bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Butylene copolyesters based on aldaric and terephthalic acids. Synthesis and characterization
Authors: Zamora Francisca , Hakkou Khalid , Alla Abdelillah , Rivas Manuel , De Ilarduya Antxón Martínez , Muñoz‐Guerra Sebastián , Galbis Juan A.
Published: January 2009

The synthesis, characterization, and some properties of new copolyesters analogous to poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT), based on L‐arabinaric and galactaric acids, are described. These copolyesters were obtained by polycondensation reaction in the melt of mixtures of methyl 2,3,4‐tri‐O‐methyl‐L‐arabinarate or methyl 2,3,4,5‐tetra‐O‐methyl‐galactarate and dimethyl terephthalate with 1,4‐butanediol. Their weight‐average molecular weights ranged between 10,000 and 34,000, with polydispersities ranging from 1.4 to 2.2. The composition of all the copolymers was analyzed by NMR, and was found to have a statistical microstructure. All these copolyesters were thermally stable, with degradation temperatures well above 300 °C. The melting temperature and crystallinity decreased in both series, and the glass transition temperature increased and decreased respectively, for the PBTGa and PBTAr series with increasing amounts of aldaric units in the copolyester chain. Only PBT‐derived copolyesters containing a maximum of 30% aldaric units showed discrete scattering characteristic of crystalline material. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1168–1177, 2009
Spontaneous formation of narrowly‐distributed self‐assembly from polyamidoamine dendron‐poly(L‐lysine) block copolymers through helix‐coil transition of poly(L‐lysine) block
Authors: Harada Atsushi , Nakanishi Kenichi , Ichimura Shinichi , Kojima Chie , Kono Kenji
Published: January 2009

The self‐assembly of head‐tail type block copolymers composed of polyamidoamine dendron head block and poly(L‐lysine) (PLL) tail block was studied using a light scattering technique and transmission electron microscopy. A PLL tail block in a head‐tail type block copolymer exhibits a coil‐to‐helix transition as a result of the change in solvent quality from water to methanol. When the PLL tail block takes a helical conformation in high methanol content, the resulting head‐tail type block copolymer has a defined three‐dimensional structure like that of a protein molecule. Self‐assemblies of such block copolymers having a totally fixed molecular shape spontaneously form polymersome‐like self‐assemblies with an extremely narrow size distribution through converging to a thermodynamically stable assembling state. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1217–1223, 2009
Secretome‐based proteomics reveals sulindac‐modulated proteins released from colon cancer cells
Authors: Ji Hong , Greening David W. , Kapp Eugene A. , Moritz Robert L. , Simpson Richard J.
Published: January 2009

Although experiments in rodents and human population‐based studies have demonstrated the efficacy of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as sulindac in colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention, a detailed knowledge of the underlying mechanism of action of this drug is limited. To better understand the chemopreventitive effects of sulindac, especially early sulindac‐induced apoptotic events, we used the CRC cell line LIM1215 as an experimental model, focusing on proteins secreted into the LIM1215 culture medium – i.e., the secretome. This subproteome comprises both soluble‐secreted proteins and exosomes (30–100 nm diameter membrane vesicles released by several cell types). Selected secretome proteins whose expression levels were dysregulated by 1 mM sulindac treatment over 16 h were analyzed using 2‐D DIGE, cytokine array, Western blotting, and MS. Overall, 150 secreted proteins were identified, many of which are implicated in molecular and cellular functions such as cell proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, and apoptosis. Our secretome‐based proteomic studies have identified several secreted modulators of sulindac‐induced apoptosis action (e.g., Mac‐2 binding protein, Alix, 14‐3‐3 isoforms, profilin‐1, calumenin/Cab45 precursors, and the angiogenic/tumor growth factors interleukin 8 (IL‐8) and growth related oncogene (GRO‐α)) that are likely to improve our understanding of the chemopreventitive action of this NSAID in CRC.
Proteomic profiling of yeast‐ and hyphal‐specific responses ofCandida albicansto the antifungal agent, HWY‐289
Authors: Kim Ki‐Young , Shin Yu‐Kyong , Kang Kap‐Chul , Yoo Jong‐Shin , Kim Jung‐Ho , Paik Young‐Ki
Published: January 2009

Virulence ofCandida albicansis attributable to its unique dimorphic transition from nonpathogenic yeast cells to pathogenic hyphal cells. We previously discovered a novel antifungal agent, known as HWY‐289. To characterize the mechanism underlying HWY‐289 antifungal activity, we performed 2‐DE to identify proteins that were differentially expressed during yeast‐to‐hyphal transition and in response to HWY‐289. Twenty‐four differentially expressed protein spots were identified in HWY‐289‐treated yeast. Most differentially expressed proteins were involved in carbohydrate‐derived energy metabolism, cellular detoxification, and antioxidant defenses. Two proteins were involved in cell cycle regulation and DNA processing, and both were downregulated by HWY‐289, suggesting that this agent might promote cell death by weakening cellular defense systems. HWY‐289 inhibited yeast‐to‐hyphal transition in a dose‐dependent manner. 2‐DE analysis of hyphae uncovered several proteins that were induced during yeast‐to‐hyphal transition. Of these, aconitase and phosphatidylinositol transfer protein were downregulated by HWY‐289, suggesting that they mediate the antifungal effects of HWY‐289. Finally, RT‐PCR analysis revealed that HWY‐289 induced expression of three RAS‐related genes (CcCST20,CaHST7, andCaCPH1) in yeast cells, but suppressed their expression in hyphae. Thus, the antifungal action of HWY‐289 may be attributable to its ability to disrupt prohyphal RAS signaling.
Air Gaps, Size Effect, and Corner‐Turning in Ambient LX‐17
Authors: Souers P. Clark , Hernandez Andrew , Cabacungan Chris , Garza Raul , Lauderbach Lisa , Liao Sen‐Ben , Vitello Peter
Published: January 2009

