bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrophilic Halogenation of nido-5,6-C2B8H12
Authors: Holub Josef , Bakardjiev Mario , Štíbr Bohumil
Published: November 2006

Room-temperature chlorination of the dicarbaborane nido-5,6-C2B8H12 (1) with CCl4 in the presence of anhydrous AlCl3 yielded a mixture of 7-Cl-5,6-C2B8H11 (7-Cl-1) (yield 34%), 4-Cl-5,6-C2B8H11 (4-Cl-1) (yield 20%), 3-Cl-5,6-C2B8H11 (3-Cl-1) (yield 21%), and 3,4-Cl2-5,6-C2B8H10 (3,4-Cl2-1) (yield 26%), while a trisubstituted derivative, 3,4,7-Cl3-5,6-C2B8H9 (3,4,7-Cl3-1) (yield 80%), was isolated as a sole product at reflux. Bromination of compound 1 with elemental Br2 in the presence of Al powder at ambient temperature in CS2 gave a mixture of 7-Br-5,6-C2B8H11 (7-Br-1) (yield 31%) and 4,7-Br2-5,6-C2B8H10 (4,7-Br2-1) (yield 52%). The most selective was AlCl3-catalyzed iodination of 1 in refluxing benzene, which resulted in the formation of 7-I-5,6-C2B8H11 (7-I-1) (yield 85%). Although performed under different conditions, the experiments point to the following order of reactivity of individual positions in 1 in electrophilic halogenation: 7 > 4 > 3. Individual compounds were isolated and purified by liquid chromatography and characterized by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy (11B, 1H) combined with two-dimensional [11B-11B]-COSY and 1H-{11B(selective)} NMR techniques. Various NMR effects of halo-substitution are discussed for the series of monosubstituted 7-X-5,6-C2B8H11 (7-X-1) compounds (X = Cl, Br, and I).
Recent BES Results on ψ(3770) and ψ(2S) Production and Decays
Authors:   For BES Collaboration., RONG GANG
Published: November 2006

From analysis of the data collected with the BES-II detector at the BEPC Collider at the energies around the peak of ψ(3770) resonance and below the [Formula: see text] threshold, BES Collaboration have measured the cross sections for e+e- → hadrons , the corss section for e+e- → ψ(3770), the parameters of ψ(2S) and ψ(3770) resonances, the branching fractions for [Formula: see text], D+D-, [Formula: see text], non [Formula: see text], the leptonic branching fractions for ψ(2S) → e+e- and ψ(3770) → e+e-, and the R uds in the energy region from 3.660 to 3.872 GeV. With these data BES also searched for some non-[Formula: see text] decays of ψ(3770). In this paper we report some results on these measurements.
New Results on Heavy Flavor Baryons
Authors: Russ James S.
Published: November 2006

Heavy flavor baryons are attractive systems for testing effective theories for weak lifetime and decay systematics. Recently, new experimental results have mitigated one historic problem in the weak lifetime systematics and continued another. The charm baryon system continues to show new high mass, narrow states well isolated from one another. The spectroscopy of these states will challenge new advances in lattice gauge theoretic calculations of baryon structure. Double charm baryons still are seen only by SELEX, which showed a new [Formula: see text] candidate. High-sensitivity searches by BELLE and BaBar show only featureless background.
Penta-Quark Components in Baryons and Evidence at BES
Authors: Zou B. S.
Published: November 2006

Some recent progresses in our understanding of penta-quark components in baryons is briefly reviewed. The diquark cluster picture for the penta-quark components in baryons gives a natural explanation not only to the empirical indications for a positive strangeness magnetic moment μs and positive strangeness radius of the proton but also the longstanding mass-reverse problem of N*(1535), N*(1440) and Λ*(1405) resonances as well as the unusual decay pattern of the N*(1535) resonance. Evidence supporting this picture from available BES data on J/ψ decays is pointed out.
Proton Form Factors and Related Processes in BaBar by ISR
Authors:   Representing the BaBar collaboration., Ferroli Rinaldo Baldini
Published: November 2006

BaBar has measured with unprecedented accuracy [Formula: see text] from the threshold up to [Formula: see text], finding out an unexpected cross section, with plateaux and drops. In particular it is well established a sharp drop near threshold, where evidence for structures in multihadronic channels has also been found. Other unexpected and spectacular features of the Nucleon form factors are reminded, the behaviour of space-like [Formula: see text] and the neutron time-like form factors.
INFLUENCE OF CaO/P2O5 RATIO ON THE CORROSION BEHAVIOR OF POTASSIUM-LIME-PHOSPHATE GLASSES IN SIMULATED BIOLOGICAL MEDIA
Authors: MURESAN D. , SIMON V. , CACAINA D. , SIMON S.
Published: November 2006

The dissolution of x CaO  · (90-x) P 2 O 5 · 10 K 2 O glasses (x≤35 mol%) in simulated biological media (decationized water, physiological serum and chlorine acid, pH =1.5), at room temperature, in static regime during 24 h was investigated. The data indicates that the corrosion behavior of the samples depends on the pH of the solutions, glass composition and local structure. In the investigated time range, one observes two leaching stages relative to the incipient dissolution. In the first stage, the lowest release rate is obtained from the potassium-phosphate matrix in decationized water, while for the whole time the lowest leaching rate is recorded again in decationized water but from the sample containing small amount of lime, with CaO/P 2 O 5 ratio of 0.06. When the substitution of P 2 O 5 by CaO exceeds 50%, the release behavior changes in the investigated media.
CLASSIFICATION OF CHAOS IN 3-D AUTONOMOUS QUADRATIC SYSTEMS-I: BASIC FRAMEWORK AND METHODS
Authors: ZHOU TIANSHOU , CHEN GUANGRONG
Published: November 2006

