bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peptide Enolates. C‐Alkylation of Glycine Residues in linear tri‐, tetra‐, and pentapeptides via dilithium azadienediolates
Authors: Bossler Hans G. , Seebach Dieter
Published: December 2004

The Boc‐protected tripeptides Boc‐Val‐Gly‐Leu‐OH (1), Boc‐Leu‐Sar‐Leu‐OH (2), Boc‐Leu‐Gly‐MeLeu‐OH (3), and Boc‐Val‐BzlGly‐Leu‐OMe (64), tetrapeptide Boc‐Leu‐Gly‐Pro‐Leu‐OH (9), and pentapeptides Boc‐Val‐Leu‐Gly‐Abu‐Ile‐OH (4), Boc‐Val‐Leu‐Sar‐MeAbu‐Ile‐OH (5), Boc‐Val‐Leu‐Gly‐MeAbu‐Ile‐OH (6), Boc‐Val‐Leu‐BzlGly‐BzlAbu‐Ile‐OH (7), and Boc‐Val‐Leu‐Gly‐BzlAbu‐Ile‐OH (8) are prepared by conventional methods (Schemes 4–7) or by direct benzylation of the corresponding precursors (Scheme 8). Polylithiations in THF give up to Li6 derivatives containing glycine, sarcosine or N‐benzylglycine Li enolate moieties (A–H). The polylithiated systems with a dilithium azadienediolate unit (C, F–H) are best generated by treatment with t‐BuLi. The yields of alkylation of the glycine or sarcosine residues are up to 90%, with diastereoselectivities from nil to 9:1. Normally, the newly formed stereogenic center has (R)‐configuration (i.e. a D‐amino‐acid residue is incorporated in the peptide chain). Electrophiles which can be employed with the highly reactive azadienediolate moiety are: MeI, EtI, i‐PrI, allyl and benzyl bromide, ethyl bromoacetate, CO2, and Me2S2 (Schemes 11–13). No epimerizations of the starting materials (racemization of the amino‐acid residues) are observed under the strongly basic conditions. Selected conformations of the peptide precursors, generated by shock‐freezing or by very slow cooling from room temperature to −75° before lithiation, give rise to different stereoselectivities (Scheme 11). The latter and the yields can also be influenced by tempering the lithiated species before (Scheme 9) or after addition of the electrophiles (Scheme 12). Besides the desired products, starting peptides are recovered in the chromatographic purification and isolation procedures (material balance 80–95%). The results described are yet another demonstration that peptides may be backbone‐modified through Li enolates, and that whole series of analogous peptide derivatives with various side chains may thus be produced from a given precursor.
N‐(4‐Nitrophenyl)oxamic Acid and Related N‐Acylanilines Are Non‐competitive Inhibitors of vibrio cholerae sialidase but do not inhibit trypanosoma cruzi or trypanosoma brucei trans‐sialidases
Authors: Engstler Markus , Schauer Roland , Ferrero‐García Miguel A. , Parodi Armando J. , Storz‐Eckerlin Thomas , Vasella Andrea , Witzig Christian , Zhu Xiaoying
Published: December 2004

N‐(4‐Nitrophenyl)oxamic acid 1, N‐(2‐fluoro‐4‐nitrophenyl)oxamic acid 7, N‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐trifluoroacetamide 3, and N‐(2‐methoxy‐4‐nitrophenyl)trifluoroacetamide 9 are non‐competitive inhibitors of Vibrio cholerae sialidase with Ki‐values ranging from 2.66 to 5.18 · 10−4 M. These compounds, and the N‐acetylneuraminic‐acid analogues 11–13 do not inhibit the sialidase and trans‐sialidase activities from Trypanosoma cruzi; nor does N‐(4‐nitrophenyl)oxamic acid (1) inhibit the corresponding enzyme activities from T. brucei.
The Asymmetric Synthesis of Fused Cyclopentenone Ring Systems: A formal asymmetric total synthesis of (−)‐isocomene
Authors: Meyers Albert I. , Bienz Stefan , Kwon Hyok‐Boong , Wallace Richard H.
Published: December 2004

Optically active tricyclic oxazolidine lactams 10 have been prepared using two different routes (Scheme 1). They can be obtained by acid‐mediated intramolecular cyclization of bicyclic lactams 13 via their acyliminium intermediates producing appended five‐, six‐, and seven‐membered tricyclic systems. Alternatively, 10 can be prepared by cyclocondensation of chiral amino alcohols with cyclopentane‐1,2‐dicarboxylic acids 12 to give the imide which is reduced or alkylated to the amino alcohols and cyclized to a diastereoisomer mixture of 10. Alkylation of 10 (R″ = H) via its enolate gives stereospecifically α‐quaternary products 10 (R″ = alkyl). Degradation of the latter with MeLi or Red‐Al® followed by mild acid hydrolysis and aldol cyclization produces the bicyclic ketones 14 and 15 as 1:1 mixtures, readily separated and isolated in > 99% ee. This sequence produced a known non‐racemic intermediate 69 for the synthesis of (−)‐isocomene.
A Novel Asymmetric Benzoin Reaction Catalyzed by a Chiral Triazolium Salt. Preliminary communication
Authors: Enders Dieter , Breuer Klaus , Teles J. Henrique
Published: December 2004

