bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kinetic assessment of breast tumors using high spatial resolution signal enhancement ratio (SER) imaging
Authors: Li Ka‐Loh , Henry Roland G. , Wilmes Lisa J. , Gibbs Jessica , Zhu Xiaoping , Lu Ying , Hylton Nola M.
Published: August 2007

The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between an empirical contrast kinetic parameter, the signal enhancement ratio (SER), for three‐timepoint, high spatial resolution contrast‐enhanced (CE) MRI, and a commonly analyzed pharmacokinetic parameter, kep, using dynamic high temporal resolution CE‐MRI. Computer simulation was performed to investigate: 1) the relationship between the SER and the contrast agent concentration ratio (CACR) of two postcontrast timepoints (tp1 and tp2); 2) the relationship between the CACR and the redistribution rate constant (kep) based on a two‐compartment pharmacokinetic model; and 3) the sensitivity of the relationship between the SER and kep to native tissue T1 relaxation time, T10, and to errors in an assumed vascular input function. The relationship between SER and kep was verified experimentally using a mouse model of breast cancer. The results showed that a monotonic mathematical relationship between SER and kep could be established if the acquisition parameters and the two postinjection timepoints of SER, tp1, tp2, were appropriately chosen. The in vivo study demonstrated a close correlation between SER and kep on a pixel‐by‐pixel basis (Spearman rank correlation coefficient = 0.87 ± 0.03). The SER is easy to calculate and may have a unique role in breast tissue characterization. Magn Reson Med, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evolution, genes, and inter‐disciplinary personality research
Authors: Penke Lars , Denissen Jaap J. A. , Miller Geoffrey F.
Published: August 2007

Most commentaries welcomed an evolutionary genetic approach to personality, but several raised concerns about our integrative model. In response, we clarify the scientific status of evolutionary genetic theory and explain the plausibility and value of our evolutionary genetic model of personality, despite some shortcomings with the currently available theories and data. We also have a closer look at mate choice for personality traits, point to promising ways to assess evolutionarily relevant environmental factors and defend higher‐order personality domains and the g‐factor as the best units for evolutionary genetic analyses. Finally, we discuss which extensions of and alternatives to our model appear most fruitful, and end with a call for more inter‐disciplinary personality research grounded in evolutionary theory. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Graft copolymers with poly(ethylene oxide) segments
Authors: Neugebauer Dorota
Published: August 2007

Graft copolymers containing poly(ethylene oxide) as side chains attached to the backbone have attracted significant interest because of their unique properties. They have expanded a class of materials important for science and biomedicine. This review article describes a variety of synthetic procedures, i.e. directly by the macromonomer method or by the ‘grafting from’ technique as well as indirect routes via a polymeric precursor. The uses of these graft copolymers in numerous applications are presented to show their versatile nature and their potential. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
A physical organic mechanistic approach to understanding the complex reaction network of hemostasis (blood clotting)
Authors: Kastrup Christian J. , Ismagilov Rustem F.
Published: August 2007

This review focuses on how the mechanistic approach of physical organic chemistry can be used to elucidate the mechanisms behind complex biochemical networks. The dynamics of biochemical reaction networks is difficult to describe by considering their individual reactions, just as the dynamics of organic reactions is difficult to describe by considering individual electrons and atomic nuclei. Physical organic chemists have developed a useful set of tools to predict the outcome of organic reactions by separating the interacting molecules into modules (functional groups), and defining general rules for how these modules interact (mechanisms). This review shows how these tools of physical organic chemistry may be used to describe reaction networks. In addition, it describes the application of these tools to develop a mechanistic understanding of the dynamics of the complex network of hemostasis, which regulates blood clotting. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Substituent effects of phthalimide‐based nucleoside analogs on binding a CG Watson–Crick base pair
Authors: Xiao Z. , Weisz K.
Published: August 2007

Five differently substituted phthalimide nucleosides were studied by NMR spectroscopic techniques for their ability to recognize and bind a cytosine–guanosine (CG) Watson–Crick base pair in CD2Cl2. Whereas only rather weak binding was observed for analogs with an amino, acetamido, or benzamido substituent, strong binding was observed with the analogs carrying an ureido and n‐butyl ureido residue. 2D NOE measurements at low temperatures confirm the proposed binding mode for the high‐affinity ligands but indicate binding interactions for the weakly bound analogs different from the expected geometry. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antiproliferative properties of polyketides isolated from Virola sebifera leaves
Authors: Denny Carina , Zacharias Marcela Engelbrecht , Ruiz Ana Lúcia Tasca Gois , Amaral Maria do Carmo E. do , Bittrich Volker , Kohn Luciana Konecny , Sousa Ilza Maria de Oliveira , Rodrigues Rodney Alexandre Ferreira , Carvalho João Ernesto de , Foglio Mary Ann
Published: August 2007

