bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overlap between in vitro donor antihost and in vivo posttransplantation TCR Vβ use: a new paradigm for designer allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation
Authors: Friedman Thea M. , Goldgirsh Kira , Berger Stephanie A. , Zilberberg Jenny , Filicko-O'Hara Joanne , Flomenberg Neal , Donato Michele , Rowley Scott D. , Korngold Robert
Published: June 2008

Following allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation (BMT), mature donor T cells can enhance engraftment, counteract opportunistic infections, and mount graft-versus-tumor (GVT) responses, but at the risk of developing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). With the aim of separating the beneficial effects of donor T cells from GVHD, one approach would be to selectively deplete subsets of alloreactive T cells in the hematopoietic cell inoculum. In this regard, TCR Vβ repertoire analysis by CDR3-size spectratyping can be a powerful tool for the characterization of alloreactive T-cell responses. We investigated the potential of this spectratype approach by comparing the donor T-cell alloresponses generated in vitro against patient peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) with those detected in vivo posttransplantation. The results indicated that for most Vβ families that exhibited alloreactive CDR3-size skewing, there was a robust overlap between the in vitro antipatient and in vivo spectratype histograms. Thus, in vitro spectratype analysis may be useful for determining the alloreactive T-cell response involved in GVHD development and, thereby, could serve to guide select Vβ family depletion for designer transplants to improve outcomes.
TiGER: A database for tissue-specific gene expression and regulation
Authors: Liu Xiong , Yu Xueping , Zack Donald J , Zhu Heng , Qian Jiang
Published: June 2008

Background

Understanding how genes are expressed and regulated in different tissues is a fundamental and challenging question. However, most of currently available biological databases do not focus on tissue-specific gene regulation.

Results

The recent development of computational methods for tissue-specific combinational gene regulation, based on transcription factor binding sites, enables us to perform a large-scale analysis of tissue-specific gene regulation in human tissues. The results are stored in a web database called TiGER (Tissue-specific Gene Expression and Regulation). The database contains three types of data including tissue-specific gene expression profiles, combinatorial gene regulations, and cis-regulatory module (CRM) detections. At present the database contains expression profiles for 19,526 UniGene genes, combinatorial regulations for 7,341 transcription factor pairs and 6,232 putative CRMs for 2,130 RefSeq genes.

Conclusion

We have developed and made publicly available a database, TiGER, which summarizes and provides large scale data sets for tissue-specific gene expression and regulation in a variety of human tissues. This resource is available at [1].
AMYPdb: A database dedicated to amyloid precursor proteins
Authors: Pawlicki Sandrine , Le Béchec Antony , Delamarche Christian
Published: June 2008

Background

Misfolding and aggregation of proteins into ordered fibrillar structures is associated with a number of severe pathologies, including Alzheimer's disease, prion diseases, and type II diabetes. The rapid accumulation of knowledge about the sequences and structures of these proteins allows using of in silico methods to investigate the molecular mechanisms of their abnormal conformational changes and assembly. However, such an approach requires the collection of accurate data, which are inconveniently dispersed among several generalist databases.

Results

We therefore created a free online knowledge database (AMYPdb) dedicated to amyloid precursor proteins and we have performed large scale sequence analysis of the included data. Currently, AMYPdb integrates data on 31 families, including 1,705 proteins from nearly 600 organisms. It displays links to more than 2,300 bibliographic references and 1,200 3D-structures. A Wiki system is available to insert data into the database, providing a sharing and collaboration environment. We generated and analyzed 3,621 amino acid sequence patterns, reporting highly specific patterns for each amyloid family, along with patterns likely to be involved in protein misfolding and aggregation.

Conclusion

AMYPdb is a comprehensive online database aiming at the centralization of bioinformatic data regarding all amyloid proteins and their precursors. Our sequence pattern discovery and analysis approach unveiled protein regions of significant interest. AMYPdb is freely accessible [1].
Comparative genomics of Lbx loci reveals conservation of identical Lbx ohnologs in bony vertebrates
Authors: Wotton Karl R , Weierud Frida K , Dietrich Susanne , Lewis Katharine E
Published: June 2008

Background

Lbx/ladybird genes originated as part of the metazoan cluster of Nk homeobox genes. In all animals investigated so far, both the protostome genes and the vertebrate Lbx1 genes were found to play crucial roles in neural and muscle development. Recently however, additional Lbx genes with divergent expression patterns were discovered in amniotes. Early in the evolution of vertebrates, two rounds of whole genome duplication are thought to have occurred, during which 4 Lbx genes were generated. Which of these genes were maintained in extant vertebrates, and how these genes and their functions evolved, is not known.

Results

Here we searched vertebrate genomes for Lbx genes and discovered novel members of this gene family. We also identified signature genes linked to particular Lbx loci and traced the remnants of 4 Lbx paralogons (two of which retain Lbx genes) in amniotes. In teleosts, that have undergone an additional genome duplication, 8 Lbx paralogons (three of which retain Lbx genes) were found. Phylogenetic analyses of Lbx and Lbx-associated genes show that in extant, bony vertebrates only Lbx1- and Lbx2-type genes are maintained. Of these, some Lbx2 sequences evolved faster and were probably subject to neofunctionalisation, while Lbx1 genes may have retained more features of the ancestral Lbx gene. Genes at Lbx1 and former Lbx4 loci are more closely related, as are genes at Lbx2 and former Lbx3 loci. This suggests that during the second vertebrate genome duplication, Lbx1/4 and Lbx2/3 paralogons were generated from the duplicated Lbx loci created during the first duplication event.

