bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contribution of diffusion tensor imaging to delineation of gliomas and glioblastomas
Authors: Tropine A. , Vucurevic G. , Delani P. , Boor S. , Hopf N. , Bohl J. , Stoeter P.
Published: November 2004

Purpose

To determine if the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) can differentiate between accompanying edema and tumor cell infiltration of white matter (WM) beyond the tumor edge as defined from conventional MRI in low‐ and high‐grade gliomas.

Materials and Methods

We examined 12 patients with high‐grade gliomas/glioblastomas and eight patients with low‐grade gliomas and compared them to 10 patients with meningiomas, in which no tumor infiltration is expected. The tumor was defined as the enhancing area in glioblastomas and meningiomas and as the area of increased T2‐signal in low‐grade gliomas. FA and MD were measured in the center of the tumor and in the adjacent WM. The contralateral WM and internal capsule were used as an internal standard.

Results

Comparing the WM areas of increased T2‐signal adjacent to meningiomas and glioblastomas, we saw a trend (without significance) towards a reduction of FA, but not of MD, in glioblastomas. We found no changes of FA and MD in the WM adjacent to low‐grade gliomas (without T2‐signal increase) compared to the WM of the contralateral hemisphere. In meningiomas and high‐grade gliomas/glioblastomas, a narrow rim of significantly (P < 0.01) increased FA and decreased MD values around the enhancing tumor area was seen, whereas in low‐grade gliomas, such a rim could not be defined. There was no contribution of FA or MD to grading of gliomas.

Conclusion

In glioblastomas, a reduction of FA in the edematous area surrounding the tumor may indicate tumor cell infiltration, but a reliable differentiation between infiltration and vasogenic edema is not yet possible on the basis of DTI. The additional finding of a narrow rim of increased FA and decreased MD at the edge of glioblastomas (as well as in meningiomas) may be caused by com‐pressed WM fibers and/or increased vascularity, but does not contribute to exclude peripheral cellular infiltration. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:905–912. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nerve conduction study in Sydenham's chorea
Authors: Cardoso Francisco , Dornas Leonardo , Cunningham Mauro , Oliveira José Teotonio
Published: November 2004

Sydenham's chorea (SC) is a late complication of group A β‐hemolytic streptococci infection presumably caused by an abnormal autoimmune reaction. Despite rare case reports of peripheral neuropathy associated with streptococcal infection, there is no investigation of peripheral nerve in SC. We performed nerve conduction studies in a cohort of patients with SC. The neurophysiology investigation comprised measurement of amplitude and sensory conduction velocity of median, ulnar, and sural nerves; amplitude and motor conduction velocity; and F‐wave latency of median, ulnar, fibular, and tibial nerves. Twenty‐six patients entered the study (12 females, 14 males; mean age 12.8 ± 3.6 years). Thirteen subjects had absent or decreased deep reflexes. All investigated neurophysiological parameters fell within the normal range for our population. We failed to find neurophysiological evidence of peripheral nerve involvement in patients with a history of SC. Our findings suggest that the possible autoimmune dysfunction in SC patients is not targeted against epitopes present in peripheral nerves. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
Parallel scheduling problems in next generation wireless networks
Authors: Becchetti L. , Leonardi S. , Marchetti‐Spaccamela A. , Vitaletti A. , Diggavi S. , Muthukrishnan S. , Nandagopal T.
Published: November 2004

Next‐generation 3G/4G wireless data networks allow multiple codes (or channels) to be allocated to a single user, where each code can support multiple data rates. Providing fine‐grained QoS to users in such networks poses the two‐dimensional challenge of assigning both power (rate) and codes to every user. This gives rise to a new class of parallel scheduling problems. We abstract general downlink scheduling problems suitable for proposed next‐generation wireless data systems. Our contribution includes a communication‐theoretic model for multirate wireless channels. In addition, while conventional focus has been on throughput maximization, we attempt to optimize the maximum response time of jobs, which is more suitable for streams of user requests. We present provable results on the algorithmic complexity of these scheduling problems. In particular, we are able to provide very simple, on‐line algorithms for approximating the optimal maximum response time. We also perform an experimental study with realistic data of channel conditions and user requests that strengthens our theoretical results. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 45(1), 9–22 2005
Personality and biological markers of creativity
Authors: Reuter M. , Panksepp J. , Schnabel N. , Kellerhoff N. , Kempel P. , Hennig J.
Published: November 2004

The aim of the present study was to test (i) Eysenck's theory that psychoticism (P) should be related to creativity, (ii) whether testosterone (T), due to its association with P claimed in the literature, can be identified as a biological marker of creativity, and (iii) whether the SEEK dimension of the Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales (ANPS) was also related to creativity and to testosterone due to its relationship to Sensation Seeking. In a sample of N = 48 male and female subjects, test scores on figural, verbal, and numeric creativity were compared between high and low P‐scorers as well as between high and low SEEK‐scorers. Effects were controlled for fluid intelligence as measured by Cattell's CFT‐3 and crystallized intelligence as assessed by the Structure‐of‐Intelligence‐Test (Intelligenz‐Struktur‐Test, I‐S‐T 2000 R).