An activity‐guided fractionation of Virola sebifera Aubl. methylene chloride‐soluble fraction provided novel 3,5‐dihydro‐2‐(1′‐oxo‐3′‐hexadecenyl)‐2‐cyclohexen‐1‐one (3), two known lignans (1, 2) and dehydro hexadecanoyl resorcinol (4). Isolation and purification were conducted with the application of column chromatography and structures were assigned by spetral analysis (1D and 2D NMR, HREIMS). Compounds 1–4 were evaluated for cytotoxic activities against human tumour cell lines UACC62 (melanoma), MCF‐7 (breast), NCI 460 (lung, non‐small cells), OVCAR03 (ovarian), PC‐03 (prostate), HT‐29 (colon), 786‐0 (renal) and NCI‐ADR (breast expressing phenotype multiple drugs resistance) in vitro. The new polyketide (3) showed selectivity against human OVCAR03 and NCI‐ADR cell lines, ranging from 2 to 4 µg/mL. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Harmonic force field for glycine oligopeptides
Authors: Bautista Eddy J. , Seminario Jorge M.
Published: August 2007

The need for much more useful molecular dynamics simulations of nanosized system requires precise and unambiguous methods to determine force field parameters avoiding fitting procedures in favor of first principles ones. We use a procedure FUERZA to calculate force constant parameters for glycine oligopeptides using as an input the Hessian tensor from an ab initio calculation. For a molecular system having n atoms, The FUERZA procedure reduces the 3n × 3n problem to 3n 3 × 3 matrices representing atom‐atom interactions. The procedure reproduces quite well most of the frequencies and as expected, it overestimates somehow stretching frequencies of bonds with terminal atoms such as hydrogens but it yields precise results for all other frequencies. A harmonic force field is reported for glycine oligopeptides. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008
Approximate MCSCF optimization for multiconfigurational spin‐tensor electron propagator method (MCSTEP): The vertical ionization potentials of CO, HCN, HNC, H2CO, and O3
Authors: Ma Dongxia , Yeager Danny L.
Published: August 2007

The multiconfigurational spin tensor electron propagator method (MCSTEP) was developed as an implementation of electron propagator/single particle Green's function methods. MCSTEP was specifically designed for open shell and highly correlated (nondynamically correlated) initial states. The initial state used in MCSTEP is typically a small complete active space (CAS) with multiconfigurational self‐consistent field (MCSCF) state. In some cases, because of our use of a small CAS in MCSTEP, the Lagrangian eigenvalues of the MCSCF reference state are in an undesired order (u). The desired order (d) can usually be obtained by excluding one or more orbital rotations in MCSCF optimization between the doubly occupied and partially occupied orbitals. We systematically examine several cases where the undesired order occurs for the low‐lying vertical MCSTEP ionization potentials (IPs) of the molecules CO, HCN, HNC, H2CO, and O3 with our recently established CAS choices for MCSCF/MCSTEP. By excluding one or more orbital rotations between the partially and doubly occupied orbitals, an approximate MCSCF reference state with the same CAS choice is obtained for use in standard MCSTEP calculations that, in general, gives more reliable vertical MCSTEP IPs. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Quantum Chem, 2008
Theory of chemical bonds in metalloenzymes. IX. Theoretical study on the active site of the ribonucleotide reductase and the related species
Authors: Shoji Mitsuo , Isobe Hiroshi , Takano Yu , Kitagawa Yasutaka , Yamanaka Shusuke , Okumura Mitsutaka , Yamaguchi Kizashi
Published: August 2007

The radical harvesting state of a ribonucleotide reductase R2 subunit (RNR‐R2) is theoretically investigated at the broken‐symmetry DFT level. Recently, a high‐resolution X‐ray crystallography revealed a precise location of the active site structure of RNR‐R2 (Class 1b) from C. ammoniagenes, and found a linking water near the tyrosine (Tyr) radical site. In this study, the magnetic interaction between the Tyr radical and the diiron core JTyrFe is investigated for the first time. Used theoretical model for the active site is composed of diiron core, the Tyr residue, and surrounding side‐chain groups. After the geometrical structure optimization of the core structures, the magnetic interaction between the iron centers was calculated to be JFeFe = −77.82 cm−1, which was comparable to the experimental result of JFeFe = −84 cm−1. The natural orbital analysis clearly showed that the magnetic interaction between the two iron centers mainly interact through the p orbital of the bridging μ‐oxo. It was also calculated that the JTyrFe interaction is negligibly weak, and the Tyr radical is almost in an isolated or a free radical state. These results suggest that the linking water may be used for (1) a confinement of the reactive Tyr radical in the hydrogen bonds or (2) a hydrogen‐transfer coupled with electron transfer at the radical formation step of the Tyr. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Truncation of the correlation consistent basis sets: Application to extended systems
Authors: Mintz Benjamin , Driskell Sage , Shah Amy , Wilson Angela K.
Published: August 2007

The systematic reduction of the correlation consistent basis sets [cc‐pVnZ, where n = D (2), T (3), and Q (4)] for the hydrogen atom as a means to reduce the computational cost of ab initio calculations has been extended to methane through decane and the hydrogen‐containing molecules of the G3/99 test suite. Møller–Plesset second‐order perturbation theory single‐point computations were performed with the full and truncated cc‐pVnZ basis sets utilizing the B3LYP/6‐31G(d) density functional optimized geometry. Complete basis set (CBS) limits were determined for atomization energies utilizing the full cc‐pVnZ basis set series and several truncated basis set series. The difference between the CBS limit for atomization energies determined with a series of truncated basis sets as compared to that of the full basis set series is relatively constant from molecule to molecule. We introduce a correction factor per hydrogen, which when paired with CBS limits determined with a series of truncated basis sets results in errors in atomization energies of less than 0.5 kcal/mol from CBS limits determined with a series of full basis sets. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Nonlinear wave function expansions: A progress report
Authors: Shepard Ron , Minkoff Michael , Brozell Scott R.
Published: August 2007