Various measurements under ambient conditions are presented for LX‐17. The size (diameter) effect has been measured with copper and Lucite confinement, where the failure radii are 4.0 and 6.5 mm, respectively. The air well corner‐turning has been measured with an LX‐07 booster, and the dead‐zone results are comparable to the previous TATB‐boosted work. Four double cylinders have been fired, and dead zones appear in all cases. The steel‐backed samples are faster than the Lucite‐backed samples by 0.6 μs. Bare LX‐07 and LX‐17 charges of 12.7 mm radius were fired with air gaps. Long acceptor regions were used to truly determine if detonation occurred or not. The LX‐07 booster crossed a 10 mm gap with a slight time delay. Steady‐state LX‐17 crossed a 3.5 mm gap but failed to cross a 4.0 mm gap. LX‐17 charge with a 12.7 mm radius run after the booster crossed a 1.5 mm gap but failed to cross a 2.5 mm gap. Timing delays were measured where the detonation crossed the gaps. The Tarantula model is introduced as embedded in reactive flow JWL++and Linked Cheetah V4, mostly at 4 zones mm−1. Tarantula has four pressure regions: off, initiation, failure, and detonation. The physical basis of the input parameters is considered.
Room temperature growth of semipolar AlN (1$ \bar 1 $02) films on ZnO (1$ \bar 1 $02) substrates by pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Ueno Kohei , Kobayashi Atsushi , Ohta Jitsuo , Fujioka Hiroshi , Amanai Hidetaka , Nagao Satoru , Horie Hideyoshi
Published: January 2009

Semipolar AlN $(1 \bar 102) $ films have been prepared on ZnO $(1 \bar 102) $ substrates by employing room temperature (RT) grown AlN layers using pulsed laser deposition. The use of the RT‐AlN layer suppresses the interfacial reactions between AlN and ZnO and makes it possible to take full advantage of the nearly lattice matched wurtzite substrates. The FWHM values of XRCs of semipolar AlN $(1 \bar 102) $ films were 1180 arcsec and 1620 arcsec for symmetric $1 \bar 102 $ diffraction and in‐plane $11\bar 20 $ diffraction, respectively. These results indicate that the use of the RT‐AlN layers and the ZnO substrates would be quite attractive for fabrication of high efficiency UV light emitting devices. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
QSAR for Inhibition of Pseudomonas Species Lipase by 1‐Acyloxy‐3‐N‐n‐octylcarbamyl‐benzenes
Authors: Chiou Shyh‐Ying , Yu Gia‐Yun , Lin Gialih
Published: January 2009

1‐Acyloxy‐3‐N‐n‐octylcarbamyl‐benzenes (1–9) are synthesized to characterize the Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship (QSAR) for the Third Acyl Group Binding Site (TACS) of Pseudomonas species lipase. Inhibitors 1–9 are characterized as pseudo or alternate substrate inhibitors of the enzyme. The inhibition constant (Ki) and carbamylation constant (k2) for the enzyme inhibitions by inhibitors 1–9 are determined. The carbamate carbons of the n‐octylcarbamyl moieties of inhibitors 1–9 are nucleophilically attacked by the active site serine of the enzyme and the n‐octylcarbamyl groups of inhibitors 1–9 are bound to the Acyl Group Binding Site (ACS) of the enzyme. Both pKi and log k2 values are linearly corrected with the Hansch hydrophobicity π values of the substituents of the acyl moieties of inhibitors 1–7. The slopes for these corrections are 0.13 and 0.02, respectively. This result suggests that the enzyme inhibitions by inhibitors 1–7 have a common mechanism. Thus, all acyl moieties of inhibitors 1–7 should bind to the TACS of the enzyme since the acyl and carbamyl moieties of inhibitors 1–7 are meta to each other. This result also indicates that the major interaction between the acyl moiety of inhibitors 1–7 and the TACS of the enzyme is primarily the hydrophobic interaction. The more hydrophobic characters of inhibitors 1–7 are, the more tightly these inhibitors bind to the enzyme. In contrast, 1‐triphenylacetoxy‐3‐N‐n‐octylcarbamyl‐benzene (8) and 1‐trimethylacetoxy‐3‐N‐n‐octylcarbamyl‐benzene (9) do not bind to the TACS of the enzyme due to the fact that the inhibitions by both inhibitors are not linearly correlated with π. It is possible that these two inhibitors are too bulky to fit into the TACS of the enzyme.
Information origins of the chemical bond: Bond descriptors from molecular communication channels in orbital resolution
Authors: Nalewajski Roman F.
Published: January 2009