This paper is part I of a series of contributions on the classification problem of chaos in three-dimensional autonomous quadratic systems. We try to classify chaos, based on the Ši'lnikov criteria, in such a large class of systems into the following four types: (1) chaos of the Ši'lnikov homoclinic orbit type; (2) chaos of the Ši'lnikov heteroclinic orbit type; (3) chaos of the hybrid type; i.e. those with both Ši'lnikov homoclinic and homoclinic orbits; (4) chaos of other types. We are especially interested in finding out all the simplest possible forms of chaotic systems for each type of chaos. Our main contributions are to develop some effective classification methods and to provide a basic classification framework under which each of the four types of chaos can be justified by some examples that are useful for describing the feasibility and procedure of the classification. In particular, we show several novel chaotic attractors, e.g. one hybrid-type chaotic attractor with three equilibria, one heteroclinic orbit and one homoclinic orbit, and one 4-scroll chaotic attractor with five equilibria and two heteroclinic orbits.
INVESTIGATION OF CORRELATION DIMENSION ESTIMATION IN HEARTBEAT TIME SERIES
Authors: NIKOLOPOULOS STAVROS , MANIS GEORGE , ALEXANDRIDI ANASTASIA
Published: November 2006

The Correlation Dimension estimation is an especially sensitive method which allows for important information to be extracted from the signal under investigation. However, due to its sensitivity, its parameters as well as details of the application process must be chosen carefully and customized to each specific problem. In this paper, we examine the application of the Correlation Dimension estimation in the case of heart rate variability signals. Specifically, we investigate issues which are not discussed in other similar studies or which are chosen differently, such as the use of the Euclidean norm and the Theiler window. We also document with detail the method of data acquisition and make a case for the importance of proper recordings the lack of which leads to controversial results.
COMPLEXITY OF REACTION–DIFFUSION CNN
Authors: ITOH MAKOTO , CHUA LEON O.
Published: November 2006

The emergence of complexity is investigated from the viewpoint of the energy balance property and the divergence property of reaction–diffusion cellular neural networks.
ACTIVE AEROELASTIC CONTROL OF LIFTING SURFACES VIA JET REACTION LIMITER CONTROL
Authors: RUBILLO CHRISTINA , MARZOCCA PIERGIOVANNI , BOLLT ERIK
Published: November 2006

In this paper we present, the design and modeling of the novel nonlinear limiter control feedback control plant [Myneni et al., 1999; Corron et al., 2000; Corron & Pethel, 2002], applied for the first time here in an aeroelastic system, and actuated as a jet reaction torquer control of a wing with potentially chaotic dynamics. This study will provide a better understanding of the nonlinear dynamics of the open/closed-loop aeroelasticity of flexible wings with either steady or unsteady aerodynamic loads. The limiter control can be applied to either the plunging or pitching characteristic of the wing or to both of them. We show that the control can effectively suppress Limit Cycle Oscillations (LCO) and chaos well beyond the nominal flutter speed. This could lead to a practical implementation of the control mechanism on actual and future generation aircraft wings via implementation of a combination of propulsive/jet type forces, micro surface effectors and fluidic devices. Analysis of this control produced favorable results in the suppression of LCO amplitude and increased flutter boundaries for plunging and pitching motion. The limiting control has asymptotically zero power, and is simply implemented, making it a feasible solution to the problem of the chaotic dynamics of the oscillating airfoil.
THE EFFECT OF SEASONAL HARVESTING ON A STAGE-STRUCTURED DISCRETE MODEL WITH BIRTH PULSES
Authors: GAO SHUJING , CHEN LANSUN
Published: November 2006

In this paper, we propose an exploited single-species discrete population model with stage structure for the dynamics in a fish population for which births occur in a single pulse once per time period. Using the stroboscopic map, we obtain an exact cycle of the system, and obtain the threshold conditions for its stability. Bifurcation diagrams are constructed with the birth rate (or harvesting effort) as the bifurcation parameter, and these are observed to display complex dynamic behaviors, including chaotic bands with period windows, pitchfork and tangent bifurcation, nonunique dynamics (meaning that several attractors or attractor and chaos coexist), basins of attraction and attractor crisis. This suggests that birth pulse provides a natural period or cyclicity that makes the dynamical behaviors more complex. Moreover, we show that the timing of harvesting has a strong impact on the persistence of the fish population, on the volume of mature fish stock and on the maximum annual-sustainable yield. An interesting result is obtained that, after the birth pulses, the population can sustain much higher harvesting effort if the mature fish is removed as early in the season as possible.
GLOBAL BIFURCATIONS OF DOMAINS OF FEASIBLE TRAJECTORIES: AN ANALYSIS OF A DISCRETE PREDATOR–PREY MODEL
Authors: GU EN-GUO , HUANG YIBING
Published: November 2006

