bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identity and Adherence in a Diabetes Patient: Transformations in Psychotherapy
Authors: Tilden Barbara , Charman Denise , Sharples Jenny , Fosbury Jackie
Published: March 2005

The authors present the case study of a 26-year-old woman who developed diabetes in early adolescence and who attended seven CAT sessions. They used phenomenology to analyze therapy transcripts, case notes, and a reflexive journal and extract the major themes. The client’s identity had been overshadowed by the development of a “diabetic identity” that the client rejected. Poor adherence was linked to the rejection. Motivation to manage her diabetes changed during the CAT sessions once her identity was confirmed as being separate from her diabetes. The client was then able to integrate diabetes into her life. Psychological and psychosocial factors are linked in complex ways, in both the personal development of adolescents with diabetes and their transition to adulthood. Understanding the impact of diabetes on identity can enhance the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions with nonadhering clients.
The Milk of Human Kindness: Environmental and Human Interactions in a WIC Clinic That Influence Infant-Feeding Decisions of Black Women
Authors: Cricco-Lizza Roberta
Published: March 2005

In this ethnographic study, the author explores the context of Black women’s infant-feeding decisions in an urban WIC clinic. Data were obtained from 319 people (130 Black women enrolled in WIC [BWEW], 189 relatives and friends) with close follow-up of 11 primiparous key informants during pregnancy and the first year postpartum. The major findings include (a) the WIC clinic environment set a positive tone for service, (b) WIC employees treated the women with caring and respect, (c) BWEW believed that WIC was a source of support in time of need, and (d) WIC influenced infant-feeding decisions. The availability of free formula facilitated bottle feeding, but personalized breast-feeding promotion with trusting relationships with WIC providers encouraged breast-feeding decisions for almost half of the key informants.
Demographic Effects on the Use of Vertical Sources of Guidance by Managers in Widely Differing Cultural Contexts
Authors: Smith Peter B. , Peterson Mark F. , Ahmad Abd Halim , Akande Debo , Andersen Jon Aarum , Ayestaran Sabino , Bellotto Massimo , Bochner Stephen , Callan Victor , Davila Carlos , Ekelund Bjorn , François Pierre-Henri , Graversen Gert , Harb Charles , Jesuino Jorge , Kantas Aristotle , Karamushka Lyudmila , Koopman Paul , Leung Kwok , Kruzela Pavla , Malvezzi Sigmar , Mogaji Andrew , Mortazavi Shahrenaz , Munene John , Parry Ken , Peng T. K. , Punnett Betty Jane , Radford Mark , Ropo Arja , Sadhwani Sunita , Saiz Jose , Savage Grant , Sorenson Ritch , Szabo Erna , Teparakul Punyacha , Tirmizi Aqeel , Tsvetanova Sevda , Viedge Conrad , Wall Carolyn , Wang Zhong Ming , Yanchuk Vladimir
Published: March 2005

Data provided by 7380 middle managers from 60 nations are used to determine whether demographic variables are correlated with managers’ reliance on vertical sources of guidance in different nations and whether these correlations differ depending on national culture characteristics. Significant effects of Hofstede’s national culture scores, age, gender, organization ownership and department function are found. After these main effects have been discounted, significant although weak interactions are found, indicating that demographic effects are stronger in individualist, low power distance nations than elsewhere. Significant non-predicted interaction effects of uncertainty avoidance and masculinity-femininity are also obtained. The implications for theory and practice of the use of demographic attributes in understanding effective management procedures in various parts of the world are discussed.
Job Burnout among Airline Employees in Japan
Authors: Tourigny Louise , Baba Vishwanath V. , Lituchy Terri R.
Published: March 2005

The present study focuses on the cultural meaning and effectiveness of coping strategies on the process of burnout among Japanese employees in the airline industry. The role of self-applied and other-applied strategies for coping with burnout is investigated. Voluntary absence and supervisory support were chosen as the self- and other-applied coping mechanisms because of their theoretical and contextual relevance. The study was guided by the restorative model of absence. A sequential model of burnout with emotional exhaustion leading to both depersonalization and diminished personal accomplishment was used to study the moderating effects of coping mechanisms. Data were collected from 90 airline service employees working in Tokyo, Japan. Existing instruments of measurement with appropriate translations were used. Absence was found to moderate the relationship between emotional exhaustion and diminished personal accomplishment, while supervisory support was found to moderate the relationship between emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. The theoretical implications of differential moderating effects in a burnout episode as well as its practical implications for the Japanese workplace are discussed.
The Meaning of Working and Professional Development Needs of Employees in a Post-Communist Country
Authors: Ardichvili Alexandre
Published: March 2005

