bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental management systems, communicative action and organizational learning
Authors: Burström von Malmborg Fredrik
Published: October 2002

In recent years, an increasing number of private as well as public organizations have been engaged with implementation and use of environmental management systems (EMSs). This raises questions as to the reasons for implementing an EMS and, not least, about the roles and contributions of an EMS in an organization. Based in particular on research on contemporary municipal environmental management in Sweden, and also drawing on EMS research and experiences in other countries, this paper argues that an EMS may be understood not only as a technical tool for analytical management, as is traditionally done, but also as a tool for communicative action and organizational learning. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Does European citizenship breed xenophobia? European identification as a predictor of intolerance towards immigrants
Authors: Licata Laurent , Klein Olivier
Published: October 2002

The European Union is generally perceived as endorsing universalistic and multi‐cultural values. However, social identity and self‐categorization theories predict that, when certain conditions are met, a negative relation between ingroup identification and tolerance towards outgroup members should be observed. We argue that the creation of the status of ‘Citizen of the Union’ in Maastricht may contribute to meeting those conditions and therefore to increase intolerance towards resident foreigners. If that is the case, a paradoxical situation could emerge, in which people's levels of tolerance towards foreigners would contradict group values. We examined the relations between values associated with Europe, European and national identification, and tolerance towards foreigners through a survey study with a—non‐representative—sample of undergraduate French‐speaking Belgian students. Results show that Europe was generally associated with humanistic values. But they also reveal that strong European identifiers tended to express more xenophobic attitudes than weak European identifiers, whilst national identification was not related with such attitudes. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A computational strategy for protein function assignment which addresses the multidomain problem
Authors: Pérez A. J. , Rodríguez A. , Trelles O. , Thode G.
Published: October 2002

A method for assigning functions to unknown sequences based on finding correlations between short signals and functional annotations in a protein database is presented. This approach is based on keyword (KW) and feature (FT) information stored in the SWISS‐PROT database. The former refers to particular protein characteristics and the latter locates these characteristics at a specific sequence position. In this way, a certain keyword is only assigned to a sequence if sequence similarity is found in the position described by the FT field. Exhaustive tests performed over sequences with homologues (cluster set) and without homologues (singleton set) in the database show that assigning functions is much ‘cleaner’ when information about domains (FT field) is used, than when only the keywords are used. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Curcumin inhibits interleukin 8 production and enhances interleukin 8 receptor expression on the cell surface
Authors: Hidaka Hideki , Ishiko Takatoshi , Furuhashi Takashi , Kamohara Hidenobu , Suzuki Shunji , Miyazaki Masashi , Ikeda Osamu , Mita Seiji , Setoguchi Toshiaki , Ogawa Michio
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

Curcumin, the yellow pigment in turmeric, has been shown to prevent tumor progression in a variety of tissues in rodents. The authors investigated the effect of curcumin on human carcinoma cell lines to determine whether constitutive interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) production of tumor cells was correlated with nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) activation and cell growth activity.

METHODS

A human pancreatic carcinoma cell line, SUIT‐2, was incubated with various concentrations of curcumin for 2 hours. Biologic features, including IL‐8 production, DNA binding activity, transactivation of NF‐κB, cell growth activity, cell viability, and the expression of IL‐8 receptors (CXCR1 and CXCR2) were analyzed.

RESULTS

The constitutive production of IL‐8 was inhibited by curcumin at concentrations of 10–100 μM in a dose dependent manner. NF‐κB activity was reduced significantly by curcumin treatment. Pretreatment with curcumin inhibited the growth rate of carcinoma cells significantly. Such cell growth inhibition by curcumin was not recovered by exogenous recombinant IL‐8. The investigation of expression in IL‐8 receptors, CXCR1 and CXCR2, revealed that the expression of both receptors was enhanced remarkably by curcumin. Exogenous IL‐8 could not recover this enhancement of IL‐8 receptors. These results suggest that curcumin inhibits IL‐8‐induced receptor internalization.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors concluded that curcumin contributed not only to the inhibition of IL‐8 production but also to signal transduction through IL‐8 receptors. These data suggest that curcumin reduces numerous IL‐8 bioactivities that contribute to tumor growth and carcinoma cell viability. From this point of view, curcumin is a potent anticancer agent that inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL‐8, by tumor cells. Cancer 2002;95:1206–14. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10812
Magnetic resonance imaging as a supplement for the clinical staging system of Durie and Salmon?
Authors: Baur Andrea , Stäbler Axel , Nagel Dorothea , Lamerz Rolf , Bartl Reiner , Hiller Erhard , Wendtner Clemens , Bachner Fridleif , Reiser Maximilian
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated the prognostic value of a three‐grade staging system of spinal involvement using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with multiple myeloma and determined its usefulness as an independent parameter in the staging system of Durie and Salmon.

