bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Goodness‐of‐fit diagnostics for the propensity score model when estimating treatment effects using covariate adjustment with the propensity score
Authors: Austin Peter C.
Published: October 2008

The propensity score is defined to be a subject's probability of treatment selection, conditional on observed baseline covariates. Conditional on the propensity score, treated and untreated subjects have similar distributions of observed baseline covariates. In the medical literature, there are three commonly employed propensity‐score methods: stratification (subclassification) on the propensity score, matching on the propensity score, and covariate adjustment using the propensity score. Methods have been developed to assess the adequacy of the propensity score model in the context of stratification on the propensity score and propensity‐score matching. However, no comparable methods have been developed for covariate adjustment using the propensity score. Inferences about treatment effect made using propensity‐score methods are only valid if, conditional on the propensity score, treated and untreated subjects have similar distributions of baseline covariates. We develop both quantitative and qualitative methods to assess the balance in baseline covariates between treated and untreated subjects. The quantitative method employs the weighted conditional standardized difference. This is the conditional difference in the mean of a covariate between treated and untreated subjects, in units of the pooled standard deviation, integrated over the distribution of the propensity score. The qualitative method employs quantile regression models to determine whether, conditional on the propensity score, treated and untreated subjects have similar distributions of continuous covariates. We illustrate our methods using a large dataset of patients discharged from hospital with a diagnosis of a heart attack (acute myocardial infarction). The exposure was receipt of a prescription for a beta‐blocker at hospital discharge. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystal structure and orientation behavior of transversely compressed poly(ethylene‐co‐1‐octene) filaments
Authors: Shan Haifeng , White James L.
Published: October 2008

A basic study on crystal structure and orientation behavior of transversely compressed ethylene‐1‐octene copolymer with different 1‐octene contents was described. All polymers were first melt spun under different spinline stress and subsequently transversely compressed. For the melt‐spun filaments, an orthorhombic crystal structure was found for all polymers, but a pseudo‐hexagonal mesophase was also found for polymers with the highest 1‐octene level (13.3 mol%). For the transversely compressed filaments, several reflection peaks from a monoclinic unit cell were found for polyethylene without octene. For those with higher octene levels, the reflection peaks from monoclinic became fainter and disappeared for the one with the highest 1‐octene level. After being transversely compressed, the (110) and (200) peaks of orthorhombic crystal structures became oriented along the meridian direction, which is the fiber axis direction. The reason for this appears to be that the compression deformation of the filament induces elongation along its width direction and shrinkage along its length and thickness direction, and in this change the polymer chain orients. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Proteome approaches combined with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed a distinctive biofilm physiology in Bordetella pertussis
Authors: Serra Diego Omar , Lücking Genia , Weiland Florian , Schulz Stefan , Görg Angelika , Yantorno Osvaldo Miguel , Ehling‐Schulz Monika
Published: October 2008

Proteome analysis was combined with whole‐cell metabolic fingerprinting to gain insight into the physiology of mature biofilm in Bordetella pertussis, the agent responsible for whooping cough. Recent reports indicate that B. pertussis adopts a sessile biofilm as a strategy to persistently colonize the human host. However, since research in the past mainly focused on the planktonic lifestyle of B. pertussis, knowledge on biofilm formation of this important human pathogen is still limited. Comparative studies were carried out by combining 2‐DE and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy with multivariate statistical methods. These complementary approaches demonstrated that biofilm development has a distinctive impact on B. pertussis physiology. Results from MALDI‐TOF/MS identification of proteins together with results from FT‐IR spectroscopy revealed the biosynthesis of a putative acidic‐type polysaccharide polymer as the most distinctive trait of B. pertussis life in a biofilm. Additionally, expression of proteins known to be involved in cellular regulatory circuits, cell attachment and virulence was altered in sessile cells, which strongly suggests a significant impact of biofilm development on B. pertussis pathogenesis. In summary, our work showed that the combination of proteomics and FT‐IR spectroscopy with multivariate statistical analysis provides a powerful tool to gain further insight into bacterial lifestyles.
Enhanced detection and identification of multiply phosphorylated peptides using TiO2 enrichment in combination with MALDI TOF/TOF MS
Authors: Schmidt Andreas , Csaszar Edina , Ammerer Gustav , Mechtler Karl
Published: October 2008

The analysis of PTMs such as phosphorylation has become an important field in MS because they can directly indicate protein states and interactions. Whereas the characterization of singly and doubly phosphorylated peptides has almost become routine, identifying phosphorylation events at multiple residues within a small region of a protein is still problematic. The identification of multiple modifications can be further hampered by low sequence information due to multiple neutral losses from phosphorylated side chains. Here we present a strategy for the analysis of complex phosphopeptides that combines peptide enrichment by titanium dioxide, separation by RP separation on monolithic columns and MS using high energy HE‐CAD in a MALDI TOF/TOF analyser. Using synthetic phosphopeptides our approach is compared to multistage activation (MSA) MS/MS and the recently described electron transfer dissociation (ETD) method using an ESI‐LTQ mass spectrometer.
Controlled synthesis of fluorinated copolymers with pendant sulfonates
Authors: Dimitrov Ivaylo , Jankova Katja , Hvilsted Søren
Published: October 2008