Conclusion

Our study establishes for the first time the evolutionary history of Lbx genes in bony vertebrates, including the order of gene duplication events, gene loss and phylogenetic relationships. Moreover, we identified genetic hallmarks for each of the Lbx paralogons that can be used to trace Lbx genes as other vertebrate genomes become available. Significantly, we show that bony vertebrates only retained copies of Lbx1 and Lbx2 genes, with some Lbx2 genes being highly divergent. Thus, we have established a base on which the evolution of Lbx gene function in vertebrate development can be evaluated.
Dating the time of viral subtype divergence
Authors: O'Brien John D , She Zhen-Su , Suchard Marc A
Published: June 2008

Precise dating of viral subtype divergence enables researchers to correlate divergence with geographic and demographic occurrences. When historical data are absent (that is, the overwhelming majority), viral sequence sampling on a time scale commensurate with the rate of substitution permits the inference of the times of subtype divergence. Currently, researchers use two strategies to approach this task, both requiring strong conditions on the molecular clock assumption of substitution rate. As the underlying structure of the substitution rate process at the time of subtype divergence is not understood and likely highly variable, we present a simple method that estimates rates of substitution, and from there, times of divergence, without use of an assumed molecular clock. We accomplish this by blending estimates of the substitution rate for triplets of dated sequences where each sequence draws from a distinct viral subtype, providing a zeroth-order approximation for the rate between subtypes. As an example, we calculate the time of divergence for three genes among influenza subtypes A-H3N2 and B using subtype C as an outgroup. We show a time of divergence approximately 100 years ago, substantially more recent than previous estimates which range from 250 to 3800 years ago.
Variation in expression of HMW1 and HMW2 adhesins in invasive nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae isolates
Authors: Giufrè Maria , Carattoli Alessandra , Cardines Rita , Mastrantonio Paola , Cerquetti Marina
Published: June 2008

Background

Among surface antigens of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), the HMW1 and HMW2 proteins are the major adhesins promoting colonization of the upper respiratory tract. Since they are potential vaccine candidates, knowledge concerning variation in HMW proteins expression among clinical isolates is of great interest. In this study, expression of hmw1A and hmw2A genes was evaluated by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR in 3 NTHi invasive isolates (strains 56, 72, 91) and in the prototype strain 12. Number of 7-bp repeats within the hmwA promoters and presence of HMW proteins by Western blotting were also determined.

Results

Results showed that gene transcription varied not only among different isolates but also between the hmw1A and hmw2A genes from the same isolate. Compared to that found in prototype strain 12, up-regulation of the hmw1A gene expression was found in strain 56, down-regulation of both hmw1A and hmw2A genes transcripts was observed in strain 72 whereas the two hmwA genes appeared differentially expressed in strain 91 with the hmw1A transcript enhanced but the hmw2A transcript reduced.

Conclusion

Increasing numbers of 7-bp repeats within the hmwA promoters generally correlated with decreased amounts of mRNA transcript, however additional control mechanisms contributing to modulation of hmw1A gene seem to be present.
Antibodies from women urogenitally infected with C. trachomatis predominantly recognized the plasmid protein pgp3 in a conformation-dependent manner
Authors: Li Zhongyu , Zhong Youmin , Lei Lei , Wu Yimou , Wang Shiping , Zhong Guangming
Published: June 2008

Background

C. trachomatisorganisms carry a cryptic plasmid that encodes 8 open reading frames designated as pORF1 to 8. It is not clear whether all 8 pORFs are expressed duringC. trachomatisinfection in humans and information on the functionality of the plasmid proteins is also very limited.

Results

When antibodies from women urogenitally infected withC. trachomatiswere reacted with the plasmid proteins, all 8 pORFs were positively recognized by one or more human antibody samples with the recognition of pORF5 protein (known as pgp3) by most antibodies and with the highest titers. The antibody recognition of the pORFs was blocked byC. trachomatis-infected HeLa but not normal HeLa cell lysates. The pgp3 fusion protein-purified human IgG detected the endogenous pgp3 in the cytosol ofC. trachomatis-infected cells with an intracellular distribution pattern similar to that of CPAF, a chlamydial genome-encoded protease factor. However, the human antibodies no longer recognized pgp3 but maintained recognition of CPAF when both antigens were linearized or heat-denatured. The pgp3 conformation is likely maintained by the C-terminal 75% amino acid sequence since further deletion blocked the binding by the human antibodies and two conformation-dependent mouse monoclonal antibodies.