This paper aims to provide some new results, by a computer-assisted study, on some global bifurcations that change the domains of feasible trajectories (bounded discrete trajectories having an ecological sense). It is shown that the domain boundaries of two-dimensional maps can be generally obtained by the union of all rank preimages of two axes. A discrete predator–prey ecosystem is employed to demonstrate how the global properties of persistence in a biological model can be analyzed. The main results of this paper are from the study of some global bifurcations that change the stable manifold of a saddle fixed point belonging to the domain boundary. The basin fractalization is explained by using two types of nonclassical singular sets. The first one, critical curve, separates the plane into two regions having a different number of real inverses (here zero and two). The second one is a line of nondefinition for one of the two inverses of the map, i.e. this inverse has a vanishing denominator on this line.
OPEN-TO-CLOSED CURVES OF SADDLE-NODE BIFURCATIONS OF PERIODIC ORBITS NEAR A NONTRANSVERSAL T-POINT IN CHUA'S EQUATION
Authors: ALGABA ANTONIO , MERINO MANUEL , FERNÁNDEZ-SÁNCHEZ FERNANDO , RODRÍGUEZ-LUIS ALEJANDRO J.
Published: November 2006

In this work, the evolution of a family of open-to-closed curves of saddle-node bifurcations of periodic orbits is numerically studied in Chua's equation. This family is organized by open and closed curves of Shil'nikov homoclinic connections in the presence of a nontransversal T-point. We remark the important role of cusp catastrophes of periodic orbits in the complete mechanism of creation/destruction of such closed curves of saddle-node bifurcations.
ADAPTIVE OBSERVER-BASED EXACT SYNCHRONIZATION OF MISMATCHED CHAOTIC SYSTEMS
Authors: BOWONG SAMUEL , TEMGOUA KAGOU A. , KAKMENI F. M. MOUKAM
Published: November 2006

This paper proposes an adaptive observer-based synchronization of continuous-time chaotic systems. Our method concerns any chaotic system that comprises uncertainties. Using the Lyapunov stability theory, we show that the synchronization of two coupled chaotic systems can be achieved by means of a linear coupling. A remarkable feature of the proposed approach is that it is robust with respect to noise and parameter mismatch. Numerical simulation of the Chua's circuit verifies the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed adaptive synchronization scheme.
PERIOD-DOUBLING ROUTE TO CHAOS IN DIODE-PUMPED PASSIVELY Q-SWITCHED Nd:GdVO4 AND Nd:YVO4 LASERS
Authors: NG S. P. , TANG D. Y. , QIN L. J. , MENG X. L. , XIONG Z. J.
Published: November 2006

We report on the experimental observation of dynamic behaviors in diode pumped passively Q-switched Nd:GdVO 4 and Nd:YVO 4 lasers. In addition to the period-doubling route to chaos, various periodic windows have also been observed. Based on an extended rate equation model the chaotic nature of the lasers is numerically simulated. It was found that under the experimental condition the model could qualitatively reproduce the experimental observations.
CHAOS AND HYPERCHAOS IN A CLASS OF SIMPLE CELLULAR NEURAL NETWORKS MODELED BY O.D.E.
Authors: YANG XIAO-SONG , HUANG YAN
Published: November 2006

This paper presents a new class of chaotic and hyperchaotic low dimensional cellular neural networks modeled by ordinary differential equations with some simple connection matrices. The chaoticity of these neural networks is indicated by positive Lyapunov exponents calculated by a computer.
A GENERIC MODEL OF UNDESIRED BIODIVERSITY: TEMPORAL AND SPATIO-TEMPORAL BIFURCATIONS
Authors: ZHDANOV VLADIMIR P.
Published: November 2006

The human activity (e.g. fish farming) may result in the supply of undesired species (with poor heredity) to the wild, which may deteriorate the quality of the wild species of the same kind or even cause their extinction. We present a generic three-variable model focused on this problem. The model includes wild and cultivated preys and predators. The coexistence of these species is predicted to be possible provided that the supply of the cultivated preys is below the critical value. If this condition is not fulfilled, the wild preys asymptotically disappear. In the case of temporal mean-field kinetics, this transition representing mathematically a saddle-node bifurcation depends on the rate constants of the steps describing the interplay of the species. In the spatio-temporal case with the supply of undesired species at the boundary of the habitat, the situation depends also on the rate of migration of species and the habitat size.
NONLINEAR DYNAMICS OF AIR-WATER MIXTURES IN VERTICAL PIPES: EXPERIMENTAL TRENDS
Authors: CANTELLI L. , FICHERA A. , GUGLIELMINO I. D. , PAGANO A.
Published: November 2006

This study reports the results of the characterization of an air-water two-phase experimental apparatus and the preliminary analyses of the experimental time series. The test section of the apparatus consists of a vertical pipe equipped with an impedance void fraction sensor. The carrying frequency of the impedance sensor has been chosen in order to operate it as a resistive sensor. The calibration of the sensor has been performed through comparison of the instantaneous two-phase mixture conductivity signal and the local actual dimension of the bubble as estimated from high resolution photograph. The calibration curve allows, therefore, reliable estimation of the void fraction time series.