Some recent progress is reported for a novel nonlinear expansion form for electronic wave functions. This expansion form is based on spin eigenfunctions using the Graphical Unitary Group Approach and the wave function is expanded in a basis of product functions, allowing application to closed and open shell systems and to ground and excited electronic states. Each product basis function is itself a multiconfigurational expansion that depends on a relatively small number of nonlinear parameters called arc factors. Efficient recursive procedures for the computation of reduced one‐ and two‐particle density matrices, overlap matrix elements, and Hamiltonian matrix elements result in a very efficient computational procedure that is applicable to very large configuration state function (CSF) expansions. A new energy‐based optimization approach is presented based on product function splitting and variational recombination. Convergence of both valence correlation energy and dynamical correlation energy with respect to the product function basis dimension is examined. A wave function analysis approach suitable for very large CSF expansions is presented based on Shavitt graph node density and arc density. Some new closed‐form expressions for various Shavitt Graph and Auxiliary Pair Graph statistics are presented. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Surgical Outcomes of the Mass‐Forming plus Periductal Infiltrating Types of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Comparative Study with the Typical Mass‐Forming Type of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Shimada Kazuaki , Sano Tsuyoshi , Sakamoto Yoshihiro , Esaki Minoru , Kosuge Tomoo , Ojima Hidenori
Published: August 2007

Background

The purpose of this study was to clarify the clinicopathologic characteristics and surgical outcomes of patients with the mass‐forming (MF) plus periductal infiltrating (PI) type of intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma (ICC).

Methods

Between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2004, a total of 94 patients with ICC underwent macroscopic curative resection, and the macroscopic type of the tumors was assessed prospectively. Among the 74 patients with the MF type (n = 46) and the MF plus PI type (n = 28) of ICC, multivariate analysis was conducted to identify the potential prognostic factors. The clinicopathologic data of the two groups were compared.

Results

The results revealed two independent prognostic factors: presence/absence of intrahepatic metastasis and the macroscopic type of the tumor. ICCs categorized macroscopically as the MF plus PI type were significantly associated with jaundice (p < 0.001), bile duct invasion (p < 0.001), portal vein invasion (p = 0.025), lymph node involvement (p = 0.017), and positive surgical margin (p = 0.038).

Conclusion

Identification of the macroscopic type of the tumor is useful for predicting survival after hepatectomy in patients with ICC. The MF plus PI type of ICC appears to have a more unfavorable prognosis, even after radical surgery, than the MF type of ICC.
Long-term outcome after renal transplantation in childhood
Authors: Rees Lesley
Published: August 2007

Abstract and learning objectives:

The purpose of this article is to review:

Factors influencing long-term outcome data after transplantation

Patient survival overall, the effect of recipient age and donor type, causes of death, comparison of mortality after transplantation with that on dialysis, and effect of pre-emptive transplantation and race

Transplant survival overall, and the effect of recipient and donor age, donor type, pre-emptive transplantation, recurrent diseases, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching, immunosuppression, concordance, hypertension, bladder dynamics and type of donor nephrectomy

Final height and obesity

Psycho-social outcome
The role of amphibian prey in the diet and growth of giant water bug nymphs in Japanese rice fields
Authors: Ohba Shin‐ya , Miyasaka Hitoshi , Nakasuji Fusao
Published: August 2007

Predatory insects that depend upon particular prey animals are commonly regulated by the prey animal's abundance. Nymphs of the giant water bug Kirkaldyia (=Lethocerus) deyrolli (Heteroptera: Belostomatidae) are predators regarded as specialists in feeding on tadpoles. We studied the ontogenetic diet shift of aquatic nymphs by quantifying instar abundance and by analyzing captured prey and prey relative abundance during the period of rice irrigation in three localities. We also evaluated the contribution of major prey items (tadpoles, frogs, and Odonata nymphs) on specific growth rates of each nymphal stage in a rearing experiment. First to third‐instar nymphs of K. deyrolli fed mainly on tadpoles, regardless of differences in prey availability. Nymphs of subsequent fourth and fifth instar stages shifted from tadpoles to other prey animals within each rice field. A rearing experiment demonstrated that giant water bug nymphs provided with tadpoles had greater specific growth rates at all nymphal stages, except for the final stage, than nymphs fed other prey (frogs and Odonata nymphs). The emergence of young K. deyrolli nymphs seemed to coincide with the period during which tadpoles became abundant in the rice fields. Consumption of tadpoles seems important to allow the nymph to complete its larval development in an unstable temporary habitat.
Evidence for the formation of start aggregates as an initial stage of protein aggregation
Authors: Golub Nikolay , Meremyanin Alexey , Markossian Kira , Eronina Tatyana , Chebotareva Natalia , Asryants Regina , Muronets Vladimir , Kurganov Boris
Published: August 2007