Conclusion

The plasmid-encoded 8 proteins are both expressed and immunogenic with pgp3 as the most immunodominant antigen during chlamydial infection in humans. More importantly, the human anti-pgp3 antibodies are highly conformation-dependent. These observations have provided important information for further understanding the function of the plasmid-encoded proteins and exploring the utility of pgp3 in chlamydial diagnosis and vaccination.
The NEI/NCBI dbGAP database: Genotypes and haplotypes that may specifically predispose to risk of neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Zhang Hong , Morrison Margaux A , DeWan Andy , Adams Scott , Andreoli Michael , Huynh Nancy , Regan Maureen , Brown Alison , Miller Joan W , Kim Ivana K , Hoh Josephine , DeAngelis Margaret M
Published: June 2008

Background

To examine if the significantly associated SNPs derived from the genome wide allelic association study on the AREDS cohort at the NEI (dbGAP) specifically confer risk for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We ascertained 134 unrelated patients with AMD who had one sibling with an AREDS classification 1 or less and was past the age at which the affected sibling was diagnosed (268 subjects). Genotyping was performed by both direct sequencing and Sequenom iPLEX system technology. Single SNP analyses were conducted with McNemar's Test (both 2 × 2 and 3 × 3 tests) and likelihood ratio tests (LRT). Conditional logistic regression was used to determine significant gene-gene interactions. LRT was used to determine the best fit for each genotypic model tested (additive, dominant or recessive).

Results

Before release of individual data, p-value information was obtained directly from the AREDS dbGAP website. Of the 35 variants with P < 10-6 examined, 23 significantly modified risk of neovascular AMD. Many variants located in tandem on 1q32-q22 including those in CFH, CFHR4, CFHR2, CFHR5, F13B, ASPM and ZBTB were significantly associated with AMD risk. Of these variants, single SNP analysis revealed that CFH rs572515 was the most significantly associated with AMD risk (P < 10-6). Haplotype analysis supported our findings of single SNP association, demonstrating that the most significant haplotype, GATAGTTCTC, spanning CFH, CFHR4, and CFHR2 was associated with the greatest risk of developing neovascular AMD (P < 10-6). Other than variants on 1q32-q22, only two SNPs, rs9288410 (MAP2) on 2q34-q35 and rs2014307 (PLEKHA1/HTRA1) on 10q26 were significantly associated with AMD status (P = .03 and P < 10-6 respectively). After controlling for smoking history, gender and age, the most significant gene-gene interaction appears to be between rs10801575 (CFH) and rs2014307 (PLEKHA1/HTRA1) (P < 10-11). The best genotypic fit for rs10801575 and rs2014307 was an additive model based on LRT. After applying a Bonferonni correction, no other significant interactions were identified between any other SNPs.

Conclusion

This is the first replication study on the NEI dbGAP SNPs, demonstrating that alleles on 1q, 2q and 10q may predispose an individual to AMD.
Integrating open-source technologies to build low-cost information systems for improved access to public health data
Authors: Yi Qian , Hoskins Richard E , Hillringhouse Elizabeth A , Sorensen Svend S , Oberle Mark W , Fuller Sherrilynne S , Wallace James C
Published: June 2008

Effective public health practice relies on the availability of public health data sources and assessment tools to convey information to investigators, practitioners, policy makers, and the general public. Emerging communication technologies on the Internet can deliver all components of the "who, what, when, and where" quartet more quickly than ever with a potentially higher level of quality and assurance, using new analysis and visualization tools. Open-source software provides the opportunity to build low-cost information systems allowing health departments with modest resources access to modern data analysis and visualization tools. In this paper, we integrate open-source technologies and public health data to create a web information system which is accessible to a wide audience through the Internet. Our web application, "EpiVue," was tested using two public health datasets from the Washington State Cancer Registry and Washington State Center for Health Statistics. A third dataset shows the extensibility and scalability of EpiVue in displaying gender-based longevity statistics over a twenty-year interval for 3,143 United States counties. In addition to providing an integrated visualization framework, EpiVue's highly interactive web environment empowers users by allowing them to upload their own geospatial public health data in either comma-separated text files or MS Excel™ spreadsheet files and visualize the geospatial datasets with Google Maps™.
Preventing HIV transmission among Iranian prisoners: Initial support for providing education on the benefits of harm reduction practices
Authors: Eshrati Babak , Asl Rahim Taghizadeh , Dell Colleen Anne , Afshar Parviz , Millson Peggy MargaretE , Kamali Mohammad , Weekes John
Published: June 2008

Background

Harm reduction is a health-centred approach that seeks to reduce the health and social harms associated with high-risk behaviors, such as illicit drug use. The objective of this study is to determine the association between the beliefs of a group of adult, male prisoners in Iran about the transmission of HIV and their high-risk practices while in prison.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2004. The study population was a random selection of 100 men incarcerated at Rajaei-Shahr prison. The data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Focus group discussions were held at the prison to guide the design of the questionnaire. The relationship between components of the Health Belief Model (HBM) and prisoners' risky HIV-related behaviors was examined.

Results

Calculating Pearson's correlation coefficient, a significant, positive association was found between the benefit component of the HBM and prisonersnotengaging in HIV high-risk behaviors.

Conclusion

Educational harm reduction initiatives that promote the effectiveness of strategies designed to reduce the risk of HIV transmission may decrease prisoners' high-risk behaviors. This finding provides initial support for the Iran prison system's current offering of HIV/AIDS harm reduction programming and suggests the need to offer increased education about the effectiveness of HIV prevention practices.
Cytomegalovirus-specific T-cell responses and viral replication in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Egli Adrian , Binet Isabelle , Binggeli Simone , Jäger Clemens , Dumoulin Alexis , Schaub Stefan , Steiger Juerg , Sester Urban , Sester Martina , Hirsch Hans H
Published: June 2008

Background

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) seronegative recipients (R-) of kidney transplants (KT) from seropositive donors (D+) are at higher risk for CMV replication and ganciclovir(GCV)-resistance than CMV R(+). We hypothesized that low CMV-specific T-cell responses are associated with increased risk of CMV replication in R(+)-patients with D(+) or D(-) donors.

