bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of fibrillar morphology on elastomer‐modified polypropylene
Authors: Ling Zhang , Rui Huang , Liangbin Li , Gang Wang
Published: August 2002

Blends of polypropylene (PP) with a copolymer of ethylene and octene (EOC) were studied. The effect of viscosity ratio of elastomer domains to the matrix PP ηd/ηm (where subscript d and m designate dispersed phase and matrix, respectively) on fibril formation was investigated. Fibril morphology was observed for both ηd/ηm ≈ 1 and ηd/ηm > 1 (ηd/ηm = 1.70 or 2.40). As the viscosity ratio increased further, the spherical, elliptical, and rodlike morphology appeared. Fibril formation at ηd/ηm > 1 is possibly attributed to the effect of the interface interaction between the two phases. With soft fibril formation of EOC in PP, mechanical properties of the blends such as tensile and flexural properties were not improved and the impact strength was low compared to those of blends with spherical, elliptical, and rodlike dispersed morphology. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 1870–1874, 2002
Mucilages and climatic changes in the Tyrrhenian Sea
Authors: Innamorati M. , Nuccio C. , Massi L. , Mori G. , Melley A.
Published: August 2002

1. Pelagic mucilage aggregates are composed of phytoplankton and bacteria, whilst macro‐ and micro‐phytobenthos and bacteria make up the benthic ones. During the summer of 1991 massive mucilage aggregates, both pelagic and benthic, appeared in the Tyrrhenian Sea, seriously damaging fisheries, tourism and the benthic biocoenoses. Only a few, loose benthic mucilages have persisted during the last decade although the pelagic ones have shown a great resurgence during the last autumn.

2. 14C autoradiographies show that the mucilage is photosynthesized and excreted by the micro‐ and macroalgae it contains. The mucilage aggregates are a microecosystem with biological and chemical composition, and a functionality that is different from the surrounding waters. The mucilages cannot be the result of a gelification of the Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) in the water trapping the free algae present in the water.

3. Since 1991 up to the present, variations of Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) and Dissolved Inorganic Phosphorous (DIP) and of their ratio have been observed in the surface waters. These variations could be assumed as the cause of mucilages, however, the mucilage occurrence cannot be directly related to the change of nutrient concentrations and ratios because: i) the higher N/P ratio was persistent also during years without mucilages; ii) nutrients and their ratios have a continuous spatial distribution while mucilages have a discontinuous spatial and temporal distribution. It is suggested that mucilage aggregates are the result of a hyperproduction as a pathological response of the algae to a microbial infection. This hypothesis is also supported by some laboratory experiments.

4. The observed trophic changes in the surface Tyrrhenian waters have been related to the Levantine Intermediate Waters (LIW) as they are the main source of nutrients for the surface ones. Data collected from several areas between 1982 and 1998 show that changes in the temperature, salinity and nutrient concentrations and ratios took place in the LIW, so changing the Tyrrhenian climate. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A geomorphological framework for river characterization and habitat assessment
Authors: Thomson J.R. , Taylor M.P. , Fryirs K.A. , Brierley G.J.
Published: August 2002

1. Methods to assess the physical habitat available to aquatic organisms provide important tools for many aspects of river management, including river health monitoring, determination of river restoration/rehabilitation strategies, setting and evaluating environmental flows and as surrogates for biodiversity assessment.

2. Procedures used to assess physical habitat need to be ecologically and geomorphologically meaningful, as well as practicable. A conceptual methodological procedure is presented that evaluates and links instream habitat and geomorphology.

3. The heterogeneity of habitat potential is determined within geomorphic units (such as pools, runs, riffles) by assessing flow hydraulics and substrate character. These two variables are integrated as hydraulic units — patches of uniform flow and substrate.

4. This methodology forms a logical extension of the River Styles framework that characterizes river form and behaviour at four inter‐related scales: catchments, landscape units, River Styles (reaches) and geomorphic units. As geomorphic units constitute the basis to assess aquatic habitat availability, and they form the building blocks of river and floodplain systems, intact reaches of a particular River Style should have similar assemblages of instream and floodplain habitat.

5. An application of the hydraulic unit procedure is demonstrated in gorge, partly‐confined and alluvial River Styles from the Manning catchment in northern New South Wales, Australia. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Steroid hormones and disease activity during pregnancy in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Doria Andrea , Cutolo Maurizio , Ghirardello Anna , Zampieri Sandra , Vescovi Francesca , Sulli Alberto , Giusti Massimo , Piccoli Antonio , Grella Pasquale , Gambari Pier Franca
Published: August 2002

Objectives

To analyze the variation of steroid hormone levels during pregnancy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Moreover, to investigate whether, during gestation, there is any relationship between steroid concentration and SLE activity.

Methods

Seventeen consecutive pregnant SLE patients and 8 matched healthy pregnant controls were studied prospectively. Disease activity was evaluated by European Consensus Lupus Activity Measure (ECLAM) score modified for pregnancy. The following hormones were evaluated: testosterone, 17β‐estradiol (estradiol), cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and progesterone.