The kinetics of thermal aggregation of glycogen phosphorylase b and glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase from rabbit skeletal muscles were studied using dynamic light scattering. Use of high concentrations of the enzymes (1–3 mg/ml) provided a simultaneous registration of the native enzyme forms and protein aggregates. It was shown that initially registered aggregates (start aggregates) were large‐sized particles. The hydrodynamic radius of the start aggregates was about 100 nm. The intermediate states between the native enzyme forms and start aggregates were not detected. The initial increase in the light scattering intensity is connected with accumulation of the start aggregates, the size of the latter remaining unchanged. From a certain moment in time aggregates of higher order, formed as a result of sticking of the start aggregates, make a major contribution to the enhancement of the light scattering intensity.
Histopathology of the A1 Pulley in Adult Trigger Fingers
Authors: SBERNARDORI M. C. , BANDIERA P.
Published: August 2007

The histopathology of the central parts of 40 A1 pulleys from adult patients with primary trigger fingers was studied using light and transmission electron microscopes and the findings were compared with those in a control series of 10 normal A1 pulleys. The evaluation of the normal A1 pulley revealed a bi-laminar structure. The deepest layer was composed of dense normal connective tissue. The outermost layer was formed by loose connective tissue. In trigger digits, it was possible to identify a tri-laminar structure. The deepest layer was composed of irregular connective tissue, formed by small collagen fibres and abundant extracellular matrix. A considerable amount of chondroid-metaplasia was present in this layer. The middle layer contained dense, normal connective tissue with some fibrocytes. The outermost layer was formed of loose connective tissue. In conclusion, there was an additional layer in the A1 pulley in pathological cases which was not present in normal pulleys.
Tipping the Balance: The Problematic Nature of Work–Life Balance in a Low-Income Neighbourhood
Authors: DEAN HARTLEY
Published: August 2007

The article attempts to locate the contested notion of work–life balance within the context of global trends and recent policy developments. It describes a small-scale qualitative study of work–life balance as it is experienced within a low-income neighbourhood in the UK. The study findings are used to inform reflections on the powerlessness experienced by many working parents seeking to accommodate family life with paid employment; and on the nature of the calculative responsibilities that are imposed upon working parents by recent shifts in social and labour market policy. It is contended that policy makers should tip the balance of the work–life equation from the current preoccupation with business interests in favour of wider social responsibility concerns.
New Approaches to Employability in the UK: Combining ‘Human Capital Development’ and ‘Work First’ Strategies?
Authors: LINDSAY COLIN , McQUAID RONALD W. , DUTTON MATTHEW
Published: August 2007

This article analyses recent developments in policies to promote the employability of unemployed and economically inactive people in the UK. It discusses the extent to which these policies reflect the dominant approaches of ‘Work First’, where programmes focus mainly on compulsory job search and short-term interventions to facilitate a quick return to work, or human capital development (HCD), where programmes tailor services to promote longer-term skills and personal development. Specifically, the article reports on case-study research into two recent pilot initiatives: Working Neighbourhoods (which targeted a range of intensive services in neighbourhoods characterised by high levels of inactivity) and Pathways to Work (which combines employability services and cognitive behaviour therapy-type approaches to help clients to manage health problems). While both pilots have retained strong Work First features, they potentially represent a shift towards a more HCD-oriented approach, through the delivery of more holistic ‘coping and enabling’ services. However, there remain concerns that, as with previous progressive policy initiatives, the positive lessons of these pilots will not be fully mainstreamed. We conclude that, if the UK is to balance Work First compulsion with high-quality services delivering progress in the labour market and HCD, a strengthening of ‘coping and enabling’ interventions is required, alongside a renewed commitment to training.
Closing the Gender Gap in Retirement Income: What Difference Will Recent UK Pension Reforms Make?
Authors: PRICE DEBORA
Published: August 2007

The second report of the Pensions Commission sought to establish a framework for a sustainable pension system for future generations of pensioners in the UK. The framework has been largely accepted by government in their recent White Paper, Security in Retirement: Towards a New Pension System (2006). Legislation will follow. The Commission and the government have made a number of claims about how their proposals will benefit women. Reforms have been welcomed by women's lobby groups. This article presents a gendered analysis of the Pensions Commission proposals using unpublished data generated by Pensim2, a pensions' simulator developed by the Department for Work and Pensions. Substantial improvements for women will be in the long term only, and will depend heavily on the extent to which gendered patterns of work and family life change in future. For women who follow traditional paths of combining part-time work with looking after children and kin, outcomes will depend on partnering arrangements. If they are married or cohabiting, they will be better off; but if they live alone in later life, the principal advantage of the proposals will be a reduction in means testing rather than an improvement in levels of income.
Welfare Retrenchment as Social Justice: Pension Reform in Mexico
Authors: MARIER PATRIK , MAYER JEAN F.
Published: August 2007

This article analyses critically the applicability of current theories of welfare state retrenchment to the 2004 public pension reform in Mexico, with the 1995 reform acting as a complementary case. In particular, this article contributes to the literature by analysing the reasons for which a potentially unpopular reform was successfully enacted. Available evidence suggests that – contrary to the existing literature's assertions – Mexican politicians responsible for the 2004 reform sought credit for these changes, rather than to avoid blame. Also, by presenting the reform as necessary to enhance socioeconomic equality, politicians were able to gather substantial popular support and defeat labour unions opposing this pension restructuring process. Hence, we propose that by framing the public debate as a matter of social justice, promoters of pension reform increased significantly popular support for the retrenchment of important benefits from a core group of civil servants, and successfully pressured Congress to promulgate this reform. We suggest that this created a reform path that will facilitate future efforts at reforming the remaining public pension schemes in Mexico.
Social Policy Digest Online
Authors: Bennett Fran , Jones Ken
Published: August 2007