Methods

We prospectively evaluated 73 consecutive KT-patients [48 R(+), 25 D(+)R(-)] undergoing routine testing for CMV replication as part of a preemptive strategy. We compared CMV-specific interferon-γ (IFN-γ) responses of CD4+CD3+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) using three different antigen preparation (CMV-lysate, pp72- and pp65-overlapping peptide pools) using intracellular cytokine staining and flow cytometry.

Results

Median CD4+ and CD8+T-cell responses to CMV-lysate, pp72- and pp65-overlapping peptide pools were lower in D(+)R(-) than in R(+)patients or in non-immunosuppressed donors. Comparing subpopulations we found that CMV-lysate favored CD4+- over CD8+-responses, whereas the reverse was observed for pp72, while pp65-CD4+- and -CD8+-responses were similar. Concurrent CMV replication in R(+)-patients was associated with significantly lower T-cell responses (pp65 median CD4+ 0.00% vs. 0.03%, p = 0.001; CD8+ 0.01% vs. 0.03%; p = 0.033). Receiver operated curve analysis associated CMV-pp65 CD4+ responses of > 0.03% in R(+)-patients with absence of concurrent (p = 0.003) and future CMV replication in the following 8 weeks (p = 0.036). GCV-resistant CMV replication occurred in 3 R(+)-patients (6.3%) with pp65- CD4+ frequencies < 0.03% (p = 0.041).

Conclusion

The data suggest that pp65-specific CD4+ T-cells might be useful to identify R(+)-patients at increased risk of CMV replication. Provided further corroborating evidence, CMV-pp65 CD4+ responses above 0.03% in PBMCs of KT patients under stable immunosuppression are associated with lower risk of concurrent and future CMV replication during the following 8 weeks.
Lennox gastaut syndrome, review of the literature and a case report
Authors: Abu Saleh Tareq , Stephen Lawrence
Published: June 2008

Background

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a severe form of childhood epilepsy that is defined by generalized multiple type seizures, slowness of intellectual growth, and a specific EEG disturbance. Children affected might previously have infantile spasms or underlying brain disorder but etiology can be idiopathic. In South Africa, the incidence of secondary epilepsy is higher than what is found in developed countries resulting in higher incidence of the disease. LGS seizures are often treatment resistant and the long term prognosis is poor.

Report

A twenty six year old female, presented with anterior open bite, macroglossia, supragingival as well as subgingival calculus. The gingiva was red, swollen and friable and there was generalized bleeding and localized suppuration. The patient had gingival recession. After periodontal therapy a remarkable improvement in oral health status was noted.

Conclusion

The clinical findings in LGS included facial deformities, periodontitis and gingival swellings. Interdisciplinary treatment of these patients is fundamental and oral attention is of outstanding importance. Non-surgical periodontal therapy was effective in controlling periodontal disease in the reported case, but prevention of periodontal and dental diseases is preferable for this high-risk group of patients.
Functional Diffusion Map As an Early Imaging Biomarker for High-Grade Glioma: Correlation With Conventional Radiologic Response and Overall Survival
Authors: Hamstra Daniel A. , Galbán Craig J. , Meyer Charles R. , Johnson Timothy D. , Sundgren Pia C. , Tsien Christina , Lawrence Theodore S. , Junck Larry , Ross David J. , Rehemtulla Alnawaz , Ross Brian D. , Chenevert Thomas L.
Published: June 2008

Purpose

Assessment of radiologic response (RR) for brain tumors utilizes the Macdonald criteria 8 to 10 weeks from the start of treatment. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a functional diffusion map (fDM) may provide an earlier measure to predict patient survival.

Patients and Methods

Sixty patients with high-grade glioma were enrolled onto a study of intratreatment MRI at 1, 3, and 10 weeks. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate imaging parameters as a function of patient survival at 1 year. Both log-rank and Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to assess overall survival.

Results

Greater increases in diffusion in response to therapy over time were observed in those patients alive at 1 year compared with those who died as a result of disease. The volume of tumor with increased diffusion by fDM at 3 weeks was the strongest predictor of patient survival at 1 year, with larger fDM predicting longer median survival (52.6 v 10.9 months; log-rank, P < .003; hazard ratio [HR] = 2.7; 95% CI, 1.5 to 5.9). Radiologic response at 10 weeks had similar prognostic value (median survival, 31.6 v 10.9 months; log-rank P < .0007; HR = 2.9; 95% CI, 1.7 to 7.2). Radiologic response and fDM differed in 25% of cases. A composite index of response including fDM and RR provided a robust predictor of patient survival and may identify patients in whom RR does not correlate with clinical outcome.

