bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination and characterization of diuretics in human urine by liquid chromatography coupled to pneumatically assisted electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Sanz‐Nebot V. , Toro I. , Bergés R. , Ventura R. , Segura J. , Barbosa J.
Published: September 2002

The aim of this work was to develop a method for the characterization and determination of diuretics in human urine samples by liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to pneumatically assisted electrospray ionization (ES) mass spectrometry (MS). The diuretics studied were substances forbidden by the IOC such as trichlormethiazide, furosemide, canrenoic acid, benzthiazide, bendroflumethiazide, bumetanide, etacrynic acid and spironolactone. For this purpose, the operational parameters of electrospray, such as counter electrode voltage, capillary voltage, sample cone voltage and source temperature, were optimized in order to obtain the best signal stability and the highest sensitivity for the greatest number of diuretic agents. The optimized separation method was successfully coupled with the MS system to analyze the above‐mentioned diuretics extracted from spiked urine samples by a liquid extraction and clean‐up procedure at basic pH, using ethyl acetate as solvent and the salting‐out effect (NaCl). The mass spectra obtained provide adequate information for identification purposes. Positive urine samples obtained from athletes were also analyzed. The presence of these substances in human urine was confirmed by this method, making LC/ES‐MS an analytical tool to be considered in the area of antidoping control. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
‘Top down’ protein characterization via tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Reid Gavin E. , McLuckey Scott A.
Published: September 2002

Technological and scientific advances over the past decade have enabled protein identification and characterization strategies to be developed that are based on subjecting intact protein ions and large protein fragments directly to tandem mass spectrometry. These approaches are referred to collectively as ‘top down’ to contrast them with ‘bottom up’ approaches whereby protein identification is based on mass spectrometric analysis of peptides derived from proteolytic digestion, usually with trypsin. A key step in enabling top down approaches has been the ability to assign tandem mass spectrometer product ion identities, which can be done either via high resolving power or through product ion charge state manipulation. The ability to determine product ion charge states has permitted studies of the reactions, including dissociation, ion–molecule reactions, ion–electron reactions and ion–ion reactions of high‐mass, multiply charged protein ions. Electrospray ionization combined with high magnetic field strength Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance has proven to be particularly powerful for detailed protein characterization owing to its high mass resolution and mass accuracy and its ability to effect electron capture‐induced dissociation. Other types of tandem mass spectrometers are also beginning to find increasing use in top down protein identification/characterization studies. Charge state manipulation via ion–ion reactions in electrodynamic ion traps, for example, enables top down strategies to be considered using instruments with relatively modest mass resolution capabilities. Precursor ion charge state manipulation techniques have also recently been demonstrated to be capable of concentrating and charge‐state purifying proteins in the gas phase. Advances in technologies applied to the structural analysis of whole protein ions and in understanding their reactions, such as those described here, are providing new options for the study of complex protein mixtures. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High TT virus load as an independent factor associated with the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma among patients with hepatitis C virus‐related chronic liver disease
Authors: Tokita Hajime , Murai Seiyou , Kamitsukasa Hiroshi , Yagura Michiyasu , Harada Hideharu , Takahashi Masaharu , Okamoto Hiroaki
Published: September 2002

The TT virus (TTV) load was estimated in sera obtained from 237 patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related chronic liver disease including 42 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), by real‐time detection PCR using primers and a probe derived from the well‐conserved untranslated region of the TTV genome, which can detect all known TTV genotypes. Of the 237 patients studied, 18 (8%) were negative for TTV DNA, 87 (37%) had low TTV viremia (1.3 × 102–9.9 × 103 copies/ml), and 132 (56%) had high TTV viremia (1.0 × 104‐2.1 × 106 copies/ml). Various features were compared between the patients with high TTV load (n = 132) and those with no TTV viremia or low viral load (n = 105). High TTV viremia (≥104 copies/ml) was significantly associated with higher age (P < 0.05), past history of blood transfusion (P < 0.001), complication of cirrhosis (P < 0.05) or HCC (P < 0.0005), lower HCV RNA titer (P < 0.05), and lower platelet count (P < 0.01). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, high TTV viral load was a significant risk factor for HCC (P < 0.05), independent from known risk factors such as complication of liver cirrhosis (P < 0.0001) and high age (≥65 years, P < 0.05), among all 237 patients. Furthermore, high TTV viral load was an independent risk factor for HCC among the 90 cirrhotic patients (P < 0.05). These results suggest that a high TTV viral load is associated independently with the complication of HCC and may have prognostic significance in patients with HCV‐related chronic liver disease, although whether high TTV viremia mediates the progression of HCV‐related chronic liver disease remains to be defined. J. Med. Virol. 67:501–509, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development and evaluation of a ‘real‐time’ RT‐PCR for the detection of enterovirus and parechovirus RNA in CSF and throat swab samples
Authors: Corless Caroline E. , Guiver Malcolm , Borrow Raymond , Edwards‐Jones Valerie , Fox Andrew J. , Kaczmarski Edward B. , Mutton Kenneth J.
Published: September 2002

