bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flow cytometer electronics
Authors: Snow Christopher “Kit”
Published: January 2004

Flow cytometers, like all things electronic, have undergone rapid evolution since the introduction of the first commercial instruments 30 years ago. Cytometers then had so little automation and sophistication that the operator had to be expert in many different scientific disciplines to be able to coax any data at all out of the instrument. But trends in electronic components toward higher speed, smaller size, and lower power consumption have allowed the instruments to become faster, more sensitive, and actually quasi‐intelligent. Automation of complex processes that once required considerable operator expertise, such as running a high‐speed sort or correctly compensating a multicolor experiment, has expanded the number of flow cytometry applications and the number of flow cytometry users; there is no reason to expect that trend to stop. This review discusses the electronic components of a current “generic” flow cytometer from a functional point of view with the hope that a better understanding of what is going on “inside the box” will lead to a better understanding of how operator‐selectable instrument settings can influence the quality of the data produced. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simple, semiautomatic assay of cytostatic and cytotoxic effects of antitumor drugs by laser scanning cytometry: Effects of the bis‐intercalator WP631 on growth and cell cycle of T‐24 cells
Authors: Pozarowski Piotr , Huang Xuan , Gong Richard W. , Priebe Waldemar , Darzynkiewicz Zbigniew
Published: January 2004

Background

Common assays of drug‐induced cytotoxicity on adherent cells rely on cell trypsinization followed by count of live and dead cells. To estimate the cell cycle effects, cellular DNA content is analyzed by flow cytometry. This procedure is laborious and time consuming. The alternative viability assays, e.g., based on reduction of 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl) 2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, although rapid and convenient, do not provide information about individual cells or cell cycle effects and may be biased by growth imbalance.

Methods

The bladder carcinoma T‐24 cells were seeded onto eight‐chamber microscope slide‐based tissue culture vessels. The novel antitumor drug, the bis‐intercalating anthracycline WP631, was administered at various concentrations to different chamber cultures on the same slide; the control cultures were left untreated. After 24, 48, and 72 h, the cultures were fixed, and cellular DNA was stained with 4,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenyl indole (DAPI). The slides were scanned by laser scanning cytometry (LSC) to obtain the number of attached cells per culture chamber and reveal their cell cycle distribution.

Results

The cell growth and viability plots in the absence and presence of WP621 were constructed from the frequency of the attached cells per chamber. A 50% reduction in cell number was observed at the 75 nM concentration of WP321. Mitotic and postmitotic cells were identified based on high intensity of maximal pixel of DAPI fluorescence. An increase in proportion of cells in G2 was seen at 75–300 nM of WP631. Relatively few (<12%) apoptotic cells, identified by the presence of DNA strand breaks, remained attached in the WP631‐treated cultures.

Conclusions

Because late apoptotic cells detach during culturing, the cells that remain attached in the multi‐chamber cultures represent predominantly live cells; the deficit in their number compared with the untreated cultures, recorded by LSC during scanning, provides information about the degree of cytostatic and cytotoxic effects of the studied drug. The possibility to demonstrate the cell cycle distribution, including a distinction between G2 and M cells, provides an additional advantage of this assay. Other parameters that may be associated with the cell cycle perturbation or with induction of apoptosis also can be measured in the same cultures by using the multiparameter capabilities of LSC. Each measured cell can be relocated for imaging or measurement after subsequent staining with other probes. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of ThinPrep® and conventional preparations in pancreatic fine‐needle aspiration biopsy
Authors: de Luna Regina , Eloubeidi Mohamad A. , Sheffield Matthew V. , Eltoum Isam , Jhala Nirag , Jhala Darshana , Chen Victor K. , Chhieng David C.
Published: January 2004

Use of ThinPrep® preparation for fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) is gaining popularity. However, there may be a difference in the morphology and the operating characteristics between ThinPrep and conventional methods. The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of the two methods and to address the pitfalls of ThinPrep preparation in pancreatic FNA. A computer search identified 67 pancreatic FNAs with both conventional smears and ThinPrep preparation during a 19‐mo period. These cases, obtained under endoscopic ultrasound‐guidance, consisted of 47 malignant neoplasms (44 ductal carcinomas, two mucinous neoplasms, and one islet cell tumor) and 20 benign lesions. Direct smears were prepared first and the remaining material was then put into PreservCyt Solution for ThinPrep slides. All slides were reviewed and the cytologic diagnoses were correlated with histologic and clinical follow‐up. Five conventional and 16 ThinPrep specimens were unsatisfactory due to insufficient cellularity. These cases were excluded from the analysis. Among the 62 cases evaluated by conventional preparation, 77% (34) were diagnosed as positive and 14% (seven) atypical/suspicious by conventional smears. For the 51 ThinPrep specimens, 58% (22) were interpreted as positive and 31% (12) atypical/suspicious. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of diagnosing a malignancy were 77%, 100%, and 84% for conventional smears and 58%, 100%, and 67% for ThinPrep preparation, respectively. There were no false positives with either method. However, three benign lesions were interpreted as atypical/suspicious with ThinPrep preparation because of the presence of single atypical cells with distinct nucleoli. One of the two mucinous neoplasms was incorrectly diagnosed with ThinPrep preparation because of lack of mucin. The diagnostic accuracy of pancreatic FNA using ThinPrep is inferior to that of conventional smears. This may be partly due to the use of split sample technique resulting in scant cellularity in ThinPrep preparation and partly due to the differences in morphology between the two preparations. Therefore, the current morphologic criteria may need modification for ThinPrep preparation in pancreatic FNA. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2004;30:71–76. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Superficial endometriosis of the cervix: A source of abnormal glandular cells on cervicovaginal smears
Authors: Szyfelbein Wanda M. , Baker Patricia M. , Bell Debra A.
Published: January 2004