Novel, fluorinated copolymers with different architectures bearing sulfopropyl groups were synthesized in a three‐step procedure. The first step involved atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of aromatic fluorinated monomers followed by two modification reactions performed on the polymer chain: demethylation and sulfopropylation. As a result two types of fluorinated copolymers were obtained. The first one was synthesized by ATRP of 2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoro‐4‐methoxystyrene (TFMS). After the modification steps copolymers with randomly distributed sulfopropyl groups along the backbone were obtained. The second type of copolymers has diblock architecture with one of the blocks being sulfopropylated. They were synthesized via ATRP of 2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorostyrene (FS) initiated by a PTFMS‐macroinitiator followed by demethylation and sulfopropylation of the TFMS‐block. The copolymers were characterized by size‐exclusion chromatography, FTIR, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Their thermal properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analyses. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 7827–7834, 2008
Small‐angle neutron scattering study on the miscibility and concentration fluctuation of hydrogen‐bonded polymer blends
Authors: Urakawa Osamu , Ikuta Hiroyoshi , Nobukawa Shogo , Shikata Toshiyuki
Published: October 2008

Thermal concentration fluctuation in the blends of deuterated poly(ethylene oxide) (dPEO) and poly(vinyl acetate‐co‐vinyl alcohol) [P(VAc‐VOH)] with various VOH contents fOH were examined by small angle neutron scattering techniques at a fixed blend composition, dPEO/P(VAc‐VOH) = 20/80 which is close to the critical composition. Blends at the highest fOH (=0.35) showed a non‐Lorentzian scattering profile: specifically the scattering intensities at the low q (angle) region were suppressed compared to those expected from the random phase approximation (RPA) theory. However, for the blends at lower fOH (≤0.28), the profiles could be represented by the RPA. Using the RPA we determined effective values of the Flory‐Huggins interaction parameter χeff as a function of fOH (=0–0.28). The χeff showed the minimum around fOH = 0.1–0.18 meaning the highest miscibility of the blend at these fOH. On the basis of the random copolymer theory, we evaluated the three interaction parameters χAc–EO, χEO–OH, and χAc–OH separately from the χeff(fOH) and found the order of magnitude; χAc–EO < 0 < χEO–OH < χAc–OH. The largest positive χAc–OH showing intrachain interaction in the P(VAc‐VOH) copolymer was concluded to be the origin of the enhanced miscibility at around fOH = 0.1–0.18. On the basis of the Coleman and Painter's theory, the effects of hydrogen bonding on these three χA‐B were discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 2556–2565, 2008
Influence of the compatibilizer polarity and molar mass on the morphology and the gas barrier properties of polyethylene/clay nanocomposites
Authors: Picard E. , Vermogen A. , Gérard J‐F. , Espuche E.
Published: October 2008

In this study, different modified polyethylenes with different molar masses and different modification rates were examined as compatibilizers to prepare high density polyethylene/organoclay nanocomposites. Nanocomposites having 5 wt % organo‐modified clay and 20 wt % interfacial agent were prepared by melt blending. The effect of compatibilizer molar mass and polarity was investigated on the clay dispersion and on the gas barrier properties. It was observed that the amount of large and dense fillers aggregates was considerably reduced by introduction of an interfacial agent. The nanocomposite final morphology was governed by a diffusion/shear mechanism. A high degree of clay delamination was obtained with the high molar mass compatibilizers, whereas highly swollen clay aggregates resulted from the incorporation of the low molar mass interfacial agents. In the investigated nanocomposites series, the barrier properties could not be directly related to the clay dispersion state but resulted also from the matrix/clay interfacial interactions. A gas transport mechanism based on these both parameters was proposed to explain the barrier properties evolution in these low polar nanocomposites series. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 2593–2604, 2008
Molecular dynamics of copolyester/clay nanocomposites as investigated by viscoelastic and dielectric analysis
Authors: Kalgaonkar Rajendra A. , Jog Jyoti P.
Published: October 2008

We have investigated the molecular dynamics of poly(ethylene glycol‐co‐cycloxeane‐1,4‐dimethanol terephthalate) (PETG) nanocomposites based on a organically modified layered silicate. Intercalated nanocomposites were prepared by melt compounding technique as evidenced from the X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies. Two relaxation processes were observed in pure PETG as well as in the nanocomposites. The low‐temperature β‐process was assigned to the local motions of CO polar groups and the α‐process was due to the glass‐rubber transition or the segmental relaxations associated with the polymer chain backbone. Presence of layered silicates accelerated α‐relaxation dynamics in the nanocomposites accompanied by a depression in Tg which was attributed to the reduced intermolecular cooperativity between intercalated polymers chains. Additionally, a direct comparison between the viscoelastic and dielectric studies shows excellent agreement between the accelerated α dynamics of the nanocomposites. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 2539–2555, 2008
Free volume of molten and glassy polystyrene and its nanocomposites
Authors: Utracki L. A.
Published: October 2008

