bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Weather Parameters on Seasonal Incidence of Oriental Armyworm, Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae) Infesting Maize Ecosystem in North Kashmir
Authors: Bhat Ab Ahad , Tak Hidayatullah , Ahad Ishtiyaq , War Waseem Ahmad , Dass Wasim Muzamil
Published: February 2024

The investigation on the seasonal incidence of oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura SKUAST-K during kharif  2021. Shalimar composite-6 maize variety was cultivated under the standard practices for Kashmir valley, recommended by SKUAST-K. The pest activity during the crop growth period was monitored by using light traps and visual observations. Findings revealed that adult M. separata on maize emerged in the 18th standard meteorological week (SMW) with its peak in the 24th week and remained active until the 37th week. Similarly, armyworm caterpillars appeared in the 19th to 37th SMW and reached their peak in the 29th week in the maize ecosystem during 2021. Moreover, the percentage of infestation during the Kharif season was found to be minimum of 10 per cent in the 19th SMW, reaching its peak of 63 per cent in the 29th SMW. The infestation gradually decreased and persisted for eight weeks, with 10 per cent infestation in the 37th SMW. The relationship between adult population and weather parameters showed a positive correlation with maximum temperature (r = 0.14) and a negative correlation with minimum temperature (r = -0.22), morning relative humidity (r = -0.52*) and evening relative humidity (r = -0.47*). However, M. separata adult populations showed a significant negative association with rainfall (r = -0.51*). Correlations drawn between important weather parameters and larvae of M. separata showed significant positive correlation with maximum temperature (r = 0.60**) and minimum temperature (r =0.56**), while morning RH (r = -0.36) and evening RH (r = -0.29) showed negative association and rainfall (r =-0.16) also exhibited negative association with the larval infestation of M. separata during Kharif 2021. The study on percentage infestation also demonstrated a significant positive correlation with maximum temperature (r = 0.47*) and minimum temperature (r = 0.53*), while morning relative humidity (r = -0.22) and evening relative humidity (r = -0.29) showed negative associations. Rainfall (r = -0.20) displayed a negative correlation with the per cent infestation of M. separata.
A New Approach to Dual Jacobsthal Split Quaternions with Different Polar Representation
Authors: Babadag Faik , Kakar Mirwais Mansoor , Atasoy Ali
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we introduce split quaternions with components including dual Jacobsthal and dual Jacobsthal- Lucas number sequences. By using Binet's formulas of these type split quaternions we give an explicit form of classic polar representations of them, after that we demonstrate a new polar representation by using Cayley-Dikson's notation of split quaternions which is based on two complex numbers. Some fundamental properties and identities for these type of split quaternions are studied. In further the current paper, it would be valuable to replicate similar approaches polar representationin with dual Jacobsthal Split quaternions.
Resolution of the Standard Telegraph Equation by the Laplace-Adomian Method
Authors: Youssouf MINOUNGOU , Moussa BAGAYOGO , Youssouf PARE
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we resarch the solution of the standard telegraph equation by the Laplace-Adomian method. The Laplace-Adomian method is based on the combination of Laplace transform and the Adomian decompositionnal method.
Determining the Ideal Index for Assessing Detrusor Contractility in Women: Insights from Urodynamic Diagnosis and Age
Authors: Valentini FA , Marti BG , Zimmern PE
Published: February 2024

Aims: Detrusor contractility governs the voiding process. Its evaluation in women derived from an intubated flow is obtained from the contractility indices PIP1 and the VBN-derived parameter k. Both values of PIP1 and k are dependent of the urodynamic diagnosis (UD) and decrease with aging. Our goal was to find out if one of these indexes was more informative depending on UD and age.

Methods: Contractility was evaluated from pressure-flow studies of 354 non-neurologic women (age range 20-96 y) who were referred for investigation of various lower urinary tract dysfunctions and who fulfilled criteria for inclusion: non-interrupted flow, voided volume >100 mL and Qmax> 2mL/s.

UD were bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), detrusor hyperactivity with impaired contractility (DHIC), detrusor overactivity (DO), detrusor underactivity (DU). Some investigations were found “normal” (N) and other related to urethral dysfunction (intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD)) or voiding triggered by urethral relaxation (URA)). Data were interpreted across age-groups with 20 years interval, at least 3 patients with one UD in a given age-group interval.

Results: Among all the UD, only 2 did not have a sufficient number of patients to be reported: DHIC for 20-40y and URA for >80y. For each UD, variations of k and PIP1 demonstrated a decrease with age, which was more important for k in the age group >80y (compared with all age groups). Age–groups 20-40 and 41-60 gave comparable values of k and PIP1 for UD BOO, DO and DU. Analysis of percentage of contractility value variation showed a more important and significant decrease for k vs. PIP1 between age-groups 61-80 and >80 for all UD (p=.0028).

