bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Principal opium alkaloids as possible biochemical markers for the source identification of Indian opium
Authors: Mohana Mudiam , Reddy Krishna , Jayshanker Gurumurthy , Suresh Velayudhan , Sarin Rajendra Kumar , Sashidhar R. B.
Published: August 2005

A total of 124 opium samples originating from different licit opium growing divisions of India were analyzed for their principal alkaloid (thebaine, codeine, morphine, papaverine, and narcotine) content by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) without derivatization or purification. Absence of papaverine in Bareilly, Tilhar, and most of the samples originating from Kota is a significant observation in relation to the source of Indian opium. Multiple discriminant analysis was applied to the quantitative principal alkaloid data to determine an optimal classifier in order to evaluate the source of Indian opium. The predictive value based on the discriminant analysis was found to be 85% in relation to the source of opium and the study also revealed that all the principal alkaloids have to be analyzed for source identification of Indian opium. Chemometrics performed with principal alkaloids analytical data was used successfully in discriminating the licit opium growing divisions of India into three major groups, viz., group I, II, and III. The methodology developed may find wide forensic application in identifying the source of licit or illicit opium originating from India, and to differentiate it from opium originating from other opium producing countries.
A dynamical approach to large eddy simulation of turbulent flows: existence of weak solutions
Authors: Świerczewska Agnieszka
Published: August 2005

We consider a system of equations coming from turbulence models using a large eddy simulation (LES) technique. The idea of this approach bases on decomposing the velocity into a part containing large flow structures and a part consisting of small scales. The equations for large‐scale quantities are derived from the Navier–Stokes equations with an additional constitutive relation for the contribution of small eddies. The mathematical difficulties in this paper focus on the non‐linear and non‐local turbulent term. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complete assignments of 1H and 13C NMR spectral data for benzylidenebenzyl butyrolactone lignans
Authors: da Silva Rosangela , Pedersoli Susimaire , Lacerda Valdemar , Donate Paulo Marcos , de Albuquerque Sérgio , Bastos Jairo Kenupp , de Matos Araújo Ana Lúcia Santos , e Silva Márcio Luis Andrade
Published: August 2005

The structures of three benzylidenebenzyl butyrolactone lignans (gossypifan, carthamogenin, and savinin) have been established on basis of 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopic data. The 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra of these lignans have been fully assigned by the use of techniques such as gCOSY, non‐edited gHSQC, and gHMBC. Complete assignment and most homonuclear hydrogen coupling constant measurements were performed, also providing enough data for the determination of the relative stereochemistry. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The axisymmetric consolidation of a semi‐infinite transversely isotropic saturated soil
Authors: Chen S. L. , Chen L. Z. , Zhang L. M.
Published: August 2005

This paper presents an exact analytical solution to fully coupled axisymmetric consolidation of a semi‐infinite, transversely isotropic saturated soil subjected to a uniform circular loading at the ground surface. The analysis is under the framework of Biot's general theory of consolidation. First, the governing equations of consolidation are transformed into a set of equivalent partial differential equations with the introduction of two auxiliary variables. These partial differential equations are then solved using Hankel–Laplace integral transforms. Once solutions in the transformed domain have been obtained, the actual solutions in the physical domain for displacements and stress components of the solid matrix, pore‐water pressure and fluid discharge can be finally obtained by direct numerical inversion. The accuracy of the numerical solutions developed is confirmed by comparison with an existing exact solution for an isotropic and saturated soil that is a special case of the more general problem addressed. Numerical analyses are also presented to investigate the influence of the degree of material anisotropy on the consolidation settlement. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A simplified analysis method for piled raft foundations subjected to ground movements induced by tunnelling
Authors: Kitiyodom Pastsakorn , Matsumoto Tatsunori , Kawaguchi Kanji
Published: August 2005

A simplified method of numerical analysis has been developed to estimate the deformation and load distribution of piled raft foundations subjected to ground movements induced by tunnelling and incorporated into a computer program ‘PRAB’. In this method, a hybrid model is employed in which the flexible raft is modelled as thin plates, the piles as elastic beams, and the soil is treated as interactive springs. The interactions between structural members, pile–soil–pile, pile–soil–raft and raft–soil–raft interactions, are modelled based on Mindlin's solutions for both vertical and lateral forces. The validity of the proposed method is verified through comparisons with some published solutions for single piles and pile groups subjected to ground movements induced by tunnelling. Thereafter, the solutions from this approach for the analysis of a pile group and a piled raft subjected to ground movements induced by tunnelling are compared with those from three‐dimensional finite difference program. Good agreements between these solutions are demonstrated. The method is then used for a parametric study of single piles, pile groups and piled rafts subjected to ground movements induced by tunnelling. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical aspects and treatment of pain in children and adolescents with cancer
Authors: Monteiro Caran Eliana Maria , Dias Carla Gonçalves , Seber Adriana , Petrilli Antonio Sérgio
Published: August 2005

Background

The aim of this study was to characterize the clinical aspects and the treatment of mild to severe pain in Brazilian children and adolescents with cancer. We evaluated the importance of classifying patients according to the phase of cancer treatment (diagnosis, treatment, recurrence, and end‐of‐life palliative care) and the opioid‐related side effects.