A preliminary analysis of the time series has been performed both in time and frequency domains, evaluating also the time series autocorrelation. These analyses have pointed out the inadequacy of linear tools for the characterization of two-phase flow dynamics, which are nonetheless characterized by strong recurrence and autocorrelation, which need to be further exploited by mean of nonlinear analysis in phase space. Phase space representation of different typical flow patterns, corresponding to a succession of bifurcation, shows the high potential of nonlinear analytical tools, to be adopted in order to exploit the system dynamics.
MY PERSPECTIVE OF NUCLEAR STRUCTURE PHYSICS
Authors: ARIMA A.
Published: November 2006

In this talk I shall discuss my perspective of nuclear structure physics. In particular, I would like to discuss the recent RI beam physics, development of nuclear theory including a number of models and unsolved problems.
FIRST USE OF POST-ACCELERATED ISOMERIC BEAMS FOR COULOMB EXCITATION STUDIES OF ODD-ODD NUCLEI AROUND N=40
Authors:   REX-ISOLDE and MINIBALL COLLABORATIONS., GEORGIEV G. , STEFANESCU I. , BALABANSKI D. L. , BUTLER P. , CEDERKÄLL J. , DAVINSON T. , DELAHAYE P. , FEDOSSEEV V. N. , FRAILE L. M. , FRANCHOO S. , GLADNISHKI K. , HEYDE K. , HUYSE M. , IVANOV O. , IWANICKI J. , KRÖLL TH. , KÖSTER U. , LAGOYANNIS A. , BIANCO G. LO , DE MAESSCHALCK A. , SALTARELLI A. , SIEBER T. , SMIRNOVA N. , VAN DUPPEN P. , WARR N. , WENANDER F. , VAN DE WALLE J.
Published: November 2006

We report on the first use of post-accelerated radioactive isomeric beams. Long-lived isomeric states in 68 Cu and 70 Cu have been produced and separated at ISOLDE, CERN. Subsequently they were post-accelerated to 2.86 MeV/u and sent to a target in the center of the MINIBALL spectrometer, used for the detection of the γ-rays of interest. The preliminary results from the Coulomb excitation of the Iπ=6-, 1+ states in 68 Cu and the Iπ=6- one in 70 Cu , compared to a large-scale shell model calculations, hint the importance of the excitations across the Z=28 gap for the understanding of the nuclear structure in the neutron-rich N=40 region.
THEORETICAL STUDY ON HALF-LIVES OF EXOTIC RADIOACTIVITIES
Authors: XU CHANG , REN ZHONGZHOU
Published: November 2006

We systematically investigate the half-lives of exotic radioactivities in the framework of the density-dependent cluster model. Simple analytical formulas between lifetime and decay energy are also derived for the exotic radioactivities based on the Gamow quantum tunnelling theory. The theoretical results from the density-dependent cluster model and from the analytical formulas agree well with the experimental data. A unified description is achieved for proton emission, α-decay and cluster radioactivity by both phenomenological and microscopic methods.
ISOSPIN SYMMETRY AND GAMOW TELLER TRANSITION STRENGTHS IN MIRROR NUCLEI
Authors: QI C. , XU F. R.
Published: November 2006

We have calculated the strength functions of the Gamow-Teller transition processes from mirror pairs 46 Ti –46 Cr and 50 Cr –50 Fe to the odd-odd N = Z nuclei 46 V and 50 Mn . The calculations are carried out in fp model space with shell model diagonalization method. Calculations are compared with experimental observations. We have also discussed the effects of isospin symmetry breaking on the analogous transitions.
IMPORTANCE OF SHELL CORRECTION ENERGY ON SYNTHESIS OF SUPERHEAVY NUCLEI
Authors: ZHANG F. S. , FENG Z. Q. , JIN G. M.
Published: November 2006

Based on the improved isospin dependent molecular dynamics model in which the shell correction energy of the system is calculated by using deformed two-center shell model and the surface energy of the system is improved by introducing a switch function that combines the surface energies of projectile and target with the one of the compound nucleus. The importance of shell correction energy on synthesis of superheavy nuclei is studied systematically. For reaction systems induced by of 16 O and 40,48 C at low energies near Coulomb barrier, it is found that the calculated fusion cross sections show a strong enhancement for the neutron-rich combinations, which can regenerate the experimental data quantitatively.
FLEXIBILITY AND CONTROL OF PROTEIN–DNA LOOPS
Authors: KAHN JASON D. , CHEONG RAYMOND , MEHTA RUCHI A. , EDELMAN LAURENCE M. , MORGAN MICHAEL A.
Published: November 2006

Protein–DNA loops are essential for efficient transcriptional repression and activation. The geometry and stability of the archetypal Lac repressor tetramer (LacI)–DNA loop were investigated using designed hyperstable loops containing lac operators bracketing a sequence-directed bend. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays, DNA cyclization, and bulk and single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) demonstrate that the DNA sequence controls whether the LacI–DNA loop forms a compact loop with positive writhe or an open loop with little writhe. Monte Carlo methods for simulation of DNA ring closure were extended to DNA loops, including treatment of variable protein hinge angles. The observed distribution of topoisomer products upon cyclization provides a strong constraint on possible models. The experiments and modeling imply that LacI–DNA can adopt a wide range of geometries but has a strong intrinsic preference for an open form. The flexibility of LacI helps explain in vivo observations that DNA looping is less sensitive to DNA length and shape than that expected from the physical properties of DNA. While DNA cyclization suggests two pools of precursor loops for the 9C14 construct, single-molecule FRET demonstrates a single population. This discrepancy suggests that the LacI–DNA structure is strongly influenced by flanking DNA.
LAB-ON-CHIP-BASED CELL SEPARATION BY COMBINING DIELECTROPHORESIS AND CENTRIFUGATION
Authors: BOETTCHER MICHAEL , JAEGER MAGNUS S. , RIEGGER LUTZ , DUCRÉE JENS , ZENGERLE ROLAND , DUSCHL CLAUS
Published: November 2006

