bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A multi‐technique study of the glacial stratigraphy of Co. Clare and Co. Kerry, southwest Ireland
Authors: Richards Andrew E.
Published: October 2002

A multi‐technique approach has been adopted in a study of the lithostratigraphy of glacial deposits in southwestern Ireland, including clast lithological analysis, fine sand geochemistry, low frequency mass specific susceptibility and fine sand calcium carbonate (equivalent) content. A revised lithostratigraphical scheme is suggested for the Quaternary glacial deposits of the region, together with a simple strategy that may be adopted for stratigraphical studies in other regions of southern Ireland. It appears that geochemical determinations via inductively coupled plasma–atomic absorption spectrometry are particularly useful in characterising and discriminating between till units within local stratigraphical studies and may be used to inform the applicability of other utilitarian techniques for use on a regional scale. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study of tetraphenyltin dynamics by Raman and infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Pajzderska A. , Ecolivet C. , Girard A. , Ściesiński J. , Wasiutyński T. , Wa̧sicki J.
Published: October 2002

Polarized and unpolarized Raman spectra and infrared absorption spectra were studied in a wide range of temperature and wavenumbers and related to group theory predictions. Molecular dynamics of an isolated molecule and lattice dynamics in the rigid molecule approximation were calculated. In the range up to 200 cm−1 the Raman spectrum revealed 19 modes whereas only nine external mode are expected. Such a large number of modes can be interpreted as a result of mixing of the internal (intraphenyl) vibrations with the lattice modes. The temperature dependence of the half‐width of the band centre at 122 cm−1 (at 110 K) obeys an Arrhenius‐type law corresponding to an activation energy about 3 kJ mol−1. This energy is comparable to the activation energy obtained from NMR study. This was assigned to the oscillations of the phenyl rings. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transform method in resonance Raman scattering: effect of mode mixing
Authors: Tehver I. , Kaasik H. , Hizhnyakov V.
Published: October 2002

The effect of mode mixing on resonance Raman scattering is examined on the basis of exact transform relations for the resonance Raman excitation profiles and absorption lineshape in the time domain. General transform relations are presented which hold for an arbitrary number of mixed modes. A detailed description of the excitation profiles of two mixed Raman modes is given, taking into account an arbitrary number of other modes. The dependence of the mixing parameters, change of vibrational frequencies and equilibrium positions in the excited state on the vibronic coupling parameters is found. It is shown that in the case of a substantial change in chemical bonds at the electronic transition, the mode mixing drastically changes the Raman cross‐sections/excitation profiles. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Temperature‐dependent Raman scattering studies in NaNbO3 ceramics
Authors: Lima R. J. C. , Freire P. T. C. , Sasaki J. M. , Ayala A. P. , Melo F. E. A. , Mendes Filho J. , Serra K. C. , Lanfredi S. , Lente M. H. , Eiras J. A.
Published: October 2002

Raman spectra of sintered NaNbO3 ceramics prepared by a new chemical route were obtained for temperatures between 15 and 297 K. From analysis of the results and dielectric permittivity measurements, we observed that the ceramic undergoes two diffuse phase transitions. The first phase transition was observed between 240 and 300 K and the second between 40 and 70 K. Also, analysis of band linewidths points to an orientational mechanism dominating the peak damping and a weak contribution of the anharmonic effect, in contrast to previous results obtained at high temperature. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seed compositional studies of some species of Papilionoideae (Leguminosae) native to Argentina
Authors: Maestri Damián M , Fortunato Renée H , Guzmán Carlos A , Torres Mariela M , Lamarque Alicia L
Published: October 2002

Seeds of 17 wild leguminous species belonging to the Papilionoideae subfamily were analysed for their proximate, fatty acid and sterol compositions. Centrosema virginianum, Tipuana tipu, Adesmia volckmanni and some species of Desmodium contained high amounts (>300 g kg−1) of protein. Geoffroea decorticans and Clitoria cordobensis were noteworthy for their high oil content (>350 g kg−1). The seed lipids had a high proportion of unsaturated (oleic and linoleic mainly) fatty acids. Linolenic acid had the highest value in Adesmia volckmanni (25.4% of total fatty acids). β‐Sitosterol was the major component of the sterol fraction. Chemical analyses indicated that all species studied are suitable sources of animal feed.

© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy for determining end‐point temperature of heated fish and shellfish meats
Authors: Uddin Musleh , Ishizaki Shoichiro , Okazaki Emiko , Tanaka Munehiko
Published: October 2002

Attempts have been made to assess the end‐point temperature (EPT) of heated fish and shellfish meats by near‐infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy. Since the presence of water affects NIR spectra, the influence of the water content of samples on the performance of NIR spectroscopy for determining EPT was also evaluated. Blue marlin (Makaira mazara), skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), red sea bream (Pagrus major), kuruma prawn (Penaeus japonicus) and scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) meats were heat‐treated at different temperatures (5 °C intervals between 60 and 100 °C). NIR spectra were measured at 2 nm intervals between 1100 and 2500 nm. A stepwise multiple linear regression method was used to develop a calibration curve. Changes in NIR reflectance spectra upon heat treatment were related to the heating temperature. Moreover, the interference from the variation in water content on the prediction of EPT was eliminated by selecting appropriate wavelengths. Plotting of NIR‐predicted temperatures determined from d2 log(1/R) at four specific wavelengths against the actual EPT revealed a promising linear relationship with correlation coefficients between 0.94 and 0.98. In the temperature range 60–100 °C, NIR reflectance spectroscopy was able to detect EPT of heated fish and shellfish meats with a prediction error of 1.9–3.1%.

© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Mycorrhization of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L) to enhance the concentration and quality of essential oil
Authors: Kapoor Rupam , Giri Bhoopander , Mukerji Krishan G
Published: October 2002

The effect of association of two vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi, Glomus macrocarpum and G fasciculatum, on the concentration and composition of essential oil in coriander (Coriandrum sativum) was studied. VAM inoculation increased the essential oil concentration in fruits by as much as 43%. Although significant variation in effectiveness of the two fungal species was observed, the quality of essential oil was significantly enhanced on mycorrhization. GC characterisation of essential oil showed increased concentration of geraniol and linalool in plants inoculated with G macrocarpum and G fasciculatum respectively.

© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Malted weaning food made from maize, soybean, groundnut and cooking banana
Authors: Onyeka U , Dibia I
Published: October 2002

Infant malnutrition and mortality are common in Africa, although Africa is endowed with agricultural produce that could be harnessed through processing to produce adequate infant food. This project was set up to explore the possibility of using local raw materials to develop a nutritious, low‐dietary‐bulk, cheap infant food. The materials used included cereal (maize), pulses (soybean and groundnut) and tuberiferous plants (cooking banana). The grains were first germinated and dried or kilned before milling and formulation. The malted products were compared with fermented ones in terms of nutritional, dietary bulk and acceptability criteria. Malting increased the nutrient content, reduced the dietary bulk and enhanced the taste of the infant food. In terms of protein content, least gelation concentration and overall acceptability, malted samples had values in the range of 138–151 mg g−1, 150–175 g l−1 and 7.2–8.82 respectively, while the control (fermented) sample had values of 54 mg g−1, 100 g l−1 and 6.29 respectively. Roasting of malted cereals above 55 °C reduced the bulk reduction ability but enhanced the taste of the products. A combination of malted maize and soybean, roasted groundnut and cooking banana in the ratio of 50:15:15:20 gave a very recommendable weaning food for infants between the ages of 6 months and 2 years.

© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Characterisation of pseudocereal and cereal proteins by protein and amino acid analyses
Authors: Gorinstein Shela , Pawelzik Elke , Delgado‐Licon Efren , Haruenkit Ratiporn , Weisz Moshe , Trakhtenberg Simon
Published: October 2002

Maize, wheat, amaranth, rice and soybean were screened for protein content. Alcohol‐soluble (A1 and A2) and glutelin (G1 and G2) fractions were isolated and compared in terms of their amino acid and protein compositions. The average proportions of nitrogen content between total alcohol‐soluble proteins (TASP) and total glutelins (TGlu) in the pseudocereals amaranth and soybean were about 1.8:26.9 and 14.9:12.3 respectively. In the cereals maize and wheat these proportions were 47.8:33.2 and 44.7:31.2 respectively. The sum of essential amino acids was 47.6 and 60.3 g per 100 g protein in amaranth and soybean respectively. The highest contents of methionine, lysine and arginine were found in the pseudocereals. The relatively high content of essential amino acids shows that pseudocereals could be used as a nutrient substitute for cereals.

© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Mucilage in linseed: effects on the intestinal viscosity and nutrient digestion in broiler chicks
Authors: Rebolé Almudena , Rodríguez María Luisa , Ortiz Luis T , Alzueta Carmen , Centeno Carmen , Treviño Jesús
Published: October 2002

A study was conducted to obtain more information on the role of mucilage in the adverse effects produced by the use of linseed in chick diets. Mucilaginous material was extracted from linseed with hot distilled water (80 °C) for 2 h; after filtration the water‐soluble extract was freeze‐dried and ground. A maize/soyabean meal basal diet with supplemental linseed mucilage extract (0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 g kg−1) was given to chicks from 8 to 28 days of age. During the last 3 days the excreta were collected quantitatively, then the chicks were slaughtered and the jejunal and ileal contents were collected. Feeding the mucilage extract‐containing diets to birds increased markedly, from 4.35 to 18.89 mPa s, the digesta viscosity at jejunal level. The apparent faecal digestibility of crude fat and major fatty acids and the dietary AMEn value (metabolisable energy corrected to zero nitrogen retention by the body) were linear and negatively influenced by the inclusion level of mucilage extract. However, the presence of mucilage in the diet did not affect the apparent ileal digestibility of crude protein and individual amino acids. These results seem to suggest that mucilage in linseed has lower antinutritional properties than those reported for whole linseed or linseed meal when included in chick diets.

© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Potential bioactive compounds in health promotion from broccoli cultivars grown in Spain
Authors: Vallejo Fernando , Tomás‐Barberán F A , García‐Viguera C
Published: October 2002

Glucosinolates, phenolic compounds and vitamin C were evaluated in two commercial and 12 experimental cultivars of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L var italica) grown under uniform cultural conditions. The predominant glucosinolates in all broccoli cultivars were 4‐methylsulphinylbutyl glucosinolate (glucoraphanin) and 3‐indolylmethyl glucosinolate (glucobrassicin). Other glucosinolates such as 4‐OH‐glucobrassicin and N‐methoxyglucobrassicin were detected in lower amounts. The total glucosinolate concentration ranged from 3.0 µmol g−1 dw (dry weight) in Pentathlon (experimental cultivar) to 28.3 µmol g−1 dw in I‐9905 (experimental cultivar). Flavonoids, caffeic acid derivatives and sinapic acid derivatives were quantified in methanol extracts. The largest content of flavonoids was found in the commercial cultivars Marathon and Lord, around 60 mg kg−1 fw (fresh weight). The vitamin C content of broccoli ranged from 43.1 mg per 100 g fw in Lord (commercial cultivar) to 146.3 mg per 100 g fw in SG‐4515 (experimental cultivar).

© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Outcomes after emergency surgery for gastric perforation or severe bleeding in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Kasakura Yuichi , Ajani Jaffer A. , Mochizuki Fumiro , Morishita Yukie , Fujii Masashi , Takayama Tadatoshi
Published: October 2002

Background and Objectives

Free perforation and major bleeding in patients with gastric cancer are rare but serious conditions with potentially dangerous effects. To clarify the clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with these conditions and to determine the optimum management, we reviewed 16 cases of perforation and 13 cases of major bleeding in patients with gastric cancer who required emergency surgery.

Methods

We compared the clinical and histologic features of the patients with perforation and those with bleeding. Cox's multivariate regression analysis was used to compare survival rates between patients who underwent single‐step surgery or a two‐step radical procedure, between patients with stage I or II and stage III or IV cancer, between patients who underwent complete (R0) and incomplete (R1 or R2) resection, and between patients with bleeding and those with perforation.

Results

Many of the patients had advanced disease. There were no significant differences in clinicopathologic findings or survival between patients with gastric perforation and those with major bleeding. Patients who had major bleeding tended to have larger cancers. In the univariate analysis, gastrectomy (vs. no gastrectomy), R0 (vs. R1 or R2) resection, and lower stage (vs. higher stage) were highly correlated with improved survival time.

Conclusions

Overall, patients with gastric cancers who underwent emergency gastrectomy had a poor prognosis, but it was better than that of patients who could not have gastrectomy because of the prXesence of advanced cancer. However, the survival rate was excellent in patients with early‐stage cancer who underwent complete (R0) resection. We recommend complete resection when possible. J. Surg. Oncol. 2002;80:181–185. © 2002 Wiley–Liss, Inc.
Some confusion concerning integral isoconversional methods that may result from the paper by Budrugeac and Segal “Some Methodological Problems Concerning Nonisothermal Kinetic Analysis of Heterogeneous Solid–Gas Reactions”
Authors: Vyazovkin Sergey
Published: October 2002

Budrugeac and Segal (Int. J. Chem. Kinet. 33, 564, 2001) have generally criticized the integral isoconversional methods for producing a systematic error in the activation energy, whose value varies with the extent of conversion. We stress that this error is practically eliminated in the advanced integral isoconversional methods when using integration over small time segments (Vyazovkin, S. J. Comput Chem. 22, 178, 2001) © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 418–420, 2002
Kinetics and simulations of reaction between safranine‐O and acidic bromate and role of bromide therein
Authors: Jonnalagadda S. B. , Shezi M. , Gollapalli N. R.
Published: October 2002

Safranine‐O, a dye of the phenazinium class, was found to exhibit intricate kinetics during its reaction with bromate at low pH conditions. Under conditions of excess concentrations of acid and bromate, safranine‐O (SA+) initially depleted very slowly (k = (3.9 ± 0.3) × 10−4 M−3 s−1) but after an induction time, the reaction occurred swiftly. Bromide exhibited a dual role in the reaction mechanism, both as an autocatalyst and as an inhibitor. The added bromide increased the initial rate of depletion of SA+, but delayed the transition to rapid reaction. The overall stiochiometric reaction was found to be 6SA+ + 4 BrO3 − = 6SP + 3N2O + 3H2O + 6H+ + 4Br−, where SP is 3‐amino‐7‐oxo‐2,8‐dimethyl‐5‐phenylphenazine. The fast kinetics of the reaction between aqueous bromine and safranine‐O (k = (2.2 ± 0.1) × 103 M−1 s−1) are also reported in this paper A 17‐step mechanism, consistent with the overall reaction dynamics and supported by simulations, is proposed and the role of various bromo and oxybromo species is also discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 542–549, 2002
Small business knowledge management success story—this stuff really works!
Authors: Frey Robert S.
Published: October 2002

Knowledge management (KM) is the sustained, integrated enterprise‐wide application and optimization of intellectual capital to achieve organizational mission and goals. It provides private‐sector and government organizations alike with the ability to anticipate and adapt to unpredictable change quickly and appropriately. As measured in direct benefits to your company or organization, KM:

Improves enterprise‐wide decision quality and agility through just‐in‐time intelligence

Enhances mission performance

Facilitates informed business development actions such as Bid/No‐Bid decisions

Fosters rapid prototyping of proposals and technical solutions for clients

Encourages improved client support

Supports organizational risk‐mitigation initiatives.

Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mixed tree‐vegetative barrier designs: experiences from project works in northern Vietnam
Authors: Fahlén A.
Published: October 2002

There has been an increased interest in the use of vegetative barriers in acid‐infertile upland management systems in Southeast Asia. This paper analyses the experimental designs and policies in early‐1990s of using vetiver grass barriers (Vetiveria zizanioides L.) in microwatersheds with short‐rotation tree plantations in Vinh Phu Province, Vietnam. Four different mixed tree‐vetiver models on degraded Ferric‐Plinthic Acrisols are discussed. It is concluded that the institutional approach of demonstrating vetiver barriers as a model had a poor cost‐wise performance, and that the model itself did not address the underlying issues of land degradation due to uncontrolled harvest of organic matter from the forest floors. The institutional approach was tainted with price distortions and ‘disbursement‐oriented’ actions. Alternative and more flexible on‐farm approaches, using V. zizanioides or the indigenous leguminous shrub Tephrosia candida (Roxb.) DC as vegetative barriers, were found to be more cost‐effective and likely to have a higher rate of adoption among farmers. The institutional changes in land allocation policies (securing long‐term usufruct users and transfer rights of agricultural and forest land) that took place in Vietnam in the early 1990s, in combination with a reorientation of programme policies to support needs of individuals and farmers' households, are hypothesized to have contributed more to the ‘regreening’ of the hills, than any single approaches of technical barrier designs by the Swedish‐Vietnamese Forestry Co‐operation Programme (FCP) in northern Vietnam. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Magnetite tattoos
Authors: Huzaira Misbah , Anderson R. Rox
Published: October 2002

Background and Objectives

Tattoo removal is a significant problem. The extraction of magnetite (Fe3O4) ink tattoos by a magnetic field was investigated, with and without Q‐switched laser treatment.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Magnetite particles (1.4 μm) were used to make mature, black skin tattoos on hairless albino rats. A Q‐switched ruby laser (QSRL) 3.5 J/cm2, 6.5‐mm spot size, 40‐nanosecond pulse width was used for treatment. Permanent magnets (1.4 T, 6‐mm diameter) were tested to extract the magnetite particles, alone and after QSRL. Lightening of treated tattoos was measured from digital photographs, and the amount and distribution of magnetite in skin biopsies was scored blindly.

Results

External application of magnets on mature magnetite tattoos without prior QSRL treatment, did not significantly extract, lighten, darken, or change their histologic appearance. A magnetic field applied immediately after QSRL treatment extracted some ink when epidermal injury was present, and caused significant redistribution of magnetite into the upper dermis with vertical banding along magnetic field lines. When applied for 3 weeks following QSRL, magnets caused darkening of tattoos.

Conclusions

Magnetite skin tattoos can be manipulated by external magnets, especially after Q‐switched laser treatment. Magnetically‐extractable tattoos may be feasible. Lasers Surg. Med. 31:121–128, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor α in the human breast cancer cell lines MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231
Authors: Suchanek Kate M. , May Fiona J. , Robinson Jodie A. , Lee Won Jae , Holman Nicola A. , Monteith Gregory R. , Roberts‐Thomson Sarah J.
Published: October 2002

Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR) α is a ligand‐activated transcription factor that has been linked with rodent hepatocarcinogenesis. It has been suggested that PPARα mRNA expression levels are an important determinant of rodent hepatic tumorigenicity. Previous work in rat mammary gland epithelial cells showed significantly increased PPARα mRNA expression in carcinomas, suggesting the possible role of this isoform in rodent mammary gland carcinogenesis. In this study we sought to determine whether PPARα is expressed and dynamically regulated in human breast cancer MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells. Having established the presence of PPARα in both cell types, we then examined the consequence of PPARα activation, by its ligands Wy‐14,643 and clofibrate, on proliferation. With real‐time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction, we showed that PPARα mRNA was dynamically regulated in MDA‐MB‐231 cells and that PPARα activation significantly increased proliferation of the cell line. In contrast, PPARα expression in MCF‐7 cells did not change with proliferation during culture and was present at significantly lower levels than in MDA‐MB‐231 cells. However, PPARα ligand activation still significantly increased the proliferation of MCF‐7 cells. The promotion of proliferation in breast cancer cell lines following PPARα activation was in stark contrast to the effects of PPARγ‐activating ligands that decrease proliferation in human breast cancer cells. Our results established the presence of PPARα in human breast cancer cell lines and showed for the first time that activation of PPARα in human breast cancer cells promoted proliferation. Hence, this pathway may be significant in mammary gland tumorigenesis. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Corticobasal degeneration syndrome with basal ganglia calcification: Fahr's disease as a corticobasal look‐alike?
Authors: Warren Jason D. , Mummery Catherine J. , Al‐Din Amir S. , Brown Peter , Wood Nicholas W.
Published: October 2002

A 57‐year‐old man with a 5‐year history of progressive left‐sided rigidity and apraxia had extensive bilateral calcification of basal ganglia, centrum semiovale, dentate nuclei, and cerebellar white matter on brain imaging. The case is an example of radiological Fahr's disease accompanying a clinical syndrome of corticobasal degeneration. Possible pathogenetic and nosological implications of this association are discussed. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
Spongiform encephalopathy mimicking corticobasal degeneration
Authors: Anschel David J. , Simon David K. , Llinas Rafael , Joseph Jeffrey T.
Published: October 2002

