bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
General self‐efficacy and self‐esteem: toward theoretical and empirical distinction between correlated self‐evaluations
Authors: Chen Gilad , Gully Stanley M. , Eden Dov
Published: March 2004

To test whether general self‐efficacy and self‐esteem relate differently to motivational and affective constructs, we collected data from samples in academic and work settings. Results suggest that general self‐efficacy is more highly related to motivational variables than is self‐esteem, whereas self‐esteem is more highly related to affective variables than is general self‐efficacy, as hypothesized. Furthermore, results support the notion that motivational and affective states differentially mediate the relationships of general self‐efficacy and self‐esteem with task performance. These results confirm the theoretical distinction between general self‐efficacy and self‐esteem and suggest that failure to distinguish between them might exact a price in terms of precision, validity, and understanding of determinants of performance. Implications for research and practice in organizations are discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The customer is not always right: customer aggression and emotion regulation of service employees
Authors: Grandey Alicia A. , Dickter David N. , Sin Hock‐Peng
Published: March 2004

Research on work aggression or anger has typically focused on supervisors and co‐workers as the instigators of aggression; however, aggressive customers are also likely and may have unique consequences for the employee. We explore this phenomenon with a sample of 198 call center employees at two work sites. The employees reported that customer verbal aggression occurred 10 times a day, on average, though this varied by race and negative affectivity. Using LISREL, our data indicated that both the frequency and stress appraisal of customer aggression positively related to emotional exhaustion, and this burnout dimension mediated the relationship of stress appraisal with absences. Stress appraisal also influenced employees' emotion regulation strategies with their most recent hostile caller. Employees who felt more threatened by customer aggression used surface acting or vented emotions, while those who were less threatened used deep acting. Job autonomy helped explain who found these events more stressful, and implications of these results are discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Networking behaviors and career outcomes: differences for men and women?
Authors: Forret Monica L. , Dougherty Thomas W.
Published: March 2004

Engaging in networking behaviors, by attempting to develop and maintain relationships with others who have the potential to provide work or career assistance, is considered to be an important career management strategy. This study explores the relationship between networking behavior and career outcomes (i.e., number of promotions, total compensation, perceived career success) in a sample of managerial and professional employees. Furthermore, we investigate whether networking behavior is as beneficial for women as it is for men. Results indicated that some types of networking behavior were related to both objective and perceived career outcomes. In addition, gender differences do impact the utility of networking behavior as a career‐enhancing strategy. Explanations of our results and implications for engaging in networking behavior are discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Soil N transformations after application of 15N‐labeled biomass in incubation experiments with repeated soil drying and rewetting
Authors: Olfs Hans‐Werner , Neu Anni , Werner Wilfried
Published: March 2004

The effects of repeated soil drying and rewetting on microbial biomass N (Nbio) and mineral N (Nmin) were measured in incubation experiments simulating typical moisture and temperature conditions for soils from temperate climates in the post‐harvest period. After application of in vitro 15N‐labeled fungal biomass to a silty loam, one set of soils was exposed to two drying‐rewetting cycles (treatment DR; 14 days to decrease soil moisture to 20 % water‐holding capacity (WHC) and subsequently 7 days at 60 % WHC). A control set (treatment CM) was kept at constant moisture conditions (60 % WHC) throughout the incubation. Nbio and Nmin as well as the 15N enrichment of these N pools were measured immediately after addition of 15N‐labeled biomass (day 0) and after each change in soil moisture (day 14, 21, 35, 42). Drying and rewetting (DR) resulted in higher Nmin levels compared to CM towards the end of the incubation. Considerable amounts of Nbio were susceptible to mineralization as a result of soil drying (i.e., drying enhanced the turnover of Nbio), and significantly lower Nbio values were found for DR at the end of each drying period. Immediately after biomass incorporation into the soil (day 0), 22 % of the applied 15N was found in the Nmin pool. Some of this 15Nmin must have been derived from dead cells of the applied microbial biomass as only about 80 % of the microbes in the biomass suspension were viable, and only 52 % of the 15Nbio was extractable (using the fumigation‐extraction method). The increase in 15Nmin was higher than for unlabeled Nmin, indicating that added labeled biomass was mineralized with a higher rate than native biomass during the first drying period. Overall, the effect of drying and rewetting on soil N turnover was more pronounced for treatment DR compared to CM during the second drying‐rewetting cycle, resulting in a higher flush of mineralization and lower microbial biomass N levels.
How are nitrogen fixation rates regulated in legumes?
Authors: Schulze Joachim
Published: March 2004