The flow of information in the molecular communication networks in the (condensed) atomic orbital (AO) resolution is investigated and the plane‐wave (momentum‐space) interpretation of the average Fisher information in the molecular information system is given. It is argued using the quantum‐mechanical superposition principle that, in the LCAO MO theory the squares of corresponding elements of the Charge and Bond‐Order (CBO) matrix determine the conditional probabilities between AO, which generate the molecular communication system of the Orbital Communication Theory (OCT) of the chemical bond. The conditional‐entropy (“noise,” information‐theoretic “covalency”) and the mutual‐information (information flow, information‐theoretic “ionicity”) descriptors of these molecular channels are related to Wiberg's covalency indices of chemical bonds. The illustrative application of OCT to the three‐orbital model of the chemical bond X—Y, which is capable of describing the forward‐ and back‐donations as well as the atom promotion accompanying the bond formation, is reported. It is demonstrated that the entropy/information characteristics of these separate bond‐effects can be extracted by an appropriate reduction of the output of the molecular information channel, carried out by combining several exits into a single (condensed) one. The molecular channels in both the AO and hybrid orbital representations are examined for both the molecular and representative promolecular input probabilities. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
Approach of the associated Laguerre functions to the su(1,1) coherent states for some quantum solvable models
Authors: Fakhri H. , Dehghani A. , Mojaveri B.
Published: January 2009

Using second‐order differential operators as a realization of the su(1,1) Lie algebra by the associated Laguerre functions, it is shown that the quantum states of the Calogero‐Sutherland, half‐oscillator and radial part of a 3D harmonic oscillator constitute the unitary representations for the same algebra. This su(1,1) Lie algebra symmetry leads to derivation of the Barut‐Girardello and Klauder‐Perelomov coherent states for those models. The explicit compact forms of these coherent states are calculated. Also, to realize the resolution of the identity, their corresponding positive definite measures on the complex plane are obtained in terms of the known functions. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
Theoretical investigation of the formation of the tropylium ion from the toluene radical cation
Authors: Bullins Kenneth W. , Huang Thomas T. S. , Kirkby Scott J.
Published: January 2009

The formation of the tropylium ion, C7H7+, in the mass spectrum of toluene is a chemical process that has been extensively studied. There is, however, still debate as to the structure of the moieties and the reaction pathways involved. This work presents the first computationally complete reaction schemes for the formation of tropylium from toluene to be reported. The calculations were performed at the HF/6‐31G(d, p) and the DFT/B3LYP/6‐311++G(2d) levels of theory using Gaussian 03W. The previously unreported optimized structures and energies for a transition state and an intermediate in one scheme and a transition state in the other have been determined. These results are consistent with the previously reported literature and the available experimental data. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
Learning long‐range vision for autonomous off‐road driving
Authors: Hadsell Raia , Sermanet Pierre , Ben Jan , Erkan Ayse , Scoffier Marco , Kavukcuoglu Koray , Muller Urs , LeCun Yann
Published: January 2009

Most vision‐based approaches to mobile robotics suffer from the limitations imposed by stereo obstacle detection, which is short range and prone to failure. We present a self‐supervised learning process for long‐range vision that is able to accurately classify complex terrain at distances up to the horizon, thus allowing superior strategic planning. The success of the learning process is due to the self‐supervised training data that are generated on every frame: robust, visually consistent labels from a stereo module; normalized wide‐context input windows; and a discriminative and concise feature representation. A deep hierarchical network is trained to extract informative and meaningful features from an input image, and the features are used to train a real‐time classifier to predict traversability. The trained classifier sees obstacles and paths from 5 to more than 100 m, far beyond the maximum stereo range of 12 m, and adapts very quickly to new environments. The process was developed and tested on the LAGR (Learning Applied to Ground Robots) mobile robot. Results from a ground truth data set, as well as field test results, are given. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Unraveling bias from student evaluations of their high school science teachers
Authors: Potvin Geoff , Hazari Zahra , Tai Robert H. , Sadler Philip M.
Published: January 2009

In this study, the evaluation of high school biology, chemistry, and physics teachers by their students is examined according to the gender of the student and the gender of the teacher. Female teachers are rated significantly lower than male teachers by male students in all three disciplines, whereas female students underrate female teachers only in physics. Interestingly, physics is also the field that suffers the greatest lack of females and has been criticized most for its androcentric culture. The gender bias in teacher ratings persists even when accounting for academic performance, classroom experiences, and family support. Furthermore, male and female teachers in each discipline appear equally effective at preparing their students for future science study in college, suggesting that students have a discipline‐specific gender bias. Such a bias may negatively impact female students and contribute to the loss of females in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed 93:827–845, 2009
Effects of a cognitive stress challenge on myocardial perfusion and plasma cortisol in coronary heart disease patients with depression
Authors: Bremner James Douglas , Cheema Faiz A. , Ashraf Ali , Afzal Nadeem , Fani Negar , Reed Lai , Musselman Dominique L. , Ritchie James C. , Faber Tracy , Votaw John R. , Nemeroff Charles B. , Vaccarino Viola
Published: January 2009