This study represents one of the first attempts to explore the meaning of working in countries undergoing transition from centrally planned to market-oriented economies. The study surveyed 260 engineers from four large industrial enterprises in Russia, and utilized questions from the Meaning of Working (MOW) instrument. The main finding regarding the work centrality dimension is that spending time with family was the most important among life roles and activities, followed by work, and then by leisure. The response to the lottery question (‘would you stop working if you win the lottery?’) was quite similar to that observed in countries of the West, with 85% of respondents willing to continue working even without any significant material need for work income. Regarding desired work outcomes, interesting and satisfying work and contacts with interesting people were rated much higher than income and time absorption, and higher than prestige and status or service to the society. Differences between beliefs of respondents from Moscow and a provincial city (Vladimir) point towards a significant ‘capital city’ effect on six valued work outcome dimensions. Status and prestige and societal contributions (‘my work gives me an opportunity to serve the society’) were the most significant among these factors.
Public Health and the Prevention of Juvenile Criminal Violence
Authors: Welsh Brandon C.
Published: March 2005

This article reviews the role that public health currently plays in preventing juvenile criminal violence and explores how the law-and-order approach—the dominant response to juvenile criminal violence—can benefit from the involvement of the health community. It finds that an increasingly punitive response to juvenile criminal violence in the United States represents an unsustainable approach to the problem. One approach to addressing the problem of juvenile violence that has garnered much attention and support over the past 2 decades, especially in the United States, is a public health approach. Although it emphasizes primary prevention, views violence as a threat to community health rather than community order, and adheres to scientific principles, it should be seen as not so much a challenge to law and order but rather as a complement to it—part of an effort to create a more balanced, comprehensive, and sustainable strategy in preventing and reducing juvenile criminal violence.
Operation Storefront
Authors: Snell Clete , Bailey Laura
Published: March 2005

Almost 90% of tobacco users began the habit as teens. Despite the Master Settlement Agreement with states, the tobacco industry has increased its marketing efforts among tobacco retailer outlets such as convenience stores. New tobacco retailer laws have been enacted but are not regularly enforced. Point-of-purchase tobacco advertising, promotions, and compliance with tobacco laws were recorded among a sample of 409 stores in three Texas counties. Patterns of storefront advertising mirrored youth and minority purchase and brand preferences. Active enforcement and retailer education resulted in less tobacco advertising and greater compliance with the use of required warning signs. Tobacco advertising and noncompliance with state laws is most problematic among nonchain stores and in rural locations.
Contrasting Juvenile and Program-Level Impacts on Diversion Service Provision
Authors: Hogan Michael J. , Campbell Justin S.
Published: March 2005

This study examined juvenile risk and program characteristics’ relative impact on the number of services provided to juveniles who exited Colorado diversion programs in the 1998-1999 fiscal year. Multivariate hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) analyses indicated program characteristics were generally stronger predictors of service provision than juvenile risk factors. However, some risk factors interacted with program characteristics to significantly predict service provision. Further examination of interaction effects revealed suggestions for successfully implementing modern rehabilitation models as well as for future evaluations of correctional programs. In particular, juvenile community corrections programs should enhance the breadth and depth of data collected for program evaluation and state audit purposes if administrators plan to demonstrate program efficacy.
Mice have a transcribed L-threonine aldolase/GLY1 gene, but the human GLY1 gene is a non-processed pseudogene
Authors: Edgar Alasdair J
Published: March 2005

Background

There are three pathways of L-threonine catabolism. The enzyme L-threonine aldolase (TA) has been shown to catalyse the conversion of L-threonine to yield glycine and acetaldehyde in bacteria, fungi and plants. Low levels of TA enzymatic activity have been found in vertebrates. It has been suggested that any detectable activity is due to serine hydroxymethyltransferase and that mammals lack a genuine threonine aldolase.

Results

The 7-exon murine L-threonine aldolase gene (GLY1) is located on chromosome 11, spanning 5.6 kb. The cDNA encodes a 400-residue protein. The protein has 81% similarity with the bacterium Thermotoga maritima TA. Almost all known functional residues are conserved between the two proteins including Lys242 that forms a Schiff-base with the cofactor, pyridoxal-5'-phosphate. The human TA gene is located at 17q25. It contains two single nucleotide deletions, in exons 4 and 7, which cause frame-shifts and a premature in-frame stop codon towards the carboxy-terminal. Expression of human TA mRNA was undetectable by RT-PCR. In mice, TA mRNA was found at low levels in a range of adult tissues, being highest in prostate, heart and liver. In contrast, serine/threonine dehydratase, another enzyme that catabolises L-threonine, is expressed very highly only in the liver. Serine dehydratase-like 1, also was most abundant in the liver. In whole mouse embryos TA mRNA expression was low prior to E-15 increasing more than four-fold by E-17.