The Pressure‐Volume‐Temperature (PVT) dependencies of polystyrene‐based clay‐containing nanocomposites (CPNC) were determined in the glassy and molten state. The PVT data in the melt were fitted to the Simha‐Somcynsky (S‐S) lattice‐hole equation‐of‐state (eos), yielding the free volume quantity, h = h(T, P), and the characteristic reducing parameters, P*, V*, T*. The data within the glassy region were interpreted considering that the latter parameters are valid in the whole range of independent variables, than calculating h = h(T, P) from the experimental values of V = V(T, P). Next, the frozen free volume fraction in the glass was computed as FF = FF(P). In the molten state the maximum reduction of free volume was observed at wsolid ≈ 3.6–wt % clay, amount sufficient to adsorb all PS into solidified layer around organoclay stacks. In the vitreous state FF increased with clay content from 0.6 to 1.6—this is the first time FF ≫ 1 has been observed. The highest value was determined for CPNC with the highest clay content, w = 17.1 wt %, thus well above wsolid. The derivative properties, compressibility, κ, and the thermal expansion coefficient, α, depend on T, P, and w. Plots of κ versus T indicate the presence of two secondary transitions, one at Tβ/Tg ≈ 0.9 ± 0.1 and other at TT/Tg = 1.2 ± 0.1. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 2504–2518, 2008
Hamstring length in patellofemoral pain syndrome
Authors: White Lisa C. , Dolphin Philippa , Dixon John
Published: October 2008

Purpose. To investigate whether there was a difference in hamstring length between patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome and healthy asymptomatic control participants between 18 and 35 years old. Relevance. Short hamstrings may produce greater patellofemoral joint reaction forces. Only three studies, which had conflicting results, have measured the hamstring length in this patient group (Smith et al., 1991; Witvrouw et al., 2000; Piva et al., 2005). Subjects. Two groups were tested, one was diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome (mean age 27 years, n = 11, six males, five females) and one was of asymptomatic control participants (mean age 25 years, n = 25, 13 males, 12 females). Methods. Ethical approval was granted by the Local Research Ethics Committee and a cross‐sectional observational study was carried out in a hospital's physiotherapy department. Hamstring length was evaluated using the passive knee extension method and a masked universal goniometer to measure the popliteal angle. Analysis. An independent t‐test was used to evaluate between‐group differences. Results. Mean (standard deviation) values for hamstring length were 145.6 (8.7)° for the patellofemoral pain patients and 153.7 (10.1)° for the asymptomatic control participants. The mean (95% confidence interval) difference between the groups was 8.0 (0.8 to 15.1)°, and this was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Discussion. Although limited by a small sample size, these results show that hamstring length is shorter in the patellofemoral patient group than in the asymptomatic participants. It is unclear whether this is a cause or an effect of the condition. Further research should study how hamstring length changes with rehabilitation and its relationships with pain. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanism of formation of the C‐terminal β‐hairpin of the B3 domain of the immunoglobulin binding protein G from Streptococcus. I. Importance of hydrophobic interactions in stabilization of β‐hairpin structure
Authors: Skwierawska Agnieszka , Makowska Joanna , Ołdziej Stanisław , Liwo Adam , Scheraga Harold A.
Published: October 2008

We previously studied a 16‐amino acid‐residue fragment of the C‐terminal β‐hairpin of the B3 domain (residues 46–61), [IG(46–61)] of the immunoglobulin binding protein G from Streptoccocus, and found that hydrophobic interactions and the turn region play an important role in stabilizing the structure. Based on these results, we carried out systematic structural studies of peptides derived from the sequence of IG (46–61) by systematically shortening the peptide by one residue at a time from both the C‐ and the N‐terminus. To determine the structure and stability of two resulting 12‐ and 14‐amino acid‐residue peptides, IG(48–59) and IG(47–60), respectively, we carried out circular dichroism, NMR, and calorimetric studies of these peptides in pure water. Our results show that IG(48–59) possesses organized three‐dimensional structure stabilized by hydrophobic interactions (Tyr50–Phe57 and Trp48–Val59) at T = 283 and 305 K. At T = 313 K, the structure breaks down because of increased chain entropy, but the turn region is preserved in the same position observed for the structure of the whole protein. The breakdown of structure occurs near the melting temperature of this peptide (Tm = 310 K) measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The melting temperature of IG(47–60) determined by DSC is Tm = 330 K and its structure is similar to that of the native β‐hairpin at all (lower) temperatures examined (283–313 K). Both of these truncated sequences are conserved in all known amino acid sequences of the B domains of the immunoglobulin binding protein G from bacteria. Thus, this study contributes to an understanding of the mechanism of folding of this whole family of proteins, and provides information about the mechanism of formation and stabilization of a β‐hairpin structural element. Proteins 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thermodynamics and dynamics of amyloid peptide oligomerization are sequence dependent
Authors: Lu Yan , Derreumaux Philippe , Guo Zhi , Mousseau Normand , Wei Guanghong
Published: October 2008