Neither a main effect of P or T nor an interaction effect P×T on creativity could be obtained. Instead, SEEK was related to all components of creativity and explained more than 15% of the variance of total creativity. Moreover, significant differences in SEEK could be explained by differences in T, independently of gender. Furthermore, 39% of the variance of SEEK could be explained by the two uncorrelated indicators testosterone and creativity. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Doing one's duty: chronological age, felt autonomy, and subjective well‐being
Authors: Sheldon Kennon M. , Kasser Tim , Houser‐Marko Linda , Jones Taisha , Turban Daniel
Published: November 2004

Existential, psychosocial, and organismic theories propose that human beings tend towards greater autonomy over the lifespan, and that greater autonomy is associated with greater happiness. We tested these two ideas in the under‐studied domain of social duties by examining the associations between chronological age, felt autonomy while engaging in various social duties, and subjective well‐being (SWB). Study 1 found that older Americans felt more autonomous while voting, tipping, and paying taxes, Study 2 showed that American parents felt more autonomous in their work and citizenship roles compared with their own children, and Study 3 found that older Singaporeans felt more autonomous while obeying authorities, helping distant relatives, and staying politically informed. In all three studies, felt autonomy was also associated with higher SWB. It appears that older persons better internalize their social duties, to their own and societies' benefit. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis, characterization, and water sorption properties of new aromatic polyamides containing benzimidazole and ethylene oxide moieties
Authors: Ayala Vanesa , Maya Eva M. , García Jose M. , De La Campa Jose G. , Lozano Angel E. , De Abajo Javier
Published: November 2004

New polyamides, containing a benzimidazole side group and ethylene oxide moieties in the structural repeat unit, were synthesized by low‐temperature polycondensation. The aim of this design was to obtain polyamides that were more soluble in common organic solvents and hence had better processability than benzimidazole polyamides while maintaining the water sorption properties characteristic of the latter. The results showed that the number of ether linkages of the repeat unit played an important role in the glass‐transition temperature and in the water sorption properties, the polyamides with one or two ethylene oxide units being more hydrophilic than benzimidazole polyamides. However, the length of the ethylene oxide chain played a minor role in the solubility because the second member of the series, with two ether linkages (i.e., one ethylene oxide unit), reached the same level of solubility as those polyamides with more ethylene oxide moieties. No crystallinity was observed by X‐ray and calorimetric measurements for the new polymers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 112–121, 2005
Characterization of the denaturation of human α‐lactalbumin in urea by molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Smith Lorna J. , Jones Rachel M. , van Gunsteren Wilfred F.
Published: November 2004

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to characterize the non‐cooperative denaturation of the molten globule A‐state of human α‐lactalbumin by urea. A solvent of explicit urea and water molecules was used, corresponding to a urea concentration of approximately 6M. Three simulations were performed at temperatures of 293K, 360K and 400K, with lengths of 2 ns, 8 ns and 8 ns respectively. The results of the simulations were compared with experimental data from NMR studies of human α‐lactalbumin and related peptides. During the simulations, hydrogen bonds were formed from the protein to both urea and water molecules as intra‐protein hydrogen bonds were lost. Urea was shown to compete efficiently with water as both a hydrogen bond donor and acceptor. Radial distribution functions of water and urea around hydrophobic side chain atoms showed a significant increase in urea molecules in the solvation shell as the side chains became exposed during denaturation. A considerable portion of the native‐like secondary structure persisted throughout the simulations. However, in the simulations at 360K and 400K, there were substantial changes in the packing of aromatic and other hydrophobic side chains in the protein, and many native contacts were lost. The results suggest that during the non‐cooperative denaturation of the molten globule, secondary structure elements are stabilized by non‐specific, non‐native interactions. Proteins 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Extent of protein–protein interactions and quasi‐equivalence in viral capsids
Authors: Shepherd Craig M. , Reddy Vijay S.
Published: November 2004

Viral capsids are composed of multiple copies of one or a few gene products that self‐assemble on their own or in the presence of the viral genome and/or auxiliary proteins into closed shells (capsids). We have analyzed 75 high‐resolution virus capsid structures by calculating the average fraction of the solvent‐accessible surface area of the coat protein subunits buried in the viral capsids. This fraction ranges from 0 to 1 and represents a normalized protein–protein interaction (PPI) index and is a measure of the extent of protein–protein interactions. The PPI indices were used to compare the extent of association of subunits among different capsids. We further examined the variation of the PPI indices as a function of the molecular weight of the coat protein subunit and the capsid diameter. Our results suggest that the PPI indices in T=1 and pseudo‐T=3 capsids vary linearly with the molecular weight of the subunit and capsid size. This is in contrast to quasi‐equivalent capsids with T≥3, where the extent of protein–protein interactions is relatively independent of the subunit and capsid sizes. The striking outcome of this analysis is the distinctive clustering of the “T=2” capsids, which are distinguished by higher subunit molecular weights and a much lower degree of protein–protein interactions. Furthermore, the calculated residual (Rsym) of the fraction buried surface areas of the structurally unique subunits in capsids with T>1 was used to calculate the quasi‐equivalence of different subunit environments. Proteins 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Topological determinants of protein unfolding rates
Authors: Jung Jaewoon , Lee Jooyoung , Moon Hie‐Tae
Published: November 2004