Conclusion

Mice, the western-clawed frog and the zebrafish have transcribed threonine aldolase/GLY1 genes, but the human homolog is a non-transcribed pseudogene. Serine dehydratase-like 1 is a putative L-threonine catabolising enzyme.
Chemical Modification of Wood by Polyglycerol/Maleic Anhydride Treatment
Authors: Roussel C. , Marchetti V. , Lemor A. , Wozniak E. , Loubinoux B. , Gérardin P.
Published: March 2005

Polyglycerol (PG), an agricultural by-product of diester industry, was reacted with maleic anhydride
(MA) to give heat curable compounds which are useful for impregnating wood to improve biological
resistance, dimensional stability and strength. The relationships between reaction conditions of polyglycerol/maleic anhydride (PG/MA) adduct treatment and performance of treated solid wood were investigated.
Conditions recommended for producing PG/MA treated wood durable for a long time are vacuum/pressure impregnation of aqueous solutions of PG/MA adduct (30%) in the presence of 2-butanone
peroxide (2%) and cobalt naphthenate (2%).
An Evaluation of the Mechanical and Chemical Dispersion Methods for a Tropical Old Alluvium
Authors: Zhang G , Germaine JT , Whittle AJ
Published: March 2005

Resulting from tropical weathering, the old alluvium in San Juan, Puerto Rico contains Fe-oxides, which cause the formation of aggregates through both cementation and aggregation, and hence, is not readily dispersible in water. Various methods of sample preparation were adopted to disperse this deposit, consisting of mechanical remolding, varying dispersant type and quantity, and drying. The resultant degree of dispersion was evaluated by particle size analysis. Results reveal that both mechanical and chemical dispersion is required in order to obtain a completely dispersed and stable suspension, and chemical dispersion alone is not effective in disintegrating the aggregates caused by cementation. Drying usually includes mechanical, physico-chemical, and chemical reactions and can either disperse a soil or produce more aggregates, depending on drying temperature and a soil's chemistry and composition. Air-drying disperses this soil more than oven-drying. This investigation also indirectly evaluated the applicability of the ASTM standard test method for particle size analysis to this deposit.
The Role of Grain Boundary Engineering on the High Temperature Creep of Ferritic-Martensitic Alloy T91
Authors: Gupta G , Was GS
Published: March 2005

Ferritic-Martensitic alloys are expected to play a major role in supercritical water reactor internals. These steels offer better swelling resistance than austenitic alloys but may suffer from grain boundary or matrix creep and loss of strength at higher temperatures and unacceptably low toughness at lower temperatures. The focus of this investigation is to improve the creep resistance of T91 by grain boundary engineering. By increasing the fraction of coincident site lattice (CSL), or special boundaries, the grain boundaries are strengthened against sliding and deformation, thus improving the creep resistance. Thermo-mechanical treatment for coincident site lattice enhancement of T91 has already been developed. High temperature (500°C) creep experiments in argon are conducted to assess the effectiveness of the CSL enhanced microstructure on the creep rate. Experimental analysis shows that the CSL-enhanced condition results in a lower creep rate by a factor of 3-4 as-compared to A/R condition for T91 at a temperature of 500°C and in the stress range of 200–225 MPa by reducing the effective stress.
Frontal and Temporal Dopamine Release during Working Memory and Attention Tasks in Healthy Humans: a Positron Emission Tomography Study Using the High-Affinity Dopamine D2Receptor Ligand [11C]FLB 457
Authors: Aalto Sargo , Brück Anna , Laine Matti , Någren Kjell , Rinne Juha O.
Published: March 2005

Experimental studies on animals have shown that dopamine is a key neurotransmitter in the regulation of working memory (WM) functions in the prefrontal cortex. In humans, blood flow studies show prefrontal involvement in WM functions, but direct evidence for the involvement of the dopaminergic system in WM is lacking. Using positron emission tomography with a recently developed high-affinity dopamine D2receptor tracer, [11C]FLB 457, we explored frontal, temporal, and parietal D2receptor availability in 12 healthy volunteers while they were performing verbal WM and sustained attention tasks. During the performance of both tasks, reduced D2receptor availability was observed in the left ventral anterior cingulate, suggesting an attention or arousal-related increase in dopamine release during these tasks. Compared with the sustained attention task, the verbal WM task reduced D2receptor availability in the ventrolateral frontal cortex bilaterally and in the left medial temporal structures (amygdala, hippocampus), suggesting that dopamine release in these regions might have a specific role in WM. In addition, correlation analyses indicated that increased dopamine release in the right ventrolateral frontal cortex and the left ventral anterior cingulate during the WM task was associated with faster and more stable WM performance, respectively. Our results indicate that regionally specific components of the frontotemporal dopaminergic network are functionally involved in WM performance in humans.
Multiple Interacting Sites of Ectopic Spike Electrogenesis in Primary Sensory Neurons
Authors: Amir Ron , Kocsis Jeffery D. , Devor Marshall
Published: March 2005