Although it is well established that coronary heart disease (CHD) patients with depression exhibit increased mortality compared with equally ill cardiac patients without depression, the mechanisms mediating this effect remain obscure. Depression is characterized by vulnerability to stress and heightened stress responsiveness, and stress can theoretically act through several biological pathways to contribute to excess mortality from CHD. Mechanisms connecting stress, depression and cardiovascular mortality have not been previously explored in detail. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of stress and depression on myocardial perfusion and plasma cortisol concentrations in CHD patients. Patients with CHD with and without depression (n = 28) underwent single photon emission computed tomography imaging of myocardial perfusion at rest and during a stressful cognitive challenge. Severity of ischaemia was measured by summing perfusion defect scores across myocardial segments and subtracting out rest from stress scores. Plasma cortisol concentrations were measured at baseline and in response to the stressful challenge. There were no differences in stress‐induced myocardial ischaemia or plasma cortisol response to stress between CHD patients with and without depression. Depressed CHD patients with a history of psychological trauma (n = 5) had an increase in stress‐induced ischaemia scores [7; standard deviation (SD) = 5] compared with CHD patients with depression without a history of psychological trauma (2 SD = 2) and CHD patients without depression or psychological trauma (1; SD = 2) (F = 8.51; degree of freedom = 2,23; p = 0.007). Eighty per cent of CHD/depression trauma‐exposed subjects had stress‐induced ischaemia as opposed to 38 per cent of CHD/depression subjects without trauma exposure and 23 per cent of subjects with CHD without depression or trauma. Self‐reported nervousness during the cognitive stressor was correlated with stress‐induced ischaemia. These preliminary findings suggest that depression with a history of prior exposure to traumatic stress is associated with increased risk for stress‐induced cardiovascular ischaemia. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scheduling channel time allocations in 802.15.3 WPANs for supporting multimedia applications
Authors: Boggia G. , Camarda P. , Grieco L. A.
Published: January 2009

The 802.15.3 standard is a reference point for high data‐rate wireless personal area networks (WPANs), being able to support also multimedia applications with specific quality of service (QoS) requirements. In a 802.15.3 piconet, a single piconet co‐ordinator (PNC) distributes channel time allocations (CTAs) to devices (DEVs) associated to it, in order to provide the expected QoS. The 802.15.3 standard does not specify how this allocation should be done. To bridge this gap, we propose a dynamic CTA scheduling scheme that provides bounded average delays to multimedia applications. The algorithm is based on a control theoretic approach and acts in two steps: (1) each single DEV computes its transmission needs by applying a control algorithm that targets empty transmission queues; (2) the PNC collects requests of DEVs and allocates CTAs by taking into account the capacity constraints of the wireless channel. The main properties and the tuning rules of the algorithm have been theoretically investigated. Moreover, in order to provide a comprehensive performance evaluation of the proposed approach, realistic scenarios with video, voice, and FTP flows have been simulated using ns‐2. Results confirm that our scheduler is able to satisfy the expected delay bounds in a wide range of traffic loads. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Weaknesses in the Hur–Shin–Yoon decentralized group key management
Authors: Hwang Jung Yeon , Chun Ji Young , Lee Dong Hoon
Published: January 2009

Recently, to provide data confidentiality against intermediate relaying proxies, Hur, Shin, and Yoon proposed a decentralized group key management(GKM) scheme for dynamic networks that uses proxy cryptography. We show that the GKM scheme unfortunately does not provide data confidentiality. We also present a counter measure to fix the security breaches. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of Ex Vivo and In Vivo Injection of Blue Dye in Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Park Jun Seok , Chang In Taik , Park Sung Jun , Kim Beom Gyu , Choi Yoo Shin , Cha Seong Jae , Park Eon Sub , Kwon Gui Young
Published: January 2009

Background

The technique of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in patients with colorectal cancer varies between reports, and the optimal method has not been established. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal injection technique for SLN mapping.

Methods

Sixty‐nine consecutive patients who underwent curative surgery for colorectal cancer were enrolled. The SLNs was identified intraoperatively by subserosal blue dye injection (in vivo) or by submucosal injection after standard colectomy (ex vivo). If negative by conventional hematoxylin and eosin staining analysis, all lymph nodes, SLNs and non‐SLNs, were subjected to further analysis by multi‐level section and immunohistochemical examination.