The Social Policy Digest went online in the summer of 2003. This means that the Digest, which used to be printed as part of the Journal of Social Policy, is now only available via the web.
MONOTONICITY PROPERTIES FOR MULTISERVER QUEUES WITH RENEGING AND FINITE WAITING LINES
Authors: Jouini Oualid , Dallery Yves
Published: August 2007

We consider a markovian multiserver queue with a finite waiting line in which a customer may decide to leave and give up service if its waiting time in queue exceeds its random deadline. We focus on the performance measure in terms of the probability of being served under both transient and stationary regimes. We investigate monotonicity properties of first and second order of this performance with respect to the buffer size, say k. Under the stationary regime, we prove that our service level is strictly increasing and concave in k, whereas we prove under the transient regime that it is only increasing in k.
RELIABILITY PROPERTIES OF EXTENDED LINEAR FAILURE-RATE DISTRIBUTIONS
Authors: Ghitany M. E. , Kotz Samuel
Published: August 2007

This article investigates reliability properties of a flexible extended linear failure-rate family of distributions generated using the relation F¯(x) = αF¯0(x)/[1 − α¯F¯0(x)], where α > 0, α¯ = 1 − α, and F¯0(x) is the reliability function of the linear failure-rate distribution.
Industry Watch
Authors: DALE ROBERT
Published: August 2007

I've just come back from the 45th Annual Meeting of the Association for Computational Linguistics (ACL) in Prague; this was the biggest ever ACL conference, with more than 1,000 people attending for the first time. Attendance at ACL conferences has been growing year on year, and that is a sign of a healthy field. Another sign of health is industry sponsorship. For this year's conference, the Gold Sponsor was Google, and Microsoft and Yahoo! were Silver Sponsors, along with a few companies we have not seen as ACL sponsors before: −textkernel, News Tin, and – a name that seems now to pop up regularly in this column – Powerset. There are all sorts of reasons why companies sponsor conferences like this, but clearly a major purpose is to make themselves visible to potential employees. And, if companies are hiring, that's good news across the board: it gives us a way of attracting more students into the field, and more generally, it speaks to the industrial and commercial relevance of what we do. There is nothing like external validation – especially commercial validation – to wash away those niggling self-doubts about the utility of your research endeavours. I remember attending MT Summit VII in Singapore in 1999, when Jo Lernout, then of Lernout & Hauspie, gave an invited talk in which (I'm sure I'm remembering this correctly) he said his ambition was to hire everyone in the hall. There were around 250 attendees – big for an NLP conference at the time – so that created quite a buzz. Jo wanted to hire everyone, not just cherry pick those with the near-to-product big ideas; in his vision of the future, every teensy-weensy tightly-focused research contribution had a role to play. For just a moment, everybody felt wanted.
Awareness and consumption of folate-fortified foods by women of childbearing age in Western Australia
Authors: Oddy W H , Miller M , Payne J M , Serna P , Bower C I
Published: August 2007

Objectives

The introduction of voluntary fortification of some foods with folic acid in Australia has been implemented since evidence of the prevention of neural tube defects with periconceptional folic acid was published. Our objectives were to determine how many women were aware of folate and when they became aware, what was the awareness of labels on foods that mentioned folate, and how much folate-fortified food women ate.

Methods

To address these objectives we collected data by self-administered questionnaire from a random sample of 578 recently pregnant women in Western Australia between September 1997 and March 2000.

Results

Overall, 89% of women had heard, seen or read anything about the link between folate and birth defects such as spina bifida, 62% first became aware of the folate message before their recent pregnancy and 42% of women noticed any labels on foods that mention folate before or during their recent pregnancy. Overall, 53% of women were aware of foods that have folate added to them and 33% usually or always read the labels on food packaging. The folate-fortified foods most often consumed by women were cereals (69%), breads (34%) and milk (15%). Of the women who consumed folate-fortified foods (78%), the earlier they became aware of the folate message and noticed labels on food, the more fortified foods they consumed.

Conclusions

These results indicate that staple foods fortified with folate are consumed by almost 80% of women in the population. Therefore, mandatory fortification of staple foods may reach most women, providing improved opportunity for the prevention of neural tube defects in Australia.
Haematite–water system on Mars and its possible role in chemical evolution
Authors: Arora Avnish Kumar , Tomar Varsha , Aarti  , Venkateswararao K.T. , Kamaluddin
Published: August 2007