For proteins that fold by two‐state kinetics, the folding and unfolding processes are believed to be closely related to their native structures. In particular, folding and unfolding rates are influenced by the native structures of proteins. Thus, we focus on finding important topological quantities from a protein structure that determine its unfolding rate. After constructing graphs from protein native structures, we investigate the relationships between unfolding rates and various topological quantities of the graphs. First, we find that the correlation between the unfolding rate and the contact order is not as prominent as in the case of the folding rate and the contact order. Next, we investigate the correlation between the unfolding rate and the clustering coefficient of the graph of a protein native structure, and observe no correlation between them. Finally, we find that a newly introduced quantity,the impact of edge removal per residue, has a good overall correlation with protein unfolding rates. The impact of edge removal is defined as the ratio of the change of the average path length to the edge removal probability. From these facts, we conclude that the protein unfolding process is closely related to the protein native structure. Proteins 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Remarkable influence of heat treatment on the structural and superconducting properties of (Y1–xSmx)(SrBa)Cu3O6+z
Authors: Nafidi Ab. , Bellioua M. , El kaaouachi A. , Nafidi Ah. , Rukang Li , Greaves C.
Published: November 2004

We report here on the preparation, effect of heat treatments, X‐ray diffraction and AC magnetic susceptibility measurements in the high Tc superconductor (Y1–xSmx)(SrBa)Cu3O6+z (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8 and 1). Each sample was subject to two types of heat treatment: oxygen annealing [O] and argon annealing followed by oxygen annealing [AO]. When x increases from 0 to 1; in the samples [O] the orthorhombicity ε = b – a/b + a decreases from 9.35 × 10–3 to 0.38 × 10–3 indicating a structural phase transition from orthorhombic to tetragonal; and Tc decreases from 83 K to 79 K. While in the samples [AO], ε decreases by half from 10.14 × 10–3 to 5.72 × 10–3 with an orthorhombic symmetry. This was accompanied by an increase in Tc from 81.5 K to 85 K. For each x, the [AO] heat treatment increases ε(for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1) and Tc (for x ≥ 0.4). We observed a remarkable correlation between δTc(x) = Tc[AO] – Tc[O] and δε(x) = ε[AO] – ε[O]. A combination of several factors such as change in the Cu(1)‐apical oxygen distance, increase in phase purity, in hole density and chain oxygen ordering for the [AO] samples may quali‐ tatively account for the observed data. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Heats of formation of binary semiconductors
Authors: Kumar V. , Sastry B. S. R.
Published: November 2004

Heats of formation of tetrahedrally coordinated II–VI and III–V groups of binary semiconductors have been calculated using plasmon energy data. Two simple relations between plasmon energy and heats of formation have been proposed. One is based on spectroscopic model of Phillips and Van Vechten and other is based on the best‐fit data of heats of formation. The calculated values of heats of formation from both the equations are compared with the experimental values and the values reported by earlier workers. A fairly good agreement has been obtained between them. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Suppressive effect of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression by the methanol extract of Actinodaphne lancifolia
Authors: Kim Youngleem , Min Hye‐Young , Park Hyen‐Joo , Lee Eun‐Jin , Park Eun‐Jung , Hwang Hye‐Jin , Jin Changbae , Lee Yong Sup , Lee Sang Kook
Published: November 2004

Nitric oxide (NO) produced by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has played a crucial role in various pathophysiological processes including inﬂammation and carcinogenesis. Therefore, the inhibitors of NO synthesis or iNOS gene expression have been considered as potential anti‐inﬂammatory and cancer chemopreventive agents. In our continuous search for iNOS inhibitors from natural products we have evaluated indigenous Korean plant extracts using an assay for inhibition of nitric oxide formation on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐activated mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. As a result, the methanolic stem extract of Actinodaphne lancifolia showed an inhibitory activity of NO production in a dose‐dependent manner (IC50 = 2.5 µg/ml). Additional study demonstrated that the extract of Actinodaphne lancifolia signiﬁcantly suppressed the iNOS protein and gene expression in a dose‐dependent manner. These results suggest that Actinodaphne lancifolia could be a potential candidate for developing an iNOS inhibitor from natural products. Further elucidation of active principles for development of new cancer chemopreventive and/or anti‐inﬂammatory agents could be warranted. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A promising peptide antibiotic from Terfezia claveryi aqueous extract against Staphylococcus aureus in vitro
Authors: Janakat S. , Al‐Fakhiri S. , Sallal A.‐K.
Published: November 2004

The antimicrobial activity of aqueous and methanolic extracts, as well as partially puriﬁed proteins extracted from Terfezia claveryi aqueous extract were investigated against Staphylococcus aureus in vitro. A 5% aqueous extract inhibited the growth of S. aureus by 66.4%, while a methanolic extract was ineffective.