Using the chiral triazolium salt 1 as catalyst, a novel asymmetric variant of the benzoin reaction is reported. For the first time, the scope of the method is extended to a broader range of aromatic aldehydes 2, affording the acyloins 3a–h in yields of 22–72% and enantiomeric excesses up to 86%.
N,N‐Dialkylcarbamato Complexes of the d10 cations of copper, silver, and gold
Authors: Alessio Rocco , Dell'Amico Daniela Belli , Calderazzo Fausto , Englert Ulli , Guarini Alessandro , Labella Luca , Strasser Peter
Published: December 2004

The reaction of CuO'Bu with CO2, and iPr2NH in the presence of PPh3, gives the dialkylcarbamato complex [Cu(O2CNiPr2)(PPh3)2] (1). The CO2/R2NH system (R = Me, Et) in an appropriate organic medium reacts with Ag2O giving the corresponding N,N‐dialkylcarbamato complexes of analytical formula [Ag(C2CNR2)] (R = Me, 2; R = Et, 3). The methyl derivative 2 was characterized by X‐ray diffraction methods. Crystal data of 2: for [Ag2(O2CNMe2)2], C6H12Ag2N2O4, mol. wt. 391.9; monoclinic, space group P21/c, a = 12.08(1), b = 3.797(2), c = 11.316(7) Å, β = 113.37(6)°, V = 476.3 Å3, Z = 2, Dc = 2.732 g cm−3; μ(MoKα) = 40.64 cm−1, F(000) = 376.0; R = 0.059, Rw = 0.067; g.o.f. 1.27. The structure consists of dinuclear [(Ag2OCNMe2)2] units with slightly distorted linearly two‐coordinated Ag‐atoms containing bridging carbamato groups to form a substantially planar eight‐membered ring with an intra‐annular AgAg distance of 2.837(2) Å; the dinuclear units are further joined by AgO bonds to form an infinite array. Compound 3, which is presumably dinuclear, as suggested by cryoscopic measurements in benzene, undergoes a structural fission with PPh3, giving the mononuclear triphenylphosphine derivative [Ag(O2CNEt2)(PPh3)2] (4). The amine‐catalyzed conversion of Ag2O into Ag2CO3, in the presence of the iPr2NH/CO2 system, is also reported. Cl‐Exchange from [AuCl(PPh3)] with [Ag(O2CNEt2)] (3) gives the first N,N‐dialkylcarbamato complex of gold, namely [Au(O2CNEt2)(PPh3)] (5), which crystallizes in the monoclinic system: C23H25AuNO2P · 0.5 C7H16, mol. wt. 625.5, space group P21/c; a = 13.212(5), b = 12.25(1), c = 16.795(6) Å, β = 109.09(2)°, V = 2568(2) Å3, Z = 4, Dc, = 1.618 g cm−3; μ(AgKα) = 31.40 cm−1, F(000) = 1236.0; R = 0.058; Rw = 0.064; g.o.f. 2.121. The compound contains two‐coordinated Au‐atom, namely to the P‐atom and to the O‐atom of the monodentate carbamato group, the PAuO bond angle being 174.7(3)°. The reaction with MeI showed these compounds to react predominantly at the carbamato O‐atom giving the corresponding urethanes R2NCO2Me. Evidence was gathered for the transient coordination of CO to Ag in 3.
Structure and Dynamics of Hydrogen Chelates. Part 1. NMR‐spectroscopic studies in the quinazoline‐2‐acetonitrile series
Authors: Gehring Holger , Daltrozzo Ewald
Published: December 2004

To get informations on both the structure and dynamics of hydrogen chelates 1 of heteroaromatic systems, a great variety of quinazoline‐2‐acetonitrile chelates were synthesized (see 2–4). Similarly to the situation of the corresponding H‐chelates in the pyrimidine‐2‐acetonitrile series, the investigation of these new derivatives 2–4 by NMR spectroscopic methods (DNMR, COSY, NOESY, ROESY, EXSY, HMQC, HMBC) confirms the presence of an equilibrium of the two possible H‐chelate structures (two ‘rotamers’ I and II, i.e., (E)/(Z) isomers; see Scheme). The corresponding equilibria I ⇌ II were determined by complete 1H‐NMR signal assignment at low temperatures (after freezing the rotational processes). In addition, the tautomer equilibria A ⇌ B (relative energies of the two minima of the nonsymmetrical double‐well potential) for both ‘rotamers’ are ascertained by H,H and C,H couplings. The results are an important basis for the interpretation of both the UV/VIS absorptions and the dependence of fluorescence and fluorescence quantum yields on temperature.
Cyclopalladation of 1,1′‐Azonaphthalene (= Di(naphthalen‐1‐yl)diazene): Isolation and characterization of two isomeric complexes
Authors: Kind Lothar , Klaus Alfred J. , Rys Paul , Gramlich Volker
Published: December 2004

The cyclopalladation of 1,1′‐azonaphthalene (= di(naphthalen‐1‐yl)diazene; 2) with bis(hexafluoroacetyl‐acetonato)palladium(II) (3; [Pd(hfa)2]) yields the ortho‐palladated complex (1,1,1,5,5,5‐hexafluoropentane‐2,4‐dionato‐κ2O,O′)[1‐(naphthalen‐1‐ylazo‐κN2)naphthalen‐2‐yl‐κC2]palladium(II) (4) as well as the peri‐palladated complex (1,1,1,5,5,5‐hexafluoropentane‐2,4‐dionato‐κ2O,O′)[8‐(naphthalen‐1‐ylazo‐κN2)naphthalen‐1‐yl‐κC1]‐palladium(II) (5); their structures were corroborated by X‐ray analyses. The formation of the novel peri‐metallated product 5 containing a six‐membered palladacycle strongly depends upon the reaction conditions.
Die Krystallstruktur von Adamantan (symm. Tri‐cyclo‐decan)
Authors: Nowacki Werner
Published: December 2004

