MAPK was activated, but only in cells near the wound edge. By 30 min, the entire monolayer showed activation, which persisted for 4 to 8 h. ERK/MAPK activation was specifically blocked by application of the MEK inhibitors, PD98059 and U0126. Cell‐cell contact was not necessary for intercellular spread of ERK/MAPK activation, and ERK/MAPK‐stimulating activity was found in the injury‐conditioned medium. The activating factor was shown to have a native size of 50–100 kD and did not signal through the classical EGF receptor. Injury‐induced signaling to ERK/MAPK required Ras, as demonstrated by specific blockade after transient transfection with a dominant negative Ha‐RasN17 construct. Finally, we demonstrated that focal lesioning of adult rat cortex induces a rapid activation and spreading of astroglial ERK/MAPK, suggesting that similar mechanisms may operate in astroglial activation following acute brain injury. GLIA 34:283–295, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Psychotic (delusional) major depression in late life: a clinical study
Authors: Gournellis Rossetos , Lykouras Lefteris , Fortos Andreas , Oulis Panagiotis , Roumbos Vassilis , Christodoulou George N.
Published: August 2002

An Erratum has been published for this article in International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 16(11) 2001, 1085–1091.

Background

Psychotic (delusional) major depression (PMD) in the elderly is a common condition in inpatient settings. There is evidence that late age onset depressives are more likely to be psychotic.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency, sociodemographic, and clinical characteristics of PMD in hospitalized elderly depressives.

Methods

The sample consisted of 118 elderly patients consecutively admitted at three different clinics. All patients fulfilled DSM‐IV criteria for major depression disorder and were diagnosed on the basis of Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV (SCID). The subjects were also assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and a physical health rating scale.

Results

PMD was positively associated with age of onset of depression. The PMD patients were also more severely depressed, more psychomotorically retarded and referred more past psychotic depressive episodes. Furthermore, age at onset influenced the type of delusions, so that PMD patients with aged over 60 at onset expressed delusions of hypochondriacal and nihilistic content more frequently.

Conclusions

The results of our study demonstrated that PMD in the elderly has a later age at onset. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural and 31P NMR solution studies on some cyclic triphosphenium ions and their 2‐arsa‐analogues
Authors: Barnham Rachel J. , Deng Robert M. K. , Dillon Keith B. , Goeta Andrés E. , Howard Judith A. K. , Puschmann Horst
Published: August 2002

Several new cyclic triphosphenium ions and their 2‐arsa‐analogues have been identified in solution by 31P NMR spectroscopy. The crystal and molecular structures of the cations 1a,b, as their hexachlorostannate (IV) salts have shown that the five membered heterocyclic rings are planar, whereas the cation 9b as its diphosphanedioxide‐bis[pentachlorostannate(IV)] salt is nonplanar, like its saturated phosphorus counterpart. magnified image © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 12:501–510, 2001
Calix[4]arenes bearing α‐amino‐ or α‐hydroxyphosphonic acid fragments at the upper rim
Authors: Solovyov Andrew , Cherenok Sergey , Tsymbal Ivan , Failla Salvatore , Consiglio Giuseppe A. , Finocchiaro Paolo , Kalchenko Vitaly
Published: August 2002

By the reaction of para‐formylcalix[4]arenes 1–6 with trialkyl phosphites in the presence of dry hydrogen chloride, calix[4]arenes 7–13 possessing dialkylphosphoryl‐hydroxymethyl groupings at the upper rim were synthesized. Calix[4]arenes 18–23 functionalized with dialkylphosphoryl‐alkyl(aryl)aminomethyl groups were obtained by sodium‐promoted addition of dialkyl phosphites to C=N bonds of para‐iminocalix[4]arenes 14–17.

The consecutive treatment of α‐hydroxy‐ or α‐aminophosphonic acid dialkyl esters of calix[4]arenes 7, 10, 18, and 21 with bromotrimethylsilane and methanol gave dihydroxyphosphoryl derivatives of calix[4]arenes 24–27.