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation by the legume‐Rhizobium symbiosis is a finely regulated process that involves significant carbon and energy metabolism by the plant. At present, there are three competing theories as to how the regulation of the process is achieved at the whole plant level. Theory one (carbon supply regulation) states that nitrogen fixation rates are regulated by either current nodule assimilate supply or through metabolism of assimilates into compounds that can be used by the bacteroids. A second theory (oxygen supply regulation) assumes that oxygen diffusion into the nodules is tightly regulated and is the principal regulatory factor for nitrogen fixation rates. A third theory (N‐feedback regulation) suggests that a product of nitrogen fixation or assimilation exerts a feedback regulatory impact. The paper summarizes experimental data which support or reject the mentioned theories. Moreover, implications of nitrogen fixation under P stress and of phenomena connected with the argon or acetylene induced decline in nitrogenase activity for the understanding of nitrogen fixation regulation are discussed. It is concluded that we currently have no theory that explains all aspects and experimental results concerning the regulation of nitrogen fixation in legumes. With our growing ability to impact the process, e.g., by genetic engineering, this understanding of nitrogen fixation regulation has potential to be translated into agronomically sustainable benefits.
Effect of biosolid amendment on enzyme activities in earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) casts
Authors: Kızılkaya Rıdvan , Heps̨en S̨üheda
Published: March 2004

We studied the effect of amendment of sewage sludge biosolids on enzyme activity in soil and earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) casts. Enzyme activities and contents of nutrients and organic matter of surrounding soil were compared with the corresponding properties of earthworm casts. This short time experiment was conducted at 20 ± 0.5 °C in the laboratory, simulating field conditions of biosolid treatments. In general, all of doses of biosolid treatments influenced the enzyme activity and contents of nutrients and organic matter of earthworm casts and surrounding soil. Enzyme activity such as urease (UA), alkaline phosphatase (APA), and arylsulfatase (ASA) and the contents of organic matter and nutrients N and P in earthworm casts and surrounding soil increased with increasing biosolid application. Without biosolid additions, enzyme activities in cast of L. terrestris exceeded those in the soil. In contrast, when biosolid was added, DHA in casts was lower than the soil. Activities of UA and APA were consistently higher in L. terrestris casts than in soil of all biosolid treatments. Biosolid amendments generally increased ASA at low doses, but at higher doses, ASA decreased. In general, organic matter and contents of N and P were higher in surface casts of L. terrestris and soils than in the control soil. Activities of UA, APA, the contents of organic carbon and nutrients N and P in soil and casts showed positive correlations. On the contrary, ASA and DHA were negatively correlated with the contents of organic matter and nutrients.
Solution chemistry in acid forest soils: Are the BC : Al ratios as critical as expected in Switzerland?
Authors: Graf Pannatier Elisabeth , Walthert Lorenz , Blaser Peter
Published: March 2004

The molar ratio of base nutrient cations to total dissolved aluminum (BC : Altot) in the soil solution was measured at six forest sites in Switzerland in acid mineral soils to determine whether the ratio measured in the field was lower than the critical value of 1, as predicted by the mapping of exceedances of critical loads of acidity. The soil chemistry was then related to the soil solution composition to characterize the typical effective base saturation (BS) and BC : Al ratio in soil leading to critical BC : Altot in the soil solution. The median BC : Altot ratio in the soil solution never reached the critical value in the root zone at any sites for the whole observation period (1999–2002), suggesting that the BC : Altot ratios measured in the field might be higher than those modeled for the determination of critical loads of acidity. The gibbsite model usually applied for the calculation of critical loads was a poor predictor of the Al3+ activity at the study sites. A curvilinear pH‐pAl3+ relationship was found over the whole range of pH (3.8–6.5). Above a pH of 5.5, the slope of the pH‐pAl3+ relation was close to 3, suggesting equilibrium with Al(OH)3. It decreased to values smaller than 1.3 below a pH of 5.5, indicating complexation reactions with soil organic matter. The BS and the BC : Al ratios in the soils were significantly correlated to the BC : Altot ratios in the soil solution. The soil solutions with the lowest BC : Altot ratios (≤ 2) were typically found in mineral soils with a BS below 10 % and a BC : Al ratio in the soil lower than 0.2. In acid pseudogleyed horizons overlying a calcareous substrate, the soil solution chemistry was strongly influenced by the composition of the underlying soil layers. The soil solutions at 80 cm had pH values and BC : Altot ratios much higher than expected. This situation should be taken into account for the calculations of critical loads of acidity.
Long‐term effects of leguminous cover crops on microbial indices and their relationships in soils of a coconut plantation of a humid tropical region
Authors: Dinesh R.
Published: March 2004

In this study, leguminous crops likeAtylosia scarabaeoides, Centrosema pubescens, Calopogonium mucunoides, andPueraria phaseoloides.grown as soil cover individually in the interspaces of a 19‐yr‐old coconut plantation in S. Andaman (India) were assessed for their influence on various microbial indices (microbial biomass C, biomass N, basal respiration, ergosterol, levels of ATP, AMP, ADP) in soils (0–50 cm) collected from these plots after 10 years. The effects of these cover crops on.CO2(metabolic quotient), adenylate energy charge (AEC), and the ratios of various soil microbial propertiesviz., biomass C : soil organic C, biomass C : N, biomass N : total N, ergosterol : biomass C, and ATP : biomass C were also examined.