Results

Disease activity score significantly varied during pregnancy and postpartum (P< 0.05), being decreased in the third trimester and increased in the second trimester and postpartum. Serum levels of all steroids varied significantly during pregnancy and the postpartum period both in patients and in healthy subjects. In SLE patients, estradiol, progesterone, and DHEAS concentrations were found to be significantly reduced compared with controls. Serum level profiles of estradiol and progesterone were different from those observed in controls. No differences in the steroid levels were observed between patients taking prednisone ≤5 mg/day or >5 mg/day, apart from cortisol, which was, as expected, lower in the latter group.

Conclusions

The major hormonal alteration observed during pregnancy in SLE patients was an unexpected lack of estrogen serum level increase, and, to a lesser extent, progesterone serum level increase, during the second and—even more—the third trimester of gestation. This lack of increase probably was due to placental compromise. Therefore, these steroid hormone variations may result in a lower humoral immune response activation, probably related to a change in the estrogen/androgen balance, that in turn could account for the decrease in disease activity observed during the third trimester in pregnant SLE patients.
The number of deformed joints as a surrogate measure of damage in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Orces Carlos H. , Del Rincón Inmaculada , Abel Michael P. , Escalante Agustín
Published: August 2002

Objective

To evaluate the reliability and validity of the number of deformed joints (NDJ) as a surrogate measure of joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

We tested interrater reliability and validity in determining the NDJ as a surrogate for joint damage in consecutive patients with RA. We rated each of 48 joints as normal or abnormal in terms of alignment and range of motion, and expressed the results as the total number of deformed joints. We compared the NDJ with the severity of damage on a plain radiograph of the hands, scored using Sharp's technique, as the gold standard measure of joint damage. We also compared the correlation between the NDJ and radiographic joint damage, on the one hand, and disease duration, performance‐based measures of physical function, and the self‐reported level of disability.

Results

The interrater reliability of the NDJ was excellent, with an intraclass correlation among four examiners of 0.94. To assess validity of the NDJ, we studied 273 RA patients from 5 clinical settings. Their average NDJ was 14 (range 0–43), and their average Sharp's score for joint space narrowing and erosions combined was 106 (range 4–309). The NDJ and the total Sharp's score were highly correlated (r = 0.83). Both measures were correlated to a similar degree with disease duration (r = 0.51 for each measure), grip strength (r = −0.49 for NDJ, and r = −0.51 for Sharp's score), walking velocity (r = −0.44 for NDJ, and r = −0.45 for Sharp's score), the timed button test (r = −0.62 for NDJ, and r = −0.57 for Sharp's score), and the Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (r = 0.38 for NDJ, and r = 0.38 for Sharp's score). Both the Sharp's score and the NDJ worsened significantly in 38 patients for whom 1–2 year followup data were available.

Conclusion

The NDJ is reliable and is strongly associated with the standard
measure of joint damage in RA. Because it is easily performed in a clinical setting, it could be used as an economical surrogate of joint damage in studies of the long‐term outcome of RA.
Bounded rationality and satisficing in young people's Web‐based decision making
Authors: Agosto Denise E.
Published: August 2002

This study investigated Simon's behavioral decision‐making theories of bounded rationality and satisficing in relation to young people's decision making in the World Wide Web, and considered the role of personal preferences in Web‐based decisions. It employed a qualitative research methodology involving group interviews with 22 adolescent females. Data analysis took the form of iterative pattern coding using QSR NUD*IST Vivo qualitative data analysis software. Data analysis revealed that the study participants did operate within the limits of bounded rationality. These limits took the form of time constraints, information overload, and physical constraints. Data analysis also uncovered two major satisficing behaviors—reduction and termination. Personal preference was found to play a major role in Web site evaluation in the areas of graphic/multimedia and subject content preferences. This study has related implications for Web site designers and for adult intermediaries who work with young people and the Web.
Leaving the neighborhood: molecular mechanisms involved during epithelial‐mesenchymal transition
Authors: Savagner P.
Published: August 2002

Several molecular mechanisms contribute directly and mechanically to the loss of epithelial phenotype. During epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), adherens junctions and desmosomes are at least partially dissociated. At the same time, a massive cytoskeleton reorganization takes place, involving the rho family and the remodeling of the actin microfilament mesh. Numerous pathways have been described in vitro that control phenotype transition in specific cell models. In vivo developmental studies suggest that transcriptional control, activated by a specific pathway involving Ras, Src and potentially the Wnt pathway, is an essential step. Recent functional and localization experiments indicate that the slug/snail family of transcription factors functions overall as an epithelial phenotype repressor and could represent a key EMT contributor. BioEssays 23:912–923, 2001. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Educational advocacy for children with autism
Authors: Mulick James. A. , Butter Eric M.
Published: August 2002