Conclusions: If both detrusor contractility indexes have values well related to urodynamic diagnosis which decrease with age, use of k is more informative than PIP1 in elderly women.
Influence of Different Herbicides on the Growth, Growth Attributes and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) under Central Plains Zone of Uttar Pradesh
Authors: Sachan Dhruvendra Singh , Khan Nadeem , Maurya C. L. , Singh Bhanu
Published: February 2024

The field experiment was carried out at Agriculture Research Farm, Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India during Kharif, 2021. The experiment was aimed at studying the effect of herbicides on the growth and yield of maize crop. The experiment was laid down in the Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 12 treatments and was replicated three times. The highest plant height was observed in weed free treatment due to weed free environment all over the maize growth period but among the herbicides, treatment(T8) Atrazine @ 0.5 kg a.i. ha-1 PE followed by Tembotrione @ 0.120 kg a.i. ha-1 PoE at 20 DAS showed highest plant height of 115.2 cm, 173.63 cm and 226.29 cm at 40 DAS, 60 DAS and at harvest stage, respectively. The same treatment (T8) also resulted in the highest number of leaves per plant. The highest cob weight per plant, grain weight per cob, number of seed per cob and test weight of 219.23 g, 144.1 g, 579.23 and 27.43 g, respectively was observed in the same treatment (T­8). The highest grain yield (5199 kg ha-1) was observed in the weed free treatment but among the herbicidal treatment, the treatment T8 obtained the highest grain yield of 4803 kg ha-1 and was at par with the treatment (T7) Atrazine @ 0.5 kg a.i. ha-1 fb 2,4-D sodium salt @ 0.5 kg a.i. ha-1 PoE at 30 DAS bearing grain yield of 4723 kg ha-1. Among the herbicidal treatments, the treatment (T8) also resulted in the highest biological yield (12042 kg ha-1) and Harvest index (39.89%) which was at par with the treatment Atrazine @ 0.5 kg a.i. ha-1 PE followed by 2,4-D sodium salt @ 0.8 kg a.i. ha-1 PoE at 30 DAS (T7).
Unveiling the Economic Potential of Smallholder Pepper Production in the Kumbungu District of Northern Ghana
Authors: Shiraz Hamida , Iddrisu Muniratu , Iddi Fairuzah Yahaya , Abdulai Hubeida
Published: February 2024

This study examines the economic benefits and constraints associated with smallholder pepper production in the Kumbungu District of Northern Ghana. Using a multistage sampling method and semi-structured questionnaire, data were gathered from 200 pepper producers from various communities within the district. Gross Margin analysis, descriptive statistics and Kendall’s Concordance method were employed to analyze the data. The results revealed that male farmers dominated with 88% whiles the remaining 12% were women, the mean age of the respondent was 34.21. Majority of the respondents were married (72.5%) while the remaining were single (27.5%) with no divorcees or widows. 85.5% cultivate pepper on farm size between 1.1 to 2.0 hectares with relatively highest mean productivity. In addition, pepper production in the study area is profitable due to GH₵1.98 return for every GH₵1 invested. Major factors identified and ranked as the main constraints in order of importance were; Insufficient working capital, High cost of production inputs, Low level of government support, Inadequate storage facilities, Perishable nature of pepper, Poor mode of transportation, long distance to market, difficulty in getting land for production and insufficient knowledge in pepper production. Therefore, NGOs and Financial institutions who have interest in agriculture should offer credit facilities to pepper farmers for expanding production. The provision of incentive in the form of subsidy, cost-sharing, price control among others should be instituted by the Government, MOFA and Non-Governmental Organization to aid in the expansion of pepper production in the study area.
Modified Fuzzy Neural Network Approach for Academic Performance Prediction of Students in Early Childhood Education
Authors: Hameed Marwah
Published: February 2024

Modern education relies heavily on educational technology, which provides students with unique learning opportunities and enhances their ability to learn. For many years now, computers and other technological tools have been an integral part of education. However, compared to other educational levels, the incorporation of educational technology in early childhood education is a more recent trend. It is because of this that materials and procedures tailored to young children must be created, implemented, and studied. The use of artificial intelligence techniques in educational technology resources has resulted in better engagement for students. Early childhood special education students' academic achievement is predicted using a Modified Fuzzy Neural Network (MFNN). Before constructing the classifier, the dataset had to be preprocessed to remove any extraneous information. As a follow-up, this study will put to the test an organized approach to the implementation of customized fuzzy neural networks for the prediction of academic achievement in early childhood settings. Considerations for the analysis of academic achievement in early childhood education are discussed in this article, including recommendations for the implementation of proposed modified fuzzy neural networks. In terms of evaluation metrics such as Precision, recall, accuracy, and the F1 coefficient, the proposed model outperforms conventional machine-learning (ML) techniques.
Experimental identification of design parameters for novel reactor–separator
Authors: Shah Parag S. , Suppes Galen J.
Published: February 2005

The separation of methanol from glycerin and biodiesel in biodiesel manufacturing significantly adds to the cost of the biodiesel. A novel reactor–separator, based on flowing effluents through a temperature gradient, keeps the methanol in the reactor and could decrease the cost of separating methanol from glycerin and biodiesel. The reactor–separator has a lateral extension at the bottom of the reactor, which is referred as the “auto‐recycle discharge.” This discharge replaces a conventional flash separator and condenser. The ability of the auto‐recycle discharge to remove methanol from glycerin and biodiesel was experimentally evaluated at discharge temperatures ranging from 60 to 180°C and pressures from 101 to 515 kPa. Exiting compositions approached methanol's bubble point compositions under the assumption of a nonvolatile second component (either glycerin or biodiesel), and this constraint largely defined the separation that was achieved. Glycerin with less than 2% methanol was obtained using this separator. When extended for the separation of methanol from biodiesel, less than 1% methanol remained in the biodiesel effluent. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2005
Association analysis of monoamine genes with measures of depression and anxiety in a selected community sample of siblings
Authors: Nash M.W. , Sugden K. , Huezo‐Diaz P. , Williamson R. , Sterne A. , Purcell S. , Sham P.C. , Craig I.W.
Published: February 2005