The presentation of subacute spongiform encephalopathies (SSE) is varied. The following case of SSE presented clinically similar to corticobasal degeneration. The SSE diagnosis was suspected because of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and confirmed pathologically. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
Presynaptic parkinsonism in multiple system atrophy mimicking Parkinson's disease: A clinicopathological case study
Authors: Berciano José , Valldeoriola Francesc , Ferrer Isidre , Rumià Jordi , Pascual Julio , Marín Concepción , Rey María J. , Tolosa Eduardo
Published: October 2002

We describe the clinicopathological findings in a patient aged 63 years at death who, at age 55 years, developed levodopa‐responsive parkinsonism with no atypical features. A diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) was made. During the clinical course, fluctuations and dyskinesias appeared. Eight years after onset, he was successfully treated with subthalamic nucleus stimulation but died 3 weeks postoperatively from pulmonary embolus. Brain autopsy showed marked neuronal loss and gliosis in the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus, and, to a much lesser extent, in the basis pontis, inferior olivary nuclei, and cerebellar cortex. Striatum was normal. There were numerous oligodendroglial and neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions and neuropil threads, the highest density being localized in the pons and cerebellar white matter. No Lewy bodies were observed. We conclude that nigral, presynaptic parkinsonism may occur in multiple system atrophy, which even in the long run can be indistinguishable from PD. Putaminal preservation accounts for good response to both levodopa therapy and subthalamic nucleus stimulation. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
Tardive tremor due to metoclopramide
Authors: Tarsy Daniel , Indorf Gerald
Published: October 2002

Tardive tremor is a very uncommon neuroleptic‐induced tardive syndrome which was initially described in five patients by Stacy and Jankovic (Stacy and Jankovic, Mov Disord 1992;7:53–57). Since then, there have been only three additional case reports attesting to the apparent rarity of this condition, although it is unknown whether other unreported cases have been observed. We describe a patient with persistent tardive tremor that was associated with tardive dyskinesia, who closely resembles previously reported cases. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
Repetitive magnetic stimulation of cortical motor areas in Parkinson's disease: Implications for the pathophysiology of cortical function
Authors: Gilio F. , Currà A. , Inghilleri M. , Lorenzano C. , Manfredi M. , Berardelli Alfredo
Published: October 2002

We investigated the neurophysiological and clinical effects of repetitive magnetic stimulation (rTMS) delivered to the cortical motor areas in healthy subjects and patients with Parkinson's disease. rTMS was delivered with a high speed magnetic stimulator (Cadwell, Kennewick, WA) through a figure‐eight coil centred on the primary motor area at a stimulus intensity of 120% motor threshold. Trains of 10 stimuli were delivered at frequencies of 5 Hz while subjects were at rest and during a voluntary contraction of the contralateral first dorsal interosseous muscle. In normal subjects at rest, the muscle evoked responses (MEPs) to each stimulus in a train of magnetic stimuli progressively increased in size during the train. rTMS left the MEPs unchanged in patients off therapy and had a small facilitatory effect in those on therapy. In normal subjects and patients, 5‐Hz rTMS trains delivered during a voluntary contraction of the target muscle left the MEP unchanged in size. MEPs were followed by a silent period that increased in duration during the course of the train. The silent period duration increased to a similar extent in patients and controls. The reduced rTMS‐induced facilitation of MEPs in patients with Parkinson's disease reflects a decreased facilitation of the excitatory cells in the cortical motor areas. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society.
Improved renal transplantation in the rat with a nonsplinted ureteroureterostomy
Authors: Gu Yan Li , Dahmen Uta , Dirsch Olaf , Broelsch Christoph Erich
Published: October 2002

Orthotopic renal transplantation in the rat is a widely used model in immunology and transplantation‐related research. Although numerous modifications of the surgical technique of ureteric reconstruction were evaluated, ureter complications following this reconstruction still occurred frequently. Instead of dividing the ureter in the middle between kidney and bladder (method 1), the anastomosis was performed close to the renal pelvis after cutting the ureter obliquely (method 2), which enlarged the diameter of the ureteral anastomosis 2‐fold. The incidence of stenosis of ureteric anastomosis was 12.5% (3/24) using method 1, whereas this complication was avoided completely (0/45) using method 2. Furthermore, the risk of injury to the ureter was reduced, as isolation of the ureter was limited. These modifications improved the last delicate step in the procedure of rat kidney transplantation. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 22:204–210 2002
Application of multiwavelet to the edge element method
Authors: Pan George W. , Wang Ke , Gilbert Barry K.
Published: October 2002

A new approach of using multiwavelets in the edge element method for electromagnetic‐wave problems is presented. In this approach, the multiscalets are employed as the basis functions. Because of the smoothness, completeness, compact support, and interpolation property of the multiscalets in terms of the basis function and its derivatives, fast convergence in approximating a function is achieved. The new basis functions are ∈ C1; that is, the first derivatives of the bases are continuous on the connecting nodes. Thus the divergence‐free condition is satisfied at the end points. The multiscalets, along with their derivatives, are orthonormal in the discrete sampling nodes. Therefore no coupled system of equations in terms of the function and its derivative is involved, resulting in a simple and efficient algorithm. Numerical results demonstrate high efficiency and accuracy of the new method. For a partially loaded waveguide problem, a factor of 16 in memory reduction and 435 in CPU speedup over the linear edge element method has been achieved. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 34: 96–100, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10384
Broadband semiloop antenna
Authors: Li R. L. , Fusco V. F.
Published: October 2002