Partial protein puriﬁcation of the aqueous extract using ammonium sulphate precipitation revealed that antimicrobial activity was within the third fraction. This fraction was then subjected to gel ﬁltration using Sephadex G‐100. Two peaks were obtained. Peak one possessed higher antimicrobial activity. This peak was then subjected to ion exchange chromatography using DEAE Sephadex. Only peak 4 from the six peaks obtained showed a slight antimicrobial activity.

Antimicrobial activities of the aqueous extract and the fractions that showed antimicrobial activity were compared with reference antibiotics. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of the antiherpetic activity of standardized extracts of Achyrocline satureioides
Authors: Bettega J. M. R. , Teixeira H. , Bassani V. L. , Barardi C. R. M. , Simões C. M. O.
Published: November 2004

Traditionally, Achyrocline satureioides or ‘marcela’ has been used in South America for the treatment of several disorders. For the present study, three spray‐dried extracts (N1, N2 and N3) were used, all of them prepared with 50% of an hydroethanolic extract rich in ﬂavonoid compounds and 50% of blends of different adjuvants. The cytotoxic concentration which causes destruction in 50% monolayer cells (CC50) was 62.5 µg/ml for the three extracts. The antiviral activity was evaluated by using two different strains of herpes simplex virus (HSV‐1) and the best results were obtained with KOS strain and N2 extract. Studies concerning the mechanism of the antiherpetic activity demonstrated that N2 extracts showed no virucidal effect or activity on cellular receptors. HSV‐1 DNA synthesis was not inhibited. The antiherpetic activity occurred between the second and ninth hour of the virus replication cycle, probably indicating a perturbation on late stages of this cycle. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Temporal Welfare State: The Case of Finland
Authors: GOODIN ROBERT E. , PARPO ANTTI , KANGAS OLLI
Published: November 2004

Welfare states contribute to people's well-being in many different ways. One way of bringing those contributions under a common metric is in terms of ‘temporal autonomy’: the freedom to spend one's time as one will, outside the necessities of daily life. Using the 1999–2000 Finnish Time Use Survey, we propose ways of operationalising the time that is ‘strictly necessary’ to spend in paid labour, unpaid household labour and personal care; the residual, ‘discretionary time’, represents people's temporal autonomy. We measure the impact on that of Finnish taxes, transfers and child care subsidies. In so doing, we calibrate the contributions of Finland's Nordic welfare regime and of its female-friendly gender regime, in ways that correspond to the lived reality of people's daily lives.
Support in Parenting: Values and Consensus concerning who to turn to
Authors: EDWARDS ROSALIND , GILLIES VAL
Published: November 2004

Recent years have seen an explicit focus on parenting as a designated area of policy intervention. Parents are posed as in need of education and advice from ‘experts’, under conditions of social change. This article counterposes norms concerning who parents should turn to for support that government policies aim to inculcate with those held by parents themselves, drawing on a national representative sample of parents of 8–12 year old children. It uses a ‘consensus baseline’ approach to look at parents' perceptions of social change in parenting support, and whether or not they hold norms concerning whom to turn to and for what sort of help in parenting: practical, emotional, behaviour, health and education. Our results indicate that policy-makers have more work to do if they want to achieve a cultural step-change in norms held by parents about who is best placed to help and advice them. Family, followed by friends, are (still) regarded as the people to turn to for most childrearing issues, with ‘experts’ only providing practical help and advice about long institutionalised areas of children's lives. We also show that norms about parenting support are related to parents' differential social positioning regarding gender, class and ethnicity.
SMAC/Diablo
-dependent apoptosis induced by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in colon cancer cells
Authors: Kohli Manu , Yu Jian , Seaman Craig , Bardelli Alberto , Kinzler Kenneth W. , Vogelstein Bert , Lengauer Christoph , Zhang Lin
Published: November 2004

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) form a paradigm for the chemoprevention of cancer, preventing colonic tumor progression in both experimental animals and humans. However, the mechanisms underlying the antineoplastic effects of NSAIDs are currently unclear. We found that the mitochondrial second mitochondrial-derived activator of caspase (SMAC)/direct inhibitor of apoptosis protein-binding protein with low pI (Diablo) protein translocates into the cytosol during NSAID-induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells. When
SMAC/Diablo
is disrupted by homologous recombination and RNA interference in these cells, the NSAID-induced apoptosis is abrogated. Biochemical markers of apoptosis, such as caspase activation, cytosolic release of cytochrome
c
and apoptosis-inducing factor, and mitochondrial membrane potential change, are accordingly decreased. These results establish that
SMAC/Diablo
is essential for the apoptosis induced by NSAIDs in colon cancer cells.
The organization of orientation and spatial frequency in primary visual cortex
Authors: Sirovich Lawrence , Uglesich Robert
Published: November 2004