Superficial endometriosis of the cervix, a benign process which may be associated with atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGUS) on cervicovaginal (CV) smears, is becoming increasingly recognized on colposcopic examination. This study details the clinical, cytologic, and histology features of six cases of superficial cervical endometriosis. All CV smears featured atypical endocervical‐like columnar cells in sheets and strips as well as cells with endometrial characteristics including solid cohesive, crowded, overlapping glandular groups, loss of cellular polarity, and a frequent ragged “feathered” edge appearance with protruding nuclei, occasional rosette formations, and endometrial stroma. Recognition of endometrial stroma in continuity with groups of cells with these features on CV smears may suggest the diagnosis of this benign condition. However, the cytologic features of endometriosis show sufficient overlap with those of precancerous and cancerous glandular lesions that many of these cases will continue to be diagnosed as “atypical glandular cells.” Diagn. Cytopathol. 2004;30:88–91. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diagnostic utility of CD10 in differentiating hepatocellular carcinoma from metastatic carcinoma in fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the liver
Authors: Lin Fan , Abdallah Heba , Meschter Steven
Published: January 2004

The differential diagnosis between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and metastatic carcinoma, especially in moderate–poorly differentiated (MPD) HCC and poorly differentiated carcinoma, can be challenging in fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the liver. Recent studies demonstrate that canalicular staining for CD10 appears to be a highly specific marker for hepatocytic differentiation. The objective of this study was to test the utility of CD10 in differentiating HCC from metastatic carcinoma in FNAB of the liver. Formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded cell blocks of 55 cases (22 HCC, 23 metastases, and 10 benign hepatic lesions) of FNAB of the liver were immunostained using monoclonal antibody against CD10, with microwave oven antigen retrieval, followed by a standard ABC method. Nineteen (86%) of 22 HCC cases were positive for CD10 with a canalicular staining pattern. Among them, 9 (82%) of 11 well‐differentiated (WD) HCC and 10 (91%) of 11 MPD HCC were positive for CD10. Three (13%) of 23 metastatic carcinomas were positive for CD10, demonstrating a contrasting cytoplasmic and membranous staining pattern. The three positive cases were metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), choriocarcinoma, and adenocarcinoma of the lung. All 10 cases of benign hepatic lesions showed positivity for CD10 with a canalicular and focal membranous staining pattern. In conclusion, CD10 appears to be a useful marker in discriminating between HCC and metastatic carcinoma when applied to FNAB of the liver. CD10 does not provide discrimination between WD HCC and benign hepatocytes. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2004;30:92–97. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis, Structure, and Redox Properties of a New Aqua Ruthenium Complex Containing the Tridentate [9]aneS3 and the Didentate 1,10‐Phenanthroline Ligands
Authors: Sala Xavier , Poater Albert , Romero Isabel , Rodríguez Montserrat , Llobet Antoni , Solans Xavier , Parella Teodor , Santos Teresa M.
Published: January 2004

The synthesis of a new Ru−H2O complex [Ru(phen)(H2O)([9]aneS3)](ClO4)2, 2, (phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline, [9]aneS3 = 1,4,7‐trithiacyclononane) is described. The complex is characterized by UV/Vis and 1‐D and 2‐D NMR spectroscopy in solution. The complex has been further characterized in the solid‐state by X‐ray diffraction analysis which displays a distorted octahedral coordination geometry around the Ru metal center. The cyclic voltammetric experiments of the complex show a pH‐dependent chemically irreversible wave at Ep,a = 0.82 V, at pH = 7.0, indicating the low stability of the higher oxidation states. Nevertheless, before the complex decomposes, it is capable of electrocatalytically oxidizing benzyl alcohol (BzOH) to benzaldehyde with a second‐order rate constant of 19.8 M−1s−1. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
Yttrium β‐Diketonate Glyme MOCVD Precursors: Effects of the Polyether Length on Stabilities, Mass Transport Properties and Coordination Spheres
Authors: Malandrino Graziella , Lo Nigro Raffaella , Fragalà Ignazio L. , Benelli Cristiano
Published: January 2004

The glyme adducts of trishexafluoroacetylacetonato yttrium, [Y(hfa)3·monoglyme], [Y(hfa)3·diglyme], [Y(hfa)3·(H2O)2·triglyme] and [Y(hfa)2·tetraglyme]+[Y(hfa)4]− {CH3(OCH2CH2)nOCH3, n = 1 monoglyme, 2 diglyme, 3 triglyme and 4 tetraglyme}, were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, and IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Additionally, [Y(hfa)3·monoglyme] and [Y(hfa)3·diglyme] were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. The mass‐transport properties of these adducts were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, evaporation‐rate measurements and chemical vapour‐deposition experiments. There is evidence of high volatility and very good thermal stabilities with a residue lower than 2−4 %. Vaporization‐rate experiments proved that all adducts are well‐suited for metal‐organic chemical vapour‐deposition experiments. The [Y(hfa)3·monoglyme] complex was successfully applied in the low‐pressure MOCVD process of YBaCuO HTc superconductor using a multimetal molten single source. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
Copper(I)‐Assembled Pseudorotaxanes Bearing Bis(nitrile) Ligands: Selective Formation of Large Chelate Rings
Authors: Sakellariou Efstathia G. , Collin Jean‐Paul , Dietrich‐Bucheker Christiane O. , Sauvage Jean‐Pierre
Published: January 2004