A two‐step reverse transcriptase TaqMan™ duplex PCR (RT‐PCR) assay was developed using the ABI 7700 Sequence Detection System for the detection of enterovirus (EV) and parechovirus type 1 and 2 (PEV) RNA from samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and throat swabs. Using sequence‐specific fluorescent dye labeled probes and continuous ‘real‐time’ monitoring, PCR amplified product accumulation was measured. Based on limiting dilutions, the TaqMan™ enterovirus and parechovirus RT‐PCR showed an increase of two orders of magnitude compared to cell culture with sensitivity of 100% (7/7) when assessed using enterovirus cell culture positive samples (CSF, TS). The assays were specific for enterovirus and parechovirus and did not amplify a wide selection of virus and bacterial isolates. RNA was amplified from 22 enterovirus serotypes: coxsackie A7, A9, A21; coxsackie B2, B3, B4, B5; echovirus 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 17, 18, 19, 30, 31; poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3, and parechovirus types 1 and 2. The assay was used to assess the incidence of enterovirus and parechovirus RNA in cell culture negative CSF and throat swab samples (n = 200). An additional 33 (15.9%) enterovirus and 2 (1%) parechovirus were identified as positive by RT‐PCR. Also, of 100 CSF samples from suspected cases of meningococcal meningitis submitted for meningococcal PCR testing, 59 (59%) were enterovirus and 2 (2%) parechovirus 1 and 2 were positive by RT‐PCR. The TaqMan™ duplex assay offers a more rapid and sensitive alternative to conventional cell culture for the diagnosis of enterovirus and parechovirus infection. Closed tube real‐time detection using the ABI Sequence Detection System obviates the need for post‐PCR manipulation, which reduces hands on time and eliminates the risk of contamination from amplified PCR product. J. Med. Virol. 67:555–562, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Divergent evolution of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes in recent influenza A:H3N2 viruses isolated in Canada
Authors: Abed Yacine , Hardy Isabelle , Li Yan , Boivin Guy
Published: September 2002

Limited information is available concerning the molecular drift of the influenza neuraminidase (NA) genes. We report on the genetic variability of the NA gene from 31 influenza A:H3N2 viruses isolated in the Province of Québec (Canada) during the last three flu seasons (1997–2000). Amino acid substitutions within the NA protein were observed at rates of 1.01% and 0.45% between strains of the 1997–1998 and 1998–1999 seasons and between those of the 1998–1999 and 1999–2000 seasons, respectively. In most strains (28/31), amino acid changes occurred within at least one of four codons (197, 339, 370, and 401) previously implicated as antigenic sites. The 8 functional and 10 framework residues that compose the catalytic site of the NA enzyme were completely conserved over the study period. All isolates contained the seven conserved asparagine‐linked glycosylation sites found in the NA of the progenitor A/Hong Kong/8/68 strain. In addition, most strains (30/31) had an eighth potential glycosylation site at position 329, whereas a ninth one was found at position 93 in 16 strains. The NA of all strains in this study was related to that of the vaccine strain A/Beijing/353/89, whereas the HA genes of these strains were related to the A/Beijing/32/92 vaccine strain. Thus, it appears that recent influenza strains continue to evolve from a reassortant produced during the cocirculation of the two above variants. Interestingly, some strains whose HA genes were closely related showed significant differences in their NA genes and conversely. This study confirms the importance of analyzing both the NA and the HA genes to assess the evolution of recent influenza epidemic strains. J. Med. Virol. 67:589–595, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of respiratory syncytial virus IgG antibodies in infants living in a rural area of Mozambique
Authors: Roca Anna , Abacassamo Fatima , Loscertales Mari‐Paz , Quintó Llorenç , Gómez‐Olivé Xavier , Fenwick Fiona , Saiz Juan Carlos , Toms Geoffrey , Alonso Pedro L.
Published: September 2002

A case control study was carried out in Manhiça (Mozambique). Serum samples were collected from infants < 1 year of age in hospital to assess the effect of serum antibodies on the incidence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Sera were collected from a total of 31 cases of RSV infection and paired uninfected controls matched for age and sex. Anti‐RSV antibodies were assessed by a membrane fluorescent antibody test (MFAT) for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and by a neutralizing antibody test. IgG RSV antibodies were of higher prevalence and at higher levels in the control group when compared to the infected case group (P < 0.001), indicating an important role for IgG antibodies in protection. To assess infection before recruitment, IgA RSV antibodies were also measured by MFAT. IgA RSV antibody prevalence was very low in patients and controls (0/31 and 4/31 respectively), suggesting that most of the detected IgG RSV antibody in both groups was of maternal origin. Re‐analysis of data from the subset of 27 matched, IgA RSV antibody negative infant pairs mirrored the full analysis indicating that maternal antibody has an important role in RSV protection. Similar results were obtained when neutralizing antibodies were measured and when the measurement was done against subgroup A virus strain A2, subgroup B virus strain 8/60 and a contemporary subgroup A isolate, Moz00. No significant differences in the reactivity of maternal antibodies with the three virus strains were observed. The data described below represent the first analysis of the role of maternal antibodies in reducing the risk of pediatric infection in developing countries. The results reinforce the concept of maternal vaccination for the control of RSV in very young children in whom the risk and severity of infection are the highest. J. Med. Virol. 67:616–623, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High genetic diversity revealed by the study of TLMV infection in French hemodialysis patients
Authors: Gallian Pierre , Biagini Philippe , Attoui Houssam , Cantaloube Jean‐François , Dussol Bertrand , Berland Yvon , de Micco Philippe , Lamballerie Xavier de
Published: September 2002