Results

The in vivo and ex vivo injected groups were similar in demographic character, tumor size, and histological grade. The mean number of SLNs identified was 2.3 in the in vivo group and 2.6 in the ex vivo group (p = 0.192). The detection rate of SLNs by blue dye injection was somewhat higher in the ex vivo group than in the in vivo group: 90.6 vs. 81.1% (p = 0.219). The false‐negative rate was 23.5% for the in vivo group and 13.3% for the ex vivo group (p = 0.392). The upstaging rate, which was 18.5% overall, was similar in both groups (p = 0.538).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that ex vivo blue dye injection is an effective alternative to in vivo injection for identifying SLNs in patients with colorectal cancer. Because of its simplicity and applicability in routine clinical settings, further investigation of the ex vivo mapping technique is warranted.
Surgical Treatment of Lung Cancer Invading the Left Atrium or Base of the Pulmonary Vein
Authors: Wu Lihui , Xu Zhifei , Zhao Xuewei , Li Jianqiu , Zhong Lei , Pang Tieweng , Wu Bin
Published: January 2009

Background

The purpose of the present study was to explore the efficacy of an extended operation for locally advanced non‐small cell lung cancer invading the left atrium and intrapericardial pulmonary vein.

Methods

From January 2000 to January 2006, lobectomy or pneumonectomy combined with extended resection of the left atrium was carried out in 46 patients. The operations included left lower lobectomy in 6 cases, left pneumonectomy in 14 cases, right middle and lower lobectomy in 8 cases, right lower lobectomy in 2 cases, and right pneumonectomy in 16 cases; these cases accounted for 4.9% of the lung cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment in the Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, during the study period.

Results

There were no surgery‐related deaths, and the overall 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival rates were 71.77%, 37.79%, and 22.04%, respectively; the 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival rates of patients with no lymph node involvement (N0) were 77.16%, 43.40%, and 28.94%, respectively; the 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival rates of N1 patients were 75.94%, 41.88%, and 27.92%, respectively; the 1‐ and 3‐year survival rates of N2 patients were 53.85% and 17.95%, respectively.

Conclusions

Surgical treatment of T4 lung cancer invading the left atrium or the base of the pulmonary vein is feasible, particularly in N0 and N1 patients with a ≤3 cm maximum diameter of primary lung cancer. It can improve the quality of life and increase long‐term survival. Surgical management should be considered in selected lung cancer patients.
Clinical Experience with Infantile Hepatic Hemangioendothelioma
Authors: Moon Suk‐Bae , Kwon Hyoung‐Joo , Park Kwi‐Won , Yun Woong‐Jae , Jung Sung‐Eun
Published: January 2009

Background

Infantile hepatic hemangioendothelioma (IHHE) is a rare disorder with only a few series reported in the medical literature. We reviewed our treatment experience with IHHE over 17 years.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of patients with IHHE between 1991 and 2008 was performed.

Results

Sixteen patients (median age 30 days) with IHHE were identified. A palpable abdominal mass was the most common presentation. All except two cases could be diagnosed radiologically. Thirteen patients had a unilobar single tumor and three patients had bilobar disease. Nine patients with symptoms and a resectable tumor underwent complete resection. Three patients with symptoms and unresectable tumor underwent medical treatment with steroids and interferon. Four asymptomatic patients were closely observed. Overall, 14 patients were cured and 1 patient died of postoperative bleeding. One patient is still on medication, and the tumor has greatly decreased in size. Two patients with bilobar disease showed elevated levels of serum α‐fetoprotein at presentation. Histopathology confirmed type 1 IHHE in all of the 10 specimens.

Conclusions

The presence of clinical symptoms is a key element determining the treatment options. In symptomatic patients, primary surgical resection should be considered whenever feasible.
Acute Urinary Morbidity during 3D Conformal Radiotherapy for Localised Prostate Cancer
Authors: Burden Helena P. , Evans Simon , Jones Rob , Graham John , Persad Raj
Published: January 2009

Objective:

To prospectively report the acute urinary symptoms associated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) during and after treatment of localised prostate cancer. Patients and methods: 22 consecutive patients receiving 3D-CRT were recruited into a single-arm prospective study.

Results:

There is a significant transient acute rise in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) during 3D-CRT for treatment of localised prostate cancer with a corresponding deterioration in Quality of Life (QoL). Mean total IPSS rose in a progressive manner from 9.75 at baseline to a peak of 20.2 at the end of radiotherapy (week 7). The observed mean difference in total IPSS between baseline and week 7 of treatment was 10.45 (95% CI 6.3–14.6, p<0.0001). By 8 weeks following the end of treatment the IPSS had returned to pre-treatment levels.

Conclusion:

This study proves that 3D-CRT for the treatment of prostate cancer is associated with a significant acute and transient rise in the total IPSS and QoL score. It is important that consent before radiotherapy should include a description of these symptoms.
The Pursuit of Martyrdom in the Catholic Church in Korea before 1866
Authors: FINCH ANDREW
Published: January 2009

The first century of the Catholic Church in Korea was characterised by recurrent and often severe persecutions. Consequently a cult of martyrs developed from early in the Church's history. Wider Catholic concepts relating to martyrdom and spirituality, in particular belief in a corrupting world and the significance of martyrdom in offering a means of release, set individuals on the path of martyrdom. They were then informed and encouraged by the development of the cult itself, and the solidarity and support of the Christian community. However, Korean Christians also carried with them Confucian and Buddhist concepts concerning the nature of virtue, asceticism, world-renunciation and self-sacrifice, and they subscribed to a set of social values which saw kinship ties and posthumous reputation as paramount. In the area of martyrdom these indigenous concepts and values complemented and reinforced those derived from Catholicism.
Polemic as Piety: Thomas Stapleton's Tres Thomae and Catholic Controversy in the 1580s
Authors: SHEILS WILLIAM
Published: January 2009