Aggregation of the full‐length amyloid‐β (Aβ) and β2‐microglobulin (β2m) proteins is associated with Alzheimer's disease and dialysis‐related amyloidosis, respectively. This assembly process is not restricted to full‐length proteins, however, many short peptides also assemble into amyloid fibrils in vitro. Remarkably, the kinetics of amyloid‐fibril formation of all these molecules is generally described by a nucleation‐polymerization process characterized by a lag phase associated with the formation of a nucleus, after which fibril elongation occurs rapidly. In this study, we report using long molecular dynamics simulations with the OPEP coarse‐grained force field, the thermodynamics and dynamics of the octamerization for two amyloid 7‐residue peptides: the β2m83‐89 NHVTLSQ and Aβ16‐22 KLVFFAE fragments. Based on multiple trajectories run at 310 K, totaling 2.2 μs (β2m83‐89) and 4.8 μs (Aβ16‐22) and starting from random configurations and orientations of the chains, we find that the two peptides not only share common but also very different aggregation properties. Notably, an increase in the hydrophobic character of the peptide, as observed in Aβ16‐22 with respect to β2m83‐89 impacts the thermodynamics by reducing the population of bilayer β‐sheet assemblies. Higher hydrophobicity is also found to slow down the dynamics of β‐sheet formation by enhancing the averaged lifetime of all configuration types (CT) and by reducing the complexity of the CT transition probability matrix. Proteins 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spontaneous β‐helical fold in prion protein: The case of PrP(82‐146)
Authors: Saracino Gloria A.A. , Villa Alessandra , Moro Giorgio , Cosentino Ugo , Salmona Mario
Published: October 2008

The presence of amyloid is a hallmark of Gerstmann‐Sträussler‐Scheinker (GSS) disease, which is a prion disease caused by germ line mutations in the PRNP gene. The major component of amyloid is a fragment spanning residues from 81‐82 to 144‐153, part of the minimal sequence thought to play a crucial role in the conversion reaction and to sustain prion replication. We present here a molecular dynamics study on the 82‐146 peptide from the human prion protein. The aim is to identify its aggregation‐prone folds. The 82‐146 prion sequence corresponds to a naturally occurring prion peptide able to form fibrils rich in parallel β‐sheets. A spontaneous right‐handed β‐helical arrangement with 13 residues per turn can be observed in the 103‐135 segment of the 82‐146 peptide. The observed fold is in accordance with the evidence of a parallel β‐sheet organization in amyloid and with experiments on 82‐146 discussed in the literature. To elucidate the conformational properties that trigger this peptide's aggregation propensity, the conformational behavior of peptides of different length (106‐126 and 113‐120 prion segments) was also investigated. Simulation analysis has led to some interesting considerations on sequence specific flexibility and the effects of growth. Comparing peptides of different length allows the localization of the origin of the β‐helix conformational propensity in the 106‐126 segment, though longer sequences appear necessary for a clear β‐helical arrangement. Structural features of the observed 82‐146 β‐helical fold are compatible with the “dock and lock” mechanism proposed to interpret peptide aggregation kinetics. Proteins 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quality assurance in safe automation
Authors: Summers Angela E. , Hearn William H.
Published: October 2008

A perfect process would have no hazards, but perfection is impossible in the real world. Nearly all process units have inherent risk associated with their design and operation. Safe operation is maintained with a risk reduction strategy relying on a wide variety of safety systems. This article focuses on the most common safety systems for managing process deviations during planned operating modes—instrumented safety systems (ISSs), such as safety alarms, safety controls, and safety instrumented systems. Rigorous quality assurance is necessary to achieve real‐world risk reduction, so this article follows the Plan, Do, Check, and Act process to discuss quality assurance and its application to ISS. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 2008
Preface: phys. stat. sol. (c) 5/12
Authors: Nassiopoulou Androula G. , Argitis Panagiotis , Papanikolaou Nikos
Published: October 2008

Dear reader of this issue,

We introduce to you a collection of Original Papers, Invited and Contributed Articles presented at the Micro&Nano 2007 Conference (3rd International Conference on Micro‐Nanoelectronics, Nanotechnology and MEMs), held in Athens, Greece on 18–21 November 2007.

Micro&Nano 2007 was the third of a series of conferences held at NCSR Demokritos every three years which aim at gathering together all scientists and engineers working in the challenging field of micro‐nanoelectronics, nanotechnology and MEMs in an interactive forum and stimulating discussions on the latest achievements and new developments in this rapidly evolving field.

The main topics of Micro&Nano 2007 were:

– Micro and nano‐fabrication and processing,

– Materials,

– Devices,

– Quantum devices and molecular electronics,

– Integration, circuits and systems,

– Industry and technology transfer

A total of 250 scientists representing 23 countries attended. There were a total of 205 presentations, 71 of which were oral (including 10 invited talks) and 134 were posters presented in two different sessions.

The conference opening ceremony was honored by the presence of the General Secretary of Research and Technology Prof. I. Tsoukalas. During the ceremony, an honorary plaque was awarded to Prof. G. Kamarinos from the Polytechnical University of Grenoble, France, acknowledging his contributions to the early stages of microelectronics research in Greece. In addition, Dr. A. G. Nassiopoulou, Conference Chairperson and Director of the Institute of Microelectronics (IMEL) of NCSR Demokritos, gave an overview on the development of microelectronics research in Greece from the mid 1980s to the present day. She also presented the National Scientific Society “Micro&Nano” founded in 2004 (www.micro‐nano.gr).