There exists a great divide between parents' demands for intensive behavioral interventions for their children with autism and the public education system's reluctance to support early intensive behavioral intervention programs. More and more, professionals with expertise in applied behavior analysis are being asked to advocate for effective, early behavioral intervention for autism in education litigation brought about by frustrated parents. The progress made in recent years in the behavioral treatment of children with autism and the schools' lack of adherence to the requirements of IDEA have made it possible for educational policy change through effective advocacy by behavioral interventionists. This paper discusses preparing for educational advocacy on behalf of young children with autism. We explore the personal and emotional reasons why parents choose to engage in the financially risky endeavor of educational litigation. We then outline an approach to developing expert testimony based upon evaluation of the target child and his/her educational history. Issues related to assessment, training, and ethical practice are addressed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The red‐edge effects: 30 years of exploration
Authors: Demchenko Alexander P.
Published: August 2002

In 1970, three laboratories independently made a discovery that, for aromatic fluorophores embedded into different rigid and highly viscous media, the spectroscopic properties do not conform to classical rules. The fluorescence spectra can depend on excitation wavelength, and the excited‐state energy transfer, if present, fails at the ‘red’ excitation edge. These red‐edge effects were related to the existence of excited‐state distribution of fluorophores on their interaction energy with the environment and the slow rate of dielectric relaxation of this environment. In these conditions the site‐selection can be provided by variation of the energy of illuminating light quanta, and the behaviour of selected species can be followed as a function of time and other variables. These observations found extensive application in different areas of research: colloid and polymer science, molecular biophysics, photochemistry and photobiology. In particular, they led to the development of very productive methods of studying the dynamics of dielectric relaxations in protein and membranes, using the tryptophan emission and the emission of a variety of probes. These studies were extended to the time domain with the observation of new site‐selective effects in emission intensity and anisotropy decays. They stimulated the emergence and development of cryogenic energy‐selective and single‐molecular techniques that became valuable tools in their own right in chemistry and biophysics research. Site‐selection effects were discovered for electron‐transfer and proton‐transfer reactions if they depended on the dynamics of the environment. This review is focused on the progress in the field of red‐edge effects, their applications and prospects. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Secondary and tertiary structure of nucleotide‐binding domain of αsubunit of Na+/K+‐ATPase
Authors: Hofbauerová Kateřina , Kopecký Vladimír , Ettrich Rüdiger , Ettrichová Olga , Amler Evžen
Published: August 2002

The nucleotide‐binding domain of the α subunit of mouse brain Na+/K+‐ATPase was expressed and isolated from Escherichia coli cells. A model structure was constructed by comparative modeling with and without docked ATP. This was compared with the secondary structure determination from UV circular dichroism and Raman spectroscopy. Thus, we support the quality of the model and the correct folding of the recombinant protein. ATP binding was followed by Raman difference spectroscopy, and its influence on the secondary structure of the N domain seems to not be significant. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Biospectroscopy) 67: 242–246, 2002
Limited conformational change of β‐lactoglobulin when adsorbed at the air–water interface
Authors: Meinders Marcel B. J. , De Jongh Harmen H. J.
Published: August 2002

Detailed insight can be obtained from proteins at and near the air–water interface using external reflection IR and circular dichroism techniques. Besides information on local protein concentrations and surface layer thickness, it is shown that β‐lactoglobulin displays a limited unfolding at the interface. The conformational change is comparable to that observed upon heat‐induced aggregation of the protein and can be understood in view of the high surface concentration of the protein (∼40% volume fraction). The layer thickness and the conformational properties of the protein do not depend on the bulk concentration. After adsorption of β‐lactoglobulin to a preformed lipid monomolecular layer a similar conformational change is induced, suggesting that the folding properties of the protein itself determine the extent of conformational changes at the interfaces. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Biospectroscopy) 67: 319–322,2002
Studies of low molecular weight samples of glucuronans with various acetylation degree
Authors: Pau‐Roblot Corinne , Petit Emmanuel , Sarazin Catherine , Courtois Josiane , Courtois Bernard , Barbotin Jean Noël , Séguin Jean Paul
Published: August 2002

Partially acetylated, high molecular weight glucuronans were produced by a Sinorhizobium meliloti mutant strain. Two native glucuronan samples with various degrees of acetylation were sonicated to obtain lower molecular weight samples and with low viscosity suitable for chemical modification and 13C NMR experiments. The average degree of substitution (DS) of the polymer was estimated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and NMR. 13C NMR spectra were obtained and used to suggest a complete assignment of the signals. The nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) and heteronuclear multi‐bond coherence (HMBC) experiments were used to elucidate connectivities between the various residues and deduce the linkage of these residues within the polysaccharide. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 64: 34–43, 2002
Statistical reconciliation of the elemental and molecular biomass composition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Lange H. C. , Heijnen J. J.
Published: August 2002