This article examines the triple biography of Thomas the Apostle, Thomas Becket and Thomas More, published by Thomas Stapleton in 1588 and generally regarded as a work of pious hagiography. By focusing on the circumstances in which the book was written and published, the article demonstrates its polemical significance at a time of rapid political change in Catholic/Protestant relations in both England and Europe. Conceived as a Catholic alternative to the history of the Christian past produced by Foxe, Stapleton's book also addressed contested issues within Catholicism: how to deal with the Elizabethan regime, and the status to be accorded to recent martyrs. In answering these questions, Stapleton's views reflect the complexity of Catholic thought at this time, and its fluidity in response to the shifting political circumstances of the late 1580s.
Theologies of Sexuality in English ‘Lollardy’
Authors: PATRICK HORNBECK J.
Published: January 2009

Using the records of heresy trials as well as the vernacular texts composed by English dissenters during the period 1381–1521, this article chronicles the development of Wycliffite and Lollard views about sexuality and lay and clerical marriage. John Wyclif's Latin writings reveal that he both professed caution about clerical marriage and articulated a culturally traditional theology of sexuality. Whereas his hesitation at the prospect of a married clergy gave way to enthusiasm among later dissenters, his ideas about lay sexuality resonated with dissenting and mainstream writers alike. The evidence calls further into doubt the view that Lollardy was an innovative movement with respect to issues of gender and sexuality.
National Sentiment and Religious Vocabulary in Fourteenth-Century England
Authors: RUDDICK ANDREA
Published: January 2009

This article examines the neglected role of religious ideas and vocabulary in expressions of English national sentiment in the fourteenth century, particularly in official rhetoric. Many official uses of religious language followed well-established literary conventions. However, documents requesting nationwide prayers during national crises suggest that the government encouraged the concept of a special relationship between God and England, modelled on Old Testament Israel, well before the Protestant Reformation. National misfortunes were explained as divine punishment for national sins, with England presented as a collective moral community. Parallels with Israel were then drawn out more explicitly in public preaching, bringing this interplay between religion and politics to a wider audience.
Virtual Pilgrimages? Enclosure and the Practice of Piety at St Katherine's Convent, Augsburg
Authors: EHRENSCHWENDTNER MARIE-LUISE
Published: January 2009

For forty years, the sisters of St Katherine's, Augsburg, resisted the introduction of strict enclosure as a consequence of Dominican reform. This article examines the initial reactions of the sisters, explores the Dominican practice of enclosure and its connections with obedience, and the influence it had on the sisters' spirituality. After the community had finally accepted enclosure, they managed to gain a papal privilege granting them all the indulgences usually acquired through pilgrimage to Rome and commissioned a cycle of monumental paintings of the seven Roman pilgrim churches. Thus the sisters could ‘jump’ their convent's walls by embarking on substitute pilgrimages.
Leishmaniasis presenting to the otolaryngologist: a rare but important cause of persistent hoarseness
Authors: Santangeli L , McCluney N A , Hathorn I , Shakeel M , Anderson C
Published: January 2009

Objective:

We report a rare UK case of laryngeal leishmaniasis, mimicking laryngeal candidiasis, associated with long term steroid inhaler use.

Methods:

Case report and review of the world literature concerning leishmaniasis.

Results:

Laryngeal leishmaniasis is a protozoal infection which is rare in the Western world. It is becoming more common, however, with increased foreign travel. The disease can be difficult to diagnose histologically, and diagnosis is often delayed because of its rarity. It can mimic malignant laryngeal disease, and patients may therefore be subjected to significant and inappropriate treatment interventions.

Conclusions:

A diagnosis of leishmaniasis should be considered if initial treatment for persistent hoarseness is ineffective, particularly in a patient who is at low risk of malignancy.
Laryngolith
Authors: Hegab A H
Published: January 2009

Objective:

To report an extremely rare and interesting case of a woman who developed a laryngeal stone.

Case report:

A 44-year-old woman was referred to our ENT clinic complaining of dyspnoea and stridor. She had been treated for chest problems for approximately 30 years. On examination, she had a large, spiky, subglottic lesion compromising the airway. A laryngeal computed tomography scan and histopathological and biochemical examination showed the lesion to be a calcium phosphate stone. Review of the literature from the past 50 years, using several search engines, revealed no similar cases.

Conclusion:

To the author's knowledge, this is a unique case of a stone that developed in the subglottis. This rare entity was the cause of long-standing chest problems unresponsive to medical treatment. The patient recovered completely from all her symptoms after removal of the laryngolith.
Does Young's syndrome exist?
Authors: Arya A K , Beer H L , Benton J , Lewis-Jones I , Swift A C
Published: January 2009

Background and methods:

Young's syndrome describes a combination of male infertility, azoospermia, bronchiectasis and sinusitis. Although Young's syndrome is a well accepted disorder within the realms of infertility medicine, it is also accepted as being a potential cause of sino-nasal disease which is rarely seen by otolaryngologists. However, the significance of the sinus component within this triad is not fully understood. To gain further insight into the relationship of sinusitis with Young's syndrome, we reviewed all of the currently available published literature.