Cell-based approaches in medicine, biotechnology and in pharmaceutical research offer unique prospects to cope with future challenges in the field of public health. Stem cell research, autologous cell therapies and tissue engineering are only a few possible key applications. Progress in these fields will depend on the successful implementation of versatile and flexible tools for the gentle manipulation and characterization of cells. In recent years, we and others have introduced microfluidic lab-on-chip systems that include dielectrophoretic elements for the contact-less handling and the analysis of cells. Here, we present results that were obtained by combining our labon-on-chip devices with a low-cost centrifugation stage for the efficient and gentle separation of microparticles and live human cells. Our approach is supposed to overcome limitations that arise from the use of bulky and expensive external pumping stages.
A hierarchical Naïve Bayes Model for handling sample heterogeneity in classification problems: an application to tissue microarrays
Authors: Demichelis Francesca , Magni Paolo , Piergiorgi Paolo , Rubin Mark A , Bellazzi Riccardo
Published: November 2006

Background

Uncertainty often affects molecular biology experiments and data for different reasons. Heterogeneity of gene or protein expression within the same tumor tissue is an example of biological uncertainty which should be taken into account when molecular markers are used in decision making. Tissue Microarray (TMA) experiments allow for large scale profiling of tissue biopsies, investigating protein patterns characterizing specific disease states. TMA studies deal with multiple sampling of the same patient, and therefore with multiple measurements of same protein target, to account for possible biological heterogeneity. The aim of this paper is to provide and validate a classification model taking into consideration the uncertainty associated with measuring replicate samples.

Results

We propose an extension of the well-known Naïve Bayes classifier, which accounts for biological heterogeneity in a probabilistic framework, relying on Bayesian hierarchical models. The model, which can be efficiently learned from the training dataset, exploits a closed-form of classification equation, thus providing no additional computational cost with respect to the standard Naïve Bayes classifier. We validated the approach on several simulated datasets comparing its performances with the Naïve Bayes classifier. Moreover, we demonstrated that explicitly dealing with heterogeneity can improve classification accuracy on a TMA prostate cancer dataset.

Conclusion

The proposed Hierarchical Naïve Bayes classifier can be conveniently applied in problems where within sample heterogeneity must be taken into account, such as TMA experiments and biological contexts where several measurements (replicates) are available for the same biological sample. The performance of the new approach is better than the standard Naïve Bayes model, in particular when the within sample heterogeneity is different in the different classes.
Acceptability and outcomes of the Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement- patients' and care givers' perspectives
Authors: Anis Muhammad K , Abid Shahab , Jafri Wasim , Abbas Zaigham , Shah Hasnain A , Hamid Saeed , Wasaya Rozina
Published: November 2006

Background

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube has now become a preferred option for the long-term nutritional support device for patients with dysphagia. There is a considerable debate about the health issues related to the quality of life of these patients. Our aim of the study was to assess the outcome and perspectives of patients/care givers, about the acceptability of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement.

Methods

This descriptive analytic study conducted in patients, who have undergone percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement during January 1998 till December 2004. Medical records of these patients were evaluated for their demographic characteristics, underlying diagnosis, indications and complications. Telephonic interviews were conducted till March 2005, on a pre-tested questionnaire to address psychological, social and physical performance status, of the health related quality of life issues.

Results

A total of 191 patients' medical records were reviewed, 120 (63%) were males, and mean age was 63 years. Early complication was infection at PEG tube site in 6 (3%) patients. In follow up over 365 ± 149 days, late complications (occurring 72 hours later) were infection at PEG tube site in 29 (15 %) patient and dislodgment/blockage of the tube in 26 (13.6%). Interviews were possible with 126 patients/caretakers. Karnofsky Performance Score of 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 was found in 13(10%), 18(14%), 21(17%), 29(23%) and 45(36%) with p-value < 0.001. Regarding the social and psychological aspects; 76(60%) would like to have the PEG tube again if required, 105(83 %) felt ease in feeding, and 76(60%) felt that PEG-tube helped in prolonging the survival. Regarding negative opinions; 49(39 %) felt that the feeding was too frequent, 45(36 %) felt apprehensive about dependency for feeding and 62(49%) were concerned about an increase in the cost of care.

Conclusion

PEG-tube placement was found to be relatively free from serious immediate and long- term complications. Majority of caregivers and patient felt that PEG-tube helped in feeding and prolonging the survival. Studies are needed to assess the real benefit in terms of actual nutritional gain and quality of life in such patients.
EDAR mutation in autosomal dominant hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia in two Swedish families
Authors: Lind Lisbet K , Stecksén-Blicks Christina , Lejon Kristina , Schmitt-Egenolf Marcus
Published: November 2006

Background

Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) is a genetic disorder characterized by defective development of teeth, hair, nails and eccrine sweat glands. Both autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive forms of HED have previously been linked to mutations in the ectodysplasin 1 anhidrotic receptor (EDAR) protein that plays an important role during embryogenesis.

Methods

The coding DNA sequence of the EDAR gene was analyzed in two large Swedish three-generational families with autosomal dominant HED.

Results

A non-sense C to T mutation in exon 12 was identified in both families. This disease-specific mutation changes an arginine amino acid in position 358 of the EDAR protein into a stop codon (p.Arg358X), thereby truncating the protein. In addition to the causative mutation two polymorphisms, not associated with the HED disorder, were also found in the EDAR gene.