Evidence indicates the genetic susceptibility to depression and anxiety is both overlapping and dimensional. In the current study, a quantitative phenotype had been created from several depression and anxiety‐related measures in order to index this common genetic susceptibility (G). This has been studied in 119 sibships comprising 312 individuals, selected for extreme scores on G, from a community‐based sample of 34,371 individuals. In a pathway based candidate gene study, we examined five microsatellite markers located within or nearby to five serotonin system genes (5HT2C, 5HT1D, 5HT1B, TPH1, and MAOB). Statistical analysis, carried out using QTDT, gave a significant association with a microsatellite downstream of TPH1. Further analysis included a life‐events composite as a co‐variable, this lead to a stronger association of TPH1. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report an association of the 3′ end of TPH1 with continuous measures of depression and anxiety. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Klinefelter's syndrome (XXY) as a genetic model for psychotic disorders
Authors: DeLisi Lynn E. , Maurizio Andrea M. , Svetina Christine , Ardekani Babak , Szulc Kamila , Nierenberg Jay , Leonard Jay , Harvey Phillip D.
Published: February 2005

Males with an extra‐X chromosome (Klinefelter's syndrome) frequently, although not always, have an increased prevalence of psychiatric disturbances that range from attention deficit disorder in childhood to schizophrenia or severe affective disorders during adulthood. In addition, they frequently have characteristic verbal deficits. Thus, examining brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of these individuals may yield clues to the influence of X chromosome genes on brain structural variation corresponding to psychiatric and cognitive disorders. Eleven adult XXY and 11 age matched XY male controls were examined with a structured psychiatric interview, battery of cognitive tests, and an MRI scan. Ten of eleven of the XXY men had some form of psychiatric disturbance, four of whom had auditory hallucinations compared with none of the XY controls. Significantly smaller frontal lobe, temporal lobe, and superior temporal gyrus (STG) cortical volumes were observed bilaterally in the XXY men. In addition, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of white matter integrity resulted in four regions of reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) in XXY men compared with controls, three in the left hemisphere, and one on the right. These correspond to the left posterior limb of the internal capsule, bilateral anterior cingulate, and left arcuate bundle. Specific cognitive deficits in executive functioning attributable to frontal lobe integrity and verbal comprehension were noted. Thus, excess expression of one or more X chromosome genes influences both gray and white matter development in frontal and temporal lobes, as well as white matter tracts leading to them, and may in this way contribute to the executive and language deficits observed in these adults. Future prospective studies are needed to determine which gene or genes are involved and whether their expression could be modified with appropriate treatments early in life. Brain expressed genes that are known to escape inactivation on extra‐X chromosomes would be prime candidates. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A meta‐analysis of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and schizophrenia risk
Authors: Lewis Sarah J. , Zammit Stanley , Gunnell David , Smith George Davey
Published: February 2005

Epigenetic mechanisms such as methylation of DNA, could lead to abnormal neurodevelopment and may be important in the etiology of schizophrenia. Maternal dietary folate intake may play a role in determining methylation levels. The MTHFR gene C677T polymorphism influences folate metabolism and intracellular availability of folate metabolites for methylation. We carried out a meta‐analysis of MTHFR C677T genotype and schizophrenia risk, and found that TT homozygotes had a significantly increased risk, OR 1.48 (1.18–1.86). This supports the hypothesis that folate status is a determinant of schizophrenia risk. Larger studies of this issue are required, together with studies of maternal genotype which could identify whether maternal folate status during pregnancy is important. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of nonmesogenic crosslinking units on the mesogenic properties of side‐chain cholesteric liquid crystalline elastomers
Authors: Meng Fan‐Bao , Zhang Bao‐Yan , Xiao Wen‐Qiang , Hu Tao‐Xian
Published: February 2005

A series of cyclosiloxane‐based cholesteric liquid crystalline elastomers were synthesized by using cholest‐5‐en‐3‐ol(3β)‐4‐(2‐propenyloxy)benzoate and a soft nonmesogenic crosslinking agent, acryloyl‐hexyl acrylate. The polymers were prepared in a one‐step reaction with the crosslinking contents ranging between 0 and 5.6 weight %. The effective crosslink density (Mc) was determined by swelling experiments employing Flory–Rehner models. All the polymers exhibited thermotropic LC properties and revealed a cholesteric phase. With increase of the crosslinking component in the polymers, the melting behavior disappeared and the enthalpy of transition decreased. But the temperature of glass transition and clear point changed little and did not show uptrend or downtrend. Reflection spectra of the cholesteric mesophase of the polymers showed that the reflected wavelength became broad and shifted to long wavelength with increase of the soft crosslinking component in the polymer systems. All these results originate from the effect of the soft nonmesogenic chemical crosslinking. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 625–631, 2005
Evaluation of the diethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate)/acrylic acid copolymer behavior by solid‐state 13C‐NMR
Authors: da Silva Edemilson P. , Tavares Maria Inês B. , Fraga Luciana A. , Kaplan Maria A. C.
Published: February 2005