Conclusion

Compared with conventional neuroimaging, fDM provided an earlier assessment of equal predictive value, and the combination of fDM and RR provided a more accurate prediction of patient survival than either metric alone.
Phase II Trial of Sorafenib in Advanced Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Gupta-Abramson Vandana , Troxel Andrea B. , Nellore Anoma , Puttaswamy Kanchan , Redlinger Maryann , Ransone Kathy , Mandel Susan J. , Flaherty Keith T. , Loevner Laurie A. , O'Dwyer Peter J. , Brose Marcia S.
Published: June 2008

Purpose

Given the molecular pathophysiology of thyroid cancer and the spectrum of kinases inhibited by sorafenib, including Raf kinase, vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, platelet-derived growth factor receptor, and RET tyrosine kinases, we conducted an open-label phase II trial to determine the efficacy of sorafenib in patients with advanced thyroid carcinoma.

Patients and Methods

Eligible patients with metastatic, iodine-refractory thyroid carcinoma received sorafenib 400 mg orally twice daily. Responses were measured radiographically every 2 to 3 months. The study end points included response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and best response by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors.

Results

Thirty patients were entered onto the study and treated for a minimum of 16 weeks. Seven patients (23%; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.42) had a partial response lasting 18+ to 84 weeks. Sixteen patients (53%; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.72) had stable disease lasting 14 to 89+ weeks. Seventeen (95%) of 19 patients for whom serial thyroglobulin levels were available showed a marked and rapid response in thyroglobulin levels with a mean decrease of 70%. The median PFS was 79 weeks. Toxicity was consistent with other sorafenib trials, although a single patient died of liver failure that was likely treatment related.

Conclusion

Sorafenib has clinically relevant antitumor activity in patients with metastatic, iodine-refractory thyroid carcinoma, with an overall clinical benefit rate (partial response + stable disease) of 77%, median PFS of 79 weeks, and an overall acceptable safety profile. These results represent a significant advance over chemotherapy in both response rate and PFS and support further investigation of this agent in these patients.
Mechanistic Investigation of the Hydration Reaction of [Cr(η6-silabenzene)(CO)3]: Hydrido(silacyclohexadienyl)chromium Complex as an Intermediate
Authors: Tanabe Yusuke , Mizuhata Yoshiyuki , Tokitoh Norihiro
Published: June 2008

A key intermediate for the hydration reaction of [Cr(η6-silabenzene)(CO)3], hydrido(η5-silacyclohexadienyl)chromium complex, was successfully synthesized by the reaction of silabenzene complex with 2 mol equiv of H2O. X-ray diffraction study revealed that the hydroxy group on the central silicon atom is located at the endo position to the metal moiety. The treatment of the endo adduct with excess of D2O resulted in the stereoselective formation of 1-silacyclohexa-2,4-diene bearing a deuterium atom at the methylene position.
A General Hydrothermal Method to V2VI3 Thermoelectric Nanomaterials Directly from the Corresponding Elements
Authors: Zhou Bo , Hong Jian-Ming , Zhu Jun-Jie
Published: June 2008

A general hydrothermal method was developed for the preparation of well-crystallized V2VI3 (V = Sb and Bi; VI = S, Se, and Te) thermoelectric nanomaterials directly from the corresponding elemental powders. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) techniques were used to characterize the products and investigate the possible reaction mechanism.
Synthesis and Properties of Electrophosphorescent Conjugated Polymers Containing Iridium Complexes in Polymer Backbone
Authors: Zhang Yong , Xiong Yan , Li Chun , Peng Junbiao , Cao Yong
Published: June 2008

A novel series of electrophosphorescent conjugated polyfluorenes (PFOPPyIr) based on (4,4′-dibromophenylpyridinato-N,C2)bis(2-phenylpyridinato-N,C2)iridium(III) were synthesized, in which the polymer main chains consist phenylpyrridine ligand and fluorene segment with extended conjugation. The optical and electroluminescent properties of PFOPPyIr were investigated. A luminance efficiency of 3.80 cd/A and luminance of 1248 cd/m2 were achieved.
Factors Associated with Contraceptive Choice and Inconsistent Method Use, United States, 2004
Authors: Frost Jennifer J. , Darroch Jacqueline E.
Published: June 2008

CONTEXT:  Pregnancies among contraceptive users account for nearly half of all unintended pregnancies and are almost entirely due to inconsistent or incorrect contraceptive use. Understanding what factors contribute to inconsistent contraceptive behavior can help efforts to reduce unintended pregnancy.

METHODS:  In 2004, a nationally representative sample of women aged 18–44 using reversible contraceptive methods were surveyed to examine factors associated with contraceptive choice and with inconsistent use of the pill and condoms. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine the data.

RESULTS:  Contraceptive choice was associated with a range of socioeconomic and partnership characteristics, and with pregnancy‐, method‐ and provider‐related experiences and attitudes; inconsistent pill or condom use was associated mainly with partnership, experiential and attitudinal factors. For example, not having a college education was negatively associated with pill use (odds ratio, 0.6) and positively associated with use of long‐acting methods (1.8–1.9). Women for whom avoiding pregnancy was only a little or not important had reduced odds of using the pill (0.4) and elevated odds of using other methods, such as withdrawal or periodic abstinence (4.4), and of using condoms inconsistently (2.6). Use of a method chosen mostly out of dislike of other methods was positively associated with condom use (4.0) and negatively associated with use of the pill or long‐acting methods (0.4 for each). Women who were not completely satisfied with their method were more likely than others to use their method inconsistently (1.6 for pill users and 1.9 for condom users).