Cover cropping markedly enhanced the levels of organic matter and microbial activity in soils after the 10‐yr‐period. Microbial biomass C and N, basal respiration,.CO2, ergosterol and levels of ATP, AMP, ADP in the cover‐cropped plots significantly exceeded the corresponding values in the control plot. While the biomass C : N ratio tended to decrease, the ratios of biomass N : total N, ergosterol : biomass C, and ATP : biomass C increased significantly due to cover cropping. Greater ergosterol : biomass C ratio in the cover‐cropped plots indicated a decomposition pathway dominated by fungi, and high.CO2levels in these plots indicated a decrease in substrate use efficiency probably due to the dominance of fungi. The AEC levels ranged from 0.80 to 0.83 in the cover‐cropped plots, thereby reflecting greater microbial proliferation and activity. The ratios of various microbial and chemical properties could be assigned to three different factors by principal components analysis. The first factor (PC1) with strong loadings of ATP : biomass C ratio, AEC, and.CO2reflected the specific metabolic activity of soil microbes. The ratios of ergosterol : biomass C, soil organic C : total N, and biomass N : total N formed the second factor (PC2) indicating a decomposition pathway dominated by fungi. The biomass C : N and biomass C : soil organic C ratios formed the third principal component (PC3), reflecting soil organic matter availability in relation to nutrient availability. Overall, the study suggested thatPueraria phaseoloides.orAtylosia scarabaeoideswere better suited as cover crops for the humid tropics due to their positive contribution to soil organic C, N, and microbial activity.
Proteome analysis of apoptotic cells
Authors: Thiede Bernd , Rudel Thomas
Published: March 2004

I.
Introduction
00

 II.
Global Analyses of Apoptosis by 2DGE and MS
00

A.  General Experimental Design
00

B.  Identification of Protein Degradation
00

C.  Identification of Other Protein Modifications
00

D.  Identification of Protein Translocation
00

E.  Identification of Protein Synthesis
00

F.  Survey of Identified Proteins
00

G.  Impact of Experimental Design
00

  III.
Analysis of Mitochondrial Releasing Factors by LC/MS
00

  IV.
Analysis of the Death‐Inducing Signaling Complex (DISC)
00

   V.
Analysis of IAP‐Interacting Proteins
00

   VI.
Chemical Proteomics of Caspases
00

  VII.
Conclusions and Outlook
00

 VIII.
Abbreviations
00

Acknowledgments
00

References
00

Apoptosis, a genetically determined form of cell death, is a central and complex process involved in the development of multicellular organisms in the maintenance of cell homeostasis. During apoptosis, a large number of proteins involved in transducing signals are posttranslationally modified. Classical proteomics, the combination of protein separation by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DGE) and protein identification by mass spectrometry (MS), enabled the discovery of more than 100 proteins altered during apoptosis. Functional data about protein degradation, modification, translocation, and synthesis were obtained. In addition to classical proteomics, some specifically designed proteome studies were carried out to analyze specific apoptotic components such as the mitochondrial releasing factors, death‐inducing signaling complex (DISC), inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) interacting proteins, and caspases. The identification of main regulators significantly influenced the elucidation of the concept underlying apoptosis signaling. Thus, the application of detailed protein analytical methods in the young field of apoptosis research was particularly fruitful. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev
Investigation of intact protein complexes by mass spectrometry
Authors: Heck Albert J. R. , van den Heuvel Robert H. H.
Published: March 2004

I.
Introduction
00

  II.
Electrospray Ionization of Biomacromolecules
00

  III.
Mass Analyzers for Biomacromolecular Mass Spectrometry
00

A.  Collisional Cooling and/or Focusing
00

B.  Alternative Mass Analyzers
00

 IV.
Solution‐Phase Properties of Proteins Complexes
00

A.  Protein–Protein Interactions
00

B.  Cooperativity and Cofactors
00

C.  Dynamics of Assembly
00

  V.
Gas‐Phase Properties of Protein Complexes
00

A.  Tandem Mass Spectrometry
00

B.  Charge Separation in Protein Dissociation
00

 VI.
Future Outlook
00

Acknowledgments
00

References
00

Mass spectrometry has grown in recent years to a well‐accepted and increasingly important complementary technique in structural biology. Especially electrospray ionization mass spectrometry is well suited for the detection of non‐covalent protein complexes and their interactions with DNA, RNA, ligands, and cofactors. Over the last decade, significant advances have been made in the ionization and mass analysis techniques, which makes the investigation of even larger and more heterogeneous intact assemblies feasible. These technological developments have paved the way to study intact non‐covalent protein–protein interactions, assembly and disassembly in real time, subunit exchange, cooperativity effects, and effects of cofactors, allowing us a better understanding of proteins in cellular processes. In this review, we describe some of the latest developments and several highlights. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev
Metabolomics applications of FT‐ICR mass spectrometry
Authors: Brown Stephen C. , Kruppa Gary , Dasseux Jean‐Louis
Published: March 2004

Metabolomics, also known as Metabolic Profiling, is an emerging discipline under the umbrella concept of systems biology. The goal of metabolomics is to know and understand the concentrations and fluxes of endogenous metabolites within a living biological system under study. General tools are being developed for the rapid measurement of many metabolites in a single experiment, most of which are mass spectrometric methods. FT‐ICR has unique advantages, as a mass spectrometric method, in this regard. Applications of FT‐ICR to metabolomics analyses will be discussed and reviewed in the context of the single publication currently available. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 24:223–231, 2005
The results of aneuploidy screening in 276 couples undergoing assisted reproductive techniques
Authors: Kahraman S. , Benkhalifa M. , Donmez E. , Biricik A. , Sertyel S. , Findikli N. , Berkil H.
Published: March 2004