Ectopic discharge generated in injured afferent axons and cell somatain vivocontributes significantly to chronic neuropathic dysesthesia and pain after nerve trauma. Progress has been made toward understanding the processes responsible for this discharge using a preparation consisting of whole excised dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) with the cut nerve attached. In thein vitropreparation, however, spike activity originates in the DRG cell soma but rarely in the axon. We have now overcome this impediment to understanding the overall electrogenic processes in soma and axon, including the resulting discharge patterns, by modifying the bath medium in which recordings are made. At both sites, bursts can be triggered by subthreshold oscillations, a phasic stimulus, or spikes arising elsewhere in the neuron. In the soma, once triggered, bursts are maintained by depolarizing afterpotentials, whereas in the axon, an additional process also plays a role, delayed depolarizing potentials. This alternative process appears to be involved in “clock-like” bursting, a discharge pattern much more common in axons than somata. Ectopic spikes arise alternatively in the soma, the injured axon end (neuroma), and the region of the axonal T-junction. Discharge sequences, and even individual multiplet bursts, may be a mosaic of action potentials that originate at these alternative electrogenic sites within the neuron. Correspondingly, discharge generated at these alternative sites may interact, explaining the sometimes-complex firing patterns observedin vivo.
Entwurf von Ablaufsteuerungen für ereignisdiskrete Prozesse auf der Basis geeigneter Steuerstreckenmodelle (Design of Sequential Controllers for Discrete Event Processes on the basis of suited Plant Models)
Authors: Zander Hans-Joachim
Published: March 2005

Ausgehend von Betrachtungen zum nichtdeterministischen Verhalten ereignisdiskreter Prozesse wird ein nichtdeterministischer Moore-Automat als geeignete Modellierungsbasis für Steuerstrecken definiert und dessen Zusammenspiel mit einem deterministischen Steuerautomaten als Modell der Steuereinrichtung analysiert. Um diese beiden Modellformen durch Petri-Netze darstellen zu können, werden spezielle Interpretationen für Strecken- und Steuernetze eingeführt. Unter Nutzung dieser Beschreibungsmittel wird eine Methode zur Generierung (Synthese) von Steueralgorithmen aus Streckennetzen vorgestellt und an einem aus der Literatur bekannten, leicht überschaubaren Beispiel demonstriert.
Phylogenetic information in polymorphic L1 and Alu insertions from East Asians and Native American populations
Authors: Mateus Pereira L.H. , Socorro A. , Fernandez I. , Masleh M. , Vidal D. , Bianchi N.O. , Bonatto S.L. , Salzano F.M. , Herrera R.J.
Published: March 2005

This study attempts to ascertain genetic affinities between Native American and East Asian populations by analyzing four polymorphic Alu insertions (PAIs) and three L1 polymorphic loci. These two genetic systems demonstrated strong congruence when levels of diversity and genetic distances were considered. Overall, genetic relatedness within Native American groups does not correlate with geographical and linguistic structure, although strong grouping for Native Americans with East Asians was demonstrated, with clear discrimination from African and European groups. Most of the variation was assigned to differences occurring within groups, but the interpopulation variation found for South Amerindians was recognizably higher in comparison to the other sampled groups of populations. Our data suggest that bottleneck events followed by strong influence of genetic drift in the process of the peopling of the Americas may have been determinant factors in delineating the genetic background of present‐day South Amerindians. Since no clear subgroups were detected within Native Americans and East Asians, there is no indication of multiple waves in the early colonization of the New World. Am J Phys Anthropol 128:171‐184, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Crosslinking of low‐density polyethylene by diisocyanates for superior barrier properties
Authors: Raj Baldev , Jagadish R. S. , Srinivas P. , Siddaramaiah
Published: March 2005

The chemical modification of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) resins with hexamethylene diisocyanate and toluene diisocyanate was achieved. The reaction of LDPE with diisocyanate was monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, wherein the appearance of new peaks at 3326, 1620, and 1572 cm−1 corresponding to NH stretching, (CO)NH2 stretching, and NH bending in an amide moiety, respectively, was observed. Modified films of excellent clarity and uniform thickness were obtained by the solution casting of crosslinked polyethylene. The oxygen transmission rate (OTR), water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), grease resistance, and thermal properties of the modified films were studied. The results clearly indicate that the OTR was improved by 35% and that grease resistance was improved by 90–125% in the crosslinked LDPE films with little change in their strengths. The heat seal characteristics, however, showed that relatively higher temperatures were needed to achieve efficient sealing in these films. Differential scanning calorimetry showed a decrease in the melting temperature from 104°C for LDPE to 101°C for both of the crosslinked LDPE films. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 1193–1199, 2005
Cell fate specification along the anterior–posterior axis of the intermediate mesoderm
Authors: Barak Hila , Rosenfelder Lea , Schultheiss Thomas M. , Reshef Ram
Published: March 2005