TT virus‐like minivirus (TLMV) was recently discovered as a human circovirus. Little is known about its natural history and molecular epidemiology. A study of TLMV infection is described in a population of French hemodialysis patients. TLMV DNA was tested by seminested PCR system located in the noncoding region in 81 patients divided into seven groups according to the origin of their renal disease. Quantitation of TLMV DNA in serum was carried out. Sequences from 28 patients were compared with 40 sequences retrieved from databases and 53 TLMV sequences cloned from the serum of a single patient. The prevalence of TLMV DNA in hemodialysis patients was 95.1%. In this study, 24 samples (29.6%) presented viral loads of > 125 equivalents of plasmid (Ep)/ml, and only 6 (7.8%) had viral loads of > 125 × 102 Ep/ml. A significant correlation (P < 0.029) was found between viral loads of > 125 × 102 Ep/ml and the neoplastic origin of end‐stage renal disease. Analysis of 53 sequences cloned from a single individual demonstrated high sequence variability, as shown by the genetic distance of 40.2%. This genetic distance is comparable to that between the most divergent sequences of TLMV reported to date (43.5%). These data suggest that TLMV viral load is possibly related to the level of immunocompetence of hemodialysis patients; the genetic diversity of TLMV is extremely high; and co‐infection by different strains is possible. J. Med. Virol. 67:630–635, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Circular scanning and equivalent magnetic currents for main plane near‐field to far‐field transformation
Authors: Las‐Heras F. , Galocha B. , Besada J. L.
Published: September 2002

A method to obtain a main plane far‐field radiation pattern of an antenna under test (AUT) from the correspondent main plane near‐field pattern in a circular scanning is presented. The method is based on the reconstruction of a set of magnetic equivalent currents radiating in free space that represents the AUT. The method can be applied to the measurement of antennas with a linear distribution or with a two‐dimensional distribution under certain considerations that allow to establish integral equations relating field components and one‐dimensional current components. A Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm is used to minimize the least squares error between the fields radiated by the equivalent currents and the measured field. The far field at every aspect angle is obtained from the calculated sources. Calculations of co‐polar and cross‐polar far‐field pattern from measured near‐field data of array antennas have been carried out to compare the proposed method with a full spherical scanning followed by a spherical wave expansion method. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient gene transfer in mouse neural precursors with a bicistronic retroviral vector
Authors: Franceschini Isabelle A. , Feigenbaum‐Lacombe Valérie , Casanova Philippe , Lopez‐Lastra Marcelo , Darlix Jean‐Luc , Dubois Dalcq Monique
Published: September 2002

Gene transfer into neural precursors is a powerful approach to study the function of specific gene products during nervous system development. Here we describe a retrovirus‐based methodology to transduce foreign genes into mouse neural precursors. We used a high‐titer bicistronic retroviral vector that encodes a marker gene, placental alkaline phosphatase (plap), and a selection gene, neomycin phosphotransferase II (neoR), under the translational control of two retroviral internal ribosome entry segments. Transduction efficiency even without selection was up to 95% for multipotential neurospheres derived from embryonic striata and grown with basic fibroblast growth factor 2. Expression of plap and neoR was sustained with time in culture and upon differentiation into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, as shown by double immunofluorescence labeling with cell type‐specific markers, Western blotting, and neomycin resistance. However, levels of plap were decreased in differentiated oligodendrocytes. Transduction with the same vector of neonatal oligodendrocyte precursors grown in oligospheres consistently resulted in a lower proportion of plap‐immunoreactive cells and enhanced cell death in the absence of neomycin. However, plap expression was maintained in some differentiated oligodendrocytes expressing galactocerebroside or myelin basic protein. In that neurospheres can be easily expanded in vitro and factors enabling their differentiation into the three main central nervous system cell types are being elucidated, this methodology could be used in the future to produce large number of transduced, differentiated neural cells. J. Neurosci. Res. 65:208–219, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Administration of FGF‐2 to embryonic mouse brain induces hydrocephalic brain morphology and aberrant differentiation of neurons in the postnatal cerebral cortex
Authors: Ohmiya Makoto , Fukumitsu Hidefumi , Nitta Atsumi , Nomoto Hiroshi , Furukawa Yoshiko , Furukawa Shoei
Published: September 2002

Fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) was injected into mouse cerebral ventricles at embryonic day (E) 14 in utero and its effects on developing brain morphology and expression of various cell‐ or differentiation‐associated protein markers in the cerebral cortex were examined. High doses of FGF‐2 (200 or 300 ng) caused encephalic alternations such as deformation of the calvarium, enlargement of the ventricular spaces, and thinning of the cerebral cortex. There was no gross abnormality in the alignment of the cerebral neuronal layers, however, both cell number and cell density of the upper layers (II/III) and the lower layers (IV–VI) of the cerebral cortex were increased. Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tyrosine hydroxylase, nestin, and microtubule‐associated protein 2 were aberrantly or ectopically expressed in the deep areas of the cerebral cortex. A substantial number of these cells coexpressed these antigens. These observations demonstrate that a subpopulation of neurons in the cortical deep layer abnormally differentiated or partly sustained their immature state following a single administration of FGF‐2 at E14. Developmental analysis of localization of BDNF‐positive cells suggested that the abnormality started around P5. Furthermore, cell migration was not affected by FGF‐2 administration. FGF‐2 seems to play predominant roles in the proliferation of neuronal precursors and in neuronal differentiation in the developing mouse cerebral cortex even at relatively late stages of brain neurogenesis. J. Neurosci. Res. 65:228–235, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role of GluR2 expression in AMPA‐induced toxicity in cultured murine cerebral cortical neurons
Authors: Jensen Jette Bisgaard , Lund Trine Meldgaard , Timmermann Daniel B. , Schousboe Arne , Pickering Darryl S.
Published: September 2002

α‐Amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPA‐R)‐mediated neurotoxicity was studied in relation to subunit expression and the presence of Ca2+‐permeable receptor channels. AMPA‐mediated toxicity had two components: 1) a direct AMPA‐R‐mediated component, which was not due to Ca2+ influx through voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels, reversal of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger or release of calcium from dantrolene‐sensitive intracellular Ca2+ stores, and 2) a minor, indirect component involving activation of NMDA receptor channels, because of glutamate release and removal of the Mg2+ block of the NMDA receptor on AMPA‐R stimulation. The involvement of Ca2+ influx through AMPA‐R was also examined. The number of neurons possessing Ca2+‐permeable AMPA‐R increased during culture development, concurrently with an increasing susceptibility for AMPA‐induced toxicity during development. GluR2(R) levels also increased during development, and channel blockers of Ca2+‐permeable AMPA‐R lacking the GluR2(R) subunit (spermine and philanthotoxin) failed to prevent neurotoxicity or increases in [Ca2+]i. Thus, the direct AMPA‐R‐mediated toxicity may be explained by initiation of cell death by Ca2+ fluxing through AMPA‐R containing GluR2(R). The components of direct AMPA‐R‐mediated toxicity are proposed to be 1) toxicity mediated by GluR2(R)‐lacking AMPA‐R and 2) toxicity mediated by low‐Ca2+‐permeability AMPA‐R containing GluR2(R). J. Neurosci. Res. 65:267–277, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Variable galactocerebroside expression by human Schwann cells in dissociated and peripheral nerve explant cultures
Authors: Turnbull Victor J. , Petratos Steven , Papadopoulos Roula , Gonzales Michael F. , Ayers Margaret
Published: September 2002

It has been well established that rat Schwann cells down regulate their cell‐surface expression of galactocerebroside (GalC) in vitro under normal cell culture conditions. To determine whether human Schwann cells exhibit a similar down‐regulation of GalC in vitro we examined GalC expression in dissociated human Schwann cell cultures derived from normal adult peripheral nerve. Twenty‐four hours post‐dissociation up to 63% of human Schwann cells were found to express detectable levels of GalC on their surface whereas less than 8% of the Schwann cells expressed detectable levels of GalC at 14 days post‐dissociation. In contrast, after nearly 3 months of peripheral nerve explant culture, greater than 30% of human Schwann cells still retained their GalC expression. A similar pattern was also observed when analyzing Schwann cell purity with dissociated cultures exhibiting a rapid decrease in Schwann cell purity under normal culturing conditions although Schwann cell purity was found to be largely unaffected during the period of peripheral nerve explant culture. In summary, we found there was less variation in both GalC expression and Schwann cell purity with time in peripheral nerve explant cultures than dissociated cultures. J. Neurosci. Res. 65:318–321, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The El Niño southern oscillation and long‐range forecasting of flows in the Ganges
Authors: Whitaker Douglas W. , Wasimi Saleh A. , Islam Shafiqul
Published: September 2002

Several recent studies have shown that the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) index has a significant influence on various climatic and hydrologic signals across the globe. This study attempts to identify the nature and strength of possible teleconnections between the Ganges River flow and ENSO, and to develop a model which can capture, at least in part, the natural variability of flow, and provide a large forecasting lead‐time. The motivation came from the fact that, in the past, hydrologic forecasts of the basin through rainfall‐runoff modelling could provide a lead‐time on the order of the basin response time, which is several days or so. Such a short forecasting lead‐time is not adequate to hedge against extreme events (flood or drought) in large river basins. This is, perhaps, the first attempt to relate flows in the Ganges with ENSO.