METHODS

Seventy‐seven previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma underwent MRI of the thoracic and lumbar spine with unenhanced T1‐weighted spin echo and short‐tau inversion time inversion recovery sequences. The patients were evaluated according to their infiltration patterns and the extent of bone marrow involvement was staged using a three‐grade scale: Stage I, no focal or diffuse infiltration; Stage II, 1–10 foci or mild diffuse infiltration; Stage III, more than 10 foci or strong diffuse infiltration.

RESULTS

The infiltration patterns had no significant effect on survival. Of 77 patients, 25 would have been understaged using the standard staging system of Durie and Salmon without the findings of MRI and 8 patients would have been understaged if the staging was based only on MRI. The combination of the staging system of Durie and Salmon and MRI was highly significant with respect to survival (P < 0.0001, log rank analysis). MRI staging I–III was independent of the staging system of Durie and Salmon (Cox regression model).

CONCLUSIONS

A three‐grade staging of spinal MRI provides a significant prognostic tool for patients with multiple myeloma. The authors propose including it in the staging system of Durie and Salmon. Cancer 2002;95:1334–45. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10818
Efficient output waveform evaluation of a CMOS inverter based on short‐circuit current prediction
Authors: Chatzigeorgiou A. , Nikolaidis S.
Published: October 2002

A novel approach for obtaining the output waveform, the propagation delay and the short‐circuit power dissipation of a CMOS inverter is introduced. The output voltage is calculated by solving the circuit differential equation only for the conducting transistor while the effect of the short‐circuit current is considered as an additional charge, which has to be discharged through the conducting transistor causing a shift to the output waveform. The short‐circuit current as well as the corresponding discharging current are accurately predicted as functions of the required time shift of the output waveform. A program has been developed that implements the proposed method and the results prove that a significant speed improvement can be gained with a minor penalty in accuracy. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of rock moisture on Schmidt hammer rebound: tests on rock samples from Marion Island and South Africa
Authors: Sumner Paul , Nel Werner
Published: October 2002

In an assessment of the influence of internal rock moisture content on Schmidt hammer readings, rebound (R) values are found to decrease with increasing moisture content. For samples of basalt, sandstone and dolerite the maximum decrease in R‐values is found between oven dry values and saturated rock rebound values, the magnitude of which varies from 2 to 10 points on the R‐scale. A quartzite block has the greatest decline of 6 points at 60 per cent saturation. For certain rock types under differing site‐to‐site field moisture conditions the moisture effect can be a significant factor in the interpretation of the relative state of weathering from rebound values. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Communication in reform
Authors: George Melvin D.
Published: October 2002

Major curricular or pedagogical change should be launched with a thorough communications plan well in hand.
Internet job hunting: A field study of applicant experiences with on‐line recruiting
Authors: Feldman Daniel C. , Klaas Brian S.
Published: October 2002

This field study examines the experiences of managers and professionals searching for jobs via the Internet.
Results suggest that facility with Internet navigation is significantly associated with the amount of general job
searching, particularly for those who want to explore job options initially in private without fear of retribution
from supervisors. The data also suggest that managers and professionals are more likely to use the Internet for
job hunting when the geographical scope of the job hunt is wide, when a major salary increase is desired, and when
both small and large firms are being considered as potential employers. Use of the Internet is perceived as a
somewhat less effective job search strategy than personal networking, but far superior to searching for jobs
through newspaper ads and “cold calling.” Major issues found to impede the effectiveness of
on‐line recruiting are the degree and speed of follow‐up on‐line applications, lack of
specific and relevant job descriptions on a company's Web site, concerns about the security of personal
information, and difficulty in customizing, formatting, and downloading resumes to companies' specifications.
The article concludes with recommendations for improving the effectiveness of on‐line recruiting. ©
2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effective Born radii in the generalized Born approximation: The importance of being perfect
Authors: Onufriev Alexey , Case David A. , Bashford Donald
Published: October 2002