Results:

Within the reviewed literature, the diagnosis of sinusitis in Young's syndrome was crude and poorly defined; there was little emphasis on sinus disease in most publications.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of Young's syndrome is reported to be declining, and the level of evidence regarding sinus disease within this syndrome is limited to case series only. There is, in fact, little evidence to support Young's syndrome being a significant aetiological factor for sinus disease, nor indeed to support the existence of Young's syndrome as an entity in its own right. The only documented aetiological factor is mercury exposure in childhood, an event that is seldom currently encountered; this would support our theory of the extinction of the condition. As an incidental finding, we found that the term Young's syndrome refers to two different medical conditions.
Diversity of epiphytic lichens in boreo-nemoral forests on the North-Estonian limestone escarpment: the effect of tree level factors and local environmental conditions
Authors: JÜRIADO Inga , LIIRA Jaan , PAAL Jaanus
Published: January 2009

The species richness and composition of lichens was quantified for four temperate broad-leaved tree species (Acer platanoides, Fraxinus excelsior, Tilia cordataandUlmus glabra) in boreo-nemoral forests on the talus slope of the North-Estonian limestone escarpment (North-Estonian Klint). Thirteen study sites were distributed along the klint on a west to east gradient. The effects of tree and stand characteristics and geographical location of a stand on composition and diversity of epiphytic lichens were evaluated by multivariate analyses (DCA, CCA, pCCA) and by general linear mixed models (GLMM). Tree level variables (e.g. bark pH, bryophytes cover and host tree species) explained the largest fraction of the variation in lichen species composition. However, species richness and composition were significantly influenced also by the unique habitat conditions of klint forest (length of the forest fragment, proximity of the stand to the sea and height of the escarpment). A significant correlation between stand locality and lichen diversity on the tree bole was found which is most likely related to local air pollution gradients caused by alkaline cement dust and acid pollutants in the north-eastern part of Estonia.
Species delimitation in the Lepraria isidiata-L. santosii group: a population study in the Mediterranean-Macaronesian region
Authors: Tretiach Mauro , Muggia Lucia , Baruffo Laurence
Published: January 2009

A thorough chemical, molecular and morphological study has been carried out on a problematic group in the genus Lepraria characterized by lobed, granular thalli with a raised rim and a preference for mosses, rocks and mineral soils in exposed, xeric habitats. The material examined was collected in seven countries of the Mediterranean-Macaronesian region, from chalk, carbonate rocks and derived soils (A-thalli), and from siliceous rocks and derived soils (B-thalli). The results of a phylogenetic analysis based on 93 ITS sequences (29 of which newly obtained) support the identification and the segregation of two taxa at species level, provisionally identified as Lepraria isidiata s. lat., (most of the A-thalli), and L. santosii s. lat. (B-thalli plus the remaining A-thalli), as the observed genetic variability is quite high. Three chemotypes were detected in L. isidiata s. lat., and seven in L. santosii s. lat. The two taxa are morphologically well characterized: in L. isidiata s. lat. the thallus is thicker and the propagules larger than in L. santosii s. lat. The first stages of thallus development from single propagules are described in both species. Some critical remarks are made about the increasing use of the species rank for taxa of Lepraria, which are morphologically and genetically scarcely characterized.
Genetically divergent algae shape an epiphytic lichen community on Jack Pine in Manitoba
Authors: DOERING Matthew , PIERCEY-NORMORE Michele D.
Published: January 2009

Algal genotypes should freely associate with different lichen fungi that grow in the same confined habitat giving the appearance of low levels of selectivity and specificity. If genetic compatibility between algal and fungal partners limits the combination of partners, then some degree of taxonomic specificity should be evident. This study examined the photobiont composition in a community of epiphytic lichens on Jack Pine to investigate selectivity and specificity. The objectives of the study were to infer algal identity, to infer photobiont dispersal, and to investigate the distribution of algal genotypes relative to the fungal partner. Photobiont variability was determined by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and nucleotide sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) of ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Seven species of lichen-forming fungi are reported to associate with five divergent algal genotypes, with only one species,Evernia mesomorpha, showing some degree of selectivity and specificity. The algae represent at least two species (Trebouxia jamesiiandT. impressa) for the area confined to 200cm2on the north side of 20 Jack Pine trees. Gene flow was inferred in this tightly defined community of lichenized algae. The algal sharing and inferred gene flow may suggest that soredia provide a means of algal transport and distribution among lichen-forming fungi in the habitat.
Two new foliicolous species of Enterographa (Roccellaceae) from Kenya
Authors: YESHITELA Kumelachew , FISCHER Eberhard , KILLMANN Dorothee , SÉRUSIAUX Emmanuël
Published: January 2009