It was shown that calix[4]arenes bearing at the macrocyclic upper rim hydroxymethylphosphonic fragments, as well as bis‐hydroxymethyl(aminomethyl)phosphonic fragments, are able to undergo self‐assembly with formation of dimeric OH···O=P hydrogen bonded associates. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 12:58–67, 2001
Morality and the limits of societal values in health care allocation
Authors: Walker Rebecca L. , Siegel Andrew W.
Published: August 2002

In this paper, we consider whether there is a clear moral justification for the proposal that societal value preferences (SVPs) should be included in Cost Effectiveness Analyses (CEA) of health care resource allocations. We argue, first, that proponents of the use of SVPs need to be clear about the relationship between these values and moral principles. In particular, once moral principles are accepted as ruling out some SVPs (such as those that are irrational or revealing prejudice), an account is required of why we need to appeal to SVPs rather than moral principles to determine a just division of health care resources. Secondly, we consider whether an independent moral justification might underwrite the use of SVPs. In various places in the literature the notions of representation, presumed consent and democratic decision making appear to be invoked as candidates for fulfilling this justificatory role. We discuss some problems with each of these justifications in the hope of eliciting a more comprehensive proposal from the proponents of SVPs. We conclude that, although a number of interesting proposals have been made, no compelling justification for including SVPs in CEA has yet been systematically articulated. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of xerostomia on perception and performance of swallow function
Authors: Logemann Jeri A. , Smith Christina H. , Pauloski Barbara Roa , Rademaker Alfred W. , Lazarus Cathy L. , Colangelo Laura A. , Mittal Bharat , MacCracken Ellen , Gaziano Joy , Stachowiak Linda , Newman Lisa A.
Published: August 2002

Background

Head and neck cancer treatment with high‐dose chemoradiation may cause xerostomia and affect the patient's perception of swallowing ability.

Method

Whole saliva production was measured in 36 patients with advanced‐stage cancer of the oropharynx before treatment and 3 months after treatment by weighing a 4 × 4 inch gauze before and after a 2‐minute chewing period. Presence of multiple eating difficulties was measured by patient interview. Swallowing was examined videofluorographically (VFG).

Results

Saliva weight decreased from a mean (SEM) of 5.1 (0.5) g pretreatment to 1.4 (0.5) g after treatment (p< .0001). At 3 months, significantly more patients perceived difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, needing water while eating, food stuck in the mouth or throat, and change in taste. Saliva weight was not correlated with VFG measures of bolus transit or observations of residue.

Conclusions

Chemoradiation treatment results in xerostomia and a significant increase in patient perception of swallowing difficulties. Saliva weight in patients who perceive swallowing problems was lower. Xerostomia did not affect the physiologic aspects of bolus transport. Xerostomia affected the sensory process and comfort of eating more than bolus transport. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 23: 317–321, 2001.
Investigation of nonclassical effects during fast transient mass diffusion
Authors: Huai Xiu‐lan , Jiang Ren‐qiu , Liu Deng‐ying , Meng Qun
Published: August 2002

Experiments on fast transient mass diffusion between a NaCl solution and pure water were conducted. The speed of mass propagation, the concentration profiles, and other quantities were determined experimentally. A physical mechanism that is different from the description of classical diffusion law was revealed by the experiments, and a related theoretical analysis was also made. The results indicate that the calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental data. The modified Fick's formulation more realistically reflects the characteristics of fast transient mass diffusion. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Heat Trans Asian Res, 31(1): 1–6, 2002
Kinetics of solute acquisition from the dissolution of suspended sediment in subglacial channels
Authors: Brown Giles H. , Hubbard Bryn , Seagren Andrew G.
Published: August 2002

Twenty five laboratory dissolution experiments have been conducted to quantify rates of solute acquisition, measured as Ca2+ concentration against time, from glacigenic sediments suspended in cold, dilute waters. Suspended sediment character was constrained by field‐calibrated ranges of both concentration in meltwater (g cm−3) and specific surface area by sediment mass (cm2 g−1). This constraint yielded, for the first time in a glacier hydrochemical study, dissolution rate data as a function of the specific sediment surface area by water volume (cm2 cm−3). The resulting experimental data are used to calibrate a kinetic dissolution model, where the rate of solute acquisition is considered in terms of three parameters: an initial concentration C0, reflecting rapid ion‐exchange reactions; an ultimate steady‐state concentration Cs; and a rate parameter k. Results indicate an excellent fit between the laboratory‐measured Ca2+ concentrations and model output, with goodness‐of‐fit, expressed as χ2, reducing in all cases to less than 1·7 × 10−14 following iterative curve fitting for each experiment. Plotting the resulting best‐fit equation parameters against specific surface area by water volume reveals a strong positive relationship for both C0 and Cs, respectively yielding straight‐line slopes of 4·2 × 10−8 (R2 = 0·88) and 1·2 × 10−7 (R2 = 0·77). However, k was found to be insensitive to changes in specific surface area by water volume (R2 = 0·00), largely reflecting the dominance of variability in C0 and Cs in this model. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of soil infiltration rates in burned and unburned mountainous watersheds
Authors: Martin Deborah A. , Moody John A.
Published: August 2002