A systematic mathematical procedure capable of detecting the presence of a gross error in the measurements and of reconciling connected data sets by using the maximum likelihood principle is applied to the biomass composition data of yeast. The biomass composition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae grown in a chemostat under glucose limitation was analyzed for its elemental and for its molecular composition. Both descriptions initially resulted in conflicting results concerning the elemental composition, molecular weight, and degrees of reduction. The application of the statistical reconciliation method, based on elemental balances and equality relations, is used to obtain a consistent biomass composition. Simultaneously, the error margins of the data sets are significantly reduced in the reconciliation process. On the basis of statistical analysis it was found that inclusion of about 4% water in the list of biomass constituents is essential to adequately describe the dry biomass and match both set of measurements. The reconciled carbon content of the biomass varied 4% from the ones obtained from the molecular analysis. The proposed method increases the accuracy of biomass composition data of its elements and its molecules by providing a best estimate based on all available data and thus provides an improved and consistent basis for metabolic flux analysis as well as black box modeling approaches. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons Inc. Biotechnol and Bioeng 75: 334–344, 2001.
Preparation, stability, and in vitro performance of vesicles made with diblock copolymers
Authors: Lee James C‐M. , Bermudez Harry , Discher Bohdana M. , Sheehan Maureen A. , Won You‐Yeon , Bates Frank S. , Discher Dennis E.
Published: August 2002

Vesicles made completely from diblock copolymers—polymersomes—can be stably prepared by a wide range of techniques common to liposomes. Processes such as film rehydration, sonication, and extrusion can generate many‐micron giants as well as monodisperse, ∼100 nm vesicles of PEO‐PEE (polyethyleneoxide‐polyethylethylene) or PEO‐PBD (polyethyleneoxide‐polybutadiene). These thick‐walled vesicles of polymer can encapsulate macromolecules just as liposomes can but, unlike many pure liposome systems, these polymersomes exhibit no in‐surface thermal transitions and a subpopulation even survive autoclaving. Suspension in blood plasma has no immediate ill‐effect on vesicle stability, and neither adhesion nor stimulation of phagocytes are apparent when giant polymersomes are held in direct, protracted contact. Proliferating cells, in addition, are unaffected when cultured for an extended time with an excess of polymersomes. The effects are consistent with the steric stabilization that PEG‐lipid can impart to liposomes, but the present single‐component polymersomes are far more stable mechanically and are not limited by PEG‐driven micellization. The results potentiate a broad new class of technologically useful, polymer‐based vesicles. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 73: 135–145, 2001.
Determination of 3‐deoxy‐D‐arabino‐heptulosonate 7‐phosphate productivity and yield from glucose in Escherichia coli devoid of the glucose phosphotransferase transport system
Authors: Báez José Luis , Bolívar Francisco , Gosset Guillermo
Published: August 2002

The effect of inactivation of the glucose phosphotransferase transport system (PTS) on 3‐deoxy‐D‐arabino‐heptulosonate 7‐phosphate (DAHP) productivity and yield from glucose in Escherichia coli is reported. Strains used in this study were the PTS+ PB103 and its PTS− glucose+ derivative NF9. Their aroB− derivatives PB103B and NF9B were constructed to allow accurate measurement of total carbon flow into the aromatic pathway. The measured specific rates of DAHP synthesis were 0.55 and 0.94 mmol/g‐dcw · h and the DAHP molar yields from glucose were 0.43 and 0.71 mol/mol for the PTS+ aroB−and the PTS− glucose+ aroB−strains, respectively. For the latter strain, this value represents 83% of the maximum theoretical yield for DAHP synthesis from glucose. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 73: 530–535, 2001.
Reactor optimization for α‐1,2 glucooligosaccharide synthesis by immobilized dextransucrase
Authors: Dols‐Lafargue Marguerite , Willemot René‐Marc , Monsan Pierre F. , Remaud‐Simeon Magali
Published: August 2002

The immobilization of dextransucrase in Ca‐alginate beads relies on the close association between dextran polymer and dextransucrase. However, high amounts of dextran in the enzyme preparation drastically limit the specific activity of the immobilized enzyme (4 U/mL of alginate beads). Moreover, even in the absence of diffusion limitation at the batch conditions used, the enzyme behavior is modified by entrapment so that the dextran yield increases and the α‐1,2 glucooligosaccharides (GOS) are produced with a lower yield (46.6% instead of 56.7%) and have a lower mean degree of polymerization than with the free dextransucrase. When the immobilized catalyst is used in a continuous reaction, the reactor flow rate necessary to obtain high conversion of the substrates is very low, leading to external diffusion resistance. As a result, dextran synthesis is even higher than in the batch reaction, and its accumulation within the alginate beads limits the operational stability of the catalyst and decreases glucooligosaccharide yield and productivity. This effect can be limited by using reactor columns with length to diameter ratio ≥20, and by optimizing the substrate concentrations in the feed solution: the best productivity obtained was 3.74 g · U−1 · h−1, with an α‐1,2 GOS yield of 36%. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 75: 276–284, 2001.
Efficient recovery of γ‐poly (glutamic acid) from highly viscous culture broth
Authors: Do Jin Hwan , Chang Ho Nam , Lee Sang Yup
Published: August 2002