The dynamic behavior of diethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate) (CR‐39)/acrylic acid (AA) copolymers was evaluated by 13C high‐resolution solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The NMR data showed that the copolymerization of CR‐39 and AA generated copolymers with different molecular behaviors as a function of AA content, which promoted changes in the crosslinking of CR‐39 chains and in the intramolecular forces. The copolymerization process influenced the sequence distribution and domain formation of the monomers, which is a consequence of the dispersion of comonomers along the macromolecular chains. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 740–745, 2005
Study of the electrical properties of flame retardant poly(vinylchloride) using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy
Authors: Mostafa N. , Mohsen M. , Rashad S. , Aiob A. , Salem El.
Published: February 2005

Since the large fire at the Brown Ferry cable plant which occurred at noon on March 22, 1975 in Alabama, attention has been given to the use of flame retardant cable in buildings to meet fire safety requirements. Flame retardants are used in wire and cable applications to prevent the conversion of an electric spark into fire and subsequently to prevent the spread of fire throughout a structure along the wiring. There are many substances used as flame retardants in wires and cables. In Egypt, Multi‐Purpose Reactor insulation and jacket cables have been constructed from a flame retardant substance, poly(vinylchloride) (PVC). In the present work, elemental and X‐ray fluorescence analyses have been performed to determine the composition of PVC in the jacket cable samples. In addition, the conductivity (σ), permittivity (ϵ′), and dielectric loss (ϵ″) as well as positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) are measured in the temperature range 30 to 140 °C. It is found that the amount of chlorine in the flame‐retardant PVC (FRPVC) jacket cable is significantly higher (5%) than the conventional PVC jacket cable. Inverse relationships between σ and free volume size and fractions (V, f) through the temperature range are obtained. However, a distinct positive relationship between σ and I2 above 100°C is found. The results of PAL and electrical measurements indicate that FRPVC has good electrical insulation properties below 100°C. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 638–644, 2005
Molecular imprinting polymers for the separation of toluic acid isomers
Authors: Park Hye Ryoung , Yoon Soon Do , Bang Eui Yong , Rogers Kim R. , Chough Sung Hyo
Published: February 2005

Molecular imprinting polymers (MIPs) were prepared with styrene, 4‐vinyl pyridine, and divinylbenzene for the separation of toluic acid isomers. The uptake and selectivity were investigated, with respect to how they were governed by the swelling degree of a soft MIP that contained a small amount of crosslinker. The optimum swelling range led to high uptake and the easy removal of the template without sacrificing the selectivity, which was controlled by the shape and size of the imprinting cavity under the same functional monomer, to the guest molecule. The original imprinting cavities were reversibly maintained within the range of 200% swelling and shrinking of MIPs throughout the template extraction. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 650–654, 2005
Electrochemical synthesis and corrosion protection properties of poly(o‐toluidine) coatings on low carbon steel
Authors: Shinde Vandana , Sainkar S. R. , Patil P. P.
Published: February 2005

Uniform and strongly adherent poly(o‐toluidine) (POT) coatings have been synthesized on low carbon steel (LCS) substrates by electrochemical polymerization (ECP) of o‐toluidine under cyclic voltammetric conditions from an aqueous sodium tartrate solution. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), UV‐visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize these coatings, which indicates that the sodium tartrate is a suitable medium for the ECP of o‐toluidine and it occurs without noticeable dissolution of LCS. Corrosion protection properties of the POT coatings were evaluated in aqueous 3% NaCl by the potentiodynamic polarization measurements and CV. The result of the potentiodynamic polarization demonstrates that the POT coating has ability to protect the LCS against corrosion. The corrosion potential was about 334 mV more positive in aqueous 3% NaCl for the POT‐coated LCS than that of bare LCS and reduces the corrosion rate of LCS almost by a factor of 50. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 685–695, 2005
Study of the influence of reaction conditions on the degree of substitution, intrinsic viscosity, and yield of oxidized cellulose acetate by factorial experimental design
Authors: Yang D. , Kumar V.
Published: February 2005

A half‐fraction, two‐level, four‐factor factorial experimental design was used to study the effects of the acetic anhydride concentration, reaction temperature, reaction time, and sulfuric acid concentration on the degree of substitution, intrinsic viscosity, and yield of oxidized cellulose acetate (OCA). Oxidized cellulose containing 20% (w/w) carboxylic acid was used as the starting material. The data were fitted by multiple regression analysis with SAS software. The correlation coefficients obtained from plots of the predicted and observed values for the degree of substitution, intrinsic viscosity, and yield were 0.985, 0.993, and 0.991, respectively. Residual normal plots of the regression models showed a linear relationship. Lenth and main‐factor‐effect plots revealed an increase in the degree of substitution of OCA with an increasing concentration of acetic anhydride. The latter had no effect on the intrinsic viscosity and yield of OCA. An increase in the reaction temperature led to an increase in the degree of substitution and a decrease in the intrinsic viscosity and yield of OCA. The influence of the reaction time on the degree of substitution and intrinsic viscosity followed a trend similar to that observed with the reaction temperature, but the yield of OCA was unaffected. Increasing the concentration of sulfuric acid reduced the degree of substitution, intrinsic viscosity, and yield of OCA. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 696–705, 2005
Prozesskontrolle bei der Synthese nanoskaliger Partikel
Authors: Sommer R. , Dankers S. , Leipertz A.
Published: February 2005