Our analysis suggests that a significant relationship exists between the natural variability of the Ganges annual flow and ENSO index. Through further investigation, we show that the rate of change of ENSO index is also statistically related to the Ganges flow. A statistical model that combines all these indicators to forecast annual flow in the Ganges is proposed. This model uses current flow data, predicted ENSO data and its gradient to forecast flow in the Ganges with a forecasting lead‐time of 1 year. The model also provides a quantitative measure of forecasting uncertainty. A key advantage of this model is that it does not require rainfall and stream flow information from upstream areas and countries. We have used 45 years of data for model development and calibration, and 15 years of data for validation. It is encouraging to note that all four of the validation forecasts during the El Niño and La Niña events are within the 95% confidence intervals. These results demonstrate the strength of the proposed approach and suggest further exploration of this long‐range forecasting methodology for other major rivers in the world. Copyright © 2001 Royal Meteorological Society
Evolution of maritime continent thunderstorms under varying meteorological conditions over the Tiwi Islands
Authors: Beringer Jason , Tapper Nigel J. , Keenan Tom D.
Published: September 2002

The development of tropical island thunderstorms in the maritime continent were investigated over the Tiwi Islands to the north of the Australian continent. A satellite cloud climatology was developed to examine these island thunderstorms, locally known as Hectors. During the pre‐monsoon period of 1990 and 1991 Hectors were observed on 70% of days. These Hectors were observed to occur under two distinct environmental flow regimes. Under easterly flow, development occurred on the western end of the island and conversely under westerly flow, development occurred to the east. Hectors were also observed to have three distinct modes of development (Hector, suppressed and late developing) and one mode of non‐development (non‐Hector). Satellite cloud climatologies were developed and mean atmospheric characteristics were determined for each of these development modes. Hectors developed under conditions of moderate convective available potential energy, moderate shear and high moisture availability. Sub‐cloud layer winds were also thought to contribute to the structure of the storm. Non‐Hector and suppressed Hector days usually occurred after a previous convective disturbance such as a monsoon low or squall line and had typically low convective available potential energy and high values of convective inhibition. Conditions for late developing Hectors appeared to be conducive for thunderstorm development with high convective available potential energy and low values of convective inhibition. However, early initiation was suppressed by high shear conditions. Development in the late developing mode could be more intense than in other modes. Copyright © 2001 Royal Meteorological Society
Mesoscale precipitation variability in the region of the European Alps during the 20th century
Authors: Schmidli Jürg , Schmutz Christoph , Frei Christoph , Wanner Heinz , Schär Christoph
Published: September 2002

The purpose of this study is to construct and evaluate a new gridded analysis of precipitation that covers the entire region of the European Alps (43.2–48.8 ° N, 3.2–16.2 ° E), resolves the most prominent mesoscale variations (grid spacing 25 km) and extends with a monthly time‐resolution over most of the 20th century (1901–90). The analysis is based on a reconstruction using the reduced‐space optimal interpolation technique. It combines data from a high‐resolution network over a restricted time period (1971–90) with homogeneous centennial records from a sparse sample of stations. The reconstructed fields account for 78% of the total variance in a cross‐validation with independent data. The explained variance for individual grid points varies between 60 and 95%, with lower skills over the southern and western parts of the domain. For averages over 100 × 100 km2 subdomains, the explained variance increases to 90–99%. Comparison of the reconstruction with the CRU05 global analysis reveals good agreement with respect to the interannual variations of large subdomain averages (10 000–50 000 km2), some differences in decadal variations, especially for recent decades, and physically more plausible spatial patterns in the present analysis.

The new dataset is exploited to depict 20th century precipitation variations and their correlations with the North Atlantic oscillation (NAO). A linear trend analysis (1901–90) reveals an increase of winter precipitation by 20–30% per 100 years in the western part of the Alps, and a decrease of autumn precipitation by 20–40% to the south of the main ridge. Correlations with the NAO index (NAOI) are weak and highly intermittent to the north and weak and more robust to the south of the main Alpine crest, indicating that changes in the NAOI in recent decades are not of primary importance in explaining observed precipitation changes. Copyright © 2002 Royal Meteorological Society
Changes in seasonal and annual high‐frequency air temperature variability in the Arctic from 1951 to 1990
Authors: Przybylak Rajmund
Published: September 2002

A detailed analysis of intraseasonal (within season) and interannual (between years) temperature variability for the whole Arctic for the period 1951–90 is provided. For this purpose four temperature variables were used: average (TMEAN), maximum (TMAX) and minimum (TMIN) temperatures, and the diurnal temperature range (DTR). The source data for the analysis were the daily TMAX and TMIN for ten stations representing almost all climatic regions in the Arctic. The methods of calculation of temperature variability were mostly taken from Plummer (1996; Australian Meteorological Magazine 45: 233). Thus the results presented for the Arctic can be fully compared with existing results for the other parts of the world (China, the former USSR, the USA and Australia).

Regional trends in intraseasonal and interannual temperature variability were mixed and the majority of them were insignificant. Trends in intraseasonal variability were positive in the Norwegian Arctic and eastern Greenland and negative in the Canadian and Russian Arctic. Small increases in interannual variability for all temperature variables were observed annually in the Norwegian Arctic and eastern Greenland, and in the Canadian Arctic. These were largely a result of increases in winter and transitional seasons respectively. On the other hand, opposite tendencies, both on a seasonal and an annual basis, occurred in the Russian Arctic. Statistically significant negative trends in intraseasonal variability were noted mainly in the Canadian Arctic, whereas such trends in interannual variability were noted mainly in the Russian Arctic.