CONCLUSIONS:  Greater efforts are needed to provide women and their partners with a range of method options, to facilitate selection of methods that best suit their needs and circumstances, and to identify and assist users who are dissatisfied or are having difficulties using contraceptives effectively.
The musical culture of an Inuk teenager
Authors: Piercey Mary E
Published: June 2008

This article uses music as a point of entry into the understanding of Inuit culture. I demonstrate how the analysis of the song repertoire of an Inuk teenager reveals some functions and meanings that her song choices have for her in the particular Inuit culture of Arviat, Nunavut. I
present four informally learned songs from my informant Gara Mamgark and explore issues about her musical aesthetics and values in relation to her physical and social environment.
Questions arising from the views of some members of four amateur classical music organizations
Authors: Palmer Roger
Published: June 2008

This article describes some features and questions raised by my study of four amateur classical music groups two choirs, an orchestra and an instrument-oriented organization in Wellington, New Zealand. The study paid particular attention to the musicians, our discussions of their musical life, the values they ascribe to their music-making and their organizations. In the small body of scholarly literature regarding amateur musicians few studies have been concerned with the singers' and instrumentalists' perspectives. This exploratory study used qualitative methods, including focus groups, and found that the participants join music organizations primarily for the satisfaction of making music that they value. Concerts provide araison d'trefor the organizations and a motivating factor for their members to work to their highest attainable standards. The participants indicated that they generally regard the social significance of belonging to a music organization as less important than their music-making. Although the four organizations do not perform classical music exclusively, the study's participants base their aesthetics and the negotiation of their relationships in their music organizations on the conventions of the classical music practices they learned initially in their youth.
Toward a definition of a community choir
Authors: Bell Cindy L
Published: June 2008

Community choirs in America furnish the primary musical setting for adult amateur singers wishing to continue their choral experiences after formal public schooling or college. Nearly 1400 community choral organizations or those meeting the established parameters were catalogued by
ACDA for its 2007 National Registry of Community Choirs. A 2003 Chorus America report stated that one in ten Americans sing weekly in a community-based choir. But what is a community choir in 2007? What factors determine that a choir is representative of its immediate community? Are community
choirs in the twenty-first century providing for the musical needs of the adult amateur singer?

This paper will contend that many community choirs are either facing a declining membership and ageing singers, or have evolved into semi-elite performance machines that are no longer characteristic
of the community. It will discuss the concepts of democracy, volunteerism and community, and compare early twentieth century philosophical and social arguments on community music with current issues confronting community choral organizations. Part research, part philosophical, and part the
author's personal observations of community choirs, it will contend that, in their quest for choral performance perfection, some choirs actually marginalize adult amateur singers. Furthermore, it will discuss the pivotal role of the choral conductor, who, in establishing a democratic tone
for the group, can embrace and develop the true spirit of amateur singing, and provide an opportunity for lifelong musical learning and participation.
Academic cheating in Spain and Portugal: An empirical explanation
Authors: Teixeira Aurora A.C , Rocha Maria de Ftima
Published: June 2008

Despite its obvious interest and potential for concern, empirical research on the cheating phenomenon among university students has almost exclusively been carried out in the United States, usually covering only a few universities in a given region. Little is known about cheating in
European universities, let alone the Iberian Peninsula. In this article we aim to contribute towards filling this gap by presenting evidence of this illicit behaviour in Portugal and Spain. Based on a survey of undergraduate students on Economics and Management courses, we conclude that there
is a pervasive culture of cheating in these two countries, reaching relatively high levels in universities. Using econometric techniques, which control for a wide set of variables likely to influence a student's propensity to cheat, we found that Spanish students are relatively more prone
to breaching the academic code of conduct than their Portuguese counterparts, and that the implementation of Honour Codes by universities constitute a promising approach in curbing cheating in academia.
Book Reviews
Authors: Collins Jacky , Rodgers Eamonn , Bienefeld Eric , Castell Enric , Macklin John , Rodgers Eamonn
Published: June 2008

Spanish Cinema: A Student's Guide, Barry Jordan and Mark Allinson (2005) London: Hodder Arnold, 229 pp., ISBN 0-340-80745-8 (pbk), 17.99

Spain, Portugal and the Great Powers, 19311941, Glyn A. Stone (2005) Basingstoke and New York: Palgrave Macmillan,
xv + 316 pp., ISBN 0-333-49560-8 (pbk), 19.99

Spanish Political Parties, David Hanley and John Loughlin (eds.) (2006) Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 179 pp., ISBN 0708319319 (pbk), 18.99; 0708318312 (hbk), 55.00

Television in Spain. From Franco to Almodvar,
Paul Julian Smith (2006) Woodbridge: Tamesis, 176 pp., ISBN 1-85566-136-5 (hbk), 45

The Spanish Civil War. Reaction, Revolution and Revenge, Paul Preston (2006) London: Harper Perennial, 381 pp., ISBN 978-0-00-723207-9 (pbk), 8.99

Gunpowder and Incense: The Catholic
Church and the Spanish Civil War, Hilari Raguer (2007), Translated from the Spanish by Gerald Howson London and New York: Routledge, 418 pp., ISBN 978-0-415-31889-1 (hbk), 70.00
In-Reactor Deformation of Zirconium Alloy Components
Authors: Holt R. A.
Published: June 2008