Conclusion

The finding of the p.Arg358X mutation in the Swedish families is the first corroboration of a previously described observation in an American family. Thus, our study strengthens the role of this particular mutation in the aetiology of autosomal dominant HED and confirms the importance of EDAR for the development of HED.
Musculoskeletal disorders in shipyard industry: prevalence, health care use, and absenteeism
Authors: Alexopoulos Evangelos C , Tanagra Dimitra , Konstantinou Eleni , Burdorf Alex
Published: November 2006

Background

It is unclear whether the well-known risk factors for the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) also play an important role in the determining consequences of MSD in terms of sickness absence and health care use.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 853 shipyard employees. Data were collected by questionnaire on physical and psychosocial workload, need for recovery, perceived general health, occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints, and health care use during the past year. Retrospective data on absenteeism were also available from the company register.

Results

In total, 37%, 22%, and 15% of employees reported complaints of low back, shoulder/neck, and hand/wrist during the past 12 months, respectively. Among all employees with at least one MSD, 27% visited a physician at least once and 20% took at least one period of sick leave. Various individual and work-related factors were associated with the occurrence of MSD. Health care use and absenteeism were strongest influenced by chronicity of musculoskeletal complaints and comorbidity with other musculoskeletal complaints and, to a lesser extent, by work-related factors.

Conclusion

In programmes aimed at preventing the unfavourable consequences of MSD in terms of sickness absence and health care use it is important to identify the (individual) factors that determine the development of chronicity of complaints. These factors may differ from the well-know risk factors for the occurrence of MSD that are targeted in primary prevention.
Pathway analysis of kidney cancer using proteomics and metabolic profiling
Authors: Perroud Bertrand , Lee Jinoo , Valkova Nelly , Dhirapong Amy , Lin Pei-Yin , Fiehn Oliver , Kültz Dietmar , Weiss Robert H
Published: November 2006

Background

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the sixth leading cause of cancer death and is responsible for 11,000 deaths per year in the US. Approximately one-third of patients present with disease which is already metastatic and for which there is currently no adequate treatment, and no biofluid screening tests exist for RCC. In this study, we have undertaken a comprehensive proteomic analysis and subsequently a pathway and network approach to identify biological processes involved in clear cell RCC (ccRCC). We have used these data to investigate urinary markers of RCC which could be applied to high-risk patients, or to those being followed for recurrence, for early diagnosis and treatment, thereby substantially reducing mortality of this disease.

Results

Using 2-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometric analysis, we identified 31 proteins which were differentially expressed with a high degree of significance in ccRCC as compared to adjacent non-malignant tissue, and we confirmed some of these by immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, and comparison to published transcriptomic data. When evaluated by several pathway and biological process analysis programs, these proteins are demonstrated to be involved with a high degree of confidence (p values < 2.0 E-05) in glycolysis, propanoate metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, urea cycle and arginine/proline metabolism, as well as in the non-metabolic p53 and FAS pathways. In a pilot study using random urine samples from both ccRCC and control patients, we performed metabolic profiling and found that only sorbitol, a component of an alternative glycolysis pathway, is significantly elevated at 5.4-fold in RCC patients as compared to controls.

Conclusion

Extensive pathway and network analysis allowed for the discovery of highly significant pathways from a set of clear cell RCC samples. Knowledge of activation of these processes will lead to novel assays identifying their proteomic and/or metabolomic signatures in biofluids of patient at high risk for this disease; we provide pilot data for such a urinary bioassay. Furthermore, we demonstrate how the knowledge of networks, processes, and pathways altered in kidney cancer may be used to influence the choice of optimal therapy.
Assessing responsiveness of generic and specific health related quality of life measures in heart failure
Authors: Eurich Dean T , Johnson Jeffrey A , Reid Kimberly J , Spertus John A
Published: November 2006

Background

Responsiveness, or sensitivity to clinical change, is an important consideration in selection of a health-related quality of life (HRQL) measure for trials or clinical applications. Many approaches can be used to assess responsiveness, which may affect the interpretation of study results. We compared the relative responsiveness of generic and heart failure specific HRQL instruments, as measured both by common psychometric indices and by external clinical criteria.

Methods

We analyzed data collected at baseline and 6-weeks in 298 subjects with heart failure on the following HRQL measures: EQ-5D (US, UK, and VAS Scoring), Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) (Clinical and Overall Summary Score), and RAND12 (Physical and Mental Component Summaries). Three external indicators of clinical change were used to classify subjects as improved, deteriorated, or unchanged: 6-minute walk test, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, and physician global rating of change. Four responsiveness statistics (T-test, effect size, Guyatt's responsiveness statistic, and standardized response mean) were used to evaluate the responsiveness of the select measures. The median rank of each HRQL measure across responsiveness indices and clinical criteria was then determined.

Results

Average age of subjects was 60 years, 75 percent were male, and had moderate to severe heart failure symptoms. Overall, the KCCQ Summary Scores had the highest relative ranking, irrespective of the responsiveness index or external criterion used. Importantly, we observed that the relative ranking of responsiveness of the generic measures (i.e. EQ-5D, RAND12) was influenced by both the responsive indices and external criterion used.