Methods

An institutional prospective study of 184 episodes of pain in children and adolescents with cancer was conducted. Pain was classified according to its cause, physiopathology and intensity. Treatment was based on the WHO guidelines for cancer pain relief.

Results

Pain scales were completed by 77% of the patients. Numerical scales were used by 49% of them. Morphine was given in 111 episodes for 2,758 patient days. Morphine doses had to be escalated when it was given to patients during end‐of‐life palliative care. Opioids were well tolerated with no severe side effects. Psychological dependence on morphine was found in 2% (2/111) of the cases. Pain control was satisfactory in 97% of the episodes.

Conclusions

The WHO guidelines for cancer pain relief were effective in controlling pain in children and adolescents with cancer. Despite their low socioeconomic level, patients were able to quantify their pain using rating scales. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Familial adenomatous polyposis in two brothers with hepatoblastoma: Implications for diagnosis and screening
Authors: Sanders Robert P. , Furman Wayne L.
Published: August 2005

Two brothers with hepatoblastoma were noted to have a family history of early onset colon cancer. Genetic testing of the younger brother revealed a deletion in exon 15 of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene (2710‐2711delAG), consistent with a diagnosis of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). We review the clinical and molecular aspects of the relationship between hepatoblastoma and FAP, and the implications for diagnostic testing and cancer screening in affected patients. Pediatric Blood Cancer 2006;47:851–854. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Painful procedures in children with cancer: Comparison of moderate sedation and general anesthesia for lumbar puncture and bone marrow aspiration
Authors: Iannalfi Alberto , Bernini Gabriella , Caprilli Simona , Lippi Alma , Tucci Fabio , Messeri Andrea
Published: August 2005

Background

The study was conducted to compare moderate sedation (MS) with general anesthesia (GA) in the management of frequently performed lumbar puncture or bone marrow aspiration (BMA) during the treatment of childhood cancer.

Procedure

The MS (14 patients for 30 procedures) was managed by non‐anesthesiologists (combined nitrous oxide‐midazolam ± non‐pharmacological techniques). The GA was managed by anesthesiologists (17 patients for 30 procedures). A neutral observer recorded side effects, use of sedative antagonists, recovery time, oncologist's evaluation, procedure behaviors check list (PBCL); subjective perceptions during the procedure with a questionnaire administered to children (>6 years) and their parents; drugs costs and professional resources. P‐values <0.05 were considered significant.

Results

We had two inadequate sedations in MS (6.6%) versus 0 in GA. We had no significant differences in side effects (7.10% MS vs. 8.6% in GA), use of antagonists (2.90% GA vs. 0 MS), PBCL, oncologist evaluation and questionnaire data or drugs costs. We observed significant differences in recovery times (MS, mean 43 ± SD min vs. GA, mean 117 ± SD min) and professional resources costs. The effects of non‐pharmacological techniques on anxiety were perceived very positively by both children and parents (on 0–4 scale, mean scores 3.57 for the children; 3.53 for the parents).

Conclusions

Our study suggests that MS compared favorably to GA with respect to both safety and efficacy. When performed by non‐anesthesiologists, MS may be associated with better compliance and cost‐effectiveness as it relies on the contribution of non‐pharmacological techniques. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Aneuploidy screening in coelomic samples using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH)
Authors: Chatzimeletiou Katerina , Makrydimas George , Sotiriadis Alexandros , Paraskevaidis Evagelos , Nicolaides Kypros H.
Published: August 2005

Objectives

Coelocentesis is the earliest invasive prenatal diagnostic procedure that has recently been used in ongoing pregnancies to identify single gene defects. Aneuploidy screening has not yet been performed in ongoing pregnancies following coelocentesis, but experimental studies have demonstrated the ability of determining the copy number of chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y in uncultured coelomic samples, by FISH or PCR. The aim of this study was to extend previous studies and investigate the feasibility of analysing uncultured coelomic fluid samples for 11 chromosomes using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH).

Methods

Coelocentesis was performed in 12 singleton pregnancies at 6 to 9 weeks of gestation immediately before surgical termination of pregnancy. Fluorescence probes for chromosomes 3,7,9,13,16,17,18,21,22, X and Y were applied on uncultured coelomic‐fluid samples and placental tissue. In cases where coelomic cells were not of a sufficient amount, chromosomes X and Y were analysed in a second layer of hybridisation.

Results

Successful analysis by FISH was possible in all cases and the results from the coelomic fluid were concordant with those from the analysis of placental tissue and obtained within a few hours of receiving the samples. Problems associated with limited cell numbers were overcome by the application of a second layer of FISH. This sequential approach has also enabled accurate identification of maternal‐cell contamination in male samples.