This paper briefly reviews work by the author identifying and describing in-reactor deformation mechanisms of materials and structures used in nuclear reactors, in particular, Zircaloy-2, Zircaloy-4, and Zr-2.5Nb, and the CANDU fuel channel (comprising Zr alloy pressure tubes, calandria tubes, and spacers). The discussion is set in the context of contemporary findings of other workers in the international community. The following themes are highlighted: The contributions of creep and growth to deformation; c-component dislocations and the fluence dependence of irradiation growth; anisotropy of irradiation growth; deformation equations and pressure tube-to-calandria tube contact in CANDU reactors; low temperature flux (damage rate) dependence of deformation rates. The first developments were reported in 1976 at the third conference in this series and there are ongoing developments in all areas. The linear low temperature flux dependence of creep and growth rates is yet to be satisfactorily explained.
Bitinna and the Tyrant: Some Remarks on Herondas 5.74-77*
Authors: Fountoulakis Andreas
Published: June 2008

The aim of this paper is to shed light upon Bitinna's reference to a goddess who is described as ‘tyrant’ in Herondas 5.77. Light is also shed on the delineation of Bitinna's character and social status in terms of the immediate context of mimiamb 5 as well as of the wider Alexandrian cultural context of Herondas' work. Bitinna's reference is for the first time examined in relation to the depiction of her character and it is shown that the goddess-tyrant must be Aphrodite.
The Poet from Egypt? Reconsidering Claudian's Eastern Origin
Authors: Mulligan Bret
Published: June 2008

In a recent article, P.G. Christiansen (1997) has strenuously questioned the communis opinio that Claudian was an immigrant from the Greek-speaking eastern Empire. Although Christiansen injects a healthy skepticism into the debate about Claudian's biography, his arguments in favor of Claudian being a native Latin speaker are flawed or unpersuasive. The only relevant external evidence indicates that in the centuries after Claudian's death he was considered an Egyptian. The evidence in Claudian's poems – the unique passing reference to Nilus noster in carm. min. 19, the invocation the symbols of Egypt at the end of carm. min. 22, and Claudian's claim in carm. min. 41 that his first public Latin composition occured in 395 c.e. – suggest an eastern origin. The example of the inscription to Cronius Eusebius suggests that the bilingualism in the inscription to Claudian could point to a personal connection with Greek. Since the positive case for a western origin can be neither supported (nor rejected) on linguistic or textual grounds, and recent research has shown that high levels of Latinity were possible for contemporary authors in the eastern Empire, the case for a western origin is decisively weaker than that supporting an origin in Egypt.
Risk Factors for Adverse Outcome in Preterm Infants With Periventricular Hemorrhagic Infarction
Authors: Roze Elise , Kerstjens Jorien M. , Maathuis Carel G.B. , ter Horst Hendrik J. , Bos Arend F.
Published: June 2008

OBJECTIVE. Our objective was to identify risk factors that were associated with mortality and adverse neurologic outcome at 18 months of age in preterm infants with periventricular hemorrhagic infarction.

METHODS. This was a retrospective cohort study of all preterm infants who were <37 weeks' gestation, had periventricular hemorrhagic infarction, and were admitted between 1995 and 2006. Ultrasound scans were reviewed for grading of germinal matrix hemorrhage, localization and extension of the infarction, and other abnormalities. Several clinical factors were scored. Outcome measures were mortality, cerebral palsy, and Gross Motor Function Classification System level. Odds ratios were calculated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS. Of 54 infants, 16 (30%) died. Twenty-five (66%) of 38 survivors developed cerebral palsy: 21 mild (Gross Motor Function Classification System levels 1 and 2) and 4 moderate to severe (levels 3 and 4). Several perinatal and neonatal risk factors were associated with mortality. After multivariate logistic regression, only use of inotropic drugs and maternal intrauterine infection were predictors of mortality. In survivors, only the most extended form of periventricular hemorrhagic infarction was associated with the development of cerebral palsy but not with severity of cerebral palsy. Cystic periventricular leukomalacia and concurrent grade 3 germinal matrix hemorrhage were associated with more severe cerebral palsy.

CONCLUSIONS. In preterm infants with periventricular hemorrhagic infarction, mortality occurred despite optimal treatment and was associated with circulatory failure and maternal intrauterine infection. In survivors, motor development was abnormal in 66%, but functional abilities were good in the majority. Extension and localization of the periventricular hemorrhagic infarction were not related to functional outcome.
Crossed‐Beam and Quantum Dynamics Studies of the Reaction Cl + CHD3
Authors: Nyman Gunnar , Zhou Jingang , Zhang Bailin , Liu Kopin
Published: June 2008

The ground‐state reaction of Cl + CHD3 was studied with joint experimental and theoretical efforts. Experiments were performed under crossed‐beam conditions using a time‐sliced velocity imaging detection method. By taking the images over the energy range of chemical significance—from threshold to about 9 kcal/mol—the reactive excitation functions as well as the dependence of product angular distributions and of the energy disposal on initial collision energies were obtained for both isotopic product channels. Theoretically, reduced dimensionality quantum dynamics calculations were performed for the HCl + CD3 channel, and the results are in excellent agreement with experimental findings. Comparisons with previously reported results on Cl + CH4/CD4, both experimental and theoretical, were also made to gain deeper insights into the dynamics of this benchmark atom + polyatomic reaction.
Charge Distribution in 3′‐Deoxythymidine‐Fullerene: Mass Spectrometry, Laser Excitation, and Computational Studies
Authors: Greisch J.‐F. , Weinkauf R. , DePauw E. , Kryachko E. S. , Remacle F.
Published: June 2008