Conclusion

The disease specific KCCQ was the most responsive HRQL measure assessing change over a 6-week period, although generic measures provide information for which the KCCQ is not suitable. The responsiveness of generic HRQL measures may be affected by the index used, as well as the external criterion to classify patients who have clinically change or remained stable.
Effiziente Quantenalgorithmen (Efficient Quantum Algorithms)
Authors: Klappenecker Andreas , Rötteler Martin
Published: November 2006

Seit der Entdeckung von effizienten Quantenalgorithmen für das Faktorisieren von ganzen Zahlen und für die Berechnung von diskreten Logarithmen durch Shor in 1994 wuchs das Interesse an Quantenalgorithmen innerhalb der theoretischen Informatik- und der Physik-Gemeinde. Überraschenderweise ist die Anzahl der Quantenalgorithmen, die bisher entdeckt wurden, vergleichsweise gering, obwohl die Anzahl der Forscher, welche an diesem Gebiet arbeiten, stark angestiegen ist. Die Aufgabe, neue Quantenalgorithmen zu entwerfen, hat sich in der Tat als extrem schwierig herausgestellt. Wir geben einen kurzen Überblick über eine Auswahl von Problemen, für welche effiziente Quantenalgorithmen bekannt sind, und beschreiben kurz die zu Grunde liegenden Ideen. Ein großes Gebiet, bei dem ein Quantenrechner allen klassischen Rechnern überlegen zu sein scheint, sind die verborgenen Untergruppenprobleme. Wir erklären deren Relevanz und geben Motivation für diese abstrakte Problemklasse.
Control of oestradiol secretion and of cytochrome P450 aromatase messenger ribonucleic acid accumulation by FSH involves different intracellular pathways in oestrogenic bovine granulosa cells in vitro
Authors: Silva J M , Hamel M , Sahmi M , Price C A
Published: November 2006

The objective of this study was to determine the major intracellular signalling pathways used by FSH and insulin to stimulate cytochrome P450 aromatase (Cyp19) mRNA and oestradiol accumulation in oestrogenic bovine granulosa cells in vitro. Bovine granulosa cells from small follicles (2–4 mm diameter) were cultured for 6 days under non-luteinizing conditions in the presence of insulin at 100 ng/ml, or insulin (10 ng/ml) and FSH (1 ng/ml). On day 4 of culture, specific inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K; LY-294002), protein kinase C (PKC; GF-109203X), protein kinase A (PKA; H-89) or mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation (PD-98059) were added. The addition of PI3K and PKC inhibitors, but not of PKA inhibitor, significantly decreased insulin-stimulated Cyp19 mRNA levelsand oestradiol accumulation (P < 0.001). The PKA inhibitor significantly decreased FSH-stimulated Cyp19 mRNA abundance and oestradiol secretion, whereas PI3K and PKC inhibitors decreased oestradiol secretion without affecting Cyp19 mRNA accumulation. Inhibition of MAP kinase pathway significantly increased Cyp19 mRNA abundance ininsulin- and FSH-stimulated cells.P450scc mRNA levels and progesterone secretion were not affected by any inhibitor in either experiment. Although FSH stimulates Cyp19 expression predominantly through PKA, oestradiol secretion is altered by PI3K and PKC pathways independently of Cyp19 mRNA levels. In addition, we suggest that Cyp19 is under tonic inhibition mediated through a MAP kinase pathway.
Fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis of mitochondrial:lipid association in the porcine oocyte
Authors: Sturmey R G , O’Toole P J , Leese H J
Published: November 2006

The role of endogenous lipid in the provision of energy during in vitro maturation of immature porcine oocytes has been studied. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) acceptor bleaching methods have been used to examine mitochondrial:lipid droplet co-localisation in live oocytes. FRET experiments demonstrate whether organelles are within the FRET-distance (i.e. 6–10 nm), thus showing true association on a molecular scale. Immature and in vitro-matured porcine oocytes were stained with Mitotracker Green (MTG; mitochondria) and Nile Red (NR; lipid droplets). The data indicated sufficient overlap between MTG emission and NR excitation to support a FRET reaction and that mitochondria and lipid droplets were sufficiently co-localised for a FRET reaction to occur. When NR-stained lipid droplets were specifically bleached, a significant increase in the MTG signal in stained mitochondria was observed (FRET efficiency, E=22.2 ± 3.18%). These results strongly suggest a metabolic role for lipid metabolism during oocyte maturation. This conclusion was reinforced by the use of inhibitors of fatty acid β-oxidation, methyl palmoxirate or mercaptoacetate, exposure to which during oocyte maturation led to developmental failure post-fertilisation. These data provide strong evidence that MTG and NR can act as a FRET pair and that in porcine oocytes, mitochondria and lipid droplets lie within 6–10 nm of each other, indicating association on a molecular scale. The findings also suggest that endogenous triglycerides play an important role in energy metabolism during porcine in vitro maturation.
Porcine endometrial and conceptus tissue kallikrein 1, 4, 11, and 14 gene expression
Authors: Fernando S C , Buck J S , Ashworth M D , Ross J W , Geisert R D , DeSilva U
Published: November 2006