An unbalanced loop antenna of simple construction is proposed for broadband linearly polarized applications. By introducing a gap in a half loop mounted vertically over a ground plane, the bandwidth of the antenna can be substantially increased relative to its classical balanced version. The antenna presented here has a bandwidth of 30% for a maximum −10‐dB return loss, and is fed directly from a coaxial cable without the need for a balun. Numerical and experimental results show that the antenna can cover the entire PCN, UMTS, and IMT2000 frequency allocations and also offer the prospect for reduced SAR. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 34: 233–234, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10425
Polarimetric measurements of PMD and differential group delay ripple in chirped fiber Bragg gratings
Authors: Linares L. C. B. , Dal Forno A. O. , von der Weid J. P.
Published: October 2002

A polarimetric method was used to measure the differential group delay and ripple of chirped Bragg gratings. The results were compared to the phase‐shift technique and it was verified that the polarimetric method does not suffer the resolution limitations inherent to the modulation phase shift method. The birefringence of the fiber on which the grating was written is the responsible for the measured PMD, indicating that the birefringence induced by writing process is negligible. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 34: 270–273, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10435
Water quality studies of combined optical, thermal infrared, and microwave remote sensing
Authors: Zhang Yuanzhi , Pulliainen Jouni , Koponen Sampsa , Hallikainen Martti
Published: October 2002

Two major water quality parameters can be estimated from optical, thermal infrared (IR), and microwave remotely sensed data. The results show that these data combined can result in better estimated accuracy than the optical retrieval of water quality observations. However, the technique still needs to be refined in future studies. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 34: 281–285, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10438
Numerical analysis of uniform rectangular waveguides filled by inhomogeneous dielectrics
Authors: Toscano Alessandro , Bilotti Filiberto , Vegni Lucio
Published: October 2002

A numerical analysis of a uniform rectangular waveguide filled by an inhomogeneous dielectric with a continuous spatial variation of the relative permittivity is presented in this Letter. The proposed method, based on a method‐of‐moments (MoM) solution of the differential equations for TE, LSE, and LSM modes, is applied to find out the cutoff frequencies of the waveguide. Some numerical examples are also presented, considering both continuous and stepped variations of the permittivity along a transverse direction. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 34: 313–316, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10446
Identification of bound waters in the solution structure of ribonuclease T1 using the double pulsed field gradient spin‐echo NMR technique for selective water excitation
Authors: Tashiro Mitsuru , Furihata Kazuo , Shimotakahara Sakurako , Shindo Heisaburo
Published: October 2002

Novel pulse sequences incorporating the double pulsed field gradient spin‐echo technique are presented that have particular use in identifying macromolecular bound water. The use of these sequences is illustrated using ribonuclease T1. Five amide protons cross‐relaxing with bound water protons were observed. Examination of the crystal structure revealed that all of these amide protons donate hydrogen bonds or are in close proximity to water molecules with very low temperature factors, indicating that these amide protons are highly correlated with the bound water molecules. This method rapidly provides reliable information for characterizing macromolecular bound water molecules. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional analysis of sperm from c‐mos−/− mice
Authors: Gross Vera S. , Cooper Geoffrey M.
Published: October 2002

The c‐mos protooncogene, which is expressed predominantly in male and female germ cells, is crucial for normal oocyte meiosis and female fertility in mice. Inactivation of c‐mos results in abnormal oocyte development and leads to ovarian cysts and tumors in vivo. In contrast to the severe effects of c‐mos ablation in females, targeted inactivation of c‐mos has not been reported to affect spermatogenesis in male mice. However, previously reported studies of male c‐mos−/− mice have been limited to histological analyses of testes and in vivo matings, both of which are relatively insensitive indicators of sperm production and function. Therefore, we assayed sperm function of c‐mos−/− males under in vitro conditions to determine whether the absence of Mos during development affected sperm production or fertilizing ability. We found no significant differences between the number of sperm collected from c‐mos−/− and wild type mice. Additionally, sperm from c‐mos−/− and c‐mos+/+ males performed equally well in assays of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and fertilization‐associated events including zona pellucida (ZP) penetration, sperm/egg plasma membrane fusion, and sperm chromatin remodeling. Therefore, we suggest that the function of Mos in spermatogenesis is either not related to the ultimate fertilizing potential of the sperm, or else the absence of Mos is masked by a redundant kinase. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 62:519–524, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cadherins expression during gamete maturation and fertilization in the rat
Authors: Ziv Shelly , Rufas Onit , Shalgi Ruth
Published: October 2002