The vertebrate intermediate mesoderm (IM) is highly patterned along the anterior–posterior (A‐P) axis. In the chick embryo, the kidney tissue, which is a derivative of the IM, is generated only from IM located posterior to the sixth somite axial level, which also marks the border between cranial and trunk segments. The cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern the formation of the anterior border of the kidney morphogenetic field are currently unknown. In this study, we asked whether specific A‐P patterning information is conveyed by the movement of cells through the primitive streak (PS) at different time points that consequently affects the expression of kidney genes, or by the environment that these cells encounter during their migration to the IM. In this study, we show that kidney‐inductive signals are present along the whole axis, including anterior non–kidney‐generating regions. These inductive signals are generated by tissues that are located medial to the anterior IM. We also demonstrate that cells that migrate through the PS of early embryonic stages (Hamburger and Hamilton stage 3–4 and earlier), which will give rise to anterior nonkidney IM, are competent to respond to these inductive factors. This prospective anterior IM tissue loses its competence to respond to kidney inducing signals during its migration from the PS to its final location in the anterior IM. We present here a model in which changes in cell competence determine the formation of the anterior border of kidney gene expression and discuss the possible evolutionary implications of this developmental mechanism. Developmental Dynamics 232:901–914, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reduction of selection bias in genomewide studies by resampling
Authors: Sun Lei , Bull Shelley B.
Published: March 2005

The accuracy of gene localization, the reliability of locus‐specific effect estimates, and the ability to replicate initial claims of linkage and/or association have emerged as major methodological concerns in genomewide studies of complex diseases and quantitative traits. To address the issue of multiple comparisons inherent in genomewide studies, the use of stringent criteria for assessing statistical significance has been generally acknowledged as a strategy to control type I error. However, the application of genomewide significance criteria does not take account of the selection bias introduced into parameter estimates, e.g., estimates of locus‐specific effect size of disease/trait loci. Some have argued that reliable locus‐specific parameter estimates can only be obtained in an independent sample. In this report, we examine statistical resampling techniques, including cross‐validation and the bootstrap, applied to the initial sample to improve the estimation of locus‐specific effects. We compare them with the naïve method in which all data are used for both hypothesis testing and parameter estimation, as well as with the split‐sample approach in which part of the data are reserved for estimation. Upward bias of the naïve estimator and inadequacy of the split‐sample approach are derived analytically under a simple quantitative trait model. Simulation studies of the resampling methods are performed for both the simple model and a more realistic genomewide linkage analysis. Our results suggest that cross‐validation and bootstrap methods can substantially reduce the estimation bias, especially when the effect size is small or there is no genetic effect. Genet. Epidemiol. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Early signals for fracture healing
Authors: Li Xinmin , Quigg Richard J. , Zhou Jian , Ryaby James T. , Wang Hali
Published: March 2005

Fracture healing requires the cooperation of multiple molecular signaling pathways. To better understand this cascade of transcriptional events, we compared the gene expression profiles between intact bone and fractured bone at days 1, 2, and 4 using a rat femur model of bone healing. Cluster analysis identified several groups of genes with dynamic temporal expression patterns and stage‐specific functions. The immediate‐response genes are highlighted by binding activity, transporter activity, and energy derivation. We consider these activities as critical signals for initiation of fracture healing. The continuously increased genes are characterized by those directly involved in bone repair, thus, representing bone specific forefront workers. The constantly upregulated genes tend to regulate general cell growth and are enriched with genes that are involved in tumorigenesis, suggesting common pathways between two processes. The constantly downregulated genes predominantly involve immune response, the significance of which remains for further investigation. Knowledge acquired through this analysis of transcriptional activities at the early stage of bone healing will contribute to our understanding of fracture repair and bone‐related pathological conditions. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic and epigenetic aspects of bladder cancer
Authors: Kim Wun‐Jae , Quan Changyi
Published: March 2005

Transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder has a diverse collection of biologic and functional characteristics. This is reflected in differing clinical courses. The diagnosis of bladder cancer is based on the information provided by cystoscopy, the gold standard in combination with urinary cytology findings. Many tumor markers have been evaluated for detecting and monitoring the disease in serum, bladder washes, and urinary specimens. However, none of these biomarkers reported to date has shown sufficient sensitivity and specificity for the detection of the whole spectrum of bladder cancer diseases in routine clinical practice. The limited value of established prognostic markers requires the analysis of new molecular parameters of interest in predicting the prognosis of bladder cancer patients; in particular, the high‐risk patient groups at risk of progression and recurrence. Over the past decade, there has been major progress elucidating of the molecular genetic and epigenetic changes leading to the development of transitional cell carcinoma. This review focuses on the recent advances of genetic and epigenetic aspects in bladder cancer, and emphasizes how molecular biology would be likely to affect the future therapies. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Estimation of fouling in a plate heat exchanger through the application of neural networks
Authors: Riverol C , Napolitano V
Published: March 2005