An efficient strategy for the separation and recovery of γ‐polyglutamic acid (γ‐PGA) from highly viscous broth was developed. This strategy was divided into two processes: The first was to separate γ‐PGA from highly viscous culture broth; the second was to concentrate γ‐PGA solution by ultrafiltration for the reduction of the amount of alcohol required during recovery process with precipitation. By lowering the pH value of culture broth to 3, the viscosity of culture broth and the ζ potential of cell could be reduced to a sixth of the original value at 35°C and a third, respectively. After the acidification of culture broth the energy demand for the separation of γ‐PGA from culture broth by centrifugation could be reduced to 17% of that without it when the centrifugal force was 22,000g. The amount of alcohol required for precipitation could be reduced to a fourth of that generally used without concentration by concentrating 20 g γ‐PGA/L solution to 60 g γ‐PGA/L at pH 5 by ultrafiltration with hollow‐fiber membrane cartridge (MWCO 500,000). © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 76: 219–223, 2001.
An automated fluorescence protein sequencer using 7‐methylthio‐4‐(2,1,3‐benzoxadiazolyl) isothiocyanate (MTBD‐NCS) as an Edman reagent
Authors: Okiyama Natsuko , Santa Tomofumi , Toriba Akira , Nakagomi Kazuya , Imai Kazuhiro , Hiranuma Hidenori , Tanaka Hiroshi
Published: August 2002

An automated fluorescence protein sequencer using 7‐methylthio‐5‐(2,1,3‐benzoxadiazolyl) isithiocyanate (MTBD‐NCS), a fluorescent Edman reagent, is developed by the modification of a commercial protein sequencer. The generated MTBD‐thiohydantoin amino acids fluoresced strongly, whereas the by‐products such as MTBD‐thiocarbamoyl amino acids and MTBD‐carbamoly amino acids did not fluoresce. A few interfering peaks were observed in the chromatogram and amino acid sequence was easily determined. The coupling and cyclization/cleavage reaction conditions and extraction conditions of generated MTBD‐thiazolinone amino acids were optimized using an autonalyzer. Finally, the sequence of a synthetic peptide (25 pmol), leucine‐enkephalin‐Thr‐amide, was determined and up to six residues were successively analyzed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The heterogeneity of the glycosylation of alpha‐1‐acid glycoprotein between the sera and synovial fluid in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Smith Kevin D. , Pollacchi Aileen , Field Max , Watson John
Published: August 2002

Alpha‐1‐acid glycoprotein (AGP) is a plasma glycoprotein produced by the liver that undergoes increased production and altered glycosylation in several physiological and pathological conditions including rheumatoid arthritis. To date, although present in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients, there has been no evidence for the separate extra‐hepatic production of AGP. This study indicates that there could be a localized production of AGP in rheumatoid synovial fluid by demonstrating that the glycosylation patterns of AGP differed between the serum and synovial fluid in the same rheumatoid patient. Serum AGP was largely composed of fucosylated tri‐ and tetra‐antennary oligosaccharide chains while the synovial fluid contained mainly bi‐antennary chains that were fucosylated to a lesser extent. This structural heterogeneity of glycosylation resulted in functional diversity; serum but not synovial AGP is able to inhibit binding to the cell adhesion molecule E‐selectin through expression of antigen sialyl Lewis X. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent interview‐based measures of competency to stand trial: a critical review augmented with research data
Authors: Rogers Richard , Grandjean Nicole , Tillbrook Chad E. , Vitacco Michael J. , Sewell Kenneth W.
Published: August 2002

Forensic experts are frequently asked to conduct competency‐to‐stand trial evaluations and address the substantive prongs propounded in Dusky v. United States (1960). In understanding its application to competency evaluations, alternative conceptualizations of Dusky are critically examined. With Dusky providing the conceptual framework, three interview‐based competency measures are reviewed: the Georgia Court Competency Test (GCCT), the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool—Criminal Adjudication (Mac‐CAT‐CA), and the Evaluation of Competency to Stand Trial—Revised (ECST‐R). This review has a twin focus on reliability of each measure and its correspondence to Dusky prongs. The current review is augmented by new factor analytic data on the MacCAT‐CA and ECST‐R. The article concludes with specific recommendations for competency evaluations. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trust and understanding in the attorney–juvenile relationship
Authors: Pierce Christine Schnyder , Brodsky Stanley L.
Published: August 2002

This study investigated whether court‐experienced juveniles differ from court‐experienced adults in their understanding of the defense counsel role and their trust in attorneys. Court‐experienced juveniles and young adults, ages 12 to 20, were compared on measures of trust, attitudes toward authority, understanding about the role of defense counsel, trial‐related knowledge, and the Trust in My Lawyer Scale. The findings showed that court‐related knowledge is associated with both level of intellectual functioning and age and that court‐related misunderstandings are associated with mistrust in attorneys. The findings did not support the assertion that there are significant differences between juveniles and young adults in their trust of their attorneys. Results regarding parental involvement, attorney characteristics, and interaction effects of race and intellectual functioning in relation to trust are also discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experience of anatomy demonstrators in Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Koshi Rachel , Holla Sunil J.
Published: August 2002