Adamantan C10H16 krystallisiert in der kubisch‐flächenzentrierten Raumgruppe T–F43m mit a = 9,426 ± 0,008 Å und Z = 4 Molekeln pro Elementarzelle. Die röntgenographisch bestimmte Dichte ist gleich 1,073 gem−3. Die C‐Atome befinden sich in den Punktlagen (16e) = X1X1X1,… und (24f) = X2 00,… mit X1 = 0,0944, ± 0,001 und X2 = 2 X1. Die Molekel hat die Konstitution von Fig. 1, der Krystall die Struktur von Fig. 5. Die Ableitung geschah auf rein krystallographisch‐röntgenographischem Wege unter Voraussetzung von tetraedrischen C‐Atomen. Die Resultate sind in vollkommener Übereinstimmung mit denen von S. Landa und V. Macháčcek bzw. V. Prelog und R. Seiwerth.
Production d'ozone par action de radiations ultraviolettes, émises par la lampe è vapeur de mercure, sur l'oxygène comprimé ou liquéfié
Authors: Briner E. , Karbassi H.
Published: December 2004

En utilisant des dispositions expérimentales et des méthodes de travail appropriées, on a étudié la production d'ozone par action, sur l'oxygène comprimé ou liquéfié, des radiations ultra‐violettes, filtrées ou non filtrées, émises par la lampe à vapeur de mercure.
Electronic states of general mixed crystals
Authors: Koutecký Jaroslav , Davison Sydney G.
Published: December 2004

Up to now molecular‐orbital calculations of the electronic states of linear mixed crystals have been concerned only with binary systems such as AB, AB2, and A2B2. The purpose of the present treatment is to extend this work to crystals whose elementary cells contain any number of different atoms in any ordered sequence. The formulation of this general theory is based on the resolvent method. Although the approach enables the general properties of delocalized and localized states to be discussed, the more simple cases already solved in the literature can still be easily derived from the general equations. Furthermore, the classification of Tamm and Shockley states retains its significance, even when other kinds of states can occur and various transitions between the clear cut cases can exist. As in earlier investigations, the chemisorption states are related to surface states and have similar properties. The resolvent method is summarized in the Appendix and its connection with the partition technique is shown.
Studies in perturbation theory XIII. Treatment of constants of motion in resolvent method, partitioning technique, and perturbation theory
Authors: Löwdin Per‐Olov
Published: December 2004

After a brief survey of some basic concepts in the theory of linear spaces, the eigenvalue problem is formulated in the resolvent technique based on the introduction of a reference function φ and a complex variable ℰ. This leads to a series of fundamental concepts including the trial wave function, the inhomogeneous equation, and finally the transition and expectation values of the Hamiltonian, of which the former renders a “bracketing function” for the energy. In order to avoid the explicit limiting procedures in this approach, the eigenvalue problem is then reformulated in terms of the partitioning technique which, in turn, leads to a closed form of infinite‐order perturbation theory.

The eigenvalue problem is greatly simplified if the Hamiltonian H has a constant of motion Λ or has symmetry properties characterized by the group G = {g}, and the question is now how these simplifications can be incorporated into the partitioning technique and into perturbation theory. In both cases, there exists a set of projection operators {Qk} which lead to a splitting of the Hilbert space into subspaces which have virtually nothing to do with each other. It is shown that, in the partitioning technique, it is sufficient to consider one of these subspaces at a time, and the results are then generalized to perturbation theory. It turns out that the finite‐order expansions are no longer unique, and the commutation rules connecting the various forms are derived. The infinite‐order results are finally presented in such a form that they are later suitable for the evaluation of upper and lower bounds to the energy eigenvalues.
Formal Rayleigh–Schrödinger perturbation theory for both degenerate and non‐degenerate energy states
Authors: Hirschfelder Joseph O.
Published: December 2004

Using the Rayleigh‐Schrödinger perturbation formalism, expressions are obtained for the nth order energy and the nth order wave function. No restrictions are placed on the degeneracy of the state or the order of perturbation in which the degeneracies are resolved. By the use of suitable operators, the formulae are expressed in compact form.
Electrostatic representations of molecular groups
Authors: Stigter Dirk , Schellman John A.
Published: December 2004

The treatment of electrostatic interactions between molecular groups is based on quantum mechanical electron density distributions. A general method is suggested using tesseral harmonic multipole expansions and representing each set of point multipoles by a cluster of discrete charges small with respect to atomic dimensions. The procedure is carried out for the amino group with an electron density derived from the wave function of ammonia. We evaluate the optical rotation of two aminopyrrolidones as a test case. Expansions are compared for several approximate wave functions for ammonia.
Spin‐free quantum chemistry. XII. Coarse structure magnetic theory
Authors: Matsen F. A. , Ford A. L.
Published: December 2004

The coarse structure magnetic theory presented here is a reformulation of conventional magnetic theory which emphasizes the spin‐free (i.e., the coulombic) nature of the electron‐electron interaction. We show that the magnetic properties of a system for which fine and hyperfine structure can be neglected depend only on the energy spectrum of a spin‐free Hamiltonian. As an example, we treat the Heisenberg linear chain.
Lie algebras in quantum chemistry: Symmetrized orbitals
Authors: Wybourne B. G.
Published: December 2004