The syntheses of two novel CuI‐bis(benzonitrile) complexes of the type [Cu(dCNn)2][PF6] {where dCNn = NCPhO(CH2)nOPhCN, n = 3, 4} are described. Both compounds have been characterized by X‐ray crystallography. To our surprise, and although the two complexes were quite similar, two very distinct structures were obtained. For the [Cu(dCN4)2][PF6] complex, a tetrahedral geometry was observed whereas for [Cu(dCN3)2][PF6], a polymeric assembly was formed. A further extension of this work involved the syntheses of two threaded species bearing the M30 macrocycle, Cu metal and a dCNn ligand. The formation of the desired complexes was confirmed by means of mass spectrometry as well as 1‐D and 2‐D 1H NMR spectroscopy. Finally, the cyclic voltammograms of all 4 new species were recorded giving rise to redox potentials ranging from +0.88 to +1.25 V. These new threaded complexes are of particular interest since they can form the basis of novel rotaxane structures. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
A Microporous Zinc Phosphonocarboxylate with a Zeolite ABW Framework via the Trialkyl Phosphonocarboxylate Route: In situ Synthesis and Characterization of Na[Zn(O3PC2H4CO2)]·H2O
Authors: Zhang Xian‐Ming
Published: January 2004

A new zinc phosphonocarboxylate Na[Zn(O3PC2H4CO2)]·H2O (1) has been hydrothermally synthesized by base‐catalyzed hydrolysis of trimethyl 3‐phosphonopropionate. An X‐ray crystallographic study revealed that 1 consists of parallel stacked inorganic hexagonal sheets which are connected by organic −C−C−C−O− pillars forming a three‐dimensional framework with the same topology as ABW‐type zeolites. The accessible channel of 1 consisting of 22 atoms is larger than those of ABW‐type zeolites and the metal phosphonates Zn(O3PC2H4NH2) and Zn(O3PC2H4CO2H)·1.5H2O. TGA shows the trapped water molecules in 1 can be thermally removed without damage to the framework. Furthermore, dehydrated 1 is stable up to 340 °C. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
Probing DNA Hybridization by Impedance Measurement Based on CdS‐Oligonucleotide Nanoconjugates
Authors: Xu Ying , Cai Hong , He Pin‐Gang , Fang Yu‐Zhi
Published: January 2004

A novel, sensitive DNA hybridization detection protocol, based on DNA‐quantum dots nanoconjugates coupled with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) detection, is described. The amino‐linked ss‐DNA probe was covalently immobilized onto a self‐assembled mercaptoacetic acid monolayer modified gold electrode; after hybridization with the target ssDNA‐CdS nanoconjugates, EIS was used to detect the change of interfacial electron‐transfer resistance (Ret) of the redox marker, [Fe(CN)6]4−/3−, from solution to transducer surface. The results showed that when target ssDNA‐CdS nanoconjugates hybridized with probe oligonucleotide, a double helix film formed on the electrode, a remarkably increased Ret value was observed. Only complementary DNA sequence had an obvious signal compared with three‐base mismatched or non‐completely matched sequences under the optimized experimental conditions. Due to having more negative charges, space resistance and the semiconductor property, CdS nanoparticle labels on target DNA could improve the sensitivity to two orders of magnitude when compared with non‐CdS tagged DNA sequences.
A New Optically Reflective Thin Layer Electrode (ORTLE) Window: Gold on a Thin Porous Alumina Film Used to Observe the Onset of Water Reduction
Authors: Miney Paul G. , Schiza Maria V. , Myrick Michael L.
Published: January 2004

The fabrication and unique characteristics of a new type of thin layer electrode, an optically reflective thin layer electrode (ORTLE), are described. The electrode was fabricated by the anodization of a thin layer of aluminum sputtered onto a plain glass microscope slide to create a 750 nm‐thick porous alumina film. A thin film of gold was then sputtered atop the porous and transparent alumina film. The gold layer remained porous to allow solution into the pores but was optically thick and reflective. Reflectance measurements made through the microscope slide did not interrogate the bulk solution, but show spectral features that shift with the optical properties of the material filling the pores of the alumina film. A simple series of experiments, in which the potential of the ORTLE was stepped negatively to various values in an aqueous sodium sulfate solution, shows that interference fringes shift measurably in the ORTLE spectrum at potentials several hundred millivolts positive of the potential at which gas evolution was visible to the naked eye.
Nanoparticle‐Structured Ligand Framework as Electrode Interfaces
Authors: Kariuki Nancy N. , Luo Jin , Han Li , Maye Mathew M. , Moussa Laura , Patterson Melissa , Lin Yuehe , Engelhard Mark H. , Zhong Chuan‐Jian
Published: January 2004