Recent findings on the presence of water on Mars (Baker, V.R. (2006). Geomorphological evidence for water on Mars. Elements2(3), 139–143; DeJong, E. (2006). Geological evidence of the presence of water on Mars. Abstracts from the 40th Western Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Anaheim, CA, January, 2006, pp. 22–25. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC; McSween, H.Y. Jr. (2006). Water on Mars. Elements2(3), 135–137; Mitrofanov, I.G. (2005). Water explorations on Mars. Priroda9, 34–43) strongly suggest that there existed a period of chemical evolution eventually leading to life processes on primitive Mars (Kanavarioti, A. & Maneinelli, R.L. (1990). Could organic matter have been preserved on Mars for 3.5 billion years. Icarus84, 196–202). Owing to the adverse conditions, it is quite likely that the process of chemical evolution would have been suppressed and any living organisms that formed would have become extinct over time on Mars. The presence of water as a necessity for the survival of living organisms and the presence of grey haematite, originated under aqueous conditions, have led us to investigate the possible role of haematite in the chemical evolution on Mars. Our observations suggest that iron oxide hydroxide (FeOOH), a precursor of haematite, has a much higher binding affinity towards ribose nucleotides (the building blocks of RNA) than the haematite itself. This would mean that during the process of haematite formation, especially through the probable process of Fe3+ hydrolysis by aqueous ammonia, the precursors of haematite might have played a significant role in the processes leading to chemical evolution and the possible origin of life on Mars.
Does growing Canadian Western Hard Red Spring wheat under organic management alter its breadmaking quality?
Authors: Mason H. , Navabi A. , Frick B. , O'Donovan J. , Niziol D. , Spaner D.
Published: August 2007

Canadian Western Hard Red Spring (CWRS) wheat is recognized as premium quality wheat, ideal for breadmaking due to its superior milling qualities, baking characteristics and protein content. Organic wheat production is becoming more prevalent in Canada, due to increasing consumer demand for organic wheat products. Differences may exist in the baking and milling quality of wheat grown under conventional and organic management, a result of the dissimilarity between organic and conventional soil and crop management practices. Five CWRS cultivars released from 1885 to 1997 were grown under conventional and organic management and were assessed for their breadmaking potential. Several traits were investigated, including test weight, protein content, flour yield, kernel hardness and several mixograph parameters. Test weight was higher under conventional management, while no differences in protein content were observed between organic and conventionally grown wheat. Higher sodium dodecyl sulfate sedimentation (SDSS) volume, a reflection of gluten strength, was observed under conventional management, while there was a trend towards higher dough strength under organic management. Cultivars differed in grain protein, flour yield, kernel hardness and mixograph parameters, with Park and McKenzie superior to the others, particularly Red Fife, a much older cultivar. Management×cultivar interaction effects suggest that cultivars exhibit somewhat different baking characteristics when grown in the two management systems. There was no evidence that older cultivars (developed prior to the widespread use of pesticides and fertilizers) are better suited, in terms of breadmaking quality, for organic production.
Yield and fruit quality response of sweet pepper to organic and mineral fertilization
Authors: del Amor F.M.
Published: August 2007

Sweet pepper plants were grown in a greenhouse under three different cultivation methods (organic, integrated and conventional farming). During the crop cycle, plant growth and especially yield and fruit quality parameters were monitored to determine the effects of the different fertilization strategies. Plant fresh weight and total leaf fresh weight were progressively reduced, relative to the other treatments, in the organic treatment compared with the conventional, and at the end of the crop cycle these parameters were reduced by 32.6 and 35% respectively. This reduction in growth was directly correlated with plant nitrate concentration and, at the end of the study, nitrate concentration was reduced almost completely in the organic treatment. Despite the important effect on growth, no significant differences in total marketable yield were observed between conventional and organic farming, although integrated farming showed the highest yield in the extra and first class fruit categories. Organic farming increased antioxidant activity but reduced both chlorophylls and β-carotene. Fruit firmness, pericarp thickness, pH and total soluble solids content showed higher values with the organic method, but these differences were not significant with respect to the conventional method. Our results show the advantages of the organic fertilization, from both environmental and economic perspectives, if proper dosage is added to the crop and the demonstrated buffer capacity of these plants, with respect to maintaining yield under nutrient depletion at later stages of development, is taken into account.
Einige kritische Anmerkungen zu standardisierten Assessmentinstrumenten in der Pflege
Authors: Bartholomeyczik Sabine
Published: August 2007

Es ist zu begrüßen, dass zunehmend die Notwendigkeit von standardisierten Assessmentinstrumenten in der Pflegepraxis gesehen wird, kann sie doch als Ausdruck für die Notwendigkeit differenzierter Pflegediagnostik interpretiert werden. Gleichzeitig besteht aber auch die Gefahr, dass diese Instrumente ohne kritische Bewertung genutzt werden. Die veröffentlichte Feststellung, dass ein Instrument auf Reliabilität und Validität getestet ist, ist unzureichend. Die kritische Bewertung muss sich als Erstes auf die inhaltlich-theoretische Fundierung beziehen: Ist das Instrument pflegerelevant, praxistauglich und handlungsleitend? Zwei Beispiele häufig verwendeter Instrumente und verschiedene Arten der Nutzung in der Pflege werden diskutiert. Zum Zweiten muss das Instrument als «Werk mit Zahlen» hinterfragt werden. Reliabilitäts- und Validitätsstudien sind genauso kritisch zu bewerten wie andere empirische Untersuchungen auch. Fragen nach der Stichprobe, der Angemessenheit von Übereinstimmungsparametern (Interrater-Reliabilität), der Art und Begründung von Reliabilitätstests müssen gestellt werden. Gleiches gilt für Validitätsstudien, die auf noch größere Herausforderungen stoßen. Methodologische Studien zu angesprochenen Fragestellungen fehlen, Richtlinien zur Nutzung von standardisierten Assessmentinstrumenten sind zu erarbeiten.
Valide und reliable Methoden zur Wundbeschreibung von Dekubitus und Ulcus cruris – Eine systematische Literaturübersicht
Authors: Panfil Eva-Maria , Linde Eva
Published: August 2007