The application of Lie algebras in quantum chemistry is considered. Particular attention is devoted to their application to high symmetry problems especially where icosahedral symmetry prevails. A general programme for implementing the theory of Lie algebras in the analysis of symmetry problems is outlined.
Waller–Hartree spin‐free method
Authors: Lim T. K.
Published: December 2004

In this paper we show that with the equivalent transformation Pr = (−1)P(Pσ)−1 the spin function dependent methods such as Slater's method without group theory or Goddard's method with group theory differ only in different antisymmetric requirements from the present Waller‐Hartree spin function free method. There exists a one‐to‐one correspondence between Slater's determinantal wave function and the Waller–Hartree double determinantal wave function. Explicit expressions for the S2 operator, Löwdin's spin projector, matric basis and several different forms of spin‐projected functions are given for the Waller–Hartree formalism. The results are compared with other methods including those of Slater, Matsen, Gallup, Goddard and Segal. The differences are quite significant. New spin operators are worked out using creation‐destruction operators. A knowledge of group theory is not required in this Waller–Hartree method. We have also shown that the Waller–Hartree method is more convenient than Slater's method with spin functions especially in the evaluation of the functional ℋ︁Ψ/Ψ. The advantages and disadvantages in the use of a linear combination of N! Hartree products and linear combinations of all possible double determinants are discussed. In addition, a formula for the calculation of the Sanibel coefficients C(S, M, i) is obtained.
A first‐principle pseudopotential calculation of the (ns) energy levels of the K atom. II.
Authors: Csavinszky P. , Hucek R.
Published: December 2004

We have calculated the energies of the (7s) and (8s) states of the valence electron in the K atom by making use of a pseudopotential based on recently obtained variational solutions of the Thomas–Fermi (TF) equation for neutral atoms, and positive ions. We have chosen trial wave functions, with appropriate parameters, for the valence electron and then minimized the energies of the respective states using the pseudoHamiltonian. The exchange interaction between the K+ core and the valence electron has also been considered as a perturbation. Comparison of the calculated (7s) and (8s) energies with the experimental values shows an agreement of about 6% for the former one and of about 5% for the latter one, respectively. With the exchange correction both of these discrepancies are reduced to less than 2%. We conclude that the procedure outlined here is a promising one in dealing with problems involving a highly excited electron outside of a closed‐shell ion core, a system for which a more exact quantum‐mechanical treatment would be much more difficult.
Hybrid Slater–Gaussian‐type 1s orbitals for the 1∑ ground state of H2 and He
Authors: Leclerc Jean‐Claude
Published: December 2004

Introduction of noninteger powers of r (or the elliptical coordinate ξ) in the definition of the 1s AO is shown to give better approximate wave‐functions for the ground states of H2 and He than other functions of comparable complexity. This trend is examined for various definitions of hybrid Slater–Gaussian orbitals using a limited CI. The best optimized single‐term expansion energy is only 0.000160 a.u. above the “SCF limit” for H2 at R = 1.4 a.u. and 0.000382 a.u. for He at R = 1.3 a.u.
Combined CI‐HY studies of atomic states. IV. The four lowest 1S and four lowest 1P states of He and the lowest 1S and 1P states of H−1
Authors: Sims James S. , Hagstrom Stanley A. , Rumble John R.
Published: December 2004

Combined CI‐HY method calculations are reported for the ground and first three excited S states of He with an error on the order of 10−7 a.u. within the same 120‐term basis. For He 1P, the four lowest states are obtained with an error ≤2 × 10−6 a.u. within the same 102‐term basis. H−1 S and 1P states are also treated by the same CI‐HY technique. The utility of an spd Slater‐type orbital, r, v = 0, 1 basis is investigated, with indications that it might be an excellent basis for states of first row atoms.
Crystal calculation using the PCILO method
Authors: Lochmann R.
Published: December 2004

The PCILO method is used for the study of molecular systems with translational symmetry in a two‐dimensional lattice. The calculation for the whole crystal is reduced to the calculation of unit cell pairs. By using the translational symmetry and the first‐neighbour approximation, one shows that only four unit cell pairs have to be considered. The procedure described yields the ground‐state energy and the charge distribution of the unit cell.
Nurse‐managed clinics: issues in evaluation
Authors: Clendon Jill M.
Published: December 2004

Background.  Nurse‐managed clinics (NMCs) have been in existence for over 30 years. Evaluation of such clinics has been sparse and most have used entirely quantitative techniques. This article explores the importance of evaluation of NMCs using the Mana Health Clinic in Auckland, New Zealand as an example.

Discussion.  Fourth generation evaluation is offered as an appropriate methodology for undertaking evaluation of NMCs. Fourth generation evaluation actively seeks involvement of clients in the process and outcome of the evaluation, resulting in participation and empowerment of stakeholders in the service – a precept often forgotten in traditional evaluation strategies and of vital importance in understanding why people use NMCs. The method proposed here also incorporates the need for quantitative data.

Conclusion.  The main argument proposed here is that a combination of qualitative and quantitative data sources is likely to give the greatest understanding of NMCs utilization. Evaluation of NMCs is vital to the continuation of this type of health service. However, evaluation must be appropriate to the service being studied. Fourth generation evaluation used to elicit client's perceptions of the clinic along with quantitative data is offered as an appropriate means of achieving this.
Evaluating a management of aggression unit for student nurses
Authors: Beech Bernard , Leather Phil
Published: December 2004

Background.  Workplace violence is acknowledged as a major problem in health care settings and affects staff morale, recruitment, retention and direct health care budgets. Staff training is advocated as the appropriate managerial response, but identifying appropriate training and trainers is difficult and there is little published evidence of training effectiveness. Student nurses are frequent targets of aggression but are less likely to receive specific training.