Pasteurization is an important, if not the most important, process step in the packaging of milk. It is subject to alterations stemming from the variation in the temperature, pH and raw milk quality. The variability may manifest itself in changes in the formation of the deposit (fouling) in the pasteurization unit, such that there is a need for tools, both instrumentation and computational, to help in monitoring the process and keeping it on the desired course. In this paper we describe a practical procedure based on artificial neural networks (ANN) that allows prediction of the deposit thickness, the overall heat transfer coefficient and the critical time (the time that the unit has to be stopped for cleaning) for reducing the impact of fouling on such processes. The procedure determines when the cleaning operation is required once the system is under critical conditions of operations. A combination of fundamental studies and plant measurements were used for study of the operating conditions and thus evaluation of the trades‐offs between operating conditions and longer operating life span. The results are encouraging, enough to validate current operating industrial techniques. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Nickel and copper removal from aqueous solution by an immature coal (leonardite): effect of pH, contact time and water hardness
Authors: Zeledón‐Toruño Zoraida , Lao‐Luque Conxita , Solé‐Sardans Montserrat
Published: March 2005

The removal of Ni(II) and Cu(II) from aqueous solutions by a low cost sorbent (leonardite) was studied. The metal uptake was pH‐dependent and the maximum sorption for two metals was obtained at around pH 5–6. Batch kinetic studies showed that equilibrium time was reached after 2 h of contact time. Equilibrium isotherms were obtained for the adsorption data of the two metals in single and binary systems. Equilibrium data were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich models and the maximum adsorption capacities were found to be 0.33 mmol of copper and 0.26 mmol of nickel per gram of leonardite. In binary solutions containing the two metals an important reduction of nickel uptake was observed while the sorption of copper was less affected. The presence of Ca2+ affected the removal of both copper and nickel ions, although the adsorption of nickel was reduced more than that of copper. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Characterization of a semi‐replicative gene delivery system allowing propagation of complementary defective retroviral vectors
Authors: Trajcevski Stéphane , Solly Sounkary K. , Frisén Charlotte , Trenado Aurélie , Cosset François‐Loïc , Klatzmann David
Published: March 2005

Background

Recently, several cancer gene therapy studies have shown that replication‐competent retroviral vectors represent a major improvement over replication‐defective ones in terms of transgene propagation efficiency. However, this positive effect is somewhat spoiled by the increased risk of dissemination and oncogenesis that replication‐competent retroviral vectors entail. To enhance both their integral safety and their transgene capacity, we developed a semi‐replication‐competent retroviral vector system.

Methods

The semi‐replication‐competent retroviral vector system is based on two transcomplementing replication‐defective retroviral vectors termed gag‐pol vector (GPv) and env vector (Ev). Vector propagation was monitored in vitro and in solid tumors in vivo, using different reporter transgenes for GPv and Ev. Systemic vector dissemination and leukemogenesis was assessed by direct intravenous vector injection and subsequent bone marrow transplantation, in MLV‐sensitive mice.

Results

In vitro and in vivo the semi‐replication‐competent retroviral vectors propagate transgenes almost as efficiently as replication‐competent ones. The semi‐replication‐competent retroviral vector system does not lead to detectable dissemination or leukemogenesis as does the replication‐competent vector or the parental virus. Additionally, the vector duo allows co‐propagation of different transgenes as well as mobilization of a third replication‐defective vector.

Conclusions

This study is an initial proof of principle for the use of complementary retroviral vectors to deliver and propagate transgenes in vitro and in solid tumors in vivo, but with reduced pathogenicity compared to its parental virus. In‐between replication‐defective and replication‐competent retroviral vectors, this semi‐replicative system offers good grounds for its application in in vitro studies and allows envisioning its further development for cancer gene therapy. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Slow emergence of the giant component in the growing m‐out graph
Authors: Bollobás Béla , Riordan Oliver
Published: March 2005

Let H be a random graph on n vertices, grown by adding vertices one at a time, joining each new vertex to a uniformly chosen set of m earlier vertices. If edges of H are deleted independently, each being retained with probability p, then there is a “phase transition”. There is a certain critical value pc of p such that, with high probability, a component of order Θ(n) remains as n → ∞ if and only if p > pc. Among other results, we obtain the exact value of pc, which depends on m in a nontrivial way, and show that the phase transition has “infinite order”; in fact, for p = pc + ϵ, the largest component has order exp(−Θ(1/$\sqrt{\varepsilon}$))n with high probability. Analogous results were proved recently in by Bollobás, Janson, and Riordan [Random Structures Algorithms 26 (2005), 1–36] for a related model in which edges are present independently. The model we study is considerably more difficult to analyze, since the dependence between the edges is very important, affecting the value of pc, so many new complications arise. In overcoming these complications we make use of the techniques developed by the authors [Internet Math 1 (2003), 1–35] to analyze a very different model. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2005
Application of the parameter‐free genetic algorithm to the fixed channel assignment problem
Authors: Matsui Shouichi , Watanabe Isamu , Tokoro Ken‐Ichi
Published: March 2005