Nanostructured thin film assemblies derived from metal or oxide nanocrystal cores and functionalized molecular shells provide large surface‐to‐volume ratio and three‐dimensional ligand frameworks. In this article, we report results of an investigation of the nanostructured materials for electroanalysis. Monolayer‐capped gold nanoparticles of 2‐nm core diameter and carboxylic acid‐functionalized alkyl thiols were assembled on electrode surfaces via an exchange‐crosslinking‐precipitation reaction route, and were studied as a model system. The network assemblies exhibit open frameworks in which the void space forms channels with the nanometer sized cores defining its size and the shell structures defining its chemical specificity. Such nanostructures were exploited to demonstrate the viability of responsive materials for interfacial incorporation and fluxes of ionic species. The nanomaterials were characterized by an array of techniques, including cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical quartz‐crystal nanobalance, flow injection analysis, and surface infrared reflection spectroscopy. The current responses and mass loading as a result of the incorporation of ionic species into the nanostructure have been analyzed. The potential application of the nanostructured thin films for electrochemical detection in microfluidic systems is also discussed.
Interdigited Phospholipid/Alkanethiol Bilayers Assembled on APTMS‐Supported Gold Colloid Electrodes
Authors: Cheng Wenlong , Han Xiaojun , Wang Erkang , Dong Shaojun
Published: January 2004

The preparative procedure of a kind of phospholipid/alkanethiol bilayers on a planar macroelectrode was copied to the as‐prepared gold colloid electrodes. The electrochemical and spectral results show that the bilayers on colloid electrodes are interdigited, which are different from their 2‐D counterparts on a planar macroelectrode.
Solubilization of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes by 3‐Aminopropyltriethoxysilane Towards the Fabrication of Electrochemical Biosensors with Promoted Electron Transfer
Authors: Luong John H. T. , Hrapovic Sabahudin , Wang Dashan , Bensebaa Farid , Simard Benoit
Published: January 2004

A simple procedure has been described for the fabrication of multi‐wall carbon nanotube (CNT) based electrochemical sensors. 3‐Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) induced solubilization of CNTs allowed for the modification of electrode surfaces. With glucose oxidase (GOx), a flavin (FAD) containing enzyme as a model system, APTES was used as a solubilizing agent for CNTs as well as an immobilization matrix for GOx to construct a mediatorless biosensor. Our biosensor was able to efficiently monitor direct electroactivity of GOx at the electrode surface. A well‐defined glucose response was observed at −0.45 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) whereas relevant physiological levels (0.1 mM) of three common interfering species, uric acid, ascorbic acid, and acetaminophen, resulted in no response. Although CNTs modified by APTES acted as semiconductors to reduce the exposed sensing surface, we reasoned nanoscale “dendrites” of CNTs modified by APTES formed a network and projected outwards from the electrode surface and acted like bundled ultra‐microelectrodes that allowed access to the active FAD site and facilitated direct electron transfer to the immobilized enzyme. The glucose biosensor prepared using a carbon fiber (11 μm) exhibited picoamperometric current response within 5 s with detection limits of 5–10 μM.
A Self‐Contained Microelectrochemical Cavity System Comprised of a Polymer and Phospholipid Membrane Suspended over a Picoliter Volume
Authors: Evans Stephanie R. , Fritsch Ingrid
Published: January 2004

A 2‐dimensional framework of UV‐polymerized 10,12‐pentacosadiynoic acid integrated with dipalmitoylphophatidyl choline phospholipids was suspended over a ca. 10 μm‐diameter and 8‐μm‐deep microcavity that contained electrodes. The membrane was assembled at the air‐water interface of a Langmuir‐Blodgett trough and deposited onto a mercaptoundecanoic‐acid‐modified gold surface that surrounds the microcavity opening during an upward stroke from a subphase of 10 mM potassium ferrocyanide in 0.1 M KCl and 1 mM CaCl2, and covered with a drop of pure electrolyte to minimize evaporation. Cyclic voltammetry confirmed that the redox solution was trapped beneath the membrane and was calculated to be only ca. 0.6 pL volume, consistent with the geometry of the microcavity. Such interfaces to microstructures hold promise for novel biosensor materials and biomimetic phospholipid membranes.
Reductive H2O2 Detection at Nanoparticle Iridium/Carbon Film Electrode and Its Application as L‐Glutamate Enzyme Sensor
Authors: You Tianyan , Niwa Osamu , Kurita Ryoji , Iwasaki Yuzuru , Hayashi Katsuyoshi , Suzuki Koji , Hirono Shigeru
Published: January 2004

We prepared a thin film electrode consisting of a 3.3% atomic concentration of iridium nanoparticles dispersed in graphite‐like carbon (Ir‐NDC) by a simple RF sputtering method. The film structure was characterized by TEM, XPS and AFM. The TEM results showed that the Ir particles, whose average size was 2 nm, were homogenously dispersed in the carbon matrix. XPS revealed two chemical states of Ir (Ir(0) and Ir(IV)) in the film. The Ir‐NDC film electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic ability with regard to H2O2 reduction with low atomic concentration compared to the bulk Ir electrode. The effect of L‐ascorbic acid can be suppressed due to the reductive detection of hydrogen peroxide. We applied this electrode for enzymatic glutamate detection. At a detection potential of −0.15 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), we could measure the concentration of glutamate without interferences from ascorbic acid and oxygen.
Wavelet‐based non‐stationary seismic rocking response of flexibly supported tanks
Authors: Chatterjee Pranesh , Basu Biswajit
Published: January 2004