Questionnaires were sent to 118 previous holders of demonstrator posts in anatomy at the Christian Medical College, Vellore, India, in order to determine the role of these posts in the medical profession. Sixty‐three (94%) of the respondents had postgraduate medical qualifications. Forty‐four (66%) of the respondents were surgeons, and 23 (34%) were in non‐surgical fields. Thirty‐eight (57%) had jobs that involved teaching. Almost all the respondents found the teaching experience useful in their careers and especially those respondents who had qualified in surgical specialties rated their experience reviewing anatomy very highly. The usefulness of this posting is discussed. Clin. Anat. 14:278–281, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Leadership perspectives on preparing transfer students
Authors: Helm Phoebe K. , Cohen Arthur M.
Published: August 2002

The authors discuss the role of the community college in preparing students to transfer to a four‐year postsecondary institution. Issues about institutional support, quality of education, and academic rigor are discussed, as well as how institutions can implement innovative approaches to the transfer function.
Gy sampling theory in environmental studies. 1. Assessing soil splitting protocols
Authors: Gerlach Robert W. , Dobb David E. , Raab Gregory A. , Nocerino John M.
Published: August 2002

Five soil sample splitting methods (riffle splitting, paper cone riffle splitting, fractional shoveling, coning and quartering, and grab sampling) were evaluated with synthetic samples to verify Pierre Gy sampling theory expectations. Individually prepared samples consisting of layers of sand, NaCl and magnetite were left layered until splitting to simulate stratification from transport or density effects. Riffle splitting performed the best, with approximate 99% confidence levels of less than 2%, followed by paper cone riffle splitting. Coning and quartering and fractional shoveling were associated with significantly higher variability and also took much longer to perform. Common grab sampling was the poorest performer, with approximate 99% confidence levels of 100%–150% and biases of 15%–20%. Method performance rankings were in qualitative agreement with expectations from Gy sampling theory. Precision results depended on the number of increments, the type of increment, and other factors influencing the probability of selecting a particle at random, and were all much higher than Pierre Gy's fundamental error estimate of 1%. A critical factor associated with good performance for these methods is a low conditional probability of sampling adjacent particles. Accuracy levels were dominated by the sampling process rather than by the analytical method. Sampling accuracy was at least two orders of magnitude worse than the accuracy of the analytical method. Published in 2002 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protein arrays: issues to be addressed
Authors: Taussig Michael J.
Published: August 2002

Protein arrays are fast becoming established as a means to monitor protein expression levels and investigate protein interactions and function. They present particular technical demands that will need to be solved in order to achieve the maximum capability of efficient and sensitive protein analysis in the high throughput setting of functional genomics. The following resumé of some major issues around this new technology was made as the chairperson's introduction to the workshop session on peptide and protein chips. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
C2M: configurable chemical middleware
Authors: van der Vet Paul , Roosendaal Hans E , Geurts Peter A.T.M
Published: August 2002

One of the vexing problems that besets concurrent use of
multiple, heterogeneous resources is format multiplicity.
C2M aims to equip scientists with a wrapper generator on
their desktop. The wrapper generator can build wrappers, or
converters that can convert data from or into different
formats, from a high‐level description of the formats.
The language in which such a high‐level description is
expressed is easy enough for scientists to be able to
write format descriptions at minimal cost. In C2M,
wrappers and documentation for human reading are
automatically obtained from the same user‐supplied
specifications. Initial experiments demonstrate that
the idea can, indeed, lead to the advent of
user‐governed wrapper generators. Future research
will consolidate the code and extend the approach to a
realistic variety of formats. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An introduction to the China Rice Functional Genomics Program
Authors: Xue Yongbiao , Xu Zhihong
Published: August 2002

The China Rice Functional Genomics Program (CRFGP) was initiated in 1999
by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China under the National Basic
Sciences Initiative and was expected to last for an initial period of five
years. The CRFGP involves 20 research groups from the Chinese Academy of Sciences
and some major universities and focuses on the identification of genes controlling
flowering, plant architecture, fertility, reproduction, metabolic controls
and stress responses in rice through a combinatorial approach based on genetics, molecular
biology and functional genomics as well as the generation of intellectual
properties related to crop breeding and improvements. We will briefly describe
the mission of the CRFGP as well as its recent progress. Copyright ©
2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gramene: development and integration of trait and gene ontologies for rice
Authors: Jaiswal Pankaj , Ware Doreen , Ni Junjian , Chang Kuan , Zhao Wei , Schmidt Steven , Pan Xiaokang , Clark Kenneth , Teytelman Leonid , Cartinhour Samuel , Stein Lincoln , McCouch Susan
Published: August 2002