Um den Einfluss unterschiedlicher Prozessparameter bei der großtechnischen Nanopartikelsynthese auf die Bildungs‐ und Wachstumskinetik besser verstehen und kontrollieren zu können, ist es notwendig, neben anderen Produkteigenschaften vor allem die Primärpartikelgröße des jeweiligen Stoffsystems online und in situ zu bestimmen. Eine hierfür geeignete Messmethode stellt prinzipiell die zeitaufgelöste laserinduzierte Glühtechnik (TIRE‐LII) dar, deren Anwendbarkeit zur Nanopartikelcharakterisierung an den verschiedensten großtechnischen Produktionsreaktoren aufgezeigt werden soll. Neben der Prozesskontrolle von Industrierußen soll auch das Potenzial der Messtechnik zur Charakterisierung anderer Nanopartikel näher betrachtet und diskutiert werden. Hierfür wurden sowohl Untersuchungen an einem Niederdruckverdampfungs‐ als auch an einem CO2‐Laserverdampfungsreaktor für unterschiedliche Metalle und Metalloxide durchgeführt.
The clinical significance of malignant pleural effusions in patients with optimally debulked ovarian carcinoma
Authors: Eitan Ram , Levine Douglas A. , Abu‐Rustum Nadeem , Sonoda Yukio , Huh Jae N. , Franklin Corinna C. , Stevens Tobey A. , Barakat Richard R. , Chi Dennis S.
Published: February 2005

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of malignant pleural effusions on survival in patients with optimally debulked, advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

METHODS

The authors conducted a retrospective review of all patients with advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma who underwent optimal primary cytoreduction at their institution between January 1987 and August 2000. Survival rates were compared between patients with optimally debulked Stage IIIC epithelial ovarian carcinoma and patients with optimally debulked Stage IV epithelial ovarian carcinoma (according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] staging system) based on cytology‐proven malignant pleural effusions.

RESULTS

Ninety‐nine patients were identified, and 97 of those patients were evaluable. The group with Stage IIIC disease included 76 patients, and the group with Stage IV disease included 21 patients. The median age at diagnosis was 55 years (range, 26–88 years). The majority of patients received platinum‐based chemotherapy after undergoing optimal primary cytoreduction. Age, tumor grade and histology, and the percentage of patients with ascites were similar in the two groups. The median survival rate was 58 months for patients who had Stage IIIC disease and 30 months for patients who had Stage IV disease (P = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

Although both groups underwent optimal cytoreduction in the abdomen/pelvis and were treated in a similar fashion, the median survival rate of patients with malignant pleural effusions was significantly shorter than the survival of patients without effusions. Many factors that led to or were manifested by pleural effusions, such as undetected bulky residual intrathoracic disease, may have been the cause for this survival difference. In the patients with effusions, one or more of these contributing factors may have led to the observed decreased survival rate, warranting further investigation. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Screening for psychologic distress in ambulatory cancer patients
Authors: Jacobsen Paul B. , Donovan Kristine A. , Trask Peter C. , Fleishman Stewart B. , Zabora James , Baker Frank , Holland Jimmie C.
Published: February 2005

BACKGROUND

Based on evidence that psychologic distress often goes unrecognized although it is common among cancer patients, clinical practice guidelines recommend routine screening for distress. For this study, the authors sought to determine whether the single‐item Distress Thermometer (DT) compared favorably with longer measures currently used to screen for distress.

METHODS

Patients (n = 380) who were recruited from 5 sites completed the DT and identified the presence or absence of 34 problems using a standardized list. Participants also completed the 14‐item Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and an 18‐item version of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI‐18), both of which have established cutoff scores for identifying clinically significant distress.

RESULTS

Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses of DT scores yielded area under the curve estimates relative to the HADS cutoff score (0.80) and the BSI‐18 cutoff scores (0.78) indicative of good overall accuracy. ROC analyses also showed that a DT cutoff score of 4 had optimal sensitivity and specificity relative to both the HADS and BSI‐18 cutoff scores. Additional analyses indicated that, compared with patients who had DT scores < 4, patients who had DT scores ≥ 4 were more likely to be women, have a poorer performance status, and report practical, family, emotional, and physical problems (P ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings confirm that the single‐item DT compares favorably with longer measures used to screen for distress. A DT cutoff score of 4 yielded optimal sensitivity and specificity in a general cancer population relative to established cutoff scores on longer measures. The use of this cutoff score identified patients with a range of problems that were likely to reflect psychologic distress. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
JOPI: a Java object‐passing interface
Authors: Al‐Jaroodi Jameela , Mohamed Nader , Jiang Hong , Swanson David
Published: February 2005

Recently there has been an increasing interest in developing parallel programming capabilities in Java to harness the vast resources available in clusters, grids and heterogeneous networked systems. In this paper, we introduce a Java object‐passing interface (JOPI) library. JOPI provides Java programmers with the necessary functionality to write object‐passing parallel programs in distributed heterogeneous systems. JOPI provides a Message Passing Interface (MPI)‐like interface that can be used to exchange objects among processes. In addition to the well‐known benefits of the object‐oriented development model, using objects to exchange information in JOPI is advantageous because it facilitates passing complex structures and enables the programmer to isolate the problem space from the parallelization problem. The run‐time environment for JOPI is portable, efficient and provides the necessary functionality to deploy and execute parallel Java programs. Experiments were conducted on a cluster system and a collection of heterogeneous platforms to measure JOPI's performance and compare it with MPI. The results show good performance gains using JOPI. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proton‐Driven Conformational Switch of a Cyclohexyl Skeleton Coupled with NH···O Hydrogen‐Bond Formation
Authors: Onoda Akira , Haruna Hiroshi , Yamamoto Hitoshi , Takahashi Kazuyuki , Kozuki Hidekazu , Okamura Taka‐aki , Ueyama Norikazu
Published: February 2005