The non‐stationary rocking response of liquid storage tanks under seismic base excitations including soil interaction has been developed based on the wavelet domain random vibration theory. The ground motion has been characterized through statistical functionals of wavelet coefficients of the ground acceleration history. The tank–liquid–foundation system is modelled as a multi‐degree‐of‐freedom (MDOF) system with both lateral and rocking motions of vibration of the foundation. The impulsive and convective modes of vibration of the liquid in the tank have been considered. The wavelet domain coupled dynamic equations are formulated and then solved to get the expressions of instantaneous power spectral density function (PSDF) in terms of functionals of input wavelet coefficients. The moments of the instantaneous PSDF are used to obtain the stochastic responses of the tank in the form of coefficients of hydrodynamic pressure, base shear and overturning base moment for the largest expected peak responses. Parametric variations are carried out to study the effects of various governing parameters like height of liquid in the tank, height–radius ratio of the tank, ratio of total liquid mass to mass of foundation, and shear wave velocity in the soil medium, on the responses of the tank. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An attenuation model for distant earthquakes
Authors: Chandler Adrian , Lam Nelson
Published: January 2004

Large magnitude earthquakes generated at source–site distances exceeding 100km are typified by low‐frequency (long‐period) seismic waves. Such induced ground shaking can be disproportionately destructive due to its high displacement, and possibly high velocity, shaking characteristics. Distant earthquakes represent a potentially significant safety hazard in certain low and moderate seismic regions where seismic activity is governed by major distant sources as opposed to nearby (regional) background sources. Examples are parts of the Indian sub‐continent, Eastern China and Indo‐China. The majority of ground motion attenuation relationships currently available for applications in active seismic regions may not be suitable for handling long‐distance attenuation, since the significance of distant earthquakes is mainly confined to certain low to moderate seismicity regions. Thus, the effects of distant earthquakes are often not accurately represented by conventional empirical models which were typically developed from curve‐fitting earthquake strong‐motion data from active seismic regions. Numerous well‐known existing attenuation relationships are evaluated in this paper, to highlight their limitations in long‐distance applications. In contrast, basic seismological parameters such as the Quality factor (Q‐factor) could provide a far more accurate representation for the distant attenuation behaviour of a region, but such information is seldom used by engineers in any direct manner. The aim of this paper is to develop a set of relationships that provide a convenient link between the seismological Q‐factor (amongst other factors) and response spectrum attenuation. The use of Q as an input parameter to the proposed model enables valuable local seismological information to be incorporated directly into response spectrum predictions. The application of this new modelling approach is demonstrated by examples based on the Chi‐Chi earthquake (Taiwan and South China), Gujarat earthquake (Northwest India), Nisqually earthquake (region surrounding Seattle) and Sumatran‐fault earthquake (recorded in Singapore). Field recordings have been obtained from these events for comparison with the proposed model. The accuracy of the stochastic simulations and the regression analysis have been confirmed by comparisons between the model calculations and the actual field observations. It is emphasized that obtaining representative estimates for Q for input into the model is equally important.Thus, this paper forms part of the long‐term objective of the authors to develop more effective communications across the engineering and seismological disciplines. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Response to orthogonal components of ground motion and assessment of percentage combination rules
Authors: Heredia‐Zavoni Ernesto , Machicao‐Barrionuevo Raquel
Published: January 2004

The effects of horizontal components of ground motion on the linear response of torsionally stiff and torsionally flexible systems, on soft and firm soil conditions, are examined. A one‐story, two‐way asymmetric structural system is used, subjected to uncorrelated ground motion components along their principal directions. Spectral densities for ground accelerations in firm and soft soils are modeled based on recorded data from large intensity Mexican earthquakes. It is shown that for firm soils, in general, these effects are important in the case of torsionally flexible systems that are stiff under translation, or for torsionally stiff systems that are flexible in translation. The percentage combination rules usually specified in seismic design codes are assessed against the dynamic response. Such combination rules can result in overly conservative design forces or underestimated design forces, particularly for torsionally flexible structures. Given the relative magnitude of the response to each ground motion component, it was found that using different percentage values in the combination rules has no significant effect on improving the estimation of the total response. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gastrulation events in the prestreak pig embryo: Ultrastructure and cell markers
Authors: Fléchon Jacques‐E , Degrouard Jeril , Fléchon Bernadette
Published: January 2004