Aims.  The study considered the application of a model of learning to a 3‐day learning unit for diploma‐level student nurses on the ‘prevention and management of aggression’. It aimed to measure student outcomes of the unit and gain information about more general issues in evaluating training effectiveness.

Methods.  A repeated measures longitudinal design was used to obtain data from three cohorts of student nurses (3 × 80 approximately) at four time points over an 8‐month period. A questionnaire was administered twice before the unit, at its conclusion and approximately 3 months afterwards, following two clinical placements.

Results.  Statistically significant changes were demonstrated in a number of areas, including number of risk factors identified, and five ‘factors’ identified from the questionnaire statements.

Study limitations.  The results refer to one course for student nurses that had many common elements with popular training courses for qualified staff, including inter‐personal and breakaway skills. However, restraint skills were not included.

Conclusions.  It is possible to provide training that produces desirable, statistically demonstrable and durable change in knowledge, behaviour, attitudes and confidence using a rigorous longitudinal evaluation research design.
The effects of extended workdays on fatigue, health, performance and satisfaction in nursing
Authors: Josten Edith J.C. , Ng‐A‐Tham Julie E.E. , Thierry Henk
Published: December 2004

Background.  Several authors have claimed that 12‐hour shifts in nursing are better for both employees and patient care. However, although the research has found positive effects on satisfaction with working hours and free time, the effects on employee fatigue, health and performance have mostly been neutral or negative.

Aim.  Work schedules should preferably be beneficial for satisfaction, fatigue, health and performance. This study therefore investigated whether shifts that are extended only slightly can combine the positive effects of the 12‐hour shift with the positive effects of the 8‐hour shift. The study investigated the effects of 9‐hour shifts.

Method.  A total of 134 nurses from three nursing homes in the Netherlands completed a questionnaire on fatigue, health, performance and satisfaction. One group worked 8‐hour shifts, and the other worked 9‐hour shifts.

Results.  Nurses who worked 9‐hour shifts were on average more fatigued, had more health complaints, and were less satisfied with their working hours and free time than those who worked 8‐hour shifts. Their performance was slightly poorer. About 70% to 80% of the 8‐ and 9‐hour nurses preferred to work a maximum of 8 hours during morning/early and afternoon/late shifts.

Conclusions.  The 9‐hour shift seemed to combine the negative aspects of the 12‐hour shift with the negative aspects of the 8‐hour shift. It is suggested that the 9‐hour shift had more negative effects than the 12‐hour shift because: (1) nurses could not choose what shift length they worked; (2) many worked part‐time; and (3) they already had many days off. It is also suggested that increases in workload since the 1980s make current extended shifts in nursing more fatiguing.
Prediction of the extent of prostate cancer by the combined use of systematic biopsy and serum level of cathepsin D
Authors: MIYAKE HIDEAKI , HARA ISAO , ETO HIROSHI
Published: December 2004

Background: The objective of this study was to assess the usefulness of combined systematic prostate biopsy with the serum level of cathepsin D, which has recently been shown to be a useful marker for prostate cancer, to predict the disease extension.

Methods: Seventy‐two patients with clinically organ‐confined disease who underwent radical prostatectomy were evaluated for serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) and cathepsin D levels, systematic biopsy, and pathological stage.

Results: The incidence of extraprostatic disease in patients with more than half the biopsy cores positive or ≥ 15 ng/mL cathepsin D was significantly higher than that in patients with less than half the biopsy cores positive or < 15 ng/mL cathepsin D, respectively; whereas cancer in bilateral lobes or ≥ 10 ng/mL PSA could not be used as a predictor of extraprostatic disease. Furthermore, in patients with more than half the biopsy cores positive and ≥ 15 ng/mL cathepsin D or those with more than half the biopsy cores positive and ≥ 10 ng/mL PSA, extraprostatic disease was significantly more common than in those with less than half the biopsy cores positive and < 15 ng/mL cathepsin D or those with less than half the biopsy cores positive and < 10 ng/mL PSA, respectively. Furthermore, the prediction of the incidence of extraprostatic disease using these three variables was significantly more accurate than using two of the variables (percentage positive biopsy cores plus serum cathepsin D or PSA).

Conclusion: Systematic biopsy together with serum cathepsin D and/or PSA was a useful predictor of the extent of prostate cancer. Patients with more than half the biopsy cores positive, ≥ 15 ng/mL cathepsin D and/or ≥ 10 ng/mL PSA could avoid prostatectomy because there is a significantly high probability that they already have extraprostatic disease.
Effect of Altitude on Energy Exchange Characteristics of Some Alpine Medicinal Crops from Central Himalayas
Authors: Chandra S.
Published: December 2004