Conclusion

Analysis of 11 chromosomes using FISH in coelomic fluid samples is feasible and it has the potential to be applied for rapid aneuploidy screening, should coelocentesis be used clinically as an early, invasive prenatal diagnostic tool. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Drag reduction in cocurrent horizontal natural gas‐hexane pipe flow
Authors: Sylvester N. D. , Dowling R. H. , Brill J. P.
Published: August 2005

Drag reduction in two‐phase cocurrent horizontal natural gas‐hexane pipe flow was studied experimentally. The effects of pipe diameter, gas flow rate, liquid flow rate, and additive concentration were investigated using the Dowell APE drag reducer. In the annular‐mist flow regime studied, it was found that drag reduction increased with decreasing gas rate for a given liquid rate, drag reduction decreased with increasing friction velocity and it decreased with decreasing gas‐liquid ratio for a given friction velocity. Although the drag reduction decreased rapidly as the liquid‐gas ratio approached zero, drag reductions as high as 34 percent were obtained. Attempts to predict two‐phase drag reduction were unsuccessful as it was found to depend upon friction velocity, liquid and gas rates, liquid‐gas rate ratio, pipe diameter and additive concentration.
Data management and preliminary data analysis in the pilot phase of the HUPO Plasma Proteome Project
Authors: Adamski Marcin , Blackwell Thomas , Menon Rajasree , Martens Lennart , Hermjakob Henning , Taylor Chris , Omenn Gilbert S. , States David J.
Published: August 2005

The pilot phase of the HUPO Plasma Proteome Project (PPP) is an international collaboration to catalog the protein composition of human blood plasma and serum by analyzing standardized aliquots of reference serum and plasma specimens using a variety of experimental techniques. Data management for this project included collection, integration, analysis, and dissemination of findings from participating organizations world‐wide. Accomplishing this task required a communication and coordination infrastructure specific enough to support meaningful integration of results from all participants, but flexible enough to react to changing requirements and new insights gained during the course of the project and to allow participants with varying informatics capabilities to contribute. Challenges included integrating heterogeneous data, reducing redundant information to minimal identification sets, and data annotation. Our data integration workflow assembles a minimal and representative set of protein identifications, which account for the contributed data. It accommodates incomplete concordance of results from different laboratories, ambiguity and redundancy in contributed identifications, and redundancy in the protein sequence databases. Recommendations of the PPP for future large‐scale proteomics endeavors are described.
Synthesis and properties of new poly(terfluorene) derivatives containing spirobifluorene and electron transport groups for stable blue electroluminescence
Authors: Huang Bing , Li Jun , Chen Lianqing , Qin Jingui , Di Chong'an , Yu Gui , Liu Yunqi
Published: August 2005

We have synthesized three new blue‐emitting poly(terfluorene) derivatives containing spirobifluorene and electron transport groups (quinoline or oxadiazole). The strategy is to connect the monomers via positions 2 and 2′ of spirobifluorene, which significantly restricts the interchain interaction and effectively adjusts the conjugation length. The incorporation of electron‐deficient units (quinoline or oxadiazole) into the positions 7 and 7′ of spirobifluorene tunes the emission band and reduces the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy level. Blue electroluminescence with narrow emission was achieved in the devices of ITO/PEDOT/polymer/Ca/Al. The maximum luminances are in the range of 102–235 cd/m2 and the maximum photometric efficiencies are in the range of 0.17–0.21 cd/A. All the polymers show good spectral stability, and are promising for use as stable blue‐emitting or electron‐transport/injection materials in polymeric light‐emitting diodes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4517–4529, 2005
Synthesis, characterization, and hyperpolarizability measurements of main‐chain azobenzene molecules
Authors: Smitha P. , Asha S. K. , Pillai C. K. S.
Published: August 2005

A series of new AB type azobenzene monomers based on various substituted phenols and higher order fused/extended aromatic rings were synthesized and their hyperpolarizability tensor β determined by hyper‐Rayleigh scattering (HRS) measurement in methanol. The electron donor (OH) and acceptor units (COOH) were kept constant in the series, but the effective conjugation length was varied by varying the number and position of substituents as well as the number of aromatic rings. The effect of substitution of the phenolic ring on the β value was investigated and it was found to range from 15 × 10−30 to 42 × 10−30 esu. The effect of intramolecular hydrogen bonding on the nonlinear optical (NLO) property was also examined. The nonlinearity was in the following order of phenol derivative: α‐naphthol > phenyl phenol > 2,6‐dimethyl phenol > o‐cresol > cardanol > phenol > β‐naphthol. The unusually low values for the β‐naphthol‐based chromophore compared with its isomer (α‐naphthol) could be rationalized based on hydrogen bonding of the o‐hydroxyl group with the β nitrogen of the azo bridge. These azobenzene NLO chromophoric monomers were polymerized to form main‐chain polymers with a head to tail structure. The polymers had high thermal stability and rather low solubility in common organic solvents. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4455–4468, 2005
α‐α linking motifs and interhelical orientations
Authors: Engel Donald E. , DeGrado William F.
Published: August 2005