The epithelial versus mesenchymal phenotypes of embryonic ectoderm and mesoderm cells of the prestreak stage pig embryos were examined by electron microscopy and molecular marker analysis. During this period the embryonic disc remained flat or slightly convex while becoming oval or pyriform in shape. Mesenchyme cells expressing vimentin were present between the embryonic disc and the underlying visceral endoderm before a primitive streak (or groove) was apparent. The migration of mesenchyme appeared to occur in lateral and posterior directions from a mass of quiescent cells located in the pointed end of the pyriform embryonic disc that expressed Brachyury; these cells are proposed to be the precursors of the primitive streak and/or form the equivalent of the mouse early gastrula organizer (EGO). Cells with the TEC‐1 (or SSEA‐1) epitope, the marker most frequently used to characterize pluripotent cells, were initially distributed randomly in the embryonic ectoderm and then were found to localize in an anterior crescent which may contain the precursor cells of ectoderm and neurectoderm. As mitotic figures were found only in the anterior crescent, it is proposed that at least some of these proliferating cells migrate toward the EGO. While cytokeratins were barely detectable in the embryonic ectoderm cells, vimentin expression was supposed to be associated with the migratory capacity of these cells. These findings indicate that the early step of gastrulation, migration of extraembryonic mesoderm, occurs at a prestreak stage during which the embryonic disc becomes polarized. genesis 38:13–25, 2004. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Revival of a Great German Library
Authors: Künast Hans‐Jörg , Zäh Helmut
Published: January 2004

Detailed detective work reconstructs the book and manuscript collection of town clerk Konrad Peutinger from Augsburg. A contemporary of Luther, he set up one of the most important humanist libraries of his time
Neurophysiological distinction of action words in the fronto‐central cortex
Authors: Hauk Olaf , Pulvermüller Friedman
Published: January 2004

It has been suggested that the processing of action words referring to leg, arm, and face movements (e.g., to kick, to pick, to lick) leads to distinct patterns of neurophysiological activity. We addressed this issue using multi‐channel EEG and beam‐former estimates of distributed current sources within the head. The categories of leg‐, arm‐, and face‐related words were carefully matched for important psycholinguistic factors, including word frequency, imageability, valence, and arousal, and evaluated in a behavioral study for their semantic associations. EEG was recorded from 64 scalp electrodes while stimuli were presented visually in a reading task. We applied a linear beam‐former technique to obtain optimal estimates of the sources underlying the word‐evoked potentials. These suggested differential activation in frontal areas of the cortex, including primary motor, pre‐motor, and pre‐frontal sites. Leg words activated dorsal fronto‐parietal areas more strongly than face‐ or arm‐related words, whereas face‐words produced more activity at left inferior‐frontal sites. In the right hemisphere, arm‐words activated lateral‐frontal areas. We interpret the findings in the framework of a neurobiological model of language and discuss the possible role of mirror neurons in the premotor cortex in language processing. Hum. Brain Mapp. 21:191–201, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neural mechanisms underlying reaching for remembered targets cued kinesthetically or visually in left or right hemispace
Authors: Butler Andrew J. , Fink Gereon R. , Dohle Christian , Wunderlich Gilbert , Tellmann Lutz , Seitz Rudiger J. , Zilles Karl , Freund Hans‐Joachim
Published: January 2004

Reaching for a target involves integrative coordinate transformation processes between the representation of the target location, the sensorimotor information of limb of reach, and body space. Although right hemisphere dominance for visuospatial information processing is well established, corresponding right hemisphere dominance for kinesthetic spatial information processing remains to be demonstrated. We explored neural mechanisms of encoding target locations using 15O‐butanol positron emission tomography (PET) in normal volunteers in a factorial experiment, where modality (visual/kinesthetic) and hemispace of target presentation (left/right of midsagittal plane) were varied systematically. After target presentation, subjects reached to the encoded target location. PET data analysis using SPM99 showed increased neural activity (P < 0.05, corrected) associated with left hemispace target presentation in right hemisphere areas (sensorimotor, anterior cingulate, insular, and temporo‐occipital cortex) only. By contrast, right hemispace target presentation activated bilateral temporo‐occipital cortex, which extended into the right temporo‐parietal cortex and left sensorimotor cortex. A significant interaction of hemispace and modality of target presentation observed in right temporo‐parietal cortex resulted from an increase in neural activity with kinesthetic target presentation in right hemispace. The data support an important role for the right temporo‐parietal area in visuospatial processing and suggest a specific role of the right hemisphere in kinesthetic spatial processing. Hum. Brain Mapp. 21:165–177, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Liberating HR through technology
Authors: Shrivastava Samir , Shaw James B.
Published: January 2004

Workforce management applications are expected to drive the next phase of enterprise‐wide applications market growth. But will firms actually benefit from these applications? Horror stories of failed technology implementation efforts abound and hardly inspire confidence. Treating installation of HR technology as a form of innovation, we introduce a model that describes the technology implementation process. The model brings to the fore various issues that merit the attention of academics and practitioners alike. It appears that firms that undertake technology initiatives with a view to enable the HR function to focus more on value‐added activities are the ones most likely to realize the full potential of technology. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Promoting organizational learning and self‐renewal in Taiwanese companies: The role of HRM
Authors: Jaw Bih‐Shiaw , Liu Weining
Published: January 2004

This study identifies key characteristics of human resource management (HRM) practices that
contribute to promoting positive learning attitudes and creating a self‐renewal organizational climate. We
use a behavioral perspective to develop a framework to show the relationships among learning‐oriented HRM,
positive learning attitudes, and a self‐renewal organizational climate. Structural equation analysis is
applied to empirically test the relationships and the path model suggests that a learning‐oriented HRM
plays an important role in either directly creating a self‐renewal organizational climate or indirectly
facilitating positive learning attitudes that foster organizational self‐renewal. © 2004 Wiley
Periodicals, Inc.
360‐degree feedback with systematic coaching: Empirical analysis suggests a winning combination
Authors: Luthans Fred , Peterson Suzanne J.
Published: January 2004