Many studies have demonstrated that the primary visual cortex contains multiple functional maps of visual properties (e.g., ocular dominance, orientation preference, and spatial-frequency preference), but as yet no consistent picture has emerged as to how these maps are related to one another. Three divergent, prior optical-imaging studies of spatial frequency are reanalyzed and critiqued in this article. Evidence is presented that a nonstimulus-specific response biased the interpretation of results in previous studies. In addition to reexamining four prior cat experiments, we carried out one new experiment. Through the use of different methods and a careful removal of the nonspecific response, we are led in all instances to a unique view of cortical organization for spatial-frequency preference. In particular, we find little apparent evidence for a columnar organization for spatial frequency. The response recorded by each image pixel may be viewed as arising from an admixture of low- and high-spatial-frequency populations. For most pixels, the ratio of these populations is 1:1.
Bioluminescent imaging of a marking transgene and correction of Fabry mice by neonatal injection of recombinant lentiviral vectors
Authors: Yoshimitsu Makoto , Sato Takeya , Tao Kesheng , Walia Jagdeep S. , Rasaiah Vanessa I. , Sleep Gillian T. , Murray Gary J. , Poeppl Armando G. , Underwood John , West Lori , Brady Roscoe O. , Medin Jeffrey A.
Published: November 2004

Successful therapy for many inherited disorders could be improved if the intervention were initiated early. This is especially true for lysosomal storage disorders. Earlier intervention may allow metabolic correction to occur before lipid buildup has irreversible consequences and/or before the immune system mounts limiting responses. We have been developing gene therapy to treat lysosomal storage disorders, especially Fabry disease. We describe studies directed toward metabolic correction in neonatal animals mediated by recombinant lentiviral vectors. To develop this method, we first injected a marking lentiviral vector that engineers expression of luciferase into the temporal vein of recipient neonatal animals. The use of a cooled charged-coupled device camera allowed us to track transgene expression over time in live animals. We observed intense luciferase expression in many tissues, including the brain, that did not diminish over 24 weeks. Next, we injected neonatal Fabry mice a single time with a therapeutic lentiviral vector engineered to express human α-galactosidase A. The injection procedure was well tolerated. We observed increased plasma levels of α-galactosidase A activity starting at our first plasma collection point (4 weeks). Levels of α-galactosidase A activity were found to be significantly elevated in many tissues even after 28 weeks. No immune response was observed against the corrective transgene product. Increased levels of enzyme activity also led to significant reduction of globotriaosylceramide in the liver, spleen, and heart. This approach provides a method to treat lysosomal storage disorders and other disorders before destructive manifestations occur.
Evolution of new nonantibody proteins via iterative somatic hypermutation
Authors: Wang Lei , Jackson W. Coyt , Steinbach Paul A. , Tsien Roger Y.
Published: November 2004

B lymphocytes use somatic hypermutation (SHM) to optimize immunoglobulins. Although SHM can rescue single point mutations deliberately introduced into nonimmunoglobulin genes, such experiments do not show whether SHM can efficiently evolve challenging novel phenotypes requiring multiple unforeseeable mutations in nonantibody proteins. We have now iterated SHM over 23 rounds of fluorescence-activated cell sorting to create monomeric red fluorescent proteins with increased photostability and far-red emissions (e.g., 649 nm), surpassing the best efforts of structure-based design. SHM offers a strategy to evolve nonantibody proteins with desirable properties for which a high-throughput selection or viable single-cell screen can be devised.
“Between Worlds,” or an Imagined Reminiscence by Oskar Morgenstern about Equilibrium and Mathematics in the 1920s
Authors: Leonard Robert
Published: November 2004

“Iwas born in 1902 in Görlitz, a small provincial town in Germany, and raised in Vienna, the great city of the multinational Austro-Hungarian empire. On my father's side, my family goes back to about 1530 in Saxony, my Lutheran forebears having been farmers, church wardens, judges, and businessmen. My mother was a natural daughter of Frederick III of Germany …”

Yet another account of myself, for yet another encyclopaedia. Italian, this time. Once again, I put pen to paper and collapse the events of fifty years ago to a few familiar milestones. Now what shall I tell these Italians?

“I finished the Gymnasium and took my Dr. Rer. Pol. at the University of Vienna in 1925. Awarded a Rockefeller Memorial Fellowship, I spent the next three years in England, the United States, France and Italy. Returning to Vienna, I soon became Docent, later Professor, at the University, and Director of the Austrian Institute for Business Cycle Research …”

And then there will be the doctoral thesis,Wirtschaftsprognose, the other Institute, Princeton, and so on. It is remarkable really, the rehearsed inevitability of it all … So often have I gone through exercises of this kind that there are times when I even begin to believe them myself.
Inconsistency in Classical Electrodynamics
Authors: Frisch Mathias
Published: November 2004

I show that the standard approach to modeling phenomena involving microscopic classical electrodynamics is mathematically inconsistent. I argue that there is no conceptually unproblematic and consistent theory covering the same phenomena to which this inconsistent theory can be thought of as an approximation; and I propose a set of conditions for the acceptability of inconsistent theories.
A Challenge to Positive Relevance Theorists: Reply to Roush
Authors: Achinstein Peter
Published: November 2004

Recently in this journal Sherrilyn Roush (2004) defends positive relevance as a necessary (albeit not a sufficient) condition for evidence by rejecting two of the counterexamples from my earlier (2001) work. In this reply I argue that Roush's critique is not successful.
Karl Popper's Philosophical Breakthrough
Authors: Gattei Stefano
Published: November 2004