Previous studies have suggested that the porcine endometrium may express several tissue kallikreins during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. The present study investigated porcine endometrial and conceptus tissue kallikrein 1, 4, 11, and 14 mRNA expression during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. Tissue kallikrein (KLK) gene expression was evaluated using quantitative RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. KLK1 expression was similar across the estrous cycle and early pregnancy, and localized to the endometrial luminal (L) and glandular (G) epithelium. KLK4 endometrial mRNA expression was greatest on days 0, 5, and 10 when compared with days 12, 15, and 17 of the estrous cycle and greater in cyclic compared with pregnant gilts. Expression of KLK4 was more intense in the stroma and uterine epithelium from days 0 to 10 of the estrous cycle. Endometrial KLK11 mRNA was not different between cyclic and pregnant gilts but the expression was greatest on days 10 and 12 compared with all other days evaluated. There was an increased intensity of KLK11 gene expression in the stratum compactum on day 10 of the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. Endometrial KLK14 mRNA expression was not detectable on days 5 and 10 but was expressed on days 0, 12, 15, and 17 of the estrous cycle and pregnancy. KLK14 expression was localized in the uterine L and G epithelium, and stroma throughout the endometrium after day 10. Conceptus KLK1 mRNA did not change from days 10 to 17 of gestation. However, conceptus KLK4, and 14 mRNA expression was greatest on day 10 with expression declining after day 14 of gestation. Expression of the various tissue kallikreins in the endometrium and conceptus during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy in the pig can serve in the activation of growth factors and tissue remodeling during the establishment of pregnancy.
American Regionalism and the Harmless Drudge
Authors: Cassidy Frederic G.
Published: November 2006

OFFSPRING, in the fullness of time, have to come of age; young nations have to come of age ; so too with the language of young nations. And, as we are often slow to recognize, the experience of achieving maturity may be traumatic no less for the parent than the child. Yet time does its work, and has done it for our language; so that now not even the most jealous of the ancient nations can deny that the relatively young United States is old enough to vote—that our literature has earned the franchise, and that the language as we speak and write it today has established its individuality and identity.
Don Juan and Le Misanthrope, or the Esthetics of Individualism in Molière
Authors: Brody Jules
Published: November 2006

Don Juan and Le Misanthrope depict a comic world in which success, defined as immunity to ridicule, depends largely on the aristocratic “virtues” of dexterity, style, and form—a world in which the “social esthetic” of honêteté has degenerated into a “moral anesthetic” (Krailsheimer). Thus, Don Juan and his female counterpart, Célimène, enjoy an almost constitutional invulnerability to the comic fate which overtakes their often morally superior antagonists. Don Juan is a dazzling rhetorician and consummate actor who, in contrast to the inept Sganarelle, among others, manages to exploit his individuality to the bitter end with an elegant, lordly coherency. So complete is his impunity that only a deus ex machina can thwart his self-aggrandizing schemes. Although morally wrong, he remains esthetically right. So does the devious and corrupt Célimène whose artful self-possession allows her—where Alceste, the moralist, fails—to assert her personality and speak her mind freely even in the conformistic, hypocritical society that she typifies. Don Juan s deft histrionics, like Célimène's imperturbable grace, constitute an art of living, intended by Molière perhaps as an esthetic compensation or consolation for the irremediable moral ugliness that he discerned in a still splendorous but decadent civilization.
Fauriel and Modern Greek Poetry
Authors: Deligiorgis Stavros
Published: November 2006

AN important chapter in the history of modern Greek poetry was opened by Claude-Charles Fauriel.1 He circulated a well-organized body of popular verse, fragments of which were known in western Europe to only a few travellers before him, and, of course, to Goethe.2 Yet modern Greek criticism has been ungenerous to him. Although no modern edition of Greek demotic songs can begin without acknowledging his ground-breaking contributions, his editing has been characterized as lacking fidelity,3 and his motives “naturally, indebted to the ideas of German romanticism.”4 Herder's methodological outlook, and Goethe's seminal specimens of 1802 had a great deal to do with the spectacular success of Fauriel's two volumes. Versions of his work were made available in St. Petersburg, Leipzig, and London in 1825, the year of the original publication in Paris.6 On the other hand, neither Goethe's nor Fauriel's motives can be conceived apart from the strong philhellenic sentiment that had so much to do with the physical fate of that province of the Ottoman Empire called Greece. That movement did not differ, either in the kind of dreams that it evoked or in the numbers of romantic and romanticizing adherents that it set dreaming, from those movements that found the Corsicans and the Spanish “exotic” and the Americans “innocent.”
Time of Day in Early Expressionist Poetry
Authors: Brown Russell E.
Published: November 2006

GEORG Trakl, Georg Heym, and Ernst Stadler are generally grouped together as the early German Expressionists. Each was born within a four-year period, 1883–87, and each died in the two-year period, 1912–14. The three poets produced a great deal of bad poetry before breaking through to both originality and modernity for a few short years before early deaths. Their poetry provided some of the models for the immense following wave of Expressionist lyric and at the same time represents the greatest and most lasting achievement of that movement. They shared many techniques, such as the new kinds of metaphor (described by Schneider)1 or the new kind of lyrical sentence-line (Zeilenstil described by Heselhaus).2
Virginia Woolf's Manuscript Revisions of The Years
Authors: Hoffmann Charles G.
Published: November 2006

MOST CRITICS agree that The Years (1937) was an attempt by Virginia Woolf to modify the form of the traditional family chronicle by combining the externality of chronological events with the internality of poetic vision. We know, however, from A Writer's Diary (1953) that Virginia Woolf originally intended something quite different: she intended to write an “Essay-Novel” which would combine both forms. The facts revealed in the essay part of the novel would be explicit comment on the implicit social, economic, and sexual forces controlling the lives of the fictional characters in any given period of history, and the fiction would illustrate dramatically through characters and situations these general facts of history. Thus, Virginia Woolf's original intention was mainly one of externality, and indeed in A Writer's Diary she cautions herself against the pull toward “vision.”1 Ultimately, she combined fact and fiction by “compacting” the essay into the novel and combined externality and internality by seeking to reveal through internal vision the pattern of continuity in external events.