The next conference Micro&Nano will be held at the same place in the year 2010. We look forward to seeing you at that conference.

We would like to thank all delegates, our session chairs, delegates who helped with refereeing and all committee members for their contribution to the success of the conference.

Our acknowledgements also go to our sponsors for their financial support, NCSR Demokritos for hosting and supporting the conference and the General Secretariat of Research and Technology Greece, under whose auspices the conference was held. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Scutellarin‐induced endothelium‐independent relaxation in rat aorta
Authors: Pan Zhenwei , Feng Tieming , Shan Luchen , Cai Benzhi , Chu Wenfeng , Niu Huili , Lu Yanjie , Yang Baofeng
Published: October 2008

Scutellarin is a flavonoid extracted from the traditional Chinese herb,Erigeron breviscapusHand Mazz. In the present study, the vasorelaxant effects of scutellarin and the underlying mechanism were investigated in isolated rat aorta. Scutellarin (3, 10, 30, 100 µm) caused a dose‐dependent relaxation in both endothelium‐intact and endothelium‐denuded rat aortic rings precontracted with noradrenaline bitartrate (IC50= 7.7 ± 0.6 µm), but not with potassium chloride. Tetraethylammonium, glibenclamide, atropine, propranolol, indomethacin and N(G)‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester had no influence on the vasorelaxant effect of scutellarin, which further excluded the involvement of potassium channels, muscarinic receptor, nitric oxide pathway and prostaglandin in this effect. Pretreatment with scutellarin decreased the tonic phase, but not the phasic phase of the noradrenaline bitartrate induced tension increment. Scutellarin also alleviated Ca2+‐induced vasoconstriction in Ca2+‐depleted/noradrenaline bitartrate pretreated rings in the presence of voltage‐dependent calcium channel blocker verapamil. The noradrenaline bitartrate evoked intracellular calcium increase was inhibited by scutellarin. Scutellarin had no effect on phorbol‐12,13‐diacetate induced contraction in a calcium‐free bath solution. These results showed that scutellarin could relax thoracic artery rings in an endothelium‐independent manner. The mechanism seems to be the inhibition of extracellular calcium influx independent of the voltage‐dependent calcium channel. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The inhibitory effect of bamboo extract on the development of 7,12‐dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)‐induced breast cancer
Authors: Lin Yanling , Collier Abby C. , Liu Wanyu , Berry Marla J. , Panee Jun
Published: October 2008

The incidence of breast cancer among women is high and increasing. This study investigated the inhibitory effect of an extract from bambooPhyllostachys edulison the development of 7,12‐dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)‐induced breast cancer in female Sprague‐Dawley rats. The rats were fed with bamboo extract (BEX) supplemented diet or control diet, and treated with DMBA after 3 weeks of the dietary regime. The incidence of mammary tumors was monitored by palpation for the next 11 weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for total antioxidant capacities (TAC) assay and liver samples for phase II enzyme activity assays. The TAC values, total contents of phenolics and flavonoids of BEX were also measured. The results showed that BEX delayed the onset of mammary tumor by 1 week, decreased the tumor incidence by 44% and tumor multiplicity by 67%, and increased the total sulfotransferases (SULT) activity by 63%. BEX showed high levels of TAC, total phenolic and total flavonoids. However, the serum TAC values were not affected by BEX supplementation. In summary, the results indicate that BEX possesses a potent anti‐breast cancer effect, and the upregulation of SULT activity, therefore estrogen metabolism may be the underlying mechanism. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous determination and confirmation of melamine and cyanuric acid in animal feed by zwitterionic hydrophilic interaction chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Heller David N. , Nochetto Cristina B.
Published: October 2008

We developed a new method to analyze animal feed and feed ingredients for melamine and cyanuric acid. The method is capable of extracting and detecting both melamine and cyanuric acid in a single procedure, whether present as free compounds or bound together as the melamine:cyanurate complex. A novel chromatographic system based on zwitterionic hydrophilic interaction chromatography (ZIC‐HILIC) columns enables separation and detection of both compounds in one run. Samples are extracted with a strong aqueous acid which is then diluted to bring the concentration within the working range of the method. The method is applicable over the range of 0.5 to 50 micrograms/gram (µg/g). Samples at higher concentrations may be diluted into this range, which is equivalent to 3.6–360 ng/mL in the injection solvent. Analytes are detected using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. The data confirm the presence of both compounds according to criteria recommended by the US FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine. The LC/MS/MS method provides an alternative to derivatization and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry for regulatory analysis of feed samples. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
‘Health management’ in the private sector in the context of HIV/AIDS: progress and challenges faced by company programmes in South Africa
Authors: George Gavin , Quinlan Tim
Published: October 2008