To explore the conservation and cultivation of endangered alpine medicinal crops at comparatively lower altitudes, a study on variations in morphological parameters and energy exchange characteristics was conducted on five herbaceous medicinal crops from the alpines of Central Himalayas. Plants of same age were selected from the alpine medicinal crop nursery, Tungnath (3600 m), and were planted at the nurseries at 2100 and 550 m altitudes. After well acclimatization at lower altitudes, plants were examined for morphological and energy exchange studies during their active growth period. The energy balance sheet of these plant species indicates that most of the energy absorbed by the leaves dissipates by re‐radiation, transpiration and thermal conductance across leaf surfaces. All species maintained leaf temperature below the surrounding air temperature at all altitudes and therefore gained energy by convection of heat as well as by boundary layer thermal conduction. Leaf‐to‐air temperature difference, gain of energy by convection of heat and boundary layer thermal conduction was maximum at an altitude of 2100 m in all the species. Boundary layer thermal conductivity, boundary layer thickness, thermal conductivity of the leaf and therefore, total energy absorbed by the leaves of these species increase significantly with decreasing altitude. Leaf thickness significantly decreases with decreasing altitude, which in turn enhances total energy absorption (r = −0.975, P < 0.005) of the leaves in all the species. The results indicate that all these species absorb higher amount of energy at lower altitudes, which indicates their adaptability to warm temperatures at low altitudes (up to 550 m). Therefore, these species can be cultivated at relatively lower altitudes. However, a proper agronomic methodology needs to be developed for better yields.
Effects of Thermal and Salt Treatments during Imbibition on Germination and Seedling Growth of Sorghum at 42/19 °C
Authors: Kader M. A. , Jutzi S. C.
Published: December 2004

This investigation tested the influence of thermal treatment of seeds at various stages of imbibition on the germination percentage, speed and growth response of seeds and seedlings. Seeds of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L Moench) were treated in 2, 4 or 6 g NaCl l−1 solutions and exposed for 2 h to 45 °C during the first, second or third days of imbibition. Thereafter, the seeds were dried and germinated at 42/19 °C (day/night temperature). Salt treatments did not improve the final germination percentage but increased germination speed over untreated seeds. The higher the salt concentration used, the greater the dry weights of plumules and radicles. Thermal treatment on the third day of imbibition yielded higher germination percentages than untreated seeds, while thermal treatment on the second day gave faster germination. Both the second and third day thermal treatments gave superior germination indices and higher plumule‐to‐radicle ratios. It is concluded that thermal treatment may assist in acclimating seeds to heat stress.
Effect of Deep Placement of N Fertilizers and Different Inoculation Methods of Bradyrhizobia on Growth, N2 Fixation Activity and N Absorption Rate of Field‐grown Soybean Plants
Authors: Tewari K. , Suganuma T. , Fujikake H. , Ohtake N. , Sueyoshi K. , Takahashi Y. , Ohyama T.
Published: December 2004

The effects of deep placement (supplied at 20 cm depth from soil surface below plants) of 100 kg N ha−1 of N fertilizers, urea, coated urea or calcium cyanamide (lime nitrogen) on the growth, nitrogen fixation activity, nitrogen absorption rate and seed yield of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) plants were examined by comparing them with control plots without deep placement of N fertilizer in sandy dune field. In addition, three different inoculation methods of bradyrhizobia were used for each N treatment: (1) transplantation of 10‐day‐old seedling in a paper pot with vermiculite inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA110, (2) direct transplantation of inoculated 10‐day‐old seedlings, and (3) transplantation of 10‐day‐old seedlings in a non‐inoculated paper pot. The deep placement of N fertilizers, especially calcium cyanamide and coated urea, markedly increased the growth and total N accumulation in shoot, roots and nodules, which resulted in an increase in seed yield. Daily N2 fixation activity and N absorption rate were estimated by relative abundance of ureide‐N analysed from the concentration of N constituents (ureide‐N, amide‐N and nitrate‐N) in root bleeding xylem sap and increase in total N accumulation in whole plants at R1, R3, R5 and R7 stages. The total amount of N2 fixation was about 50 % higher in the plants with calcium cyanamide and coated urea deep placements compared with control plants. Deep placement of slow release fertilizers kept nodule dry weight higher in the maturing stage of seed, possibly through abundant supply of photoassimilate to the nodules by supporting leaf area and activity until late reproductive stages. The results indicate that deep placement of calcium cyanamide or coated urea enhances N2 fixation activity, which ultimately increases the seed yield. The promotive effect was observed with the seedlings transplanted in paper pot with inoculum of bradyrhizobia within any treatments, although nodulation by indigenous rhizobia was observed in the plants transplanted with non‐inoculated paper pot.
Expression of interleukin‐13 receptor α 1‐subunit on peripheral blood eosinophils is regulated by cytokines
Authors: Myrtek Daniel , Knoll Mathias , Matthiesen Timm , Krause Sebastian , Lohrmann Jens , Schillinger Dirk , Idzko Marco , Virchow J. Christian , Friedrich Karlheinz , Luttmann Werner
Published: December 2004

Interleukin‐13 (IL‐13) is critical for the development of allergic asthma and is involved in the activation of eosinophils within the airways. IL‐13 exerts its activity on target cells via the dimeric IL‐13 receptor (IL‐13R), which comprises the IL‐13 receptor α1‐chain (IL‐13Rα1) as a specific component. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the IL‐13Rα1‐chain on primary human eosinophilic granulocytes. Furthermore, it addresses the regulatory influence of cytokines on the level of surface abundance of this receptor subunit. Expression of IL‐13‐ and IL‐4‐receptor subunits in purified primary human eosinophils was monitored at the messenger RNA level by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and at the protein level by flow cytometry. For the analysis of IL‐13Rα1 surface expression, a new monoclonal antibody, which was generated using genetic immunization, was employed. Different cytokines with established activity on eosinophils were studied with regard to their influence on IL‐13Rα1 in vitro by flow cytometry. Whereas IL‐13 and IL‐4 had inhibitory effects on IL‐13Rα1 expression on eosinophils, interferon‐γ, tumour necrosis factor‐α, and, to the largest extent, transforming growth factor‐β, enhanced the expression of this receptor subunit. A positive regulatory response evoked by transforming growth factor‐β and interferon‐γ does not prevent inhibitory effects caused by IL‐13. These findings suggest a regulatory cytokine network influencing the reactivity of eosinophils to IL‐13.
Chronic intestinal nematode infection induces Stat6‐independent interleukin‐5 production and causes eosinophilic inflammatory responses in mice
Authors: Sakamoto Yukiko , Hiromatsu Kenji , Ishiwata Kenji , Inagaki‐Ohara Kyoko , Ikeda Takuto , Nakamura‐Uchiyama Fukumi , Nawa Yukifumi
Published: December 2004