We report an unprecedented, proton‐drivenring transfor‐mation from a chair to a twist‐boat conformation in the doublyamide‐derived Kemp’s acid compounds r‐1,c‐3,c‐5‐(CH3)3‐3,5‐(Ph2CHNHCO)2C6H6‐1‐COOH (1) and (NMe4){r‐1,c‐3,c‐5‐(CH3)3‐3,5‐(Ph2CHNHCO)2C6H6‐1‐COO–} (2) with a protonated and deprotonated carboxyl group, respectively. Each conformation was determined by X‐ray analyses and 1H NMR spectroscopy. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
A Catalytic Enantioselective Aza‐Michael Reaction: Novel Protocols for Asymmetric Synthesis of β‐Amino Carbonyl Compounds
Authors: Xu Li‐Wen , Xia Chun‐Gu
Published: February 2005

β‐Amino carbonyl functionalities are ubiquitous motifs in natural and nonnatural products such as alkaloids and poly‐ketides. Among the reactions for the synthesis of β‐amino car‐bonyl compounds and β‐substituted β‐amino acids, aza‐Michael reactions using catalytic amounts of chiral Lewisacids might provide the best methods for the generation of optically active β‐amino carbonyl compounds. During the last five years, the asymmetric aza‐Michael reaction has emerged as a very powerful tool for the synthesis of chiral β‐amino carbonyl compounds, as will be discussed in this microreview. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Cover Picture: Asymmetric Cyclopropanation of Optically Active (1‐Diethoxyphosphoryl)vinyl p‐Tolyl Sulfoxide with Sulfur Ylides: A Rationale for Diastereoselectivity (Eur. J. Org. Chem. 4/2005)
Authors: Midura Wanda H. , Krysiak Jerzy A. , Cypryk Marek , Mikołajczyk Marian , Wieczorek Michał W. , Filipczak Agnieszka D.
Published: February 2005

The cover picture shows the preferred steric course of the reaction of sulfur ylides with enantiopure α‐phosphorylvinyl sulfoxides. The background is crystalline sulfur, rich deposits of which are in south‐eastern Poland. Sulfur and its alchemical emblem symbolize the importance of the stereogenic sulfur atom in this asymmetric cyclopropanation reaction. Details are discussed in the article by M. Miko?ajczyk et al. on p. 653 ff.
Soluble branched (1,4)‐β‐D‐glucans from Acetobacter species enhance antitumor activities against MHC class I‐negative and ‐positive malignant melanoma through augmented NK activity and cytotoxic T‐cell response
Authors: Kamiryo Yoriyuki , Yajima Toshiki , Saito Kimika , Nishimura Hitoshi , Fushimi Takashi , Ohshima Yoshifumi , Tsukamoto Yoshinori , Naito Seiji , Yoshikai Yasunobu
Published: February 2005

We previously found that an extracellular polysaccharide, AC‐1, produced by Acetobacter polysaccharogenes composed of (1,4)‐β‐D‐glucan with branches of glucosyl residues showed a strong activity to induce production of interleukin (IL)‐12 p40 and tumor necrosis factor‐α by macrophage cell lines in vitro via Toll‐like receptor‐4 signaling. In the present study, we examined the effects of oral administration of AC‐1 on protection against 2 types of murine B16 melanoma lines, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I‐negative B16L and MHC class I gene‐transfected B16Kb cells. Mice were inoculated subcutaneously with B16L or B16Kb cells on day 0 and administrated intragastrically with AC‐1 or PBS once every 5 days from 1 day before tumor inoculation. The tumor growth was severely retarded in AC‐1‐treated mice after subcutaneous inoculation with B16L or B16Kb cells. The AC‐1‐treated mice showed augmented natural killer (NK) cell activity against B16L cells, and in vivo depletion of NK cells by antiasialoGM1 antibody (Ab) treatment abrogated the antitumor activity in AC‐1‐treated mice. On the other hand, AC‐1‐treated mice inoculated with B16Kb cells developed a significantly higher level of cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte response against B16Kb cells, and in vivo depletion of CD8+ T cells by anti‐CD8 mAb treatment abrogated the antitumor activity. Thus, AC‐1 augmented antitumor activity against different tumors via augmentation of different antitumor mechanisms. These results suggest a possible prophylactic application of AC‐1 for human neoplasms irrespective of expression levels of their MHC class I molecules. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
BRAF mutation associated with dysregulation of apoptosis in human colorectal neoplasms
Authors: Ikehara Nobunao , Semba Shuho , Sakashita Masanori , Aoyama Nobuo , Kasuga Masato , Yokozaki Hiroshi
Published: February 2005