A role for adhesion molecules in gamete fusion, preceding fertilization, has been previously suggested. We investigated the presence of cadherins, Ca2+ dependent cell–cell adhesion molecules, in rat oocytes and spermatozoa using an anti‐pan‐cadherin antibody and specific antibodies against the 3 classical cadherins: E‐ (epithelial), P‐ (placental), and N‐ (neural) cadherins. Electrophoretic separation was performed on samples of lysed oocytes of different stages: germinal vesicle oocytes, metaphase II eggs, newly fertilized and 2‐cell embryos, as well as spermatozoa from testes, caput and cauda epididymis and ejaculate. Localization of cadherins was determined on intact, gametes by immunocytochemistry, using confocal microscopy. Immunoblotting with the pan‐cadherin antibody revealed a major band of ∼ 120 kD in all oocyte and sperm extracts. Oocytes presented E‐cadherin at appropriate molecular weight but N‐cadherin only as a specific 40 kD band. In sperm lysate, at all stages, both E‐ and N‐cadherin were demonstrated as major protein bands but a series of lower molecular weight proteins (that may represent protein degradation) were also detected. Immunohistochemical evaluation showed that E‐ and N‐cadherins are already present on the plasma membrane of immature unfertilized oocytes, although their concentration increases after fertilization in early cleavage stage embryos. Cadherin localization on spermatozoa changed during maturation from a dispersed pattern over the entire head plasma membrane of testicular spermatozoa to a restricted equatorial and post‐acrosomal plasma membrane staining in ejaculated spermatozoa. These findings suggest a specific cadherin organization at the fusogenic domains of both gametes. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 62:547–556, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Two kinase activities are sufficient for sea urchin sperm chromatin decondensation in vitro
Authors: Stephens S. , Beyer B. , Balthazar‐Stablein U. , Duncan R. , Kostacos M. , Lukoma M. , Green G.R. , Poccia D.
Published: October 2002

Decondensation of compact and inactive sperm chromatin by egg cytoplasm at fertilization is necessary to convert the male germ cell chromatin to an active somatic form. We studied decondensation of sea urchin sperm nuclei in a cell‐free extract of sea urchin eggs to define conditions promoting decondensation. We find that egg cytosol specifically phosphorylates two sperm‐specific (Sp) histones in vitro in the same regions as in vivo. This activity is blocked by olomoucine, an inhibitor of cdc2‐like kinases, but not by chelerythrine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC). PKC phosphorylates and solubilizes the sperm nuclear lamina, one requirement for decondensation. Olomoucine, which does not inhibit lamina removal, blocks sperm nuclear decondensation in the same concentration range over which it is effective in blocking Sp histone phosphorylation. In a system free of other soluble proteins, neither PKC nor cdc2 alone elicit sperm chromatin decondensation, but the two act synergistically to decondense sperm nuclei. We conclude that two kinases activities are sufficient for sea urchin male pronuclear decondensation in vitro, a lamin kinase (PKC) and a cdc2‐like Sp histone kinase. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 62:496–503, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinical manifestations and stages of rett syndrome
Authors: Hagberg Bengt
Published: October 2002

The presentation and clinical diagnosis of Rett syndrome at various ages and stages are reviewed. In addition to the classical form, variability in phenotype between different atypical Rett forms is given. Obligatory, supportive, and differential diagnostic criteria are summarized. Long‐term follow‐up findings in ageing Rett women are addressed. MRDD Research Reviews 2002;8:61–65. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
T1 relaxation time at 0.2 Tesla for monitoring regional hyperthermia: Feasibility study in muscle and adipose tissue
Authors: Peller Michael , Reinl Herbert M. , Weigel Andreas , Meininger Martin , Issels Rolf D. , Reiser Maximilian
Published: October 2002

The purpose of this study was to characterize T1, particularly in the hyperthermia temperature range (ca. 37–44°C), in order to control regional hyperthermia with MR monitoring using 0.2 Tesla, and to improve T1 mapping. A single‐slice and a new multislice “T One by Multiple Read‐Out Pulses” (TOMROP) pulse sequence were used for fast T1 mapping in a clinical MRI hyperthermia hybrid system. Temporal stability, temperature sensitivity, and reversibility of T1 were investigated in a polyamidacryl gel phantom and in samples of muscle and adipose tissues from turkey and pig, and verified in patients. In the gel phantom a high linear correlation between T1 and temperature (R2 = 0.97) was observed. In muscle and adipose tissue, T1 and temperature had a linear relationship below a breakpoint of 43°C. Above this breakpoint muscle tissue showed irreversible tissue changes; these effects were not visible in adipose tissue. The ex vivo results were confirmed in vivo under clinical conditions. T1 mapping allows the characterization of hyperthermia‐related tissue response in healthy tissue. T1, in combination with fast mapping, is suitable for controlling regional hyperthermia at 0.2 T within the hybrid system. Magn Reson Med 47:1194–1201, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
2D JPRESS of human prostates using an endorectal receiver coil
Authors: Yue Kenneth , Marumoto Alan , Binesh Nader , Thomas M. Albert
Published: October 2002

A localized 2D J‐resolved (JPRESS) MR spectroscopic sequence was evaluated in human prostates in vivo. Voxels of typically 2 ml were placed in the peripheral zone of the prostate. Eight healthy volunteers, three subjects with benign prostatic hyperplasia, and three patients with prostatic cancer were scanned on a 1.5T MR scanner, using a body coil for RF transmission and a pelvic phased‐array coil combined with a disposable endorectal coil for signal reception. The total acquisition time for a 2D JPRESS spectrum was approximately 17 min. A major advantage of the endorectal 2D JPRESS was the ability to resolve the peaks of choline‐containing compounds and those of spermine unequivocally. Spectral results clearly showed the biochemical changes in cancer and benign compared to healthy prostates, in conformity with ex vivo biochemical findings. The preliminary results suggest that the endorectal 2D JPRESS could be successfully implemented for the diagnostic examination of human prostates. Magn Reson Med 47:1059–1064, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dy‐DTPA derivatives as relaxation agents for very high field MRI: The beneficial effect of slow water exchange on the transverse relaxivities
Authors: Vander Elst Luce , Roch Alain , Gillis Pierre , Laurent Sophie , Botteman François , Bulte Jeff W.M. , Muller Robert N.
Published: October 2002