Gramene (http://www.gramene.org/)
is a comparative genome database for cereal crops and a community resource
for rice. We are populating and curating Gramene with annotated rice (Oryza
sativa) genomic sequence data and associated biological information including
molecular markers, mutants, phenotypes, polymorphisms and Quantitative Trait
Loci (QTL). In order to support queries across various data sets as well as
across external databases, Gramene will employ three related controlled vocabularies.
The specific goal of Gramene is, first to provide a Trait Ontology (TO) that
can be used across the cereal crops to facilitate phenotypic comparisons both
within and between the genera. Second, a vocabulary for plant anatomy terms,
the Plant Ontology (PO) will facilitate the curation of morphological and
anatomical feature information with respect to expression, localization of
genes and gene products and the affected plant parts in a phenotype. The TO
and PO are both in the early stages of development in collaboration with the
International Rice Research Institute, TAIR and MaizeDB as part of the Plant
Ontology Consortium. Finally, as part of another consortium comprising macromolecular
databases from other model organisms, the Gene Ontology Consortium, we are
annotating the confirmed and predicted protein entries from rice using both
electronic and manual curation. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley &
Sons, Ltd.
Meeting Review: Royal Society Discussion Meeting: Utilising the genome sequence of parasitic protozoa
Authors: Hall Neil
Published: August 2002

Protozoan parasites cause some of the world's most important diseases. Genome sequencing information is rapidly being acquired and combined with new developments in functional genome analysis to transform our understanding of parasites, and to enable new approaches to combating the diseases they cause. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genome‐wide generation of yeast gene deletion strains
Authors: Kelly Diane E. , Lamb David C. , Kelly Steven L.
Published: August 2002

In the year 2001 a collection of yeast strains will be completed that are deleted in the 6000 open reading frames selected as putative genes by the initial bioinformatic analysis of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome. The collection was produced by the transatlantic yeast gene deletion project, a collaboration involving researchers in the USA, Canada and Europe. The European effort was part of EUROFAN (European Functional Analysis Network) where some of the strains could feed into various functional analysis nodes dealing with specific areas of cell biology. With approximately 40% of human genes involved in heritable disease having a homologue in yeast and with the use of yeast in various drug discovery strategies, not least due to the dramatic increase in fungal infections, these strains will be valuable in trans‐genomic studies and in specialised interest studies in individual laboratories. A detailed analysis of the project by the consortium is in preparation, here we discuss the yeast strains, reported findings and approaches to using this resource. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optically active molecule‐based magnets: Enantioselective self‐assembling, optical, and magnetic properties
Authors: Gruselle Michel , Andres Roman , Malezieux Bernard , Brissard Muriel , Train Cyrille , Verdaguer Michel
Published: August 2002

In this short communication we describe the synthesis and the optical and magnetic properties of optically active three dimensional (3D) bimetallic [Cr‐Mn] networks {[ΔCrIIIΔMnII(ox)3][ΔRuII(bpy)3]ClO4}n1 − Δ, {[ΛCrIIIΛMnII(ox)3][ΛRuII (bpy)3]ClO4}n 1 − Λ and {[ΔCrIIIΔMnII(ox)3][ΔRuII(bpy)2p p y]}n 2 − Δ,{[ΛCrIIIΛMnII(ox)3][ΛRuII(bpy)2ppy]}n 2 − Λ (ox = oxalate, bpy = bipyridine, ppy = phenyl‐pyridine). Chirality 13:712–714, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Saturable binding of the echinoderm microtubule‐associated protein (EMAP) on microtubules, but not filamentous actin or vimentin filaments
Authors: Eichenmüller Bernd , Ahrens Douglas P. , Li Qingwen , Suprenant Kathy A.
Published: August 2002

The echinoderm microtubule‐associated protein (EMAP) is a 75‐kDa, WD‐repeat protein associated with the mitotic spindle apparatus. To understand EMAP's biological role, it is important to determine its affinity for microtubules (MTs) and other cytoskeletal components. To accomplish this goal, we utilized a low‐cost, bubble‐column bioreactor to express EMAP as a hexahistidine fusion (6his) protein in baculovirus‐infected insect cells. After optimizing cell growth conditions, up to 30 mg of EMAP was obtained in the soluble cell lysate from a 1‐liter culture. EMAP was purified to homogeneity in a two‐step process that included immobilized metal‐affinity chromatography (IMAC) and anion‐exchange chromatography. In vitro binding studies on cytoskeletal components were performed with the 6his‐EMAP. EMAP bound to MTs, but not actin or vimentin filaments, with an intrinsic dissociation constant of 0.18 μM and binding stoichiometry of 0.7 mol EMAP per mol tubulin heterodimer. In addition, we show that a strong MT binding domain resides in the 137 amino acid, NH2‐terminus of EMAP and a weaker binding site in the WD‐domain. Previous work has shown that the EMAP concentration in the sea urchin egg is over 4 μM. Together, these results show that there is sufficient EMAP in the egg to regulate the assembly of a large pool of maternally stored tubulin. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 50:161–172, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interaction of the βIV‐tubulin isotype with actin stress fibers in cultured rat kidney mesangial cells
Authors: Walss‐Bass Consuelo , Prasad Veena , Kreisberg Jeffrey I. , Ludueña Richard F.
Published: August 2002