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for aneuploidy screening (PGD‐AS) using sequential in situ hybridization was applied for aneuploidy testing in 276 couples with 282 ART cycles. Patients with advanced maternal age (AMA, n = 147), recurrent implantation failure (RIF, n = 48), repeated early spontaneous abortion (RSA, n = 32) and abnormal gamete cell morphology (AGCM, n = 55) including macrocephal sperm forms or cytoplasmic granular oocytes were included. Embryo biopsy was performed on day 3 in a calcium–magnesium–free medium by using a noncontact diode laser system. After fixation and enzymatic treatment, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was carried out on 1147 blastomeres with specific probes for chromosomes 13, 16, 18, 21 and 22 for AMA group, 13, 18, 21, X and Y for AGCM group and 13, 16, 18, 21, 22, X and Y for RIF and RSA groups respectively. The overall chromosomal abnormality rate in analyzed embryos was 40.9%, with no significant difference between AMA, RIF and RSA groups (p > 0.05). However, AGCM group presented a higher rate of chromosomal aneuploidies (57.4%) than the other three groups (p < 0.01). A total of 84% biopsied embryos presented cleavage in 24 h and embryo transfer was realized in 278 cycles. In four cycles, no chromosomally normal embryo was found for embryo transfer. A total of 88 pregnancies (31.6%) were achieved, 19.3% resulted in abortion and 63 healthy births were obtained, with a total of 93 babies born. Aneuploidy testing in couples with poor prognosis undergoing ART cycles is a useful tool to increase the chance of ART success. Furthermore, abnormal gamete cell morphology should be considered one of the major indications for PGD in ART programs as high aneuploidy rates were observed in this group. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The prenatal presentation of congenital erythropoietic porphyria: report of two siblings with elevated maternal serum alpha‐fetoprotein
Authors: Lazebnik Noam , Lazebnik Roee S.
Published: March 2004

Congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP), also termed Günther's disease, is extremely rare and is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. The mutation that causes the most severe deficiency of the enzyme uroporphyrinogen III synthase (URO‐synthase) is C73R. Inheritance of two abnormal alleles results in the accumulation of porphyrins of isomer type I that are biologically useless but cause a wide spectrum of abnormalities in multiple organs. The intrauterine diagnosis of the first affected conceptus within a family is extremely challenging despite abnormal ultrasound findings suggesting severe fetal anemia. We report the abnormal findings in a pair of successive pregnancies in a single Caucasian family that yielded two C73R homozygous affected offspring. The course of the pregnancies, sonographic and laboratory abnormalities, method used for intrauterine diagnosis, therapeutic interventions, and variability of outcome between cases within a single family and the difficulty in managing even prenatally diagnosed cases are reported and discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complete large bowel duplication with paraduodenal cyst: prenatal sonographic features
Authors: Khanna Paritosh C. , Gawand Vinit , Nawale Ajita J. , Deshmukh Tejaswini , Merchant Suleman A.
Published: March 2004

Objectives

To illustrate diagnostic dilemmas while considering a diagnosis of complete large bowel duplication and duodenal duplication cysts.

Methods

A case of large bowel dilatation with a peripancreatic cyst was identified sonographically in a 27‐year‐old gravida 3 at 35 weeks of gestation, suffering from gestational diabetes and pregnancy‐induced hypertension.

Results

On the basis of sonographic findings of dilated, hyperperistaltic large bowel loops, and a large cyst with echo‐free contents near the pancreas, a diagnosis of large bowel obstruction with a paraduodenal cyst was considered. The findings were confirmed after postnatal ultrasonography. At the time of surgery, it proved to be a completely duplicated large bowel with a paraduodenal cyst.

Conclusion

Prenatal findings of a hugely dilated, hyperperistaltic large bowel should lead one to suspect/consider large bowel duplication. Associated cysts are likely to be bowel duplication cysts. Timely intervention can thus obviate potentially serious complications. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biaxial stretching and structure of various LLDPE resins
Authors: Ajji A. , Auger J. , Huang J. , Kale L.
Published: March 2004

The purpose of this study is to investigate the biaxial stretchability, the structure developed, molecular orientation and shrinkage of linear low‐density octene copolymers (LLDPEs) biaxially stretched using a laboratory biaxial stretcher. Seven resins having different molecular characteristics were used in this study. The effect of stretching temperature and rate on stretchability is assessed. Biaxial orientation factors for the crystalline axes as well as that of the amorphous phase were determined using FTIR spectroscopy and shrinkage of oriented films was measured. The results indicate that the high molecular weight tail (Mz) and comonomer content play important roles in orientation of the resins. Higher Mz, MWD and resin content eluting above 90°C (by TREF technique) tends to increase orientation, and finally, some correlation between orientation and Mz, MWD and resin content eluting above 90°C and between shrinkage and amorphous orientation were observed.
RELIC – A bioinformatics server for combinatorial peptide analysis and identification of protein‐ligand interaction sites
Authors: Mandava Suneeta , Makowski Lee , Devarapalli Satish , Uzubell Joseph , Rodi Diane J.
Published: March 2004