The role of Stat6 (signal transducers and activators of transcription) in the recruitment and activation of eosinophils has been studied in detail in asthma and other allergic diseases. In this study, we demonstrated that eosinophil responses occur in a Stat6‐independent manner in mice infected with the intestinal nematode, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. Stat6‐deficient (Stat6–/–) mice cannot expel N. brasiliensis and establish chronic infections. Prominent blood and intestinal eosinophilia were induced after day 14 postinfection (p.i.) and maintained at this level in Stat6–/– mice, whereas in wild‐type mice eosinophil responses reached a peak on day 10 p.i. and declined thereafter. The introduction of a secondary infection of N. brasiliensis into wild‐type mice induced rapid and exaggerated eosinophilia, whereas secondary infection in Stat6–/– mice resulted in almost the same eosinophil responses as those of the primary infection, suggesting a lack of memory responses. Blood eosinophilia was also induced in Stat6–/– mice implanted with N. brasiliensis in the small intestine, suggesting that intestinal exposure to parasitic antigen is sufficient to induce eosinophil responses. Furthermore, this prominent eosinophil response of Stat6–/– mice after day 14 was closely associated with an increase of interleukin (IL)‐5 production in serum and intestine. Neither IL‐4 nor eotaxin were significantly induced in Stat6–/– mice after infection with N. brasiliensis. We also found that mRNA for IL‐5, GATA‐3 and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) are induced in the intestine of Stat6–/– mice on day 14 p.i. Taken together, these results provide evidence for Stat6‐independent IL‐5 production and subsequent eosinophil responses after chronic infection with N. brasiliensis.
Information sharing as enabler for the virtual team: an experimental approach to assessing the role of electronic mail in disintermediation
Authors: Rafaeli Sheizaf , Ravid Gilad
Published: December 2004

Abstract. This paper is an attempt to document empirically the relation between information sharing accomplished via electronic mail and the performance of teams. We report on an experimental study of the role of electronic mail in the operation of supply chains. A variation of the well known ‘Beer Game’ role‐playing simulation game was computerized and implemented in an internet‐based environment to study the information‐sharing behaviour of teams. A total of 76 teams of four players each competed to achieve best net team profit. Results of the simulation game permit a detailed examination of email use in an organizational context. Findings indicate the expected significant correlation between email use to share information up the supply chain and net team profit. In other words, sharing information in the team has a positive impact on performance. The recorded behaviour of managers in the online simulation indicates that team members use electronic mail successfully to attempt disintermediation of the supply chain. When information is shared online, teams perform significantly better.
Bmmar6, a second mori subfamily mariner transposon from the silkworm moth Bombyx mori
Authors: Robertson H. M. , Walden K. K. O.
Published: December 2004

A second member of the divergent mori subfamily of mariner transposons, Bmmar6, is described from the silkworm moth Bombyx mori genome. A confident consensus sequence for Bmmar6 was obtained from a single genomic copy, 17 EST sequences, and the direct sequencing of a ‘family’ sequence from an amplification of all full‐length genomic copies. Bmmar6 is most similar to Bmmar1 in the mori subfamily, which now also includes several fly and nematode transposons. These might be viewed as a discrete family of transposons within the IS630‐Tc1‐mariner superfamily with a distinctive D,D37D catalytic motif, and another small divergent D,D41D clade is recognized as their sister group of transposons.
A preliminary linkage map of the hard tick, Ixodes scapularis
Authors: Ullmann A. J. , Piesman J. , Dolan M. C. , IV W. C. Black
Published: December 2004

A linkage map of the Ixodes scapularis genome was constructed, based upon segregation amongst 127 loci. These included 84 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, 32 Sequence‐Tagged RAPD (STAR) markers, 5 cDNAs, and 5 microsatellites in 232 F1 intercross progeny from a single, field‐collected P1 female. A preliminary linkage map of 616 cM was generated across 14 linkage groups with one marker every 10.8 cM. Assuming a genome size of ≈ 109 bp, the relationship of physical to genetic distance was found to be ≈ 300 kb/cM in the I. scapularis genome.
The role of magnets in the management of unerupted teeth in children and adolescents
Authors: Cole B. O. I. , Shaw A. J. , Hobson R. S. , Nunn J. H. , Welbury R. R. , Meechan J. G. , Jepson N. J. A.
Published: December 2004

Summary. This case report describes the use of magnets in the management of teeth that fail to erupt. Eight children aged between 10 and 15 years were treated. Magnetic traction was applied to two premolars and six molars. Seven teeth (one premolar and six molars) erupted successfully (mean treatment time with magnetic traction: 7·5 months). One premolar failed to erupt; serial radiographic assessment over a 9‐month period revealed no evidence of movement and so the magnetic fixture was removed. Histological evaluation of tissue samples taken from around the fixture revealed no evidence of abnormal pathology.
The post‐amalgam era: a selection of materials and their longevity in the primary and young permanent dentitions
Authors: Forss H. , Widström E.
Published: December 2004

Summary. Objectives. During the last decade there has been a rapid change in the selection of dental restorative materials as the use of amalgam has decreased. The aim of this study was to obtain information on children's restorative dental care in Finland and to analyse the longevity of failed restorations.