Generalized Born (GB) models provide, for many applications, an accurate and computationally facile estimate of the electrostatic contribution to aqueous solvation. The GB models involve two main types of approximations relative to the Poisson equation (PE) theory on which they are based. First, the self‐energy contributions of individual atoms are estimated and expressed as “effective Born radii.” Next, the atom‐pair contributions are estimated by an analytical function fGB that depends upon the effective Born radii and interatomic distance of the atom pairs. Here, the relative impacts of these approximations are investigated by calculating “perfect” effective Born radii from PE theory, and enquiring as to how well the atom‐pairwise energy terms from a GB model using these perfect radii in the standard fGB function duplicate the equivalent terms from PE theory. In tests on several biological macromolecules, the use of these perfect radii greatly increases the accuracy of the atom‐pair terms; that is, the standard form of fGB performs quite well. The remaining small error has a systematic and a random component. The latter cannot be removed without significantly increasing the complexity of the GB model, but an alternative choice of fGB can reduce the systematic part. A molecular dynamics simulation using a perfect‐radii GB model compares favorably with simulations using conventional GB, even though the radii remain fixed in the former. These results quantify, for the GB field, the importance of getting the effective Born radii right; indeed, with perfect radii, the GB model gives a very good approximation to the underlying PE theory for a variety of biomacromolecular types and conformations. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 23: 1297–1304, 2002
Electron localization and delocalization in open‐shell molecules
Authors: Fradera Xavier , Solà Miquel
Published: October 2002

Localization and delocalization indices derived in the framework of the quantum Atoms in Molecules theory have recently been used to analyze the electron‐pair structure of closed‐shell molecules. Here we report calculations of localization and delocalization indices for open‐shell molecules at the Hartree‐Fock (HF) level. Several simple doublet and triplet radical molecules are studied. In general, interatomic delocalization between bonded atoms is heavily dependent on the order and polarity of the bond. Unpaired electrons also have a significant effect on the interatomic delocalization indices. Indeed, for many radicals, the analysis of the spin components reveals that the interatomic delocalization is very different for α and β spin electrons in many cases. In general, at the HF level, the results can be rationalized in terms of orbital contributions. However, the definition of localization and delocalization indices is completely general, and they could be calculated at any level of theory, provided that the one‐ and two‐electron densities are available. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 23: 1347–1356, 2002
Treatment of spider leg veins with the KTP (532 nm) laser—A prospective study
Authors: Spendel Stephan , Prandl Eva‐Christina , Schintler Michael V. , Siegl Alexander , Wittgruber Gabriela , Hellbom Bengt , Rappl Thomas , Berghold Andrea , Scharnagl Erwin
Published: October 2002

Background and Objectives

Spider leg veins are telangiectasias located intracutaneously. This condition poses a cosmetic problem.

Study Design/Patients and Methods

The purpose of this study was to determine what influence the KTP (532 nm) laser has on spider leg veins dependent on the vascular diameter and to what extent the skin has been affected. Seventy female patients were treated in three laser sessions. Analysis was done 30 weeks after the last laser treatment session.

Results

Fifty‐six patients completed the study. In group 1 (vascular diameter ≤ 0.6 mm), spider leg veins were no longer visible in 33%; in 40%, a decrease in vascular diameter could be observed; in 27%, no change in size occurred. In group 2 (vascular diameter 0.7–1.0 mm), laser‐treated spider leg veins were visible in all patients. Hyperpigmentation occurred in 13 patients.

Conclusions

The KTP (532 nm) laser is an effective for treating spider leg veins having a vascular diameter under 0.7 mm. Lasers Surg. Med. 31:194–201, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of customer preconsumption mood on the evaluation of employee behavior in service encounters
Authors: Liljander Veronica , Mattsson Jan
Published: October 2002

The influence of customers' affective states on the evaluation of service encounters has been conceptually discussed for more than a decade. However, empirical studies, field studies in particular, are scarce. Recent studies have contributed to the area by empirically demonstrating mood effects on service satisfaction. Because of the interpersonal nature of services, the behavior of the service personnel is of utmost importance for overall service satisfaction. This article extends previous research by investigating the impact of customers' reported preconsumption mood on the evaluation of three service behaviors, proposed by Winsted (2000) in her seminal study. The findings support the existence of three service behavioral dimensions, namely, concern, congeniality and uncivility, and show that mood valence influences these behaviors as well as encounter satisfaction. Furthermore, the study demonstrates the importance of past service experiences for customers' responses, especially their repurchase intentions. Future research directions regarding mood effects in services are also discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cerebral palsy in very preterm infants: new epidemiological insights
Authors: O'Shea T. Michael
Published: October 2002