Steady‐state infiltration measurements were made at mountainous sites in New Mexico and Colorado, USA, with volcanic and granitic soils after wildfires and at comparable unburned sites. We measured infiltration in the New Mexico volcanic soils under two vegetation types, ponderosa pine and mixed conifer, and in the Colorado granitic soils under ponderosa pine vegetation. These measurements were made within high‐severity burn areas using a portable infiltrometer with a 0·017 m2 infiltration area and artificial rainfall rates ranging from 97 to 440 mm h−1. Steady‐state infiltration rates were less at all burned sites relative to unburned sites. The volcanic soil with ponderosa pine vegetation showed the greatest difference in infiltration rates with a ratio of steady‐state infiltration rate in burned sites to unburned soils equal to 0·15. Volcanic soils with mixed conifer vegetation had a ratio (burned to unburned soils) of at most 0·38, and granitic soils with ponderosa pine vegetation had a ratio of 0·38. Steady‐state infiltration rates on unburned volcanic and granitic soils with ponderosa pine vegetation are not statistically different. We present data on the particle‐size distribution at all the study sites and examples of wetting patterns produced during the infiltration experiments. Published in 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of neuromotor behaviour in children with a specific speech and language disorder
Authors: Noterdaeme Michele , Mildenberger Katrin , Minow Falk , Amorosa Hedwig
Published: August 2002

Several studies have described problems in a wide area of motor functions in language impaired children. The purpose of this study was to identify the nature of the motor deficits in two subgroups of language impaired children. A standard neurological examination was performed on 18 children with an expressive language disorder and 21 children with a receptive language disorder. The motor performance of the language disordered children was compared with the motor performance of 23 normal children. The standard neurological examination allowed for a qualitative and quantitative assessment of five specific neurological subsystems. Handedness was determined for all children. The language impaired children had more motor problems than the control children on most neurological subsystems. There were few statistically significant differences between the two groups of language impaired children. An excess in left‐handedness was established in the group of children with a receptive language disorder. There was a co‐occurrence of verbal and non‐verbal deficits in language impaired children. As these motor problems put an additional burden on the development of language impaired children, they should be diagnosed as early as possible. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cellular effects of purvalanol A: A specific inhibitor of cyclin‐dependent kinase activities
Authors: Villerbu Nathalie , Gaben Anne‐Marie , Redeuilh Gérard , Mester Jan
Published: August 2002

We have studied the effects of purvalanol A on the cell cycle progression, proliferation and viability. In synchronized cells, purvalanol A induced a reversible arrest the progression in G1 and G2 phase of the cell cycle, but did not prevent the completion of DNA synthesis in S‐phase cells. The specificity of action of the drug was supported by the selective inhibition of the phosphorylation of cyclin‐dependent kinase (cdk) substrates such as Rb and cyclin E. The cell contents of cyclins D1 and E were lower in cells incubated with purvalanol A compared to controls, but the level of the cdk inhibitory protein p21WAF1/CIP1 was increased, indicating that the drug did not cause a general inhibition of gene expression. Purvalanol A did not inhibit transcription under cell‐free conditions. This compound, however, caused an inhibition of the estradiol‐induced expression of an integrated luciferase gene, suggesting that cdk or related enzymes may participate in the regulation of the activity of certain promoters. When exponentially growing cells, both mouse fibroblasts and human cancer cell lines, were incubated with purvalanol A for prolonged periods of time (24 hr), a lasting inhibition of cell proliferation as well as cell death were observed. In contrast, a 24 hr incubation of quiescent (non‐transformed) cells with purvalanol A did not prevent their resumption of cell cycle after removal of the drug. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
No association between HER‐2 gene polymorphism at codon 655 and a risk of bladder cancer
Authors: Wang Lizhong , Habuchi Tomonori , Takahashi Takeshi , Kamoto Toshiyuki , Zuo Tao , Mitsumori Kenji , Tsuchiya Norihiko , Sato Kazunari , Ogawa Osamu , Kato Tetsuro
Published: August 2002