Microtubules and actin filaments are two of the major components of the cytoskeleton. There is accumulating evidence for interaction between the two networks. Both the α‐ and β‐subunits of tubulin exist as numerous isotypes, some of which have been highly conserved in evolution. In an effort to better understand the functional significance of tubulin isotypes, we used a double immunofluorescence labeling technique to investigate the interactions between the tubulin β‐isotypes and the actin stress fiber network in cultured rat kidney mesangial cells, smooth‐muscle‐like cells from the renal glomerulus. Removal of the soluble cytoplasmic and nucleoplasmic proteins by detergent extraction caused the microtubule network to disappear while the stress fiber network was still present. In these extracted cells, the βI‐ and βII‐tubulin isotypes were no longer present in the cytoplasm while the βIV‐isotype co‐localized with actin stress fibers. Co‐localization between βIV‐tubulin and actin stress fibers was also observed when the microtubule network was disrupted by the anti‐tubulin drug colchicine and also by microinjection of the βIV‐tubulin antibody. Our results suggest that the βIV isotype of tubulin may be involved in interactions between microtubules and actin. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 49:200–207, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spatiotemporal correlations in transport processes determined by multiple pulsed field gradient experiments
Authors: Stapf Siegfried , Han Song‐I , Heine Christian , Blümich Bernhard
Published: August 2002

Multiple interrogation of spin density distributions by repeated application of narrow pulsed magnetic field gradients is introduced as a general approach to investigate the time behavior of a spin system undergoing macroscopic motion. The joint n‐time probability densities obtained from this procedure can be treated directly in terms of the evolution of positions. Alternatively, appropriately designed pulse sequences allow the selective encoding of higher order parameters of motion such as velocity or acceleration. These quantities can be determined repeatedly within one gradient pulse sequence and can be statistically related to each other. Corresponding pulse sequences are presented and 2‐dimensional propagators, correlation functions, and correlation coefficients are compared as different means of representing these correlations. The formalism is applied to numerical simulations of the following situations: rotation of an object at constant speed and laminar flow through a cylindrical pipe and a model porous system. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts in Magn Reson 14, 172–211, 2002.
A randomized, multicenter prospective trial assessing long‐acting release octreotide pamoate plus tamoxifen as a first line therapy for advanced breast carcinoma
Authors: Bajetta Emilio , Procopio Giuseppe , Ferrari Leonardo , Martinetti Antonia , Zilembo Nicoletta , Catena Laura , Alú Massimiliano , Della Torre Silvia , Alberti Daniele , Buzzoni Roberto
Published: August 2002

BACKGROUND

Long‐acting release octreotide pamoate (OP‐LAR) is a synthetic octapeptide that can be administered monthly and whose activity is similar to that of endogenous somatostatin. In vitro and in vivo data suggest that OP‐LAR may act as a growth inhibitor or a modulator of growth stimulatory peptides. The potential mechanisms of action of somatostatin analogues in breast carcinoma include the suppression of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (a putative tumor growth factor) and the binding to the somatostatin receptors expressed by breast carcinoma cells in order to induce apoptosis.

METHODS

This Phase III, multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial involved 203 patients (13% premenopausal and 87% postmenopausal) with locally recurrent (but unsuitable for local treatment) or metastatic breast carcinoma, 199 of whom were actually treated (99 patients with OP‐LAR and 100 patients with placebo). All patients received TAM and were estrogen and/or progesteron receptor positive (receptor positivity was an eligibility criterion), and all had measurable or evaluable disease. Any patients who had received previous chemotherapy not given in an adjuvant or neoadjuvant setting were excluded.

RESULTS

At the time of the interim analysis, the tumor response rates (RR) were 20.2% (9 complete responses [CR] and 11 partial responses [PR]) in the OP‐LAR arm and 21% (11 CRs and 10 PRs) in the placebo arm, and the median time to progression (TTP) was 25.0 and 26.9 weeks (P = 0.62), respectively. The adverse events experienced by 10% or more of the patients and attributed to octreotide were gastrointestinal in nature: diarrhea (53%), nausea (16%), and abdominal pain (11%).

CONCLUSIONS

Because of the similar RR and TTP in both arms, the trial was stopped at the interim analysis. The current data confirm there is no indication for adding somatostatin analogues to TAM in advanced breast carcinoma. Cancer 2002;94:299–304. © 2002 American Cancer Society.
Understanding cancer metastasis
Authors: Bashyam Murali D.
Published: August 2002

Cancer is a multistep process and occurs as a result of the loss of control of cell division, leading to the initial tumor formation, which is followed by metastatic spread. Recent years have witnessed a vast improvement in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating cell division and their links to tumorigenesis. The process of metastasis involves an intricate interplay between cell adhesion, proteolysis, migration, and angiogenesis. However, there is little knowledge of how these events are coordinately regulated in the tumor cell. Given that the uncontrolled spread of the tumor to distant organs is usually lethal, a study of the molecular mechanisms regulating metastasis assumes great significance. Recently, several technologies have been developed for analyzing differential gene expression. The current review discusses the importance of these technologies in the molecular analyses of metastasis. Cancer 2002;94:1821–9. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10362