‘Health management’ of employees is becoming a common imperative for companies that do business in regions where there is an HIV epidemic. Private sector initiatives in South Africa have evolved considerably. However, core components of HIV/AIDS‐oriented workplace programmes, voluntary counselling and testing and anti‐retroviral treatment, are not as effective as expected, despite considerable investment in them. There is some evidence to suggest gradual improvement in employee participation, yet this is coupled with employees defaulting from treatment programmes. This article explores reasons for these developments, the focus being on the economic and financial challenges facing private sector workplace health programmes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Integration of Thin‐Film‐Fracture‐Based Nanowires into Microchip Fabrication
Authors: Jebril Seid , Elbahri Mady , Titazu Getachew , Subannajui Kittitat , Essa Samia , Niebelschütz Florentina , Röhlig Claus‐Christian , Cimalla Volker , Ambacher Oliver , Schmidt Bernd , Kabiraj Debdulal , Avasti Devesh , Adelung Rainer
Published: October 2008

One‐step device fabrication through the integration of nanowires (NWs) into silicon microchips is still under intensive scientific study as it has proved difficult to obtain a reliable and controllable fabrication technique. So far, the techniques are either costly or suffer from small throughput. Recently, a cost‐effective method based on thin‐film fracture that can be used as a template for NW fabrication was suggested. Here, a way to integrate NWs between microcontacts is demonstrated. Different geometries of microstructured photoresist formed by using standard photolithography are analyzed. Surprisingly, a very simple “stripe” geometry is found to yield highly reproducible fracture patterns, which are convenient templates for fault‐tolerant NW fabrication. Microchips containing integrated Au, Pd, Ni, and Ti NWs and their suitability for studies of conductivity and oxidation behavior are reported, and their suitability as a hydrogen sensor is investigated. Details of the fabrication process are also discussed.
Channel assignment for multicast in multi‐channel multi‐radio wireless mesh networks
Authors: Hoang Lan Nguyen , Uyen Trang Nguyen
Published: October 2008

One of the most effective approaches to enhance the throughput capacity of wireless mesh networks (WMN) is to use systems with multiple channels and multiple radios per node. Multi‐channel multi‐radio (MCMR) networks require efficientchannel assignment(CA) algorithms to determine which channel a link should use for data transmission in order to maximize network throughput. The problem of CA has been studied extensively for unicast communications, but addressed only recently for multicast. We propose a CA algorithm named Minimum interference Multi‐channel Multi‐radio Multicast (M4) that minimizes interference among nodes in a multicast routing tree and uses both orthogonal and overlapping channels such as those in IEEE 802.11b/g systems. Simulation results show that M4 outperforms the Multi Channel Multicast algorithm proposed. in various scenarios with respect to average packet delivery ratio, throughput and end‐to‐end delay. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predicting Different Patterns of Sexual Identity Development Over Time Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youths: A Cluster Analytic Approach
Authors: Rosario Margaret , Schrimshaw Eric W. , Hunter Joyce
Published: October 2008

Recent research has suggested that the sexual identity development of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youths may not follow a single pattern, but may follow a variety of pathways. Although some research documenting variability in identity development exists, unclear are the potential individual and social contexts that predict these different patterns, as well as the contexts that predict changes in identity integration over time. This report longitudinally examined these issues in an ethnically diverse sample of 156 LGB youths (ages 14–21) in New York City. Cluster analytic techniques identified two patterns of sexual identity formation (i.e., early and more recent), and three patterns of sexual identity integration (i.e., high, middling, and low). Gender and sexual abuse were found to predict identity formation; and, gay‐related stress, social support, negative social relationships, sexual orientation, sexual identity, and gender were found to predict patterns of sexual identity integration and changes in integration over 1 year. These findings document different patterns of sexual identity development and identify potential contextual barriers and facilitating factors that may be used to develop interventions to promote healthy LGB identity development.
Photolithographic Approaches for Fabricating Highly Ordered Nanopatterned Arrays
Authors: Li Xiaoru , Song Guojun , Peng Zhi , She Xilin , Li Jianjiang , Sun Jin , Zhou Di , Li Peidong , Shao Zengjun
Published: October 2008

In this work, we report that large area metal nanowire and polymer nanotube arrays were successfully patterned by photolithographic approach using anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. Nanowires were produced by electrochemical deposition, and nanotubes by solution-wetting. The highly ordered patterns of nanowire and nanotube arrays were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and found to stand free on the substrate. The method is expected to play an important role in the application of microdevices in the future.
Effectiveness and safety of loop electrosurgical excision procedure for cervical neoplasia in rural India
Authors: Sankaranarayanan Rengaswamy , Keshkar Vijay , Kothari Ashok , Kane Shubhada , Fayette Jean‐Marie , Shastri Surendra
Published: October 2008

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) to treat cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in rural India.

Method

Women with CIN colposcopic features unsuitable for cryotherapy were treated with LEEP using a “see‐and‐treat” approach. Women with unsatisfactory colposcopy had diagnostic LEEP. Cure was defined as no clinical or histologic evidence of CIN at 1‐year follow‐up. Factors influencing cure rates were evaluated by χ2 tests.

Results

Of the 1141 women who underwent LEEP (569 see‐and‐treat; 572 unsatisfactory colposcopy), 634 had histologically proven CIN. Of those, 489 reported for follow‐up and 459 (93.9%) had no evidence of disease. Cure rates were 98.1% for women with CIN 1, 93.6% for CIN 2, and 85.0% for CIN 3. Patients with CIN 2–3 had significantly lower cure rates.