While the geometry and sequence preferences of turns that link two β‐strands have been exhaustively explored, the corresponding preferences for sequences that link helical structures have been less well studied. Here we examine the interhelical geometry of two connected helices as a function of their link's length. The interhelical geometry of a helical pair appears to be significantly influenced by the number of linking residues. Furthermore, for relatively short link lengths, a very limited number of predominant conformations are observed, which can be categorized by their ϕ/ψ angles. No more than two predominant linking backbone conformations are observed for a given link length, and some linking backbone conformations correlate strongly with distinctive interhelical geometric parameters. In this study, sequence and hydrogen‐bonding patterns were defined for predominant interhelical link motifs. These results should assist in both protein structure prediction and de novo protein design. Proteins 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Statistical analysis of predominantly transient protein–protein interfaces
Authors: Ansari Sam , Helms Volkhard
Published: August 2005

A non‐redundant set of 170 protein–protein interfaces of known structure was statistically analyzed for residue and secondary‐structure compositions, pairing preferences and side‐chain–backbone interaction frequencies. By focussing mainly on transient protein–protein interfaces, the results underline previous findings for protein–protein interfaces but also show some new interesting aspects of transient interfaces. The residue compositions at interfaces found in this study correlate well with the results of other studies. On average, contacts between pairs of hydrophobic and polar residues were unfavorable, and the charged residues tended to pair subject to charge complementarity. Secondary structure composition analysis shows that neither helices nor β‐sheets are dominantly populated at interfaces. Analyzing the pairing preferences of the secondary structure elements revealed a higher affinity within the same elements and alludes to tight packings. In addition, the results for the side‐chain and backbone interaction frequencies, which were measured under more stringent conditions, showed a high occurrence of side‐chain–backbone interactions. Taking a closer look at the helix and β‐sheet binding frequencies for a given side‐chain and backbone interaction underlined the relevance of tight packings. The polarity of interfaces increased with decreasing interface size. These types of information may be useful for scoring complexes in protein–protein docking studies or for prediction of protein–protein interfaces from the sequences alone. Proteins 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Common binding site for disialyllactose and tri‐peptide in C‐fragment of tetanus neurotoxin
Authors: Jayaraman Seetharaman , Eswaramoorthy Subramaniam , Kumaran Desigan , Swaminathan Subramanyam
Published: August 2005

Clostridial neurotoxins are comprised of botulinum (BoNT) and tetanus (TeNT), which share significant structural and functional similarity. Crystal structures of the binding domain of TeNT complexed with disialyllactose (DiSia) and a tri‐peptide Tyr‐Glu‐Trp (YEW) have been determined to 2.3 and 2.2 Å, respectively. Both DiSia and YEW bind in a shallow cleft region on the surface of the molecule in the β‐trefoil domain, interacting with a set of common residues, Asp1147, Asp1214, Asn1216, and Arg1226. DiSia and YEW binding at the same site in tetanus toxin provides a putative site that could be occupied either by a ganglioside moiety or a peptide. Soaking experiments with a mixture of YEW and DiSia show that YEW competes with DiSia, suggesting that YEW can be used to block ganglioside binding. A comparison with the TeNT binding domain in complex with small molecules, BoNT/A and /B, provides insight into the different modes of ganglioside binding. Proteins 2005. Published 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thermoluminescence characterization of a MWCVD diamond film exposed to β‐rays and UV radiation
Authors: Preciado‐Flores S. , Schreck M. , Meléndrez R. , Chernov V. , Bernal R. , Cruz‐Vázquez C. , Brown F. , Barboza‐Flores M.
Published: August 2005

The thermoluminescence (TL) characterization of a 10 µm thick microwave plasma chemical vapor deposited (MWCVD) diamond film grown on a (001) silicon substrate and exposed to β‐rays and ultraviolet (UV) light was performed. Several TL glow peaks between 300 and 580 K as well as a highest intensity first order TL peak located at 610 K are present in the beta radiation exposed samples. UV irradiated samples exhibit mainly the 610 K TL glow peak that is fully the same to beta irradiated samples. The TL creation spectrum of UV exposed samples spans the 200–400 nm range with maximum TL efficiency around 200–230 nm and 300–380 nm. Thus, it covers the whole UV electromagnetic spectrum relevant to human health concern which is related to UV sunlight radiation reaching the Earth's surface. The TL dosimetry response is linear for beta radiation doses below 0.5 kGy. It increases sub‐linearly for higher doses. The UV exposed samples showed a linear–sub‐linear dose behavior and a high sensitivity to UV radiation for beam irradiance of the order of 10–3 W/m2. A pronounced fading of all the TL peaks was also observed. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The optical absorption and photoconductivity spectra of hexagonal boron nitride single crystals
Authors: Remes Z. , Nesladek M. , Haenen K. , Watanabe K. , Taniguchi T.
Published: August 2005

Recently, a strong cathodoluminescence at 215 nm (photon energy 5.765 eV) has been reported on pure HPHT hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) single crystals (K. Watanabe et al., Nature Mater. 3, 404 (2004)). For the first time, we measured the photocurrent and optical absorption spectra of these new hBN crystals in a broad spectral range 1–6.6 eV. Our measurements support the previously published results, especially that the single crystal hBN has a direct band gap about 5.95 eV, and a rather strong exciton binding energy that allows excitons to exist even at room temperature. We found three new opto‐electronic transitions at 2.7, 3.6 and 5.4 eV and observed the oscillatory photoconductivity in 2.7–3.6 eV region. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Detection of heavy metals in multianalyte solutions using diamond electrodes
Authors: S. Foord John , Hao Wang , Eaton Kirk
Published: August 2005