Phage display technology provides a versatile tool for exploring the interactions between proteins, peptides and small molecule ligands. Quantitative analysis of peptide population sequence diversity and bias patterns has the power to significantly enhance the impact of these methods [1, 2]. We have developed a suite of computational tools for the analysis of peptide populations and made them accessible by integrating fifteen software programs for the analysis of combinatorial peptide sequences into the REceptor LIgand Contacts (RELIC) relational database and web‐server. These programs have been developed for the analysis of statistical properties of peptide populations; identification of weak consensus sequences within these populations; and the comparison of these peptide sequences to those of naturally occurring proteins. RELIC is particularly suited to the analysis of peptide populations affinity selected with a small molecule ligand such as a drug or metabolite. Within this functional context, the ability to identify potential small molecule binding proteins using combinatorial peptide screening will accelerate as more ligands are screened and more genome sequences become available. The broader impact of this work is the addition of a novel means of analyzing peptide populations to the phage display community.
Differential phosphoproteome profiling by affinity capture and tandem matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Metodiev Metodi V. , Timanova Anna , Stone David E.
Published: March 2004

Protein phosphorylation is a ubiquitous post‐translational modification that affects a significant subset of the proteome and plays an especially important role in signal transduction and cell cycle control in eukaryotic organisms. Recently developed methods that couple multidimensional liquid chromatography to electrospray mass spectrometers can be used to analyze entire phosphoproteomes. However, they require considerable investments and technical skills that are only available in a few highly specialized laboratories. These methods also appear to be biased. Statistical analyses show that peptides from abundant proteins and multiply phosphorylated peptides are disproportionately identified. We describe an economic alternative that utilizes a phospho‐affinity step to isolate the intact phosphoproteins. These are subsequently characterized by electrophoresis and identified by direct de novo sequencing using tandem mass spectrometry. We applied this technique to probe signal‐induced changes in the phosphoproteome of human U937 cells, and found that the pools of two cancer‐related phosphoproteins implicated in intracellular hormones signaling are dramatically altered in the course of monocyte to macrophage differentiation.
Nondenaturing two‐dimensional electrophoresis enzyme profile involving activity and sequence structure of cytosol proteins from mouse liver
Authors: Shimazaki Youji , Sugawara Yuki , Manabe Takashi
Published: March 2004

After cytosol proteins in the mouse liver were separated by nondenaturing two‐dimensional electrophoresis (2‐DE), activities of several enzymes, such as fructose bisphosphatase, sorbitol dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase, transferase and sorbitol dehydrogenase, or several dehydrogenases, were analyzed on the same 2‐D gel. Further, peptidase (or protease) activity can be examined by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight‐mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) when peptides such as angiotensin and adenocorticotropic hormone are incubated in the presence of the cytosol protein separated by nondenaturing 2‐DE. Sequence structures of proteins on the 2‐D gel were analyzed by peptide mass fingerprinting using MALDI‐TOF‐MS or by peptide sequencing using electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS/MS). The combination of activity and sequence structure accurately verified the position and activity range of the separated enzymes on the nondenaturing 2‐D gel. From these results, we created a nondenaturing 2‐D enzyme profile involving activities and sequence structure of cytosol proteins from mouse liver. This profile can be used for checking whether activities of enzymes were specifically or nonspecifically inhibited by inhibitors.
Convenient and versatile subcellular extraction procedure, that facilitates classical protein expression profiling and functional protein analysis
Authors: Abdolzade‐Bavil Afsaneh , Hayes Scott , Goretzki Lothar , Kröger Michaela , Anders Jonas , Hendriks Robertus
Published: March 2004

Standardized sample preparation to reduce proteome complexity facilitates subsequent proteome analysis. Here we describe a robust sequential extraction method that enables simple fractionation of proteins in their native state according to their subcellular localization, yielding four subproteomes enriched in (a) cytosolic; (b) membrane and membrane organelle‐localized; (c) soluble and DNA‐associated nuclear and (d) cytoskeletal proteins. Efficiency and selectivity is demonstrated by morphological‐, two‐dimensional electrophoresis image‐, immunological‐ as well as enzymatic‐analysis. In pilot studies, subcellular redistribution of regulatory proteins was successfully measured.
Comparison of the proteome of Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 grown under methylotrophic and nonmethylotrophic conditions
Authors: Laukel Markus , Rossignol Michel , Borderies Gisèle , Völker Uwe , Vorholt Julia A.
Published: March 2004

Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 is a facultative methylotrophic bacterium that is capable of growing in the presence of methanol as the sole carbon and energy source, but is also able to grow on a limited number of C2, C3, and C4 compounds, for example succinate. This study provides a proteomic view of the cellular adaptation of M. extorquens AM1 to growth on methanol and succinate, respectively. Cytosolic proteins were separated by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis employing overlapping pH ranges and visualized by silver nitrate or fluorescence staining. A proteomic reference map containing 229 different proteins identified by peptide mass fingerprinting of tryptic fragments was established. Comparative proteome profiling of methanol‐ and succinate‐grown cells led to the identification of 68 proteins that are induced under methylotrophic growth conditions in comparison to growth on succinate. This group includes most proteins known to be directly involved in methanol oxidation to CO2 and in assimilation of one carbon units by the serine cycle as well as 18 proteins without any assigned function and two proteins with a predicted regulatory function. Furthermore, the proteome analysis revealed putative isoenzymes for formaldehyde‐activating enzyme Fae, malyl‐CoA lyase, malate‐dehydrogenase, and fumarase, that need to be characterized functionally in future studies.
Proteomic approach to the identification of voltage‐dependent anion channel protein isoforms in guinea pig brain synaptosomes
Authors: Liberatori Sabrina , Canas Benito , Tani Chiara , Bini Luca , Buonocore Giuseppe , Godovac‐Zimmermann Jasminka , Mishra Om P. , Delivoria‐Papadopoulos Maria , Bracci Rodolfo , Pallini Vitaliano
Published: March 2004

Voltage‐dependent anion channel (VDAC) proteins are small, abundant, pore‐forming proteins belonging to the eukaryotic mitochondrial porins. At least three different VDAC genes have been identified in vertebrates. VDAC proteins are known to play an essential role in cellular metabolism and in the early stages of apoptosis. A proteomic approach, consisting of two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by two‐dimensional immunoblotting with anti‐VDAC and anti‐phosphotyrosine antibodies and by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight mass spectrometry, was exploited to define the expression pattern of VDAC isoforms in guinea pig brain synaptosomes, both in normoxic and hypoxic conditions. In this way a total of five different VDAC isoforms were identified, as both VDAC1 and VDAC2 were detected in more than one electrophoretic spot. Moreover, VDAC isoforms selectively undergo hypoxia‐induced tyrosine phosphorylation, suggesting that tyrosine phosphorylation may contribute to the modulation of VDAC protein function/conformation or interaction with other proteins in hypoxic conditions.
Down‐regulation of macrophage inhibitory cytokine‐1/prostate derived factor in benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Kakehi Yoshiyuki , Segawa Takehiko , Wu Xiu‐Xian , Kulkarni Prakash , Dhir Rajiv , Getzenberg Robert H.
Published: March 2004

BACKGROUND

Macrophage inhibitory cytokine‐1 (MIC‐1) is a member of transforming growth factor‐beta/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) superfamily. Despite its potential role in prostatic regulation, little is known about its biological activity.

METHODS

Expression profiling using 42K Affymetrix HuGeneFL® array was conducted to compare symptomatic benign prostatatic hyperplasia (BPH), histological BPH without symptoms, and normal prostate samples from donors. MIC‐1 gene expression was analyzed by RT‐PCR in pure culture of prostate epithelial and stromal cells, and prostate cancer cells, LNCaP, PC‐3, DU‐145. Influence of androgens on MIC‐1 expression in LNCaP cells was analyzed by Northern blot. Enhancement of promoter activity of MIC‐1 by androgens was examined using reporter assays.

RESULTS

In contrast to normal prostates, MIC‐1 gene was down‐regulated in BPH samples with symptoms and histological BPH obtained from cystoprostatectomy specimens (P < 0.005 and P < 0.01, respectively). Expression level of MIC‐1 in androgen‐sensitive LNCaP cells was high and enhanced by androgens, whereas in the androgen‐insensitive PC‐3 and DU‐145 cells the expression level was low. An 11 kb promoter region of MIC‐1 gene was identified to be 6‐ to 12‐fold activated by androgens.

CONCLUSIONS

Down‐regulation of MIC‐1 may play a role in the development of BPH. MIC‐1 is positively regulated by androgens, but other regulatory factors remain unclear. © 2004 Wileey‐Liss, Inc.
Identification and characterization of PLZF as a prostatic androgen‐responsive gene
Authors: Jiang Feng , Wang Zhou
Published: March 2004

BACKGROUND

Promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (PLZF) was initially identified by virtue of its fusion with RARα as a result of a variant t(11;17) chromosomal translocation that occurs in a small subset of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients. PLZF has been reported to have pro‐apoptotic and anti‐proliferative activity both in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

Using a modified subtractive hybridization, we identified PLZF as an androgen‐responsive gene in the rat ventral prostate. Northern blot and Western blot were used to characterize the regulation of PLZF by androgens in LNCaP cells. Stable transfections of PLZF in LNCaP cells were performed to assay the effect of PLZF overexpression on LNCaP cell proliferation.

RESULTS

PLZF mRNA was transiently up‐regulated by androgens in the regressed ventral prostate of castrated adult rat. PLZF was also up‐regulated by androgens, at both mRNA and protein levels, in the androgen‐responsive human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP. Androgen induction of PLZF mRNA was not inhibited by protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide but inhibited by androgen receptor antagonist bicalutamide, indicating that PLZF is a direct androgen‐responsive gene. To study the functions of PLZF in androgen action, LNCaP sublines stably overexpressing PLZF were generated. PLZF overexpression inhibited LNCaP proliferation either in the presence or absence of androgen, which is consistent with the reported anti‐proliferative activity of PLZF.