Conclusion

Cure rates for LEEP provided by newly trained doctors in rural India were similar to those reported in the gynecological literature.
Gene Expression Data Classification Using Consensus Independent Component Analysis
Authors: Zheng Chun-Hou , Huang De-Shuang , Kong Xiang-Zhen , Zhao Xing-Ming
Published: October 2008

We propose a new method for tumor classification from gene expression data, which mainly contains three steps. Firstly, the original DNA microarray gene expression data are modeled by independent component analysis (ICA). Secondly, the most discriminant eigenassays extracted by ICA are selected by the sequential floating forward selection technique. Finally, support vector machine is used to classify the modeling data. To show the validity of the proposed method, we applied it to classify three DNA microarray datasets involving various human normal and tumor tissue samples. The experimental results show that the method is efficient and feasible.
A DSRPCL-SVM Approach to Informative Gene Analysis
Authors: Xiong Wei , Cai Zhibin , Ma Jinwen
Published: October 2008

Microarray data based tumor diagnosis is a very interesting topic in bioinformatics. One of the key problems is the discovery and analysis of informative genes of a tumor. Although there are many elaborate approaches to this problem, it is still difficult to select a reasonable set of informative genes for tumor diagnosis only with microarray data. In this paper, we classify the genes expressed through microarray data into a number of clusters via the distance sensitive rival penalized competitive learning (DSRPCL) algorithm and then detect the informative gene cluster or set with the help of support vector machine (SVM). Moreover, the critical or powerful informative genes can be found through further classifications and detections on the obtained informative gene clusters. It is well demonstrated by experiments on the colon, leukemia, and breast cancer datasets that our proposed DSRPCL-SVM approach leads to a reasonable selection of informative genes for tumor diagnosis.
Applying Intelligent Computing Techniques to Modeling Biological Networks from Expression Data
Authors: Lee Wei-Po , Yang Kung-Cheng
Published: October 2008

Constructing biological networks is one of the most important issues in systems biology. However, constructing a network from data manually takes a considerable large amount of time, therefore an automated procedure is advocated. To automate the procedure of network construction, in this work we use two intelligent computing techniques, genetic programming and neural computation, to infer two kinds of network models that use continuous variables. To verify the presented approaches, experiments have been conducted and the preliminary results show that both approaches can be used to infer networks successfully.
Impact of genetic variants on pain and analgesia
Authors: Stamer Ulrike M. , Zhang Lan , Stüber Frank
Published: October 2008

Genomic variations' influence on basal pain sensitivity, the likelihood of significant pain and development of chronic pain diseases is the target of current investigations. Catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) and the μ‐opioid receptor (OPRM1) genes are frequently studied “candidate genes”. This article reviews recent studies of human genetics of pain which implicate polymorphisms in these candidate genes.

Associations of COMT and OPRM1 genetic variants were reported with sensitivity to pain, analgesic requirements as well as side effects of pharmacotherapy in either experimental pain settings or in patients suffering from acute or chronic pain. However, attempts to directly link genotypes to pain states remain largely unsuccessful up to date. Studies associating pain or analgesic demands to single nucleotide polymorphisms or haplotypes showed inconsistent results in the majority. There is a need for sufficiently powered studies to adequately address this topic. Innovative techniques and accelerating methodologic advances in the field of genetic analysis will help to reveal associations between genetic variants and pain in the near future.
Acute Pain Service – what it is, why it is and what is next?
Authors: Bäckström Ragnar , Rawal Narinder
Published: October 2008

In this article the organization of Acute Pain Service (APS) in Örebro University Hospital will be described in detail. How this organization works and how it is used to improve pain relief and pain relieving methods will also be described. Future ways to improve this organization and postoperative pain will be discussed.
Epidemiology and treatment of pain in Italy: Part I
Authors: Varrassi G. , Raffaeli W. , Marinangeli F. , Ursini M.L. , Piroli A. , Paladini A. , Righetti D. , Monterubbianesi M.C. , Andruccioli J. , Sarti D.
Published: October 2008

Chronic pain can be debilitating and often becomes the defining factor in patients' lives. Many trials have been developed to evaluate the extent and quality of pain in specific populations. The most important informations result from the study “Pain in Europe”, published in 2006, that showed a prevalence of pain by 19%; low back pain was the most frequent disease; one third of the interviewed people complained the worst imaginable pain; on average, people lived with chronic pain for 7.7 years. In regard to the treatment of pain in Italy, the same survey shows inadequate treatment in 47% of cases; 42% of patients reported the assumption of drugs; in 68% of cases Italian doctors prescribed NSAIDs; no patient was in treatment with strong opioids. The link between the reduced use of opioids in Italy and the fear of physicians has been demonstrated by a recent study, not yet published, about the use of analgesics in emergency setting. It is reasonable to believe that the actual situation in Italy is the consequence of the lack of a specific school on pain therapy and of the teaching of pain therapy in the University, until a few years ago. In this situation, only the scientific societies can obtain results.
Low back pain: State of art
Authors: Negrini Stefano , Fusco Claudia , Atanasio Salvatore , Romano Michele , Zaina Fabio
Published: October 2008