The focus of this review is on new insights from recent epidemiological research on cerebral palsy in preterm infants. These include: 1) a better understanding of issues related to diagnosis and classification; 2) new information about the brain abnormalities underlying cerebral palsy in preterm infants; and 3) a better understanding of biological mechanisms that may underlie previously described epidemiological associations. Ongoing efforts to improve the diagnosis and classification of cerebral palsy have been enhanced by findings from serial examinations of cohorts of very preterm infants. Cranial ultrasonography through the anterior fontanelle of very preterm infants has provided information about grossly evident brain damage, found in about one‐half of preterm infants who develop cerebral palsy. Insights into the pathophysiologic basis for certain epidemiologic associations have come from studies of experimental brain damage in animals and clinical studies of neurologic disorders in adults. Much of the current epidemiological research into the causes of cerebral palsy in preterm infants has focused on two potential mechanisms of brain damage. One mechanism involves insufficient cerebral perfusion; the other, cytokine‐mediated damage, potentially triggered by events such as maternal infection (e.g., intrauterine or periodontal infection), neonatal infection (e.g., sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis), and neonatal oxygen‐ or ventilator‐induced lung injury. In addition to the preterm infant's increased exposure to such damaging factors, the high frequency of cerebral palsy in these infants might be due, in part, to insufficient levels of developmentally regulated protective substances, such as thyroid hormone and glucocorticoids. Models of causation currently are being investigated using recently developed methods for quantifying, with small quantities of blood, biomolecules that are suspected to either promote or protect against brain damage in the neonate. Clinical investigations now under way can be expected to identify strategies to be tested in clinical trials that could lower the risk of cerebral palsy in very preterm infants. MRDD Research Reviews 2002;8:135–145. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The epidemiology of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A public health view
Authors: Rowland Andrew S. , Lesesne Catherine A. , Abramowitz Ann J.
Published: October 2002

Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood. However, basic information about how the prevalence of ADHD varies by race/ethnicity, sex, age, and socio‐economic status remains poorly described. One reason is that difficulties in the diagnosis of ADHD have translated into difficulties developing an adequate case definition for epidemiologic studies. Diagnosis depends heavily on parent and teacher reports; no laboratory tests reliably predict ADHD. Prevalence estimates of ADHD are sensitive to who is asked what, and how information is combined. Consequently, recent systematic reviews report ADHD prevalence estimates as wide as 2%–18%. The diagnosis of ADHD is complicated by the frequent occurrence of comorbid conditions such as learning disability, conduct disorder, and anxiety disorder. Symptoms of these conditions may also mimic ADHD. Nevertheless, we suggest that developing an adequate epidemiologic case definition based on current diagnostic criteria is possible and is a prerequisite for further developing the epidemiology of ADHD. The etiology of ADHD is not known but recent studies suggest both a strong genetic link as well as environmental factors such as history of preterm delivery and perhaps, maternal smoking during pregnancy. Children and teenagers with ADHD use health and mental health services more often than their peers and engage in more health threatening behaviors such as smoking, and alcohol and substance abuse. Better methods are needed for monitoring the prevalence and understanding the public health implications of ADHD. Stimulant medication is the treatment of choice for treating ADHD but psychosocial interventions may also be warranted if comordid disorders are present. The treatment of ADHD is controversial because of the high prevalence of medication treatment. Epidemiologic studies could clarify whether the patterns of ADHD diagnosis and treatment in community settings is appropriate. Population‐based epidemiologic studies may shed important new light on how we understand ADHD, its natural history, its treatment and its consequences. MRDD Research Reviews 2002;8:162–170. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Normal variation and influence of stress, caffeine intake, and sexual activity on uroflowmetry parameters of a middle‐aged asymptomatic cohort of volunteer male urologists
Authors: Cohen Daniel D. , Steinberg Jordan R. , Rossignol Michel , Heaton Jeremy , Corcos Jacques
Published: October 2002

Aims

To assess normal variations of uroflowmetry in middle‐aged asymptomatic male urologists and to analyse the influence of stress, caffeine intake, and sexual activity.

Methods

Thirty‐one male urologists from Quebec and Ontario were recruited for this study. All were healthy, not taking any current medications known to interfere with lower urinary tract function, and symptom‐free (International Prostate Symptom Score less than 5). Each received two identical flowmeters to keep over a period of 2 weeks, one at home and one in his busiest office. Ten uroflow tracings, with a volume greater than 150 mL, were requested from each of them; five at home and five in the office. A total of 310 flows were analysed. The subjective level of stress, coffee intake, and sexual activity, in the hour before each uroflowmetrogram, was recorded, through a short self‐administered questionnaire and stress visual scale.

Results

are presented as an average per individual. The voided volume was 331.9 mL, with an SD of 94.8 mL. The voiding time was 32.7 seconds (SD=15.5). The peak flow rate was 20.5 mL/sec (SD=3.9), the mean flow rate was 14.3 mL/sec (SD=3.0), and the time to maximum flow was 7.2 sec (SD=4.0). Subjective levels of stress did not significantly change these parameters. Uroflows were obtained with and without coffee drinking. The voided volume was 337.4 mL (SD=109.2) vs. 290.8 mL (SD=77.3) (P=0.03), and peak flow rate 19.4 mL/sec (SD=4.1) vs. 18.9 mL/sec (SD=3.1) (P=0.49), respectively.