The absence of significant changes in intraseasonal and interannual variability of TMEAN, TMAX, TMIN and DTR is additional evidence (besides the average temperature) that in the Arctic in the period 1951–90 no tangible manifestations of the greenhouse effect can be identified. Copyright © 2002 Royal Meteorological Society.
Mid‐ to late Holocene relative sea‐level change in Poole Harbour, southern England
Authors: Edwards Robin J.
Published: September 2002

A foraminiferal transfer function for mean tide level (MTL) is used in combination with AMS radiocarbon dated material to construct a record of relative sea‐level (RSL) change from Poole Harbour, southern Britain. These new data, based on multiple cores from duplicate sites, indicate four phases of change during the last 5000 cal. (calendar) yr: (i) rising RSL between ca. 4700 cal. yr BP and ca. 2400 cal. yr BP; (ii) stable to falling RSL from ca. 2400 cal. yr BP until ca. 1200 cal. yr BP; (iii) a brief rise in RSL from ca. 1200 cal. yr BP to ca. 900 cal. yr BP, followed by a period of stability; (iv) a recent increase in the rate of RSL rise from ca. 400–200 cal. yr BP until the present day. In addition, they suggest that the region has experienced long‐term crustal subsidence at a rate of 0.5 mm C14 yr−1. Although this can account for the overall rise in MTL observed during the past 2500 yr, it fails to explain the changes in the rate of rise during this period. This implies that the phases of RSL change recorded in the marshes of Poole Harbour reflect tidal range variations or ‘eustatic’ fluctuations in sea‐level. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic implications of the Late‐Quaternary sediment record of Vico volcanic lake (central Italy)
Authors: Narcisi Biancamaria
Published: September 2002

A 15‐m‐long sediment core recovered from the Lago di Vico caldera lake in central Italy has been the subject of macrofacies description and sedimentological (organic carbon content, grain size and mineralogy) investigation. The results have been integrated with the pollen data from the same core in order to provide a regional climatic and environmental history, with inferences on past lake levels and on moisture and temperature regimes. Radiometric (14C and 40Ar/39Ar) dating, biostratigraphical considerations and tephra analyses provide a chronological framework and indicate that the sequence spans the last 90 000 yr. Several moist periods have been identified that were characterised by enhanced weathering by hydrolysis of the catchment rocks. These alternated with relatively dry phases associated with lowering of lake‐levels. The lowest hydrolysis efficiency of the whole record, accompanied by notable aeolian deposition, was attained during the last glacial phase but moisture conditions were such that the lake‐level did not decrease, probably owing to reduced temperatures. Evidence for cool climate also emerges for the early Pleniglacial. The highest available moisture was achieved within the Holocene at 5 kyr BP. The Late Holocene does not show either increase of aridity or degradation of the vegetation cover, until at least Roman times. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A coleopteran fauna from the middle Würm (Weichselian) of Switzerland and its bearing on palaeobiogeography, palaeoeclimate and palaeoecology
Authors: Jost‐Stauffer Monika , Coope G. Russell , Schlüchter Christian
Published: September 2002

Recent exposures of the upper lignite layer from the Gossau section on the Swiss plateau (near Zürich) have shown that it contains a rich fauna of fossil coleopteran remains (beetles). These deposits have been radiocarbon dated to 28 500 yr BP. Up to now the environment of the middle Würm period has not been well documented in Switzerland so this exposure provides a rare opportunity to investigate the palaeobiogeography, local environment and palaeoclimate of this episode. A coleopteran assemblage was obtained from the upper lignite in which 30 taxa were identified of which 26 could be determined to the species level. All the species are still living today though ten of them are no longer found in Switzerland. Their modern geographical ranges are boreal or boreo‐montane and, on the whole, the fauna is typical of lower alpine or northern tundras of the present day.

The MCR (Mutual Climatic Range) method was used here to estimate the mean temperatures of the warmest month (9°C) and of the coldest months (−21°C). Comparing these estimated palaeotemperatures with modern values from the nearest meteorological station (Zürich Airport), middle Würm mean July palaeotemperatures were about 10°C lower and mean January/February palaeotemperatures were about 20°C lower than today. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Real‐time tissue characterization on the basis of in vivo Raman spectra
Authors: Bakker Schut Tom C. , Wolthuis Rolf , Caspers Peter J. , Puppels Gerwin J.
Published: September 2002

The application of in vivo Raman spectroscopy for clinical diagnosis demands dedicated software that can perform the necessary signal processing and subsequent (multivariate) data analysis, enabling clinically relevant parameters to be extracted and made available in real time. Here we describe the design and implementation of a software package that allows for real‐time signal processing and data analysis of Raman spectra. The design is based on automatic data exchange between Grams, a spectroscopic data acquisition and analysis program, and Matlab, a program designed for array‐based calculations. The data analysis software has a modular design providing great flexibility in developing custom data analysis routines for different applications. The implementation is illustrated by a computationally demanding application for the classification of skin spectra using principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Binding mode of Congo Red to Alzheimer's amyloid β‐peptide studied by UV Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Miura Takashi , Yamamiya Chiaki , Sasaki Miho , Suzuki Kiyoko , Takeuchi Hideo
Published: September 2002