Diamond is an attractive electrode material to replace mercury, which has been the material of choice for the electrochemical analysis of heavy metals in solution using stripping voltammetry. As a solid electrode however, interactions between different metal analytes can occur at diamond, which are not observed at Hg electrodes. We therefore examine the associated effects arising in the analysis of two types of mixed metal ion solutions, Cu–Cd and Cu–Zn, using stripping voltammetry at diamond electrodes. The detection of Cu is shown not to be strongly affected by the presence of either of the other metals, but the presence of Cu blocks the signal which otherwise would be detected for the second metal, Cd or Zn. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A structural study of model peptides derived from HIV‐1 integrase central domain
Authors: Maroun Richard G. , Zargarian Loussinée , Stocklin Reto , Troalen Frédéric , Jankowski Christopher K. , Fermandjian Serge
Published: August 2005

The HIV‐1 integrase (IN) catalyzes the integration of viral DNA in the human genome. In vitro the enzyme displays an equilibrium of monomers, dimers, tetramers and larger oligomers. However, its functional oligomeric form in vivo is not known. We report a study of the auto‐associative properties of three peptides denoted K156, E156 and E159. These derive from the α4 helix of the IN catalytic core. The α4 helix is an amphipatic helix exposed at the surface of the protein and could be involved in the oligomerization process through its hydrophobic face. The peptides were obtained from the replacement of several amino acid residues by more helicogenic ones in the α4 helix peptide. K156 carries the basic residues Lys156 and Lys159, which have been shown important for the binding of IN to viral DNA. In E156 and E159 they are replaced with the acidic residue Glu. A fourth peptide K(E)156 obtained from the replacement of hydrophobic residues with Glu in K156 in order to abolish the auto‐associative properties is used as a negative control. The capacity shown by peptides for α‐helical formation is demonstrated by circular dichroism (CD) analysis performed in aqueous solution and in aqueous trifluoroethanol (TFE) mixtures. Both electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) and glutaraldehyde chemical cross‐linking show that peptides adopt different solvent‐dependent equilibriums of monomers, dimers, trimers and tetramers. Oligomerization of peptides in aqueous solution is related to their ability to form helical structures. Addition of a small amount of TFE (<10%) stimulates helix stabilization and the interhelical hydrophobic contacts. Higher amounts of TFE alter the hydrophobic contacts and disrupt the oligomeric species. In addition to hydrophobic interactions, the patterns indicate that the biologically important Lys156 and Lys159 residues also participate in helix association. K(E)156 despite its ability to adopt a helical structure is unable to associate into oligomers, demonstrating the importance of hydrophobic contacts for oligomerization. Thus, the designed peptides provide us information on the functional properties of the α4 IN that seems to hold a dual role in DNA recognition and protein oligomerization. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal filtering for linear systems with state and observation delays
Authors: Basin Michael , Alcorta‐Garcia Aracelia , Rodriguez‐Gonzalez Jesus
Published: August 2005

In this paper, the optimal filtering problem for linear systems with state and observation delays is treated proceeding from the general expression for the stochastic Ito differential of the optimal estimate, error variance, and various error covariances. As a result, the optimal estimate equation similar to the traditional Kalman–Bucy one is derived; however, it is impossible to obtain a system of the filtering equations, that is closed with respect to the only two variables, the optimal estimate and the error variance, as in the Kalman–Bucy filter. The resulting system of equations for determining the filter gain matrix consists, in the general case, of an infinite set of equations. It is however demonstrated that a finite set of the filtering equations, whose number is specified by the ratio between the current filtering horizon and the delay values, can be obtained in the particular case of equal or commensurable (τ=qh,qis natural) delays in the observation and state equations. In the example, performance of the designed optimal filter for linear systems with state and observation delays is verified against the best Kalman–Bucy filter available for linear systems without delays and two versions of the extended Kalman–Bucy filter for time delay systems. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanisms of secondary ion emission from self‐assembled monolayers and multilayers
Authors: Wong Stephen C. C. , Lockyer Nicholas P. , Vickerman John C.
Published: August 2005