CONCLUSIONS

The above observations indicate that PLZF is an androgen‐responsive gene with anti‐proliferative activity in prostate cancer cells. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Androgen receptor protein expression in prostatic tissues in black and caucasian men
Authors: Olapade‐Olaopa E. Oluwabunmi , Muronda Charles A. , MacKay E. Hugh , Danso Alex P. , Sandhu Davinder P. , Terry Timothy R. , Habib Fouad K.
Published: March 2004

BACKGROUND

CaP has a higher incidence and mortality in Black men. We hypothesized that subpopulation differences in AR expression may contribute to this phenomenon.

METHOD

AR immunostaining was compared in epithelium and PES of normal, BPH, and CaP tissues from Black African men and UK Caucasian men.

RESULTS

AR expression was similar in normal prostatic epithelium of both groups, but was higher in BPH and CaP epithelium of Black than Caucasian men (P ≤ 0.0001). Also, AR expression in PES was higher in Caucasian than Black men in normal/atrophic and benign hyperplastic tissues, but there was a similar significant loss of AR expression in PES of CaP tissues of both groups (normal and BPH stroma versus CaP stroma (P ≤ 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Variations in AR expression between subpopulations may contribute to the phenotypic differences of prostatic diseases in Black and Caucasian men. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Vented gaseous deflagrations with inertial vent covers: State‐of‐the‐art and progress
Authors: Molkov V. V. , Grigorash A. V. , Eber R. M. , Tamanini F. , Dobashi R.
Published: March 2004

Previous studies on vented gaseous deflagrations with inertial vent covers and related regulatory aspects are examined. The model of turbulent deflagration dynamics, built on energy and mass conservation principles, is developed further to take into account the influence of vent cover inertia. An engineering formula for conservative estimation of the upper limit of vent cover inertia is presented. Similarity analysis has shown that the scaling relationship between the surface density of the cover, w, and the turbulence factor, χ, is wχ3 = const, indicating a significant interrelationship between vent cover inertia and venting‐generated turbulence. Results confirm that turbulence gradually increases after vent opening begins, so that it is possible to increase vent cover inertia significantly. It is demonstrated that instead of widely accepted surface density limits of about 10 kg/m2, values of one/two orders higher, depending on the conditions, could be used for explosion protection with 100% efficiency for large‐scale enclosures. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 23: 29–36, 2004
Volatile organic compound control in an underground experimental facility: Technical and safety issues
Authors: Caputo Antonio C. , Pelagagge Pacifico M. , Tartaglia Roberto
Published: March 2004

In this paper the problem of volatile organic compounds control in the Gran Sasso nuclear physics underground experimental laboratory, Italy, is addressed. In particular the design and risk assessment of a carbon adsorption unit with stream recirculation for the removal of pseudocumene vapors in a nitrogen stream are discussed after a complete process characterization. The plant represents an unconventional installation in terms of required operational flexibility, materials compatibility, and safety level. The adopted technical solutions are described and the results of a Hazard Operability analysis are presented in order to identify design modifications which may contribute to further increasing system safety. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 23: 37–46, 2004
Nonsparking tools: A misnomer
Authors: Shekhar Himanshu
Published: March 2004

The nonsparking tools are frequently referred to as a panacea for all tool–job interactions taking place in an inflammable atmosphere, but an assurance of 100% sparkless operation cannot be insured by their presence alone. If the presence of a high‐intensity spark in an inflammable medium is observed, a fire hazard is present. One part is the generation of the spark and other is its conversion to a full‐fledged fire. The operating conditions, nature of the environment, interaction physics, and surface conditions play a vital role in achieving a sparkless situation. The conversion of a spark to a full‐fledged fire requires evaluation of the spark intensity, heat content, temperature–surface area correlations, and ignition characteristics of the surrounding media. Nonsparking materials produce cold sparks with very little heat content, which cannot initiate a fire even in an atmosphere with very low ignition temperatures. Although several materials are branded as nonsparking, full characterization and detailed theoretical backing are missing. The operating conditions, unsafe working practices, runway speeds, accidental breakage, or fracture can produce adverse situations, which may lead to fire even with nonsparking materials. The so‐called nonsparking tools are silent spectators to fire accidents and, in a true sense, they are only spark‐reducing tools, wrongly called nonsparking in nature. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 23: 62–64, 2004
Steel composite structural pressure vessel technology: Future development analysis of worldwide important pressure vessel technology
Authors: Zhu Guohui , Shah Manesh
Published: March 2004

The Steel Composite Structural Pressure Vessel technology invented by the authors is summarized briefly in this paper. This is a unique advanced pressure vessel technology with wide applications in industrial fields. It has been awarded several National Invention Prizes in China and 20 Chinese and U.S. patents. Some outstanding characteristics of this technology are burst resistance, dispersed defects, safety in service, simplified manufacturing, and safe, reliable, economic online safety monitoring. These characteristics result from the multiple functional shell natures of this unique technology. There are four patented technological systems, namely, cross‐helically wound flat steel ribbon on a thin inner shell high‐pressure vessels, single U‐groove steel ribbon interlocked and cross‐helically wound on a thin inner shell large high‐pressure vessels, total double‐layer normal‐pressure vessels and storage tanks, and single U‐groove steel ribbons interlocked and cross‐helically wound onto a thin inner shell low‐pressure large storage tanks. These technologies can reduce fabrication cost by 20 to 50%.