Conclusions

Uroflowmetry parameters and voided volume are highly variable in a normal asymptomatic population. Subjective stress level does not seem to have an influence on these parameters. Coffee intake significantly increases the voided volume but does not change the peak flow rate. These conclusions should be considered when using uroflowmetry parameters as an outcome measure. Neurourol. Urodynam. 21:491–494, 2002. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A multilevel genetic algorithm for the optimum design of structural control systems
Authors: Li Q. S. , Liu D. K. , Leung A. Y. T. , Zhang N. , Luo Q. Z.
Published: October 2002

A multilevel genetic algorithm (MLGA) is proposed in this paper for solving the kind of optimization problems which are multilevel structures in nature and have features of mixed‐discrete design variables, multi‐modal and non‐continuous objective functions, etc. Firstly, the formulation of the mixed‐discrete multilevel optimization problems is presented. Secondly, the architecture and implementation of MLGA are described. Thirdly, the algorithm is applied to two multilevel optimization problems. The first one is a three‐level optimization problem in which the optimization of the number of actuators, the positions of actuators and the control parameters are considered in different levels. An actively controlled tall building subjected to strong wind action is considered to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. The second application considers a combinatorial optimization problem in which the number and configuration of actuators are optimized simultaneously, an actively controlled building under earthquake excitations is adopted for this case study. Finally, some results and discussions about the application of the proposed algorithm are presented. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating wetting and drying algorithms for finite element models of shallow water flow
Authors: Horritt M. S.
Published: October 2002

Three methods for the treatment of partially wet elements in finite element (FE) models of shallow water flow are evaluated: two previously used techniques, the element masking (EM) method and the free surface correction method, and a technique using a continuity correction to the EM method. A simple 1D Runge–Kutta method is used to develop a uniform velocity solution to the problem of inundation of a planar beach, which is used to assess the success of the FE model and the three wetting and drying algorithms in reproducing the water free surface profile. The EM technique is found to be most successful at reproducing the profile, but at the expense of mass balance errors, which can be reduced by use of a finer mesh. This has implications for environmental models of moving boundary shallow water flows, where different wetting and drying algorithms may be required in different parts of the mesh. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methodological concerns for non‐Hispanic investigators conducting research with Hispanic Americans
Authors: Lange* Jean W.
Published: October 2002

The fastest‐growing ethnic population in the United States, Hispanic Americans are underrepresented in health care research because of an insufficient number of Hispanic American researchers, study teams without Spanish‐speaking members, a lack of Spanish‐language instruments, and investigator ignorance about cultural differences. Culturally insensitive research produces biased results that can inaccurately represent Hispanic Americans. The purpose of this article is to discuss methodological concerns when conducting research with Hispanic Americans including: instrument response format, translation issues, population‐related extraneous variables, and response tendencies that can influence results. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 25:411–419, 2002
Reference ranges for Doppler‐assessed pulmonary venous blood flow velocities and pulsatility indices in normal human fetuses
Authors: Lenz Franka , Chaoui Rabih
Published: October 2002

Objectives

To establish reference ranges with gestation for Doppler parameters of fetal pulmonary venous blood flow during the second half of pregnancy, including not only peak velocities, but also relative indices reflecting left atrial pressure changes.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, 114 normal singleton pregnancies between 19 and 37 weeks' gestation were examined by Doppler echocardiography. In 98 fetuses, peak systolic velocity (S), peak diastolic velocity (D), end‐diastolic velocity (A), and time velocity integral (TVI) were measured, and S/D ratio, pulsatility index for veins (PIV), as well as peak velocity index for veins (PVIV), were calculated. Regression analysis was used to determine reference ranges with gestation.

Results

With advancing gestation, a significant increase in S, D and A velocities as well as in TVI, was observed. Whereas the S/D ratio remained constant, PVIV and PIV decreased significantly during the second half of pregnancy.