Diagnosis of low back pain (LBP) is made by exclusion of secondary spinal diseases, identifiable in the first month of pain (acute LBP – ALBP) through the so‐called “reds flags”, and only if pain persists over 4 weeks (sub‐acute LBP – SALBP) using diagnostic exams. LBP classification is actually based on the localization (LBP and sciatica) and duration of pain: ALBP, SALBP, and chronic (CLBP) when it lasts over 6 months. ALBP prognosis is very good because it is auto‐resolving in most of the cases; on the contrary, CLBP has a bad prognosis (very low rate of resolution even with treatment). The stage of most interest is SALBP, in which it is possible to identify risk factors (“yellow flags”) of chronicity and to avoid the development of a series of vicious cycles that, according to a bio‐psycho‐social model of illness, can lead the patient to CLBP. In CLBP it's mandatory to make the patient able to manage his problem, so to increase his quality of life and decrease disability and pain. Treatment approach to ALBP consist of reassuring the patient and providing accurate preventive information, recommendations to remain as active as possible, to avoid bed rest. In SALBP and CLBP, a multidisciplinary team rehabilitation approach is the most important one, combining educational, cognitive‐behavioural and physical exercise treatments according to the individual needs. Pain killer therapies can be proposed, but bearing in mind their short‐term effects.
Modern Burma Studies: A Survey of the Field
Authors: SELTH ANDREW
Published: October 2008

Burma has never been a popular subject for academic research but, since a massive pro-democracy uprising drew worldwide attention to the country in 1988, the number of scholars and students engaged in the field has grown considerably. However, they still face a number of major challenges. Along with other kinds of area studies, Burma studies have been accused by academics from the more ‘scientific’ disciplines of being too narrowly focused and lacking theoretical rigour. Also, it has been difficult to conduct research in Burma's closed society. While the latest military government has relaxed some controls, field work is still constrained and reliable sources are hard to find. Often, the knowledge gap has been filled by myths and misconceptions. Adding to these problems, since 1988 the Burma studies community has become highly polarised, with political and moral factors often featuring more prominently in the public debate than considered arguments based on objective analysis. All these factors have adversely affected modern Burma studies and restricted understanding of this deeply troubled country by both scholars and the wider community.
THE ROLE OF LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRAGMATIC COMPREHENSION
Authors: Taguchi Naoko
Published: October 2008

This study examines the role of environment in the development of pragmatic comprehension. It tracks two groups of Japanese students of English: 60 students in a college in Japan (English as a foreign language [EFL] learners) and 57 students in a college in the United States (English as a second language [ESL] learners). The learners completed a computerized listening task that measured their ability to comprehend two types of implied meaning: indirect refusals (k= 24) and indirect opinions (k= 24). The task was given to each group twice, before and after the students received approximately 120–130 hr of classroom instruction. Comprehension was analyzed for accuracy (scores) and speed (average time taken to answer each item correctly). Results showed that, in both learner groups, accuracy and comprehension speed improved significantly over time. For the EFL group, the magnitude of effect was much less for speed than for accuracy. In contrast, ESL learners showed significant improvement in comprehension speed, with a sizable effect size, but only marginal improvement in accuracy.
SYNTACTIC AND PROSODIC COMPUTATIONS IN THE RESOLUTION OF RELATIVE CLAUSE ATTACHMENT AMBIGUITY BY ENGLISH-FRENCH LEARNERS
Authors: Dekydtspotter Laurent , Donaldson Bryan , Edmonds Amanda C. , Fultz Audrey Liljestrand , Petrush Rebecca A.
Published: October 2008

This study investigates the manner in which syntax, prosody, and context interact when second- and fourth-semester college-level English-French learners process relative clause (RC) attachment to either the first noun phrase (NP1) or the second noun phrase (NP2) in complex nominal expressions such asle secrétaire du psychologue qui se promène (au centre ville)“the secretary of the psychologist who takes a walk (downtown).” Learners' interpretations were affected by the length of the RC, specifically its phonological weight. Effects of intonation contour were found only in a subset of learners. In a response time (RT) experiment that manipulated contexts, fourth-semester learners showed a final bias for NP1 attachment in interpretation but an initial RT bias for NP2 attachment. Second-semester learners also produced a NP2 attachment bias in RTs, but no asymmetry in interpretation was found. We argue that the processing of RC attachment by English-French learners requires a task-specific algorithm that implicates autonomous syntactic and prosodic computations and specific interactions among them.
GENERALIZED MIXED QUASI-COMPLEMENTARITY PROBLEMS IN TOPOLOGICAL VECTOR SPACES
Authors: FRAJZADEH ALI P. , NOOR MUHAMMAD ASLAM
Published: October 2008

In this paper, we introduce and consider a new class of complementarity problems, which are called the generalized mixed quasi-complementarity problems in a topological vector space. We show that the generalized mixed quasi-complementarity problems are equivalent to the generalized mixed quasi variational inequalities. Using a new type of KKM mapping theorem, we study the existence of a solution of the generalized mixed quasi-variational inequalities and generalized mixed quasi-complementarity problems. Several special cases are also discussed. The results obtained in this paper can be viewed as extension and generalization of the previously known results.