The first of these technologies was approved by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) as Code Case 2269 in 1997 for high‐pressure vessels with internal diameter ranging from 12 inch to 12 ft for use in the manufacture of ammonia, urea, and methanol as well as large petroleum hydrogenation hot wall high‐pressure reactors and other industrial equipment. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 23: 65–71, 2004
Surface segregating kinetics in a ternary system
Authors: Swart H. C. , Roos W. D. , Terblans J. J.
Published: March 2004

The physical metallurgy of iron and steel is exceedingly complicated and many of the complications arise from the behavior of solutes, which segregate to surfaces and interfaces, which alter the mechanical behavior. The modified Darken model was used to describe the complex segregation behavior of the species involved. Trends in the surface concentration changes as describe by the Darken model for a ternary alloy are shown. Simulations were done for different interaction parameters, different bulk concentrations of the species, different segregation energies of the species and different mobilities (diffusion coefficient and activation energy). Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of cerium‐based conversion coatings on 2024‐T3 Al alloy after rare‐earth desmutting
Authors: Hughes A. E. , Gorman J. D. , Miller P. R. , Sexton B. A. , Paterson P. J. K. , Taylor R. J.
Published: March 2004

The deposition of Ce‐based conversion coatings onto 2024‐T3 Al alloy sheet was studied using Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. The Al sheet was pretreated with an alkaline clean followed by treatment in a Ce(IV) and H2SO4‐based desmutter. The Ce(IV)‐based conversion coating solution contained 0.1 M CeCl3·7H2O and 3% H2O2 and was acidified to pH 1.9 with HCl. Upon immersion, there was an induction period that included activation followed by aluminium oxide growth over the matrix and cerium oxide deposition onto cathodic intermetallic particles and along rolling marks on the surface. After the induction period cerium oxide deposited generally across the whole surface and thickened. The strongest anodic sites initially were adjacent to the intermetallic cathodes and resulted in aluminium dissolution but also oxide thickening. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scientists' views of science, models of writing, and science writing practices
Authors: Yore Larry D. , Hand Brian M. , Florence Marilyn K.
Published: March 2004

Written and oral communications and the processes of writing and reading are highly valued within the scientific community; scientists who communicate well are successful in gaining recognition and support from members of their own communities, the research funding agencies, and the wider society. Yet how do scientists achieve this proficiency? Are expert scientists equally expert writers in and of science? Do scientists' perceptions of the nature of science influence their writing strategies and processes, and their beliefs about the role of writing in knowledge construction? This study used a questionnaire and semistructured interviews to document these perceptions, strategies, processes, and beliefs in a nonrandom sample of Canadian university scientists and engineers. The results indicate that the scientists subscribed to a contemporary evaluativist view of science, used common writing strategies, held similar beliefs about scientific writing and nonscientific writing, and agreed that writing generates insights and clarifies ambiguity in science. The engineers held a different view of technology than the common views of science or technology as simply applied science. These findings were slightly different than those found for American scientists from a large land‐grant university. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 41: 338–369, 2004
Remarks
Authors: Menino Thomas M.
Published: March 2004

We need to strengthen the afterschool field through research, evaluation, clearinghouses of information, and links between school and extended day goals and outcomes.
The critical ingredient: Caring youth‐staff relationships in after‐school settings
Authors: Rhodes Jean E.
Published: March 2004

After‐school settings are interpersonal in nature, and the quality of the relationships that are forged can directly influence youths' attendance decisions and the developmental benefits they derive. Programs should more effectively capitalize on this potential for caring adult‐staff relationships.
Cassettes for the PCR‐mediated construction of regulatable alleles in Candida albicans
Authors: Gerami‐Nejad Maryam , Hausauer Danielle , McClellan Mark , Berman Judith , Gale Cheryl
Published: March 2004

The recent availability of genome sequence information for the opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans has greatly facilitated the ability to perform genetic manipulations in this organism. Two important molecular tools for studying gene function are regulatable promoters for generating conditional mutants and fluorescent proteins for determining the subcellular localization of fusion gene products. We describe a set of plasmids containing promoter–GFP cassettes (PMET3–GFP, PGAL1–GFP, and PPCK1–GFP), linked to a selectable nutritional marker gene (URA3). PCR‐mediated gene modification generates gene‐specific promoter, or gene‐specific promoter–GFP, fusions at the 5′‐end of the gene of interest. One set of primers can be used to generate three strains expressing a native protein of interest, or an amino‐terminal GFP‐tagged version, from three different regulatable promoters. Thus, these promoter cassette plasmids facilitate construction of conditional mutant strains, overexpression alleles and/or inducible amino‐terminal GFP fusion proteins. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.