Alkanethiol self‐assembled monolayers/multilayers (SAMs) have been applied as model organic systems with which to investigate secondary ion formation and emission processes during kiloelectronvolt ion bombardment. Self‐assembled monolayer and multilayer films of 11‐mercaptoundecanoic acid capped with 1‐dodecanethiol were prepared on gold‐coated substrates. Samples with varying number of thiolate layers were studied using static secondary ion mass spectrometry to investigate the origin of molecular secondary ions and the influence of surface chemistry and structure. The nature of the thiolate bonding affects the type and abundance of the observed ions. The intensity of atomic and cluster ions derived from the substrate decreases exponentially with increasing number of thiolate overlayers because of losses in transmission through the organic overlayers. Intact molecular and cluster ions can escape from >100 Å below the surface of these structures. The variation of molecular‐ion yields with multilayer thickness suggests that a significant proportion of molecular ions originate from subsurface thiolate layers. The detection of ions comprised species from the substrate or bottom of the multilayer associated with species from the top layer supports the view that chemical association at or near the surface is a viable mechanism of formation for molecular secondary ions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel technique to measure the surface electrical potential of polymer films by using dielectric spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Meng‐Jiy , Tabellout M. , Chang You‐Im , Poncin‐Epaillard F.
Published: August 2005

A novel method that allows the determination of the electrical potential of a polymer surface has been applied for polypropylene film treated by N2 + H2 cold plasma. The plasma treatment results in formation on the film surface of NH2 groups, which then gets transformed to NH3+ in contact with an electrolyte and leads to the formation of an electrical double layer. The method consists of theoretical calculation of electrical model potential, using the measurement of the electrical capacitance of the film in contact with an electrolyte by dielectric spectroscopy. Comparison with the results obtained by theoretical model shows similar dependencies of the electrical potential as a function of amino‐groups density and electrolyte concentration, but systematic differences of absolute values are observed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nitridation of γ‐TiAl alloys by direct metal–gas reaction at 1000–1300 K
Authors: Thongtem Somchai , Boonruang Chatdanai , Thongtem Titipun , McNallan Michael
Published: August 2005

Two γ‐TiAl alloys, Ti‐47at%Al‐2at%Nb‐2at%Cr (MJ12) and Ti‐47at%Al‐2at%Nb‐2at%Mn‐0.8at%TiB2 (MJ47), were nitrided by direct metal–gas reaction at 1000–1300 K in 10 cm3s−1NH3. X‐ray diffraction revealed formation of TiN at 1100–1300 K. Knoop microhardness values of the alloys were increased with an increase in the nitridation temperature. Microhardness values of MJ12 and MJ47 with 1300 K nitridation were respectively improved to 1.65 and 1.38 times those of the controls. Nitridation depth at a variety of temperature determined by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry was increased with an increase in the temperature. Ti, Al and N concentrations at a variety of depths analysed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray linescanning are also explained. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative determination of surface energy using atomic force microscopy: the case of hydrophobic/hydrophobic contact and hydrophilic/hydrophilic contact
Authors: Awada Houssein , Castelein Gilles , Brogly Maurice
Published: August 2005

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to determine the surface energy of chemically modified surfaces at a local scale. In order to achieve this aim, it was necessary to graft both the AFM tip and the substrate with the same chemical functional groups. Two different organothiols terminated either by hydrophilic or hydrophobic chemical functionalities were used. Grafting process classically reported shows that after UV/ozone treatment for 30 min, the tip is coated by thermal deposition with 4‐5‐nm‐thick titanium layer followed by a 30‐nm‐thick gold layer. Finally, the tip is grafted by organothiols. The thickness of the layer deposited on the tip is of the same order of magnitude as the tip radius. To avoid the use of Ti and to decrease the thickness of the gold layer, we have developed a new way of grafting by using organic molecules like (3‐mercaptopropyl)triethoxysilane (MPS) as a linkage agent. Then this way of grafting was checked. Finally, AFM force‐distance curves, between grafted tips and chemically modified surface, were carried out in contact mode. Calibration of the various parts of the apparatus and especially of the cantilever (spring constant and tip radius) is of major importance to reach quantitative data. Finally, by applying a suitable theory of contact, we were able to determine the surface energy of our system. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Overexpression of proadrenomedullin N‐terminal 20 peptide blunts blood pressure rise and attenuates myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis in hypertensive rats
Authors: Cao Yuan-Ning , Kuwasako Kenji , Kato Johji , Nishihira Kensaku , Asada Yujiro , Eto Tanenao , Kitamura Kazuo
Published: August 2005

We developed a transgenic (Tg) rat model that overexpresses human proadrenomedullin N‐terminal 20 peptide (PAMP) only and then compared the effects of unilateral nephrectomy followed by a high salt diet for five weeks in Tg and wild‐type rats. We found that systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in Tg UNX rats and cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis was also attenuated in Tg rats. Evaluation of gene expression showed suppression of cardiac local renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) in Tg rat. These results suggest that in addition to reducing blood pressure, PAMP suppresses cardiac hypertrophy through negative regulation of the local cardiac RAS.
Abortion procedures in a tertiary care institution in India
Authors: Choudhary N. , Saha S.C. , Gopalan S
Published: August 2005