To understand the role of BRAF dysfunction in the carcinogenesis and progression/development of colorectal tumors, the authors investigated genetic alterations in the BRAF gene in human colorectal neoplasms as well as the effects of an RAS inhibitor in BRAF‐mutant cells. Seven colon cancer cell lines and 116 colorectal tumors (34 adenomas and 82 adenocarcinomas) were analyzed. Genetic alterations in the BRAF and K‐ras genes were examined using polymerase chain reaction‐single strand conformation polymorphism and direct sequencing analyses. The growth‐inhibitory and apoptosis‐inducing effects of the FTI‐277 RAS inhibitor in colon cancer cell lines were analyzed as well. An immunohistochemical study was also performed to investigate the correlations between the clinicopathologic parameters involved in the Ki‐67 labeling index and the number of apoptotic bodies in tumor cells. FTI‐277 did not suppress the proliferation of BRAF‐mutant cells (WiDr and TCO), but remarkably inhibited the growth of K‐ras mutant cells (LoVo). Interestingly, LoVo cells underwent apoptosis by FTI‐277 in a dose‐dependent manner, whereas WiDr cells were resistant to this agent. In tumor samples, BRAF mutations were found in 1 (3.0%) of 33 adenomas and 6 (7.2%) of 83 adenocarcinomas. No tumor exhibited mutations in both the BRAF and K‐ras genes. Neither BRAF nor K‐ras mutations correlated with the Ki‐67 labeling index immunohistochemically. However, the number of apoptotic bodies was significantly decreased in the BRAF‐mutant tumors. Mutation in the BRAF gene may contribute to colorectal carcinogenesis by upregulating the antiapoptotic role of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Planning to win: The best way to predict the future
Authors: Serven Lawrence B. M.
Published: February 2005

Planning in many organizations today is often more of a mechanical exercise than a value‐adding process. But planning should not be about merely forecasting results. Instead, it should be about making results happen. Planning is about driving shareholder value each and every day. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of Alcian blue and ruthenium red effects on preservation of outer envelope ultrastructure in methanotrophic bacteria
Authors: Fassel Theresa A. , Schaller Marilyn J. , Remsen Charles C.
Published: February 2005

Alcian blue (AB) and ruthenium red (RR) effects on ultrastructural preservation of the bacterial cell envelope of methanotrophs are compared. A previous successful method with RR that enhanced preservation of outer envelope layers in two representative methanotroph species is applied to other genera and species of methanotropic bacteria. Alcian blue is substituted for RR in this en bloc protocol. The effect of AB on preservation of these layers is assessed at the ultrastructural level and compared to RR for all species examined. Further, comparison with freeze etch and a fixation in the absence of either RR or AB is made. Both RR and AB are found to aid preservation and help visualize additional components of the cell envelope which are lost or minimized in a standard fixation not employing these cationic reagents. For some species, images obtained are similar between RR and AB procedures and agree with images seen by freeze etch. For other species, AB preserves extended filamentous material that is partially condensed even with the use of RR. Thus, use of AB improves the preservation of outer envelope structure in these organisms equally or more effectively than use of RR.
Characterization of Sertoli cell perinuclear filaments
Authors: Suarez‐Quian Carlos A. , Dym Martin
Published: February 2005

Sertoli cell nuclei are characterized by deep invaginations and, in addition, the orientation of the nuclei with respect to the wall of the seminiferous tubules varies during the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium. These events may be the result of cytoplasmic filaments acting at the level of the nuclear capsule and may represent significant changes in Sertoli cell activity. Thus, a study was performed to characterize the nature of the perinuclear filaments of Sertoli cells in vivo and in vitro.

In Sertoli cells in vivo, microtubules and microfilaments were often detected in the perinuclear cytoplasm, and these cytoskeletal components were observed to course either parallel to, or abut at, the nuclear capsule. In Sertoli cells in vitro, the nuclear infoldings are retained and the perinuclear cytoskeleton was shown to contain microtubules, f‐actin, and intermediate filaments. A fixation‐permeabilization protocol employing tannic acid–saponin was used and it significantly enhanced the preservation of cytoskeletal components. The presence of f‐actin was demonstrated by using the S1 fragment of muscle myosin to decorate the microfilaments. Treatment of the cultured cells with either microtubule or f‐actin depolymerizing agents had no effect on nuclear shape. Thus, at present, the function of the prominent perinuclear cytoskeletal components remains unknown.
Preparation of individual electrically and video‐recorded eggs for integrated temporal and electron microscopic analyses
Authors: Longo Frank J. , McCulloh David H. , Ivonnet Pedro I. , Chambers Edward L.
Published: February 2005

A method for correlative studies of early fertilization events that integrates techniques of intracellular electrophysiological recording, video‐imaging, and electron microscopy is described. A key feature of the method is its ability to identify the fertilizing sperm and to record the moment of egg excitation. Since the site of gamete interaction is recognizable throughout all stages of preparation, difficulties associated with locating the site of fertilization and determining specimen orientation for microtomy and electron microscopic examination are eliminated. Virtually all samples yield useful information. An example of interacting gametes fixed 4 sec after initiation of the fertilization potential and serial sectioned is described. The method is applicable to systems other than fertilizing eggs when functional, temporal, and spatial relationships of individual cells need to be correlated with changes in ultrastructure.
Application of ultrahigh vacuum reflection electron microscopy for the study of clean silicon surfaces in sublimation, epitaxy, and phase transitions
Authors: Latyshev A. V. , Krasilnikov A. B. , Aseev A. L.
Published: February 2005