Electrospray ionization of the donor–spacer–acceptor model system 3′‐imino[60]fulleryl‐3′‐deoxythymidine molecule (FdT) produces deprotonated negatively charged species (dFdT). In this paper, we investigate where the negative charge is localized and whether its location can be manipulated. The fragmentation of dFdT is studied experimentally by mass spectrometry using both collisional and photoactivation. Besides fragmentation, photoexcitation of anions stored in an ion trap leads to electron photodetachment. The competition between the two channels is studied as a function of the excitation wavelength. Starting from the neutral parents, two families of dFdT molecules are computationally identified. Deprotonation takes place on the 3′‐deoxythymidine (dT) subunit, either on the thymine at N3 or on the deoxyribose residue at O5′. Deprotonation in N3 leads to negatively charged molecules with an extended geometry and the excess charge largely localized on the dT The O5′‐deprotonation leads to lower‐energy folded conformers stabilized by an additional bond (C–O or C–H) with the nearby C60–N acceptor part, and the negative charge is mostly localized on the fullerene. The calculated electron detachment energies are higher for the extended N3dFdT conformers than for the O5′dFdT ones. Multiphoton photodetachment experiments at 1064 nm indicate the negative charge to be on the C60 unit. No indication for a photoinduced charge transfer was found. In MS beside the C60 anion a C60NH2– fragment is observed, which implies a double intramolecular H transfer. The computed energy of the corresponding dFdT, stabilized by two H–C60 bonds, is intermediate between N3 and O5′ deprotonated molecules.
Chemisorption of Nitrogen Monoxide on Size‐Selected Cobalt Cluster Ions
Authors: Hanmura Tetsu , Ichihashi Masahiko , Kondow Tamotsu
Published: June 2008

Collisional reactions of NO with Con+ (n = 2–10) were studied by measuring the absolute cross sections for creating the product ions in a beam‐gas geometry at different collision energies and internal temperatures of Con+. The dominant reaction is chemisorption of NO on Con+ (formation of ConNO+ and Con–1NO+). As n increases, the chemisorption cross section starts to rise sharply at n = 4 and soon reaches the highest possible value, which is the Langevin cross section. The chemisorption cross section practically does not change with the internal temperature, while the branching fraction for the production of ConNO+ with respect to the sum of ConNO+ and Con–1NO+ decreases with the internal temperature in the size range of n = 6–10. A statistical model based on the RRK theory explains the dependences of the chemisorption cross section and the branching fraction on the size (n), the collision energy, and the internal temperature. The energies of the NO chemisorption derived from the dependences of the chemisorption cross section and the branching fraction on the collision energy and the internal temperature show that (1) the NO chemisorption is dissociative for n ≥ 4 and (2) more than one isomer is involved in the chemisorption of NO on Co9+.
Competition between Fission and Intra‐Cluster Fusion in Highly Excited Fullerene Clusters
Authors: Hansen Klavs , Kjellberg Mikael , Bulgakov Alexander V. , Campbell Eleanor E. B
Published: June 2008

The occurrence of intra‐cluster fusion of fullerene molecules inside van der Waals bound fullerene clusters can be observed following femtosecond laser excitation. We show that the fusion reaction competes with the fission of multiply charged clusters. Energetic barriers to the reaction of at least 85 eV have to be overcome, similar to the energetic barriers to molecular fusion observed in fullerene ion‐neutral fullerene collision experiments.
Quantum Entanglement and Electron Correlation in Molecular Systems
Authors: Wang Hefeng , Kais Sabre
Published: June 2008

We study the relation between quantum entanglement and electron correlation in quantum chemistry calculations. We prove that the Hartree–Fock (HF) wave function does not violate Bell's inequality, and thus is not entangled, whereas the configuration interaction (CI) wave function is entangled since it violates Bell's inequality. Entanglement is related to electron correlation and might be used as an alternative measure of the electron correlation in quantum chemistry calculations. As an example we show the calculations of entanglement for the H2 molecule and how it correlates with the traditional electron correlation, which is the difference between the exact and the HF energies.
Quantum Motion Effects in Atom Interferometry
Authors: Seidel Dirk , Muga J. Gonzalo
Published: June 2008

We study the Ramsey interference pattern of ultracold atoms crossing two electromagnetic fields, taking into account quantum motion effects. It is shown that quantum reflection and transmission at the fields lead to a modification of the standard fringes. The implications on present frequency standards are discussed. For weak coupling, the difference between the exact quantum result and the semiclassical result is small but results in a central peak shift that may become important for future accuracies of atomic clocks. In the strong coupling regime, a resonance structure with respect to the detuning is observed and the Ramsey setup acts as a matter‐wave Fabry‐Perot device. Our results question the advantage of using increasingly lower velocities in frequency standards because the peak shift and the resonance positions depend sensitively on very minor variations of the atomic velocity and are difficult to control.