Objective: To determine the complications rate of termination of pregnancy (TOP) and the risk factors for complications following TOP. Methods: Retrospective observational study of the records of 1287 women who underwent TOP in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India, between 1997 and 2001. First‐trimester abortion was performed in 1088 women (85%) and second‐trimester abortion in 199 women (15%). Most women (76%) were aged between 26 and 30 years; they were educated and requested TOP primarily to limit the number of their children or to space their births. A malformed fetus was the indication for TOP in 5.9% cases, and 16% of the women had medical disorders associated with the pregnancy. Suction evacuation was the method of choice for first‐trimester abortion (88%); dinoprostone gel and extra‐amniotic saline solution plus oxytocin infusion were the primary methods (71%) for second‐trimester abortion. Results: Uterine perforation occurred in 1 patient (0.09%) after a first‐trimester abortion. The total rate of complications was 3.79% after first‐trimester and 4.0% after second‐trimester abortions. Excessive hemorrhage and retained placenta were chief complications associated with second‐trimester abortion. Incomplete abortion (1.5%) and minor infection were seen in 2.3% patients. The rate of complications was higher among parous women. Postabortion insertion of a CuT intrauterine device increased the need for a second course of antibiotics. Conclusion: Termination of pregnancy is safe if adequate care is taken while performing the procedure.
Transinfection reveals the crucial importance of Wolbachia genotypes in determining the type of reproductive alteration in the host
Authors: SAKAMOTO HIRONORI , ISHIKAWA YUKIO , SASAKI TETSUHIKO , KIKUYAMA SAKAE , TATSUKI SADAHIRO , HOSHIZAKI SUGIHIKO
Published: August 2005

Wolbachia, a group of endosymbiotic bacteria in arthropods, alter the reproduction of their hosts in various ways. A Wolbachia strain (wSca) naturally infecting the adzuki bean borer moth Ostrinia scapulalis induces male killing, while another strain (wKue) infecting the Mediterranean flour moth Ephestia kuehniella induces cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) in the resident host. Transinfection of Wolbachia can be a powerful tool to elucidate the relative importance of Wolbachia and the host in determining the type of reproductive alterations. Recently, male killing was shown to occur in E. kuehniella transinfected with wSca. In the present study, we transferred wKue to O. scapulalis by embryonic microinjection. In the O. scapulalis transinfected with wKue, CI, but not male killing occurred. Thus, in addition to wSca, wKue was shown to induce the same type of alteration in a foreign host as in its natural host. These results demonstrate the crucial role of the Wolbachia genotype in determining the type of reproductive alteration. However, the present study also revealed the involvement of host factors. First, the degree of incompatibility induced by wKue in O. scapulalis was stronger than that in E. kuehniella, indicating that host factors can affect the level of CI. Second, the vertical transmission rate of wKue in O. scapulalis was generally low, suggesting that the host affects the dynamics of Wolbachia transmission.
Models of the population genetics of transposable elements
Authors: ROUZIC ARNAUD LE , DECELIERE GRÉGORY
Published: August 2005

Although transposable elements (TEs) have been found in all organisms in which they have been looked for, the ways in which they invade genomes and populations are still a matter of debate. By extending the classical models of population genetics, several approaches have been developed to account for the dynamics of TEs, especially in Drosophila melanogaster. While the formalism of these models is based on simplifications, they enable us to understand better how TEs invade genomes, as a result of multiple evolutionary forces including duplication, deletion, self-regulation, natural selection and genetic drift. The aim of this paper is to review the assumptions and the predictions of these different models by highlighting the importance of the specific characteristics of both the TEs and the hosts, and the host/TE relationships. Then, perspectives in this domain will be discussed.
Modelling macroparasite aggregation using a nematode-sheep system: the Weibull distribution as an alternative to the Negative Binomial distribution?
Authors: GABA S. , GINOT V. , CABARET J.
Published: August 2005

Macroparasites are almost always aggregated across their host populations, hence the Negative Binomial Distribution (NBD) with its exponent parameterkis widely used for modelling, quantifying or analysing parasite distributions. However, many studies have pointed out some drawbacks in the use of the NBD, with respect to the sensitivity ofkto the mean number of parasites per host or the under-representation of the heavily infected hosts in the estimate ofk. In this study, we compare the fit of the NBD with 4 other widely used distributions on observed parasitic gastrointestinal nematode distributions in their sheep host populations (11 datasets). Distributions were fitted to observed data using maximum likelihood estimator and the best fits were selected using the Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC). A simulation study was also conducted in order to assess the possible bias in parameter estimations especially in the case of small sample sizes. We found that the NBD is seldom the best fit for gastrointestinal nematode distributions. The Weibull distribution was clearly more appropriate over a very wide range of degrees of aggregation, mainly because it was more flexible in fitting the heavily infected hosts. Moreover, the Weibull distribution estimates are less sensitive to sample size. Thus, when possible, we suggest to carefully check on observed data if the NBD is appropriate before conducting any further analysis on parasite distributions.
Internalizing and externalizing problems in adolescence: general and dimension-specific effects of familial loadings and preadolescent temperament traits
Authors: ORMEL J. , OLDEHINKEL A. J. , FERDINAND R. F. , HARTMAN C. A. , De WINTER A. F. , VEENSTRA R. , VOLLEBERGH W. , MINDERAA R. B. , BUITELAAR J. K. , VERHULST F. C.
Published: August 2005

Background. We investigated the links between familial loading, preadolescent temperament, and internalizing and externalizing problems in adolescence, hereby distinguishing effects on maladjustment in general versus dimension-specific effects on either internalizing or externalizing problems.