This paper is concerned with the application of the parameter‐free genetic algorithm (PfGA) proposed by Sawai and colleagues and the parallel distributed PfGA, to the fixed channel assignment problem. The results of the investigation are presented. The PfGA does not include parameters such as the population size, the crossover rate, and the mutation rate, which have been indispensable in the conventional genetic algorithm (GA). This eliminates parameter tuning for each problem, which is a very useful property in practice. Although the applications of PfGA to function optimization in 5 to 10 dimensions have been reported, there has been no report on the performance when it is applied to combinatorial optimization with a larger search space, and it remains a practically important problem to examine the performance in such a case. This paper considers the application of the PfGA to the fixed channel assignment problem, which is a combinatorial optimization problem. The sequence representation by the random keys is investigated, and it is shown that the PfGA and the parallel distributed PfGA have as high a performance in the fixed channel assignment problem as in the function optimization problem. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 36(4): 71–81, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10328
Parallel matrix‐multiplication algorithm for distributed parallel computers
Authors: Hattori Masamitsu , Ito Nobuhiro , Chen Wei , Wada Koichi
Published: March 2005

This paper proposes a matrix‐multiplication algorithm suited to the distributed computer environment. The system is implemented using PVM and the execution time is evaluated. One of the conventional methods implemented using PVM is the systolic method. However, this method is limited with respect to the matrix size that can be calculated and the number of computers that can be used in the calculation. This paper first extends the algorithm so that these limitations are lifted. Then, an algorithm is proposed which can reduce the communication complexity, although the computational complexity is slightly increased. These two algorithms are implemented using PVM, and the execution time is measured. In either algorithm, an acceleration rate exceeding the number of computers is obtained. The effectiveness is found to be due to the effect of the cache memory, and the speed improvement obtained by using cache memory is investigated. The optimal number of matrix divisions from the viewpoint of cache memory size is also discussed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 36(4): 48–59, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10551
Design of decision trees using class‐dependent feature subsets
Authors: Aoki Kazuaki , Watanabe Toshiharu , Kudo Mineichi
Published: March 2005

In pattern recognition, feature selection is effective for improving the performance of classifiers and reducing the measurement cost of features. In particular, by removing features with no discriminative information, an improvement can be expected in the estimation precision of classifier parameters, and as a result, higher performance classifiers can be constructed than when all of the features are used. Many of the feature selection techniques that have been proposed so far have attempted to select a feature subset that is common to all classes. However, it seems reasonable to assume that the optimum feature subset for classification differs for each set of classes to be discriminated. In this paper, the authors investigate the effectiveness of feature subsets that depend on sets of classes and use the extracted class‐dependent feature subsets to construct a decision tree. In addition, they show the effectiveness of this method through character recognition experiments. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 36(4): 37–47, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10666
Improving text categorization by resolving semantic ambiguity
Authors: Uejima Hiroshi , Miura Takao , Shioya Isamu
Published: March 2005

In this investigation, we propose a new method for text categorization (TC) based on a Bayesian approach with resolution of ambiguity. TC assigns weights to words whose meanings are ambiguous in the sense of synonymy and polysemy. We give weights to articles by examining dictionaries of thesaurus type and use dimensionality reduction to improve the quality of TC. We also utilize WordNet as a lexical reference tool and present some experiments to illustrate the effectiveness of our approach. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 36(4): 1–8, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20191
Impact of 1994 Northridge earthquake on masonry: design and build tall reinforced masonry buildings
Authors: Hart Gary C. , Ekwueme Chukwuma G.
Published: March 2005

The 1994 Northridge earthquake confirmed the fact that it is now possible to design tall masonry buildings that have excellent and predictable earthquake performance. In general, masonry buildings performed well during the Northridge earthquake, and when construction practice was good the structural performance of masonry buildings was excellent. However, since most masonry buildings are stiff, low‐rise structures, the amount of non‐structural damage was significant. This is because the high floor accelerations that occur in low‐rise buildings during earthquakes usually results in increased damage to non‐structural components. Tall masonry buildings are more flexible and respond to earthquake shaking with longer periods of vibration than low‐rise buildings. This result is lower floor accelerations and consequently less non‐structural damage. In addition, tall masonry walls can be designed to respond in flexural limit states that are inherently more ductile and predictable than the behavior of short, squat walls. This means that the structural performance of tall masonry buildings in future earthquakes will be better than that observed in low‐rise buildings during the 1994 Northridge earthquake. It is thus clear that tall masonry buildings will provide an improvement to the proven earthquake response of masonry structures. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nitrogen fixation on early Mars by volcanic lightning and other sources
Authors: Segura Antígona , Navarro‐González Rafael
Published: March 2005