Design. A random sample of public dental health care centres was drawn from the registers and the dentists working there were asked to record information for each restoration they placed during a three‐day period. The survey data comprised a total of 2186 restorations in patients younger than 17 years.

Results. Of the children in need of restorative treatment, only a few had previous amalgam restorations. Primary caries was the main reason for restorative treatment in both primary and permanent dentitions (80% and 83%, respectively). In primary teeth, the most common restorative material was resin‐modified glass ionomer cement (57·4%), whereas in permanent teeth, composite resin dominated (58·7%). Amalgam was not used at all in the primary dentition and in only 0·6% of permanent teeth. Eighteen per cent of treatments in primary and 12% in permanent teeth were replacements of previous fillings. The mean age of failed glass ionomer restorations was 2·8 years (n = 101) in the primary dentition, and 3·5 years (n = 54) in the permanent dentition.

Conclusions. Until better restorative materials are developed, more attention should be paid to the prevention of dental caries as well as to the proper handling of alternative materials.
Dental health of dentists’ children in Mongolia
Authors: Tseveenjav B. , Vehkalahti M. , Murtomaa H.
Published: December 2004

Summary. Objectives. To describe the dental health of dentists’ children, to evaluate its association with their dentist‐parents’ background and work‐related characteristics and to compare it with that of children in the general population in Mongolia.

Design. Cross‐sectional survey, questionnaire‐based data.

Subjects. Dentists’ children, aged 3–13 years.

Sample. All dentists (n = 250) actively practising in the capital city of Mongolia.

Results. The dentists’ children's dmft ranged from 0 to 12, and DMFT from 0 to 8; 50% were caries‐free. The younger the children, the higher was their total caries experience expressed as the sum of DMFT + dmft scores (r = −0·22; P = 0·001). Dentist‐parents’ background and work‐related factors were not associated with their children's caries status (P > 0·05). When dentists’ children were compared with their counterparts at the population level, mean dmft for 6‐year‐olds was 2·6 for (urban) dentists’ children, 6·5 for children in the urban population and 0·9 for those in rural population of equivalent age. Mean DMFT for 12‐year‐olds were 1·0, 1·8 and 1·2, respectively, in the same three groups. In general, (urban) dentists’ children in all age groups had better dental health than did their urban counterparts at the population level. Among 5–7‐year‐olds, dentists’ children had worse dental health than did their counterparts in the rural population.

Conclusions. Despite the dentists’ knowledge and awareness, their children demonstrated higher rates of dental caries than expected. This suggests that Mongolian dentists may have insufficient preventive orientation. In particular, the primary dentition of younger children seems to be poorly valued. In Mongolia, dentists should have better training and education in modern methods of caries prevention and their advantages. Appreciation and care of the primary dentition need to be improved at all levels of oral health promotion in Mongolia.
Information needs of women during early treatment for breast cancer
Authors: Graydon Jane , Galloway Susan , Palmer‐Wickham Sherrol , Harrison Dianne , Bij Louanne Rich‐van der , West Pamela , Burlein‐Hall Stephanie , Evans‐Boy den Barbara
Published: December 2004

This study assessed the information needs of 70 women with breast cancer being treated by surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Information needs were measured by the breast cancer version of the Toronto Informational Needs Questionnaire (TINQ‐BC). All women had high information needs, irrespective of type of treatment received. They mainly wanted information about their disease, treatments and investigative tests. An examination of individual items on the TINQ‐BC revealed that all women wanted information about recurrence, specifically they wanted to know if the cancer would come back and how to tell if it had recurred. The results provide nurses with some direction as to what information to give women receiving early treatment for breast cancer.
Werna Naloo –‘We Us Together’: the birth of a midwifery education consortium
Authors: Cutts Diane , David Patricia M. , McIntyre Meredith , Seibold Carmel , Hopkins Finbar , Miller Maria
Published: December 2004

Aim.  The metaphor of a journey will be used to describe the process covering 2 years of development of a Bachelor of Midwifery curriculum shared between a consortium of three universities in Victoria, Australia.

Background.  The landscape or background against which this journey took place is described, providing a context for understanding the political and pragmatic steps necessary to achieve common vision and processes. This journey has necessitated a convergence of our thinking about what constitutes the living theory and philosophy of the new midwifery in the Australian context, and how this fits with international trends.

Process.  The journey took midwife academics from one paradigm to another, forging partnerships between universities to develop an innovative undergraduate midwifery curriculum that shares academic expertise and resources. Consultation between a multitude of competing interests and voices became one of our biggest challenges, but this process itself has helped to change the very landscape in which we travel. In the end, we had to examine our baggage, and much that was excess had to be abandoned. In particular, our emphasis on language and the politics of the midwifery partnership with women became the subject of much debate and contention, and reflects the competing philosophies developing in the midwifery profession. Despite this, there were many who suggested that we had left behind too much, and others who would have us pack even more. Compromises were inevitable if we were to proceed and set up the next stage of a journey that would open a new and challenging frontier to working with Australian childbearing women.