Congo Red (CR) has long been used for staining amyloid fibrils and recently been found to inhibit amyloid formation. We examined the binding mode of CR to Alzheimer's amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ) by UV Raman spectroscopy. The 244 nm‐excited Raman spectrum of CR exhibits five bands in the 1620–1550 cm−1region, where C C stretching vibrations of the naphthalene and biphenyl moieties are expected. Among the C C stretching bands, one at 1615 cm−1becomes weaker and another at 1598 cm−1gains intensity upon binding to Aβ, resulting in a reversal of the relative intensity of the two bands. Concomitant with the intensity reversal, a band at 1158 cm−1assignable to the N–C stretch becomes stronger. These UV Raman spectral changes are in line with those observed when the fraction of the planar CR molecule is increased by crystallization. Furthermore, opposite spectral changes were observed when the central biphenyl group was methylated to force the two benzene rings in an orthogonal orientation. These observations suggest an increase in planarity of the biphenyl group in the CR–Aβ complex. A red shift of the visible absorption is consistent with an expansion of π‐conjugation in the planar CR molecule. The torsional mobility of the biphenyl group permitting a planar conformation may be essential for the binding of CR to Aβ amyloid fibrils. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The power distribution advantage of fiber‐optic coupled ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopy for bioanalytical and biomedical applications
Authors: Barbosa Christopher J. , Vaillancourt Frédéric H. , Eltis Lindsay D. , Blades Michael W. , Turner Robin F. B.
Published: September 2002

Fiber‐optic coupled ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopy (FO‐UVRRS) of photosensitive biological samples is discussed in the context of both clinical and basic medical research applications. The fiber‐optic probes are designed specifically for resonance Raman spectroscopy and offer a power distribution advantage over conventional focusing UVRR spectrometers that allows the use of higher power levels without increasing the risk of photo‐damage. A typical fiber‐optic probe using a 600 μm core diameter fiber for illumination of the sample allows an increase in power at the sample of over an order of magnitude while maintaining the same power density, and therefore the same level of safety, as a typical conventional UVRR spectrometer. This allows high‐quality spectra to be easily obtained in 10 s. Spectra of representative biological samples using high power levels without damage are presented, including the study of a photosensitive enzyme–substrate system under anaerobic conditions. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Myofibrillar protein degradation of carp (Labeo rohita (Hamilton)) muscle after post‐mortem unfrozen and frozen storage
Authors: Jasra Shashi Kiran , Jasra Pardeep K , Talesara C L
Published: September 2002

The degradation of myofibrillar proteins of rohu carp (Labeo rohita (Hamilton)) muscle was analysed after post‐mortem storage. Muscle fillets were kept either unfrozen at 2 °C for up to 15 days or frozen at −8 °C or −20 °C for up to 6 months. A co‐ordinated histochemical, biochemical and electrophoretic study showed a differential response of the carp muscle, revealing clear degenerative/degradative changes specific to the post‐mortem storage temperatures. The myofibrillar protein fractions, namely myosin light chains and α‐actinin, showed degradative changes during the above storage conditions, whereas other protein fractions in the high‐molecular‐weight range fragmented to give lower‐molecular‐weight proteins. The importance of the post‐mortem storage temperature for controlling the degradation of the myofibrillar proteins was emphasised. This is the first report on this popular fish species, known for its culinary importance, showing that specific protein fractions of the myofibrils degrade during post‐mortem storage.

© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Impact of environment and interactions of Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium proliferatum with Aspergillus parasiticus on fumonisin B1 and aflatoxins on maize grain
Authors: Marín Sonia , Albareda Xavier , Ramos Antonio J , Sanchis Vicente
Published: September 2002

Fusarium verticillioides and F proliferatum isolates were inoculated in mixed cultures with Aspergillus parasiticus on irradiated maize grain at two different inoculum concentrations (2 × 105 and 2 × 102 conidia g−1 dry maize). The treatments were 0.93–0.98 water activity (aw) and 15 and 25 °C for 28 days. A complex relationship was found between aw, temperature, inoculum concentration and the interactions which took place between fumonisin and aflatoxin producers. In general, A parasiticus reduced F verticillioides and F proliferatum populations (by 6–36%) but did not affect fumonisin B1 production by these species. In contrast, while the Fusarium species were not able to decrease A parasiticus populations, they significantly reduced aflatoxin B1 accumulation (by 30–93%).

© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Nutrient composition and the use of solubility to estimate rumen degradability of food proteins in cattle
Authors: Chaudhry Abdul Shakoor , Webster Anthony John F
Published: September 2002