Proton longitudinal and transverse relaxivities of Dy(DTPA)2− and Dy‐DTPA bisamide derivatives (Dy(DTPA‐BA): Dy‐DTPA bisamide, Dy(DTPA‐BEA): Dy‐DTPA bisethylamide, Dy(DTPA‐BnBA): Dy‐DTPA bis‐n‐butylamide, and Dy(DTPA‐BBMA): Dy‐DTPA bisbismethylamide) were analyzed between 0.47 T and 18.8 T. Curie longitudinal relaxation was clearly observed at magnetic fields larger than 2.4 T, but the longitudinal relaxivities are limited by the fast rotation of the complexes. Rotational correlation times were separately assessed by deuterium relaxometry of the diamagnetic deuterated lanthanum analogs. Transverse relaxivity, which depends on the square of the magnetic field and on the residence time of the coordinated water molecule (τM), was more than 7.5 times larger at 18.8 T and 310 K for Dy(DTPA‐BA) and Dy(DTPA‐BEA) as compared to Dy(DTPA)2−. This difference is mainly related to the slower water exchange of the bisamide complexes, as confirmed by the values of τM measured by oxygen‐17 relaxometry. Such Dy‐complexes, characterized by relatively long τM values (τ larger than 100 ns but smaller than 1 μs), thus appear to be useful as negative T2 (or transverse) contrast agents for high‐field imaging. This was demonstrated by the spin‐echo images of phantoms obtained at 4.7 T on samples containing Dy(DTPA)2− and Dy(DTPA‐BEA). Magn Reson Med 47:1121–1130, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Eliminating spurious lipid sidebands in 1H MRS of breast lesions
Authors: Bolan Patrick J. , DelaBarre Lance , Baker Eva H. , Merkle Hellmut , Everson Lenore I. , Yee Douglas , Garwood Michael
Published: October 2002

Detecting metabolites in breast lesions by in vivo 1H MR spectroscopy can be difficult due to the abundance of mobile lipids in the breast which can produce spurious sidebands that interfere with the metabolite signals. Two‐dimensional J‐resolved spectroscopy has been demonstrated in the brain as a means to eliminate these artifacts from a large water signal; coherent sidebands are resolved at their natural frequencies, leaving the noncoupled metabolite resonances in the zero‐frequency trace of the 2D spectrum. This work demonstrates that using the zero‐frequency trace—or equivalently the average of spectra acquired with different echo times—can be used to separate noncoupled metabolite signals from the lipid‐induced sidebands. This technique is demonstrated with simulations, phantom studies, and in several breast lesions. Compared to the conventional approach using a single echo time, echo time averaging provides increased sensitivity for the study of small and irregularly shaped lesions. Magn Reson Med 48:215–222, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spinal muscular atrophy: Recent advances and future prospects
Authors: Nicole Sophie , Diaz Carmen Cifuentes , Frugier Tony , Melki Judith
Published: October 2002

Spinal muscular atrophies (SMA) are characterized by degeneration of lower motor neurons associated with muscle paralysis and atrophy. Childhood SMA is a frequent recessive autosomal disorder and represents one of the most common genetic causes of death in childhood. Mutations of the SMN1 gene are responsible for SMA. The knowledge of the genetic basis of SMA, a better understanding of SMN function, and the recent generation of SMA mouse models represent major advances in the field of SMA. These are starting points towards understanding the pathophysiology of SMA and developing therapeutic strategies for this devastating neurodegenerative disease, for which no curative treatment is known so far. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 26: 4–13, 2002
Use of intravenous pulsed cyclophosphamide in severe, generalized myasthenia gravis
Authors: Gustavo De Feo Lucas , Schottlender Juan , Martelli Néstor A. , Molfino Néstor A.
Published: October 2002

Twenty‐three myasthenia gravis (MG) subjects, mean (SD) age 41.6 years (14), showing poor disease control or steroid‐related side effects, received treatment for 12 months with intravenous cyclophosphamide (CP; n = 12) or placebo (PL; n = 11) in a randomized, double‐blind trial. Pulses were given monthly at an initial dose of 500 mg/m2 of body surface, and titrated according to changes of peripheral muscle strength or side effects. Changes of muscle strength, steroid and pyridostigmine requirements, and development of ventilatory failure or swallowing impairment were evaluated at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months. No differences were observed between groups at baseline. Statistically significant reductions of methylprednisone doses were noted in both groups but were more pronounced in subjects receiving CP than PL at 6 months (P < 0.05) and at 12 months (P < 0.03). At 12 months, five subjects on CP had tapered off their steroids whereas no subject on PL achieved further reductions (P < 0.03). Four CP subjects were not receiving steroids 36 months after completing the study and three other CP subjects had stopped pyridostigmine. CP improved muscle strength at 3 and 6 months, and this reached statistical significance compared to PL at 12 months mainly in the bulbar and masticatory (P < 0.009) and extraocular muscles (P < 0.03). Ventilatory failure was noted in one subject on CP (due to bronchopneumonia) and two on PL (due to muscle weakness). No significant increases of CP‐related side effects were observed. Thus, this study suggests that intravenous pulses of CP allow reductions of systemic steroids usage without muscle strength deterioration or CP‐related side effects. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 26: 31–36, 2002