Here, we estimate the amount of reactive nitrogen available for the origin and maintenance of life on early Mars. Lightning formed in explosive volcanic clouds is proposed as a source of nitrogen fixation. Volcanic lightning was simulated in the laboratory using a laser induced plasma. We derived the chemical composition of the gas mixture from an accretion model of Mars and the nitrogen content of Martian meteorites. The mixture contained CH4, H2, H2O and N2 in variable amounts to represent the range of C/N ratio measured in the Martian meteorites. For comparison, other endogenous and exogenous sources of fixed nitrogen in early Mars were calculated. Our experimental simulations indicate that volcanic lightning may be the only endogenous source of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) forming about 107 kg yr−1 of this compound. The total budget of fixed nitrogen for early Mars would be ∼10 kg yr−1 km−2, similar to that calculated for early Earth.
How different provisioning strategies result in equal rates of food delivery: an experimental study of blue tits Parus caeruleus
Authors: Grieco Fabrizio
Published: March 2005

Food provisioning in birds requires a considerable amount of time and usually has to be traded‐off against other parental and non‐parental activities. I investigated experimentally the rate at which blue tit Parus caeruleus parents deliver food to their brood after a change in food availability. The main argument behind this study is that parents enjoying an additional food source may use less time for self‐feeding and therefore use more time for food provisioning. This could increase the rate at which food is brought to the nest. However, a prey choice model that takes the energetic needs of the parent into account allows for the possibility that the food‐supplemented parents would deliver the same amount of food by increasing prey size (through an increase in prey selectivity) and reducing visit rate. The field data indicate that the parents changed provisioning strategy when food‐supplemented: they fed the chicks natural food less frequently, but brought larger larvae. On the whole, delivery rate of natural food was the same or lower than in controls. The results suggest that food‐supplemented parents used the time saved to increase their degree of food selectivity. When the gains from an increased delivery rate are not worth the increased costs (mainly resulting from an increased visiting rate), the parent with low energetic need may increase selectivity to provide the same amount of food to the brood as the unmanipulated parent, but at a lower cost.
Ticks Ixodes uriae and the breeding performance of a colonial seabird, king penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus
Authors: Mangin Stephan , Gauthier‐Clerc Michel , Frenot Yves , Gendner Jean‐Paul , Le Maho Yvon
Published: March 2005

High densities of penguins in their colonies and the continuous use of these sites over consecutive reproductive periods increase the risk of development of tick populations. We have studied the effects of tick parasitism by Ixodes uriae in a colony of king penguins Aptenodytes patagonicus at Possession Island during three breeding seasons. We investigated the prevalence and periods of tick infestation during the one‐year breeding cycle of penguins. The effects of tick parasitism on penguin breeding performance were assessed from photographs of the colony and with an automatic penguin identification system. We compared two groups of penguins carrying individual subcutaneous electronic tags, one group breeding in an infested area and the other in a non‐infested area. Tick feeding activity was coincident with the periods when adult penguins stayed ashore for six days or more, i.e. during the incubating period. This duration corresponds to the duration of a tick meal on the host. The level of infestation varied between years. Penguins showed a lower incubating success in infested areas during a year of high infestation. In an infested area, individuals seen with ticks had a lower breeding success in rearing a one‐year old chick than those seen without ticks.
The importance of nest cleaning in egg rejection behaviour of great reed warblersAcrocephalus arandinaceas
Authors: Moskát Csaba , Székely Tamás , Kisbenedek Tibor , Karcza Zsolt , Bártol István
Published: March 2005

We tested the importance of nest cleaning in egg rejection behaviour of the great reed warblerAcrocephalus arundinaceusin a highly parasitised population in which about 64% of nests are parasitised by the common cuckooCuculus canorus. Three types of objects of the same weight, texture and colour but with different shapes (dummy cuckoo eggs, sticks and disks) were placed into great reed warbler nests. We investigated the response of hosts in two stages of breeding: pre‐incubation when the risk of brood parasitism is high, and during incubation when the risk of parasitism is low. The dummy cuckoo eggs were rejected less often than the other objects in both breeding stages, although we did not find any difference in the frequency of rejection between pre‐incubation and incubation. We integrate these results into current views on the evolution of host–parasite interactions, and propose a hierarchical concept to understand egg rejection behaviour: (1) hosts reject all non‐egg shaped objects as a general cleaning mechanism; (2) adaptations for the hosts' ability to recognise their own eggs allows them to distinguish these eggs from similar objects and parasitic eggs.