Method. In a population-based sample of 2230 preadolescents (10–11 years) familial loading (parental lifetime psychopathology) and offspring temperament were assessed at baseline by parent report, and offspring psychopathology at 2·5-years follow-up by self-report, teacher report and parent report. We used purified measures of temperament and psychopathology and partialled out shared variance between internalizing and externalizing problems.

Results. Familial loading of internalizing psychopathology predicted offspring internalizing but not externalizing problems, whereas familial loading of externalizing psychopathology predicted offspring externalizing but not internalizing problems. Both familial loadings were associated with Frustration, low Effortful Control, and Fear. Frustration acted as a general risk factor predicting severity of maladjustment; low Effortful Control and Fear acted as dimension-specific risk factors that predicted a particular type of psychopathology; whereas Shyness, High-Intensity Pleasure, and Affiliation acted as direction markers that steered the conditional probability of internalizing versus externalizing problems, in the event of maladjustment. Temperament traits mediated one-third of the association between familial loading and psychopathology. Findings were robust across different composite measures of psychopathology, and applied to girls as well as boys.

Conclusions. With regard to familial loading and temperament, it is important to distinguish general risk factors (Frustration) from dimension-specific risk factors (familial loadings, Effortful Control, Fear), and direction markers that act as pathoplastic factors (Shyness, High-Intensity Pleasure, Affiliation) from both types of risk factors. About one-third of familial loading effects on psychopathology in early adolescence are mediated by temperament.
Starting Something Good
Authors: Carlisle John
Published: August 2005

I was invited to write this article after I gave a talk about setting up a preoperative assessment clinic. If you're facing the daunting task of providing a new service in your primary or secondary care job I hope that you'll find something useful here. Before I begin I'll repeat the confession that I made when I gave my talk. I am not an expert. In fact I have had little experience setting up new clinics. What I have done here is distil the experience of colleagues from around the country with whom I have had the pleasure of talking. These are their words.
Kinematics of the southwestern U.S. deformation zone inferred from GPS motion data
Authors: Bos Annemarie G. , Spakman Wim
Published: August 2005

We have estimated the surface deformation field of the southwestern U.S. deformation zone in terms of the velocity gradient field and surface creep simultaneously by inversion of 497 geodetic velocities. The model shows aseismic fault motion consistent with aseismic creep measurements and a sense of motion consistent with geological observations. We deduce that our surface deformation field shows distributed deformation in a zone around the faults containing shear strains and rotations. The eastern California shear zone acts as a distinct fault zone bounded by more rigid blocks. The faults within the zone partition the shear motion, while right‐lateral shear strain rates and clockwise rotations are concentrated between the bounding faults. In the same way, the San Jacinto and southern San Andreas faults act as bounding faults of a fault zone. The Mojave Desert is dominated by right‐lateral shear, whereas the western Transverse Ranges (WTR) is subjected to contraction. We find significant localization of deformation east of the San Andreas fault between the Transverse Ranges and the San Francisco Bay. We attribute this to a relative rigidity contrast across the fault of ∼1.8. Finally, a moment deficit analysis shows an accumulation of moment deficit between 1973 and 2000 corresponding to a Mw = 6.1–6.3 earthquake along the San Andreas fault just north of the Big Bend, around the Imperial and southern San Andreas faults, and in the San Francisco Bay area along the Hayward and southern Calaveras faults.
Distribution of aseismic slip rate on the Hayward fault inferred from seismic and geodetic data
Authors: Schmidt D. A. , Bürgmann R. , Nadeau R. M. , d'Alessio M.
Published: August 2005

We solve for the slip rate distribution on the Hayward fault by performing a least squares inversion of geodetic and seismic data sets. Our analysis focuses on the northern 60 km of the fault. Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data from 13 independent ERS interferograms are stacked to obtain range change rates from 1992 to 2000. Horizontal surface displacement rates at 141 bench marks are measured using GPS from 1994 to 2003. Surface creep observations and estimates of deep slip rates determined from characteristic repeating earthquake sequences are also incorporated in the inversion. The fault is discretized into 283 triangular dislocation elements that approximate the nonplanar attributes of the fault surface. South of the city of Hayward, a steeply, east dipping fault geometry accommodates the divergence of the surface trace and the microseismicity at depth. The inferred slip rate distribution is consistent with a fault that creeps aseismically at a rate of ∼5 mm/yr to a depth of 4–6 km. The interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data require an aseismic slip rate that approaches the geologic slip rate on the northernmost fault segment beneath Point Pinole, although the InSAR data might be complicated by a small dip‐slip component at this location. A low slip rate patch of <1 mm/yr is inferred beneath San Leandro consistent with the source location of the 1868 earthquake. We calculate that the entire fault is accumulating a slip rate deficit equivalent to a Mw = 6.77 ± 0.05 per century. However, this estimate of potential coseismic moment represents an upper bound because we do not know how much of the accumulated strain will be released through aseismic processes such as afterslip.