Conclusions

During the second half of pregnancy the increase in left atrial and ventricular compliance is reflected by the observed decrease in PIV and PVIV, which could be mainly due to the increased flow during atrial contraction. Such relative Doppler indices are better comparable than absolute values and are independent from the insonation angle. Potential clinical applications for such Doppler indices are conditions with possibly impaired left atrial function, like heart defects with left atrial obstruction or late stages of severe intrauterine growth retardation. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Natural coordinate representation for the protein backbone structure
Authors: Hunter Cornelius G. , Subramaniam Shankar
Published: October 2002

A new model for describing the geometry of the Cα backbone atoms in protein molecules is derived. This model uses one continuous variable per amino acid. This is half the number of degrees‐of‐freedom used in traditional backbone models. The new model was tested on 721 PDB structures and its average accuracy was determined to be 1.14 Å cRMSD. This model can be used as a description of local structure that provides higher resolution than the traditional secondary structure categories. Also, because this structure description is one‐dimensional, it can be used to align structures with the same efficiency and convergence properties available in the popular sequence alignment tools. Furthermore, the 1:1 correspondence with the amino acid sequence has implications for combined sequence/structure alignment. Conventional secondary structure prediction was used to further reduce the number of degrees‐of‐freedom in 16 test proteins. In those cases, the average cRMSD degraded from 0.96 to 2.33 Å while the number of degrees‐of‐freedom improved (reduced) by more than 30%. Proteins 2002;49:206–215. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Efficacy of the organic‐certified insecticide Diatect II against the boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis) in cotton
Authors: Sappington Thomas W
Published: October 2002

The efficacy of the organic insecticide Diatect II against boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman) in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L) in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas was assessed in small‐plot field trials and greenhouse cage tests using azinphos‐methyl treatments as a standard for comparison. Plastic sheets were placed in the furrows of the treated plots to retrieve boll weevils which dropped from the plants after being killed by the insecticides. Samples of live weevils taken by a tractor‐mounted vacuum sampler revealed a modest, but significant, reduction in boll weevil populations in Diatect II plots. However, samples of dead weevils indicated that this reduction was due to movement of weevils out of the plots rather than to mortality. This interpretation is supported by greenhouse cage studies, where mortality in Diatect II treated cages was no greater than that in untreated control cages. The effects of insecticide treatments in small plots can be confounded easily and quickly by interplot movement of target insects. Although the relative effects of various compounds can usually be assessed by sampling the populations in plots soon after treatment, the best measure of efficacy is obtained by directly sampling insects that have died in the plot. This parameter is insulated from the effects of interplot movement, unless the toxicant is slow to immobilize the target insect. Taken together, our results indicate little efficacy by Diatect II against boll weevil under our test conditions.

Published in 2002 for SCI by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Analysis of linear parameter‐varying systems using a non‐smooth dissipative systems framework
Authors: Lim Sungyung , How Jonathan P.
Published: October 2002

This paper presents new finite‐dimensional linear matrix inequality formulations for several important analysis problems of linear parameter‐varying systems. The approach is based on a non‐smooth dissipative systems framework using a continuous, piecewise‐affine parameter‐dependent Lyapunov function. The new analysis approach yields guaranteed and less conservative results than previously published techniques that are based on affine parameter‐dependent Lyapunov functions or Luré–Postnikov Lyapunov functions. Conservatism is reduced in this new approach because the analysis uses a more general class of parameter‐dependent Lyapunov functions (PDLFs). The new approach also provides an explicit trade‐off between conservatism and computational effort of the analysis technique. Note that, in contrast to the gridding approach typically used to develop a computationally feasible algorithm, this proposed approach guarantees the analysis results. This paper also shows that the numerical results of our approach, while computationally intensive, could be used to develop many new insights into the selection of PDLFs in the other analysis techniques. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predictive multiple model switching control with the self‐organizing map
Authors: Motter Mark A. , Principe Jose C.
Published: October 2002

A predictive, multiple model control strategy is developed by extension of self‐organizing map (SOM) local dynamic modelling of nonlinear autonomous systems to a control framework. Multiple SOMs collectively model the global response of a non‐autonomous system to a finite set of representative prototype controls. These prototype controls partition the control space and incorporate experiential knowledge gained from decades of operating the targeted application, a transonic wind tunnel. Each SOM provides a codebook representation of the tunnel dynamics corresponding to a prototype control. Different dynamic regimes are organized into topological neighbourhoods where the adjacent entries in the codebook represent the global minimization of a similarity metric. The SOM is additionally employed to identify the local dynamical regime, and consequently implements a switching scheme that selects the best available model for the applied control. SOM‐based linear models are used to predict the tunnel response to a larger family of control sequences which are clustered on the representative prototypes. The control sequence which corresponds to the prediction that best satisfies the requirements on the system output is applied as the external driving signal. Comparison of the new controller against the existing controller shows the superiority of our method. Published in 2002 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Valley floor landscape change following almost 100 years of flood embankment abandonment on a wandering gravel‐bed river
Authors: Parsons Helena , Gilvear David
Published: October 2002