The construction and performance of an ultrahigh vacuum reflection electron microscope (UHV REM) on the base of a transmission electron microscope with top entry stage are described. Some results of in situ study of structural transformations on clean silicon surfaces during sublimation, surface phase transitions, and initial stages of epitaxial growth are shown.
Reflection electron microscopy and interferometry of atomic steps on gold and platinum single crystal surfaces
Authors: Banzhof H. , Herrmann K. H. , Lichte H.
Published: February 2005

Two beam interferences produced using an electrostatic biprism, which is inserted in the position of the selected area diaphragm of a commercial electron microscope, may be used in reflection electron microscopy to determine the phase shifts induced by structures on single crystal surfaces. A description of our interferometrical and holographical experiments on the phase shift at steps on (111)Au and (111)Pt single crystal surfaces is given and a straight forward interpretation of the results in terms of refraction will be discussed. As a particular result phase shifts of π and 0.9π were measured for monatomic steps on (111)gold and (111)platinum surfaces, respectively.
Localization of adenovirus DNA by in situ hybridization electron microscopy
Authors: Jiao Renjie , Yu Wendou , Ding Mingxiao , Zhai Zhonghe
Published: February 2005

Biotinylated deoxyadenosine triphosphate (dATP) (Bio‐7‐dATP) and 3H deoxythymidine triphosphate (dTTP) labeled adenovirus DNA were hybridized in situ to thin sections of Lowicryl K4M‐embedded and whole‐mount extracted HeLa cells infected with adenovirus. The biotinylated probe was detected by exposing the extracted cells or sections to antibodies against biotin followed by colloidal gold‐conjugated secondary antibodies and then critical‐point dried while 3H‐dTTP labeled probe by electron microscopic autoradiography. On Lowicryl K4M sections, gold particles and silver grains were mainly restricted in the nucleus. Furthermore, whole‐mount results suggested that replicating adenovirus DNA is localized on the nuclear matrix of its host cell. In this paper, the described non‐radioactive procedures for hybrid detection offered several advantages: (a) rapid signal detection; (ob) superior morphological preservation and spatial resolution; (c) precise localization; and (d) on Lowicryl K4M sections, signal to noise equivalent to radiolabeling.
The ultrstructure of neuronal‐pinealocytic interconnections in the monkey pineal
Authors: Ichimura Takao
Published: February 2005

Recent ultrastructural studies of neuronal‐pinealocytic interconnections in the monkey pineal are reviewed. The pinealocytes in the adult monkey show almost all of the cytological specializations known in subprimate mammals. Adjacent pinealocytes are functionally coupled through ribbon synapses on cell bodies and gap junctions on cell bodies and cell processes. The pinealocytes receive direct synaptic contacts of nerve fibers with cholinergic terminal morphology. Nerve cells restricted to the central portion of the pineal receive synaptic contacts with more than three different morphologically defined types of nerve terminals. In addition to nerve terminals containing small clear vesicles or vesicles of pleomorphic morphology, a pinealocyte's terminal process containing the synaptic ribbon forms a true synaptic contact on the nerve cell body. The diversity of synapses on these nerve cells strongly suggests multiple origins of these neurons rather than a single peripheral parasympathetic origin. The possible involvement of pineal neurons in an intrinsic circuit that regulates the function of pinealocytes and integrates the neural input from the central as well as the peripheral nervous systems is discussed.
Immunocytochemistry and calcium cytochemistry of the mammalian pineal organ: A comparison with retina and submammalian pineal organs
Authors: Vigh‐Teichmann I. , Vigh B.
Published: February 2005

Morphologically the mammalian pineal organ is a part of the diencephalon. It represents a neural tissue histologically (“pineal nervous tissue”) and is dissimilar to endocrine glands. Submammalian pinealocytes resemble the photoreceptor cells of the retina, and some of their cytologic characteristics are preserved in the mammalian pinealocytes together with compounds demonstrable by cyto‐ and immunocyto‐chemistry and participating in photochemical transduction. In our opinion, the main trend of today's literature on pineal functions—only considering the organ as a common endocrine gland—deviates from this structural and histochemical basis.

In mammals, similar to the lower vertebrates, the pinealocytes have a sensory cilium developed to a different extent. The axonic processes of pinealocytes form ribbon‐containing synapses on secondary pineal neurons, and/or neurohormonal terminals on the basal lamina of the surface of the pineal nervous tissue facing the perivascular spaces. Ribbon‐containing axo‐dendritic synapses were found in the rat, cat, guinea pig, ferret, and hedgehog. In the cat, we found GABA‐immunoreactive interneurons, while the secondary nerve cells, whose axons enter the habenular commissure, were GABA‐immunonegative. GABA‐immunogoldylabeled axons run between pinealocytes and form axo‐dendritic synapses on intrapineal neurons.

There is a similarity between the light and electron microscopic localization of Ca ions in the mammalian and submammalian pineal organs and retina of various vertebrates. Calcium pyroantimonate deposits—showing the presence of Ca ions—were found in the outer segments of the pineal and retinal photoreceptors of the frog. In the rat and human pineal organ, calcium accumulated on the plasmalemma of pinealocytes and intercellularly among pinealocytes. The formation of pineal concrements in mammals may be connected to the high need for Ca exchange of the pinealocytes for their supposed receptor and effector functions. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.