Wanted: High‐performance work practices to gain a competitive advantage. An increasingly common answer
to this desperate call is 360‐degree programs; unfortunately, they have, at best, mixed reviews when
empirically assessed. This study found that a way to improve the effectiveness of 360s may be to combine them with
coaching focused on enhanced self‐awareness and behavioral management. In a small manufacturer, this
feedback‐coaching resulted in improved manager and employee satisfaction, commitment, intentions to
turnover, and at least indirectly, this firm's performance. This feedback‐coaching may be a winning
combination to help in the competitive battles in today's global economy. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals,
Inc.
HR's role in corporate governance: Present and prospective
Authors: Beatty Richard W. , Ewing Jeffrey R. , Tharp Charles G.
Published: January 2004

Corporate wrongdoing is damaging investor confidence and tarnishing the credibility of the U.S. business community, guilty and innocent alike. Some misdeeds are clearly criminal, others simply unethical or damaging to reputations. They range from “massaging” numbers (“managed earnings”), which tests the limits of financial prudence, to outright fraud. Caught in the limelight are U.S. corporate giants representing some of the world's best‐known brands and most famous CEOs, many only yesterday lionized in the business press.

We have explored this issue from the perspective of the HR function through a survey of the senior HR professionals who attended the Human Resources Forum. The survey was augmented with focus groups. Our purpose was to understand current practices, attitudes, and behaviors with respect to legal standards and professional and ethical codes. We also explored the roles of the CEO, HR leadership, and the HR function in minimizing ethical breaches that have diminished investor and public trust. We hope to shed light on the responsibilities, actions, and risks of the HR function and its leadership now and in the future. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Redesigning the human resources function at Lafarge
Authors: Som Ashok
Published: January 2004

This article describes the detailed process of redesigning and implementing the human resources (HR)
function at Lafarge. The article argues that a well‐articulated and integrated approach of (1)
recruitment, selection, and induction, (2) retraining and redeployment, (3) a performance
appraisal system, (4) a compensation and reward mechanism, and (5) rightsizing and (6)
integration is required to be aligned with the overall business strategy of the organization. It also reinforces
that the foundation of a value‐added HR function is a business strategy that relies on people as a source of
competitive advantage. Key challenges for Lafarge in the future include (1) maintaining the change
momentum, (2) fast and effective integration of acquired companies and transfer of “best
practices,” and (3) attracting and retaining a diverse workforce through their internationalization
program. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetic and epigenetic alterations of the blood group ABO gene in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Gao Shan , Worm Jesper , Guldberg Per , Eiberg Hans , Krogdahl Annelise , Liu Chung‐Ji , Reibel Jesper , Dabelsteen Erik
Published: January 2004

Loss of histo‐blood group A and B antigen expression is a frequent event in oral carcinomas and is associated with decreased activity of glycosyltransferases encoded by the ABO gene. We examined 30 oral squamous cell carcinomas for expression of A and B antigens and glycosyltransferases. We also examined DNA from these tumors for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at markers surrounding the ABO locus at chromosome 9q34, for loss of specific ABO alleles, and for hypermethylation of the ABO promoters. Loss of A or B antigen expression was found in 21 of 25 tumors (84%) and was a consistent feature of tumors lacking expression of A/B glycosyltransferases. LOH at 9q34 was found in 7 of 27 cases (26%), and one case showed microsatellite instability. Among 20 AO/BO cases, 3 showed loss of the A/B allele and 3 showed loss of the O allele. Analysis of the proximal ABO promoter by methylation‐specific PCR and melting curve analysis showed hypermethylation in 10 of 30 tumors (33.3%), which was associated with loss of A/B antigen expression. ABO promoter hypermethylation was also found in hyperplastic or dysplastic tissues adjacent to the tumors, suggesting that it is an early event in tumorigenesis. Collectively, we have identified molecular events that may account for loss of A/B antigen expression in 67% of oral squamous cell carcinomas. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CD4+ T cell‐mediated HER‐2/neu‐specific tumor rejection in the absence of B cells
Authors: Lindencrona Jan Alvar , Preiss Susanne , Kammertoens Thomas , Schüler Thomas , Piechocki Marie , Wei Wei‐Zen , Seliger Barbara , Blankenstein Thomas , Kiessling Rolf
Published: January 2004

HER‐2/neu (HER‐2) is a cell surface proto‐oncogene that is often overexpressed in carcinomas. Passive administration of anti‐HER‐2 antibodies in breast cancer patients has achieved promising results, but less is known about the role of antibodies in active immunization. We asked whether B cells/antibodies are needed for tumor immunity induced by plasmid (HER‐2 and GM‐CSF) immunization. HER‐2 specific tumor immunity relied completely on both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. IFN‐γ, and to a lesser extent IL‐4, seemed to be crucial cytokines during tumor rejection. Protection was associated with production of anti‐HER‐2 IgG antibodies in B cell competent mice. After immunization, however, B cell‐deficient mice rejected HER‐2‐expressing tumors as efficiently as control littermates. We conclude that T cells are the main effector cells in DNA vaccine induced immunity against HER‐2 and that anti HER‐2 antibodies are not necessary to elicit a protective anti tumor immune response in this model. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dynamic and intracellular trafficking of P‐glycoprotein‐EGFP fusion protein: Implications in multidrug resistance in cancer
Authors: Fu Dong , Bebawy Mary , Kable Eleanor P.W. , Roufogalis Basil D.
Published: January 2004