Critical to restoring the nature conservation value of many river corridors is an understanding of how alluvial landscapes will respond to cessation of river management and land use practices that have previously degraded the environment. This paper analyses changes in valley floor landforms and vegetation patch dynamics, in relation to fluvial disturbance, over a period of almost 100 years following flood embankment abandonment on a wandering gravel‐bed river, namely the River Tummel, Scotland. Such rivers were once typical of many draining upland areas of northern maritime Europe. Prior to abandonment the valley floor landscape was agriculturally dominated and the river for the most part was single thread confined between flood embankments. The pattern of landform change and vegetation patch development over time following a decision in 1903 not to maintain embankments was tracked by geomorphic and land cover mapping utilizing successive sets of aerial photography for the period 1946 to 1994. A historical context for these changes was also feasible because the channel planform in 1900 and earlier channel planform changes dating back to 1753 were known due to the availability of old maps and earlier geomorphic studies. The land cover mapping was validated by comparison of results produced from the interpretation work on the 1994 aerial photographs with the field‐based UK National Vegetation Classification protocol. The findings of the study illustrate that bordering the River Tummel fluvial landforms and vegetation patch mosaics, presumably resembling those that occurred before valley floor land use intensification, evolved in less than 50 years after flood embankment abandonment with a resultant increase in habitat diversity. The change relates primarily to flood‐induced channel planform change and moderate levels of fluvial disturbance. The general significance of this change to plant species diversity on the valley floor of the River Tummel and elsewhere is discussed as is possible implications of the upstream impoundment and scenarios for climatically induced changes in flood frequency and magnitude. The overall outcome is the strong possibility that simple changes in river management and land use practices could result in re‐establishment of the nature conservation value of similar river corridors in Europe over the medium term without active restoration efforts. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of the silicon capping technique in SIMS
Authors: Ng C. M. , Wee A. T. S. , Huan C. H. A. , Ho C. S. , Yakovlev N. , See A.
Published: October 2002

The effectiveness of the silicon capping technique in ultrashallow secondary ion mass spectrometry using 1 keV O2+ at 56° incidence angle is investigated. It is shown that a capping layer of at least 20 nm is needed to ensure a steady‐state erosion rate when profiling the doped region. The matrix intensity is very sensitive to the presence of native oxide, and enhancement is evident for oxides as thin as one monolayer. The oxygen enhancement is further influenced by the high dopant concentration on the sputter surface. The present results favour the model that relates the surface spike present during depth profiling to the sputtering of native oxide. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Agora Project: theNew Agorasof the twenty‐first century
Authors: Jenlink Patrick M. , Banathy Bela H.
Published: October 2002

The Agoras of the City States of the Classical Greeks were public spheres where democracy was lived by citizens who made collective decisions about issues affecting their daily lives. The Agora Project—New Agoras—is a metaphor for social action contexts in which people can make collective decisions about their future. People in the settings of their families, neighborhoods, community groups, organizations and institutions have the potential to organize themselves as evolutionary design communities. Participants in the Agora Project collectively enjoin to establish a new public sphere that can sustain a meaningful actionable design dialogue among individuals within and acrossNew Agoras. TheseNew Agoras, communicatively linked, would serve as the infrastructure for democratic civil society and a system of public spheres animated by evolutionary conversation and guided by evolutionary design with purpose of self‐guided evolution of the society—cultural evolution of our species,Homo sapiens sapiens. Critical to the Agora Project is the establishment of stewardship communities. The task of these communities is to create knowledge bases for evolutionary inquiry, develop resources for evolutionary learning and explore suitable approaches, methods and technologies. This article will present an overview of the Agora Project and the Agora Steward Community that has evolved in relation to the project. Organization of the article includes: (1) an examination of the evolution of humankind, (2) a discussion of conscious purposeful evolution, (3) an examination of the Agora of ancient Athens, (4) an introduction of theNew Agorasas a metaphor for social action in contemporary society, (5) a discussion of theNew Agorasas public spheres for democratic civil society, (6) a description of the Agora Project, and (7) a discussion of theNew Agorasas public spheres for evolutionary design. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ribosome display for selection of active dihydrofolate reductase mutants using immobilized methotrexate on agarose beads
Authors: Takahashi Fumio , Ebihara Takashi , Mie Masayasu , Yanagida Yasuko , Endo Yaeta , Kobatake Eiry , Aizawa Masuo
Published: October 2002