Die wesentlichen Aufgaben und Ziele einer Wunddokumentation von Dekubitalgeschwüren und Ulcus cruris sind die Darstellung der Ergebnisse der Wunddiagnostik, die Planung der Therapie und die Bewertung der Wundheilung. Die Arbeit untersucht, wie Wundgröße, -grund, -umgebung, -stadium und -heilung valide, reliabel und praktikabel erfasst werden können. Dazu wurde eine systematische Literaturübersicht der Jahrgänge 2001 bis 2006 durchgeführt. Die gefundenen Studien sind wegen ihrer Heterogenität kaum vergleichbar und weisen teilweise methodische Mängel auf. Linealbasierte Berechnungen von Ellipsen auf Basis der Perpendikularmethode sind innerhalb der Linealmethoden am zuverlässigsten, erlauben jedoch nur eine Einschätzung der Wundgröße. Tracings können die Wundgröße zusammen mit mechanischer oder digitalisierter Planimetrie reliabel messen. Fotografien erfassen großflächige und zirkuläre Wunden sowie die Wundfarbe nicht adäquat. Für die Erfassung von Wundfarbe, Exsudat, Geruch, Wundrand und Mazeration existieren keine validen und reliablen standardisierten Verfahren. Zur Beschreibung des Schweregrades eines Dekubitus existieren 20 verschiedene Klassifikationssysteme. Die Daten belegen jedoch die Schwierigkeit einer reliablen Erfassung des Wundstadiums. Die Wundheilung kann auch mit den standardisierten Messinstrumenten PSST, PUSH, SWHT, SS, PUHP, CODED und DESIGN (Dekubitus) und LUMT (Ulcus cruris) gemessen werden. Die Messinstrumente liegen jedoch nicht in deutscher Sprache vor und sind insgesamt noch unzureichend untersucht. Die Praktikabilität der Methoden wird insgesamt kaum untersucht. Für alle Messmethoden ist zu konstatieren, dass die Anwendung Schulung und Erfahrung voraussetzt und die Gültigkeit und Zuverlässigkeit bei erfahrenen Personen größer ist.
Plasma wave heating during extreme electric fields in the high‐latitude E region
Authors: Bahcivan Hasan
Published: August 2007

This article presents measurements of electron heating in the high‐latitude E region during rare, extreme convection electric fields (up to 160 mV/m). As inferred from the merged Sondrestrom incoherent scatter spectra measurements, the electron temperature monotonically increases with the electric field reaching 4000+ K, without any indication of saturation, and the radar backscatter power monotonically decreases.
Comparison of Fourier and wavelet techniques in the determination of geomagnetic field line resonances
Authors: Boudouridis A. , Zesta E.
Published: August 2007

Fourier transforms have traditionally been used in the past for time‐frequency analysis of numerous physical problems. Recently, a new time‐frequency analysis technique using temporally confined base functions, called wavelets, has been applied to many problems. The advantage of the wavelets over the conventional sinusoidal functions is their time localization property, providing information not only about the frequency or scale size of the features present but also about their location in the time series. Here we compare the performance of the two techniques on the time‐frequency analysis of ground magnetometer data and especially their ability to pick up the field line resonance (FLR) frequency of a resonating magnetic field line using automated FLR determination techniques. We find that the automated techniques work better with the Fourier transforms giving less variable FLR frequency. The high temporal resolution of the wavelet transforms can be useful for detailed analyses of short time periods, but it becomes a disadvantage when it comes to automated techniques for the entire dayside magnetosphere, yielding a highly variable FLR frequency.
Proton cyclotron echoes and a new resonance observed by the Radio Plasma Imager instrument on the IMAGE satellite
Authors: Carpenter D. L. , Bell T. F. , Chen D. , Ng D. , Baran C. , Reinisch B. W. , Galkin I.
Published: August 2007

At various altitudes in the plasmasphere, sounder pulses from the Radio Plasma Imager (RPI) instrument on the IMAGE satellite can couple strongly to protons, a process revealed in echo time delay versus frequency forms that arrive at multiples of the local proton cyclotron period tp. Lower‐altitude (<4000 km) versions of two of these proton cyclotron (PC) forms were previously observed in the topside ionosphere. A new resonance, apparently confined to altitudes above ≈7000 km, was observed at a frequency ≈15% above the electron cyclotron frequency fce. We believe that PC echoes and the new resonance are driven by a variety of mechanisms, but only exceptionally strong echoes in the whistler‐mode domain are discussed in detail. Those echoes indicate that peak excitation of the protons occurs as a transient event at the beginning of each rf pulse. We infer that there is spatial bunching of accelerated protons during the initial formation of an electron sheath around the positive‐voltage antenna element. The gyrating protons then produce a series of electrostatic pulses at multiples of tp. The most efficient proton excitation is expected to occur at frequencies near and below the proton plasma frequency fpp. In contrast to these echoes, the discrete PC echoes above fce and near fZ show evidence of thermal‐mode wave propagation at the rf frequency of the sounder pulses, while the new resonance above fce suggests the existence of a ringing phenomenon in the plasma that is unique to altitudes above ≈7000 km.
Cold jets in the Martian polar caps
Authors: Kieffer Hugh H.
Published: August 2007