In our present study, a P‐glycoprotein‐EGFP (P‐gp‐EGFP) fusion plasmid was constructed and functionally expressed in HeLa cells to investigate the intracellular localization and trafficking of P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp). Using immunocytochemistry and fluorescent confocal microscopy techniques, colocalization studies showed that after transfection, P‐gp‐EGFP was progressively transported from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi and finally to the plasma membrane within 12–48 hr. The degree of intracellular accumulation of daunorubicin was related to the particular localization of P‐gp‐EGFP. Significant daunorubicin accumulation occurred in transfected cells when P‐gp‐EGFP was localized predominantly within the ER, and accumulation remained high when P‐gp‐EGFP was mainly localized in the Golgi. However, there was little or no intracellular accumulation of daunorubicin when P‐gp‐EGFP was localized predominantly on the plasma membrane. Blocking the intracellular trafficking of P‐gp‐EGFP with brefeldin A (BFA) and monensin resulted in inhibition of traffic of P‐gp‐EGFP and retention of P‐gp‐EGFP intracellularly. Intracellular accumulation of daunorubicin also increased in the presence of BFA or monensin. Our study shows that P‐gp‐EGFP can be used to define the dynamics of P‐gp traffic in a transient expression system, and demonstrates that localization of P‐gp on the plasma membrane is associated with the highest level of resistance to daunorubicin accumulation in cells. Modulation of intracellular localization of P‐gp with agents designed to selectively modify its traffic may provide a new strategy for overcoming multidrug resistance in cancer cells. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Retinoblastoma protein in human renal cell carcinoma in relation to alterations in G1/S regulatory proteins
Authors: Hedberg Ylva , Ljungberg Börje , Roos Göran , Landberg Göran
Published: January 2004

The retinoblastoma gene product (pRb) is the main substrate for cyclin‐dependent kinases (CDKs) during the G1/S transition. Aberrations in cell cycle regulatory proteins, which have been observed in many malignancies, can theoretically cause increased phosphorylation of pRb due to unbalanced CDK activities. The expression and phosphorylation of pRb and potential associations to cell cycle aberrations in renal cell carcinomas (RCC) has only partly been clarified. We therefore evaluated the presence of pRb and the level of pRb‐phosphorylation in 216 RCCs arranged in tissue microarrays by using different pRb‐antibodies, including pRb‐phosphospecific antibodies. Most RCCs (95%) expressed pRb, while cases with the low pRb levels, potentially indicative for pRb‐inactivation, were few. In order to detect secondary alterations to a potential pRb‐inactivation, the p16 expression was also monitored. None of the tumors exhibited increased p16 levels, confirming that pRb‐inactivation is rare in RCC. Phosphorylated pRb was detected in approximately 50% of the RCCs, using Western blotting or immunohistochemistry. The immunohistochemical ppRbser807/811 levels were associated with high proliferation, cyclin D1, cyclin E and p27 protein content. Surprisingly, there was no association between pRb‐phosphorylation and clinicopathological data. In summary, pRb seemed to be functional and aberrations in G1/S‐regulatory proteins were associated with increased phosphorylation of pRb and proliferation. The data supports that pRb might be one of the main cell cycle regulators in RCC. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms result in impaired membrane localization and reduced atpase activity in multidrug transporter ABCG2
Authors: Mizuarai Shinji , Aozasa Naohiko , Kotani Hidehito
Published: January 2004

ABCG2/MXR/ABCP1/BCRP is a member of the ATP‐binding cassette membrane transporter, which consists of six transmembrane regions and one ATP‐binding cassette. The transporter is known to be involved in the efflux of various anticancer compounds such as mitoxantrone, doxorubicin and topoisomerase I inhibitor. In this study, we analyzed the effects of polymorphisms in ABCG2, V12M and Q141K on transporter function. When polarized LLC‐PK1 cells were transfected with variant ABCG2, drug‐resistance to topoisomerase I inhibitor of cells expressing V12M or Q141K was less than 1/10 that of wild‐type ABCG2 transfected cells, and was accompanied by increased drug accumulation and decreased drug efflux in the variant ABCG2‐expressing cells. We further elucidated the molecular mechanisms of the transport dysfunction by investigating membrane localization and ATPase activity. Confocal microscopic analysis revealed that apical plasma membrane localization of V12M was disturbed, while the localization of wild‐type transporters occurred specifically in the apical plasma membrane of polarized LLC‐PK1 cells. Also, ATPase activities measured in the membrane of SF9 cells infected with variant ABCG2 showed that Q141K decreased activity by 1.3 below that of wild‐type ABCG2. In addition, kinetic analysis of ATPase activity showed that the Km value in Q141K was 1.4‐fold higher than that of wild‐type ABCG2. These results indicated that naturally occurring SNPs alter transport functions of ABCG2 transporter and analysis of SNPs in ABCG2 may hold great importance in understanding the response/metabolism of chemotherapy compounds that act as substrates for ABCG2. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.