The use of protein solubility to estimate protein degradability in cattle was tested using 12 by‐products representing agricultural and distillers' food raw materials (RM). Agricultural RM included cereals (rice bran, maize gluten feed), legumes (field beans, soybean hulls) and oil‐seeds (rape meal, sunflower meal). Distillers' RM involved dark grains (DG1, DG2, DG3) and malts (MT1, MT2, MT3). Soluble proteins, as proportions of total soluble N (TSN), were extracted from RM and their undegraded residues (RU) after 18 h of in sacco rumen incubation in cattle (dg18) by using water (albumin), salt (globulin), acid (glutalin 1) and alkali (glutalin 2) in succession. RM and RU differed significantly for all soluble proteins (P < 0.001). While albumin was the major protein in legume RM (0.74TSN), glutalin 1 was the major protein in legume RU (0.54TSN). Cereals were the most variable group, where maize gluten contained five times more albumin and two times more TSN in RM and three times more glutalin 1 + 2 in RU than those in rice bran. Distillers' RM contained slightly less albumin (0.53 vs 0.56TSN) but over twice as much glutalin 1 (0.29 vs 0.12TSN) as agricultural RM. Albumins were the most (0.55TSN, RM; 0.16TSN, RU) and glutalin 1 the least (0.21TSN, RM; 0.48TSN, RU) degradable proteins. There were moderate to strong correlations between protein solubility, dg18 and acid detergent‐insoluble N (ADIN). ADIN correlated satisfactorily with glutalin 1 + 2 (r  = −0.55, RM and −0.70, RU), TSN (r  = −0.75, RM and RU) and slowly degradable N, (SDN; r  = −0.70, all). TSN in all RM related well with SDN (r  = 0.65) and dUN (r  = 0.72). TSN in distillers' RM correlated closely with SDN (r  = 0.91) and dUN (r  = 0.96). Glutalin 1 in distillers' foods correlated extremely well (r  = 0.94, RM and 0.93, RU) with dUN. Globulins correlated most consistently with SDN (r  = 0.82, all; r  = 0.77, agricultural; r  = 0.92, distillers' RM). It is possible to predict protein degradability from the presence or absence of soluble proteins in various foods. While ADIN may be more suitable to predict DUN, globulins showed more potential to predict SDN in various foods. However, it may be necessary to be selective in choosing solvents for various foods. Further studies must validate this method by using a greater range of foods before suggesting its routine use for food evaluation.

© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Medium effects on the initial and the transition states upon the solvolysis of trans‐dichlorobis(N‐methyl‐ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) complex in water‐mixed solvents
Authors: El‐Subruiti Gehan Moustafa
Published: September 2002

The kinetics of solvolysis of trans‐dichlorobis(N‐methylethylenediamine)cobalt(III) complex have been investigated in aqua‐organic solvent media (0–60% (v/v) cosolvent) at 25 ≤ t°C ≤ 60, using n‐propanol and tert‐butyl alcohol as cosolvents. The first‐order rate constant increased nonlinearly with the reciprocal of the dielectric constant Ds−1, and xorg, reflecting the individuality of the cosolvents and thereby suggesting that the relative stabilities of the transition state and initial state were governed by the preferential solvation effect. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH≠ and ΔS≠) were sensitive to the structural changes in the bulk solvent phase. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 495–499, 2002
Complexation of 4‐dimethylaminoazobenzene with various kinds of cyclodextrins: Effects of cyclodextrins on the thermal cis‐to‐trans isomerization
Authors: Sueishi Yoshimi , Hishikawa Hiroaki
Published: September 2002

On the basis of the change in electronic and induced circular dichroism spectra for complex formation, the complexation of 4‐dimethylaminoazobenzene (DAAB) with four kinds of cyclodextrins (α‐ and β‐cyclodextrin (CD), heptakis(2,6‐di‐O‐methyl)‐β‐cyclodextrin, and heptakis(2,3,6‐tri‐O‐methyl)‐β‐cyclodextrin) was studied in methanol–water and dimethyl sulfoxide–water mixtures. It was found that the trans and cis isomers of DAAB form two different types of complex (inclusion and lid type) with CDs, depending on the kinds of CDs and solvents. Further, we have examined the effect of CDs on the thermal cis‐to‐trans isomerization of DAAB. The accelerated or decelerated effect on the thermal isomerization was observed upon adding CDs. The effects of CDs on the thermal isomerization are discussed in connection with the complexation of the cis‐isomer of DAAB with CDs. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 481–487, 2002
Kinetic study of the reactions of oxoiron(IV) with aromatic substrates in aqueous solutions
Authors: Mártire Daniel O. , Caregnato Paula , Furlong Jorge , Allegretti Patricia , Gonzalez Mónica C.
Published: September 2002

The kinetics of the reactions of oxoiron(IV) (FeO2+) with phenol, nitrobenzene, m‐, o‐, and p‐nitrophenol in 1 M HClO4 was investigated by the stopped‐flow technique. The rate constants of these reactions decrease with increasing the one‐electron reduction potentials of the corresponding radical cations of the substrates and with the Hammett parameter of the NO2 group in the phenol ring. A reaction mechanism is proposed, which accounts for the observed trends and for the nature of the reaction products. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 488–494, 2002
The influence of cardinal‐, central‐, and surface‐level personality traits on consumers' bargaining and complaint intentions
Authors: Harris Eric G. , Mowen John C.
Published: September 2002

This study investigates the possibility that a limited set of basic personality traits may underlie dispositions to bargain and to complain. A hierarchical model of personality was employed to investigate the relationship between cardinal‐, central‐, and surface‐level traits and their influence on behavioral intentions. A sample of adult respondents was randomly split into two groups and multiple‐group structural‐equation modeling techniques were employed. The analysis revealed that the hierarchical model fit the data from both samples well and that substantial variance in the endogenous constructs was explained. Managerial implications of understanding the traits associated with bargaining and complaining are discussed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.