Despite his well-known deductivism, in his early (unpublished) writings, Popper held an inductivist position. Up to 1929 epistemology entered Popper's reflections only as far as the problem was that of the justification of the scientific character of these fields of research. However, in that year, while surveying the history of non-Euclidean geometries, Popper explicitly discussed the cognitive status of geometry without referring to psycho-pedagogical aspects, thus turning from cognitive psychology to the logic and methodology of science. As a consequence of his reflections on the problematic relationship between geometrical-mathematical constructions and physical reality Popper was able to get over a too direct notion of such a relationship, cast doubts on inductive inference and started conceiving in a new (strictly non-inductivist) manner the relationship between theoretical and observational propositions.
Robust Evidence and Secure Evidence Claims
Authors: Staley Kent W.
Published: November 2004

Many philosophers have claimed that evidence for a theory is better when multiple independent tests yield the same result, i.e., when experimental results are robust. Little has been said about the grounds on which such a claim rests, however. The present essay presents an analysis of the evidential value of robustness that rests on the fallibility of assumptions about the reliability of testing procedures and a distinction between the strength of evidence and the security of an evidence claim. Robustness can enhance the security of an evidence claim either by providing what I call second-order evidence, or by providing back-up evidence for a hypothesis.
Quantification and assessment of viability of Cryptococcus neoformans by LightCycler amplification of capsule gene mRNA
Authors: Amjad Muhammad , Kfoury Najla , Cha Raymond , Mobarak Reem
Published: November 2004

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen. It infects the central nervous system causing meningitis, which is fatal if untreated, especially in AIDS and immunosuppressed patients. In this study a method of quantification and assessment of viability of C. neoformans by LightCycler RT-PCR amplification of the capsule gene mRNA is established. The sequence of primers and probes were derived from C. neoformans capsular CAP10 gene mRNA (GenBank accession number AF144574), and were species specific. Agarose gel electrophoresis analysis of LightCycler RT-PCR product showed a single band of 223 bp in length. In order to develop an internal control a 223 bp exon fragment of capsule mRNA was cloned in the pCR2.1 plasmid vector and RNA was generated by in vitro transcription. To determine the sensitivity of the assay, serial dilutions of in vitro-transcribed RNA with known concentrations and copy numbers, and serially diluted cultures of viable and nonviable C. neoformans were used. Under optimal conditions as little as 0.472 fg of capsule mRNA could be detected, corresponding to 1–10 c.f.u. ml−1 of the sample. No amplification was observed from up to105 heat/UV radiation-killed yeast cells and RNA of other bacterial and fungal pathogens and human genomic DNA or RNA. The amplification of capsule mRNA represents a sensitive, specific and quantitative means of detection of viable C. neoformans in clinical specimens and can be useful in the evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of antifungal drugs in the treatment of C. neoformans meningitis.
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus by the VITEK 2 system, and comparison with two NCCLS reference methods
Authors: Kobayashi Intetsu , Muraoka Hiroe , Iyoda Takako , Nishida Minoru , Hasegawa Miyuki , Yamaguchi Keizou
Published: November 2004

We evaluated the automated VITEK 2 system (bioMérieux) for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). The results obtained with the VITEK 2 system were compared to those obtained using two NCCLS reference methods. The VITEK 2 system produced MICs for penicillin G, erythromycin and vancomycin that were very similar to those of the reference agar-dilution test with all results being within a twofold dilution. When MICs of teicoplanin for these isolates were measured by the agar-dilution method and VITEK 2 system, there was one ‘very major’ error and seven ‘minor’ errors. There were no ‘major’ errors for any of the antibiotics tested. When the results obtained by the micro broth-dilution method were compared with those obtained by the VITEK 2 system, there was one ‘very major’ error for teicoplanin by the VITEK 2 system, as was the case with the agar-dilution method. There were two ‘minor’ errors for erythromycin and seven ‘minor’ errors for teicoplanin. There were no ‘major’ errors for any of the antibiotics tested. The 35 VRE strains identified phenotypically by the VITEK 2 Advanced Expert System included nine of Enterococcus faecalis and 23 of Enterococcus faecium. Neither Enterococcus avium nor Enterococcus hirae were identified. A total of 32 phenotypes were classified into 22 VanA and 10 VanB strains. PCR genotyping demonstrated 23 vanA
+ and nine vanB
+ strains. There were differences between the VITEK 2 system results and those of PCR. Overall, 54.3 % of the test results were obtained within 7 h. All MIC values for the 35 VRE isolates were determined within 13 h of completing incubation. The VITEK 2 system is a simple method for accurately detecting vancomycin-resistant strains of Enterococcus and can be used to rapidly determine MICs.
Evaluation of lipopolysaccharide and capsular polysaccharide as subunit vaccines against experimental melioidosis
Authors: Nelson Michelle , Prior Joann L , Lever M Stephen , Jones Helen E , Atkins Timothy P , Titball Richard W
Published: November 2004

Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of melioidosis, which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in endemic regions. Currently there is no human vaccine against melioidosis. In this study, LPS or capsular polysaccharide was used to immunize BALB/c mice. The different polysaccharide antigens induced antibody responses. Mice vaccinated with LPS developed predominantly IgM and IgG3 responses. Contrastingly, mice vaccinated with capsular polysaccharide developed a predominantly IgG2b response. After immunization, mice were challenged by the intra-peritoneal route and an increased mean time to death was observed compared with unvaccinated controls. Immunization with LPS provided an optimal protective response. Mice challenged by the aerosol route showed a small increase in the mean time to death compared with the unvaccinated controls. The passive transfer of antigen from immunized into naïve mice provided protection against a subsequent challenge. This study is the first time antigens protective by active immunization have been identified and suggests that polysaccharides have potential as vaccine candidates against melioidosis.
A model of the acid sphingomyelinase phosphoesterase domain based on its remote structural homolog purple acid phosphatase
Authors: Seto Marian , Whitlow Marc , McCarrick Margaret A. , Srinivasan Subha , Zhu Ying , Pagila Rene , Mintzer Robert , Light David , Johns Anthony , Meurer‐Ogden Janet A.
Published: November 2004

Sequence profile and fold recognition methods identified mammalian purple acid phosphatase (PAP), a member of a dimetal‐containing phosphoesterase (DMP) family, as a remote homolog of human acid sphingomyelinase (ASM). A model of the phosphoesterase domain of ASM was built based on its predicted secondary structure and the metal‐coordinating residues of PAP. Due to the low sequence identity between ASM and PAP (∼15%), the highest degree of confidence in the model resides in the metal‐binding motifs. The ASM model predicts residues Asp 206, Asp 278, Asn 318, His 425, and His 457 to be dimetal coordinating. A putative orientation for the phosphorylcholine head group of the ASM substrate, sphingomyelin (SM), was made based on the predicted catalysis of the phosphorus–oxygen bond in the active site of ASM and on a structural comparison of the PAP–phosphate complex to the C‐reactive protein–phosphorylcholine complex. These complexes revealed similar spatial interactions between the metal‐coordinating residues, the metals, and the phosphate groups, suggesting a putative orientation for the head group in ASM consistent with the mechanism considerations. A conserved sequence motif in ASM, NX3CX3N, was identified (Asn 381 to Asn 389) and is predicted to interact with the choline amine moiety in SM. The resulting ASM model suggests that the enzyme uses an SN2‐type catalytic mechanism to hydrolyze SM, similar to other DMPs. His 319 in ASM is predicted to protonate the ceramide‐leaving group in the catalysis of SM. The putative functional roles of several ASM Niemann‐Pick missense mutations, located in the predicted phosphoesterase domain, are discussed in context to the model.
Blood from the Moon: Gender Ideology and the Rise of Ancient Maya Social Complexity
Authors: Dornan Jennifer
Published: November 2004

Archaeological data suggests that there is a direct link between the rise of social complexity and the erosion of women's status. Through a look at the ways in which gendered practices and symbols may shift as men and women (and males and females) negotiate their relationships and interactions within shifting social contexts, this article sets out to explore this linkage between social complexity and gender equality in the ancient Maya region. Building from the notion that ‘gender’ is produced and reproduced through practice and symbol as a culture constitutes and bounds gender roles and expectations by symbolically associating certain activities and materials with each gender as iconic representations and ritual enactments of those normative gender roles then serve to naturalise a gender ideology, this article argues that the rising ancient Maya elite attempted to legitimise increasing social inequalities through the manipulation, ritualisation and abstraction of female symbols of power associated with pregnancy, menstruation and childbirth. This appropriation and contestation of symbols and performances of gender identity can be observed in wide variety of powerful representations and practices within the Maya cosmology such as genital piercing, the 260‐day calendar and the neutering of female sexuality in monumental art.
Stochastic Modeling of Federal Housing Administration Home Equity Conversion Mortgages with Low‐Cost Refinancing
Authors: Rodda David T. , Lam Ken , Youn Andrew
Published: November 2004

Federal Housing Administration‐insured reverse mortgages, known as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs), did not originally have a provision for low‐cost refinancing. If a borrower's house value increased faster than expected, the borrower could not tap that additional equity without terminating the first loan and originating a new HECM loan with full closing costs. We test several low‐cost refinancing options using a stochastic simulation model that allows interest rates and house prices to vary in historically accurate patterns. Low‐cost refinancing decreases the net value of the fund by 54% to $98.5 million, but it remains positive in 80% of the trials.
The Effects of Charm Listing Prices on House Transaction Prices
Authors: Allen Marcus T. , Dare William H.
Published: November 2004