The amplification and overexpression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 gene HER‐2 (also known as c‐erb‐B2 or neu) have been shown to be associated with bladder cancer and its progression. Recent studies indicated an association between the Ile to Val polymorphism at codon 655 of HER‐2 and susceptibility to breast cancer. To investigate the correlation between the Ile/Val polymorphism and the susceptibility and progression of bladder cancer, we analyzed the polymorphism in 232 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and 408 normal controls. The frequencies of the Ile/Ile, Ile/Val and Val/Val genotype were 75.9%, 21.6% and 2.6%, respectively, in patients with bladder cancer and 75.7%, 23.0% and 1.2%, respectively, in controls. Statistical analyses of the genotype prevalence showed no significant difference between bladder cancer patients and normal controls (p = 0.419). Moreover, no significant differences in the genotype prevalence were observed when the patients were stratified according to the tumor grade, stage and smoking habits. When the Ile/Ile genotype was compared to the Ile/Val and Val/Val genotypes, a significant difference was found only between the patients with tumor stage Ta and those with T1‐4 (age, gender and smoking habits‐adjusted odds ratio = 2.13, 95% confidence interval = 1.09–4.15, p = 0.027). When the Ile/Ile + Ile/Val genotypes compared to the Val/Val genotype, no significant findings were observed. These results suggested that the HER‐2 polymorphism at codon 655 is unlikely to be associated with the onset of bladder cancer. Furthermore, the findings suggest no association between this polymorphism and the disease progression in bladder cancer, although the possibility remains that the Ile/Ile genotype may be related to an increased risk of disease progression. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Physical activity and lung cancer risk in male smokers
Authors: Colbert Lisa H. , Hartman Terryl J. , Tangrea Joseph A. , Pietinen Pirjo , Virtamo Jarmo , Taylor Philip R. , Albanes Demetrius
Published: August 2002

We examined the association between physical activity and lung cancer in a prospective cohort of 27,087 male smokers, ages 50–69 years, enrolled in the Alpha‐Tocopherol, Beta Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study. After an average of 10 years of follow‐up, 1,442 lung cancer cases were diagnosed. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of lung cancer associated with self‐reported occupational and leisure‐time activity, adjusted for age, supplement group, body mass index, cigarettes smoked daily, years of smoking, education, energy intake and vegetable intake. There were no associations between occupational, leisure‐time or combined categories of physical activity with lung cancer risk; however, age appeared to modify the effect of leisure‐time activity (p = 0.02). Within increasing quartiles of age, the RRs (CI) for men active in leisure time compared to sedentary men were 0.77 (0.54–1.09), 0.74 (0.57–0.95), 1.09 (0.89–1.33) and 1.03 (0.88–1.21). These data suggest that among smokers, neither occupational nor leisure‐time activity is associated with lung cancer risk. There may, however, be some modest risk reduction associated with leisure activity among younger smokers. Published 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of germline mutations of MLH1 and MSH2 in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer families from Spain
Authors: Caldes Trinidad , Godino Javier , de la Hoya Miguel , Garcia Carbonero Iciar , Perez Segura Pedro , Eng Charis , Benito Manuel , Diaz‐Rubio Eduardo
Published: August 2002

HNPCC is an autosomal dominantly inherited cancer‐susceptibility syndrome that confers an increased risk for colorectal cancer and endometrial cancer at a young age. It also entails an increased risk of a variety of other tumors, such as ovarian, gastric, uroepithelial and biliary tract cancers. The underlying pathogenic mutation lies in 1 of the 5 known DNA MMR genes (MSH2, MLH1, PMS1, PMS2 and MSH6). We screened a total of 140 individuals from 56 Spanish families with suspected HNPCC for mutations in the DNA mismatch repair genes MLH1 and MSH2, using DGGE and direct DNA sequencing. Families were selected on the basis of a history of HNPCC‐related tumors or the occurrence of other associated tumors in members besides the index case affected with colorectal cancer. We detected 14 definite pathogenic germline mutations, 9 in MLH1 and 5 in MSH2 in 13 unrelated families selected by the Amsterdam criteria and Bethesda guidelines (1 family carries 2 mutations) and 3 missense mutations in 3 unrelated families selected by the Amsterdam criteria. Among the 17 germline mutations noted in the Spanish cohort, 10 are novel, 7 in MLH1 and 3 in MSH2, perhaps demonstrating different mutational spectra in the Spanish population, where no founder mutation has been identified. Based on our results, we suggest that in the Spanish population not only HNPCC families fulfilling the Amsterdam criteria but also those following Bethesda guidelines should undergo genetic testing for MSH2 and MLH1 mutations. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.