Ribosome display was applied to the selection of an enzyme. As a model, we selected and amplified the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene by ribosome display utilizing a wheat germ cell‐free protein synthesis system based on binding affinity to its substrate analog, methotrexate, immobilized on agarose beads. After three rounds of selection, the DHFR gene could be effectively selected and preferentially amplified from a small proportion in a mixture also containing competitive genes. Active enzymes were expressed and amplified and by sequence analysis, four mutants of DHFR were identified. These mutants showed as much activity as the wild‐type enzyme.
Chaperone‐like activity and surface hydrophobicity of 70S ribosome
Authors: Singh Ranvir , Rao Ch.Mohan
Published: October 2002

Ribosomes have been shown to mediate refolding of proteins in vitro. In order to understand the mechanism of action, we have explored the 70S ribosome surface for hydrophobicity, one of the important aspects in chaperone–target protein interaction. We find that the 70S ribosome displays significant hydrophobicity on its surface when probed with the hydrophobic fluorophore 8‐anilino‐1‐naphthalene sulfonate. To understand the functional significance of this hydrophobicity we investigated the ability of the ribosome to prevent aggregation of insulin B chain and α‐lactalbumin induced by reducing the interchain and intrachain disulfide bond respectively with dithiothreitol (DTT) and photo aggregation of γ‐crystallin at 37°C. The 70S ribosome offers complete protection towards light‐induced aggregation of γ‐crystallin (at 1:2 (w/w) ratio of crystallin:ribosome) and DTT‐induced aggregation of α‐lactalbumin (at 1:3) and there is appreciable protection (at 1:3) against the aggregation of insulin B chain. We also investigated the role of 70S ribosome in refolding of bovine carbonic anhydrase. Ribosomes improved the folding yield in a concentration‐dependent manner. These results clearly demonstrate a general chaperone‐like activity of 70S ribosome and implicate its surface hydrophobicity.
Human RhoGAP domain‐containing proteins: structure, function and evolutionary relationships
Authors: Peck Jeremy , Douglas Gilbert , Wu Catherine H , Burbelo Peter D
Published: October 2002

Proteins containing a RhoGAP (Rho TPase ctivating rotein) domain usually function to catalyze the hydrolysis of GTP that is bound to Rho, Rac and/or Cdc42, inactivating these regulators of the actin cytoskeleton. Using database searches, at least 53 distinct RhoGAP domain‐containing proteins are likely to be encoded in human DNA. Phylogenetic analysis of only the RhoGAP domains divides these proteins into distinct families that appear to be functionally related. We also review the current understanding of the structure and likely functions of these human proteins. The presence of RhoGAP domains in a number of different human proteins suggests that cytoskeletal changes, regulated by Rho GTPase, may be integrated with many different signaling pathways.
Harmonic and quasi-harmonic spheres, part III. Rectifiablity of the parabolic defect measure and generalized varifold flows
Authors: Lin FangHua , Wang ChangYou
Published: October 2002

We study weakly convergent sequences of suitable weak solutions of heat flows of harmonic maps or approximated harmonic maps. We prove a dimensional stratification for the space-time concentration measure and verify that the concentration measure, viewed as a generalized varifold, moves according to the generalized varifold flow rule which reduces to the Brakke's flow of varifold provided that the limiting harmonic map flow is suitable. We also establish an energy quantization for the density of the limiting varifold.

Nous étudions des séquences faiblement convergentes de solutions faibles du flot de chaleur d'applications harmoniques (éventuellement approximées). Nous prouvons une stratification dimensionnelle pour la mesure de concentration de l'espace-temps et vérifions que la mesure de concentration, vue comme une varifold generalisée, est sujette à la règle du flot généralisé des varifolds qui se réduit à la règle du flot de Brakke pour autant que l'application harmonique soit adéquate. Nous établissons aussi une quantification de l'énergie pour la densité de de la varifold limite de la séquence.
Subject variation in caprine anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Authors: Cummings J. F. , Grood E. S. , Butler D. L. , Levy M. S.
Published: October 2002

We studied the subject and treatment contributions to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction biomechanics by reexaming the results of two bilateral reconstruction studies. Bilateral reconstruction allows a comparison between treatments exposed to the same subject related healing factors. The studies examined the effects of gamma irradiation and the effects of initial graft size and initial graft laxity. In both studies different treatments were applied to contralateral limbs. We found that the subject was the best predictor of outcome, while the surgical treatments had little influence on outcome. There was a large variation between subjects despite similar treatments, and little difference between contralateral limbs despite different surgical treatments. At 26 weeks, the graft cross sectional area and modulus were most strongly influenced (p < 0.002) by the subject. We interpret this as a subject related factor is regulating the quantity and quality of the healing tissue. Potential sources of subject related factors include the subject's pre‐operative condition, the activity during the post‐operative period, and an intrinsic biologic response. By better understanding the source of subject variation, more successful and consistent ACL reconstructions might be achieved.

© 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.