As is the case for many different goods and services, it is common practice in many real estate markets for sellers to offer properties for sale at listing prices just below some round number price (e.g., $99,900 instead of $100,000). The academic marketing literature refers to this practice as “charm” pricing and suggests that this strategy is an attempt by sellers to take advantage of buyers' cognitive processes in which charm prices affect buyers' perceptions about the seller or the item being offered for sale. Although numerous papers in the housing economics literature have addressed the impact of the magnitude of listing price on observed house transaction prices, no prior published study has considered the impact of the design of listing prices in housing markets. This paper presents an empirical investigation of the effects of charm pricing on house transaction prices using sample data. The results provide some evidence that houses listed at certain charm prices sell for significantly greater transaction prices than those listed at round number prices.
High‐dose melphalan with autologous stem cell transplantation after VAD induction chemotherapy for treatment of amyloid light chain amyloidosis: a single centre prospective phase II study
Authors: Perz Jolanta B. , Schonland Stefan O. , Hundemer Michael , Kristen Arnt V. , Dengler Thomas J. , Zeier Martin , Linke Reinhold P. , Ho Anthony D. , Goldschmidt Hartmut
Published: November 2004

Amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis is the result of a clonal plasma cell expansion, in which monoclonal light chains transform to amyloid deposit in various tissues and can lead to organ dysfunction and organ failure. The median survival of patients with AL amyloidosis without therapy is 10–14 months. With high‐dose melphalan (HDM) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), haematological and clinical remission rates of up to 50% of treated patients have been reported from phase II studies. HDM followed by ASCT appears to prolong survival in patients, if haematological remission can be reached. In this phase II study, we evaluated vincristine, adriamycin and dexamethasone (VAD) as induction chemotherapy prior to stem cell mobilization and HDM with ASCT. The regimen was, in general, feasible in patients with AL amyloidosis, but VAD chemotherapy had a considerable World Health Organization (WHO) grade III–IV toxicity (25%) and mortality (7%) rate. VAD pretreatment did not interfere with stem cell mobilization and HDM with ASCT was possible in 86% of patients. The overall treatment efficacy was comparable with reported results of HDM and ASCT without preceding chemotherapy. We could not show an additional benefit of VAD induction in terms of increasing haematological response rate; however the 13% mortality rate after HDM and ASCT in our series was lower than the previous report.
Platelet count, previous infection and FCGR2B genotype predict development of chronic disease in newly diagnosed idiopathic thrombocytopenia in childhood: results of a prospective study
Authors: Bruin Marrie , Bierings Marc , Uiterwaal Cuno , Révész Tom , Bode Lonneke , Wiesman Marie‐Elize , Kuijpers Taco , Tamminga Rienk , de Haas Masja
Published: November 2004

About 25–30% of children with acute idiopathic thrombocytopenia (ITP) develop chronic disease. It is not well known which patient characteristics influence the course of the ITP. A prospective study in 60 children with newly diagnosed ITP was performed. The aim of the study was to identify patient characteristics at the onset of thrombocytopenia that predicts the progression to chronic ITP. Clinical data and blood samples were collected at several time points during the first 6 months of the disease. Variables predicting chronic disease, as calculated in a multivariate logistic regression analysis, were a platelet count >10 × 109/l at the onset [odds ratio (OR) 1·1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·01–1·14], the absence of infection shortly before the onset of the disease (OR 4·8, CI 1·16–19·57) and FGR2B‐232I/T genotype (OR 7·9, CI 0·96–65·27). The latter may point at an immune‐modulating role of FcγRIIb in ITP. Although only three patients had serious bleeds, 35 patients received immune‐modulating treatment for low platelet counts only. Seventeen patients were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and 18 patients received corticosteroids. Patient variables did not differ between these treatment groups. However, patients receiving IVIG had significantly lower risk for chronic disease.
The P303T mutation in the human factor VII (FVII) gene alters the conformational state of the enzyme and causes a severe functional deficiency
Authors: Peyvandi Flora , Cristofaro Raimondo De , Garagiola Isabella , Palla Roberta , Akhavan Sepideh , Landolfi Raffaele , Mannucci Pier Mannuccio
Published: November 2004

We report the results of in vitro expression and biochemical characterization of the naturally occurring type II mutation Pro303Thr (P303T) in the factor VII (FVII) gene. Recombinant activated mutated FVII (FVIIa303T), compared with the activated wild‐type FVII (FVIIaWT), showed reduced amidase activity toward synthetic substrates, especially when the observed reduced binding affinity for human soluble tissue factor (TF) (Kd from 4·4 nmol/l for FVIIaWT to 17·3 nmol/l for FVIIa303T) was overcome by a fully saturating TF concentration. Likewise, factor X (FX) hydrolysis by FVIIa303T showed a reduced activity in the absence (and more severely in the presence) of TF (kcat/Km from 2·3 × 107/mol/l s for FVIIaWT to 8·7 × 105/mol/l s for FVIIa303T). These results showed that the mutant FVIIa is more shifted toward a zymogen‐like form compared to FVIIaWT, suggesting that P303 facilitates the conformational transitions that stabilize the active form of FVIIa. The alteration of these allosteric equilibria is especially evident in the presence of TF, which was unable to shift the equilibrium toward a fully active FVIIa form. Additional experiments showed that both TF‐catalysed FVII303T autoactivation and FVII303T activation by activated FX in the presence of TF were severely impaired, mainly because of an increase of the Km value. Altogether, these defects may explain the severe bleeding symptoms in a patient carrying the FVIIP303T mutation.