Mars seasonal polar caps display dark ice, local darker spots, aligned elongate patches, and radially dendritic forms that reverse albedo contrast. The unexpected variety and sequence of these features are explained on the basis of processes involving CO2, dust, sand, and H2O. These processes are largely related to the atmosphere being near its saturation temperature, and they have few terrestrial analogies. In the simplest case the ∼1 m thick seasonal cap, initially dusty, cleans itself and becomes translucent after sunrise and is impermeable over extensive regions except for local vents. The slab ice sublimates at the base and is levitated on high‐pressure gas, causing humidity exchange with deeper layers; subslab gas converging toward the vents erodes channels in the soil and ejects this material in high‐velocity jets. Recent spectral observations indicate great variety in the details.
Cooling trend in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere over China
Authors: Duan Anmin
Published: August 2007

A strong cooling trend (−0.62°C per decade) in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS) over China is detected based on the records of 109 radiosonde stations during the period from 1980 to 2004. In contrast, the underlying mid and lower troposphere (MLT) exhibits a relatively weak warming trend (0.17°C per decade) with the largest magnitude at the surface. Accompanying these changes in air temperature, large‐scale circulation associated with the monsoon activity in East Asia declines remarkably in both winter and summer. Meanwhile, decreasing trend of the total ozone amount has also been found in the same period. Numerical simulations using two global coupled climate models further suggest that the ozone depletion and enhanced anthropogenic greenhouse effect play an important role in the cooling of UTLS and warming of MLT.
Auroral streamers and magnetic flux closure
Authors: Hubert B. , Kauristie K. , Amm O. , Milan S. E. , Grocott A. , Cowley S. W. H. , Pulkkinen T. I.
Published: August 2007

On 7 December 2000 at 2200 UT an auroral streamer was observed to develop above Scandinavia with the IMAGE‐FUV global imagers. The ionospheric equivalent current deduced from the MIRACLE‐IMAGE Scandinavian ground‐based network of magnetometers is typical of a substorm‐time streamer. Observations of the proton aurora using the SI12 imager onboard the IMAGE satellite are combined with measurements of the ionospheric convection obtained by the SuperDARN radar network to compute the dayside merging and nightside flux closure rates. On the basis of this and other similar events, it is found that auroral streamers appear during the period of most intense flux closure in the magnetotail, most often shortly after substorm onset. The ionospheric convection velocity, as measured by SuperDARN, appears to be reduced in the vicinity of the streamer, suggesting de‐coupling of magnetospheric and ionospheric plasma flows in the region of enhanced ionospheric conductance.
IMPROVED METHOD OF PRODUCING AMOEBIC LIVER ABSCESSES IN HAMSTERS FOR SCREENING OF SYSTEMICALLY ACTIVE AMOEBICIDES
Authors: Das P , Narain L , Dutta GP , Pal S , Pal SC
Published: August 2007

An improved method of producing hepatic amoebiasis in hamsters has been developed. A serially liver‐passaged strain of Entamoeba histolytica from experimentally‐infected hamsters was used for infection. Small pieces from the infected liver were examined for the presence of amoebae and contained approximately 20,000 active trophozoites per piece. Such liver pieces, when used as an inoculum, produced infection in all of the animals, The method has been successfully employed for screening of known amoebicides such as emetine, dehydroemetine, metronidazole, tinidazole, chloroquine, mepacrine, amodiaquine and ambilhar.
MICROBIOLOGY OF CHRONIC OTITIS MEDIA WITH EFFUSION AMONG AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL CHILDREN: ROLE OF CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS
Authors: Dawson VM , Coelen RJ , Murphy S , Graham D , Dyer H , Sunderman J
Published: August 2007

Serum, eye secretions, post‐nasal swabs, external ear swabs and middle ear effusions (MEE) were collected from 131 Australian Aboriginal children with chronic otitis media with effusion (COME). The children were all resident in a trachoma endemic region. Chlamydia trachomatis was recovered from the MEE of 2 children. Probable bacterial pathogens were isolated from 34 (12·7%) ears. The remainder were sterile (52·4%) or contained normal skin flora (34·9%). Serum and secretions were examined by the micro‐immunofluorescent technique for the presence, titre and serotype of anti‐chlamydial antibody. Antibody, predominantly of the C serotype, was found in a high percentage of sera (80%) and secretions (approximately 50%). This serotype is associated with ocular trachoma. It is concluded that C. trachomatis is associated with COME among some Aboriginal children in this trachoma endemic area.
OPTIMISED GROWTH OF HUMAN EPIDERMAL CELLS IN VITRO WITHOUT THE USE OF A FEEDER LAYER OR COLLAGEN SUBSTRATE
Authors: Thompson CH , Rose BR , Cossart YE
Published: August 2007

A culture method has been developed which enables a reasonably large quantity of human epidermal cells to be grown in vitro without the use of irradiated 3T3 feeder layers or collagen substrates. These cultures become confluent within 2 or 3 weeks of initiation, and may be sub‐cultured several times over their 16‐week average lifespan provided that the calcium levels in the cultured medium are controlled. Some of the potential uses of these cultures are briefly discussed.