Enterographa fellhaneroides and E. meklitiae are described as new to science from Kakamega Forest in Western Kenya. The latter overgrows the thallus of a foliicolous non-filamentous Coenogonium and the former most probably has the same ecology. Both species appear to be closely related to E. brezhonega and E. epiphyllum.
Prolonging the careers of older information technology workers: continuity, exit or retirement transitions?
Authors: BROOKE LIBBY
Published: January 2009

The article explores the ways in which older workers' career trajectories influenced their exit from or continuity of employment in the Australian information technology (IT) industry. The data were collected through qualitative interviews with 71 employees of 10 small and medium-sized IT firms as part of the cross-countryWorkforce Ageing in the New Economyproject (WANE), which was conducted in Canada, the United States, Australia and several European Union countries (the United Kingdom, Germany and The Netherlands). The analysis revealed that older IT workers' capacity to envisage careers beyond their fifties was constrained by age-based ‘normative’ capability assumptions that resulted in truncated careers, dissuaded the ambition to continue in work, and induced early retirement. The workers' constricted, age-bound perspectives on their careers were reinforced by the rapid pace of technological and company transformations. A structural incompatibility was found between the exceptional dynamism and competitiveness of the IT industry and the conventional age-staged and extended career. The analysis showed that several drivers of occupational career trajectories besides the well-researched health and financial factors predisposed ‘default transitions’ to exit and retirement. The paper concludes with policy and practice recommendations for the prolongation of IT workers' careers and their improved alignment with the contemporary lifecourse.
Widowers' strategies of self-representation during research interviews: a sociological analysis
Authors: VAN DEN HOONAARD DEBORAH K.
Published: January 2009

This article analyses the strategies that older widowers used to assert their masculinity during in-depth research interviews by the author, a middle-aged woman. Twenty-six widowers living in Atlantic Canada and Florida in the United States and who were aged from 56 to 91 years participated in the study. The author analysed the interviews from a symbolic-interactionist perspective that looks at the world from the perspective of those being studied. The widowers used various strategies of impression management to reinforce their identity as ‘real men’ during the interviews. These strategies included taking charge of the interview, using personal diminutives and endearments to assert control, lecturing the interviewer about various topics including differences between men and women, and bringing attention to their heterosexuality by referring to themselves as bachelors and commenting on increased attention from women. The paper chronicles the process of discovery of the importance to the study participants of portraying themselves as men. It was found that older widowers' identity as ‘real men’ is precarious because they lack three essential components of masculinity: being in a heterosexual relationship, being employed, and being young. The article makes extensive use of the participants' quotations to demonstrate their attempts, through impression management, to maintain a masculine identity while discussing the very topics that threatened it.
The erosion of filial piety by modernisation in Chinese cities
Authors: CHEUNG CHAU-KIU , KWAN ALEX YUI-HUEN
Published: January 2009

Whether filial piety or financial support to older parents is eroded or maintained through societal modernisation is an unresolved issue in China and a matter of widespread concern. Whereas structural-functionalist theories predict erosion, alternative views suggest that modernisation reduces filial piety only minimally or conditionally. One possible condition that resists the modernisation effect is education. The impacts of modernisation and its interaction with Chinese education are therefore the focus of this study. Using various sources, the paper reports analyses of the relationships between the levels of modernisation in six Chinese cities, measured by average gross domestic product per capita, the average wage and the percentage of the workforce that are employed in the service sector, and variations in expressions of filial piety and cash payments to parents. Representative samples of the cities' adult residents were used. It was found that filial piety and cash payments were lower when the citizen was in a city with higher or more advanced modernisation, and that the reduction in affirmations of filial piety associated with higher modernisation was less among citizens with higher education. It is concluded that educational policy and practice can be a means to sustain filial piety in the face of modernisation.
America’s Middle East grand strategy after Iraq: the moment for offshore balancing has arrived
Authors: LAYNE CHRISTOPHER
Published: January 2009

In this paper, I argue that there is an emerging consensus among realists that the US should abandon its hegemonic strategy and adopt an offshore balancing strategy. Here, Iraq and the so called war on terrorism (or ‘long war’, or ‘global counter-insurgency’, as some American officials sometimes refer to it) have been the catalysts. Increasingly, it is recognised that US aims in the Persian Gulf/Middle East – and the American military presence in the region – have fuelled terrorism, and caused Iran to self-defensively seek to acquire a nuclear weapons capability. A number of leading realists now argue that the best strategy for the US is to extricate itself from Iraq, reduce its regional footprint, and adopt an offshore balancing strategy.
American power preponderance and the nuclear revolution
Authors: CRAIG CAMPBELL
Published: January 2009

The theory of Power Preponderance put forward by Stephen Brooks and William Wohlforth is poised to replace structural balance-of-power theory as the leading American Realist interpretation of international politics. Power Preponderance argues that would-be rivals to the US are not balancing against it because they are dissuaded from doing so by geopolitical and structural factors, rather than because they love the US or are cowed by it. This article shows why the central analytical claim of Power Preponderance would be substantially enhanced by incorporating the logic of the nuclear revolution, but that its main policy recommendation – indefinite and magnanimous American preponderance – is undermined by the spectre of nuclear war. In the nuclear age, normative solutions to the problem of anarchy invariably gravitate toward the logic of a world state.